July 25, 2011
Travel Photography Made Easy
We’ve all experienced relatives returning from trips, excited to invite the family over for a long and excruciating three hours of photo sharing. You stare at images of grandpa and grandma standing in front of endless monuments, statues, signs, etc. with the same expressions and same composition making up each photograph. While most travelers own a digital camera, few know how to compose photos that will create memorable and interesting photographs to commemorate their travels. Here are a few travel photography tips for even the most amateur of photographers. Learn how to take photos on your travels that won’t bore your relatives.
-
June 16, 2011
Cool Globes Exhibit Comes to Amsterdam
A very exciting outdoor art exhibit is gracing Amsterdam with it’s presence this summer. The “Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet” public exhibit has spent the last several years on tour across the world after its debut in Chicago. Stops along the way included LA, San Francisco, Marseilles, Copenhagen and Geneva. Over fifty large, detailed globes designed by artists all across the world will stand on display in the West District of Amsterdam (Westergasfabriek) from June 7th to September 25th this year.
-
June 14, 2011
Dance Across Oceans
Whether you like to tango, swing dance, salsa, waltz or just let loose freestyle on the dance floor, there is a little something for everyone both in Portland and across the pond. Several dance festivals, performances and groups are hitting the stage this year, and should make it to your calendar. If you’re in the mood to be amazed, inspired, or even shake a tail feather yourself, check out what 2011 has in store for you. Read more »
-
December 17, 2010
A day with the iAmsterdam Card – Day Three: Museums
Considering its size, Amsterdam has an amazing number of world-class museums, and visitors who come to appreciate them are wise to consider buying the iAmsterdam Card before they arrive. These top museums are some of the more expensive attractions in the city, so the card will certainly save you some money on a day like this (not to mention the VIP status so you can skip the often-lengthy ticket queues). Read more »
-
September 17, 2010
Photo Diary: Fountains
Public art is realized in various forms, from sculptures to murals and recycled materials. But one type of artwork is often left out: fountains. This week’s photo diary is dedicated to three beautiful public fountains in Tokyo, Portland an Amsterdam. The next time you travel to these destinations, make a point to visit these fountains with your colleagues, grab lunch from a nearby food cart, or take some alone time to read an intriguing book from the local bookstore. Read more »
-
August 17, 2010
Getting Ready for Our European Honeymoon
It has been five months of planning, but it is just a few short days until Keri and I embark on our trip to Amsterdam. We are hoping to pack a lifetime’s worth of adventure into our week in Europe, so having non-stop direct flights into Amsterdam is a life-saver. Read more »
-
March 1, 2010
From Art Galleries to Chicken and Rice, International Tourism Boosts Local Industry
What a destination! Over the past 3 years that I have worked with Travel Portland, I never cease to be amazed by this city’s pride and commitment to the high quality tourist experience for domestic and international visitors. The success of the tourism industry is largely dependent on the success of the city’s transportation systems. Portland is fortunate to have multiple access points from train and bus to light rail, and, of course, the airport. Read more »
-
February 15, 2010
A Travel Writer’s Take on Amsterdam
I have one of those jobs that allows me to live anywhere. It also affords me the chance to explore the rest of the world when I’m gone. I’m a freelance travel writer, and I moved to Portland in summer of 2007. I’d been living happily in New Mexico up until that time but felt compelled to try something new, and considered a number of great cities. Read more »
-
January 15, 2010
Photo Diary: Art Museums
Last week we shared photos of some less conventional artwork scattered around Amsterdam, Portland and Tokyo. This week we’re featuring the indoor art institutions. You’re probably familiar with the Rijksmuseum, Portland Art Museum and Tokyo National Museum, so we’ve chosen a few others: Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Pittock Mansion and Scheepvaart Museum.
-
January 8, 2010
Photo Diary: Public Art
When’s the last time you walked down the street and saw a traffic sign made into a piece of jewelry or a train station seat decorated with iron ivy? Public art is certainly not new to society, but it continues to catch our eye and has made it to this week’s photo diary. Art lovers may travel to famous galleries and museums to experience an artist’s fusion of color, texture, paint, metals, and creativity, but in Amsterdam, Portland and Tokyo, you don’t have to travel far (or inside) to see art sprinkled throughout the city. Here is a sampling of the more familiar public art displays you will find in each city. Read more »