Glühwein is spiced, mulled wine that is served around the holidays. Glühwein is most popular in German speaking nations, but is often served all across Europe in various forms and cultural adaptations. It is a Christmas market staple, and often times hot Glühwein comes with a keepsake mug from the market stands. Glühwein is easy to make and will brighten up any home with a bit of European holiday cheer. It goes great with pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, too!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 orange
• 10 whole cloves
• 1  bottle red wine

In the colder months, the world that awaits you abroad is a whole new adventure. Nonstop flights out of PDX to Amsterdam or Tokyo land you right in the heart of Europe and Asia, ready to explore destinations beyond during the spirited holiday season. Here are five undeniable reasons why traveling in the off-season might be the way to go.

1.Cheaper Flights and Lodgings

Since fewer travelers fly during the winter months, flights are almost always considerably cheaper than during the summer months. See for yourself. If you want a super-bargain, consider flying out on a holiday. You can expect even more discount for flights on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years Day.

2. Fewer Crowds

If you like large crowds and weaving through thousands of fellow tourists at well-known attractions, perhaps summer traveling is for you. If you’d prefer fewer crowds and shorter lines, off-season travel is calling your name. Bundle up, throw on a scarf, and explore the sites in peace.

3. Travel as the Locals do.

When you travel in the summer, those with large cameras hanging from their necks and guidebooks stand out like a sore thumb as tourists. When you travel in the off-season, you are much more discreet and tend to blend in with the locals better. The cities aren’t built for tourists in the wintertime, and you can avoid gimmicks, knick-knack vendors and other tourist traps if you travel during this time.

4. Experience a new kind of Holiday Season

The Christmas and New Year’s season abroad is unlike any you would ever experience in America. In Europe, winter brings opera season, Christmas Markts, and great food and drink will warm you up like it could never do in the summer. With snow-capped roofs, cobblestone streets, and brisk air, some places seem like they were made to be a wintertime postcard.

In Japan, the end of the year brings “forget the year” parties called “bonenkai”. A night of bonenkai consists of lots of friends, food, drink and of course, karaoke.

5. Ski-season!

One thing you will not find during the summer months is ideal ski or snowboard conditions. Asia and Europe are both known to have some of the best ski resorts in the world, attracting snow-lovers from all around the globe. Spend a weekend on the mountain and you’ll understand why off-season travel might not be so “off”.

Now’s the time to start planning your wintertime travels. Off-season travel may be a few degrees colder, but it is definitely worth bundling up! Have you ever taken a wintertime vacation abroad? Tell us about your experience!

Photo Credit: 2006-02-26 Salzburg 040, Allie_Caulfield; Bruges Christmas Market, Belguim, Kevin Gibbons; ski buddies, Jesslee Cuizon

Portland International Airport (PDX)

1.     Use the free wifi! Portland is one of the few airports in the country that offers 100%, no subscription or hidden fees, completely free wifi. For those with smartphones or laptops, it can turn your time into a productive or pleasantly distracting one.

2.     Explore Portland’s unique personality at any of its local retailers, cafes, restaurants and breweries. You can grab some Stumptown coffee and a muffin at the renowned Beaverton Bakery, flip through books at Powell’s – a mini version of the largest independently owned bookstore that calls Portland its home – and pick up an authentic piece of the Pacific Northwest at the Made in Oregon store.

3.     Gear up for the great outdoors and enjoy the lack of sales tax at Portland active wear brands Nike and Columbia Sportswear stores.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

1.     Flower shops? In airports? Only in Amsterdam. If you’re coming or going from Amsterdam and want a souvenir that represents the city, the airport’s got you covered. Schiphol is the home of several flower shops that specialize in Amsterdam’s pride and glory: tulips.

2.     If you have time to spare, you won’t have any trouble getting lost in Plaza Schiphol. In the plaza, both frugal shoppers

and high rollers will find a plethora of shops to fit their tastes and wallets. Everything from H&M to Nike to Paollo Salatto designer suits, you’re bound to find something you like. To make shopping more convenient (and save big), Schiphol’s See Buy Fly Program gives passengers the opportunity to e-window shop items and reserve them at a discounted rate — up to 35% off any other store in the Netherlands.

3.     Get some fresh air at the Panorama Terrace, right before passport control. If you have a long layover, take a breather and step outside to catch a great view of all the airborne action.

Amsterdam Tulips:

Narita International Airport

1.     Step out of the hustle and bustle tucked away at the oxygen bar. Take a break and relax before you adventure on.

2.     Don’t waste money and calories on typical airport food. You’re in Japan! Check out one of the many traditional udon noodle and sushi restaurants scattered throughout the airport. Some boast top chefs and Asian fusion mouth-watering concoctions.

3.     Always wanted to learn how to fold a paper crane? Learn about the ancient art of origami at the Nippon Origami Museum in Terminal 1. Wander through 400 different exhibits as you try some of the 200 types of Japanese sweets they sell while you are exploring.

Photo credits: Music at PDX, Mulling it Over; Stumptown Coffee, tornatore; Tulips, Salim Virji; Origami Museum, ssedro

The 2010 Zagat Airline Survey results have arrived, and PDX was named the country’s best airport. From a massage parlor to local food fare, free wi-fi, live music, and independent bookstores, PDX keeps its travelers connected, relaxed, and entertained while flying to their next destination. Read the full article here.

What is your favorite part of flying through PDX?

Photo courtesy of Port of Portland

Photo credits: Portland Marina, Xan Fulton; NEMO, Giopuo; Yokohama Harbor, ZeHawk

Fostering a culture of coffee drinking, poetry writing, and literary appreciation is the world’s largest independent book store, Powell’s Book Store. This Portland icon is conveniently located for locals and visitors alike to peruse miles of books themes from rock legend biographies to graphic novels, vegan cooking, international travel and rare books. Take a virtual tour of Powell’s:

Amsterdam couldn’t bare to separate its best bookstores from its fashion district, so relax and enjoy a good read after a tiring day of shopping.

Whether you’re hopping on the next toei train for a day of marathon shopping or to make your next business meeting, it’s important to have some literature along for the ride. Luckily, Tokyo has an assortment of curbside bookstores to fill your every literary need from poetry to murder mysteries and anime.