Portlandize Goes Abroad

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Dave Feucht

This September, my wife and I will be heading out of country to visit a couple of places in Europe.

First on the list will be Amsterdam, and specifically we’ll be meeting up with Marc of Amsterdamize.

Fietsen & Fietsers, Part II
Photo via Amsterdamize

View From A Patch Of Grass
Photo via Amsterdamize

Kid Stuff
Photo via Amsterdamize

We Cycle Amsterdam
Photo via Amsterdamize

Of course, the bicycle situation in the Netherlands is probably nothing new to most of the readers here, and we will be excited to experience it firsthand and share with you all, not to mention that it’s just a beautiful city and we are excited to see it in person.

The second stop on our trip will be Lithuania (specifically Vilnius and Kaunas).

Old Town

Flower Market

Old Town

Old Town

We lived in Vilnius for a year between 2003-2004, and we are excited to go back and visit again, see familiar places, and a few people as well. The situation with regard to bicycles is much different there than in the Netherlands (or even Portland), but it is seeming to be up and coming, as it is in many places in the world right now. In any case, Vilnius is a beautiful, quiet city with small streets, great public transportation and a lot of people out and about, so there will be plenty to share there as well, I’m sure.

I probably won’t have a chance to post here while we are there, but I may post some photos in my flickr stream while we are there, so feel free to check that the first couple weeks of September if you’re interested.

Any of you have any recent exciting travels or plans for travel in the near future?

This entry was posted in lithuania, netherlands, portland and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.
  • Paul Peterson

    Cool. I'll be in A'dam sept 19-27 or so.

  • brett

    I'll be there in early-mid September, exact dates to be determined. Maybe we should all have a Portland party there.

  • portlandize.com

    If you see me, feel free to say hi :)

  • Anne

    It sounds like a perfect vacation. I hope it's excellent, and I look forward to pictures and reports, especially of Lithuania, which I know nothing about.

    I have a great desire to try riding a bike in Amsterdam myself. You'll be my inspiration.

  • portlandize.com

    We're really looking forward to it. You should definitely go to Amsterdam sometime. I think travel is really good for people, just to get out of your own environment and expectations for a while. Do it!

    Maybe stop in Vilnius while you're out too, it's a beautiful city.

  • pkoonce

    We just vacationed in the Netherlands this summer. We had enjoyed Amsterdam before, so this time we went to Delft. It was a much smaller community and it was really nice to cycle through a place that was as comfortable as this.

    To me, Amsterdam is like visiting New York City and then saying you know what US cities are like. Okay, that may be extreme, but there's some truth to it.

    Have a great time!

  • portlandize.com

    Yeah, I'm sure in any country there are major differences between cities. Even in a country as small as Lithuania (3.5 million people) there are four language dialects, and Vilnius is a totally different city from Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea coast.

    I'd also love to see Groningen in the Netherlands. Maybe one day :)

  • Herzog

    I think Vilnius is truly exceptional. (I don't want to say unique, because there are many places I haven't visited.) I'm not sure what it is.

    My working theory is that it has all the charms of old European cities, minus the gentrification and commercialization. The old city still functions as a city and is used in normal ways by the residents. Plus, the people are so chill in public. I've never felt so comfortable anywhere.

  • portlandize.com

    @Herzog,

    The whole country is kind of like that – still mostly agricultural economy, only really two major cities, the rest small towns to tiny villages.

    I think Vilnius is a gorgeous city – it's a very interesting mix of old Europe, Soviet ugly, and modern glass and sleek design (in terms of architecture).

    I'm very excited to be getting back there again.

  • Velouria

    That's great that you are going to Europe! Looking forward to reading about it!

  • Alicia

    Hi Portlandize!
    If you wander to Leiden, send me an email! I'd be happy to show you around. There's a lovely little goat farm about 6 miles outside of town and some other "groene hart" spots, not super busy like Amsterdam. :P
    Have fun, safe travels.