Calling this quaint and charming city the 'Athens of America' might seem a bit boastful, but the city's 19th century glory radiates through its grand architecture, its population of literati, artists and educators and its world-renowned academic and cultural institutions.

Disastrous 'urban renewal' projects in the 1950s provoked such a furious backlash that Boston now has some of the best preserved historic buildings and neighbourhoods in the country. Compact, walkable, historic and clean, the city blends old-world beauty and modern convenience.

Boston springs are ephemeral; blink and the leaves have turned from buds to full-blown shadow puppets. Summer can get a bit steamy at times but September and October are predictably pleasant, with clear blue skies, cool mornings and evenings, and warm afternoons. January and February bring harsh winds and punishing temperatures, but snowfall accumulation is measured in inches rather than feet. Air masses from the Great Lakes and Canada collide with moderate Gulf Stream currents, making for sudden and frequent weather changes. Dress in layers and be ready for anything. Surprisingly, Boston is windier than Chicago and gets more rain than Seattle.