Travel Stories, Cruise Reviews, and Cultural Adventures

Five versatile actors deftly portray 42 colorful characters in a delightful production of "Around the World in 80 Days" held over at...

The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles is the perfect venue for a beautifully staged "Bright Star," with a bluegrass band on stage, and a full pit orchestra in the traditional place below. The show is spectacularly staged. MUSICAL EARNS BRAVOS, STANDING OVATIONS IN ITS TOE-TAPPING REINCARNATION Carmen Cusack's lovely leading lady role makes the audience laugh -- and cry -- in "Bright Star." The actress played the role of Alice on Broadway. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By B

GLORIOUS CONCERT HALL, SCULPTURES, WORLD CLASS ARTISTS COMPLEMENT NATURE'S OWN GRAND STAGE AT TIPPET RISE

Discover the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon—one of America’s premier theater events. Featuring classic Shakespearean plays and modern productions, this iconic festival delivers world-class performances in a charming, walkable town known for its vibrant arts scene.

Wading, not quite walking, on the water, sisters Cookie, left, and Olivia, make their way to the wedding on Beverly Beach. Behind them, sister Misha and family friend Virginia join the wedding party for Kira and Mike. Flower girls sprinkle rose petals along the sand, making way for the bride and groom. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Gallavant: to go from place to place seeking out entertainment and amusement-- Oxford Dictionary THIS SUMMER -- more than a

North Coast Repertory Theatre ends its 35th season with a bang. "At This Evening's Performance" is a thoroughly likeable tale about a troupe of actors in a Soviet bloc-like police state, struggling to make magic on stage. Cygnet Theatre's acclaimed production of "Animal Crackers" offers unadulterated fun. DELICIOUSLY FUNNY, FAST-PACED TREATS KEEP US ON OUR TOES AND ENJOYING A LAVISH GLUT OF THEATER CONFECTIONS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and theater mark

The view from our hotel balcony in Fiji last year -- knowing we will return is helping the recovery from transplantation. While Cookie...

Editor's Note: Three weeks ago, we described our journey up the transplant list at Scripps Center for Organ and Cell Transplantation, a world renowned facility luckily 10 minutes from our San Diego home. We detailed the 19-month process leading to the midnight call that a donor had been found. Now -- four weeks from the May 13 surgery -- we continue the complex story of recovery with a look at the "ups and downs" and the caregiver's essential role. From left, writer Rick

Discover why the Welk Theater in Escondido delivers one of the most charming and intimate live performance experiences in Southern California, blending nostalgia, talent, and comfort.

What if an entire island were curated like an art gallery? In Lanzarote, César Manrique’s influence turns every stop into a stunning blend of design, culture, and raw volcanic beauty.

Clifton's in Los Angeles "It's unlike anything you might imagine," said our friend Sue, a native Angelina. She grew up as a Clifton's patron, coming to the cafeteria with her family and still enjoying the occasional Clifton's foray today. She was right. Nothing like it.

A theatrical Valentine awaits in "Freaky Friday," at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Wherever on the planet you are, consider a play or concert to create an artful, memorable Valentine's Day Make your Valentine happy at a play -- here approaching La Jolla Playhouse's beautiful Mandell Weiss Theater. "Freaky Friday" is the current production. BE ARTFUL ON THE DAY OF ROMANCE: THINK THE ARTS, WATER, SKY how about a wonderful musical, dinner on the water, picnic, reaching for

In the title role of Marjorie is Dee Maaske, whom we've followed in two decades at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The versatile Maaske...

Discover why the Welk Theater in Escondido delivers one of the most charming and intimate live performance experiences in Southern California, blending nostalgia, talent, and comfort.

Horton Grand Theatre is a perfect venue for the delightfully rendered radio play version of "Miracle on 34th Street." Jennifer Grimm,...

A splendid Georgia mansion built of rare pink marble, known as "Etowah Pink Marble" is decked out for the holidays. Through Dec. 21, the Tate House offers holiday tours, with a delightful luncheon or hors d'oeuvres presentation. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" STELLAR CREATION OF a land baron, philanthropist and tycoon, Tate House -- "the Pink Palace" -- is known throughout the south for its gorgeous pink marble patina and its exquisit

Still packing concert halls and receiving standing ovations, Tony Bennett gives a gracious nod to his music director and accompanist,...

San Diego Repertory Theater's "Disgraced" tackles contemporary issues of race, religion and class in the modern world. The actors are...

Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibit in the Seattle Center directly next to the Space Needle, showcasing the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. It opened in May 2012 at the former site of the defunct Fun Forest amusement park

The people of Oplontis, near Pompeii, lived well in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, until 79 AD, when they were buried by tons of falling...