PlanetEye

The Golden Slipper is a classic 1984 Catalina Chris Craft cabin cruiser. Guests who book this private party boat can arrange a cruise of the Boston Harbor Islands which make this "hotel" stay a true vacation get-away

After a day or sunset cruise, the innkeepers and your boat operators, Gretchen and Jack Stephenson leave.  The Golden Slipper's home slip is at Lewis Wharf in Boston's North End- an ideal waterfront downtown location to explore the city.  You can use the Golden Slipper just as you would a hotel, and come and go as you please. Or you can relax from the deck and watch the coming and goings of Boston Harbor. You also have the option of booking a five-course gourmet dinner prepared by Gretchen or you can bring your own food and use the boat's galley kitchen. At night, you will be lulled to sleep by the motion of the waves. A continental breakfast is also provided.
 
The ship can accommodate up to four in two state rooms with two private bathrooms. Two additional guests can be accommodated in the pull-out couch in the main salon.

This summer (through September 7th) Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art, the Anish Kapoor retrospective "Past, Present and Future" brings together 13 of the artist's distinctive...

If you are anywhere near Boston Common this weekend you will come upon across quite a sight. This weekend there will be more than 50 tents and hundreds of British re-enactor soldiers recreating the Siege of Boston in the heart of downtown.

The re-enactment is one of many events throughout the city to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Boston's Freedom Trail, the 2.5 mile  walking path that connects 16 historically important sites related to early U.S. history. The British Encampment will take place on Boston Common this weekend, August 15, 16, and 17.  All events are free!

Beginning Friday afternoon, the British re-enactor soldiers will set up camp on Boston Common.-just as they did during the Siege of Boston which lasted from April 19, 1775-March 17, 1776.

On Saturday, the camp will be busy with chores typical of an 18th century camp. There will be a Color Ceremony and musket firings -be sure to cover your ears! Throughout the day there will be music and demonstrations of everyday tasks such as bed making, cooking and shoemaking.  Kids can dress-up in colonial dress (Makes a great photo!)

You can even buy some pretty nifty historic-era souvenirs from dry-goods merchants including period fabrics, household items, and toys and games.  

The Freedom Trail Players own costumed guides will be on hand on Saturday and Sunday to give insight and interpret the events that led to the American Revolution.  These guides are actors and are really very good- history with humor, wit, and attitude- very Boston! 

Chef/Owner Jose Duarte's Taranta in Boston's North End is named after Italy's tarantella folk dance.  You will find that the cuisine at this warm, romantic North End trattoria is unlike any other restaurant in Boston- southern Italian with a Peruvian flair .Now Italian-Peruvian cooking may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think you think of "fusion cuisine", but at Taranta, it most definitely works.

The attentive and knowledgeable staff will guide you through Taranta's intriguing menu choices. The coccio di pesce is indicative of the kind of dishes you will find here - a hearty casserole of cuttlefish, baby octopus, and chickpeas in a spicy pepper tomato sauce

Taranta's signature entrée is its brined double cut pork chop with a sugar cane and spicy pepper glaze served with yucca. But the macadamia crusted salmon on a risotto cake with Peruvian brandy and the roast chicken with an olive butter compound over grilled polenta are amazing dishes too.

Unlike most North End restaurants, Taranta does have a dessert menu.  Taranta's guavannolis are miniature cannolis filled with guava and ricotta.  Taranta's decadent hazelnut mousse cake is not always on the menu, but it is be sure to order it- hazelnut desserts are not common and this one is very good!

It is also nice to know that Taranta is a certified "green" restaurant. Taranta not only features lots of organic menu choices, but a wine list that is both organic and supports sustainable farming practices.  Taranta also works to educate the dining public on its green initiatives. Taranta's "going green" blog is an interesting read- and  will make you think carefully about your choices when you dine out.  

If you are tired of crowded and touristy Boston attractions, take an excursion out to the Franklin Park Zoo.  Located in the city's Dorchester neighborhood, this is one of Boston's least busy attractions-even on a warm ,sunny summer day.

Franklin Park Zoo is one of the country's oldest zoos. It is a medium sized zoo-really perfect for children- and has a nice mix of shady trees, open space and wide pathways connecting the exhibits.  Franklin Park has a good collection of all the big zoo animals kids expect to see ;  including giraffes, tigers and lions.

You can stroll along the Australian-themed Outback Trail and get very close to the emus, kangaroos and sheep who co-exist together here.  At Giraffe Savannah, you can say hello to Beau and Jana's new baby girl Sox. 

At Kalahari Kingdom you will find the zoo's African Lions -they really do roar! Next door neighbors Anala, a Bengal tiger, and  Luther, a white tieger,  are among the Zoo's newest residents.

Now that it is summer, Butterfly Landing is open. In this tented exhibit there are hundreds of butterflies in free flight. There are lots of flowers and a little pond here too-it is a pretty scene so take lots of pictures!Franklin Farm features a traditional New England farm animal set-up with chickens, cows, goats, and sheep and is popular with the stroller set.

The 3-acre Tropical Forest is the Zoo's centerpiece attraction.  Newly renovated just last year, the Tropical Forest is an innovative indoor pavilion that is home to a warthog, a pygmy hippopotamus and crocodile. But the real stars of the exhibit are the seven western lowland gorillas. There are five glass viewing stations where you can watch the Franklin Park Zoo gorilla family monkey around!

Flour Bakery + Café is fast becoming a popular South End destination for its unbelievable baked goods and made-to-order sandwiches.

Flour is open for breakfast and dinner, but most come for lunch.  Good bets are the turkey, cheddar, and cranberry chutney sandwich or the roast beef sandwich with horseradish and crispy onions and tomato. Now that it is high summer, the fresh mozzarella with basil and tomato sandwich is also an excellent choice.

Forgo the soda. After a day of touring, the homemade raspberry seltzer made with raspberry puree really hits the spot. Another unique-to- Flour choice? The house made ginger lemonade.
  
Be warned: a wonderful selection of baked goods is fetchingly displayed behind the glass counter where you order.  Flour's sticky buns recently triumphed over a throw down with Chef Bobby Flay. Flour's buttery brioche- based dough rolls studded with pecans and caramelized glaze are truly amazing. The sticky buns are sold out most mornings-lucky you if they are available!  There are homey cupcakes, apple snacking cake and whoopee pies.  Along with the great coffee- it is all just impossible to resist.

The staff is super-friendly, which keeps the place neighborly despite all the recent press. There is limited seating.  Inside seating includes an interesting community table- a great way to mix with the locals! And in warm weather, the outdoor café seating offers a terrific view of the South End street scene.