Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

AMID CITY LIFE, BUILDINGS AND BUSTLE, FLORIDA'S UNIQUE WILDLIFE THRIVES IN BIRD PARKS, EVERGLADES AND HISTORIC HOUSE Flamingos frolic...

GET A BIRD'S EYE GLIMPSE OF THE HOMES AND LIFESTYLE OF THE FILTHY RICH Fort Lauderdale's famous Water Taxi takes tourists and locals on...

FANCY HOTELS, BEAUTIFUL WALLED CITY, FABULOUS RESTAURANTS TRUMP FEAR OF DRUG LIFE   Browsing for souvenirs is a must in colorful...

THREE MAJOR WORLD RELIGIONS LIVE MEANINGFUL LIVES IN HISTORIC ISRAELI CITY  Cookie takes a moment to meditate and give thanks for her...

Contented cows, here near Jacksonville, are a must for good cheese! Blue cheese and red wine -- say ahhh! WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN...

Cookie and Keller take time for a quick cocktail during their guided tour of The Royal Suite on Serenade of the Seas. Would Queen Elizabeth and President Obama join Cookie? WHAT DO THE SIMPLE FOLK DO? LET'S BOOKA ROYAL SUITE TODAY Top penthouses offer luxury.  Cookie covets the "Royal" suites. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS,  PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and archives WHY CAN'T  I stay in the presidential suite every time I cruise? (Or at least in the palatial owner's suite or the spaci

CRUISE FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD TAKES HUGE EFFORT, METICULOUS PLANNING Dozens of cheese plates in the Serenade's galley will be paired with nuts, crackers and veggies for pretty appetizers. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER These edible appetizers were created for a special party on board. This happy worker prepares peppers for shipboard stir fry. WHEN THE  waiter delivers your dinner to a beautifully set cruise table, or the room steward presents you with

COOKIE, KELLER GIVE THANKS TO NEW FRIENDS AND A DIVERSE, LIVELY SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY Boxes galore came from Arizona to southern California...

AVOID TROUBLE BY DOCUMENTING EVERYTHING, PHOTOGRAPHING DAMAGE, OBSERVING LOCAL SIGNS Renting a car abroad -- here in Sardinia -- calls...

The Queen Mary has a long, proud history and was saved from the scrap heap by the city of Long Beach. The revelry aboard the Queen Mary includes vintage dress for special events. WORLD'S ONCE GRANDEST LINER LIVES A LIVELY LIFE IN LONG BEACH Keller and Cookie flank Commodore Hoard on Queen Mary. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ABOARD  the Queen Mary, there's always adventure.  If you want to schedule it, you can, on a series of entertaining tours which take in

The Dukes of Dixieland aboard the steamboat Natchez are a top band. Every day's a holiday in colorful, tuneful  Big Easy N'Awlins STORY...

"Paradores Spain"  include the lovely Aiguablava which looks out on the Mediterranean.  Steps lead to the sea. Parador Aiguablava's...

Late autumn is a delectable time to enjoy the hospitality, light, architecture of Catalonia A field glows in the mid-day sun near the...

The  Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain, sets the tone for a magical day, with its egg-topped facade. NOT ONE, BUT THREE MUSEUMS PAY...

CLIFF DWELLERS DANCE and TECHNO-STRETCH AS WE TRY TO ADVANCE BLOG SCHEDULE!                                                              ...

A BIT OF CONTROL HELPS AND YOU STILL INDULGE ON YOUR HOLIDAY  Dining and drinking are pleasures of travel, here new friends! STORY By...

Economize, pack light, think layers, develop a color theme STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER You'll want clothes that look...

PLAN AHEAD, BUDGET, DON'T OVER-ORCHESTRATE, SHOP AND EAT LOCAL Fresh flowers for the hotel room are a must for Cookie -- here  she...

LINE UP YOUR LODGING BEFORE YOU LEAVE, BE OPEN TO ADVENTURE Memories come in small moments, here on Portugal's Belem Castle bridge. STORY...

If you want to be able to laze and relax once you get there, plan ahead.   PREP TIME BEFORE TRIP ALLOWS MORE TIME TO ENJOY STORY By...