Spectacular Mount MonodnockTourism - New England

This lone peak in New Hampshire lends it's name to the geographical term Monadnock meaning a relatively isolated mountain. Mount Monadnock at 3,165 feet above sea level is the most climbed mountain in the world after Mount Fuji. On clear days it offers views of Boston from it's summit. The two main trails are the white dot trail which is covered with challenging boulders making for a tough climb and the less steep white cross trail. The top of the mountain is the most difficult to traverse with high winds and very steep rocks. The 4-5 hour round trip to the summit is rewarded by spectacular views. A very special story telling session is held on Saturday evenings after dusk in the picnic area with captivating native american legends narrated around a fire.

En Route

View from the top

Lost River and Boulder CavesTourism - New England

The Lost River Gorge in the White Mountains of New Hampshire was formed thousands of years ago by melting glaciers moving down the mountains. The gorge is covered with a huge mass of boulders in interesting formations the most amazing of which are the boulder caves.

This natural wonder has been made accessible by a 1000 man made steps winding through the gorge also called the boardwalk. A three quarter mile hike along the boardwalk winds through the gorge providing access to the numerous caves and other points of interest including a 35 foot waterfall and the largest pothole in the country.

Moving through the caves is challenging and requires you to get down on your hands and knees and even lower. This place is also home to a large ecosystem and numerous stories handed down through the ages making it quite an adventure and a great getaway to another time and place.

The White Mountains' Cog RailwayTourism - New England

Mount Washington, New England's highest peak at 6,288 feet, is a part of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is said that the strongest wind ever known to man was recorded at it's summit.
The Cog Railway takes visitors on an interesting three hour roundtrip to the top of Mount Washington providing spectacular views of the mountains. The train stops halfway for a few minutes at a 45 degree angle. For the outdoor enthusiast there is the option of riding the train to the top and hiking back down.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Regain your culinary confidence with this quick and easy chicken noodle soup. Cut 1 lb. chicken into small cubes and cook for 10 mins or until cooked through. Add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, a pinch of salt, a cup of fresh veggies - preferably oriental style, some uncooked spaghetti and let it simmer for 15 mins until veggies and noodles are cooked! Add in chopped scallions for extra flavor.

The Flume GorgeTourism - New England

The Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire is a fascinating mass of boulders, waterfalls, bridges and walls of tree and moss covered granite intersected by the meandering Pemigewassett river creating awe inspiring views. There is much to be discovered and experienced on the 2 mile hike to the gorge.

Maine BeautyTourism - New England

Marginal Way, Perkin's Cove

The town of Ogunquit in Maine appropriately means "a beautiful place by the sea". This town is home to the charming Perkin's Cove, a working harbor lined with restaurants like Barnacle Billy's vying to serve up the freshest lobster, ice cream joints offering hundreds of flavors, galleries and shops that one can browse for hours. Perkins' Cove has a hand operated footbridge which is a source of awe among tourists and locals alike. This is also a great place to start a mild hike along the heavenly Marginal Way, a 1.25 mile path along rocky cliffs with unbelievable views of the Atlantic. Follow the Marginal Way to Ogunquit Beach, which offers miles of sands with river on one side and sea on the other, painting the most amazing picture.

Ogunquit Beach - between sea and river

Marginal Way

Perkin's Cove

The footbridge at Perkin's Cove opening to let a boat pass

Great Recipes for the Fourth

This red, blue and white pie was perfect for the fourth. Also perfect for any other day! Get the recipe here.

Quincy Market and Neighboring AttractionsTourism - New England

One of Boston's finest shopping and dining experiences, Quincy Market and the adjacent Faneuil Hall marketplace is located in the heart of Boston, minutes away from the North End, Financial District, New England Aquarium and the numerous wharfs of Boston's waterfront. The Quincy Market building has a long queue of food stalls in a food court like arrangement from all over the world. The building offers ample indoor seating but the North Market and South Market surrounding Quincy Market are much more enjoyable for relaxing outdoors and watching entertaining street shows. The two markets also offer a large number of shops listed here.

This is also a great place to locate and follow Boston's historic Freedom Trail which will lead you to some of Boston's greatest attractions.

The Holocaust Memorial at night

Located close to Faneuil Hall is the Holocaust memorial dedicated to the remembrance of the 6 million Jews who lost their lives in the Nazi holocaust. Each of the 6 concentration camps is represented by a tall glass tower whose walls are etched with the registration numbers of it's victims. Also featured are quotes from survivors that will leave you shaken. The floor of the memorial emits smoke symbolizing gas chambers. This is a humbling and eye-opening experience.

Also nearby in the Back Bay area is posh Newbury Street housing a line of designer shops and galleries, cafes and restuarants and a great place for spotting the flashiest cars.

The New England Aquarium, a short walk from Quincy market is a large collection of interesting aquatic creatures including seals and penguins. A large cylindrical glass tank inhabited by the most diverse fish and tortoise spans several floors and has an open top where one can witness a presentation while the creatures are fed. There is an interactive section where visitors can come in contact with some of the aquarium's marvels.

Not to be missed are America's oldest public gardens. The Boston commons are 2 beautifully maintained gardens providing the perfect spot for serene, relaxing times and energizing workouts alike. One of the parks has a beautiful lagoon where 15 minute gentle boat rides are offered on the Swan boats.

Boston's Best CappucinoTourism - New England

Mike's Pastry in Boston's North End serves up the perfect cappucino and is famous for their mouth watering, crispy, cream filled cannolis. Located in the heart of Boston's most popular Italian neighbourhood on Hannover Street, this charming pastry shop boasts a large variety of cookies, cakes, candies and traditional Italian treats like their biscotti and tiramisu. Crowds flock together waiting patiently for their turn to order an assortment of treats to take home in their famous blue and white boxes or gather around tables to enjoy a coffee and cannoli in this friendly joint. The North End on Hannover Street is a must see for tourists hoping to get a flavour of the local Italian culture.

The perfect Cappucino and Canoli

A sample of their colorful treats

The Spirit of Boston CruiseTourism - New England

The Spirit of Boston cruise ship has a variety of cruise options. We opted for the Dinner Dance cruise which includes a dinner buffet, live entertainment, a DJ spinning the latest numbers, a spacious dance floor and an evening tour of the Boston Harbour at about $80 per head. The buffet left a lot to be desired and the live performances were amateurish at best. The high points of the cruise were the picturesque views of Boston Harbour and the enthusiastic crowd dancing the evening away to the selection of contemporary club hits.

On the dance floor

Newport, Rhode IslandTourism - New England

View of the Atlantic from the Cliff Walk

Newport, Rhode Island, home to the crème de la crème of society in the 19th century has opened the gates of its extravagant mansions for public viewing. Among the popular choices for touring are The Breakers and The Marble House. These sprawling homes served as the summer retreats for the rich and famous and needed a staff of fifty for maintenance and upkeep. Some of the backyards extended all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and provided astounding views of the setting sun.

Among other attractions in Newport are the gorgeous beaches, rocky cliffs and seaside restaurants serving up the best seafood. The Black Pearl restaurant is specially noteworthy. The Cliff Walk is a 3.5 mile walk along the Atlantic and passes through the backyards of most of these mansions. This is a great way to see the mansions and also experience the spellbinding cliffs and the views of the ocean they offer.

The Breakers Mansion

The Cliff Walk

Another view from the Cliff Walk

P-Town FervorTourism - New England

Province Town, one of the most colorful weekend getaways from Boston is accessible via a 90 minute fast ferry from Long Wharf. The ferry features a full bar, a sprawling deck for the photography enthusiast and ultra friendly bartenders with insider tips on the best spots and eateries P-Town has to offer. This little town is surrounded by beautiful beaches, boasts the best clam chowder and offers the most entertaining shows. Freedom of spirit is definitely the mantra as the fashionable crowd weaves in and out of the upscale restaurants and chic boutiques with their strutting chihuahuas and designer accessories.

Province Town is surrounded by beautiful beaches and in the true spirit of a beach town has a line of art galleries and shops.


View of Boston from the Ferry

America's Oldest SeaportTourism - New England

Good Harbour Beach, Gloucester

The city of Gloucester in Massachusetts is America's oldest seaport surrounded by vast expanses of sandy beaches and a charming downtown area with galleries and restuarants offering hours of quality time. The Good Harbour Beach is breathtakingly beautiful. The nearby town of Rockport is equally charming. More Gloucester and Rockport beaches are featured in this article.

The Manor on Golden PondTourism - New England

The Manor is a beautiful Victorian house overlooking Squam Lake in Holderness, NH, featuring several bedroom suites of varying decor and price ranges. Some include a beautifully decorated ornamental wood burning fireplace and others an insuite jacuzzi. Among the many activities offered at the Manor are tennis, badminton, a pool, and boating on Squam Lake in addition to the acres of hiking trails. The rooms are spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated and the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Guests are pampered with room service, a beautiful english breakfast in the breakfast room, and good night snacks placed on lush pillows. Some rooms have walk out balconies that offer breathtaking views of Golden Pond and beyond. The nearby town of Meredith is a charming shopping destination. Makes for a very refreshing drive and weekend.

The New PS2 SlimEntertainment

In the competitive world of gaming today, the Play Station 2 Slim is an affordable, sleek option to keep your need for playing satisfied.
To get started you will need the console (about $120), optional wireless controllers (about $40 for a set of 2), optional memory cards to save your success stories (about $30 for 2), and of course, your favorite games (about $20 each). The slim playstation console costs the same as the regular playstation 2 but is only the size of a notebook. The unit comes with a wired controller which will not work for anyone having a home theater system. Wireless controllers have ranges of 30-50 feet and very long battery life. They also come with features such as "rumble" to enhance your gaming experience.
Some games do not allow you to access the more advanced levels unless you have successfully completed the basic levels, which is where memory cards come in. Like the original play station, the PS2 Slim is easy to setup, easy on your wallet and can provide endless hours of fun.

The Perfect Martini at 28 DegreesRestaurants - New England

The perfect temperature to serve a martini at is 28 degrees. Deriving it's name from this interesting cocktail technicality, 28 degrees in Boston is a hip eclectic martini bar with the choiciest electronica, pleasing service, friendly, fun loving, well dressed patrons and a wide selection of innovative martinis and mojitos. The decor is swanky right down from the leather couches in their lounge to the dim bar lighting and the soothing water theme continues right to the unisex washrooms. The food is served Tapas style and the menu is conveniently divided into Hot, Cold and Raw sections. The place is designed to allow people to mingle easily making this the place to see and be seen.

Addis Red SeaRestaurants - New England

This authentic Ethiopian restaurant on trendy Tremont street in Boston offers a welcoming atmosphere, traditionally dressed servers and good food. Folks gather around a wicker table which also serves as a huge plate. Your food is served with a soft spongy bread to be shared with your group. The dim lighting is relaxing and their pricing is reasonable for the location. The main attraction of the restaurant is a very different cultural experience which is truly a pleasure.

Delicioso Tapas HotspotsRestaurants - New England

For those who love sampling tapas, Dali in Somerville and Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge offer great opportunities for fun filled evenings.
Cuchi Cuchi features extraordinary tapas with very authentic flavor like their Duck a l'Orange Crepes and the Cuban Cigar. The ambiance was not as flashy as depicted by their website. Their white wine Sangria is a great alternative to a regular Sangria.
Dali on the other hand had an overly enthusiastic crowd, equally dedicated servers, a very fun atmosphere and loud music but the food was not extra special. Dali on a weenend night was able to seat us in 15 minutes despite the long queue of hopefuls.
The verdict? Get a reservation at Cuchi Cuchi if you love good food but for an overall wonderful experience walk over to Dali.

Recipes for a Mexican Dinner

Here's a menu that is easy on both you and your guests. Don't forget the Corona and Patron.

Meatballs with Dip
This appetizer is a real winner. Mix half pound lean ground beef, half pound ground pork, 1 tsp salt, 1 egg, 1 chopped large jalapeno pepper, 2 chopped garlic cloves, quarter cup chopped cilantro and quarter cup dried breadcrumbs in a bowl and shape into small balls. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, place meatballs and bake for 20 minutes. For the dip, combine 1 cup mayo with 1 clove garlic and 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce in a blender and blend until smooth.

Pico De Gallo
Chop and combine 1 tomato, half onion, quarter cup cilantro, 1 jalapeno pepper, half tsp salt and a quarter cup Kraft Italian Dressing in a bowl and mix well. Serve with chips as a second appetizer.

Beef or Chicken Tacos
Cook 1 lb lean ground beef in a vessel and mix in chopped olives and medium taco seasoning. To assemble tacos, warm up flour tortillas in your microwave, place cooked beef mix, shredded lettuce, hot taco sauce, sour cream, chopped tomato and shredded mexican four cheese in the tortilla. Wrap the tortilla and seal the deal with some sour cream. Add tabasco sauce for some zing. Replace with taco shells for hard tacos. Beef may be replaced with chicken cubes for chicken tacos.

Chicken Fajitas
Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin strips. Cook the chicken in oil for about 5 minutes, add in Fajita seasoning, a little water, 1 cut green pepper and 1 sliced onion and cook another 10 minutes. Warm tortillas in your microwave, place chicken mixture in the tortilla and wrap it up for a tasty chicken fajita.

Flan for Dessert
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Caramelise 1 cup sugar and pour 2-3 tablespoons of caramel in each of 6 bowls, tilting the bowls to spread the caramel around the sides. In a mixer, blend 6 large eggs together. Mix in 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk , 2 13 oz cans evaporated milk then mix in half cup of sugar, then 1 tsp vanilla extract. Blend until smooth. Pour the custard into the caramel lined bowls and place the bowls in a large baking dish filled with 2 inches of hot water. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove and let cool in refrigerator for 1 hour. Invert bowls onto small plates and let the caramel sauce flow over the custard. Garnish with whipped cream, raspberries and mint leaves.

Long live the KingTourism - US

The flamboyance of Elvis's life is apparent in each exhibit within the gates of Graceland, designed to engulf visitor's in the King's spirit and sounds. The collection of now vintage cars, personal airplanes and accolades is every bit as impressive as is the pomp and grandeur of Elvis's everyday activities.

Tangierino - Boston's Hookah HookupRestaurants - New England

Tangierino in Cambridge, MA is a great Moroccon restuarant with a swanky Hookah bar and svelte belly dancing every evening. The food is exotic, the service impeccable, the ambience tantalizing. The Sheesha bar serves many flavors of hookah including apple and jasmine and the servers give you a little demonstration of how to handle a hookah in case you are a novice. The Sultan's Kadra is my favorite entree. The deserts are scrumptious and their wines have character.

Mohegan Sun Casino RunTourism - New England

This is a great place to lose your weekend allowance. Only minutes from Foxwoods, the worl'ds largest casino, Mohegan Sun is catching up fast in terms of square footage. We visited on Christmas eve and Christmas day and found a majority of the crowd to be Asian. The buffet was less than satisfactory and we got a prompt refund from the manager who admitted that other customers had complained about the same. The ambience and decor is very "New Mexico" and very appealing.

One of their upcoming attractions is the Justin Timberlake-Pink concert in March, I will definitely make it to the concert and maybe lose my weekend allowance again.

Niagara FallsTourism - US

It seemed like the Niagara Falls were the only tourist attraction in the US on my list of places to see that had not been done yet. So we packed our water bottles, collected our favorite CDs and jumped in the car for the 8 hour long drive to the falls. It was less grand and overwhelming than I had expected. Definitely something to see once in one's life but I was not spellbound as I had expected to be. Overall a good experience.