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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The arrival of the earliest pioneers near Salem in 1630 was the
shaping of Massachusetts as a state. Puritans arriving from an
England threatened with civil war came to set up a new colony,
intended to be an example to the world of a perfect human society
with rigid Protestant discipline and a devout way of life. This was
the beginning of New England and today it is made up of six states
including Massachusetts.
Boston has been the hub of the state since colonial times. The
state capital is full of history that can be traced back through
walking attractions like the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage
Trail. Boston also boasts a wealth of culture thanks to the
prestigious presence of Harvard University and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in Cambridge. To the east lie the beaches
of the Cape Cod Peninsula as well as the islands of Martha's
Vineyard and Nantucket that together form the region's most popular
holiday destination, with historic towns and plenty of walking and
cycling opportunities. Inland Massachusetts is much quieter with
settlements having formed around the fertile river valleys and in
the Berkshire Hills to the west. Development of the Berkshires
began with the construction of the railway from New York and Boston
and it became a favourite summer retreat for wealthy city folk as
well as attracting artists and writers. The region is now most
famous for its vibrant summer music, dance and theatre festivals,
particularly the Boston Symphony Orchestra that has its home in the
huge Tanglewood Estate in Lenox.
Information & Facts
Climate
Massachusetts has cold winters and moderately warm summers, with
cooler temperatures in the Berkshires year round. The coast
experiences the warmest temperatures, averaging 74°F (23°C) in July
and 30°F (-1°C) in January. Winter snowfall in and around Boston is
considerable, with higher levels in the Berkshires.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).