A Sanctuary in the Valley of the Sun As new residents of Arizona's Valley of the Sun with a home in Scottsdale, my husband and I are eager to learn about the great places and activities in our new community and surrounding area. We've been pleasantly surprised that there is so much to see and do! Recently, we got a glimpse of the beautiful Sanctuary on Camelback Resort and Spa, a luxury resort for relaxation and recreation in nearby Paradise … [Read more...]
About Catherine Sweeney
http://www.travelingwithsweeney.com
Catherine’s passion for travel goes back to her childhood in the Chicago area when her family crisscrossed North America on road trips. Today, as a boomer woman traveler she still approaches new destinations as well as familiar favorites with eager anticipation and youthful enthusiasm. She shares her experiences in her blog, Traveling With Sweeney, where she and her husband/frequent travel companion collaborate to entertain and inspire. Catherine is also founder and editor of Boomer Women Travelers.
Exploring the Douro with Viking River Cruises
Discovering treasures in every port Embarking in Portugal upon our first-ever cruise, my husband and I looked forward to the quality and service that have earned Viking River Cruises their outstanding reputation. There were many aspects of this river cruise that we loved, and having a wealth of compelling shore excursion opportunities was a big part of the experience for us. Portugal is known for its famous explorers of centuries past who … [Read more...]
Paradise Found: High Spirits and Good Eats in Montana
On the culinary trail from Bozeman to Missoula Sipping wine on a breezy summer day in a place called Paradise was a little slice of heaven, indeed. And it wasn't the only experience that had me in high spirits on a three-day road trip that began in Bozeman and took us northwest to Missoula. With the guidance of our local Montana companions, my husband and I sampled surprisingly innovative dishes, traditional Montana classics, fine wines, … [Read more...]
Maritime Québec: A Feast for the Senses
Highlights of a three-day Québec road trip For three days this summer, it was a delight to be on the road in parts of Québec that I'd never visited: Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie, two of the province's maritime regions on the St. Lawrence River. Driving north from our starting point in Québec City to our first destination about 100 miles north, the village of Kamoraska, my travel companions and I were soon passing through rural areas with … [Read more...]
Marseille, France: European Capital of Culture
As someone who lives in Marseille told me, “Marseille is a way of life”. It’s the playing of pétanque (similar to bocce), the imbibing of pastis (an anise liqueur developed in Marseille as a substitute for the banned absinthe in 1915), the savoring of Bouillabaisse (for which Marseille is famous), and a certain "joie de vivre". It is also a way of life that embraces the diversity of this melting pot on the Mediterranean and its rich culture, … [Read more...]
3 Great Sierra Nevada Getaways
During a busy and fun-filled getaway weekend, my husband (“Mr. TWS”) and I visited El Dorado County, South Lake Tahoe, and Carson Valley, Nevada. These three Sierra Nevada locations, easily reached from the San Francisco Bay Area and many other places in Northern California and Nevada, can be enjoyed as individual destinations or an itinerary trio. We packed a lot into three days (and would recommend taking much more time), but we got a good feel … [Read more...]
Cassis: A Captivating Seaside Village in Provence
"Qu'a vist Paris, se noun a vist Cassis, pou dire: n'ai rèn vist," "He who has seen Paris and who has not seen Cassis can say ... I have seen nothing." Frédéric Mistral (1830 - 1914), beloved Provençal poet and Nobel Prize laureate How could anyone make such a bold statement about Cassis, France, a medieval village in Provence? After just a few hours in this village on the Mediterranean coast, I began to understand. I always feel … [Read more...]
Discovering Nova Scotia Food and Wine
From the land and the sea, Nova Scotia is a treasure chest of epicurean bounty. For me, that bounty included several first-time experiences and a few surprises. I didn't know very much about Nova Scotia food and wine prior to my visit which made the prospect of my culinary road trip all the more exciting. I was eager to broaden my horizons with new seafood experiences and discover the province’s quickly-growing wine industry. Since Nova … [Read more...]
Halifax Highlights: Old, New and Deja Vu
Lush greenery and countless bodies of water dominated the serene view I saw as my flight descended into Halifax Stanfield International Airport, providing evident contrasts to the dryness of my drought-ridden state of California and the bustle of making a connection in Detroit. I was excited about my upcoming road trip through part of Nova Scotia, but first would be a day in this Maritime province’s capital city of Halifax -- a return to a place … [Read more...]
5 Honolulu Highlights
After several visits to Kauai, Maui, Molokai and the Big Island of Hawaii, I finally had a chance to visit Oahu, the most populated of the Hawaiian Islands and home to the state capital of Honolulu. My travel opportunity came with an invitation to Honolulu to attend the launch of the new Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard issued by Barclaycard. Although primarily a business trip, I got a wonderful taste of what Honolulu has to offer leisure … [Read more...]