Recommend November 2011 - (Page 29)

“Boston remains a steadfast, classic North American tourist destination. There’s something for everyone in Boston— it’s not just the birthplace of America any longer.” Kim Vincent, Product Manager, North & South America, Globus Family of Brands neuil Hall and some of the oldest cemeteries in Boston, as well as plenty of public art dating as far back as the 1700s. A must is eating at Faneuil Hall’s Durgin-Park, with its tradition of communal seating at long tables, typical New England fare and a wait staff that is encouraged to “back talk” the clientele. Of course, visitors can’t leave Boston without seeing the country’s third largest Chinese neighborhood, aptly named Chinatown. It’s located between the city’s Financial District and Theater District, so it’s easy to wander into. Tell claustrophobes to be prepared because it’s actually one of the city’s most densely populated areas. Pushing up against each other are an insane amount of Asian restaurants and bakeries, where visitors can sample everything from dim sum to almond cookies. It’s a nice place to visit, too, during a Chinese festival—the popular August Moon Festival has children carrying brightly colored lanterns and revelers eating moon cakes. For eating, one can stop in at any of the myriad restaurants serving dim sum, it’s a true treat. But we must say that one of our preferred neighborhoods is the North End, which was home to Paul Revere and is, in fact, one of Boston’s most historic. It’s known mostly as an enclave of Italian immigrants, and as the home to the Old North Church (a must visit). Of course, authentic Italian cuisine is on full display in all the restaurants, but we suggest visitors venture over to Mother Anna’s Restaurant. Over 70 years old, it’s the oldest family restaurant in the neighborhood and offers up true Italian dishes that melt in one’s mouth. And do suggest clients go over the Charles River into Cambridge to take a stroll through Harvard Square and of course, the Harvard University grounds and its surroundings. It’s an absolutely wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and the young hip crowd will love all the cool edgy shops. A must is dining at the lively Chez Henri, which promotes itself as a “modern French bistro with a Cuban twist.” will be in party mode all next year as it will be celebrating its centennial. The Fairmont has another more contemporary property, The Fairmont Battery Wharf, on the waterfront. The four-diamond InterContinental Boston, meanwhile, is located on Boston’s historic waterfront, on Fort Point Channel—on the site where the Boston Tea Party took place in 1773. It has 424 luxurious guestrooms and suites featuring stunning waterfront and city skyline views, and is ideally located near the Boston Children’s Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, North End, and Faneuil Hall. 2012 highlights n The new Renzo Piano-designed Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Wing opens in January n Fenway Park, America’s oldest ballpark, celebrates 100 years n The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum re-opens in June n African Meeting House opens after $5 million restoration (December 2011) getting around “First-time visitors will want to see all the iconic historical sites,” says Vincent. “The best way to see these is on a guided city tour that both Globus and Cosmos feature in their tours. Monograms Independent Travel includes a hop-on, hop-off Old Town Trolley tour, which is a great way to hear about the must-see sites and get off and on around town at your leisure. “Second- and third-time travelers to Boston have a different agenda as they have figured out there is a lot more to Boston than its historical past. These visitors want to walk the narrow streets of the North End in search of a fresh, seafood pasta dish like you would find in Venice, root on the Sox at Fenway Park, listen to the Boston Pops play at the Hatch Shell, visit the eclectic shops in Harvard Square, or maybe take in a do stay at… Broadway show in the Theater District. Monograms is perfect for those Boston’s accommodation options are endless, but there are a few visiting for the first time or those who come annually.” Monograms’ 4standouts, including the stylish Ames hotel, part of the Morgans Hotel day Boston itinerary starts at $379 pp land-only. n Group. This 114-room property near Downtown dates back to the late1800s and was the city’s first skyscraper. It now offers up a rich blend Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): of historical reference and up-to-date modernism, with minimal-style Chicago: Nothing Second About This City (November 2010) guestrooms, and dramatic public spaces. The four-diamond Taj Boston—a 1927 landmark hotel overlooking the Public Garden and Boston Common—is a luxurious property at Arlington and Newbury streets with 273 rooms, including 44 suites, outfitted with classic furnishings and plush beds, and expansive views. Also in Back Bay, The Fairmont Copley Plaza, located on the original site of the Museum of Fine Arts, offers 383 accommodations with a decor inspired by the neighborhood’s classic townhouses, featuring rich fabrics, custom made furnishings and full marble bathrooms. The hotel contact information Ames: (617) 979 8100; ameshotel.com The Fairmont Copley Plaza: (800) 441-1414; fairmont.com/copleyplaza Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau: (888) SEE-BOSTON; bostonusa.com InterContinental Boston: (877) 747-BOSTON; intercontinentalboston.com Taj Boston: (877) 4-TAJBOS; tajhotels.com/boston november 2011 29 http://www.recommend.com http://www.ameshotel.com http://www.fairmont.com/copleyplaza http://www.bostonusa.com http://www.intercontinentalboston.com http://www.tajhotels.com/boston

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: RockResorts
Tour Talk: International Expeditions
River Cruise Product Expands Even More for 2012
Hot (or Cool) Toronto is Staid No More
Timeless Boston
South Africa Always Steals the Limelight
BVI: Beauty on the Water
Private Islands Sizzle
Barcelona Will Leave You Beaming
Unspoiled Myanmar is Open for Business
The Lowdown on South America's Capital Highs
Riviera Nayarit in the Pink
The Three Faces of Baja Sur

Recommend November 2011