< Previous40 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | January 2024 IMA GE S: SUPPLIED Marshall Lynx TWS Black: Retro Cool Meets Tech School Marshall, known for its iconic amps, ventures into the wireless earbud market with the Marshall Lynx TWS Black. These earbuds stand out with their unique design, featuring a classic aesthetic that pays homage to Marshall’s musical legacy. But they’re not just about looks; the sound quality is designed to live up to the brand’s reputation. (price on request, marshallheadphones.com) PlayStation Portal: Sony’s Pocket Rocket Sony’s PlayStation Portal is a nod to gamers who yearn for portable play. This handheld device boasts an 8-inch LCD touchscreen, promising high-quality visuals and a seamless gaming experience. It’s designed to work in tandem with the PS5, leveraging the console’s capabilities for remote play. The device is a bold attempt to bridge the gap between home and portable gaming. ($200, store.playstation.com) Tech talk Stay ahead of the game with these latest gadgets Oppo Find N3 Fold: The Slim Show-Off Oppo’s Find N3 Fold certainly turns heads; not just for its foldable screens, but for its impressive specs. It’s slim at 5.8mm when open, but the real draw is the expansive 7.8-inch main screen that off ers vivid colors and crisp resolution. The collaboration with Hasselblad brings a robust camera system, with lenses designed to capture stunning images. The phone also includes a convenient 6.3-inch front display for quick interactions. (from $949, oppo.com) Honor Pad X9: Big Screen, Small Drama Enter the Honor Pad X9, a budget-friendly tablet with an impressive 11.5-inch display. It’s not just about size; the tablet off ers a 2000x1200 resolution for clear and vibrant visuals. Running on a Snapdragon 685 CPU and 4GB RAM, it handles everyday tasks with ease. 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Choose from free flights, cabin upgrades, or a range of Etihad Guest Reward Shop products. r 42 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | January 2024 Boston is a city steeped in history and tradition, and a host of hidden gems you can explore By Thembalethu Zulu IM A G E S : SHUTTERST OCK EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4219/12/2023 16:16boston - 42° 21’ 40.1220’’ N , 71° 3’ 25.4988’’ W January 2024 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 43 EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4319/12/2023 16:1644 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | January 2024 Freedom Trail, which retraces the steps of the revolution’s heroes such as Paul Revere. Revere rode through the night to alert the American colonial militia to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. Today, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum brings the historic event to life, while a statue near Old North Church commemorates Revere’s legendary ride. One of the city’s lesser-known histories however, is commemorated by The Black Heritage Trail. The 2.5km walk through the Beacon Hill neighbourhood tells the story of Boston’s emerging free Black community of the 1800s. The informative trail highlights their eff orts in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad (a network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape into free states), and the early struggles for equality and justice. The must-experience Black Heritage Trail consists of 14 sites, including oston, the city where everybody knows your name… well, not quite. But given that one of the 20th century’s most popular television shows, Cheers! (and its famous theme song “Where everybody knows your name”), originated from this charming Massachusetts town, we couldn’t help ourselves. The birthplace of Hollywood royalty such as Chris Evans, Edward Norton and Mark Wahlberg, Boston is also home to world-renowned universities Harvard and MIT, as well as famous landmarks such as the Boston Public Library. But beyond the well-trodden tourist path lies a number of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. From charming neighbourhoods and quirky shops to unique experiences and breathtaking natural beauty, Boston has something to off er every traveller. Back to basics Given the historical value Boston has cemented over the years, we would be remiss not to touch on what has made it one of America’s most important cities, with a history that stretches back centuries. Its known history began in 1630 with the arrival of English Puritan settlers who fl ed England to the new land in search of religious freedom. However, as tensions rose between the British Crown and the American colonies, it quickly became a source of revolutionary activity. Events like the Boston Massacre (a confrontation where nine British soldiers shot several people of a crowd of hundreds) and the Boston Tea Party (a protest against British taxation) sparked rebellion, culminating in the American Revolution. As a result, one of the city’s biggest attractions is The B IMAGE: SHUTTERST OCK EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4420/12/2023 16:43boston - 42° 21’ 40.1220’’ N , 71° 3’ 25.4988’’ W January 2024 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 45 Clockwise from above left: Paul Revere monument; Smithsonian African American History Museum; The Black Heritage Trail the iconic Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, an ode to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, the fi rst all-Black regiment in the Civil War. There is also the Museum of African American History, which houses a collection of artefacts and exhibits from the community. Other highlights on the walk include the George Middleton House, which is the oldest existing home on Beacon Hill. The wooden structure is also a typical example of late 1700s Boston homes. Along the informative trail is also Charles Street Meeting House, a church that was a centre of religious and social life for Boston’s Black community. Self-guided tours of The Black Heritage Trail can be taken anytime, and there is no fee. Guided tours are also available. nps.gov/boaf EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4520/12/2023 16:4346 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | January 2024 IM A G E S : SHUTTERST OCK EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4619/12/2023 16:18boston - 42° 21’ 40.1220’’ N , 71° 3’ 25.4988’’ W January 2024 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 47 Eat your heart out While Boston is also known as Beantown due to its love of baked beans, the city’s food scene is made up of so much more. With infl uences from classic New England dishes (including the city’s other staples, clam chowder and lobster rolls), to global street eats, Boston’s distinctive neighbourhoods mean there is a lot on off er on the food front. There is the famed North End (also known as Little Italy), which off ers authentic Italian food. One can also wander through Chinatown for dim sum and noodles, or head to Jamaica Plain for Caribbean fare. Another must-see is the artsy SoWa Market in the South End. This open-air market is a haven for food lovers, with several vendors off ering everything from fresh produce and artisanal cheeses to wood-fi red pizzas and gourmet ice cream. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite, people- watch, and soak up the local atmosphere. Chocolate lovers can try Taza Chocolate, a bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in Somerville. Their factory tours off er a behind- the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process. This includes from bean roasting to hand-tempering (the technical term for melting chocolate). The factory grinds cacao beans using hand-carved granite millstones which visitors can observe, and of course, there are plenty of tastings along the way. The factory is currently open Tuesday to Sunday. tazachocolate.com Another hidden gem worth exploring, if you’re lucky enough to get in, is Bogie’s Place. For an exclusive experience, step into this steakhouse speakeasy, hidden within one of the city’s best spots, JM Curley cocktail bar. Only a small sign directs one to the 18-seater restaurant hidden behind a red velvet curtain. The menu is a celebration of classic steaks, sourced from the fi nest cuts, topped with touches such as bone marrow and foie gras butter. The experience is reserved for adults only, and there is also no cell phone use allowed inside. Before making your way there, make sure to book in advance. bogiesplace.com For somewhere a little less diffi cult to get into, but off ering as curated an experience, head over to French Quarter Kitchen & Cocktails where downtown Boston gets a taste of New Orleans. Serving up vibrant food and culture in a lively setting, this taste of Nola is located between the Opera House and Paramount in Downtown. Guests can enjoy authentic Cajun and Creole dishes, including grits and fried oysters, with the bar serving classic New Orleans cocktails and Louisiana-brewed beers. Dinner is served seven days a week, with weekend brunches available Friday to Sunday. frenchquarterboston.com Left and above: North End Below: SoWa Open Market EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4720/12/2023 16:4348 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | January 2024 Heart of the city Boston is widely considered to be very walkable. In fact, it’s often referred to as “America’s Walking City”. With compact neighbourhoods, this means one is able to easily explore diff erent areas on foot. The city has invested heavily into making its streets safe and pleasant for pedestrians, with wide sidewalks and designated walking zones creating a comfortable and welcoming environment. So, if you are looking to explore the city on foot, what are some of the attractions you might want to see? One of the most popular landmarks, and rightfully so, is the Rose Kennedy Greenway. This sprawling park snakes through the heart of the city, off ering a number of experiences along the way. The Greenway is lined with beautiful gardens, trees, and “the most unconditionally happy spot in all of Boston”, Rings Fountain. It is also home to a number of public art installations, which are Above: Rings Fountain Right: Harbor Walk Far right: Fenway ParkIM A G E S : SHUTTERST OCK EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4820/12/2023 16:43boston - 42° 21’ 40.1220’’ N , 71° 3’ 25.4988’’ W January 2024 | ATLAS BY ETIHAD | 49 “THE MOST UNCONDITIONALLY HAPPY SPOT IN ALL OF BOSTON”, RINGS FOUNTAIN, IS FOUND AT THE GREENWAY rotational, so there’s always something new to see. The park is also lined with food trucks and restaurants, serving everything from tacos and pizza to ice cream and coff ee. If you are lucky, you might also catch a free event as The Greenway hosts a variety of attractions throughout the year including concerts, movies, and farmer’s markets. There are several ways to get to the park depending on where you want to start your walk from. rosekennedygreenway.org EtA_03-JAN-2024_English_42-50_Boston_13133270.indd 4920/12/2023 16:43Next >