Tag: City

Discovery Series – St. Louis

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The Discovery Series St. Louis is a mug for “Gateway to the West”.

St. Louis’s history begins with its founding in 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau. Named after King Louis IX of France, the city became a crucial river port and launching point for westward expansion during the 19th century. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Lewis and Clark Expedition that departed from St. Louis in 1804 cemented its role as America’s gateway. From hosting the 1904 World’s Fair to becoming a major manufacturing and brewing center, St.… Read more

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Discovery Series Ornament – San Antonio

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Here is the Discovery Series Ornament San Antonio for the Alamo City – a vibrant blend of history, culture, and Texas charm.

San Antonio is one of Texas’s oldest and most storied cities, founded in 1718 when Spanish settlers established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, later known as the Alamo. Over the centuries, the city grew into a lively cultural crossroads shaped by Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonial heritage, Mexican traditions, and Texan identity. Its long history is reflected in its architecture, its festivals, and the deep sense of place that still defines San Antonio today.… Read more

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Been There – Curitiba

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Been There – Curitiba is a mug for the capital of Paraná state in southern Brazil. It was founded in 1693, though it truly flourished in the 19th century with European immigration, particularly from Poland, Germany, Italy, and Ukraine. The city transformed dramatically under Mayor Jaime Lerner in the 1970s, who pioneered innovative urban planning solutions that made Curitiba internationally renowned as a model of sustainable development. From its pedestrianized downtown and pioneering Bus Rapid Transit system to its extensive green spaces and cultural programs, Curitiba represents Brazilian urbanism at its most creative and livable.… Read more

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Discovery Series – New Orleans

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I can’t believe it has been a year since I reviewed the ornament from the Big Easy. It is time to take a look at the design of the Discovery Series New Orleans mug.

New Orleans’ history stretches back to 1718 when French colonists founded the city along a strategic bend in the Mississippi River. The city passed through French, Spanish, and French hands again before the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 brought it into the United States. This multicultural heritage created a unique Creole culture that blends French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American influences.… Read more

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Been There – Gramado

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Let’s review another mug from Brazil, this time it’s Been There Gramado. There are two more in the queue, stay tuned!

Gramado’s history begins in the mid-19th century when European immigrants, primarily from Germany and Italy, settled in the mountainous Serra Gaúcha region of Rio Grande do Sul. The city was officially founded in 1913, though its development accelerated in the 1940s when improved roads connected it to larger urban centers. What started as a small agricultural community transformed into one of Brazil’s most beloved tourist destinations, as visitors discovered its cool climate, stunning landscapes, and distinctive European-influenced architecture.… Read more

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Been There – Salvador

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Been There Salvador is a mug for the capital of the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. It is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian culture. Founded in 1549 as the first capital of colonial Brazil, it became a major port in the Atlantic world. Its historic center, Pelourinho, is known for colourful buildings, lively squares, and deep cultural traditions shaped by African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences that continue to define Salvador today.

– One of the figures on the mug represents a traditional drummer, highlighting Salvador’s strong musical heritage.… Read more

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Been There Ornament – Hong Kong

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Been There Ornament Hong Kong joins other mini mugs in my collection.

Hong Kong began as a small fishing and farming community before becoming a British colony in 1842 after the First Opium War. Over the next century, it transformed into a major trading port and one of the most important gateways between East and West. In 1997 sovereignty returned to China under the “one country, two systems” framework, which allowed Hong Kong to keep its own legal and economic structures.… Read more

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Been There – Santiago de los Caballeros

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Been There Santiago is the fourth mug from the Dominican Republic.

Santiago de los Caballeros, founded in 1495 during the earliest period of Spanish colonization, is one of the Dominican Republic’s most historically important cities. After being destroyed by the earthquake of 1562, the city relocated and rebuilt, continuing to grow through the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to its fertile land and strategic location in the Cibao Valley. Its agricultural wealth and cultural influence helped shape Santiago into the strong regional center it remains today.… Read more

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Discovery Series Ornament – San Francisco

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Discovery Series Ornament San Francisco captures the spirit of a city that grew from a small settlement into one of the most recognizable places on the West Coast. The Gold Rush, waves of immigration, and a long tradition of creativity and progress shape the city’s history. Even though San Francisco keeps changing, it still holds onto its classic sights and the upbeat energy that people love.

– One of the most charming symbols on the ornament is the seal, a fun nod to the famous sea lions that gather around the waterfront at places like Pier 39.… Read more

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Been There – Bucaramanga

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Been There Bucaramanga is a mug for a city that is often called the City of Parks. It grew from a small settlement in the Andean highlands into one of Colombia’s most active and sunny cities. It has always been shaped by its warm climate, its mountain surroundings, and a culture that mixes tradition with modern life. Today the city is known for its green spaces, friendly pace, and great regional pride.

– Green parks fill other parts of the design, reminding us why Bucaramanga is known as the City of Parks.… Read more

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