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Historical South Boston Neighborhoods

The South End is one of Boston’s most historical areas. The South End is geographically located near downtown Boston, more directly next to Boston’s Back Bay district. The history of Boston’s South End stems back to the early years of the nineteenth century, but the South End region that you will witness today is drastically different from the historical suburban style area it used to be. The South End of Boston is made up of many smaller historical regions that are individually prominent, including Boston Neck, the English Square and the Row House District.

The Boston Neck was originally a slim piece of land that was surrounded entirely by marsh, but that is not what comprises the area today. In the past, the South End was scattered with several mansions that held expansive grounds. Today, those same tree-lined brick streets are filled with

apartments, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and shops—which make the South side of Boston one of the cities trendiest and most sought after area to live. In fact, since the 1850’s the South End of Boston has attracted young families that were looking to start their families in attractive homes while living close to society.

In 1973 the South End of Boston was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1983 was named a part of Boston’s historical district. The South End is known to be a culturally diverse area, and this shows in the wide variety of cuisine that is available in the area. The different regional cuisines that are available and represented in the South End include varieties such as French, Indonesian, Ethiopian, Italian, Indian and Thai. The SoWa district (south of Washington Street) on Harrison Avenue in the South End is filled with art studios and galleries, in addition to small businesses that showcase their work year round on this popular street.

One popular form of housing that is widely available and prominent in the South End area of Boston is row houses. Row houses first appeared in Boston

in the mid-nineteenth century. The row houses first emerged as a solution for middle class families during this time, and boast a variety of different architectural styles that meet a broad spectrum of needs for families today.

Another popular historical feature of Boston’s South End is that this is one of the first areas where apartments became very popular. During the nineteenth century residential hotels became the lodging area of choice for avant garde families. The residential hotel became popular due to the modern conveniences that still attract people to apartment style living today, though with many extra amenities. Nineteenth century families would benefit from the service of fresh linens and a clean home while they were served dinner without the extra work of chores and housework. Many of these luxurious hotels still exist in the South End today, and have been updated to provide contemporary convenience that is necessary for modern comfort.

Another historical area of the Boston South End is the Hospital district, which has been a pioneer of the American medical industry for more than a past century. In addition to this, the South End area is home to many grand churches that provide the same old world flair that is present throughout much of Boston’s Historical districts. The Brick South Congressional Church in Union Park was first built in 1862, and while it has changed hands and populations on several occasions the architecture that the building offers is unscathed.

Overall, the South End area is comprised of historical buildings with detailed architecture. These factors make the Boston apartments in this area sought after real estate that offers all the modern conveniences of an urban area while offering the charm of a suburban community.

This guest post was provided by freelance writer Martha Keagan who is a full time mother and has family located in Boston. Keagan loves to travel and once every few years she takes time off from Arizona and rents an apartment in Boston for 6 months or so to visit her family. Boston is an amazing city, if you are looking for Boston apartments, you know where to look.

 

Filed Under: Travel

Find Flight Accommodations Within Your Budget

Lobby area in the Hotel del Coronado. Camera u... 

Image via Wikipedia

When most people begin to do research on an upcoming trip, the large majority of people will go online and begin researching prices at some of the major travel websites such as Priceline, Hotwire, or Travelocity.  Because these companies are so competitive, the prices offered at each site will likely vary, even if it is by only a few cents. This healthy competition is a great thing for customers who are looking to make travel plans on a budget.

Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with booking a trip with a booking engine, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that the total cost of a trip is the cheapest that it could possibly be.

When attempting to find flight and accommodations within your budget, it is important to choose a package that comes with airfare and hotel combined. You can find coupons for packages like these on sites like Offers.com.  When flight and hotel are booked together, as opposed to the two entities being booked separately, the total cost of the vacation package can come up several hundred dollars less than if the two were booked individually.  A large part of the difference in costs have to do with the fact that hotel and airfare at these companies are purchased wholesale, equaling a lower price, which is then passed down to customers.

In addition to the money that can be saved when hotel and airfare are booked together, there are coupon codes available at Offers.com, in which customers can save additional monies off of their lodging and transportation expenses.

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Sticking to a Vacation Budget

When you’re on vacation, it’s easy to end up spending more than you initially planned. This is often because you want to purchase souvenirs, articles of clothing that you forgot or are more appropriate for the current weather, accessories such as sunglasses or watches, extra suitcases, and more.

You can still vacation without spending too much. These tips will help you stick with your vacation budget:

  • Monitor your spending. Keep track of your receipts and how much money you are spending each day by checking your accounts online. Use your Reach Card Visa to track your purchases.
  • Plan ahead. Check the weather and know the activities you’re going to be doing, and then pack appropriately. For example, you may think your trip to Florida will be sunny, only to check the weather and find it’s going to rain while you’re there. That extra step of preparation will save you from having to purchase umbrellas and rain jackets during your trip.
  • Consider a prepaid card. Prepaid credit cards are advantageous because, unlike a traditional credit card, you can’t overcharge it, so you won’t end up paying hefty fees. Instead, you simply deposit a set amount in your prepaid card account. This allows you to keep your finances under control while still having the convenience of a traditional credit card you can use everywhere.
  • Look for ways to save. There are plenty of ways to save while on vacation. Visiting a grocery store and purchasing food instead of eating out every meal, for example, can save a bundle.

These tips will help you avoid unnecessary expenses while on vacation.

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Traveling And Safety

A large number of people every year take a break from their daily grinds and travel to place where they can find comfort and refreshment. The daily chores of life make it essential for everyone of find a way of releasing the stress and pressure and rejuvenate to the utmost. It is necessary not only for the mind and the body but for the general well-being of a person. In order to cater to the needs and requirements of the large number of tourists, a wide range of tourism types have also been given shape.

However it is always advised to follow safety measures before going on a trip and while enjoying the vacation. Your entire trip can range for quite some days and your children will also be there with you. Hence it becomes imperative to carry certain medicines and first-aids in case of any accidents or illness taking place. Adventure tourism is one of the most popular tourism types of today. Large numbers of people are becoming part of it. If you are of the adventurous type and opt to go to a place where you can enjoy adventure sports, then it is essential for you to carry all the safety items.

Whenever during your vacation you are out with your family, soaking in the beauty of the place or participating in adventure sports, make it a point to carry water along with you. Water is a life saver and you never know when you can face detrimental situations. In such circumstances it is always a good idea to have the water saver handy. First-aid items like band-aids, a few painkillers and medicines for illness like vomiting and temperature should always be part of your travel kit. It is always suggested to remain prepared in case of any unforeseen things happening. Safety and precaution should be followed to the utmost while on a vacation. If you do not prepare yourself properly with the safety items, even a minute accident can mar your vacation. Both these things should be taken care of which is very important to follow.

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Types Of Tourism

Traveling is something which is loved by majority of the people all over the world. People try to make it a point to travel at least once a year. They may plan on going to some far-off place or some weekend getaways. Traveling and vacationing helps people to take a refreshing relief from the daily chores and the daily mundane life. Tourism industry, of the most of the countries is hence is booming industry. Each and every country is trying their best to incorporate features which will boost their tourism industry and thus the income of the country.

People have a lot of preferences while choosing their perfect destination. The tourism industry in order to cater to the rising demands of the tourists have segregated tourism into different. It allows the tourists to have a glance at the various aspects of their chosen tourism type. One of the important streams of tourism is pilgrimage tourism. In this modern world it is seen that people are leaning more towards the spiritualistic aspects of the world in order to boast their mind and soul. Such people prefer visiting places of religious and spiritual interests. India, Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal are just a few of the countries which are popular for promoting pilgrimage tourism. Health tourism is a new entrant in the field of tourism which is very good.

There are countries like India who have a long history of alternative medicines and treatment. Ayurveda and yoga make the country a popular destination for health tourism. There are an increasing number of tourists who are of the outdoorsy type and love adventure sports like hiking, mountaineering, bungee jumping, scuba diving and many more. For meeting the requirement so such tourist’s adventure tourism has also come to the foray. Countries like Indonesia and Australia are famous for providing adrenaline rushing adventure sports to its tourists. Other tourism types which are developing are the eco tourism, garden tourism, coastal tourism, gourmet tourism, medical tourism and wine tourism to cite just a few of them. Make the best out of them and enjoy to the fullest.

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Living in Boston in Revolutionary War Times

Boston was a city of determination, rebellion and a vibrant culture during the Revolutionary war years. This was the home of the first major stirrings of independence that began to boil as the British tried to tighten control of the American colonies. One of the keys to Boston’s rebellious spirit was its educated populace and well entrenched group of printers, newspapers, politicians and leaders that worked to inflame the anger of the townspeople. Without its influence, this period of American history would have been very different from what we know today.

By the time of the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Boston already had in place numerous printing presses that turned out pamphlets, newspapers and flyers on a daily basis. When Paul Revere made his famous etching of The Boston Massacre, it was the multiple prints that were distributed throughout the city that enraged the locals. The newspapers were primary source of news and information for a good portion of the citizenry, and was the place where political ideals were given a voice. Many times, it was newspapermen that were arrested and who had their presses smashed by British troops for printing articles that went against the Crown or against that it tried to put into service.

Colonists on both sides, either for or against the Crown, used the printing press to air their views and argue back against their opponents. Because of the many publications that were put out at the time, we are able to have a broad range of points of view that were common at this time. Boston was well-known throughout the colonies, along with Philadelphia and New York, for the quality of its newspapers and of the printing trade. Without this vital form of communication, the Revolutionary War may not have happened in the same manner that it. The various printings that were distributed throughout the colonies made it possible to unite the colonists together and keep everyone informed about what was happening.

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The Boston Bruins Story

The Boston Bruins have been a mainstay of hockey in the city since 1924, and are extremely loved through the New England area. They were started when a gentleman named Charles Francis Adams paid a large sum of money to own a team that would play in the National Hockey League. The Bruins were born, and were the first American team that had a stake in the NHL.

During the season, fans flock to watch them take the ice and play to win. Famous players have laced up for the team over its history, including Bourque, Nelly and Esposito, among others. They have won several division titles and taken conference victories over the years, including being a five time winner of the coveted Stanley Cup. Art Ross was the first man to take the helm as team manager, helping the team to take the Stanley Cup a total of three times under his leadership.

One of the most beloved and remembered players in the team’s early history is Eddie Shore, who played defense. The home for the Bruins from 1924 to 1928 was the Boston Arena. In 1928 they moved to Boston Garden, where the first game there had an attendance totaling over 17,000 fans. The team continued its success and had new stars appear, including John Bucyk, who played 21 seasons as a Bruin and holds the team’s scoring record. Gerry Cheevers was another favorite for his ability to block pucks from the goal.

Throughout their history in the city, Boston has tightly held the Bruins to its heart and awaits the hockey season with relish. With the support of their fans and new talent each year, the Bruins will continue to deliver a great game.

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The Loss of a Great Player

One of the best players to don a Red Sox uniform in the era after World War II, Walt Dropo, recently passed away at the age of 87. He gave the team his best while on the field, winning the 1950 Rookie of the Year Award, winning over rival Yankee Whitey Ford. His major league career spanned the period from 1949 to 1961, with his rookie seeing a great record all the way around. That year, he had 34 home runs, a batting average of .322 and a total of 144 runs batted in within a period of 136 games, gaining a spot on the All Star Team.

Not only was he talented on the field, but was also an excellent role model within the community. He was regarded as a kind gentlemen and was active in his community even after he retired from the game. This shows him to have been all around a good person and a great player. On the team, he played the spot of first base, and spent four successful seasons in the Red Sox uniform. In the course of his career with the Red Sox, achieving a hitting average of .281 and 51 home runs. He also achieved 229 runs batted in within 283 games. In the rest of his career, he played with such teams as the White Sox, Reds, Orioles and Tigers. The career totals for baseball include a batting average of .270. 704 runs batted in and 152 home runs within a total of 1,288 games.

The career of Walt Dropo is one of those that will go down in Red Sox history as a memorable one. His honorable character and talent on the ball field makes him one of their star past players who made his splash during the golden decades of the game.

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Celtics Have Pierce Chosen as Player of the Week

The Boston Celtics can be proud of Paul Pierce, who was named this week by the NBA as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. For the period between Monday, December 13 through Sunday, December 19, Pierce played the game with true professional skill. In this time, he had an average of 21.7 points per game and 8.7 assists. This is added to with 2.3 steals for a great performance overall. This was all done as the Celtics sailed through the next one in a 13 game streak of winning. The best example of his performance this week was during the game versus New York, when he had a total of 32 points and took the game by making the last winning shot with only .4 seconds left on the clock.

In the game against New York, he also had a total of 10 rebounds for the game and four assists. The Celtics won that game with a score of 118 to 116 against the New York Knicks. On December 19, when the Celtics took on the Indiana Pacers, he had 18 average total points for the game, 10 rebounds and 12 total assists. Four steals also helped them to come out winning with a final score of 99 to 88 in favor of the Celtics. The game versus Atlanta also displayed his talents, as he had 15 average total points, five rebounds and 10 assists for the game, which ended in a 102 to 90 Celtic victory.

With the type of performance in only the span of a week, Paul Pierce has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Celtics. Right now, this is especially apparent as the team is successfully blowing over every team that faces them on the court. This season is looking rosy for the Celtics to head in a championship direction.

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Experiencing the Revolutionary War at the Bunker Hill Monument and Boston’s National Historic Park

The Boston National Historic Park is a must-see stop along the Boston Freedom Trail. There are a variety of activities, programs and exhibitions that you can take advantage of while you are there. For example, you can take a guided tour of the Bunker Hill Monument with a Park Ranger, who can give you greater detail about the history of the site and stories from those who experienced the battle. These are offered throughout the year for small groups and larger ones as well. If you do plan to bring a larger group, you are advised to contact the Park ahead of time to make a reservation.

At certain seasons of the year, Rangers and other staff in clothing from the time period will give you an interpretive talk about pre-revolutionary were Boston. You can also learn about the jobs that civilian workers did in the Charlestown Navy Yard as well. The sites that are run and maintained by the National Park Service often do not charge a fee to enter, but you will probably have to pay one in order to tour or any of the privately owned structures. When you come to visit, you’ll find each of the sites within the Boston National Historical Park are can be reached by walking as they are not very far apart. You’ll be able to follow the Freedom Trail by keeping to the red brick line that has been laid out on the sidewalk.

The visitor centers within the park are open throughout the year, with the Downtown Visitor Center on State Street being open from 9 AM to 5 PM each day. The USS Constitution is open from 10 AM to 4 PM Thursday through Sunday, with the last two are going out at 3:30 PM. During the summer months it is open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday.

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