The dazzling view along Newport's Cliff Walk The little seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island, known as the"Queen of Summer Resorts" is also a wonderful weekend destination in the off-season. During the late 1800's Newport was THE place for America's high society to vacation for the summer to escape the heat of New York, Philadelphia … Continue reading A Late Fall Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island
Let's be honest. No one is boarding a plane for paradise anytime soon. So when can we travel safely again? It is hard to predict, but I am hopeful that some travel will return this summer and fall. As to where to vacation in 2021, I think that a New England Road Trip is a … Continue reading A Driving Itinerary for an Epic New England Road Trip (Including Hotel Recommendations)
Front Cover of the 4th edition of "Day Trips New England " to be published in June 2021 For me, writing is never particularly easy; it's always work. But these months in isolation working on the 4th edition of Day Trips New England have been a welcome distraction from pandemic constraints. Day Trips New England … Continue reading Revising, Rewriting, Updating “Day Trips New England”
Yes, we are all living through a historic pandemic. But after 3 months of staying-at-home/working-from-home, my husband and I were in need of a break. We were sick of our house. So I planned a "safe-cation", a two-night socially distanced get-away. But where to go? Some place close- ideally, within Massachusetts. Our state's Covid-19 cases … Continue reading Vacationing During Coronavirus: Should You? Can You?
The Hub of the Universe or Tinsletown ? Which is the better city to visit? It can be a hard choice! Both Boston and Los Angeles have a tremendous number of ways of having very different travel experiences. I am a near-native Bostonian but I visit Los Angeles frequently- at least annually for the … Continue reading Face-Off: Boston versus Los Angeles
This week, No Name, has shuttered, ending a more than 100 year-old run as one of Boston's classic, old-timey seafood restaurants . My first visit to No Name was as a college freshmen at Northeastern- a dormitory floor outing to get to know the city. Boston was a mystery to me and I had never … Continue reading So Long “No Name”. A look at Boston’s Vintage Restaurants
In December, Boston is at its festive best. With its cobblestone streets and trees strung with twinkling lights, the city takes on a fairy-tale quality that evokes images of both Christmas past and Christmas present. There is a real timeless appeal to Boston at this time of year. Among Boston's holiday traditions are ice skating … Continue reading “No Access Boston”- The Holiday Edition!
Every book I write is a journey with lots of research -and loads of alone time. It wasn't until I had written my fourth book (Discovering Vintage Boston) that it occurred to me to have a book launch party to celebrate the end of months of self-imposed exile. I'm food and wine obsessed anyway- so hosting … Continue reading Recap: “No Access Boston’s” Book Launch Party at the Waterworks Museum
After nearly 9 months I can finally say that “No Access Boston” is finished. Not that I don’t have some things to do- like get a few more photographs, track down a couple of photo permission forms and proof the editor’s corrections. But in terms of actual writing- I’m done ! Some thoughts on the … Continue reading “No Access Boston” Submitted !
I am excited to share the news that I am writing No Access Boston: Beantown's Hidden Treasures, Haunts and Forgotten Places (Globe Pequot) for publication in December 2018. No Access Boston is all about places in the city that are unknown and or/have a hidden history. Did you know that Boston has a Puppet Library? Sara … Continue reading Writing a New Travel Book!
Maria Olia 