Massachusetts, a New England state of the USA.
Boston, the capital city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists from England. It is New England's largest city and is the unofficial economic and cultural centre of the entire region.
During the late 1700s, Boston was the site of several major events during the American Revolution. The Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston are all part of its history. It is also home to the Kennedy clan and the very delicious Boston cream pie and clam chowder.
There are many colleges and universities within the city and its surrounding areas, and it is a centre of higher education and health care.
Boston has more than its share of nicknames — Beantown, Cradle of Modern America, the Hub and The Walking City. A stroll along the Freedom Trail will take you around most of the sites on the list of things to see.
The North End, home of American patriot Paul Revere, is one of the city's historic neighbourhoods. Boston was the first stop for immigrants, and the North End, known as Little Italy, is where hungry locals head. They know they will find some of the most authentic Italian food outside of the old country. There are other cuisines to enjoy, but restaurants serving the regional cooking of Italy are the most popular.
Local identity Michele Topor runs award-winning North End Market Tours. As you take in the colourful sights and aromas of the neighbourhood, you will be invited to enjoy pastries and confections, olive oils and vinegars, olives, cheese, salami and pasta and, of course, special coffee.
Michele's tours have been designed to reflect her passion for all things Italian, and as a professionally trained chef, she knows what she is talking about.
Her latest venture takes similar tours through Boston's Chinatown.
The Union Oyster House is Boston's oldest restaurant and the oldest in continuous service in the United States. It opened in 1826 and is certainly worth a visit. They prepare delicious dishes of shrimp, oysters, calamari, mussels, tuna, crab and all sorts of fish, a great version of Boston clam chowder and you can even try Boston baked beans there.
Right in the heart of downtown is The Langham Boston, a delightful place to stay. The building once housed the Federal Reserve Bank and the pastry kitchen was the bank's vault. It is a national architectural landmark and one of the city's finest hotels.
The hotel's Café Fleuri serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is famous for its Sunday jazz brunch and Saturday Chocolate Bar Buffet. Friends meet to indulge in all sorts of sinful delights made from white, milk and dark chocolate. The try-all-you-like spread includes mousses, cakes, crepes, ice cream, biscuits, truffles, waffles and even doughnuts. It has been running for 18 seasons, so they must be doing something right!
Location
Massachusetts, a New England state of the USA.
Cost
Boston North End Market Tours cost around $60 for three hours. They operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Langham Hotel-Boston rooms are around $508 a night.
Air New Zealand flies to Los Angeles with connections to Boston. Valid for travel between November 1 to December 2008, 2008. Conditions apply.
- Sydney $2418
- Melbourne $2500
- Brisbane $2510
- Perth $2701
- Adelaide $2718
Valid for travel between November 1 to December 09, 2008. Conditions apply.
Prices correct at February 7 2008
For more information
Boston North End Market Tours
Six Charter Street
Boston MA 02113
Ph: +1 617 523 6032 or Fax: +1 617 367 2185
Website: www.foodtoursofboston.com
Email: michele@micheletopor.com
Union Oyster House
41 Union Street
Boston MA 02108
Ph: +1 617 227 2750
Website: www.unionoysterhouse.com
Email: info@unionoysterhouse.com
Langham Hotel-Boston
250 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Ph: +1 617 451 1900
Website: www.boston.langhamhotels.com
Email: bos.concierge@langhamhotels.com
Air New Zealand
Ph: 132 476
Website: www.airnewzealand.com.au
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