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Traveling with Sweeney

Traveling with Sweeney

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napa

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
California, Destinations, USA

CabFestNV: Celebrating Napa Valley Cabernet

Catherine Sweeney
March 17, 2014
35 Comments
CabFestNV: Celebrating Napa Valley Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon, the red wine for which Napa Valley is especially famous, is Mr. TWS’s favorite wine. Cabernets from this famous Northern California wine region have a distinct cachet and are spoken of with respect in many of the world’s wine regions where first-class Cabernets are produced.

CabFestNV, california, napa, USA, wine
Accommodations, California, Destinations, USA

Bay Area Getaway at the Napa River Inn

Catherine Sweeney
February 17, 2014
26 Comments
Bay Area Getaway at the Napa River Inn

… Recently, we had a two night stay at the Napa River Inn. I’d previously heard very positive reviews of the hotel and can now understand why it gets such high marks and has the honor of being the only hotel in downtown Napa to have Michelin’s highest rating of 3 stars.

california, hotel, napa, USA
California, Destinations, USA

Second Date on the Napa Valley Wine Train

Catherine Sweeney
February 9, 2014
64 Comments
Second Date on the Napa Valley Wine Train

Back when Mr. TWS and I first got married in September, 1991 we were given a wedding gift certificate for a ride and lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train. At that time, the Wine Train had been in operation for only two years. Now it was time for a second date.

california, napa, USA
California, Destinations, USA

Going Full Circle at Long Meadow Ranch

Catherine Sweeney
February 3, 2014
33 Comments
Going Full Circle at Long Meadow Ranch

Almost any day in California’s Napa Valley is a good day, even in the winter when the vines that cover so much of the region are bare. The scenery is still beautiful and the fresh air is rejuvenating. And if you know where to look, there are special Napa tours and experiences …

california, napa, USA
California, Destinations, USA

On Location at the Napa Valley Film Festival

Catherine Sweeney
November 26, 2013
33 Comments
On Location at the Napa Valley Film Festival

Luscious wines and innovative independent movies in enticing venues on a gorgeous fall weekend in the Napa Valley? The Napa Valley Film Festival gets two thumbs up from Mr. TWS and me.

california, napa
California, USA

Tucking in Napa

Catherine Sweeney
May 28, 2011
52 Comments
Tucking in Napa

Last weekend, I met up with travel and wine writer, Dave Thompson, for a Napa day trip that started at Cleavage Creek Winery in Pope Valley, far removed from the busy big name wineries along Highway 29 through the Napa Valley.

Art and Architecture, california, napa, wine
California, Going Places, USA

A Little Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma

Catherine Sweeney
July 27, 2010
12 Comments
A Little Wine Tasting in Napa and Sonoma

Living within two hours of the Sonoma and Napa Wine Country makes it easy for us to plan wine tasting excursions to the area on short notice. Since we know that we have many opportunities to visit, we can be very flexible in our selection of wineries as we drive…

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california, napa, sonoma, wine

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

  • Wonders of Nature at the Desert Botanical Garden
  • I Dream of Going Back to Italy
  • Special Mother-Daughter Travel Experiences: Part Two
  • Special Mother-Daughter Travel Experiences: Part One
  • Viking Cruise Shore Excursions: Should You Take Them?

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Catherine Sweeney
Oh, the beauty of the Sonoran Desert! And if you i Oh, the beauty of the Sonoran Desert! And if you if you live in the Phoenix area or will be visiting, you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the desert at the Desert Botanical Garden. After a three-month closure due to Covid-19, the Desert Botanical Garden @dbgphx is once again welcoming guests to enjoy its beauty. For the time being, reservations will be required to ensure limited capacity for the safety of guests and staff. Through June 30, 2020 reservations will be available exclusively for members, but the Garden will reopen to the general public on July 6, 2020. More on the blog! #dbgphx #myphx #phoenix #arizona🌵
Ah, the romance! One of many reasons that I will v Ah, the romance! One of many reasons that I will visit Italy again someday. When Kerwin of @loyaltytravels asked me to participate in his project about future travel, I quickly said that I will go back to Italy -- eventually. Of all the places that I am yearning to visit and revisit, why did I choose Italy? If you follow along on the blog, you've read about many of the reasons. I thought I'd share some posts and info for your future Italy travel plans. Photo by @donadifederica in our @estevillas holiday rental in #Asolo #italy #veneto
Took a little drive to Fountain Hills the other da Took a little drive to Fountain Hills the other day to walk around the lake and admire the sculptures. Dreaming about travel again, but grateful for beautiful sunny days here in #arizona🌵 #fountainhills
Reflections ... Remembering our veterans and falle Reflections ... Remembering our veterans and fallen soldiers on Memorial Day 2020. This photo was taken at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial In Washington, DC. I’m pointing to the name of Mr TWS’s cousin engraved in the panel. It’s very moving to visit these monuments and memorials. May we always remember and honor the sacrifices of all who have served in our armed forces. #washingtondc #memorialday
Eventually ... when we can travel again I will vis Eventually ... when we can travel again I will visit Italy again! @loyaltytravels asked me and other travel bloggers to share some of our favorite places for future travel inspiration. This photo was taken a few years ago at Lake Maggiore with @estevillas — Check out passrider.com for the collection on Kerwin’s site and go to travelingwithsweeney.com for my articles about Italy. #italy #travellater
In honor of the upcoming Mother’s Day, I asked t In honor of the upcoming Mother’s Day, I asked travel friends to share their memories of their mother-daughter travel experiences. The first of two collaborative posts was published today on Traveling with Sweeney featuring @aladyinlondon @tropicaltravelgirl @foodtravelist @micheleherrmann @indtravhelp @leonora_dimauro @rachelsruminations and more. Link in profile. #mothersday #travelblogger
We get some beautiful and crazy flora here in the We get some beautiful and crazy flora here in the desert. A few pics from an #earthday2020 walk around the neighborhood today. #stayathome #scottsdale #arizona🌵
It's not just about places. It's about people. As It's not just about places. It's about people. As we #stayathome we're thinking about friends we've met in our travels and we look forward to seeing them again someday. This goes way back to a very special time in Portico di Romagna, Italy with @raggimarisa @21grammy @indtravhelp at Al Vecchio Convento @vecchioconvento — You can read more on the blog. Search for “part of the family”. 🇮🇹
So I’ll have to wait a while until I get to enjo So I’ll have to wait a while until I get to enjoy another afternoon in Luxembourg Gardens since our April trip to #France has been cancelled. In the meantime, I’m reminiscing about #Paris and looking forward to the new parts of the country we’ll explore when we can reschedule. Stay tuned and stay healthy!
The desert is coming alive with blooms right here The desert is coming alive with blooms right here in our neighborhood @mcdowellmountainranch @scottsdaleariz #scottsdale #arizona
Gdańsk, Poland. Visit this picturesque city on th Gdańsk, Poland. Visit this picturesque city on the Baltic for its history, charm, and amber. I’ve got a lovely pair of amber earrings bought here. A real treasure of a souvenir. #gdansk #poland #myvikingstory
Peaceful reflections of France travels past .... A Peaceful reflections of France travels past .... An early autumn scene at the Medici Fountain at Luxembourg Gardens. I’m sure I’ll be back to this spot on the next trip I’m planning. #Paris #france
Back in Rouen, France ... at least in my mind. Loo Back in Rouen, France ... at least in my mind. Looking down upon the colorful umbrellas over Rue Massacre at Place Dominique Laboubée. Notice the portrait of the late French rock singer, Dominique Laboubée, by street artist, Jef Aérosol, on a building on the left. #Rouen #france
Continuing my France travel planning reminiscing t Continuing my France travel planning reminiscing takes me down this lane in Dinan, France — a totally charming village in the Brittany region. #dinan #france #brittany . . . #frenchtourism #jaimelafrance #bretagne #bretagne_focus_on #travel #travelblogger #beautifuldestinations #atoutfrance #europeantravel #charmingvillage #charmingeurope #france🇫🇷
Paris daydreams ... I often have them. Et vous? Ge Paris daydreams ... I often have them. Et vous? Getting ready to plan next trip to France 🇫🇷 so can’t help looking back on a previous trip. I like this photo that captures Musée d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, and the Seine at sunset. #paris #france . . . #france🇫🇷 #parisfrance #atoutfrance #visitparisofficial #museedorsay #eiffeltower #riverseine #beautifuldestinations #instaparis #frenchtravel #jaimelafrance #sunset #jachat
Perhaps you recognize this location from trailers Perhaps you recognize this location from trailers for the latest James Bond movie, “No Time To Die”? It’s Matera, Italy. Once called “ The shame of Italy”, Matera has had a rebirth and was designated a European Capital of Culture in 2019. It is one of my recommended places to visit in 2020. Check out more travel inspiration for 2020 and beyond in our article on @travelingwithsweeney #matera #italy🇮🇹 . . . #movielocation #jamesbondfilm #italia #ancientitaly #cavedwelling #italytravel #discoveritaly #discoverbasilicata #basilicata #europeantravel #instaitaly #travelblogger #traveleurope #europeandestinations #travel2020
A view from the port — Stockholm, Sweden. To the A view from the port — Stockholm, Sweden. To the right was our home away from home during our @vikingcruises Viking Homelands cruise — the Viking Jupiter. #myvikingstory #stockholm #sweden . . . #visitsweden #vikingcruises #scandinavia #europeantravel #northerneuropetrip #sweden🇸🇪 #swedengram #travelblogger #cruise #cruisetravel #balticsea #balticcruise #cruiseship #vikingjupiter
And a good time was had by all! Reminiscing about And a good time was had by all! Reminiscing about holiday fun in Vienna, Austria on our @vikingcruises Romantic Danube #cruise. An optional Viking excursion in Vienna, the “Heurigen Evening” provided a high-spirited authentic Viennese gemütlichkeit experience. A shuttle from the ship took our small group of five couples and our guides to the city’s 19th district where numerous vineyards are located with their wine taverns called Heurigen. The Heuriger became part of Austrian culture in the 18th century when Emperor Joseph II proclaimed that anyone who made their own wine could sell it to the public in their establishments. #myvikingstory . . . #austria #visitaustria #austria🇦🇹 #traveleurope #europeantravel #instaaustria #instavienna #heurigen #heuriger #wien #traveldeeper #viennagram #vikingcruises
Same time, last year... Lunch at a Chicago landmar Same time, last year... Lunch at a Chicago landmark — The Berghoff restaurant, a historic family-owned German restaurant on Adams Street in the Loop. Although renovated in recent years, it still serves hearty and authentic German comfort food in brauhaus ambiance. Great for holiday spirit on a brisk December day. #chicago #illinois #usa . . . #christmas #visitchicago #visitillinois #enjoyillinois #theberghoff #wintertravel #germanrestaurant #travelillinois #holidayseason #sametimelastyear #travelblogger #chicagoroots
The latest on the blog is about the sights and act The latest on the blog is about the sights and activities during our @vikingcruises shore excursions in St. Petersburg, Russia. The gorgeous domes are part of the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood. The church was constructed between 1883 and 1907 and got its name because it was built upon the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated. #myvikingstory #stpetersburgrussia #russia . . . #russiagram #travelrussia #visitstpetersburg #beautifulchurches #churchofoursaviour #traveldeeper #instatravel #vikingcruises #shoreexcursion #travel #travelblogger #visitpetersburg #createthegreat
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