Author: travelnews (Page 56/69)

Whether you’re a fan of the board game or the actual castle, many travellers in the South of France find themselves drawn to the medieval city of Carcassonne.

Carcassonne is like stepping back in time. I felt like I was wandering around a castle, ramparts and towers straight from the fairytales and movies.

And one of the best ways to visit is on a day trip from Toulouse to Carcassonne. As the largest major city near Carcassonne, many visitors make the pilgrimage from Toulouse by train, car or tour to walk the famous medieval walls.

Of course, there’s more to Carcassonne than just a medieval city.

In fact, the medieval city (or La Cité de Carcassonne) is actually completely separate from the modern part of Carcassonne where everyday residents go about their lives, no jousting or cannon-firing required.

If you’re considering a Toulouse to Carcassonne day trip, you’re going to want to check out my guide below. My husband, Colin, and I did this very trip in February 2024 and everything went super smoothly.

Keep scrolling for all my tips to plan your day in Carcassonne including how to get there from Toulouse, where to store your bags, what to see and do, and whether or not the whole day trip is even worth it!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

How to get from Toulouse to Carcassonne

One of the easiest, most comfortable and most affordable ways to get from Toulouse to Carcassonne is by train.

Direct Intercités or TGV trains leaving Toulouse Matabiau station arrive at Carcassonne station in just 45 minutes. Note that direct TER trains also serve this route, but take a little bit longer (apx 65 mins).

We took this route in Feb 2024 and paid €9.60 ($10 USD) per person one-way on the faster 45 minute train.

We booked our train tickets in advance, which is important for TGV/Intercités trains that can sell out and go up in price the closer you get to the date of travel.

However, if you prefer to keep your schedule flexibile or don’t mind the slightly slower TER trains, you can just book them on the day (TER trains don’t require reservations and the fares are fixed).

The train was very convenient, smooth and simple. But if you’d rather not go by train, you can also take these routes from Toulouse to Carcassonne:

• Rental car (60-90 mins)
• Bus (apx 75 mins)
• Day tour (half or full day)

Driving gives you the flexibility to leave on your own schedule and go directly to the medieval city, but requires renting a car and paying for parking. Buses are usually cheaper than trains, but less comfortable and slower.

A day tour is a great option if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of booking transportation yourself. The tour will also bring you directly to the old city, which is about 30 minutes from where the train/bus would drop you off.

Check out this highly rated day tour from Toulouse to Carcassonne!

If Carcassonne is the first stop on your France itinerary, you can actually fly into Carcassonne Airport (CCF) directly from a few cities in Europe. You could also fly into nearby airports in Perpignan (PGF), Toulouse (TLS) or Montpellier (MPL) and bus/train/drive from there.

How to get from the new city of Carcassonne to the medieval city (aka La Cité de Carcassonne)

Once you get from Toulouse to Carcassonne, you still have to get to the medieval city, also known as La Cité de Carcassonne or just La Cité.

La Cité is the part of Carcassonne that most people are familiar with; it’s the medieval city on the hill with ramparts, stone walls, towers and a castle.

The new part of Carcassonne, while lovely, isn’t exactly why this city is so popular.

The train and bus stations are both located in the new part of Carcassonne, a 30 minute walk from the medieval city. So one good reason to drive or take a tour is they will bring you right to the castle walls!

But if you’ve opted for the train or bus, you can still get to the medieval city by:

• Foot (apx 30 minutes)
• Taxi or Uber (apx 10 minutes)
• Bus (maybe…)

According to this map, local RTCA bus lines #3 and #4 should both go from the new city to the old city. However, these routes don’t show up on Google Maps (as of Apr 2024). But you can check out the schedule on the RTCA website and let me know if the buses do exist!

When Colin and I visited in February 2024, we just walked. It was a nice day and an easy walk over. Plus, it was quite cool to see the castle rising in the distance as we got closer.

The only part of the walk that was a bit challenging was right at the end, as you have to go up a fairly steep hill to enter the city.

We took an odd route (that funny enough, was on Google Maps) through a field, scrambling up some muddy rocks. But there’s a much simpler paved sidewalk you can also take (we figured that out on the way down!).

Luggage storage in Carcassonne You can add a game of Carcassonne to your luggage, complete with a “purchased in Carcassonne” sticker!

One last thing before we enjoy Carcassonne, you may be wondering what to do with your bags!

Of course, if you’re only visiting Carcassonne on a day trip from Toulouse and returning in the evening, you can just leave your bags in Toulouse.

But if you’re doing what we did, which was leave from Toulouse, spend the day in Carcassonne, and then carry onto our next destination, you’ll need to think about luggage storage.

Unfortunately, the Carcassonne train station does not have luggage lockers or storage services. But luckily, there are a few independent services in the area that you can utilize.

These luggage services work by partnering with local retailers who will store your bags for you for a small fee (apx €5 ($5 USD) per bag). It’s usually restaurants or shops who have a back room for your items.

We ended up storing our bags at a convenience store that was just across the street from the train station. This was “convenient” (get it?) since we were taking the train to/from Carcassonne.

Most of these services require you to reserve your luggage storage in advance, as these local shops don’t have unlimited space. You can reserve luggage storage in Carcassonne here.

You’ll also want to carefully check where the luggage partner is located and their hours of operation. I’ve read reviews of people turning up to grab their bags only to find the shop closed and they miss their train!

What to do in Carcassonne

Now that you’ve made it from Toulouse to Carcassonne and stored your bags, how will you spend your day? Check out some of the fun things to do in Carcassonne below!

Tour the Castle Carcassonne & ramparts

The most popular thing to do in Carcassonne is tour the castle and ramparts in the old medieval city. So natural, this was our first stop on our visit!

Carcassonne was founded in 6 BC so has a long and storied history. To learn more about it, you can go on a tour, pick up an audio-guide or simply read the plaques located around the castle (also called the Carcassonne Citadel).

Because we visited on a weekday in February, we had most of the castle to ourselves. It was a beautifully sunny day and I loved getting to walk along the ramparts and around the castle grounds.

Most of the castle is empty; you’ll walk from tower to tower or along the ramparts learning about the different structures and how they were used in battle, but don’t expect to see made-up rooms with beds and tables like you would in Versailles.

However, there are a few rooms that are not empty and hold ancient artifacts, like statues and paintings. But mostly, it’s just fun to walk around!

If you’re not visiting in the off-season like us, you’ll want to pre-book your ticket to the Castle Carcassonne.

Walk along the Canal du Midi Carcassonne

The Canal du Midi is a famous waterway in France, running 240 km (150 mi) along the southwest. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the most impressive feats of construction for its time (built in the 17th Century).

The full canal network links the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea and was designed to be both practical for industrial advancement but also very pretty, blending in beautifully with its surroundings.

Part of the Canal du Midi runs through Carcassonne (as well as Toulouse, where your day trip started). So if you want to take a photo along this important body of water, you can do so while in town.

In fact, if you take the train to Carcassonne, you’ll actually walk right over the Canal du Midi as you walk into town.

Have lunch in Carcassonne

After exploring a castle and famous canal system, you’re probably getting hungry. You can pop into a local Carcassonne boulangerie for a quick snack or sit down at a restaurant for lunch.

While we were in Carcassonne for the day, Colin and I had lunch at Taverne Moderne. Their daily lunch special was €20 ($22 USD) which included an appetizer, main and dessert.

This was our first proper meal in France after a jet-lagged and delayed arrival into Toulouse the day before, so the first taste of local cheese made us giddy.

The rest of the meal was also nice, but I wouldn’t say it was the best food I’ve had in France. It was affordable and just outside La Cite, which was convenient.

If you decide to eat inside of the old city walls, keep in mind that many of the restaurants there are more high-end, so expect higher prices.

Explore Carcassonne Cite (aka the old city) Dame Carcas bust

Besides the castle and ramparts, there are lots of other places to discover in Carcassonne’s medieval city.

You’ll want to visit Saint Nazaire Basilica, a pretty church from both the in and outside, as well as the Dame Carcas bust on the outside of the city walls. There’s a fun story about Dame Carcas and how she saved the city (plus gave Carcassonne its name), which you can read here.

Within the walls there’s also a school museum, inquisition museum and haunted house. Of course there are plenty of shops, squares, restaurants and cafes to visit too.

After living out my fairytale fantasies by walking all around the Cite, Colin and I grabbed some ice cream and sat against an ancient fountain just to take it all in.

Explore the new Carcassonne

If you have a bit more time on your day trip, you can check out the new city of Carcassonne. Of course, this city isn’t exactly “new” – it just seems that way when compared to the medieval Cite.

The new part of Carcassonne definitely feels more local; you can tell that all of the tourists flock to the old city. It was kind of nice to remember that people actually live here after spending most of our time with other tourists around the castle.

In the new city, stop by Place Carnot or Andre Chenier Square, two main squares where you’ll find lots of people bustling about.

If you’re into churches (I’m not religious, but always find they’re worth a visit for their intricate architecture), you can step into Saint Michel Cathedral and Saint Vincent Church. There’s also the nearby Calvary Garden.

Before you jump back on your train, stop in at a grocery store or boulangerie for some train snacks!

Return to Toulouse from Carcassonne or travel onwards

If you’re heading back to Toulouse after your day in Carcassonne, you can simply travel the route you took to get to Carcassonne in reverse. Make sure you give yourself lots of time to get back to your train/bus from the old city.

If you’re travelling onwards from Carcassonne, you can pick up your luggage and head back to the train station. From Carcassonne, you can get to many other nearby places in France quickly and..

Read More

Air India is set to launch its new A350-900 on its first international route, marking an exciting step in the airline’s ongoing transformation.

Beginning in May 2024, Air India will operate the A350-900 on one flight daily between Delhi and Dubai, allowing passengers to enjoy the plane’s modern interior and amenities.

Air India’s First International Route for A350-900

Air India has announced the first international route using its new A350-900, with the aircraft scheduled on one of the four daily flights between Delhi and Dubai.

The service is set to begin on May 1, 2024, and the flight times for the A350 route are as follows:

• AI995 Delhi (DEL) to Dubai (DXB), departing 8:45pm and arriving 10:45pm
• AI996 Dubai (DXB) to Delhi (DEL), departing 12:15am and arriving 4:55am

Air India took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in January 2024

The airline began receiving the new A350-900 aircraft in January 2024 and has been operating it on familiarization flights within India since then in preparation for the international launch.

This is an exciting milestone for the airline, which continues to take delivery of a number of new aircraft with modern interiors as part of its wide-scale transformation. Later this year, it will also begin retrofitting its existing widebody fleet to modernize the cabins.

Air India’s new A350-900 features three classes of service: business class, premium economy, and economy.

The 316-seat aircraft is divided into a business class cabin with 28 private suites offering fully lie-flat seats and sliding doors, a premium economy cabin with 24 seats, and an economy cabin with 264 regular economy class seats.

Air India A350-900 business class

The new aircraft also includes a suite of new in-flight amenities, including new entertainment options, amenity kits, crockery, bedding, and more to better align with the airline’s premium aspirations.

Seats on the new route are now open for booking through Air India’s website and all regular booking channels.

Notably, Air India becomes the only carrier to operate the A350-900 between India and Dubai.

How to Book Air India Business Class with Points

The best way for North Americans to redeem points for a seat on Air India’s new A350-900 is with Aeroplan.

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is one of the most popular loyalty programs in Canada and the United States, with over 45 airline partners, including Air India.

Aeroplan points can easily be earned with one of the many co-branded credit cards, or by earning American Express Membership Rewards points and transferring them to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.

A one-way flight in business class on Air India’s Delhi–Dubai route can be booked for 20,000 Aeroplan points, and an economy class seat can be booked for only 12,500 Aeroplan points.

Award availability is great throughout the schedule, with at least one seat in business class available on most dates.

With the flight between Delhi and Dubai coming in at a little over three hours, this is a great way to enjoy the brand new A350-900 and its modern amenities.

If you have a trip planned to India, consider routing through Dubai to get a taste of what to expect from Air India’s future.

It’s expected that Air India will launch the A350 on longer-haul international flights in the coming months.

Conclusion

Air India has announced the first international route for its new A350-900 aircraft.

Beginning May 1, 2024, the airline will offer daily service between Delhi and Dubai, marking another big step in its efforts to become a world-class airline once again.

With Air India scheduled to receive more new aircraft this year, there is no doubt that this is only the first of many new route announcements for the airline’s A350-900s.

The post Air India to Launch A350 on Delhi–Dubai Route appeared first on Prince of Travel by T.J. Dunn.

Read More

Tokyo nightlife is famed worldwide for being extremely high-energy, with the best music perfectly combining Japanese music and international numbers with the most extravagant lighting and lasers, leading to a long night of fist-pumping dancing. Several nightclubs in Tokyo feature hip-hop, multiple dance floors, casino games, and even unique features like a karaoke room. Some of these clubs have stunning views of the Tokyo skyline.

Some of the best night clubs Tokyo are not only dance clubs with good dance music and world-class DJs but are also show clubs like the famous Tantra Tokyo Show Club which is like an artistic lounge featuring pole dancing performances and other classy events that are renowned throughout the city. Let’s look at the five best nightclubs in Tokyo Japan that are predominantly geared toward dancing and loud music!

The Five Best Night Clubs In Tokyo V2 Tokyo Image Credit: V2 TokyoKEY INFO

Address	7 Chome-13-7 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan. Get Directions
Open	Monday – Sunday, from 9 pm to 5 am

Located in the Roppongi area, this popular dance Tokyo nightclub is among the most renowned names in the capital city of Japan’s nightlife scene. With a staff that speaks English, this is the perfect club to go to if you’re a tourist. This huge club hosts several shows and famous international DJs. EDM lovers would thoroughly enjoy this place as it also has the best sound system compared to other cubs. The staff is known to be extremely friendly at this nightclub.

They have a karaoke room, two dance floors, several table games, and live dancers. This club is highly active on Fridays and Saturdays. The club has private VIP tables and a whole VIP section with bottle service. They also play rock music and are featured as a top hip-hop club in Tokyo. Their late-night pizza parlor adds the perfect touch to a night of post-clubbing eating.

9 Best Things To Do In Tokyo WARP Shinjuku Image Credit: WARP Shinjuku, TripAdvisorKEY INFO

Address	Japan, 10-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome-21-1 Second Toa Kaikan B1. Get Directions
Open	Monday – Sunday, from 9 pm to 4:45 am

WARP is a fairly new and popular dance club in Tokyo, but it has already made a mark and taken Tokyo nightlife by storm. Shinjuku, as a party area, usually has the best establishments catered to predominately the gay community, with WARP also being inclusive of everyone. With three separate dance floors and a huge main dance floor flanked by the largest LED screens in any club in Tokyo, and four different bars, expect a huge plethora of an all-consuming sound system, lights that go with the energy of the club perfectly, and the constant pour of high-quality liquor. This is the biggest nightclub in this area.

The VIP tables surround the main dance floor, and one of the bars, called Envy Me, offers the best pricing of drinks. Considering the popularity of this club amongst the mostly young Japanese crowd, it might be quite a long wait in line to enter, but once you do, it will certainly all be worth it. This dance club plays hard EDM music and international hip-hop, making it perfect for serious music lovers. One of hottest Tokyo clubs, WARP, is located in the red light district of Shinjuku and is the only club of this caliber. It is only a short walk from main places like the Robot restaurant.

5 Best Hotels In Tokyo Sel Octagon Image Credit: Sel OctagonKEY INFO

Address	Japan, 106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 7 Chome−8−6, Axall Roppongi, B1F. Get Directions
Open	Monday – Sunday, from 10 pm to 4:30 am

One of the finest entertainment venues in Tokyo, Sel Octagon, also located in Roppongi, features world-class DJs and gorgeous interiors with huge dance floors. This club was thoroughly missed for a few years as it closed down due to the pandemic and only recently opened its doors again. The club features high-quality EDM music only, with gorgeous light displays and production to accompany it. It is the only nightclub solely dedicated to EDM in this area.

With a large main dance floor, and a newly launched lounge floor along with a back entrance for VIP guests, this club is the place to be on weekend nights. This dance club is a hidden gem that might be hard to find as it’s been purposely hidden inside a building to give it an exclusive feeling is truly one of a kind. It has a fine dining option within the club, and the Gallery Bar in the club is beautiful. A must-visit for serious music fans, especially EDM.

Harlem Image Credit: Timeout.comKEY INFO

Address	Japan, 150-0044 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Maruyamacho, 2-4, Dr. Siegans. Get Directions
Open	Monday – Saturday, from 10 pm to 5 am

A pure hip-hop club that largely features authentic Japanese hip-hop, Harlem is not a fancy club like the others listed here and has a simple rustic warehouse aesthetic to it. It boasts the best parts of Japanese youth culture and is rumored to be one of the best hip-hop clubs in Japan, not just in Tokyo.

Some of the best Japanese artists perform in Harlem’s hip-hop events making it a hub for up-and-coming talent. This multi-storeyed club has large bars, dance floors, and lounges expanding three different floors. The third-floor lounge has intimate seating, more of relaxed R&B music, and a VIP area.

Womb Image Credit: Tokyo Night OwlKEY INFO

Address	2-16 Maruyamacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0044, Japan. Get Directions
Open	Wednesday – Saturday, from 10 pm to 4:30 am

Ranked 47 amongst DJ Mag’s list of top 100 nightclubs, Womb is the ultimate party destination with house music, bass music parties, and the best techno. Another great club in the Shibuya area, this club is within walking distance from the Shibuya station. Three huge floors of bars, dance floors, and several different VIP areas, including a gorgeous entirely new VIP balcony and a redone lounge area.

World-class DJs strut around in the esteemed VIP area and so do Japan’s premier acts. Don’t miss this high-energy club with loud stomping bass, packed with mostly young Japanese people all enjoying a long night of drinking and dancing.

Frequently Asked Questions Which part of Tokyo has the best nightlife?

The areas of Roppongi, Shibuya, and Shinjuku have the most happening and lively nightlife scenes, with Roppongi being the most popular amongst international tourists.

What are some must-visit destinations for clubbing in Japan?

Some must-visit destinations for clubbing Japan include Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. Each city offers its own unique nightlife experiences, from cutting-edge electronic music scenes to vibrant underground clubs and stylish lounges.

Which districts are best for clubbing in Tokyo?

Tokyo’s top clubbing districts include Roppongi, Shibuya, Ginza, Kabukicho, and Shinjuku, each offering a diverse range of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs catering to different tastes and preferences.

Where do foreigners hang out in Tokyo?

Most international tourists and foreigners go to Roppongi as it was intended to be an important tourist attraction for its nightlife. Several international chains like Hard Rock Cafe are located here, along with some of the best clubs in Tokyo.

What are some of the dance clubs in Tokyo known for their electrifying atmosphere and pulsating beats?

Some of the hottest dance clubs in Tokyo known for their electrifying atmosphere and pulsating beats include WOMB, ageHa, and Vision. These venues offer top-notch sound systems, diverse music genres, and energetic crowds, ensuring an unforgettable night of dancing and excitement.

Explore More

The post Ultimate Guide: The Best 5 Night Clubs Tokyo first appeared on CuddlyNest Travel Blog.

Read More

Travel Dudes

The Complete Guide to Experiencing the Shinkansen High-Speed Trains in Japan

In our complete guide to experiencing Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed trains, we provide everything you need to know about traveling by rail in Japan.

The post The Complete Guide to Experiencing the Shinkansen High-Speed Trains in Japan first appeared on Travel Dudes and is written by Japan Rail Pass.

Travel Dudes – For Travelers, By Travelers!

Read More

Our guide to the Boston Freedom Trail includes all 16-historic stops along its 2.5-mile route through Boston. We’ll give you the tools and tips to take a free walking tour including all of the Freedom Trail stops in order with site descriptions.

In one afternoon, you’ll see the cradle of the American Revolution and understand why Boston is the home to the Patriots. This Freedom Trail guide is a must-have if you’re planning on walking the Trail.

Freedom Trail Stop 1: Boston Common Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

The Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common. Word to the wise, it’s not the Boston Commons. This 44-acre park was the first city park in America dating back to 1634. A large parking garage and a stop on the metro line make it a logistically convenient start to the Freedom Trail.

Boston Common has been a focal point of the city’s life from protests, to hangings, to celebrations. Fun fact – the first organized football game was played here in 1862, and it’s the first stop on the Boston Freedom Trail.

Freedom Trail Stop 2: Massachusetts State House Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

From the Boston Commons, you can see the iconic golden dome of the State House. Charles Bulfinch, America’s first professional architect, designed it after another one of his famous structures – The Capital Building. You can extend your Freedom Trail tour with a free tour of the State House.

Passing through the massive front doors of the Massachusetts State House, you look overhead to see stained-glass ceilings sparkling with an inner luminescence. Marble statues, floors, staircases, and archways surround you. On every wall, you find historical paintings and murals. A must stop site along the Freedom Trail.

Freedom Trail Stop 3: Park Street Church Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Puritan Religion, Boston, and the quest for freedom go hand in hand since the colony began. Park Street Church was an epicenter for religious faith and activism since the first sermon in 1810 and continues to remain active today.

How significant was Park Street Church? For starters, it was the tallest building in America for 18 years. Edward Beecher, the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, was a pastor at Park Street Church from 1826 to 1830. On July 4th, 1831 “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” premiered at the Park Street Church.

If you know the words to that song, you ought to visit Park Street Church. If you’re singing God Save The Queen instead, perhaps the Freedom Trail isn’t for you.

Freedom Trail Stop 4: The Granary Burying Ground Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

The Granary Burying Ground is Boston’s third-oldest cemetery and the final resting place for many notable Revolutionary War-era patriots.

You’ll see many peoples’ lives commemorated on the Freedom Trail, so it’s only fitting that you see their final resting place at the Burying Ground. The cemetery has 2,345 gravestones, but 5,000 people are believed to have been buried there including:

• Paul Revere
• Samuel Adams
• John Hancock
• Robert Treat Paine
• The Five victims of the Boston Massacre (yes…unbelievably there are only 5!)

Freedom Trail Stop 5: King’s Chapel Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

The original King’s Chapel, founded in 1686, was Boston’s first Anglican church. The new building constructed in 1754 still stands today as and operates as an independent Christian Unitarian congregation.

The King’s Chapel earned the designation of National Historic Landmark in 1960. Adjacent to the church is the King’s Chapel burial ground, Boston’s first European cemetery.

Freedom Trail Stop 6: Boston Latin School / Ben Franklin Statue Photo Credit: Canva.

Boston Latin School was America’s first free public school, founded in 1635. To understand the significance of public education, you need to look no farther than its most famous pupil, Ben Franklin. Franklin- aka Poor Richard-was the 10th child of his father’s second marriage. There was no way his father, a candle maker, could have afforded to educate all his children.

It’s not a far stretch to say Ben Franklin’s contribution to America comes directly from the lessons he learned at the Boston Latin School.

Freedom Trail Stop 7: Old Corner Bookstore Photo Credit: WikiMedia Commons.

The Old Corner Bookstore is over three centuries old and home to publishing giant Ticknor and Fields. While that name might not be familiar to you, you are bound (pun intended) to have heard of some of their titles.

The presses here published many landmark books including Thoreau’s Walden, Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Longfellow’s Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, and the Atlantic Monthly including Ward Howe’s Battle Hymn of the Republic. As crazy cat people, we are very familiar with the work of the Atlantic, lol!

Freedom Trail Stop 8: Old South Meeting House Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

What did old Bostonian’s meet about? Tax debates and Puritan sermons mostly. But when these sermons and debates peaked, they ignited the Boston Tea Party which in turn sparked the American Revolution.

Taxation without representation was no longer an abstract construct. At the Old South Meeting House, you can remember the 350 brave men who boarded a British vessel and turned an ideal into action.

Freedom Trail Stop 9: Old State House Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

The Old State House is Boston’s oldest standing public building. Perhaps its most memorable moment didn’t happen inside the walls but on the east side balcony. It was there in July of 1776 that Col. Thomas Crafts read the Declaration of Independence to a jubilant crowd of Bostonians, and now Americans. Two hundred years later, Queen Elizabeth II gave another speech from the Old State House balcony –

If Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and other patriots could have known that one day a British monarch would stand on the balcony of the Old State House, from which the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston, and be greeted in such kind and generous words ….. well, I think they would have been extremely surprised!

Perhaps they would also have been pleased to know that eventually, we came together again as free peoples and friends to defend together, side by side, the very ideals for which the American Revolution was fought.

Freedom Trail Stop 10: Boston Massacre Site Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Nearly years before the Boston Tea Party, Bostonians forced the evacuation of British troops from the city. On March 5th, 1770, the infamous Boston Massacre occurred. Redcoats opened fire on a crowd later described as a motley rabble of saucy boys. The subsequent trial found the majority of the soldiers innocent and the others received a reduced sentence.

The media war surrounding the incident further degraded the relationship with the Crown and increased tension within the Colonies, and we all know how that ended.

Freedom Trail Stop 11: Faneuil Hall Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Faneuil Hall hosted so many pivotal speeches about the American Revolution and constitutional rights that it’s called the “Cradle of Liberty” and “the home of free speech.” It’s often rated as one of America’s most visited tourist sites.

History buffs and freedom buffs alike love Faneuil Hall. Nowadays, if you are into shopping or food, it is the place to be!

Freedom Trail Stop 12: Paul Revere House Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

Dating back to 1680, the Paul Revere House is the oldest remaining structure in Boston. Just who is Paul Revere? Henry Wadsworth Longfellow immortalized him with the poem Paul Revere’s Ride. In the poem, Revere sees two lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church and rides out into the night to muster patriots for the battles of Lexington and Concord.

In Wadsworth’s poem, the fate of the revolution rests with Revere. However, in real life, three riders set out. Of those three, only Prescott arrived at Concord in time to warn the troops. Paul Revere was captured by the British. Some say Wadsworth manipulated the truth for poetic effect:

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere

Even without the poem, Paul Revere earned his place in American history.

Freedom Trail Stop 13: Old North Church Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

The Old North Church is the oldest standing church in Boston dating back to 1775. Just old enough for house lanterns in the steeple if you’ve just read the Paul Revere House entry. Of course, Longfellow wasn’t entirely accurate in his poetry.

The “One if by land, two if by sea” signals weren’t to Paul Revere. They were from Paul Revere. Upon Paul Revere’s instructions, Robert Newman, Captain John Pulling, and Thomas Bernard began the task of hoisting the lanterns while Revere set out on his midnight ride.

Freedom Trail Stop 14: Copp’s Hill Burying Ground Photo Credit: Canva.

Copp’s Hill Burying Ground is the second oldest cemetery in Boston. It’s fallen into disrepair several times during its history, and the historical boundaries are not entirely documented. That makes for fantastic ghost stories and gravesites of primarily Colonial-era figures.

Pro-tip: If you’re running short on time or energy, try to make it to the Old North Church and Copp’s Hill before you turn around. It’s still a mile farther till you get to stop 16: Bunker Hill monument.

The first fourteen stops on the Freedom Trail are on the first mile and a half. The final two are spread out over a mile. There’s a lot more bang to the buck on the front end of the Freedom Trail.

Freedom Trail Stop 15: USS Constitution Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Christened in Boston in 1797, USS Constitution is the United States Navy’s oldest commissioned warship. The Constitution earned her the moniker “Old Ironsides” following a battle in the War of 1812 with the British frigate HMS Guerriere.

Although of limited military significance, this battle was the first time a US ship won a single ship battle against a similar British foe. The news of the victory was an immeasurable boost to morale.

Freedom Trail Stop 16: Bunker Hill Monument

Read More