What are you waiting for? Book a nonstop Delta flight from PDX to Tokyo!

Photo credit: Kabacchi, Francisco Diez, MrStaticVoid, Takeshi+81, kevinpoh, Andurinha, InfoMofo, wallyg, just.in, UnholyKnight, Madjock, JM Rocher, ykanazawa1999, diebmx, Suviko, Dr Snafu, nicolacassa, scottmark, Bill McIntyre

Photo credits: Daniel Peckham,  Arte_ON, highrockphoto, termie, Paul MacDougall, elsamu, William Beutler, -QIQ-, Emilio Santacoloma, KP Tripathi, MorBCN, John Kannenberg, Fulvio Minichini, Roger Wade.

1. Pre-plan

Before you start pulling clothing from the closet, take a few moments to research your packing needs. Check the upcoming weather report to forecast your clothing preferences. Also look online or call your hotel to see what free amenities are available on site such as soap, hair dryers, towels etc.

2. Multipurpose Packing

Bundle clothing to make mix-and-match outfits that can cross over for multiple occasions. For example a light-weight sweater can be paired casually with jeans or dressed up with a skirt or dress pants. Neutral colors also stretch out the matching possibilities by making it easier to pair multiple items together. Choose a pop of color or similar color hue to accompany the attire and fresh up each new pairing.

3. Downsize the Three S’s

Shoes, shampoo & shiny things: eliminate excess by simplifying these three problem packers.

• Shoes: Though it is tempting to pack shoes for every outfit, pack smart with shoes that not only work well with multiple outfits but are also space conscious such as sandals and less-bulky styles. For a short trip limit yourself to two pairs of shoes, one on your feet while you are flying and one in the bag.
• Shampoo: Bring travel size toiletries that fit just enough product for the length of your trip. The three ounce carry-on rule is a great way to plan even for your checked bag. You can also purchase these products at your destination to really save space.
• Shiny Things: Pack only the necessary electronics for your trip. Keep cables and chargers compact in a zip lock bag.

4. Pack with a Purpose and a Plan

Think of your bag like it’s a jigsaw puzzle. Strategically pack your bag using the space wisely. Place your heaviest items toward the bottom of the bag. Remember if it’s a rolling bag that the weight will shift when you lift it. Roll the t-shirts and pants to help reduce wrinkles and conserve space. Place delicate items flat on top. Also stuff small items like socks in your shoes and other open cavities.

5. Cut the Fat: The 10% Rule

Now that you have scrimped, stuffed and sacrificed, take everything you think you need for the trip and cut it another 10%. That means that sneaky extra pair of jeans or scarf that you tucked in at the last minute has got to go – but don’t worry, once you have reached your destination you won’t even miss it.

Do you have other tried and true tips for packing light? Let us know with a comment.

Photo credit: Suitcases, mikecogh; Suitcase, Lasse C.

If you’re feeling like channeling your inner chef for dinner tonight, check out this recipe for farfalle with lamb ragù, ricotta and mint. Bon Appetit!

Photo credit: Farfalle Ragu with parmesan, avlxyz.

Photo credit: matsumoto castle, ricoeurian

As a hub for the rest of Europe, Amsterdam can connect you to most cities in under three hours. If you’re an art lover who wants to maximize your time while in Europe, Amsterdam is a convenient location from which to begin a journey through centuries of artistic expression.

1. Amsterdam: Start at the Rijksmuseum. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, this Dutch national museum is home to some of the most iconic images that represent the Netherlands. From intricate tulip paintings dating back 400 years to Dutch Master, Rembrandt’s Night Watch. The Rijksmuseum will fill you with enough excitement to pack an overnight bag and hop on a plane for your next destination: London.
2. London: Only a thirty minute flight from Amsterdam, London is home to a number of museums. Though, to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed with the options, choose one to visit and know you’ll have many years to see the rest. For this trip, spend some time at the Tate Modern. While it is the most visited modern art gallery in the world, you’ll have no trouble finding a quiet room to examine the brush strokes of Matisse and Rothko. The museum isn’t ordered chronologically; it is divided on various levels by style. Don’t miss Level 5, known as the States of Flux, this level houses Warhol, Picasso, Lichtenstein and more.
3. Paris: After a solid night’s sleep in London, find your way back to the airport and hop a plane for the City of Lights. Paris is less than an hour away by air and worth the trip. Spend your time while in the fuselage reading up on your next destination, the Louvre. With over 35,000 items filling over 652,000 square feet, you’ll need a game plan. What began as a 12th century fortress is now home to artistic treasures that show the evolution of art itself. With artifacts dating back over 7,000 years, you can wander through ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Smile back at the Mona Lisa and marvel at the sculptures of Michelangelo.
4. Back to Amsterdam: After settling into your hour-long flight back to Amsterdam, you can reminisce on your museum hopping adventure. Keep in mind that it’ll be impossible to see everything on your list. There will be cities you miss. There will be treasures not captured by your camera. Just know they’ll be awaiting your return. This is just one more reason to start planning your next European adventure. Who knows, perhaps the next vacation theme will be food?

Art lovers, do tell: what are you favorite museums in Europe?

Photo credits: I Amsterdam, ariaski; Tate Modern, ReservasdeCoches.com; Louvre, simo0082, Tate Modern, i_abel.

Essential tools:

• A bamboo mat (this looks like a small place mat and can be found in grocery stores. You can also use a clean place mat and cover it with plastic wrap)
• A pot or rice cooker

Ingredients:

• Sushi Rice (this is not regular white rice… and nothing can really substitute sushi rice. The grains have a combination of starches that make the rice stick together)
• Rice Vinegar
• Nori Sheets (seaweed paper)
• Avocado
• Crab / Imitation Crab
• Japanese Mayonnaise (regular mayonnaise will also work)

1. Sushi rice is the key ingredient! Sushi rice needs to be soaked and rinsed until the water runs clear (at minimum, not cloudy). While soaking, the rice is absorbing water and preventing the rice from cracking. Don’t skip this step! Follow the cooking instructions on your sushi rice bag – typically 2 cups rice to 3 cups water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer and cover. While the rice is cooking, you can prep the other ingredients.

2. Halve your avocado, cut in long slices and then spoon out. Put aside.

3. Tear your crab and mix it in with a dash of salt and 2 tbsp. mayonnaise.

4. When all the water is absorbed in the rice pot, empty into a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap.

5. To make the rice sweet, you have 2 options:

• Take ½ cup rice vinegar and ¼ cup sugar and heat in a pan until the sugar dissolves. Stir into rice.
• OR, stir in ½ cup rice vinegar and ⅛ cup agave to rice

6. Keep rice covered and let cool.

Time to roll the sushi!

Lay a nori sheet on top of your mat (bamboo or place mat with a sheet of plastic wrap). Spread rice on 2/3rds of the nori sheet creating a thin covering, leaving a little bit of room around the ends. Helpful tip: wet your fingers first so the rice doesn’t stick to your hands, making flattening the rice out much easier! Flip the nori sheet so that the rice is now on the bottom (this will create an “inside out” roll).

Take your crab mixture and spread over 1/3 of nori sheet nearer to one end. Top with sliced avocado.

To roll your sushi, take one end of the nori over the crab and avocado and tuck it tightly underneath, using the rolling mat to help tighten the roll. Continue tightly rolling, lifting the mat as you go until the whole nori is rolled. Cut into six pieces and serve with soy sauce and wasabi or pickled ginger.

Remember, you can make many variations such as adding cucumber slices or substituting the mayonnaise with cream cheese. You can sprinkle sesame seeds or tobiko (flying fish eggs) on the rice side of the nori before rolling or you could even put all the ingredients on one side of the nori. The options are endless!

Did you know?

• Sashimi (raw fish) is a typical appetizer and is meant to showcase the quality of fish being served.
• In Japan, it is considered taboo to mix wasabi into soy sauce! Smothering your sushi in soy sauce will mask the taste and quality of the fish, therefore it is recommended to dip lightly and sparingly.
• Dip your sushi in soy sauce seaweed side down so that you do not absorb too much soy sauce and overwhelm the taste of the fish.
• Pickled ginger is meant to cleanse your palate between different types of sushi.
• It is considered rude to put your chopsticks into a bowl of rice as it resembles the incense burned at a funeral. Instead, lay your chopsticks on the holder or on top of your bowl.

What are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Photo credit: Veggie California, loozrboy; Sushi, AMagill; Cooked Sushi Rice, FotoosVanRobin; sushi, grendelkahn.

Curiously enough, Japanese microbrews have only been legal since 1994. Prior to ’94, only uber-large breweries were granted permission to brew. Do the names Sapporo, Asahi, and Kirin sound familiar? That’s because these are some of the few macro-breweries in Japan that were granted permission to produce beer. After the legislation was lifted, sake brewers from far and wide began experimenting with brewing. With high-quality equipment and careers worth of knowledge about the production of alcohol, they quickly began reaching deliciousness.

Add ‘tasting Japanese microbrews’ to your list of to-dos once you get to Tokyo. Here are four of the best bars to get your tasting on: Ant ‘n’ Bee, Popeye, Ushi Tora, and La Cachette. If you don’t speak Japanese, don’t worry. There’s only one word you need to know for this tasty experience: “oishii!” (delicious).

Photo credits: Japanese beers at Meno Mosso, craigemorsels; Japanese Beers, foilman;

Thanks to Insulinde on Flickr for this great photo.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Open until January 8, 2012

The holiday shopping in and around Amsterdam is some of the best in Europe. Check out the markets in the City Center on the Albert Cuypstraat where you can find colorful decorations, sparkling lights, many boutique shops and hand-crafted art. For a dazzling Christmas market experience, head to the Rembrandtplein market that boasts plenty of Christmas trees and snowmen. The best part about Christmas markets in Amsterdam? They are open until January 8, 2012, so you can stretch your holiday spirit all the way into the New Year!

Cologne, Germany: Open from November 21 – December 23

Cologne is home to one of the largest cathedral domes in Europe. The cathedral serves as the perfect centerpiece for holiday festivities during the winter. The Christmas markets near the dome (Am Dom) will get you in the spirit, where you can enjoy Christmas goodies and indulge in a cup of holiday heaven, “Glühwein”. With this delicious, hot mulled wine beverage in hand, you can drink outside while catching up with friends and listening to Christmas music.

Brussels, Belgium: Open from November 25 – January 3, 2012

Brussels is postcard perfect and charming during the winter months. While it is widely known for its French-oriented cuisine, the City Center and the Grand Place turn into a world of yuletide merriment with little huts and barns where you can escape the cold weather and enjoy delicious holiday food and drink. Try the Belgian chocolate, gingerbread or French specialties, such as steamed “moules” or even snails combined with a glass of wine and French olives. Bon appetit!

Photo credit: Christmas tree in Nieuwmarkt, Amsterdam, slideshow bob; Christmas market in front of the Cologne Cathedral and Christmas market in Place Sainte Catherine, Brussels, Nenyaki.