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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
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
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
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
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

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

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

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

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

  • Paso Robles Wine Country Getaway
  • Travel Destinations for Romantics
  • Exploring Treasures of the Mediterranean from Istanbul to Athens
  • Six Days in Zurich for a Holiday Kickoff
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Meet Icelandic farmer Jóhanna Bergmann Þorvaldsd Meet Icelandic farmer Jóhanna Bergmann Þorvaldsdóttir and her totally cute and fun goats. Jóhanna is credited with helping to save the Icelandic Goat from extinction. On our Best of Iceland tour with @gocollette we visited her farm, Háafell, in Borgarbyggð, Iceland. One of the great experiences to have when you travel. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #travelgram #iceland #icelandicfarm #haafellgoatfarm #guidedtravel #visiticeland #goatfarm
For #foodiefriday -- a little taste of Iceland for For #foodiefriday -- a little taste of Iceland for you. I'm not usually a seafood person, but it is so fresh and so good in Iceland that I had it often. Lamb is also a specialty there and is delicious because of free-range lifestyle and grass-fed diet of sheep. We also sampled several special Icelandic treats. Link in bio to more about Iceland tour. Clockwise from top left: Carrot soup (Kopar), mashed cod (Naustið in Húsavík), fermented shark, lamb (Höfnin), river trout (Naustið), lava bread (Laugarvatn Fontana), wolffish (Seabourn), and ling fish (Kopar). More tastes to come! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #icelandicfood #seafood #visiticeland #lavabread #icelandiclamb #reykjavikfood #fermentedshark #traditionalfood #travelgram #traveliceland
On the shores of Lake Laugarvatn in Iceland we vis On the shores of Lake Laugarvatn in Iceland we visited the geothermal bakery of @fontanaiceland Have you heard of lava bread? It’s an old Icelandic recipe that’s baked in the hot black earth of this volcanic area. It’s fun to watch the process and the bread is totally delicious — served hot right from the ground with Icelandic butter. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #lavabread #laugarvatn #travelgram #foodiefriday #icelandtravels #guidedtravel #visiticeland #geothermal
An Icelandic adventure with @gocollette! We took a An Icelandic adventure with @gocollette! We took a special mountain truck to the top of Langjokull and then went into the glacier carefully walking through the ice tunnels. Very exciting! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #icelandicadventure #glacier #langjokull #intotheglacier #travelgram #visiticeland🇮🇸 #traveliceland #guidedtour
Can’t believe our @gocollette Icelandic adventur Can’t believe our @gocollette Icelandic adventure has come to an end. Our farewell dinner was at Kopar Restaurant on the harbor in Reykjavik — perfect place to say goodbye to our new travel friends. Great casual and cool vibe, delicious food (I had local Ling Fish, carrot soup and chocolate mousse), friendly service, and terrific views of the harbor. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #reykjavìk #iceland #guidedtravel #farewelldinner #recommendedrestaurant #icelandicrestaurant #foodiefriday
This morning we say goodbye to @hotel.hamar in Bor This morning we say goodbye to @hotel.hamar in Borgarnes, Iceland as we head back to Reykjavik for our final day on tour with @gocollette (and lovely guide Luciana shown in pic). Everything was great — our spacious room, dining, and awesome views! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #hotelhamar
Totally enjoyed a scenic cruise on Breiðafjörðu Totally enjoyed a scenic cruise on Breiðafjörður Bay Iceland. Our boat got up close to the cliffs of the islands for us to see wildlife. We also sampled scallops and sea urchins that had just been brought up from the water. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #visiticekand #traveliceland #travelblogger #europeantravel
Scenes from an evening walk on the grounds of our Scenes from an evening walk on the grounds of our home for the next two nights — @hotel.hamar in Borgarnes in western Iceland. It’s such a lovely property! #gocollette #catherinexcollete #Borgarnes #Iceland #visiticeland #traveliceland🇮🇸 #hotelhamar #springiniceland
In the scenic Norourland Vestra region of Iceland, In the scenic Norourland Vestra region of Iceland, we enjoyed a visit to a family-owned farm. Farmer Jon introduced us to his sheep and horses (the area is famous for horse breeding) while treating us to homemade traditional Icelandic treats. Many of the little lambs were under four weeks old and two were just two hours old. Thanks for a great experience, @gocollette! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #farmlife #horses #sheep
A day in northern Iceland with @gocollette — cha A day in northern Iceland with @gocollette — charming village of Húsavík, whale watching on RIB boat, drive through scenic landscapes to see turf settlement homes, spa time, dinner at Naustið (the yellow house) #visithusavik #gocollette #catherinexcollette #lovetotravel #visitnorthiceland #travelblogger #travelgram #icelandtrip #traveltuesday
What a fantastic day for whale watching in Iceland What a fantastic day for whale watching in Iceland! Thanks @husavikadventures for the exciting ride on the RIB to see the magnificent whales with our fellow @gocollette travelers. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #visiticeland🇮🇸 #whalewatchingtours #happytravelers #travelcouple #icelandicadventure
One for me, one for @MrTWS1 — enjoying drinks fr One for me, one for @MrTWS1 — enjoying drinks from the swim-up bar at Mývatn Nature Baths, a geothermal pool in northern Iceland. Perfect for relaxation after a day of exploring the area with @gocollette #gocollette #catherinexcollette #travel #iceland #travelgram #visiticeland🇮🇸 #geothermalspa
A very short flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri ove A very short flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri over the stunning Icelandic landscape was the start to a full and busy day of discovery. Stay tuned. #gocollette #catherinexcollete #iceland #icelandfromabove #travelblogger #lovetotravel
Our day trip from Reykjavik was all about nature o Our day trip from Reykjavik was all about nature on a tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle. We walked alongside Gullfoss (Golden Falls), sometimes getting quite close to the falls and feeling the spray of the water. Gorgeous pkace! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #icelandicadventure #iceland #travelgram #wayerfalls #gullfoss #nature #beautifuldestinations
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is lovely and Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is lovely and full of character. A walking tour with our @gocollette local guide took us to the old town and city center to get a glimpse of its history and culture. Here’s a little look! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #reykjavìk #iceland #visiticeland🇮🇸 #travelgram #europeantravels #lovelycity #lovetotravel
A Paso Robles wine country tip for the wine enthus A Paso Robles wine country tip for the wine enthusiast in you. Experience a taste of France at @laventurewine in Paso Robles. @mrtws1 and I had a lovely time there with friends on a summer getaway. More to come on the blog. #pasowine #pasorobleswinecountry #pasorobles #wineries #travelblogger #vineyards #laventurewines #visitcalifornia
And this is where I stand. #handsoff #phoenixarizo And this is where I stand. #handsoff #phoenixarizona #desertridge #savedemocracy #50501
My favorite of the cactus blooms in the Sonoran De My favorite of the cactus blooms in the Sonoran Desert this time of year — the Argentine Giant cactus flowers. Seen today on my walk. #cactusflower #argentinegiant #sonorandesert #arizona #mcdowellsonoranpreserve #beautifulworld #desertflower #thingsyouseeonawalk #visitphx #scottsdalearizona
Look “who” has been hanging out in our mesquit Look “who” has been hanging out in our mesquite tree. The cool things you see living in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. #scotttsdale #arizona #sonorandesert #nature #owl #desertlife #greathornedowl
Like wine? Like art? Find both at @sculpterra in P Like wine? Like art? Find both at @sculpterra in Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast. Many other great wineries to visit there, too. More to come soon about this area for your spring and summer getaway plans. #winewednesday🍷 #winery #pasorobleswinecountry #californiawine #artandwine #wineryart #sculpturegarden #travelblogger #travelgram #visitcalifornia
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