April 11, 2012
3 Small Dutch Towns with Big Personalities
Sometimes big cities are exactly what makes you want to go home when traveling. But they doesn’t have to be! Get out of the urban sprawl and its bustling business with these three quaint towns in the Netherlands for a quieter vacation that is still bustling with personality and charm. Read more »
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July 20, 2011
Don’t Walk the Streets, Run the Streets! Explore by Marathon.
Many avid travelers know that one of the best ways to explore a new place is on their own two feet. Kick that idea up a notch and consider exploring a new country by running on your own two feet. For travelers who are exercise enthusiasts, one of the most rewarding and gratifying ways to see a new destination is to run a marathon in a foreign place. Portland, Amsterdam and Tokyo are all home to some of the most popular and well-known marathons worldwide. Even if you’re not a marathon runner, watching comfortably from the sidelines and cheering on the athletes can be exciting also.
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February 4, 2011
Photo Diary: Welcome Spring
Yes, it is February, so why are we talking about spring’s arrival? It may be hard to imagine, but blossoming tulips and cherry blossoms are just around the corner in our favorite nonstop destinations, and Amsterdam and Tokyo are preparing for the colorful delights that spring brings. Tokyo’s cherry blossom festivals occur in April, but in Okinawa, the celebrations have already started. Unlike Tokyo, the cherry blossoms in Okinawa are a vibrant pink and blossom in late January to early February. Read more »
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November 24, 2010
A day with the iAmsterdam Card – Day Two: Outdoors
The iAmsterdam Card can be extremely helpful, especially for shorter trips to the city, as it allows you to save money when visiting many attractions in a few days, plus it saves time, allowing you to skip the main ticket queue. This city is compact enough to see much of it in only 3 or 4 days, so buying this card helps to insure that you can maximize your time and your budget. Read more »
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October 8, 2010
Photo Diary: Marathons
The upcoming Portland Marathon and Amsterdam Marathon inspired our photo diary today. Whether you are a runner or observer, these incredible athletes may inspire you to get out and try out your own running routes. We have already done some leg work for you (pun somewhat intended) and have recommendations in each of the cities. Read more »
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August 27, 2010
Photo Diary: Cycling Races
Last Sunday’s Portland Century inspired this week’s photo diary. Portland, Amsterdam and Tokyo are well known as biking cities, so when you are visiting, make sure to rent a bike and tour the neighborhoods. For you more hard core cyclists, consider tackling Reach the Beach (Portland to Pacific City, Oregon) or the Tokyo Century. If you prefer to take in your cycling from the sidelines, watch for grand tours, such as the Giro d’Italia, which started in Amsterdam this past May. Read more »
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June 28, 2010
Can Running Shoes Help You Fly Nonstop?
Every day, we fly, and we fly all over the place with an multiple stops in-between. First, we zip to the coffee cart; then across the freeway to get to work; then to the day care to pick up the kids; then to the grocery store to pick up ingredients for dinner; and then finally, home. This is the lifestyle of a common jet-setter, and unfortunately, there are few times that we ever get to fly nonstop. That is why runners put on their running shoes–it is their round trip ticket to any destination; anytime, anywhere. Read more »
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February 26, 2010
Photo Diary: National and State Flowers
While many European countries do not have an official flower, the Netherlands has lovingly adopted the tulip. Locals celebrate the country’s favorite flower during events such as the Queens Day and Tulip Time Festival. Tokyo, on the other hand, has two flowers: the famous cherry blossoms (the unofficial flower) and the Chrysanthemum. Portland is often referred to as the “City of Roses”, but the state flower is actually the Oregon Grape. The plant produces small bunches of yellow blossoms and then unveils small grape-shaped fruit. This plant is not safe for eating, however, so enjoy its beauty from afar. Read more »
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February 25, 2010
Cherry Blossom Viewing Hot Spots
Spring has made its appearance uncharacteristically early this year, but Japan has welcomed the blooming cherry blossoms with open arms. The annual cherry blossom festivals typically kick off in mid- to late-March and continue through the end of April (check for this year’s anticipated schedules here), and if you’re looking for the best places to “ooh” and “aah” over the cherry blossoms trees, here are a few hot spots: Read more »
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December 23, 2009
Explore Outside of Tokyo
Japan is rich with culture, architecture, and natural landscapes. If you’re traveling to Tokyo in the winter, here are a few favorite destinations to add to your itinerary.
Kyoto
Kyoto is arguably most famous for its spectacular architecture. With over 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, Kyoto has preserved some of Japan’s most valued historical and cultural masterpieces. Read more »