Boston

Holidays in New England combine Connecticut's picturesque villages, Rhode Island's sandy beaches, Vermont's forested mountains, New Hampshire's spectacular lakes, Maine's pretty coastline, and Massachusetts' vibrant capital, Boston.

Boston is an attractive leafy city with a reputation for scholarly excellence and eventful tea parties. The Boston Tea Party of 1773 wasn't, as the title suggests, a quaint gathering of tea drinkers, but instead a revolutionary act of protest by the American colonists against Great Britain, in which 45 tons of tea was dumped into the Boston harbour, thus sparking the American Revolution. Boston, the 'Birthplace of American Independence' is an ideal starting point for holidays in New England.

The Freedom Trail gives a good introduction to the city, with its three-mile self-guided tour of the city's revolutionary sights. The trail begins at Boston Common, one of the oldest public parks in the country, and ends in Charlestown, with its 67-metre-high obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Located just off Boston Common is the exclusive district of Beacon Hill, with its charming tree-lined cobbled streets and stately homes. Beacon Hill is not only home to famous figures, but it also boasts the original Boston pub that inspired the hit TV series, 'Cheers'.

Boston's fine collection of museums include: the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, which features extensive galleries with paintings by notable French impressionists and American artists; the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with its impressive collection of Renaissance paintings and ancient tapestries; the John F Kennedy Library and Museum, housed in a striking building with a glass pavilion overlooking Boston Harbour, which is dedicated to the president's life and legacy; and the Harvard Museum of Natural History, which is well worth a visit for its botanical and zoological galleries.

Built in 1912, Fenway Park is home to the Boston Red Sox. As one of the most famous major league parks in the US, Fenway Park has seen baseball legends such as Babe Ruth, Cy Young and Jimmy Collins. Tours of the park leave from the souvenir store on Yawkey Way seven days a week. Another top attraction is the New England Aquarium, which is a favourite with families. On entering the aquarium, you'll see the obligatory penguin pool and frolicking seals, but just beyond this is an awesome cylindrical saltwater tank teeming with an abundance of fish, turtles and sharks.

Boston's Little Italy is lined with lively cafes and is home to the Paul Revere House, which dates back to 1680 and is the oldest house in Boston. Keen shoppers can head to Newbury Street, with its department store, international chains and designer boutiques. The districts of Back Bay and South End are bursting with stylish restaurants, boutiques and galleries. Inman Square in Cambridge offers reasonably priced restaurants and bars. Those seeking a late-night scene can head to Landsdowne Street, next to Fenway Park, with its choice of lively nightclubs.

From London, Flights to Boston are approximately seven hours. Venturing out of Boston, Massachusetts also features the picturesque beaches of Cape Cod and the rich wildlife of Martha's Vineyard.

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