February 27, 2012
Spoiler Alert: Mouth-Watering Meal Ahead!
Farfalle ragù is the fancy way to say “bow-tie” pasta with meat sauce. Originating in Bologna, Italy and dating back to the 5th century, ragù may also be referred to as bolognese or meat sauce. Read more »
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November 16, 2011
Glühwein: A Holiday Favorite
It’s that time of year in Portland. The temperatures are dropping, leaves are falling and the first glimmer of holiday lights are shining throughout Downtown Portland. Even though we haven’t hit Thanksgiving yet, there is no reason why you can’t bring the holiday cheer into your home early. In Europe, Christmas markets are in full swing as people begin Christmas shopping and enjoying delicious warm treats like steaming, stuffed baked potatoes, warm apricot Krapfens (doughnuts), and the star of the show, Glühwein. Read more »
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September 9, 2011
Top 3 Most Authentic Dutch Cuisine Experiences
When we think of Holland, many things come to mind: Colorful tulips stretching as far as the eye can see, stoic windmills toiling away in the distance, or the picturesque canal scenes that cameras seem to love. There are three words that may not come to mind immediately, but are central to Dutch culture and are absolutely not to be missed: bitterballen, stroopwafels, and herring. Don’t leave Holland without experiencing its unique foodie culture and taste-testing a few of these Dutch delicacies. Read more »
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June 21, 2011
Ancient Arts of India
The traditions of India touch our lives in many different ways. Whether we take in the rich, warm smell of tikki masala curry when we walk past an Indian restaurant, relax after work with yoga, use virtually any spice in cooking, or enjoy a good Bollywood film every now and then, India is a place with a rich, magnificent culture, influence and history. We may even have India to thank for the discovery of the US, because without India, Columbus never would have set sail.
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April 13, 2011
Photo Diary: Food Festivals
Celebrating food is a daily tradition in Portland, Amsterdam and Tokyo, but throughout the year, each city pays special tribute to culinary genius during themed festivals. In Portland, a compilation of Oregon’s best chefs and restaurants gather on the Tom McCall Waterfront to boast their latest creations at the Bite of Oregon. The Dutch are famous for their cheese, and when paired with artisan bread at the Kunsthal Kookt, visitors are bound to leave with full stomachs and smiling faces. While the people of Tokyo take great pride in their own cuisine, they appreciate other cultures’ as well. During the Thai Festival, vendors present their best Thai dishes, including the spicy papaya salad pictured below.
Photo credits: Som Tom Spicy Papaya Salad, Ken Funakoshi; Pork sliders, Jocelyn McAuley; Cheese stall, kattebelletje
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January 21, 2011
Photo Diary: Pie
In recognition of National Pie Day on January 23, today’s feature is a dessert delight: pie. The Dutch are well known for their pastries, and local restaurant De Kas often take their sustainable practices to the sweets. If Tokyo seems like an unlikely place to find pie, you will be pleasantly surprised upon entering 140 year old bakery, Kimuraya in Ginza. Read more »
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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 »
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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 »
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April 26, 2010
7 Great Phone Apps for a Smooth Trip
In the age of technological efficiency, travel would not be complete without the accompaniment of smartphone apps. Whether you’re an iPhone, Android, Palm or Blackberry user, there are an assortment of applications to make your travel experience much smoother. Read more »
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April 1, 2010
Go Orange for Queens Day
April 30th marks Holland’s beloved holiday Koninginnedag or Queens Day, celebrating the Queen’s birthday. The tradition began on August 31, 1885 with Queen Wilhemina, but it was the current queen, Queen Beatrix’s mother, Queen Juliana who declared the national holiday to be celebrated on her birthday, April 30. Read more »