GETAWAYS
the holiday that has it all :
NEW HAMPSHIRE by Donna Martin
When you get one ‘ big ’ holiday a year , one chance every 12 months to quench your wanderlust , it ’ s no easy feat deciding where to jet off to . With the world so accessible and choices galore at our fingertips , you ’ d think selecting the perfect place to spend our precious seven days would be easy . But , easy it is not .
We want it all – beaches , mountains , lakes , cities , countryside , history , sunshine , culture , glamour , views , adventure , friendly locals , easy access , relaxation , rustic appeal , the ‘ wow ’ factor – whew , that ’ s quite a list . Not too much to ask , is it ? Ok , it is a lot to ask , but it isn ’ t impossible . I ’ ve found just the place : New Hampshire , USA ( with a side order of Boston ).
How to get there
New Hampshire is more accessible than you think ; flights from London Gatwick to Boston take around seven hours , and are surprisingly affordable on Norwegian ( starting from £ 135 one-way Economy and £ 399 Premium ).
On Premium , you get inclusive luggage , fast-track security and can chill out in Gatwick ’ s airport lounge pre-flight . While in the air , enjoy complimentary drinks , dinner , and your own in-seat entertainment system .
I began my trip in the comfortable Premium cabin of the Norwegian 787 Dreamliner – my first flight on
Norwegian – and was pretty much sold after I landed in the States and felt less jetlag than I ’ ve ever felt after a long-haul flight . This is due to the lowered cabin pressure , intelligent interior lighting , tinted windows ( think transition sunglasses ) and of course the cushy seats and ample personal space ( and the leg room !) in Premium .
I ’ ve always been a die-hard Virgin flyer , but Norwegian may just give Richard a run for his money . www . norwegian . com
Spend a few days in Boston …
Our ninth-floor room had a fabulous view of one of the city ’ s most famous skyscrapers – The Prudential – and included an oh-so-comfy super-king bed , multi-speaker sound system , 42 ” TV , fireplace , and one of the most impressive mini bars I ’ ve ever seen ( of course I had to take advantage , I was on holiday , after all ).
Top it off with impeccable service , a stunning roof terrace , an award-winning restaurant , and of course location , location , location , and you have the perfect hub for your stopover in ‘ Beantown ’.
Where to stay :
Not one to fancy long transfers after long flights , we made the most of our trip and stayed in Massachusetts ’ capital city for a few nights .
There are hotels of all shapes , sizes and flavours in the city , but if you ’ re doing Boston , do Boston right and stay at Hotel XV Beacon ( www . xvbeacon . com ), a luxury boutique hotel recently named # 2 Best Hotel in the United States in the Travel & Leisure World ’ s Best Awards . Out of over 50,000 hotels and B & Bs , this place got number two . That ’ s a pretty sweet bragging point if you ask me .
Elegant and modern , this 63-room hotel is housed in a turn-of-the-century 10-storey Beaux Arts building right across from ‘ the Common ’, Boston ’ s beautiful tree-lined public park , and the oldest public park in America .
Things to do : Where do I begin ? There ’ s so much to do in Boston I couldn ’ t possibly fit it all into two days , so here are just a few of my top picks ( and don ’ t forget to grab a bowl of clam chowdah along the way )…
The Freedom Trail The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile marked route that takes you to 16 historically significant sites in Boston , from museums to meetinghouses to churches . Do the trail on your own or join a tour , either way you ’ ll learn the rich history of the American Revolution . www . thefreedomtrail . org
The New England Aquarium With over 1.3 million visitors each year , the New England Aquarium is one of Boston ’ s must-see attractions , combining education , entertainment and action including the famous 200,000-gallon Caribbean Coral Reef exhibition . www . neaq . org
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