Maria Olia: I am a free-lance writer and the author of the "Little Black of Boston" (Peter Pauper Press). My favorite museums in Boston include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art. Hanging out in Cambridge is one of my favorite pastimes. Like most travel writers, I love to eat out- I have a strong preference for ethnic(especially Italian and Middle East cuisine) and/or chef-owned restaurants . And of course, I am a huge Red Sox fan! I am an active free-lancer. Currently, I am the "Fun-To-Go" editor for the monthly parenting publication "Parents and Kids of Massachusetts". I also recently revised "The Little Black Book of DC" (Peter Pauper Press) - DC is fast becoming one of my US favorite cities! My travel and parenting articles have appeared in many national publications including the Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor, Woman's Day and Parents Magazine. Follow me on Twitter @thebostonguide

Beguiled-Teranga For Senegal Cuisine in Boston’s South End

With exotic ingredients and dynamic seasoning, Teranga in Boston’s South End features the cuisine of the western African nation of Senegal and may just be one of the most interesting restaurants in Boston. The setting of this cozy upscale eatery is warm and comfortable with modern dark tropical wood furniture, subdued lighting, African art on the exposed brick walls and Afro/world pop music playing unobtrusively in the background. Senegal cuisine is heavy on its reliance of fish, lamb and...

May 10th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Worth A Trip: Alta Strada, Wellesley

Described as “rustic Italian”, Alta Strada gives visitors a reason to make the trip to the quiet suburb of Wellesley. Pass through the door here and you could imagine yourself dining in a perfect Italian hill town. Owned by celebrity chef Michael Schlow-who is also behind the award-winning upscale Boston restaurants- Via Matta and Radius, Alta Strada is the casual younger sibling eatery serving up top-rated pizza, small plate cuisine, fresh pastas and grilled meats. Neighborhood...

May 7th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Sail Off Into the Sunset

During the warm weather months, Boston’s waterways from the Charles River to Boston Harbor are busy with all types of pleasure craft. If you like the feel of the wind at your back, check out Community Boating (21 David Mugar Way) (Map), America’s oldest and largest public summer sailing program. If you are an experienced sailor, you can take advantage of a one-day sail pass that includes a small sailboat rental for just $75. If you are feeling ambitious, you and your crew can learn to...

May 6th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

17th Annual EarthFest

The Radio 92.9 EarthFest kicks off Boston’s Esplanade festival season on Saturday, May 22 from 11 AM-5PM at the DCR Hatch Shell along the Charles River (Map). It’s a day of fun, entertainment and environmental activities . Now in its 17th year, EarthFest is a free event and one of Boston’s largest festivals-attracting more than 100,000 people. Wander along the Esplanade and you can listen to lots of great live rock during the festival. This year’s headliner is Collective...

May 5th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Vietnamese Eats

Vietnamese food is fresh cuisine that you can feel healthy about. The food at Le’s Vietnamese Cuisine is outstanding- and kept honest by a large emigre clientele. Winners include the brightly colored fresh summer rolls that feature ingredients of very good quality-mint, shrimp, sliced pork, and shredded lettuce, wrapped in rice paper($4.25).Another winner? The barbecued roasted quail appetizer ($8.50) is delectable with a nice glaze. Fresh, herby pho- the Vietnamese noodle soup- is a meal...

May 4th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Summer in the City Entertainment Series at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Sometimes it is all about the setting. During the summer,enjoy live music, dancing, and movies under the stars when some of the finest local bands take the stage at the waterfront Boston Harbor Hotel (70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, 617-856-7744)(Map)- all for free! The hotel’s annual “Summer in the City” series offers something for everyone. Summer Soul takes place Tuesday evenings from June 22-August 31 .Hear Motown hits of the 60′s and 70′s from some of New England best...

April 30th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Boston on a Budget:Boston CityPASS

Looking for a cost-effective way to see Boston’s top picks, not-to-be missed ? A CityPASS is a booklet of tickets that provides admission to five of Boston’s top attractions for one low price, including The New England Aquarium , the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Museum of Science, the Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center and either the Harvard Museum of Natural History or the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The CityPASS costs just $46 for adults, and...

April 29th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Boston Mother’s Day Events

Clueless Dad about Mother’s Day? Mother’s Day brunch is pretty much de rigeur. Flowers are nice too. And extra props to Dads and kids who plan a Mother’s Day family outing. Here are three Boston Mother’s Day events guaranteed to make her day. Kiki and Kimani are one of several Mother/child pairs at the Franklin Park Zoo (One Franklin Park Rd., Boston, 617-541-LION, $14 adults, $8 ages 2-12, free under age 2)(Map). Moms receive free admission on Mother’s Day too! New...

April 28th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Mother’s Day Brunch With The Kiddos

Leave household responsibilities behind. For Moms who may have gone too long between dining experiences that involve only chicken nuggets and pizza, Mother’s Day Brunch is a great excuse to dress up and spend quality time in Boston with the family. Pricey but near great is the Mother’s Day brunch offered at Henrietta’s Table at the Charles Hotel (1 Bennett St., 617-661-5005)(Map) . Henrietta’s Table is totally haute-crunchy and organic. Highlights include a raw bar, carved...

April 26th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Best Bet: Boston Hotel and Red Sox Ticket Packages

Don’t strike-out and miss the opportunity to see the Red Sox play at Fenway Park during your visit to Boston.It is extremely difficult to score tickets to a Red Sox game, local fans buy up their seats in the winter, and ticketless die-hards are known to wait for hours at Gate E for the chance to buy a standing room only or obstructed view game-day ticket. Of course, these are all deep-pocket hotel and baseball packages . But we are talking about seeing the Red Sox play at historic Fenway...

April 24th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Arguably the Best Taqueria in Boston: El Pelon

At last, El Pelon is back! After closing its Fenway location because of a fire that burnt it to the ground in early 2009, El Pelon has recently reopened in new digs in Brighton, practically in the shadow of Boston College. Over the years, El Pelon had developed a cult-like following among local taco aficionados for its fresh, authentic Mexican fast food. The cornmeal fried fish tacos, tacos pescados($6.50) have always been- and still are- the thing to get here. El Pelon uses cod and they don’t...

April 23rd, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Spring into Spring with the Boston Pops!

Opening May 4, the Boston Pops is celebrating its 125th season this spring. Since its founding in 1885 as an off-shoot of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops have always been about playing light classics and the popular music of the day. Concerts are cabaret-style with refreshments served at tables for orchestra seat patrons, with less expensive balcony seats beginning at just $20 that also offers concert-goers a terrific music experience. Now in his 16th year as conductor, Keith Lockhart...

April 22nd, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Stylish: Tapas at Solea

A trip to Solea in the Boston suburb of Waltham may be the next best thing to round trip tickets to the Costa del Sol. Solea is a convivial spot to enjoy Spanish small plates, or tapas , and the beautiful dining room with exposed wood beams, colorful tiles, and murals exudes authenticity. The menu is extensive and well-priced with more than 40 cold and hot tapas to choose from. Put together a meal composed of several tapas-3 or 4 dishes per person is just about right. The staff is helpful...

April 19th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Art In Bloom at the MFA, Boston: A Celebration of Art and Flowers

Spring blossoms at The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s 3-day annual “Art in Bloom” festival. Now in its 34th year, Art in Bloom will take place Saturday, April 24- Monday April 26. This wonderful spring event highlights the creativity of 50 New England garden clubs and some very talented floral designers,whose work with fresh flowers will be on view paired next to the masterpieces that inspired them. Throughout the galleries, 50 works of art will be showcased for the event including...

April 16th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Boston Marathon:Pre-Race Carbo Loading

Marathon running and pasta are closely associated. And since one of Boston’s favorite cuisines is Italian, the 25,000 registered runners for this year’s Boston Marathon, have lots of excellent options. The restaurants in the North End, Boston’s Italian neighborhood, offer many great choices, but most do not take reservations, so you will find lines of diners snaking down Hanover Street all weekend. Here are some other ideas- and all are places where you can make reservations. Papa...

April 14th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Movie Madness At The Boston International Film Festival

Every spring, Bostonians go to the movies in droves for the Boston International Film Festival. This year, more than 100 films, including both features and shorts will be screened during the course of the festival, April 16-April 25. The festival offers an eclectic bill from local and national independent filmmakers as well as international fare from over 30 countries including Haiti, Japan and Iran. Opening night, April 16, will feature the Boston premiere of “Harry Brown“,...

April 12th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Boston’s Best Places For Pizza

Among the most useful “insider” restaurant recommendations every visitor to Boston needs is where to get a good slice of pizza. Here is a list of ten fab places for prime slices and pies. Located in the North End, Pizzeria Regina (11 1/2 Thatcher St., Boston, 617-227-0765)(Map) has been doing right by families since 1926 with its thin crust pizza and no-frills dining room. There are other Pizzeria Regina locations around Boston and in the suburbs, but this one is still the best. ...

April 9th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Upcoming Spring Boston Performing Arts Events

Boston’s theater and performing arts calendar is full this spring. Check out this season’s great music, dance and theater offerings. Boston Lyric Opera presents Mozart’s Idomeneo re di Creta, April 23-May 4 at the Schubert Theater ( 265 Tremont St. ,617-542-4912)(Map). This is the story of Idomeneo, King of Crete, who is saved by Neptune, God of the Sea, from drowning and in gratitude makes a promise that he later realizes will exact a terrible price. Jason Collins sings...

April 8th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Boston’s Bridges To Cambridge

There are two bridges that connect Boston to Cambridge, Boston’s “Left Bank”, which is located just across the Charles River. The Longfellow Bridge (Cambridge and Charles St.)(Map) is a beauty. The arched steel and granite span dates from 1906 and is named after poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The four granite towers in the center give the bridge its nickname, the “Salt and Pepper” Bridge and the piers below the towers each have an elaborate sculpture of a Viking...

April 7th, 2010 | Boston | Read More

Sophia’s Grotto- An Affordable Italian Find

Sophia’s Grotto is a wonderful family -operated neighborhood trattoria- much more typical of those found in Italy than those found in Boston. It is a lively hideaway that makes the nieghborhood. Pizza, pastas, and simple entrees are the focus of the open kitchen.Sophia’s Grotto is especially nice in the warm weather, when you can sit outside on the large, inviting patio and dine alfresco. Either the Italian and Spanish antipasto platter($11.95) is an excellent starter. The fried...

April 6th, 2010 | Boston | Read More