Discovery Series Ornament – Portland

As a rule, I am reviewing the mini mug prior to larger mugs. Let’s do the same for the Discovery Series Ornament – Portland.

Portland, Oregon, was founded in 1845 and quickly grew as a key port city thanks to its location near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Originally a timber town, it became known for shipping, railroads, and later, progressive urban planning. Its name was decided by a coin toss between two settlers – one from Portland, Maine, and the other from Boston.… Read more

Been There – Florianópolis

Here are some photos of the Starbucks Been There – Florianopolis mug that a friend shared with me.

Florianópolis, the capital of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, has a rich and unique history. Originally inhabited by the Carijó people, the area later attracted Portuguese settlers in the 16th century. The city was officially founded in 1726 under the name Desterro and became a key port and colonial settlement. In 1894, the name was changed to Florianópolis in honor of Marshal Floriano Peixoto, the second president of Brazil.… Read more

Been There – Lijiang

Starbucks Been There – Lijiang is the final China mug I was missing from the site. If you’re looking for the full list, it’s now complete.

Lijiang, located in Yunnan province in southwestern China, has a history stretching back more than 800 years. Originally a crucial stop along the ancient Tea Horse Road, it became the center of the Naxi ethnic group and their unique Dongba culture. The city’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves centuries-old architecture, waterways, and cobbled streets that survived both war and earthquakes.… Read more

Discovery Series – Philadelphia

The mini version of the Discovery Series – Philadelphia mug features cheesesteak, Rocky, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and Philadelphia’s skyline in its design. The big mug has them as well, plus some extra symbols and points of interest of the city:

– The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most renowned art museums in the country. Its iconic front steps became famous thanks to the movie Rocky, attracting visitors who sprint to the top for a photo.… Read more

Been There – Ningbo

It wasn’t easy to track down a photo of the elusive Been There – Ningbo mug. And this image only shows the front – never mind the other sides. If you happen to have the mug, I’d truly appreciate it if you could share some pictures..

Ningbo, whose name means “calm waves,” sits on the coastal plain of the Yong River in Zhejiang Province and has been an active port since ancient times. Archaeological finds like the Hemudu Neolithic Culture reveal human settlement here as early as 7,000 years ago and a pioneering history of rice cultivation.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Philadelphia

While chasing the AC ornament, I made a quick drive to Philly to pick up the Discovery Series Ornament – Philadelphia as well. I have to admit, the color choice for the title on this mini mug isn’t ideal, as it blends into the dark green circle common to all ornaments in the Discovery Series. That said, it does look better in person.

Philadelphia has been at the heart of American history since before the country was born. Founded in 1682 by William Penn, the city quickly became a center of politics, commerce, and ideas.… Read more

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