Salem, a day trip from Boston...

If you have the time, try and take in a day trip to Salem -- one of the most beautiful and historical cities on the East Coast -- people there are wonderfully nice. It's really not difficult to get there, you can take the T-line commuter train out. If you're interested in the occult, there are a wide array of shops, including Laurie Cabot's shop and Pyramid Books, both of which have excellent selections. The town common is large and beautiful. For literary folks, you can visit Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables.

There is an inn right off the common, but my favorite place to stay is right next to that inn, The Susannah Flint House on 98 Essex St. It has four wonderful, individually decorated rooms, and supplies coffee and enormous muffins for breakfast.

P.S. A post September 11th note to all JourneyWomen. Let's continue to band together and look after each other so that we can travel safely and happily in the future.
Eva Schegulla, New York suburb, USA

Another Journeywoman adds: I'm a travel journalist that just returned from Boston -- it's a marvellous city. I just wanted to mention Salem to your readers. Besides the witches, it's got a walking tour around some beautiful old homes. And if you're flying down, there is a commuter rail service from Boston that leaves every hour from its North Station. It takes 1/2 hr. and costs $3.00 (I think). The pamphlet I picked up is not perfectly clear. You can get it online through www.mbta.com.
Mary Ann, Vanier, Canada