Greater Boston - what could be greater?


Surely there could never be a place that is perfect for everyone. Somewhere that would satisfy everyone's needs and cover all interests. Somewhere scenic, exciting and easy to get around.

As a matter of fact, there is. And it's been here since the beginning. It's Boston. The combination of natural beauty, excitement, diversity and walkability that are unique to this amazing city make it the favourite American destination for thousands of visitors every year.

The city itself was founded three centuries ago where the Atlantic Ocean met the Charles River. At that time, Boston was actually only a small peninsula, which often became an inaccessible island at high tide. Although the city has expanded significantly since then, most of its unique attractions are just minutes apart by foot. This unique attribute has earned Boston the nickname 'America's walking city'.

So where do you begin? Perhaps with a stroll through some of the city's unique neighbourhoods. Like the Italian North End. Filled with family-owned markets and restaurants, its quiet winding streets come alive during numerous festivals. Then there's Beacon Hill. With its gas street lamps and cobblestone lanes, it exudes an air of timeless elegance. And bustling Chinatown - not to mention the rest of the city - offers outstanding cuisine. Between the North End and Chinatown lies historic Faneuil Hall Marketplace, featuring over 100 shops and restaurants.

Back Bay is one of Boston's most beautiful and diverse neighbourhoods, known for its European-inspired architecture and its great variety of art galleries, restaurants and shops. Trinity Church - considered one of the ten most beautiful buildings in the country - is often reflected in the windows of New England's tallest skyscraper, situated just across the street.

Back Bay is also home to the Hynes Convention Center, a striking, state-of-the-art facility with 360,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. The Hynes is part of a remarkable 'city within a city': the Boston Convention Complex. This completely enclosed complex includes more than 3,000 luxury hotel rooms, over 200 fine shops and restaurants and a movie theatre. In addition, there are 3,500 more hotel rooms within a few blocks.

Next to Back Bay, stretching along the banks of the Charles River, lies a park called the Esplanade. This inviting stretch of greenery has paths for walking, running and biking. During the summer, hundreds gather for free outdoor concerts and movies at the Hatch Shell and every 4 July, a crowd of several hundred thousand fills the Esplanade to celebrate Independence Day. The festivities include a concert by the famous Boston Pops Orchestra and a tremendous fireworks display.

And that's not all you'll find here. The scenic Charles River is the site of the Head of the Charles Regatta, the world's largest single-day regatta: over four thousand rowers compete each year. It is also an ideal place for a sightseeing cruise: you can view not only Boston but also the exciting and diverse city of Cambridge, located on the other side of the Charles. Cambridge, best known for the world-renowned universities Harvard and MIT, is also home to a tremendous variety of music clubs, ethnic restaurants, museums and distinctive stores.

Sporting events are very popular in Boston, so if you're interested in basketball, hockey or American football, this is a great place to be. Historic Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is the oldest professional sports facility in the US.

For visitors interested in art, Boston is a dream come true. The Museum of Fine Arts houses the largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside France. The Gardner Museum, which is built around a magnificent courtyard, is itself a work of art. The Institute of Contemporary Art showcases modern artists.

Boston has other types of museums as well - from the Museum of Science to the Computer Museum. The New England Aquarium is another fascinating site; many of its 18,000 creatures inhabit a cylindrical four-story observation tank, the largest of its kind in the world.

After a day of sightseeing and a dinner of incredible local seafood, there are many ways to spend the evening. You might go to a dance club, listen to live music, enjoy a play or the ballet or be entertained by a top comedian.

Although the Boston area has enough variety and excitement to keep most people busy for weeks, there are plenty of other unique destinations nearby to explore. Head north to seaside towns such as Marblehead and Rockport; or journey south to enjoy the sandy beaches of Cape Cod. Then there's the rest of New England, which is also filled with wonderful attractions. And the list goes on...

When you come to Boston, you'll find it simply has something for everyone.