| Rating |
Date Attended |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age [v] |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
|
Fabulous Afternoon Despite the Rain!
|
| Thu, Jul 24, 08 2:00 PM |
myersceleste |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Other |
| The guide, Frank, was passionate and knowledgeable about the history of the North End. He brought a binder filled with photos capturing the North End throughout the years and shared these throughout the tour. Frank shared stories about people and buildings weaving a deep and rich review of the history. He was able to take us through the changes in demographics of the areas inhabitants and how these changes came to be. We also were able to stop in at some stores that reflected the culture of the North End: a fresh fruit & vegetable store, a small store that sells Italian foods and products - The owner offered us samples of his homemade mozzarella and pistachio paste (you have to try this!). An herb, tea & coffee shop looked the same as it did in the 1800's and a current day gelateria where we were treated to gelato imported from Italy. Each of these stops helped us get a sense of the daily life of the North End's inhabitants who shop in these stores - several off the beaten track. Frank left us with a list of recommended restaurants (we tried Il Cibo - it was sumptuous!), maps of the North End land mass as it evolved over time and other references so we could revisit some of the stops on our tour.
The advertisement for this tour says it goes forward "rain or shine". When we went, there were torrential downpours. Frank tried to reach us to cancel but didn't make contact. When he met us, he offered to reschedule or to proceed. We went ahead with the tour (we were prepared & had umbrellas with us), just the two of us with the guide! We appreciated Frank's enthusiasm despite the weather! This tour is a great way to get a first hand experience of the history and current day life in the North End! |
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Educational, Memorable, Fun!
|
| Sun, Jul 13, 08 1:00 PM |
Barilone |
Male |
50-59 |
Local |
Family With Children |
| Chris Rossetti is a well spoken, easy to understand knowledgeable person. His passion for what he does comes through as you walk the North End with him. We appreciated his attention to detail of the Italian heritage and the events that occured in this historical site. This was our first tour with Chris and will not be our last. We had a very memorable day!
Gene, Ann & Zach Benard |
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|
A great way to visit the North End.
|
| Sat, Jul 5, 08 2:00 PM |
giraffe63 |
Female |
50-59 |
Combination |
Family Without Children |
| We took this tour of the North End with our son and his girlfriend who presently live in Boston. It was like being shown around by a friend. Lots of info and interesting stories, but presented in a conversational manner. The 3 hours passed by very quickly as we had fun and learned a lot. Lots of good recommendations for dinner and dessert, too. If you like tours that are a little different, this one is for you! |
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Great tour, very informative.
|
| Sun, Jun 1, 08 1:00 PM |
wscanlon |
Male |
50-59 |
Local |
Individual |
| Highly recommend. Since tour guide lives in North End we kept running into people he knew who had a story to tell. The "story behind the story" was the best part. The factual history is great, but the antidotes are much better. I never realized the history behind some of the buildings I've walked by many times, Now have new perspective of what our ancestors had to go through. Saw a procession of locals carrying a saint throughout the whole North End. Also saw a bocce tournament awards ceremony and talked to a player. The hardest part is wanting to stop in every restaurant and pastry shop. Went by fast. I live in greater Boston and come down to the North End many times a year and if you do too you owe it to yourself to take the tour to get the history. It more than just great food and deserts. |
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|
Truly the Best Tour of Boston
|
| Tue, Oct 21, 08 11:30 AM |
STEFLIPTON |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| Chris Rossetti's tour of the North End was by far the best tour of Boston I have yet encountered. As a resident of Massachusetts I have been here on many occasions but never have I experienced the tastes, smells and culture of this truly special place. Chris shared all the hidden gems of the North End that give this region its wonderful flair. I could have easily spent another 3 hours enthralled with everything there is to offer- especially the food!
Stefanie & Katherine |
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|
Great Way to Spend a Sunday Afternoon
|
| Sun, Aug 24, 08 1:00 PM |
jjhalpin1956 |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Couple on a Date |
| We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the North End. We have been to the North End many times before, however, we visited and enjoyed many places off the beaten path that we would not have known about if we had not taken this tour.
It's like looking at the North End with a new set of eyes now that we know some of the stories and history involved that made the North End the unique neighborhood it is.
Chris is extremely knowledgeable and easy to be with. We had the feeling we had known him for a long time after spending just 3 hours with him. |
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Chris was a fantastic tour guide!! worth your time
|
| Wed, Jul 9, 08 9:00 AM |
DMChad |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Other |
| Chris is fantastic and well informed of the area that we saw. Not only does he know the general information, but he also knows the GREAT stuff. The fun things and the stuff that you want to know about an area. He took us to local resturants, ice cream parlors and all the good stuff. I was so grateful to learn all that I did, and also experience the true "little italy" of Boston. We went to lunch were Chris recommended, and he was right, it was great. We learned so much, and then we enjoyed the walk around Boston with him. I also loved how he knew so many people, and they made us feel so welcome in their city. If you do any tour this summer while visiting Boston this is the one to do. I realize it may seem tough to walk around, but it was wonderful. The scenery was gorgeous, the buildings were beautiful and the history was so worth hearing about. I look forward to returning to Boston and doing this tour again, or doing another that Chris offers. Thanks again. |
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a lesson in boston history
|
| Fri, Jun 6, 08 2:00 PM |
MARINO |
Male |
40-49 |
Unspecified |
Couple on a Date |
| This tour is a must for visitors or local people in boston . You will get a tour that you will remember forever, Mr Rosetti shows you all the nooks and crannies of the North End of Boston . If you have three hours to spare while you're in Boston, don't pass this by, I give this two thumbs up!!!!!!!! |
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Excellent Tour
|
| Thu, Jun 5, 08 2:00 PM |
bdeon28 |
Male |
40-49 |
Local |
Unspecified |
| I have lived within a few short miles of the North End almost my whole life and have been there several times (mainly to eat!). It is amazing to me after all those times what I had missed all these years. There was history all around me that I had just never noticed or had looked at it for years but never knew what I was actually looking at. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Boston or even anyone that lives in the area around Boston and just wants a greater appreciation of this area of our city! There is so much historically interesting areas packed in this community that it just amazed me. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer the few questions I had easily. It made me think of all the history classes I took back in grade school and high school but never appreciated. This tour would be perfect for showing just how real the events and people of the past were by actually seeing where it all took place. I never had an appreciation for history or the historical significance of the area I lived in until I was much older. If there was a tour like this back then I am sure I would have had a greater appreciation at a much younger age. This is a must see activity in the Boston area! |
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Don't Miss It!
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| Fri, May 30, 08 2:00 PM |
1marcoaz1 |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| Wow! Was I ever surprised! I had no idea by just walking the streets of the North End of Boston on my own that there was so much depth and history to this quaint area. Our guide, Chris, had so much information that I wanted him to explain and show more. Chris is very eloquent, lots of detailed explanations, but at the same time was able to keep my attention with his great sense of humor.
Don't miss this tour if you're in Boston. |
