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Traveling with Sweeney

Traveling with Sweeney

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california

California, Destinations, North America, USA

I Left My Heart in Northern California

Catherine Sweeney
July 21, 2021
7 Comments
I Left My Heart in Northern California

A sentimental and rejuvenating road trip in Northern California

california, healdsburg, northern california, san mateo county, sonoma coast, sonoma county, USA, wine, wine country county
Destinations, North America, Special Feature

Traveling Sisters — A Sentimental Journey

Catherine Sweeney
October 11, 2020
17 Comments
Traveling Sisters — A Sentimental Journey

Memories of shared travel experiences with my sister, Chris

california, family travel, north america, road trip, special feature, travel, USA
California, Destinations, USA

First Flight: Traveling with a Five-Year-Old

Catherine Sweeney
April 16, 2016
16 Comments
First Flight: Traveling with a Five-Year-Old

An early morning wake-up call couldn’t dim our enthusiasm for taking my five-year-old great-nephew Elijah (we call him Eli) on his first plane trip. I’m not sure who was the most excited — Eli or us.

california, family travel, traveling with kids, USA
California, Destinations, Europe, France, USA

A Taste of Burgundy in California Wine Country

Catherine Sweeney
April 15, 2015
24 Comments
A Taste of Burgundy in California Wine Country

Sometimes the recipe for a special evening is created in a surprising and exceptional way. French flavors, California wine, charming hosts, new friends, and a remarkable venue provided the ingredients for our lovely evening in Santa Rosa, California hosted by Fallot Mustard and DeLoach Vineyards.

california, food, france, wine
Accommodations, California, Destinations, USA

Wining, Dining, and Mining in El Dorado County

Catherine Sweeney
January 26, 2015
25 Comments
Wining, Dining, and Mining in El Dorado County

El Dorado County is just a two hour drive from my house and yet I had no idea that it was a gold mine of a getaway.

california, USA
Accommodations, California, Cruise Travel, Nevada, USA

South Lake Tahoe: Sail, Spa, and Spin(ners)

Catherine Sweeney
January 14, 2015
14 Comments
South Lake Tahoe: Sail, Spa, and Spin(ners)

By Mr. TWS — Sweeney and I love to go to Lake Tahoe, usually to ski or enjoy a summer break. Since it’s only a bit more than three hours’ drive from our home in the San Francisco Bay Area, we’ve been there many times. This time, there were a few firsts that we enjoyed.

california, Cruises, Nevada, USA
Arizona, California, Destinations, Sweeney in Arizona, USA

By the Time I Got to Phoenix

Catherine Sweeney
November 14, 2014
19 Comments
By the Time I Got to Phoenix

By the time I got to Phoenix, the car was covered in dust from blowing desert sands and highway construction. I was a bit dusty myself. I was also hungry — traveling always whets my appetite. And I was happy. Road trips make me smile, and arriving at a place where I’ll be visiting loved ones makes me smile, too.

Arizona, california, road trip, USA
California, Destinations, Guest Posts, USA

24 Hours in Calistoga

Catherine Sweeney
August 18, 2014
14 Comments
24 Hours in Calistoga

Guest post by Penny Sadler — Late summer is a great time to visit Calistoga in California’s famous Napa Valley wine country. The weather is perfect, the vineyards are green, and there are plenty of outdoor events and festivals to keep you busy.

california, napa
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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.

2018 NATJA Silver Award Winner

Recent Posts

  • 12-Day Spain Itinerary at a Glance
  • A Taste of Antigua: 5 Top Liming and Dining Experiences
  • Adventures and Misadventures in Antigua
  • Lights, Camera, Action in Antigua
  • I Left My Heart in Northern California

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Catherine Sweeney
In Madrid there are so many plazas to love. Plaza In Madrid there are so many plazas to love. Plaza de Cibeles is one of the most recognizable squares with its marble sculptures and fountain. It is at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá, Paseo de Recoletos, and Paseo del Prado. We passed through here several times during our stay. #madrid #spain #espana #visitspain #spaintravel #spain_vacations #madridmonumental @visita_madrid @europestyle_spain #travelgram #europeantravel
Palacio de las Dueñas, the 15th century palace th Palacio de las Dueñas, the 15th century palace that was home to the dukes of Alba in Seville, Spain. Beautiful gardens and courtyards, and interior decor, art and artifacts. #triptospain #seville #sevilla #visitsevilla #palaceofthedukes #palacecourtyard #palaciodelasdueñas #casapalaciodelasdueñas #españa #spaintravel #spain🇪🇸 #travelblogger #romantictravel
The Alhambra at sunset as seen from the Albaicin n The Alhambra at sunset as seen from the Albaicin neighborhood of Granada, Spain. This was our dinner view on a beautiful night during our #triptospain. #granada #Spain #españa🇪🇸 #alhambra . . . #travel #traveleurope #spaintravel #visitgranada #granadaspain #thealhambra #spainattractions #andalucia #europa #welovegranada #travelagain #sunset #andalusia #
Thinking of Valencia, Spain today, October 9th, th Thinking of Valencia, Spain today, October 9th, the Valencia Community’s national day. Just back from our visit to this and three other cities of Spain. This photo taken while walking sling San Vicente Mártir, a major street of the city. I love the architecture. #valencia #valenciaspain #valencianationalday #españa #spanishcity #spanisharchitecture #architecture #europeantravel #europeancity #visitspain #visitvalencia🇪🇸 #lovevalencia #travelblogger #travelgram #travelingagain
Looking down … my view of the staircase from my Looking down … my view of the staircase from my floor at @hospeshotels Palacio del Retiro. We loved our stay at this beautiful hotel in Madrid. Its location by @parque_del_retiro was perfect. #madrid #spain #madridspain #hotelinterior #staircasedesign #stayinmadrid #beautifulstaircase #wheninmadrid #marriottbonvoy #marriottautographcollection #travelblogger #palacio
No, that’s not my ride. But I like it. 😊 This No, that’s not my ride. But I like it. 😊 This morning in Madrid was rainy — look how beautiful it turned this out this afternoon. After exploring the Palacio Real de Madrid and Museo del Prada, we headed back to our hotel and caught this pic of the entrance to @parque_del_retiro — the cool red car just happened to pass by. #madrid #spain #triptospain #visitspain #visitmadrid #madridgram #retiropark #traveleurope #travelingagain #romantictravel #europeantravel #espagne🇪🇸☀️ #redcar #love_madrid #ifwtwa
Arrived in Madrid, final stop on our #triptospain Arrived in Madrid, final stop on our #triptospain — I could spend hours walking around Retiro Park, and watching the boaters on the lake in front of the the imposing Alfonso XII monument. It’s also nice to have a coffee or glass of wine at one of the outdoor cafes around the lake. #madrid #spain #espagne🇪🇸 . . . #visitmadrid #spaintravel #love_madrid #retiropark #parquedelretiro #traveling #traveleurope #travelblogger #beautifuldestinations #travelgram
A few views of Granada, Spain — the third stop o A few views of Granada, Spain — the third stop on our #triptospain — These were just a few vistas that we took in during a tour of the Alhambra. #visitspain #granada #granadaspain #viewsofgranada #spaintravel #romantictravel #insta travel #españa🇪🇸 #traveleurope #andalusia #spaintravel #ifwtwa
Captivating Seville! Second stop on our #triptospa Captivating Seville! Second stop on our #triptospain is this beautiful city in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. This photo was taken from the top of the Metropol Parasol (The Mushrooms). Seville Cathedral on the far left. #sevilla #seville #spaintravel #spainiswonderful #visitspain #sevillecathedral #cityview #espagne🇪🇸 #traveleurope #travelingagain #traveltheworld #travelblogger #ifwtwa #natja #romantictravel
Mr. TWS loves being in the water and couldn’t wa Mr. TWS loves being in the water and couldn’t wait to take a swim in the Mediterranean at Las Arenas Beach in Valencia. I stayed on the beach. 😊 #triptospain #romantictravel #Valencia #spain #beaches #mediterranean #lasarenasvalencia #mediterraneanlife #travelspain #europeantravel #travelgram #instatravel #mediterraneansea🌊
Beautiful Valencia! Walking along the paths of Jar Beautiful Valencia! Walking along the paths of Jardí del Túria enjoying the balmy weather. #triptospain #valencia #valenciaspain #visitspain #visitspainofficial #jardidelturia #gardens #treesofinstagram #explorevalencia #travelblogger #travelgram #espagne🇪🇸
I’m so glad we stopped in to see the interior of I’m so glad we stopped in to see the interior of the Church of San Nicolás de Bari and San Pedro Mártir in the Barrio del Carmen. Built about 1242, it has been restored revealing what is called the Valencian "Sistine Chapel". #valencia #valenciaspain #espagne🇪🇸 #triptospain #visitvalencia #explore_valencia #architecturedesign #beautifulchurches #travelgram #valenciana
Out and about in Valencia, Spain. Beautiful, breez Out and about in Valencia, Spain. Beautiful, breezy day (not raining yet!) as we have tapas and wine at an outdoor restaurant near Valencia Cathedral. Wonderful to be in Europe again! #europeantravel #traveltospain #valencia #spain #valenciaspain #espagne #getvaccinated #travelagain #travelblogger #tapas #diningalfresco
Hello from PHX! Another first since pre-pandemic t Hello from PHX! Another first since pre-pandemic times — flying to Europe! Mr. TWS and I are headed to #Spain — still celebrating the big 30th anniversary. Stay tuned! #getvaccinated #traveltospain #romantictravel #skyharbor #phoenix #phoenixskyharbor #myphx #leavingonajetplane #arizona #triptospain #gettingaway
Step inside the inviting world of Papa Zouk in St. Step inside the inviting world of Papa Zouk in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Come here for the rum, fresh seafood, art, and happy vibe. Check out our latest post on the blog about this and other top dining and liming (Caribbean slang for “hanging out”) experiences from our trip. #destinationtakeover #antiguaandbarbuda #loveantiguabarbuda @thedestinationtakeover @24fpsproductions @waynesworldmediausa #caribbeantravel #romantictravel #travelblogger #islandlife #islandfood #travelgram #papazouk @papa_zouk #happyplace #rumhouse #antigua @waynesworldmedia1
When you walk into a restaurant and just know you’ll love the experience when greeted with a warm welcome and smiling eyes … Mr. TWS entering @sheerrocks restaurant at @cocobayresortantigua #antigua A hint of what’s coming soon on the blog. #destinationtakeover @thedestinationtakeover @antiguaandbarbuda @24fpsproductions #loveantiguabarbuda #antiguaandbarbuda #caribbeantravel #visitantigua #antiguarestaurant #getvaccinated #travelagain
Mr. TWS entering the gallery at Lighthouse Artspac Mr. TWS entering the gallery at Lighthouse Artspace in Scottsdale for Immersive Van Gogh Phoenix. A sensory artistic experience awaits inside! @goghphoenix #lighthouseimmersive #immersivevangogh #vangogh #artexhibition #myphx #phxart #absolutelyscottsdale #scottsdale #phoenix #arizona #visitarizona #artgallery
Up close and personal with the art images of Immer Up close and personal with the art images of Immersive Van Gogh Phoenix @goghphoenix — great sensory experience at Lighthouse Artspace in Scottsdale. In the galleries, projections of Van Gogh’s works came alive all around us accompanied by a fitting soundtrack to capture imaginations. #immersivevangogh #lighthouseimmersive #phoenix #myphx #absolutelyscottsdale #vangoghimmersiveexperience #scottsdale #artwork #discoverphx #vangoghphoenix
Planning our trip to the island of Antigua, we cho Planning our trip to the island of Antigua, we chose a few fun outdoor activities for couples that I knew we’d enjoy, but that might present some challenges for me. Find out about our adventures and misadventures in Antigua in a new post on the blog. In this pic we’re enjoying a rum punch after one of my adventure endeavors. #antigua #destinationtakeover #antiguaandbarbuda #loveantiguabarbuda #romantictravel #couplestravel #outdooractivities #stingraycityantigua #laviscountisland #caribbeantravel #travelgram #ididit @24fpsproductions @waynesworldmediausa #
Have you heard of Hash House Harriers, an internat Have you heard of Hash House Harriers, an international running/walking social club? We joined the Antigua group for a fun and challenging excursion into the woods and through historic British military fort ruins above English Harbor. There was some excitement along the way, too. But that’s a story for another day. In the 1st and 2nd pics you see Mr. TWS and other hikers on the beginning/easier parts of the Jones Valley Trail. Also in the pics is Chris Waters, a noted Antigua history expert who shared his knowledge and insights at various points along the trail. Since the #hashers proudly call themselves “drinkers with a running problem” there was also some alcohol involved. 🍺 #antiguaandbarbuda #destinationtakeover #antiguahashhouseharriers #loveantiguabarbuda @antiguaandbarbuda @waynesworldmediausa @24fpsproductions #antigua . . #travelblogger #travelgram #caribbeantravel #outdoorrecreation #funhikes #antiguahiking #socialhiking #activetravel
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