visit Portland Oregon

I’ll be there on Halloween. :)

“Well Portland Oregon and sloe gin fizz If that ain’t love then tell me what is. Well I lost my heart it didn’t take no time But that ain’t all. I lost my mind in Oregon” – Loretta Lynn and Jack White

My aunt lives in Portland, so I’m lucky to have someone I know live there.
I’m going to ask her if I can visit her next Spring or something…
My sister has been there, and she said it’s very beautiful!

Attending BarCamp Portland in May 09.

Hello I’d Like To Be An Extra In A Movie

The famous “Grand Tour” was a lengthy journey through some of the most renowned and beautiful sites across Europe. The Tour dates back over 350 years, and was usually undertaken by upper-class men and women, though with today’s discount travel deals, following in their footsteps is much easier. Taking the tour was seen to be a rite of passage, an opportunity for great cultural learning, and also a chance to bring back a host of wines, foods, antiques, and art. Today is no different, and with the online travel community so diverse in cultures, taking a Grand Tour of your own is a great way to meet new people and pick up experiences to last a lifetime.

The Tour traditionally begins in England, where most of the Tourists lived. An ideal start to the tapestry of culture awaiting you lies in the heart of London, the world’s capital. The sights of Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Oxford Circus are almost a tour in themselves. Luckily, the London Underground provides fast, easy transport between all of London’s famous landmarks. Be sure to soak up the extensive art collections of the Tate galleries and try some of the internationally acclaimed restaurants dotted around the city.

After you have had your fill of Britain, the route heads away from the gleaming white Dover cliffs to Paris, the City of Lights. Paris was an important stop on the Tourist’s journey as it held some of the finest artwork on earth. Today, the Louvre is the premier destination for all culture hounds, earning it the status of being the most visited art museum in the world. Paris is also a fantastic place to let your appetite run wild. From the boulangeries’ freshly-baked croissants in the morning, to the evening’s gourmet desserts, eating in Paris is a sheer delight to the senses. France rewards those who love to explore with fantastic wines, amazing sights, and warm hospitality, so take as long as you can to drink it in before heading South, to Italy.

Italy is the furthest reach of the classical Grand Tour, with Rome being the prime destination. Rome, at the time, was considered the cradle of art, music, sculpture, and ancient exhibits. Most of what the original Tourists saw still stands today; Saint Peter’s Basilica, The Parthenon where Raphael is buried, Michelangelo’s sculptures, The Colosseum, etc. The phenomenal cultural wealth of Rome led many Tourists to take up residence for long periods of time. The winding cobblestone streets are best navigated with a thorough and concise guide, so be sure to acquire one before you get to the city as street vendors usually overcharge.

After Rome, the route winds back to London, though most Tourists visited other parts of Europe as they returned, including Switzerland, Germany, and often Holland. These are all very friendly countries and welcome travelers heartily.

The European Union has brought about a huge change in the visa requirements for travel, meaning that with just one unified visa you can travel freely between all 13 member countries. Recently, it has become common for the English student to take a “gap year” and undertake a trip like the original Grand Tour. Similarly, U.S. students often go backpacking through Europe after graduation to get world experiences before joining the work force. Whatever the reason, be it a love of art, food, history, or language, Europe is a fantastic place to lose yourself in. And with the advent of cheap flights and online booking, TripMama can help you find the culture experience to end all.

I found a fabulous article on various gardens in Portland. I sooo want to visit each of the gardens!!! I looked them online and they are beautiful.

From green-fingered horticulturalists to those simply wanting to stroll through some of the best gardens in the U.S., Portland is the place to be. Nestled in the temperate climate of the west coast, the conditions in Oregon have given gardening enthusiasts from all over the world the chance to create fantastic displays year after year.

The most famous of Portland’s gardens is the International Rose Test Garden, a world-renowned haven for rare specimens of roses. Since the start of the first World War, the garden was a refuge for European rose specialists looking to save their plants from destruction. Every June the gardens hold the Portland Best Rose Contest, garnering worldwide attention and treating visitors to some unique opportunities. Entry is free, and a gentle walk around the exhibits should take around 45 minutes. The best time to visit is when the roses are blooming, usually from the end of May to the start of November.

Not far from the International Rose Test Garden, is Portland’s Japanese Garden. This serene landscape has been voted the top Japanese garden located outside of Japan, primarily for its authenticity. Situated on a hilltop above the rose gardens, the garden offers tranquility, beauty and relaxation through five formal gardening styles including a pond garden, a natural setting garden, a sand and stone garden, a flat garden and traditional tea garden. The garden is open year-round and there is an admission charge for entry.

Another oriental masterpiece, The Classical Chinese Garden is an authentic Suzhou-style garden in the heart of Chinatown. Built by artisans from Suzhou, the garden uses a “hide-and-reveal” design to slowly display its orchids, bamboo, and waterfalls as you stroll around each bend. This relaxing garden also lets you enjoy a cup of authentic Chinese tea in a recreated 16th Century Chinese teahouse.

Two lesser-known floral gems in Portland are the Peninsula Park Rose Garden, and the Crystal Spring Rhododendron Gardens.

Although not as well known as the Rose Test Garden, the Peninsula Park Rose Garden is considered by some to be more beautiful. It includes brick walkways, an impressive fountain, and a gazebo bandstand. The formal sunken garden layout houses thousands of blooms displayed in eye-catching symmetry. One thing sure to win favor is the relative lack of bustle. Where the Test Garden can sometimes attract more tourists than true plant lovers, the Peninsula Park Rose Garden is always a serene, relaxed experience.

Lastly, the Crystal Spring Rhododendron Gardens, affectionately known as “Rhody Gardens” is a diverse array of rhododendrons nestled amongst delightful water features and stone masonry. The waterfalls and lagoons attract a host of wildlife during the summer and fall seasons, and feeding of the ducks is permitted.

Portland and the surrounding area of Oregon is a fantastic place to see horticulture at its finest. The national parks of Mount Hood can provide a snapshot of untamed wilderness that is truly breathtaking, should the vast collection of arranged plants ever feel too formal. Whatever your heart yearns for, TripMama is here to help you get there with our great airline offers. If you’d like to talk to fellow travelers about other great gardens to visit, please visit our travel advice forum; we’d love to see you.

i fell in love with Portland before I stepped foot here. When I did, I knew I’d found my paradise :) It’s hard to express how beautiful oregon is, and how friendly and fun the city of Portland is. I love to travel, but every time I have to leave, I’m nearly in tears – I just love Oregon that much!

I grew up in New Jersey and moved to Oregon on a whim. I’ve never looked back.

one of the best trips i’ve taken – jupiter hotel, rolling stones concert, powell’s bookstore and much much more. go there with a friend. rent a hyundai midsize suv from budget. check out all the myriad neighborhoods. embrace the rain. eat a croque monsieur at the doug fir. visit guitar shops.

My significant other (boyfriend doesn’t quite work when you’ve been together over 7 years) lived there for 9 months before we started dating and he’s told me so many wonderful things about it. I would love for him to be able to show me around.