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Recently we had the unfortunate need to travel to Beaumont, Texas for a family funeral.  Since this amounted to a journey of 950 miles each way, it was imperative for us to stop for the night along our route.  We were looking for somewhere to divide up the trip into a two day drive, and Grenada, Mississippi was a little more than half-way.

Five coffee shops to check out, two in New York in Albany and Manhattan, another in Portland, Maine, one in Chicago, Illinois and finally on the west coast, a coffee shop in Seattle, Washington that is not a Starbucks! 

Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, is the most popular gateway to Japan, but in reality, it is not in Tokyo at all.  It is a 60-minute express train ride (80-90 minute bus ride) outside of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. If you are stuck by Narita Airport, because of a long flight connection, there is still lots to do.  Sakura City is a twenty-minute taxi or train ride (JR or Keisei lines) from Narita Airport.  Overflowing in history, it is renowned for its well restored former samurai residences and the National Museum of Japanese History, whose exhibits reveal the story of Japan from archaeological discoveries to modern times. From an artistic perspective, Sakura boasts two distinctive art museums: Sakura City Museum of Art and Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art.  The former was previously the Sakura City branch of Kawasaki Bank and its entrance way is a prefectural cultural property. It displays work by local artists from Sakura and Chiba's Boso Peninsula. The latter museum is heralded for its rich collection of European masters, including: Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet, Chagall, Picasso and Braque, as well as 20^th Century Japanese sensei, such as Korin Ogata. 

Join Collette on an on the brand new Spotlight on New Orleans tour! Step into a cultural melting pot in the “Jazz capital of the World.” This soulful city abounds with rich history, mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, and an incomparable soundtrack. This new tour is unique because it offers travelers the luxury to unpack just once for a single hotel stay and it blends the inclusions Collette is known for with free time to explore on your own. Immerse yourself in the culture of this fantastic city and discover how to cook New Orleans-style, take in a spirited jazz revue, and journey through Louisiana’s swamp country on a narrated cruise.

In the past year, I’ve written many articles and hotel reviews and thought I’d share my top 10 choices for summer fun. In case you’ve missed reading some, here is your chance to find that special spot before summer makes it’s exit.

Join Collette and experience the beauty and timeless wonder found only in Greece.  On this 15 day tour discover the magnificent ruins of ancient Greece and bask in the brilliance of the Mediterranean.  This journey gives you the perfect balance of visits to Greece’s most important Classical age monuments and providing you with ample time to wander the winding streets, vineyards, boutiques, marketplaces and beaches on Mykonos and Santorini. 

Come Back to Jamaica... used to be the popular theme song of Air Jamaica. With its mouthwatering views of the island, the happy singing and dancing islanders, and the perfect weather to lure you, of course you're going back!

Central America has much to offer and one of the beautiful countries to visit there is Guatemala. It is rich in Mayan culture and history, so there is plenty to explore and experience. Let’s start our journey to this country around Lake Atitlan. This 1,000 foot deep lake is surrounded by three volcanoes, Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Located about 90 miles from Guatemala City, you will find a boutique hotel suited to Boomer couples called Hotel Casa Palapo. There are only about 7 rooms plus a private villa, so if you plan on visiting, think well in advance.

One of the most exciting experiences in Japan is the opportunity to witness or even be a part of a local festival. I did this two summers ago in Kyoto City, Japan. Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, and it is still known today as the cultural capital. Saved from bombings during World War II, its1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and numerous palaces, gardens, museums, and machiya(traditional merchant houses), are well preserved and continuously being renewed and restored. Kyoto is home to three of the most famous festivals in Japan. These include: the Aoi Matsuri or Hollyhock Festival, held every May 15, the Jidai Matsuri or Festival of Ages, held every October 22, and the grand Gion Matsuri, which takes its name from the city's Gion geisha district, and runs for the entire month of July.

Marbella, deep into Southern Spain, the region known as Andalucía, is one of the world's greatest and most famous resorts for the super-rich and very famous.  Its renewed popularity came with the advent of two concepts spearheaded by several great and famous men.

When most of us visit California, we are likely heading to Los Angeles, San Diego or up north to San Francisco, but if you would like to experience something a bit more unique, how about Morro Bay?

Get ready for a journey through the beautiful coastal regions and farmlands of the Midwest! The beauty of Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes region is accented by old-fashioned traditions and incredible scenery.

Because of its breathtaking beauty and grandeur, Venice is a place that makes you decide whether to spend most of your time outdoors, taking in the unparalleled beauty of the City.  Or, you still have a passion to traipse through Museums, Art Galleries, Churches/Basilicas or other cultural/historical buildings. 

What do Doris Day, Betty Grable, Jack Benny, John Wayne and Spencer Tracy all have in common? They have all been guests at the El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. 

The Royal Horticultural Society, one of the world’s leading horticultural organizations, has partnered with Collette to bring you a line of botanically themed tours. Travelers also enjoy privileged access to stunning horticultural attractions along with all the benefits of guided travel. 

Experience Northern California with Collette! From its most popular cities to fertile valleys and historic gold rush towns, many hidden treasures await. Travelers will enjoy dinner overlooking the San Francisco Bay, the incredible beauty of Yosemite National Park, the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, and sipping on California wines at a wine tasting. 

There is no doubt about it, a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth requires more planning than most other destinations. From where to stay to what time of year to visit, there are many decisions to be made, each of them with numerous options. But with thoughtful planning comes great reward, and when you’re taking in the fireworks in front of Cinderella’s Castle, you will no doubt think you’ve been sprinkled with pixie dust. 

Ludwig II of Bavaria – “the Mad King of Bavaria” of drama and history. He may have been mad, but what he created with Neuschwanstein, and other palaces could only be divine madness. 

Toronto is an amazing, exciting, cosmopolitan city and for those of you that are lovers of art, I suggest you spend at least a couple of nights at the Gladstone Hotel in the Queen Street West area. It is a boutique hotel with 37 rooms, all designed by local artists - each one is designed by a different artist. The rooms tend to be on the small side and they vary in size, but they come equipped with free WiFi, flat screen TV, Samsung Galaxy tablets for free internet surfing and all natural Canadian bath products.

Join Collette on an adventure through the art, history and culture of Rome on the brand new Spotlight on Rome tour! This new tour is unique because it offers travelers the luxury to unpack just once for a single hotel stay and it blends the inclusions Collette is known for with free time to explore on your own. Travelers are sure to be captivated by Rome’s old-world charm blending with its lively cosmopolitan energy. Come to know the history and traditions of this spectacular city on tour with Collette. The unforgettable experiences are endless. 

Its name will live in history, as it has for almost 2,000 years. But, given the pop culture of our society, it is getting ready to become even more famous as a Royal visitor will one day soon set foot on the soil of Malta.

Many of us love staying at the beach and many of us also love a good bargain. It’s usually quite hard to find a bargain at the beach, but thanks to our sharp eyes at the Boomer Travel Patrol, we found the best of both worlds! 

Join Collette and experience the best of France on this 12 day France Magnifique tour! Bask in the rich history, art, culture and romance of France’s celebrated cities and charming towns. Enjoy a tour and tasting at one of the famous wineries in Vouvray. Witness luxury and splendor in the Principality of Marco, the glittering gem of the Riviera. Relax on a sunset dinner cruise in the “City of Lights,” past famous landmarks along the River Siene.  These fabulous experiences will be sure to make your journey through France unforgettable. 

Hello and welcome to your weekly dose of Cruise Patrol!  If you’re reading this article then you’re probably like me, constantly searching for information on travel and new ways to experience this wonderful world of ours.    So join me each week and I’ll share some of the latest trends and news about my favorite way to travel, CRUISING, along with my top picks, and helpful travel tips.