I Fly Nonstop » photo

Photo Diary: Breweries

Allison Park — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:36:31 +0000

Beer lovers come from around the world to experience the taste of local brews in Amsterdam, Portland, and Tokyo. Heineken, one of the world’s most well known beers, started in Amsterdam, and is the perfect end (or break) from a day of touring around the city. Portland has earned its name as the “beer capital of the world” from its 32 breweries inside the city limits–more breweries than any other city in the world. One of the many award-winning breweries is Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB), famous for their organic blends from local ingredients. Asahi, meaning “Rising Sun” in Japanese, began in Osaka, and has grown to be a world renowned beer. Take a tour through Asahi Super Dry Hall at the brewery’s world headquarters in Tokyo. Just look for the “Golden Flame” perched on top of the building, recognized as one of Tokyo’s most modern structures.

Photo credits: Heineken, Felix.Triller; Hopworks Urban Brewery, McCun934 ; Asahi and Tokyo, Tavallai

Tips from Harry for a Weekend in Amsterdam

Harry Dalgaard — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:30:17 +0000

Amsterdam for a long weekend? Sure, why not? It’s possible, thanks to Delta’s nonstop from Portland. As crazy as it might sound, more people are looking for interesting short breaks. Why? Because working couples are finding it increasingly difficult to schedule quality time together. So why go to Amsterdam?

First, it’s different and yet similar – Portland has bikes; Holland is bikes! You just have a look at the bike-parking garage next to the main train station when you’re there. Food, spirits and ales are another reason. Amsterdam has an array of international restaurants that will make your mouth water. Try an exotic rijstafel in an Indonesian place. Mr. Bols created the original gin or genever, so be sure to try a Kopstoot at a local brown café, and you’ll be more local than the locals – and find you have a lot of new friends. And then there’s the beer: Heineken, Grolsch and Amstel. Need I say more? And while you are at it, tell your new friends how cool Portland is with our microbrews, wines, farm fresh cuisine, and the heart of the slow food movement. The Dutch are explorers, and the nonstop works great for them to spend a long weekend in Portland, which is good for our local economy, and tax-free shopping for them to boot.

Oh, where was I? Ah yes, Amsterdam! Well, you’ll find museums galore, like the Rijks, Van Gogh, and the new Hermitage. For nightlife, hit Boom Chicago in the Ledesplein and see Portland native, Jamie Kirkland, perform in this most entertaining improv show. Amsterdam has so many ways to get around the town: bike, canal bus, trams and walk, walk, walk. And the people are friendly, so no matter where you are, they all speak English. No worries; they’ll get you back to your cozy canal house hotel with lots of interesting fellow travelers to share your Amsterdam adventures with over a Dutch breakfast.

Do you really want to know the best part of this nonstop, and I fly to Europe a bunch? It’s because it’s right from my doorstep to my doorstep, with friendly customs and immigration agents who get you out in a jiffy in between. No more long queues in New York or Chicago and then the long flight home. That’s why I fly nonstop, shouldn’t you?

Ciao,

Harry

Photo credits: Amsterdam bicycle garage, ceris42; Amsterdam canal and Rijksmuseum provided by Avanti Destinations

Photo Diary: Famous Landmarks

Allison Park — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:48:00 +0000

When traveling to a new destination, you can often get a feel for the city’s culture by visiting one of their famous landmarks. For this week’s photo diary, we’ve selected a few architectural designs that characterize each city. Portland’s Portlandia is the second largest copper sculpture in the United States after the Statue of Liberty, and greets visitors upon entering the Portland Building. Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum is a world-renowned cultural center, holding influential artists’ most notable works of art. Whether you are interested in architectural design or want to have a pristine view over Tokyo’s skyline, the Rainbow Bridge is a landmark for both.

Photo credits: Portlandia, Wildcat Dunny; Van Gogh Museum, Quasimagyar; Tokyo Rainbow Bridge, Melanie-M

Photo Diary: Farmers’ Markets

Allison Park — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:11:42 +0000

For the freshest produce and seafood, locals in Portland, Amsterdam and Tokyo know exactly where to go: the local farmers’ market. The real decision is choosing which market to go to for your daily/weekly grocery shopping. Portland has many farmers’ markets scattered throughout the city and outer suburbs, Amsterdam boasts a wide variety of markets from flea to flower, farmers, and books markets, and Tokyo’s crown market jewel is the Tsukiji Market–the largest open seafood market in the world. So where will you shop?

Photo credits: Portland Farmers’ Market, Phillie Casablanca; Amsterdam’s Noordermarkt, scalleja; Octopus at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, blprnt_van

Photo Diary: Fall Approaches

Allison Park — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:43:41 +0000

As summer slips into fall, Amsterdam, Portland and Tokyo’s changing leaves saturate the cities in rich hues of burgundy, green and gold. With a cup of artisan coffee or herbal tea in hand, you’ll be well prepared to stroll through the gardens, along the canals and downtown streets to savor the change of seasons.

Photo credits: Amsterdam Canals, Michell Zappa; Koin Tower, PDX Jeff; Tokyo Imperial Palace Garden, DrPleishner