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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
"... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer "... for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ... " And here he is -- the wonderful, handsome man I married 29 years ago. I'm a lucky girl. #weddinganniversary❤️ #myhubby❤️
The allure of going places — in this case by tra The allure of going places — in this case by train. I find the journey itself an exciting part of the travel experience. Do you? This photo from my “nostalgia files” was taken at the central railway station in Wroclaw, Poland, while waiting to board our train to Warsaw. #ilovetraintravel #wroclaw #poland🇵🇱 #travellater
European train travel nostalgia. Like many others, European train travel nostalgia. Like many others, I reminisce often about travels past as I dream about future possibilities. Not only do I love being in a place, I’ve loved the excitement of getting there — by plane, train, ship, and auto. This photo was taken in a train between Budapest, Hungary and Bratislava, Slovakia. I think you can tell that I was quite content. Are you reminiscing about European train travel? #europetravel #europeantraintravel
I like taking photos of Mr. TWS when he’s not ex I like taking photos of Mr. TWS when he’s not expecting it — when he’s capturing beautiful or historic places in pictures or contemplating the deep significance of a landmark. This pic covers all of those bases and goes back to our trip to #Normandy where we took in the D-Day sites. This was in a hilltop overlooking the village of #Arromanches and the English Channel. #France
Thanks, @travelingjudi, for inviting me to the #wo Thanks, @travelingjudi, for inviting me to the #womensupportingwomen challenge and thanks to all of the women who have supported, inspired, and encouraged me in good times and in bad times. #empoweringwomen #challengeaccepted
It’s not often I post animal photos, but thought It’s not often I post animal photos, but thought you might enjoy these fauna of the desert sightings. Mr TWS took these pics of a javelina family (there were several of them) that was just passing through. You can see the young ones in the second photo. They were just on the other side of our view fence which seems to be on the regular route of quite a few desert critters. Always something interesting to see here in the #sonorandesert #scottsdale #arizona #absolutelyscottadale #myphx
Oh, for the days of walking around the old city ce Oh, for the days of walking around the old city centers of Europe with Mr. TWS. ❤️Here he is in Stockholm, Sweden before embarking on our @vikingcruises #cruise on the Baltic Sea. #stockholm #sweden #europe #wewilltravelagain
Good times with one of my favorite travel people —- @alessandracataniacopywriter who opened my eyes to the beauty and culture of her Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Grazie, Alessandra! #italy🇮🇹 #romagna #itsaboutthepeople #travelmemories🌍✈️
We can do this! What a great idea by Dorothée Lef We can do this! What a great idea by Dorothée Lefering of @thetouristin to create a series of collages featuring people around the world doing their part during the pandemic by wearing face coverings/masks to protect others. I'm honored to be in her latest with this photo. We are in this together, so #MaskUpAZ #maskup #wearamask #MaskWearersAroundTheWorld
We call it the “red minute” (and often the mou We call it the “red minute” (and often the mountains look super red) — that brief beautiful time that follows the equally captivating “golden hour” here in the Sonoran Desert at end of day. Life is complicated, especially in these times of COVID, but I count my blessings. #scottsdale #arizona🌵 #myphx #absolutelyscottsdale
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
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