gail

October hotel bookings are tight not only because of foliage but because it is Parents' weekends at various colleges - book something cancellable now and then loook around for a better deal.

New Balance has an outlet store in Brighton, but if you know model and size, I would not waste my time on your brief trip for that - call them, check at various places on=line and order them that way.

skaf

you must all be Americans because no one comments on me not believing that I must book the tour already.
we are used to wait for last minutes deals. no one makes plans so long ahead.
the more I hear from you the more certain I am I chose a good vacation.
are the Newbury Guest House or the John Jeffries House good options ?

highledge

Can't help with the tour booking, but will try with a few other points.
Marathon sports carries a range of running sneakers/trainers. It's worth calling to see if they carry your model or arrange for it to be ordered. They have a store near copley Square. If you are determined to take some sort of cruise/boat ride, take a duck tour. It tours around Boston and them into the Charles River for a quick ride. Lots of fun.

Anonymous

Newbury and Jeffries are both good choices. Not sure whether either has an elevator -- check with tehm if stairs ar a problem for you.

Newbury, in the heart of Back bay, is a townhouse on a street renowned for upscale shopping. Jeffries used to be the nursing students' quarters for Mass General Hospital, it's a big substantial structure just steps away from a station on the subway's Red Line, which goes to Harvard Square.

I agree, the Duck Tour is a lot of fun and just the right amount of water for anyone who gets seasick!

rjw_lgb_ca

Newbury Guest House does have an elevator (I never used it), but note that the Newbury St. entrance is up a few steps. It is also charming and ideally-located for a visit to Boston (I absolutely love it). Additionally, it is VERY popular and must be booked at least six weeks in advance. October, as everyone has noted, is a very busy time for Boston, so you would have to make reservations at the Guest House NOW.

skaf

hi, booked yesterday the 6 days (actually 5 net) Globus tour from 1 October. flights, and the Newbury Fuest house for 4 nights before the tour.
I will have an extra post-tour night at the tour hotel - Boston Park Plaza.
so now I can leave it, and in July I will come back to get more help about making the most of my 5 days in Boston.
thanks everyone. shula

luv2cook

If you have any time to visit Salem go to the Peabody Essex Museum. www.PEM.org to view their web site. They have the finest collection of Chinese export porcelain in the world and always have changing exhibits.

skaf

thanks. in the last day Itinerary is writen " at Salem ...You’ll have time to visit the many historic landmarks". so i will see what it means.

Anonymous

Do prepare yourself in advance if you have free time in Salem -- the attractions range from the ridiculous to the sublime.

skaf

actually I think I will do the touristy things in Salem, maybe go to the Pirate museum or the harbour or something.
I really believe that in a way you go and see the typical things in places (of course trying to chose the better ones).
I was in China last year and go frequently to Europe. so to see a Chinese house etc....
I looked at the Peabody museum beautiful site, and to go on a little free time in a tour would be just to say I was. it deserves much more time an attention.
I think about the Isabella Stewart Gardner in Boston. the courtyard looks lovely.
but again, I prefer to see good American painters and sculptures and not European art when I am in Boston. any ideas ?

Anonymous

One goes to the Gardner as much for the experience and ambience as for the art. If that doesn't suit you, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts is just two blocks away, with plenty of old American stuff including amazing furniture and silver collections. One of my favorite galleries is the historic period rooms, tucked away in the basement.

helenbreen

Skaf, welcome to Boston. I have lived here all of my life. Autumn is a very special time, although we natives may take it for granted. I always remember a very well traveled British woman whom I met on a tour in Italy. She was a widow whose husband had been a diplomat. She said that of all her world travels her best memories were of a Tauck tour of northern New England in October many years ago. Indeed, when the weather is fine - it is remarkable. She loved the cider stands, church fairs, bean suppers, cornstalks, pumpkins, etc. Enjoy New England!

KathrynT

What are the glass flowers at Harvard? Sounds intriguing.

Anonymous

The Harvard Museum of Natural history houes, among many other wonders, a collection of botanically precise flowers and plants made over a period of decades in ermany by two glassmakers (father and son) who took their creative secrets wtih them.

http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/exhibiti...ssflowers.html

skaf

just checked and you are all still here.
I have most of my flights, the tour, and the Newbury guest house.
now I have just to wait for the end of September.
meanwhile I hope to go Europe which is much closer to me.
will probably come back for last moments advise.
specially about the best transportation to Newport for a day.
thanks all. shula

skaf

just to say thanks to everyone who helped me.
had two days of beautiful foliage coulors in new hamphshire and vermont.
loved Boston. the Newbury guesthouse was nice and it's location the best.
the Freedom Trail with the customed guide was fun. loved the new Stata Center
in MIT, the skywalk, glass flowers etc.
special thanks to Anonymous
for convincing me to go to the Gardner Museum it was my favorite in Boston.
everyone was friendly and nice, even the policeman i consulted near Harvard and called for a taxi for me.
didn't like Newport (very easy with to reach eith the Bonanza bus) so much. liked KENNEBUNKPORT much more. even so we didn't see anything of Main's coast because of the fog.
had a lovely time. thank you. shula