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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…

Read more

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

  • Tallinn on the Baltic: A Medieval Surprise
  • Travel Planning: Seeing 2020 by Looking Back
  • Enchanted by Lucien Bahaj on Manhattan’s Lower East Side
  • Scottsdale Hikes: Marcus Landslide Trail at Tom’s Thumb
  • Giving Thanks in 16 Different Languages

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Perhaps you recognize this location from the lates Perhaps you recognize this location from 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
Everyday life in St. Petersburg, Russia. This is N Everyday life in St. Petersburg, Russia. This is Nevsky Prospekt — a busy street in Russia’s “northern capital”. #myvikingstory #saintpetersburg #russia . . . #europe #easterneurope #visitrussia #europeantravel #traveleurope #vikingcruises #shoreexcursion #cityscene #nevskyprospekt #travelblogger #traveltheworld #createthegreat
Does anybody know about the building on the Neva R Does anybody know about the building on the Neva River with the big red bow? I took this photo in St. Petersburg, Russia while riding on a coach to a @vikingcruises shore excursion in the city. Let me know! #saintpetersburg #russia #myvikingstory . . . #stpetersburgrussia #bigredbow #cityscene #europe #europeantravel #visitrussia #travelblogger #vikingcruises #cruisetravel #traveltheworld #visitpetersburg
The gold dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral towering The gold dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral towering above new-classical buildings along the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia. More coming soon on the blog. #myvikingstory #saintpetersburgrussia . . . #russia #vikingcruises #vikinghomelands #cruise #cruiseexcursions #europeantravel #visitrussia #travelblogger #russiantravel #globetrotter #cathedraldome #cathedral #cityscene #createthegreat
Shopping area of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Loved o Shopping area of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Loved our walking tour of this Russian city during our @vikingcruises shore excursion. More to come on the blog. #myvikingstory #saintpetersburgrussia . . . #travelblogger #russiatravel #instarussia #globetrotter #jachat #ifwtwa #cityscene #vikingcruises #livetotravel #lovetotravel #visitpetersburg
When we visited St. Petersburg, Russia in late Sep When we visited St. Petersburg, Russia in late September, the leaves were just starting to turn, making for a beautiful stroll through Mikhailovsky Garden. The park can be entered behind the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood which we were touring on our shore excursion with @vikingcruises #myvikingstory #saintpetersburgrussia #russia . . . #stpetersburgrussia #mikhailovskygarden #park #citypark #vikinghomelands #vikingcruise #visitrussia #traveleurope #travelrussia #instarussia #earlyautumn #travelgram #visitpetersburg
Riding on a long and quite steep (more so than the Riding on a long and quite steep (more so than the photo shows) in a Metro station in St. Petersburg, Russia. The “St. Petersburg by Metro and on Foot” shore excursion during the Viking Homelands cruise was one of my favorite trip experiences. It was like being part of daily life in Russia. Keep following the @travelingwithsweeney blog for more about our cruise on the Baltic. #myvikingstory #stpetersburgrussia #saintpetersburgrussia #vikingcruises #metrostation #travelrussia #travelblogger #instarussia #balticcruise #escalator #dailylifeinrussia #visitpetersburg
Stockholm, Sweden. One of the great things about @ Stockholm, Sweden. One of the great things about @vikingcruises is the focus on destinations providing many opportunities to tour and explore port cities on included and optional excursions. Find out more on the blog about our favorite things during our first ocean cruise. #myvikingstory #europe #stockholm #sweden
The art of the cruise. From the first steps onto t The art of the cruise. From the first steps onto the Viking Jupiter, passengers can see that elements of art are clearly integral to the interior ambiance of the ship. Art is central to the elegant Scandinavian design and decor of the Jupiter (and its sister ships) with paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, and other pieces placed thoughtfully throughout the ship, creating comfortable and appealing spaces for guests. Read more about our first-ever ocean cruise on our latest blog post. #myvikingstory #europe . . . #europetravel #europeancruise #vikingcruises #art #cruiseship #cruiseaddict #cruisetravel #instatravel #cruisegram #vikingjupiter #artanddecor
Helsinki city scene. There’s something about tra Helsinki city scene. There’s something about trams that adds to the allure of European cities. Do you agree? Especially when they run along tree-lined boulevards with beautiful buildings. More to come soon on the blog about our @vikingcruises Baltic cruise and the cities we visited. #myvikingstory #Helsinki #Finland . . . #visitfinland #visithelsinki #cruisetravel #europeantravel #europe #balticcities #travelblogger #loves_finland #ifwtwa #jachat
Sunset in Stockholm. And so began our Baltic cruis Sunset in Stockholm. And so began our Baltic cruise on the @vikingcruises Jupiter. This is a hint of what’s coming soon on the blog. #myvikingstory #stockholm #sweden . . . #cruise #cruisetravel #vikingjupiter #sunset #sunsetinthecity #sunsetoverwater #europeantravel #sverige #sverigeresa #balticsea #balticsunset
A cruise on the Neva River and canals of St. Peter A cruise on the Neva River and canals of St. Petersburg, Russia provides excellent views of the city. This was one of our optional excursions during our cruise on the Baltic. #saintpetersburg #russia #myvikingstory . . . #cruisetravel #russiancity #canalcruise #europeantravel #travelgram #traveleurope #shoreexcursion #visitstpetersburg #visitrussia #jachat #ifwtwa
“The café with a soul.” Someday I’m going b “The café with a soul.” Someday I’m going back to Gdańsk, Poland and I’ll have a coffee in this cafe we passed during our walking tour with @vikingcruises. #myvikingstory #gdansk #poland🇵🇱 . . . . #gdanskoldtown #cafes #polska #visitgdansk #visitpoland #travelforcoffee #charmingcity #europeantravel #europe #traveleurope
Morning in Gdańsk, Poland. Just finished a walkin Morning in Gdańsk, Poland. Just finished a walking tour with @vikingcruises in this lovely city on the Baltic. Most of the buildings in the old town were reconstructed after World War II to look like the originals. #gdansk #poland #myvikingstory . . . #polandgram #poland🇵🇱 #visitgdansk #balticsea #instapoland #polska #europeantravel #traveleurope #beautifuldestinations
When you’ve been out and about all day exploring When you’ve been out and about all day exploring a new place, it’s nice to come back to your home away from home —- in this case, the @vikingcruises Jupiter in Tallinn, Estonia. #myvikingstory #tallinn #estonia . . . #instatallinn #vikingjupiter #cruiseship #instatravel #europeantravel #traveleurope #travelblogger
A peek inside an old apothecary shop and museum in A peek inside an old apothecary shop and museum in Tallinn, Estonia. Through the windows, you can see a few of the colorful buildings on Town Hall Square. So much charm and character in this city. Glad we visited during our @vikingcruises Baltic cruise. #myvikingstory #tallinn #estonia #europe . . . #europeantravel #travelgram #estoniatravel #visittallinn #pharmacymuseum #instatallinn #cruisetravel
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