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illinois

Chicago, Destinations, North America, USA

Chicago: My Kind of Town at Christmas

Catherine Sweeney
December 24, 2018
9 Comments
Chicago: My Kind of Town at Christmas

Christmas in Chicago: Favorite holiday things to do

chicago, christmas, christmas markets, illinois, USA

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

  • Top Things to Do When You Take a Viking Ocean Cruise
  • Wine, Dine, and Back in Time on Mediterranean Cruise Shore Excursions
  • Mediterranean Moments: Scenes from a Viking Cruise
  • Sipping and Savoring the Flavors of Crete
  • Three Days in Romantic Santorini

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Happy National Public Lands Day 2022! Since 1994, Happy National Public Lands Day 2022! Since 1994, on the fourth Saturday in September we promote the appreciation, conservation, and enjoyment of our public lands. I’m sharing a few pics featuring the beauty of the Sonoran Desert in the @mcdowellsonoranconservancy in Scottsdale, Arizona. We love hiking the many trails here. #nationalpubliclandsday #mcdowellsonoranpreserve #experiencescottsdale #scottsdaleaz #scottsdale #arizona #visitarizona #sonorandesert #outdoorrecreation #lovethedesert #travelgram #hikingtrails
Same time, last year. #FoodieFriday memories of Va Same time, last year. #FoodieFriday memories of Valencia, Spain — a Mediterranean delight! Mercado Central, Valencia’s central market, is Europe’s largest covered market and has an incredibly broad selection of produce, seafood, meat, sweets, nuts, and more. It was bustling with locals and tourists when we visited. #valencia #spain #spaintravel #IFWTWA #foodmarket #valenciaspain #mercadocentral #visitvalencia #travelblogger
Take a stroll with Mr. TWS through the ancient Rom Take a stroll with Mr. TWS through the ancient Roman ruins of Ostia, Italy. This amazing place was one of our favorite Viking optional shore excursions on our Mediterranean cruise. Find out more in our latest blog post. #vikingcruises #myvikingstory #visititaly #romanruins #shoreexcursionsforcruisers #cruisetravel #travelgram #europeantravel #travelblogger #ifwtwa
Memories of summer and our @vikingcruises Mediterr Memories of summer and our @vikingcruises Mediterranean Odyssey cruise. This was one of the views from @castello_del_trebbio, one of the shore excursion highlights. New on the blog, we’ve got our top optional excursion recommendations for this cruise itinerary. Featuring Wining and dining in Tuscany and Corfu, and walking in the footsteps of the ancient Romans in Ostia, Italy. Link in the bio. #myvikingstory #mediterraneancruise #mediterraneanodyssey #vikingcruises #tuscanygram #tuscanyitaly #italytravel #beautifuldestinations #instatravel #visittuscany #visititaly #visititalyofficial #travelgram #travelbloggers #boomertravel #travelphoto #europetravel
And here we are — 31 years since we said our “ And here we are — 31 years since we said our “I dos” in Windsor, California. Now celebrating at one of our fave places @zincbistroaz in @scottsdaleariz #scottsdale #arizona #kierlandcommons #restaurant #anniversary #anniversarydinner❤️
Even when I was very young, I thought about sailin Even when I was very young, I thought about sailing along the French Riviera. Our @vikingcruises Mediterranean Odyssey cruise made those early dreams come true. This is Monaco (Monte Carlo Casino on the far right) at night viewed from the Viking Sea at port. #myvikingstory #mediterraneancruise #mediterraneanodyssey #frenchriviera #monaco #montecarlocasino #montecarlo #montecarloatnight #travelgram #cruisetravel #ifwtwa #sailingthemediterranean #beautifuldestinations #vikingsea #vikingcruises #europeantravel #travelblogger
The Traveling with Sweeney duo in Naples, Italy on The Traveling with Sweeney duo in Naples, Italy on our @vikingcruises Mediterranean Odyssey cruise. From panoramic vistas to freshly-prepared pizza (where it all began), this is a sample of more to come about #myvikingstory #napoli #napolipizza #naplesitaly #mediterranean #cruisetravel #italytravel #travelgram #visititaly #romantictravel #europeantravel #shoreexcursions #mediterraneancruise #vikingsea
Seen in the waterfront area on our drive into Barc Seen in the waterfront area on our drive into Barcelona while on @vikingcruises Mediterranean Odyssey cruise. This surrealist sculpture is El Cap de Barcelona created by artist Roy Lichtenstein for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Very cool. 😎 #myvikingstory #catalonia #catalunya #barcelona #spain🇪🇸 #art #sculpture #roylichtenstein #vikingrivercruise #shoreexcursions #europeantravel #artandtravel #travelgram #instaart #travelblogger #ifwtwa
Crete travel tip — take a day trip to Heraklion Crete travel tip — take a day trip to Heraklion wine country with @getyourguide and @winetourincrete (blog post link in bio). Expertly guided by Petros, we traveled through the rolling hills and vineyards of the Heraklion area to get a taste of Cretan wines and traditional Cretan dishes. Our day trip included wine and mezze (Greek appetizers) at two wineries (@lyrarakiswines and @digenakiswinery) and a lovely multi-course lunch at Bakaliko restaurant in a wine country village. Our generous hosts were friendly and knowledgeable, making each a delightful experience. It was also entertaining and informative to listen to Petros interacting with the hosts and adding his knowledge and perspective to conversations. #greece #crete #wine #winetasting #winetour #cretanwine #cretanfood #travelgram #travelblogger #europeantravel #winecountry #instatravel
So this morning we said goodbye to the awesome sta So this morning we said goodbye to the awesome staff on the Viking Sea and caught this sunrise on our way to Barcelona airport. Mr. TWS and I loved our Mediterranean Odyssey #cruise. Thanks for the memories @vikingcruises! Can’t wait to sail with you again #myvikingstory #ifwtwa #cruisetravel #mediterraneancruise #sunrise #barcelonasunrise #cruises #europeantravel #sunrise_and_sunsets #vikingcruise #endofthetrip
Gaudi’s Casa Batlló with its colorful facade, m Gaudi’s Casa Batlló with its colorful facade, mask-like balconies and symbolic features such as the roof that resembles the back of a dragon. The late 19th century building was restored by Gaudi between 1904-1906. This is one of three buildings next to each other on a part of Passeig de Gràcia known as the Block of Discord. On this one block, three competing visions of Modernisme are on view in the early 20th century designs of three prominent architects. #myvikingstory #vikingcruises #shoreexcursion #barcelona #catalonia #spain #architecture #travelblogger #europeantravel #mediterraneancruise #ifwtwa @vikingcruises
A glimpse of Monaco on our @vikingcruises Mediterr A glimpse of Monaco on our @vikingcruises Mediterranean Odyssey for you — including ceiling inside public lobby of Monte Carlo Casino, yachts in the harbor (small ones by Monaco standards), scenes in the old town, Monte Carlo at night. Can you spot Mr TWS in any of the pics? #myvikingstory #VikingCruises #monaco #montecarlo #casinodemontecarlo #monacoatnight #travelblogger #beautifuldestinations #mediterraneancruise #instagood #travelgram #lobbyart
Fun and delicious day at Castello del Trebbio near Fun and delicious day at Castello del Trebbio near Florence in Tuscany. We learned, we prepared, we wined and dined. #myvikingstory #VikingCruises #tuscany @castello_del_trebbio @vikingcruises #pastacookingclass #shoreexcursions #italy #travelforfood #tuscanygram #travelblogger #europetravel #ifwtwa
When in Rome … take a day trip to Ostia. Establi When in Rome … take a day trip to Ostia. Established about 620 BC, Ostia was Rome’s original port at the mouth of the Tiber. This is vast complex of ancient Roman ruins providing a look at the lifestyles of the Romans in this ancient city. We chose this Viking excursion while docked outside of Rome since we’ve been to the city twice before (of course, would love to visit many more times) and this was something quite different and lesser known (even though it’s amazing). #myvikingstory #VikingCruises #mediterraneancruise #cruiseexcursion #ostiaantica #ancientroman #romanruins #italy #daytripfromrome #traveldeeper #travelblogger #instatravel #cruises #europeantravel #loveitalia #lovehistory
In Naples, Italy with @vikingcruises — love the In Naples, Italy with @vikingcruises — love the views during our drive into the hills above the city and bay. #myvikingstory #vikingcruises #naples #italy #napoli #italia #travel #cruisetravel #cruises #naplesview #naplesbay #travelblogger #instaitaly
From the hills above Corfu Town on the island of C From the hills above Corfu Town on the island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea on @vikingcruises excursion. So many Greek islands yet to visit sometime. Have you been to any of the islands? What are your favorites? #myvikingstory #vikingcruises #corfu #corfuisland #picturesque #bluewater #greekislands #greece #travelbloggers #beautifuldestinations #cruises #islands #mediterraneancruise
If you’re sailing on a Mediterranean Odyssey cru If you’re sailing on a Mediterranean Odyssey cruise with @vikingcruises, I’ve got a Corfu shore excursion recommendation for you! We loved the “Traditional Flavors and Modern Cuisine of Corfu” optional excursion where a delicious traditional meal was prepared for us by our gracious host on the terrace of her beautiful hillside villa. The excursion also included a walk through Corfu’s old town. #myvikingstory #vikingcruises #mediterraneandiet #corfugreece #shoreexcursions #cookingclass #greekfood #traditionalfood #greece #corfu #authenticexperience #traveleurope #visitgreece #visitcorfu #travelblogger #ifwtwa
And there it is — the sun is rising over Albania And there it is — the sun is rising over Albania. Having coffee on the veranda as we sail with @vikingcruises toward Corfu, our destination for the day. #myvikingstory #mediterraneancruise #adriaticsea #cruisetravel #cruises #adriaticcoast #sunrise #sunrise_and_sunsets #sunriseovermountains #travelgram #travelblogger #itsabeautifulday
Greetings from Dubrovnik! After a night of sailing Greetings from Dubrovnik! After a night of sailing along the Adriatic coast, we just arrived on the @vikingcruises Sea and after breakfast al fresco with a view, we’re heading out to tour the city. #dubrovnik #croatia #croatiatravel #adriatic #visitcroatia #vikingoceancruises #myvikingstory #travelblogger #europeantravel #instatravel
Great day in Split, Croatia on our @vikingcruises Great day in Split, Croatia on our @vikingcruises Mediterranean Odyssey cruise. A few pics from our walking tour to give you a taste — bistro on Narodni Square, Woman touching the “lucky” toe of Gregory of Nin statue, Zvonik sv. Arnira Bell Tower. Goat cheese salad and lovely Croatian wine at Portofino restaurant, the Riva promenade, Diocletian's Palace and the view from our Viking Sea stateroom. Would love to return sometime. #split #croatia #visitcroatia #adriaticcoast #vikingcruises #mediterraneancruise #promenades #Diocletianpalace #travelblogger #beautifuldestinations #myvikingstory
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