BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Once visitors recover from their first experience driving around a rotary and the trauma induced by taxi drivers that turn left in front of them at a red light, Boston is one of America's oldest and most charming cities. In summer and fall the sky is brilliant blue and a long, snowy winter season makes spring especially wonderful. A visit to Beantown must include some serious tourist things: The Boston Duck Tour, The Freedom Trail, The Constitution, Faneuil Hall, and the Boston Public Garden Swan Boat adventure.

When the legs are worn out, a different side of this Tea Party city waits. Cold, warm, or rainy weather? Never fear, Crane Beach may be best when there is a menacing forecast-it keeps the crowds away and the four mile stretch of sandy white beach is your own. Carry peanut butter sandwiches and the seagulls will dart around you. The New World Old World separating Atlantic waters may still be cold in summer, but up to the knees is still refreshing during the dog days of summer.

Just around the corner from Crane's, Russell Orchards tempts drivers by to stop for freshly made cider donuts, pies, gorgeous produce and their very own fruit wine in the barn. Pick your own June strawberries, three acres of raspberries in July, August blackberries, blueberries and good old fashioned apple picking in the fall make this is a worthwhile New England excursion.

Lazy weekend mornings earn breakfast by a canoe or kayak at the Concord paddling down the Concord River to the Minuteman National Park. Pack a picnic just perfect picnic spot, I open baskets brimming with bread, jam, juice, bacon, fruit, and a coffee cake or fruit tart. By 11 a.m., the kids are swimming in the river and the parents have time to enjoy another cup of coffee and each other.

Founded in 1630, the When people ask for my recommendation on a place to make a dinner reservation near my stomping ground, I send them where I would go, not where the guidebooks recommend. Boston Chefs are churning out world class meals these days in some of the coolest, architecturally interesting buildings around the city. Our favorite places are mostly small, cramped "charming" restaurants with a limited number of tables. If you book a reservation at B&G Oyster, ask to sit on the patio under the twinkling lights. If you find yourself in Belmont's Sofra--get ready to eat the most delicious Turkish food standing up, or bet yet--get it to go. Cheap eats? Pizzeria Regina in the North End (no other)--you will get your pizza with a Boston accent served on the side (oh what fun!). For breakfast and lunch, head to The Paramount or Figs on Charles Street, stuff yourself and then walk off breakfast through the charming streets of Beacon Hill. A family favorite, the South End's Cinquecento, serves a fennel sausage, basil, cognac cream pasta that last Christmas Eve all seven of us ordered and there wasn't a bite of leftovers (comes with free parking to boot!). For an exquisite, romantic, and once in a lifetime dinner experience, go to O Ya--ask to sit in Michael's section. You will be spoiled and I promise you will never forget the experience. My husband and I have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world and this tiny place ranks top 10 of our all time best dining experiences.