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Traveling with Sweeney

Traveling with Sweeney

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Art and Architecture

Art and Architecture, Destinations, Europe, Italy, Museums, Memorials & Landmarks

Rome in a Day Part 2: The Power and the Glory

Catherine Sweeney
July 27, 2015
18 Comments
Rome in a Day Part 2: The Power and the Glory

Did you know that there are nine miles of culture and history with sculptures, paintings, other art, and religious and historical relics in the Vatican Museums, including their most famous attraction — the Sistine Chapel? It’s impossible to take it all in during one visit.

Art and Architecture, Europe, italy, rome, tours
Art and Architecture, Attractions, Destinations, Europe, Spain

Discovering Gaudi in Barcelona

Catherine Sweeney
September 9, 2014
10 Comments
Discovering Gaudi in Barcelona

Guest post by Paige Holland-Greene — … I have visited many palaces over the years, from Versailles to Schönbrunn to Windsor, but nothing came close to the magnificence of the Palau Güell, maybe because I wasn’t expecting it (one expects Versailles to be magnificent after all.)

architecture, Art and Architecture, Europe, Spain
Art and Architecture, Attractions, Destinations, Europe, History, Italy

Buonvivere: Good Living in Cesena

Catherine Sweeney
November 15, 2013
26 Comments
Buonvivere: Good Living in Cesena

Settimana del Buonvivere (Week of Good Living) is an annual event conceived by Monica Fantini, Director of Legacoop Forlì-Cesena. Our group of seven international women bloggers enjoyed a customized version of Settimana del Buon Vivere in our Buonvivere blog tour of the Forli-Cesena province.

Art and Architecture, Europe, italy, Romagna
Accommodations, Art and Architecture, Attractions, Destinations, Europe, Italy

Alberobello: Trulli Different

Mr. TWS
November 5, 2013
38 Comments
Alberobello: Trulli Different

By Mr. TWS — Trulli? I was going to avoid the pun, but just couldn’t help myself. Besides, it’s true — the trulli of Alberobello and the surrounding area in the Puglia region of Italy are unique.

Europe, italy, puglia
Art and Architecture, Attractions, Destinations, Europe, Italy

Portico in Arte: Village of the Artists

Mr. TWS
August 6, 2013
39 Comments

By Mr. TWS — During our stay in Portico we also felt as though we were included as part of the village, one of the primary objectives of “albergo diffuso”. This was especially apparent during the festival to celebrate Portico in Arte.

Art and Architecture, Europe, italy, Romagna
Accommodations, Art and Architecture, Destinations, Europe, Italy

Part of the Family in Portico di Romagna

Catherine Sweeney
July 5, 2013
39 Comments

Entering Portico di Romagna, a small village about 65 miles from Bologna in the Apennine hills on the old road connecting Ravenna with Florence, I felt as if I was seeing the Italy of a long time ago …

Europe, italy, Romagna
Art and Architecture, Destinations, Europe, Italy

Italy 2013: Ciao Milano!

Catherine Sweeney
June 29, 2013
29 Comments

We had really been excitedly anticipating this unique travel opportunity, and now we were aboard the Malpensa Express from Milan’s Malpensa Airport, the best and least expensive way to get to the Milan’s city center.

Europe, italy, milan
Accommodations, Art and Architecture, Attractions, Destinations, Hawaii, USA

Grand Wailea Art: It’s in Their DNA

Catherine Sweeney
May 3, 2013
42 Comments

Japanese developer and original owner of Grand Wailea, Takeshi Sekiguchi, envisioned the resort as an open-air art museum for guests as well as the Maui community. Art was one of the key elements of the original design, which included light, water, flowers, trees, sound and art.

Art and Architecture, hawaii, USA
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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.

Thank you, Getting on Travel!

Traveling with Sweeney, Best Baby Boomer Travel Blogs 2022, Getting on Travel

2018 NATJA Silver Award Winner

Recent Posts

  • An Enchanting Stay in the Sahara Desert
  • Broadening Our Horizons in Morocco on a Collette Guided Tour
  • Viking Expedition Cruise Recap: Canada and the Atlantic Coastline
  • A Farewell to Sicily in Taormina
  • Siracusa: Sicily’s Ancient City of Power and Grandeur

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'Tis the season ... for hearty dishes! So I'm thin 'Tis the season ... for hearty dishes! So I'm thinking back to a December past in Lyon, France. From our "Lyon: A City to Love" post (link in bio) -- "Oh, the food! It’s no wonder that Lyon is considered to be the “gastronomic capital of France” even though that might be disputed by many Parisians. From traditional fare at bouchons to inspired adaptations of Lyonnais dishes and Mediterranean influences, we savored each meal in Lyon. We learned very quickly that there is no such thing as “light” traditional Lyonnais cuisine. Bring your appetite when you come here! In the photos: - Bouchon Les Lyonnais - Ravioli Dauphiné au gratin - Quenelle with pike in lobster sauce - Le Comptoir des Marronniers where I had another Quenelle! (next pic) - Le Sud, a Paul Bocuse restaurant - Pastilla de Volaille Fermière, a North African meat pie with Moroccan spices - At Comptoir Chabet (in two photos), a bouchon where the offerings are hearty and generous and include charcuterie platters, cheese specialities like Cervelle de canut (silk worker’s brain), sausages, potato and lentil salads, herring, and poultry entrees along with more unusual items like tripe, calves feet, pigs feet, and other local delicacies - Tarte à la Praline which we had for dessert at Vivarais restaurant And this is just a small taste of Lyon! #foodiefriday #ifwtwa1 #lyon #onlylyon #france #frenchgastronomy #travelforfood #travelblogger
What an experience! Of the many highlights during What an experience! Of the many highlights during our @gocollette Colors of Morocco tour, our two nights at a Sahara Desert camp stands out as one of the best. Ever since I was very young, I dreamed of seeing the Sahara Desert which held a great deal of mystique for me. But somehow it always seemed out of reach until our Morocco guided tour gave us the perfect opportunity to make those dreams a reality. Find out more in our latest post (link in bio). #gocollette #catherinexcollette #guidedtravel #morocco #africatravel #camelride #desertcamp #saharadesert #sahara #ifwtwa1 #travelblogger #beautifuldestinations
Happy #NationalHikingDay! Where do you like to hik Happy #NationalHikingDay! Where do you like to hike? Zion National Park in Utah is well-known as a hiker’s paradise and there are trails for everyone. We enjoyed easy and moderate hikes during a 2-day visit -- Sweeney Unplugged at Zion National Park -- Link in bio. #ifwtwa1 #takeahike #nationalhikingday #nationalpark #utah #zionnationalpark #hikingtrails #travelutah
Through beautiful scenery, rural areas, villages, Through beautiful scenery, rural areas, villages, and cities we were on the road with @gocollette between destinations on our Morocco tour. It was a great experience as we broadened our travel horizons visiting a new country on a new continent. New post is on the Traveling with Sweeney blog about some of our trip highlights. Link in bio. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco . . . #guidedtravel #moroccotravel #moroccoroadtrip #ontheroad #alongtheway #africa #travelblogger #traveltheworld #broadenyourhorizons #ifwtwa1 #traveltuesday
The holy city of Moulay Idress was an unexpected h The holy city of Moulay Idress was an unexpected highlight on our @gocollette “Colors of Morocco” tour. It is a major pilgrimage site as it houses the tomb of Morocco’s first Islamic ruler for whom it is named. It is near the Roman ruins of Volubilis which we also visited. Walking up through the town on its busy and narrow streets, we took in its character looking around and down colorful alleys. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #moroccotravel #maroc #guidedtravel #africatravel #holycity #visitmorocco #maroctourisme #ifwtwa1 #traveltuesday #travelblogger
Meet Nabil -- our tour manager on the @gocollette Meet Nabil -- our tour manager on the @gocollette "Colors of Morocco" tour we took last month. From our first day in Rabat to our final night in Casablanca, he guided us through historic places, cities and rural areas, UNESCO sites, and the Sahara Desert. He also introduced us to local experts, traditional foods, and the Moroccan people. Stay tuned for more about the trip here and on the blog. And if you've been inspired to book a Morocco trip with Collette, be sure to use my special code SWEENEY2023 for a discount.* 😊 Link in bio. *Offer of 10% land only is valid on new retail bookings made for the Colors of Morocco Tour made only on dates of 10/1/23 - 11/15/23 only for travel between 10/26/23 - 4/4/24. Offer code SWEENEY2023 must be used at the time of booking for savings. Offers can expire earlier due to space or inventory availability. Space is on a first come, first served basis. Offers are not valid on group or existing bookings. Offers are combinable with member benefits only. Offer is not combinable with Seasonal Offers, Hot Deals or any Flash Sales. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Other restrictions may apply. #morocco #gocollette #sponsored #catherinexcollette #guidedtravel #africatravel #travelblogger
A #foodiefriday taste of Morocco — a few of the A #foodiefriday taste of Morocco — a few of the traditional dishes we enjoyed on our @gocollette tour. 🥗 Moroccan salads (usually eggplant, beets, carrots, and tomatoes)shown in the first few photos are very commonly presented with meals. #gocolette #catherinexcollette #morocco #ifwtwa1 #guidedtravel #traditionalfood #travelblogger #africatravel 🫒 Olive vendor at Fes Medina 🐓 Chicken tajine with prunes and almonds 🥦 Woman selling vegetables at Fes Medina 🍝 Couscous and vegetables 🍕 “Berber pizza” (medfouna) being served by our Berber host and the pizza - lamb, beef or chicken stuffed inside round flatbread 🐑 Lamb tajine ready to be cooked 🍳 Moroccan Shakshuka — eggs, vegetables, tomatoes, and spices 🥤 Pomegranates and juice at Rabat Medina — special to Morocco as it’s mentioned in the Koran 🍞 Pastilla - Phyllo dough stuffed with chicken and spices 🍪 Cookies and biscuits served with tea as hospitality offering
Lovely wine time memory for #winewednesday — On Lovely wine time memory for #winewednesday — On the pool deck of Hotel @grupxaluca Dades in Boumalne du Dades, Morocco, we sipped a nice Moroccan white wine while enjoying the view of the town, valley, and the Atlas Mountains. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #winelover #moroccanwine #boumalnedades #xalucadades #atlasmountains #boumalnedudades #guidedtravel #hotelview #enjoyinglife #travelblogger #ifwtwa1
Inside the Ksar (fortified village) of El Khorbat Inside the Ksar (fortified village) of El Khorbat in Morocco where we learned about its Jewish and Muslim heritage and architecture (built using raw earth) and visited the museum with an extensive collection of artifacts, photos, maps, and drawings. Much of the old village (built in 1800s) is still inhabited. @gocollette #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #elkhorbat #ksar #raweartharchitecture #museum #visitmorocco #traveldeeper #guidedtravel
I didn’t do a very good job on the castanets (la I didn’t do a very good job on the castanets (later in the reel), but it was interesting to learn about traditional sub-Saharan Gnawa music and get a little lesson during our @gocollette tour in Morocco. The Gnawa people are an ethnic group with West African ancestry who were originally brought to Morocco as slaves. Their music and dance is an important part of their heritage. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #visitmorocco #gnawamusic #traveldeeper #travelblogger #guidedtravel
Cooking for a cause on our @gocollette “Colors o Cooking for a cause on our @gocollette “Colors of Morocco” tour. @mrtws1 and I learned about Moroccan cooking and about the mission of a wonderful women’s training organization during a cooking class and lunch at @amalnonprofit in Marrakech. The Amal Women’s Training Center helps to empower women looking to change their lives for the better. “They are often from the more vulnerable rungs of society, such as widows, divorced mothers, orphans, former child maids, or women with little or no education.” — Amal Women’s Training Center Thanks to Collette and our tour manager Nabil Merri for introducing us to these amazing women. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #foodiefriday #ifwtwa1 #morocco #nonprofit #moroccotrip #moroccofood #visitmorocco #visitmarrakech #marrakech #guidedtravel #cookingclass #goodcauses #helpingwomen
Every great trip must come to an end … here we a Every great trip must come to an end … here we are in Casablanca at the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa, on our final day of the @gocollette Colors of Morocco tour. Gorgeous architecture and intricate designs of ceramic tiles and hand-carved stone. More Morocco trip pics and tips to come! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #casablanca #morocco #moroccotravel #guidedtravel #africa #mosque #hassanmosque
The colors of Morocco on a walk through the Medina The colors of Morocco on a walk through the Medina of Marrakech with our local guide on a @gocollette tour. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #traveldeeper #morocco #marrakech #marrakesh #africa #africatravel #guidedtravel #triptomorocco #ifwtwa1 #travelblogger
For those, like us, who enjoy visiting UNESCO Worl For those, like us, who enjoy visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites when we traveling, here’s one for you in Morocco — Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou in Ouarzazate province. Ait-Ben-Haddou was an important stop on the Marrakech and Sahara route. We walked through the lanes of old dwellings and marketplace within the walls of the fortress. More to show you later. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #unesco #africatravel #travelblogger #travel #traveldeeper #ifwtwa1
New experience for me in the Sahara Desert — rid New experience for me in the Sahara Desert — riding a camel. Here’s how it started! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #saharadesert #camelride #travelblogger #africatravel #guidedtravel
In a day full of great activities on our @gocollet In a day full of great activities on our @gocollette Morocco tour, spending time with a Berber nomad family was a big highlight. Through our tour manager and translator Nabil, we asked questions about their lives as they served us tea and showed us around. They also graciously allowed us to take these photos of their family. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #moroccotravel #guidedtravel #nomadlifestyle #traveldeeper #travelgram #travelblogger #saharadesert #sahara
Moroccan souvenir tip — ceramics and mosaics. Du Moroccan souvenir tip — ceramics and mosaics. During our stay in Fes on our @gocollette tour, we got a chance to watch artisans creating these beautiful pieces. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #moroccotravel #colorsofmorocco #guidedtravel #fes #ceramics #craftsmanship
Did you know that there are wineries in Morocco? I Did you know that there are wineries in Morocco? I was surprised! On our @gocollette Colors of Morocco tour, we visited one of them! Domaine de la Zouina was such a treat — tour of the winery and a delectable lunch on a beautiful day. What could be better? 🍷#gocollette #catherinexcollette #morocco #wine #winestagram #travelmorocco #visitmorocco🇲🇦 #travelblogger #domainedelazouina #ifwtwa1 #traveltuesday
One of the things we love about a @gocollette Expl One of the things we love about a @gocollette Explorations tour is being introduced to the locals by our guides and tour manager. Tonight’s dinner at a local family’s home in Fes was amazing. We were made to feel totally at home while being served traditional mint tea, pastries, soup, and my current favorite Moroccan dish — chicken pastilla. Watch to the end to see the lovely Moroccan dress I was able to wear during our visit with this warm and friendly family. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #colorsofmorocco #foodofmorocco #meetingthelocals #fezmorocco #morocco #guidedtravel #travelgram #ifwtwa1
Scenes from inside the Kasbah de Oudaias, an ancie Scenes from inside the Kasbah de Oudaias, an ancient fortress at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and Bou Regreg river in Rabat. Many shops and homes along the narrow lanes of the town inside the walls. This was part of our tour of Rabat, Morocco’s capital city, on @gocollette tour. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #rabat #morocco #guidedtravel #visitmorocco #kasbah #africatravel #moroccotrip #travelling #travelblogger
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