For centuries, artists and aristocrats, divas and dictators, poets and politicos, why even James Bond himself, have fallen under the spell of alpine breezes, the scent of lemon blossoms and the mesmerizing shades-of-blue of Italy's largest lake, Lago di Garda. Straddling three distinct regions: Veneto, Lombardy and Trentino-Alto Adige, this ladle-shaped body of water beckons travelers to experience the Italian dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing).

A trilogy is often defined as a series of three books, plays or films that have the same subject or the same characters. But, for the T-Boy Society of Film, Travel & Music, film trilogies must absolutely include the same filmmaker, not necessarily the same actors, allowing them to expand on their cinematic themes.

This adults-only event, up and running in half a dozen cities, has found its way to the whimsical pop-up experience currently running at The Oliv Bar, located at 745 North Magnolia Avenue in Orlando. The experience will run at this location through mid-August. For those both curious and curiouser, this is the tea party to end all tea parties. This event has been a huge hit, selling out Sydney and Melbourne before beginning the US tour, then selling out in multiple cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Denver.

Most of us have been on a cruise, riverboat and barge; some good, some bad, and generally a bit of overeating. We've asked the members of the T-Boy Society of Film, Music & Travel what were some of their cherished moments, or lack of, when cruising the world's water ways.

A travel writer's worst nightmare? Being at a loss for words to describe something. And so it is with Meow Wolf, an immersive interactive art installation and technological wonderland with unending surprises at every turn in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Oh sure, it's magical, mind-boggling, awesome, inspirational but no mere words can capture the experience.

It was a quiet afternoon on Raratonga, in the Cook Islands, when Lydia Nga heard the news. With the stroke of a pen, her homeland, 15 scattered islets west of Tahiti, a country smaller than Detroit, had grown exponentially, reborn as a 690,000 square-mile nation. But it wasn't the islands that grew. In 1982, the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ruled that coastal nations had jurisdiction over their own "exclusive economic zone," defined as 200 miles of the ocean floor, measured from the shore.

As June ran out I received this brief text, bolded below, from a politically conservative friend of mine: Best Pride Month Ever, Prayer protected, Filibuster protected, Gun rights protected, Federalism protected, Unborn lives protected --- These are familiar conservative talking points, not that there's anything wrong with that. I thought I'd calmly reflect on these issues, point by point. On the other hand, maybe I'll start a fire. We'll see.

They say one of the only activities that can activate and stimulate the use of the entire brain…is music. If that is indeed true; my nomination for their blues poster child is Laurie Morvan. I have my reasons. Whether you're a left-brain analytical and methodical person or a right-brain creative and artistic individual; everyone has their comfort zones. Not Laurie Morvan, she taps the intellect of both sides and she does it all the time.

What I personally love about Botero is that he's Salvador Dali, Virginia O'Keefe, and Peter Rubens rolled into a playful package. Even better, he's still alive, and approves of this message. According to his granddaughter, who works at the museum, the 92-year-old Botero enjoys watching the technology demonstrating his work is a new way. He's a virtuoso who understands how to connect with audiences across generations, ethnicities, and continents. Botero knows Diddley.

After a sick and sordid 50 year career of cheating, stealing and lying, corruptly conning banks, employees, associates, vendors, and ordinary people out of their money, ruining thousands of lives, running multiple businesses into bankruptcy, and so much more (sexual predation, incitements to mob violence, etc), mob boss wannabe Donald Trump, now buried under a mountain of lawsuits and pending criminal indictments, I believe, is certain to face trial and likely be convicted of serious crimes. Viewer discretion advised.

I am planning a trip to Manhattan in June. I have not visited your island for 40 or so years. Friends have informed me that Manhattan is now very gentrified and has lost it edge, and I should concentrate on Brooklyn. What is your take on this?

Since my visit to Asturias, Spain, last October, I’ve been dreaming about a rustic chicken dish I was served there. I was visiting for the natural paradise that is Asturias, with hiking, climbing, horseback riding, kayaking, even coal mining on my itinerary. But all that exercise led me to explore the fantastic kitchens of the region too.

I can only guess what’s happening. Since a majority of westerners roll in and order something like the stock Jasmine tea in a box—the generic uncreative stuff—maybe she assumes I’m a different kind of customer, that is, one who at least knows pu’erh, one who has a preference. As my wannabe Zappa-turned-Kerouac self sits there scribbling in my notebook and scarfing the pumpkin seed candy, there’s nothing for her, or me, to be confused about. By now, the pu’erh has elicited serenity of the utmost sort.

Almost everywhere you turn there is a carinderia (a small canteen). You find them in the mall in fast food chains like Jollibee, Inasal and Chow King that serve hamburgers, fried chicken and noodles. I didn't see much of McDonalds … I think the local competition is driving them out of town. You can also find food along the major and minor streets.

Following weeks of expectation, Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Wish, has finally arrived in Port Canaveral, Florida. Nearby, about two dozen local residents watched from the quay of Jetty Park. Several leatherback sea turtles and dolphins were seen romping in the cove as the ship approached. With Florida’s Patrick Space Force Base in the background, the ship was welcomed by Disney characters at a private ceremony shortly before daybreak on Monday.

Our wooden vessel glided along Ha Long Bay’s jade green waters. Located off the coast of Northeastern Vietnam, its stunning 620 sq miles of seascape is one of the country’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Hundreds of towering karsts dotted the horizon. Vendors in little skiffs tapped on the side of our vessel, selling unfamiliar exotic fruits – mangosteen, rambutan (aka Harry Cherry), longan, star and jack fruits.

Casting for trout in the Tarryall River, at Broadmoor Fishing Camp, in Colorado, with a little help from an expert. JEFFERSON, Colorado – “If you don’t get a bite,” said Scott Tarrant, wading out into the Tarryall River, “remember the old timers’ advice. Foam is home. Follow the bubbles.” “Sounds like a beer drinker’s election slogan to me,” said Josh, …

I had to show my passport, proof of vaccination and a 2-day old negative Covid Test result. I was surprised that I needed a Philippine Health pass. My online research didn’t mention any need for that. Fortunately, I was directed to a website that allowed me to fill it up online.

It's a town time forgot – or maybe it just refused to move forward. Serene and unpretentious, Amelia Island remains in the 1900s – reveling in its long, colorful history, quite aware it no longer has to prove anything to the rest of the world.

For those who love the beaches and beauty of Santa Barbara, but want a slower paced, less touristy atmosphere, the small town of Goleta is only a couple miles up Highway 1, on the same stretch of coast known as the American Riviera. 

Once upon a time, the joke among those in the cruise industry was that the cruise vacation was something for the "newlywed" or the "nearly dead." I remember those jokes, as well as a time in my own life when I would be embarrassed to say that I was even going on a cruise. One day it occurred to me; how else could I see six Caribbean Island nations in eight days or explore a series of major Alaskan cities that are inaccessible by road in under a week? I quickly became a champion of the cruise experience.