• info@travelingwithsweeney.com
Traveling with Sweeney

Traveling with Sweeney

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

  • Home
  • About TWS
    • About Catherine Sweeney
      • Features, Interviews, and Recognition
      • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Bosnia
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Montenegro
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Scotland
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Russia
      • Turkey
    • Africa
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Turkey
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • India
    • North America
      • Canada
        • British Columbia
        • Nova Scotia
        • Ontario
        • Quebec
      • USA
        • Arizona
        • California
        • Hawaii
        • Houston
        • Illinois
        • Montana
        • Nevada
        • New York
        • South Carolina
        • Texas
        • Washington D.C.
        • Wisconsin
        • Wyoming
      • Mexico
    • Accommodations
    • Australia and New Zealand
    • Guided Travel
    • Cruise Travel
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Sweeney in Arizona
  • Packing Tips
  • Cookie Policy

Destinations

Destinations, Essays

Japanese Bath: A Mother and Daughter Bond

Catherine Sweeney
February 11, 2013

By Anna Mindess — My teenage daughter Lila criticizes my driving, rolls her eyes at my questions and spends her free time texting or hanging out with friends. The sweet memories of mother-daughter bonding, rubber duckies in the tub, teddy bear tea parties and trips to the zoo, seem long gone.

culture, Japan
Destinations, Planning, Tips and Deals

Seven Honolulu Deals

Catherine Sweeney
February 11, 2013

By Jackie Smith — … Although accommodation prices may shake the boomer travel budget, there are plenty of free – and nearly free – fun activities to be found in and near Honolulu once you get here.

hawaii, honolulu, tips
California, Destinations, USA

Skiing North Lake Tahoe

Mr. TWS
February 8, 2013

Sweeney loves to ski… and I do, too. So we decided that a North Lake Tahoe ski trip was overdue.

california, lake tahoe, skiing
Destinations, Mexico

Charming and Mysterious Mazatlan

Catherine Sweeney
February 5, 2013

We had never been to Mazatlan, Mexico before and weren’t sure what to expect — except beautiful beaches and luxury resorts…

Mexico
Austria, Destinations, Europe

Romantic Vienna

Catherine Sweeney
January 29, 2013

When I think of Vienna, I think of romance. Thoughts of romantic Vienna bring to mind quiet walks along narrow streets …

Austria, christmas markets, Europe, Vienna
Destinations, Mexico, Museums, Memorials & Landmarks

When is Tequila Not Tequila?

Mr. TWS
January 28, 2013
When is Tequila Not Tequila?

How good does this look? Exhibiting perfect form, Sweeney samples tequila while in Mazatlan. It’s really a rare thing to see since Sweeney’s preferred beverage is wine. However, when in Rome…

Mexico, sinaloa, tequila
Cruise Travel, Destinations, Europe

Mysterious Mediterranean: Road Trips in Cyprus

Catherine Sweeney
January 27, 2013

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is a mass of contradictions: Ancient or Modern? European or Asian? Greek or Turkish? Resort tourism hotspot or land of enduring mystery? Well, you’ll probably think the former if you spend a week in Agia Napa, sunning yourself by the pool, but a much better bet is to hire a car and take a road trip to explore the island more fully.

Europe
Attractions, Destinations, Europe, Germany, History, Museums, Memorials & Landmarks

King Ludwig II and Herrenchiemsee Palace

Mr. TWS
January 24, 2013
King Ludwig II and Herrenchiemsee Palace

Mad King Ludwig. The Fairy Tale King. Our Cherished King. These were names by which King Ludwig II of Bavaria was known during his short life.

bavaria, christmas markets, Europe, Germany
  • « Previous
  • Next »

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

  • Northern California Getaway — Three Days in Sonoma County
  • 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

Follow TWS on social media

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required
Email Format

travelingwithsweeney

Mr. TWS catching rays and staying cool in the pool Mr. TWS catching rays and staying cool in the pool. #scottsdalearizona #pooltime☀️ #keepingcool #arizonalife🌵☀️
A #foodiefriday tip — when in Chicago get a taste A #foodiefriday tip — when in Chicago get a taste of the West Loop food scene with @chicagofoodtours. We savored delicious and chef-inspired Italian Korean, Japanese dishes and more on this 3-hour tour of this very cool neighborhood. #chicagoeats #tastechicago #chicagofoodtour #choosechicago
It’s always a treat to visit my old hometown - the It’s always a treat to visit my old hometown - the great city of Chicago! @mrtws1 and I were there for a few days last week to soak up the city vibe, enjoy favorite places, and have new experiences. This is just a glance of our time with @chicagofoodtours in the West Loop, a repeat river cruise with @chicagoriverboattours amazing architecture boat tour, Old Town Art Fair, Wells Street Art Fair, Oak Street Beach, Millennium Park, rooftop at The Peninsula. There’s more to come! #choosechicago #chicagoarchitecture #chicagogram #visitillinois #chicagoisbeautiful
@mrtws1 and I met in Milwaukee and one of our favo @mrtws1 and I met in Milwaukee and one of our favorite places way back when and throughout the years when we visit is @elsas_mke. We were lucky to be there last week when owner Karl Kopp (who also owns another favorite place of ours in Scottsdale @az88thebar) was being honored with the designation of a portion of Jefferson Street at Cathedral Square in his name. Thanks to his lovely sister Liz for including us in the celebration. #elsasonthepark #milwaukeerestaurants #visitmke #favoriteplaces #milwaukeewisconsin
New on the blog - Sonoma County travel inspiration New on the blog - Sonoma County travel inspiration! A look back a three-day getaway in my favorite part of Northern California. Wine,food, and beautiful scenery. Link in bio and in comments. #visitsonoma #californiadreaming #sonomacounty #winecountry #travel
From our last trip to California -- Another Sonoma From our last trip to California -- Another Sonoma County winery tip for your next visit. Check out Wilson Winery in Dry Creek Valley just north of Healdsburg (where we were based on this trip). They have a great variety of Zinfandel wines and we brought home a few bottles of their Sydney Reserve Zin. Lovely place to sit outside and enjoy the vineyard views. #sonomawines #californiadreaming #vineyards #drycreek valley #wine
Planning a Sonoma County summer getaway? Consider Planning a Sonoma County summer getaway? Consider a mountaintop tour and tasting at Kunde Family Winery in Kenwood, California. More photos and ideas for food, wine, and fun experiences coming soon here and on the blog for your getaway planning. #sonomawine #visitsonomacounty #californiawine #travelcalifornia #winetasting
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
Follow on Instagram

Tags

Arizona Art Art and Architecture Austria budapest california canada chicago christmas christmas markets collette Cruises cruise travel culture estevillas Europe food france Germany greece hawaii History hungary italy london museums New York north america paris phoenix portugal provence puglia Romagna rome san francisco scottsdale Spain tips tuscany UNESCO USA viking viking cruises wine

  • info@travelingwithsweeney.com
Copyright ©2026 Traveling with Sweeney | Theme by: Theme Horse | Proudly Powered by: WordPress