Boston: Athens of America

Boston, the largest city and capital of Massachusetts, is also one of the oldest cities in the United States of America founded in 1630. Boston is known as a sophisticated city and a city of knowledge for it is home to a number of internationally celebrated colleges and universities.
For obtaining quality educational opportunities, thousands of Saudi students on a scholarship live in the city. These students seek education, experience and adventure. Boston is the prefect destination for their educational journey for it offers everything you will ever need to build an exceptional experience.
The city has a lot to offer — from a beautiful culinary experience, history, art, culture and fashion to nature and much more. It is a wonderful blend of stylish sophistication and historic New England charm. Walking around Boston’s historic areas is both entertaining and educational.
When scholarship students have their families over, they mostly take them to a place where students hangout, but that does not do the city justice. Listed below are the best places to visit in Boston for those who travel for 13 hours from the Kingdom to spend quality time with their children studying there.
These locations are a perfect combination of fun and knowledge. It will help families and students enjoy their time in this beautiful city and learn something along the way. Boston allows tourists to uncover the past with a good cup of coffee and a comforting walk in the park. When you think about good coffee in Boston, you will think about Thinking Cup coffee house. By far, they offered me the best cup of coffee I have ever had in my life. Their menu includes different kinds of baked goods, breakfast and of course an eclectic variety of coffee. The cortado and Pour over coffee is to die for.
The most splendid views of Boston come all the way from the 52nd floor above the city at the Boston Skywalk Observatory in the Prudential Center. This sky-high vantage point with an audio tour is the only observatory in New England offering a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Greater Boston area and beyond. The Skywalk is the perfect place to see the whole city and learn more about it from the top. There is also an engaging interactive exhibition that helps visitors get the real flavor of Boston’s culture and history. It is the perfect location to take photos capturing the magical panoramic view of the historic city of Boston, including houses with red brick rooftops that will remind you of New England.
Just walking distance from the Prudential Center is the Back Bay, one of the most luxurious shopping destinations in Boston. The Prudential Center is home to elegant shopping boutiques as are the Newbury Street and Copley Place. Those are the ultimate destinations for retail therapy.
Lunch at the L’espalier is a dose of luxury; it is only a five-minute walk from the Prudential Center. This sophisticated, modern French restaurant offers fixed-price a la carte menu served in four luxurious classic rooms.
When you think Boston, you will instantly think Harvard. This internationally celebrated private Ivy League University was founded in 1636 and it’s history, influence and wealth have made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The best way to see Harvard is to book a tour guide online, mostly a university student, who is proud to show off his/her campus.
The tour includes Old University yard and new yard, historic buildings such as the Memorial Hall, Sever Hall, Widener Library and the Harvard Lampoon, the famous John Harvard Statue as well as the surrounding neighborhood of Harvard Square, which includes the Plaza, Winthrop Park and Mt. Auburn Street. The 70-minute tour includes talks about the University’s history, the untold stories and lore of Harvard University, and Harvard culture that tells stories of current students about what it’s like to live and study at Harvard. You also get to learn about the famous Harvardians who made it big in life. Also make sure to pass by the Harvard Art Museums — Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum that are dedicated to advance and support Harvard University students in their education. The museums have played a leading role in the development of art history, conservation, and conservation science, and in the evolution of the art museum as an institution.
After the tour, you will want to pass by the Harvard souvenir shop to buy gifts and document your memories at this historic location. Just two steps away from the shop is the famous Beat Brasserie American restaurant that is located in the heart of Harvard. It is a widely popular eatery in Boston’s South End that offers homemade comfort food that is enjoyed with live music such as jazz, blues, funk, R&B and world music. The décor will take you back to the 70’s, the restaurant offers an over-all experience that is suitable for both families, friends and students who are looking to enjoy their time around good food.
End the night with vocal art at the Opera House in Boston. The venue was originally built for a movie palace; it was called the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre. Now it features performances by the Boston Ballet, as well as high quality stage and musical productions. Make sure to book in advance, dress well and enjoy the show.
The New England Aquarium is a place enjoyed by not only families with children but also by individuals who are looking for underwater therapy. There is something about creatures of the deep blue sea that has a calming effect. You will enjoy the cute little penguins, the two 100-year-old endangered sea turtles, the seals’ show and above all, the whale watching cruise that takes place from April to October. Boats with visitors go around 30 miles east of Boston where one can see the beautiful variety of whales such as humpback whales, finback whales, minke whales, pilot whales and endangered right whales in a three to four hour trip.
When leaving the aquarium, make sure to take a walk by the harbor. You will enjoy the breeze and the spectacular view of the harbor, ships and the deep blue waters. Along the harbor, there are small restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a meal, dessert or just coffee while you gaze at the beautiful view.
The Union Oyster House for lunch is the perfect ending for a day filled with sea activities. The historic restaurant was opened in 1826 and is known for serving the best seafood chowder in the city.
Just an hour’s driver from Boston is the Wrentham Premium Village Outlets, which is an open-air marketplace that sells high-end international and local brands in discounted prices. It is where many head to Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Banana Republic, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store, Burberry and more.
My personal favorite location is the Assembly Row, which is also another shopping destination. I found out that this small neighborhood is where many Saudi students live. They enjoy the six-acre riverfront park, many shopping outlets, up to 2100 residential units and the T station located close by. When it comes to good food, you must pass by Fuji at Assembly. This restaurant was the culinary highlight of my Boston trip. It is a contemporary modern place serving traditional Japanese Omakase as well as other Asian fusion cuisine. Try their raw sushi, their seared salmon sushi, teriyaki and everything else. This restaurant is not to be missed.
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest museums in the United States of America. It contains more than 450,000 works of art, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in the Americas. The museum receives over a million visitors annually including those who are looking to get inspired and educated. The exhibitions include artwork from America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, and themes such as, ancient world, contemporary, Chinese calligraphy, photography, Japanese pottery, musical instruments, jewelry and more. Some of the visiting masterpieces are Pairing Picasso’s artwork, The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris, Jewels of Ancient Nubia and my personal favorite, the #Techstyle, which features clothing made with 3D printers, lights and other items. Seeing all these artworks will inspire you, will make you think and wonder how life was back then. This museum is worth your time and money; it will make you want to come back to Boston.

Travel requirements:
There are no straight flights to Boston currently. All flights go to New York or Washington DC but Qatar Airways is the first to offer daily non-stop service flights to Boston launching this March. This 13-hour flight is enjoyed on their historic first Airbus A350. Top high-end service is provided for both business class and economy class passengers with seating that features state-of-the-art technology and an extra-wide body. The aircraft was developed to take your travel experience to the next level by delivering maximum comfort and efficiency.
When it comes to business class, the seating is arranged to feature direct aisle access, with complete privacy to snooze, enjoy a 5-star meal and watch movies offered in their in-flight entertainment. Seats can be turned into a flat bed, it is comfortable enough for you to toss and turn and snuggle under the warm blanket while wearing customized Qatar Airways pajamas. An additional blanket and a mattress pad are also offered. For food, the menu is a la carte which means you can order anything off the menu whenever you want.
Flights to Boston land in Boston Logan International Airport, a few kilometers from the city center.
Accommodation in Boston is all about the location. The Ritz-Carlton Boston is a five-star luxury hotel that enjoys one of the best locations in the city. It is set between the theater and financial districts; it is a few minutes walk from the Boston Opera House, Boston Downtown and Chinatown. Fun fact, the Ritz-Carlton in Boston is the first ever Ritz-Carlton opened before it became big and had global franchisees.
The Ritz-Carlton is a three-story hotel and offers complete privacy. Their rooms and suites overlook the Boston Commerce Park. The rooms are spacious and designed with classic interiors. The club-level rooms offer access to a lounge with free food, drinks, wi-fi and use of the fitness center. There’s also a spa, an outdoor pool and a fitness center, as well as a business center and event space, including a ballroom.
When it comes to culinary options, it includes contemporary American bistro and a chic restaurant serving light bites as well as in-room dining options.
Thinking Cup is just two minutes away from the hotel. Taking a walk in Boston Common’s park while enjoying my cortado from the best coffee shop in Boston was one of my favorite things I did in this city.
The park offers two T stations for Boston’s number one public transportation, and a spacious walking area with two large fountains where you will find joggers, dog walkers and families having outdoor fun with their children.

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