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Traveling with Sweeney

Traveling with Sweeney

Inspiration and information for the best in luxury, cultural, and active travel

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Essays

In the Bag

Catherine Sweeney
March 7, 2013

By Jody Hanson When I tell people that all my worldly possessions fit into one suitcase, a carry-on, and a bag that was designed for babies, the reactions vary.

lifestyle
Culinary Travel, Destinations

Sensational Sicily

Catherine Sweeney
March 5, 2013

By Jenny Freedman — Memories of an Easter weekend in Sicily ten years ago had never been forgotten and we were determined to return and explore this beautiful island more thoroughly.

food, italy, Sicily
Destinations, Essays

To Mt. Semeru Volcano: Hairiest Trip of My World Travels

Catherine Sweeney
March 1, 2013
To Mt. Semeru Volcano: Hairiest Trip of My World Travels

Lash, an expat American who’s been traveling the world solo since 1998, immerses herself in nature, culture and the arts of countries she visits.
Here she shares the story of her journey to the access point of Mt. Semeru Volcano.

Indonesia, Java
Attractions, Parks & Recreation

The Thing About Spring

Catherine Sweeney
February 27, 2013
The Thing About Spring

The thing about spring is that it’s not my favorite season. In fact, it’s probably my least favorite. It’s not that I don’t appreciate budding flora or warming temperatures. It’s more of an emotional reaction.

flowers, spring
Planning, Planning Resources

Traveling with Dollars and Sense

Catherine Sweeney
February 25, 2013

Travel is costly. But to many it is a major reason for living. As a financial advisor, I’d like to briefly address how can you best fit travel into your budget…

travel budget
Ask the Locals, Destinations

Ask the Locals: Paris Favorites

Catherine Sweeney
February 24, 2013

Marlys Alfiler-Schuermann and her husband Michael are the couple behind the very popular Easy Hiker travel blog. Michael, a journalist and author of Paris Movie Walks, characterizes himself as the “other, lazy half of the Easy Hiker couple (my wife does all the hard work)”. Let’s find out about their Paris favorites based on 20 years of living in the City of Light.

local favorites, paris
Accommodations, Planning, Tips and Deals

Are We Too Old to Stay in Hostels?

Catherine Sweeney
February 21, 2013
Are We Too Old to Stay in Hostels?

As baby boomers, are we too old to stay in hostels? Elisabeth Sowerbutts has been travelling for 30+ years, often staying in hostels. In this article, she talks about her experiences.

Australia, hostels
Destinations, Guest Posts, New Mexico, North America, USA

Santa Fe Loves Boomer Women

Catherine Sweeney
February 20, 2013
Santa Fe Loves Boomer Women

The welcome mat is out. Santa Fe loves boomer women travelers and the feeling is mutual. The City Different has a lot to offer women of a certain age whether they’re traveling solo, with their significant other, a friend or their ten closest BFFs.

new mexico, santa fe
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About Catherine Sweeney

Catherine Sweeney is a travel enthusiast with a lifelong passion for going places. A weekend getaway, an international journey, a cross-country road trip, or a local jaunt — they’re all on her radar. And it’s all made extra special when she’s enjoying the finer things in life with Mr. TWS, her husband and co-blogger. Get inspired as they share photos and stories highlighting the best of destinations, food, wine, history, culture and the arts.

Recent Posts

  • From Barcelona to Rome on a Viking Western Mediterranean Cruise
  • Day Trip from Copenhagen to Helsingør, Lund, and Malmö
  • 5 Days in Irresistible Copenhagen, Denmark
  • British Isles Explorer Cruise Experience: On Board and On Shore
  • British Isles Cruising with Viking: Excursions in England and Wales

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travelingwithsweeney

Thinking a lot about Sicily lately. Check out our Thinking a lot about Sicily lately. Check out our 11-day itinerary for your travel inspiration. Link in bio or copy from comments. Ragusa Ibla is the old city center of Ragusa (shown in the photo), one of the eight Late Baroque towns in the Val di Noto of southeastern Sicily to be on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2002. There is much to explore in this town that was largely rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake that devastated the region. #visitsicily #ragusaibla #travelgram #travelitaly #sicilia
NEW on the blog - a recap of our shore excursions NEW on the blog - a recap of our shore excursions in Spain, France, and Italy on a Viking Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise. This photo was on the French Riviera - what could be better? Link in bio and in comments. #myvikingstory #cruisetravel #mediterranean #frenchriviera #villefranchesurmer
No fooling! This is where I’d like to be right now No fooling! This is where I’d like to be right now — aboard the Viking Mars on a Mediterranean cruise. The beautiful coastal city in the first photo is Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, taken from the ship. I was wearing Mr. TWS’s sunglasses 😎 He looks better in them! Other photos of the happy traveler are from various spots onboard, too. New blog post about the trip coming soon. #myvikingstory #mediterranean #cruise #travelgram #vikingmars
Scottsdale, Arizona showed up today! #nokings #not Scottsdale, Arizona showed up today! #nokings #notpaid #savedemocracy #scottsdale
A #sundayshoutout to the super crew of the Viking A #sundayshoutout to the super crew of the Viking Mars on our recent Mediterranean cruise. This was a great welcome back to the ship after one of our shore excursions in Italy. Thanks to all of the crew for another memorable cruise! #myvikingstory #vikingmars #mediterraneancruise #cruisetravel
When you take a @vikingcruises ocean cruise, be su When you take a @vikingcruises ocean cruise, be sure to book a dinner at the Chef's Table specialty restaurant. It's always a treat to discover new dishes or innovative takes on familiar ones. There are different menus every few nights that you can check out when you are aboard, but make a reservation as far in advance as you can. On our Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise, we opted for the Mexico menu and it was probably my favorite of all we've experienced on our ocean cruises. There are five courses, each with a perfectly-paired wine. Clockwise from top left: * Amuse Bouche - Tostadas de Pulpo * One of the lovely red wines * First Course - Tamalito de Pollo * Granita - Nopales con Limón * Main Course - Short Rib * Dessert - Chocolate en Texturas * That's Mr. TWS! * Main Course salmon substitution for Mr. TWS who doesn't eat meat * Dessert - Chocolate en Texturas It was all delicious and a great dining experience. Let me know in comments if you'd like a little more description of the dishes or the wines they were served with. #myvikingstory #chefstable #vikingmars #cruisetravel #mexicancuisine
Lovely Lucca, Italy. We first visited this beautif Lovely Lucca, Italy. We first visited this beautiful city in Tuscany about 11 years ago and looked forward to returning during our @vikingcruises Mediterranean cruise. Loved walking on the Renaissance-era city walls, strolling the winding streets and alleys, stopping by the house where Puccini was born, having a quiet moment at the Church of San Michele, and taking a beverage break at an outdoor cafe on Piazza dell’Anfiteatro. #myvikingstory #shoreexcursion #cruisetravel #luccaitaly #travelgram
What a glorious day in Villefranche-sur-Mer, Franc What a glorious day in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France! We wandered up and down the narrow streets and staircases, walked to the beach, stepped inside old churches and chapels, browsed the shops, and had a wonderful lunch quayside at @lameregermaine_villefranche. A day to remember on our @vikingcruises Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise. #myvikingstory #mediterraneanvibes #beautifulday☀️ #frenchriviera🇫🇷🌴☀️ #cotedazurfrance
A few more photos from the picturesque village of A few more photos from the picturesque village of Le Castellet, France on our shore excursion with Viking yesterday. #myvikingstory #visitsouthoffrance #cruisetravel #provencealpescôtedazur #traveler
Instagram post 17997287294872536 Instagram post 17997287294872536
Welcome to the Mediterranean port city of Sète! Ju Welcome to the Mediterranean port city of Sète! Just a quick selection of photos from yesterday’s shore excursion on our Viking Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise. Because of its network of canals, it is known as the the Venice of the Languedoc region of France. Also note the colorful buildings and murals painted by local artists. #myvikingstory #sète #france #mediterranean #shoreexcursions
Leaving Barcelona at sunset on the Viking I Knox W Leaving Barcelona at sunset on the Viking I Knox Western Mediterranean cruise. #myvikingstory #mediterranean #cruise #travelgram
Take a walk with me through Sitges, Spain. It’s a Take a walk with me through Sitges, Spain. It’s a lovely Mediterranean seaside town in Catalonia about a half-hour drive southwest from Barcelona. Sitges is very popular for its beaches and festivals. This was our first shore excursion on our Viking Iconic Western Mediterranean cruise. More to come … #myvikingstory #shoreexcursion #sitges #visitspain #travelgram
Good morning from Barcelona! Sunrise view from our Good morning from Barcelona! Sunrise view from our stateroom while at port with @vikingcruises. Heading out on a shore excursion to the beach town of Sitges. Stay tuned for more. #myvikingstory #mediterraneansunrise #barcelona #spain #travelgram
When in Malmö, Sweden — enjoy public art! This pho When in Malmö, Sweden — enjoy public art! This photo is of The Optimist Orchestra sculpture that was installed to mark the opening of the pedestrianized Södergatan Street in 1985. During our stay in Copenhagen we took a day trip to Kronborg Castle in Helsingor, Denmark, then crossed the strait of Øresund to visit Lund and Malmö in Sweden. Check out the latest blog post for more photos and information. Link in bio and or copy from comment below. #malmo #visitsweden #travelgram #urbansculptures #publicart
Queen for about a minute at Kronborg Castle in Hel Queen for about a minute at Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, Denmark. Kronborg is a 16th-century fortress that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Did you know that it was the setting of Shakespeare's "Hamlet"? You might notice Yorick's skull sneaking into the photo to the right. Other pics include the casemates (which were a little dark and scary) where there is a statue of Holger the Dane. We visited Kronborg on a day trip from Copenhagen that also took us to Lund and Malmö in Sweden. More to come soon! Check the bio for a link to our first Denmark article. #Helsingor #kronborg #castle #visitdenmark #traveleurope
I've just published a new post on the blog about i I've just published a new post on the blog about irresistible Copenhagen, Denmark. This photo was taken along the canal in historic Nyhavn district. Link in bio or copy https://www.travelingwithsweeney.com/five-days-in-copenhagen/ So much to love -- architecture, charm, vibrant character, people, cuisine, and hygee (a cozy sense of well-being)! #copenhagen #denmark #traveleurope #travelgram #lovetotravel❤️
Tonight in Scottsdale, Arizona #standwithminneapol Tonight in Scottsdale, Arizona #standwithminneapolis #scottsdaleaz
Still thinking about Copenhagen …. This photo feat Still thinking about Copenhagen …. This photo features one of many aspects of the city that I loved — getting around is easy. It’s definitely bike -friendly and public transportation is great. Central Station is shown here with bicycles parked in the foreground. Of course, it’s a wonderful city for walking, too. I’m slow getting out a post on the blog about our trip — stay tuned! #denmark #copenhagen #bikes #gettingaroundtown #travelcopenhagen
Simply put … I love Copenhagen. I expected to like Simply put … I love Copenhagen. I expected to like the city before our visit in December, but I felt so much more. Of course — the sights, the vibe, the food, the history was wonderful. But it was the warm welcome of the people and their friendliness that made the most important impression. I hope that our connection as friends and allies can outlast the current US regime. I’ll post more soon. #lovedenmark🇩🇰 #natoallies #copenhagenscene #denmark
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