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Traveling with Sweeney

Traveling with Sweeney

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san francisco

Attractions, California, Destinations, Parks & Recreation, USA

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in San Francisco

Catherine Sweeney
March 17, 2013

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. Yesterday, we decided to do something we had never done – enjoy St. Patrick’s Day festivities in San Francisco.

san francisco, St. Patrick's Day
California, Destinations, USA

Chinatown: The Pretty and the Gritty

Catherine Sweeney
August 9, 2012
Chinatown: The Pretty and the Gritty

Off the main tourist routes in San Francisco’s Chinatown are several alleys that offer a different, old world perspective of life in this famous area of the city. Beyond Grant Avenue’s dragon-adorned street lamps and pagoda façades are these small streets where the residents go about their daily lives.

california, san francisco, USA
Attractions, California, Parks & Recreation, USA

AT&T Park: Who’s on First?

Catherine Sweeney
April 26, 2012

Whether you’re a local or a visitor from out of town, you should think about taking in a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park. You don’t even have to be a big baseball fan to enjoy the views, people watching, ballpark food aromas and energy of the crowd.

california, san francisco, USA
Attractions, California, Cruise Travel, Parks & Recreation, USA

Cruising San Francisco Bay

Catherine Sweeney
April 12, 2012

Over the years, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco has gotten cluttered with souvenir shops, street performers and throngs of tourists. Sadly, I think that it long ago lost much of its maritime charm and historic appeal. So why do Mr. TWS and I still insist on bringing our out-of-town visitors down to the wharf?

california, san francisco, USA
California, USA

Moody San Francisco on a Rainy Day

Catherine Sweeney
March 29, 2012
Moody San Francisco on a Rainy Day

When it rains in San Francisco, we get moody A rainy day can intensify moods and emotions. If you’re in love, a rain can be wonderfully romantic. If you’re sad or heartbroken, it’s painfully bitter cold. If you’re nostalgic, it can bring a tear to your eye. Or maybe you…

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california, san francisco
Art and Architecture, Attractions, Europe, USA

Inside Passages

Catherine Sweeney
February 16, 2012

More than just a way to get from one point to another, inside passages sometimes intrigue me by their design, visual effects, or historical significance. These photos were taken of passages that compelled me to stop and take a shot while visiting the landmarks where they’re located.

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Art, Europe, san francisco
California, USA

The View from Tien Hou

Catherine Sweeney
February 2, 2012

Over the rooftops of Chinatown atop Telegraph Hill is Coit Tower, an iconic landmark of San Francisco. The tower was built in 1933 in honor of Lillie Hitchcock Coit and dedicated to San Francisco firefighters. A very colorful character, Lillie was an avid supporter of the fire department during her…

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california, san francisco, USA
California, USA

The Lone Sailor’s View

Catherine Sweeney
November 17, 2011

The Lone Sailor At the north end of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is Vista Point, a place with panoramic views of the bridge spanning the strait between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the city, the Oakland Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz. There is a statue there called The…

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california, san francisco
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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.

Thank you, Getting on Travel!

Traveling with Sweeney, Best Baby Boomer Travel Blogs 2022, Getting on Travel

2018 NATJA Silver Award Winner

Recent Posts

  • Natural Beauty and Awesome Wonders of Iceland
  • Paso Robles Wine Country Getaway
  • Travel Destinations for Romantics
  • Exploring Treasures of the Mediterranean from Istanbul to Athens
  • Six Days in Zurich for a Holiday Kickoff

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Iceland! What a natural beauty! First post on the Iceland! What a natural beauty! First post on the blog (link in bio) about our small group explorations tour with @gocollette to the land of fire and ice. This one focuses on its natural beauty and amazing wonders. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #naturalbeauty #traveliceland #visiticeland🇮🇸 #waterfalls #travelblogger #guidedtravel #beautifuliceland #traveltuesday
Meet Luciana, Collette Tour Manager! What a joy it Meet Luciana, Collette Tour Manager! What a joy it was to travel with her in Iceland! Originally from Italy, she has an infectious passion for Iceland and is always enthusiastic about sharing her extensive knowledge of the country’s culture, history, natural wonders and sites. Luciana genuinely cared about each person in our group and did everything possible to ensure a great Icelandic experience for all. Thank you for a fantastic trip, Luciana! (Stay tuned for a blog post coming soon.) #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #traveliceland #guidedtravel #tourmanager #bestoficeland #icelandicadventure #smallgrouptours #travelgram
Icelandic High School grads are looking to the fut Icelandic High School grads are looking to the future and celebrating now.  Did you know that in Iceland high school students who will be graduating (if they pass their upcoming final exams) before celebrate a tradition called dimmisjón. The students get together with groups of fellow students and dress in costumes (cute, crazy, fun – whatever they decide) and engage in scavenger hunts in their towns. They eagerly engage others in the fun. When we were in Reykjavik, we saw many (lgrads running running around the city and having a blast. We even got pulled into one of the group’s activity and brought into their parade. The fun things you learn about a place when you travel! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #travelblogger #travelgram #icelandtrip #icelandicculture #dimmisjon #icelandgraduates #reykjavík #reykjavikcelebrations #traveltoiceland
Meet Icelandic farmer Jóhanna Bergmann Þorvaldsd Meet Icelandic farmer Jóhanna Bergmann Þorvaldsdóttir and her totally cute and fun goats. Jóhanna is credited with helping to save the Icelandic Goat from extinction. On our Best of Iceland tour with @gocollette we visited her farm, Háafell, in Borgarbyggð, Iceland. One of the great experiences to have when you travel. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #travelgram #iceland #icelandicfarm #haafellgoatfarm #guidedtravel #visiticeland #goatfarm
For #foodiefriday -- a little taste of Iceland for For #foodiefriday -- a little taste of Iceland for you. I'm not usually a seafood person, but it is so fresh and so good in Iceland that I had it often. Lamb is also a specialty there and is delicious because of free-range lifestyle and grass-fed diet of sheep. We also sampled several special Icelandic treats. Link in bio to more about Iceland tour. Clockwise from top left:  Carrot soup (Kopar), mashed cod (Naustið in Húsavík), fermented shark, lamb (Höfnin), river trout (Naustið), lava bread (Laugarvatn Fontana), wolffish (Seabourn), and ling fish (Kopar). More tastes to come! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #icelandicfood #seafood #visiticeland #lavabread #icelandiclamb #reykjavikfood #fermentedshark #traditionalfood #travelgram #traveliceland
On the shores of Lake Laugarvatn in Iceland we vis On the shores of Lake Laugarvatn in Iceland we visited the geothermal bakery of @fontanaiceland  Have you heard of lava bread? It’s an old Icelandic recipe that’s baked in the hot black earth of this volcanic area. It’s fun to watch the process and the bread is totally delicious — served hot right from the ground with Icelandic butter. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #lavabread #laugarvatn #travelgram #foodiefriday #icelandtravels #guidedtravel #visiticeland #geothermal
An Icelandic adventure with @gocollette! We took a An Icelandic adventure with @gocollette! We took a special mountain truck to the top of Langjokull and then went into the glacier carefully walking through the ice tunnels. Very exciting! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #icelandicadventure #glacier #langjokull #intotheglacier #travelgram #visiticeland🇮🇸 #traveliceland #guidedtour
Can’t believe our @gocollette Icelandic adventur Can’t believe our @gocollette Icelandic adventure has come to an end. Our farewell dinner was at Kopar Restaurant on the harbor in Reykjavik — perfect place to say goodbye to our new travel friends. Great casual and cool vibe, delicious food (I had local Ling Fish, carrot soup and chocolate mousse), friendly service, and terrific views of the harbor. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #reykjavìk #iceland #guidedtravel #farewelldinner #recommendedrestaurant #icelandicrestaurant #foodiefriday
This morning we say goodbye to @hotel.hamar in Bor This morning we say goodbye to @hotel.hamar in Borgarnes, Iceland as we head back to Reykjavik for our final day on tour with @gocollette (and lovely guide Luciana shown in pic). Everything was great — our spacious room, dining, and awesome views! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #hotelhamar
Totally enjoyed a scenic cruise on Breiðafjörðu Totally enjoyed a scenic cruise on Breiðafjörður Bay Iceland. Our boat got up close to the cliffs of the islands for us to see wildlife. We also sampled scallops and sea urchins that had just been brought up from the water. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #visiticekand #traveliceland #travelblogger #europeantravel
Scenes from an evening walk on the grounds of our Scenes from an evening walk on the grounds of our home for the next two nights — @hotel.hamar in Borgarnes in western Iceland. It’s such a lovely property! #gocollette #catherinexcollete #Borgarnes #Iceland #visiticeland #traveliceland🇮🇸 #hotelhamar #springiniceland
In the scenic Norourland Vestra region of Iceland, In the scenic Norourland Vestra region of Iceland, we enjoyed a visit to a family-owned farm. Farmer Jon introduced us to his sheep and horses (the area is famous for horse breeding) while treating us to homemade traditional Icelandic treats. Many of the little lambs were under four weeks old and two were just two hours old. Thanks for a great experience, @gocollette! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #iceland #farmlife #horses #sheep
A day in northern Iceland with @gocollette — cha A day in northern Iceland with @gocollette — charming village of Húsavík, whale watching on RIB boat, drive through scenic landscapes to see turf settlement homes, spa time, dinner at Naustið (the yellow house) #visithusavik #gocollette #catherinexcollette #lovetotravel #visitnorthiceland #travelblogger #travelgram #icelandtrip #traveltuesday
What a fantastic day for whale watching in Iceland What a fantastic day for whale watching in Iceland! Thanks @husavikadventures for the exciting ride on the RIB to see the magnificent whales with our fellow @gocollette travelers. #gocollette #catherinexcollette #visiticeland🇮🇸 #whalewatchingtours #happytravelers #travelcouple #icelandicadventure
One for me, one for @MrTWS1 — enjoying drinks fr One for me, one for @MrTWS1 — enjoying drinks from the swim-up bar at Mývatn Nature Baths, a geothermal pool in northern Iceland. Perfect for relaxation after a day of exploring the area with @gocollette #gocollette #catherinexcollette #travel #iceland #travelgram #visiticeland🇮🇸 #geothermalspa
A very short flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri ove A very short flight from Reykjavik to Akureyri over the stunning Icelandic landscape was the start to a full and busy day of discovery. Stay tuned. #gocollette #catherinexcollete #iceland #icelandfromabove #travelblogger #lovetotravel
Our day trip from Reykjavik was all about nature o Our day trip from Reykjavik was all about nature on a tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle. We walked alongside Gullfoss (Golden Falls), sometimes getting quite close to the falls and feeling the spray of the water. Gorgeous pkace! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #icelandicadventure #iceland #travelgram #wayerfalls #gullfoss #nature #beautifuldestinations
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is lovely and Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is lovely and full of character. A walking tour with our @gocollette local guide took us to the old town and city center to get a glimpse of its history and culture. Here’s  a little look! #gocollette #catherinexcollette #reykjavìk #iceland #visiticeland🇮🇸 #travelgram #europeantravels #lovelycity #lovetotravel
A Paso Robles wine country tip for the wine enthus A Paso Robles wine country tip for the wine enthusiast in you. Experience a taste of France at @laventurewine in Paso Robles. @mrtws1 and I had a lovely time there with friends on a summer getaway. More to come on the blog. #pasowine #pasorobleswinecountry #pasorobles #wineries #travelblogger #vineyards #laventurewines #visitcalifornia
And this is where I stand. #handsoff #phoenixarizo And this is where I stand. #handsoff #phoenixarizona #desertridge #savedemocracy #50501
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