| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
 |
Takes you some hidden jewels |
| |
Sat, Aug 12, 06 2:00 PM |
juliann |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| |
Overall the tour was great. Most of the time I felt it was more about Italy than the North End. Tour guide was very knowledgeable and I really enjoyed the places we went. |
 |
This is a great tour of Boston's Little Italy |
| |
Sat, Aug 12, 06 1:00 PM |
briggl |
Male |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| |
This tour gives you not just a tour of the North End of Boston, but also provides a lot of history about the area and its people. It also provides some history about Italy. We were given samples at most of the shops that we stopped at. Also included were some tips on Italian cooking as well as diet. I would recommend this tour to anyone interested in boston, Italy or food! |
|
Interesting blend of history, tips, and samples. |
| |
Sat, Aug 12, 06 1:00 PM |
JackMQuinn |
Male |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family With Children |
| |
Our familiy of four all enjoyed this tour's view into this unique ethnic neighborhood. The tour was centered around the food, and Michele capably held our interest with a blend of history, insider tips, freely offered opinions, and a diverse range of samples. We live in New Hampshire, but are already planning a return trip to buy various foods that we discovered on this tour. Great! |
|
Foodie Heaven! |
| |
Fri, Aug 11, 06 10:00 AM |
ladiebee |
Female |
30-39 |
International Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| |
During a month in Boston from the UK (as my husband was hard at work) I spent a lot of time doing all the touristy things solo. The North End Market Tour has got to be the highlight. As a proud foodie, I try and seek out anything like this (gumbo demos in New Orleans etc!) and was really pleased to share Michele's insights. It was a bit like being shown around London's excellent Borough Market by Nigella Lawson.
Thank you for a day with a difference. A real insight to the neighborhood, it's people and the food. The cooking tips were great. Michele's enthusiasm was evident in every shop.
At the end of the tour I wanted to buy everything that had been mentioned, and indeed move to Italy!
I'll certainly be keeping an eye on the website for recipes and tips.
Thanks again!
Jenny Barnes
|
 |
A bit disappointed-expected more restaurant tour |
| |
Wed, Aug 9, 06 10:00 AM |
sixbreen |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Other |
| |
My husband and I were a bit disappointed, we thought we would experience Italian restaurant cooking. Actually seeing food made. For the price of the tour and I know things have gone up, I thought it was pricey. I realize that food prices are expensive, but the deli was the best of the samples and Maria's bakery was the other. |
|
Good overview of the NorthEnd |
| |
Sat, Aug 5, 06 2:00 PM |
LLRN3554 |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| |
It was enjoyable but I think I would have liked it better with Michelle. The group size was 7 - I can't imagine going with a larger group than that . I do feel much more comfortable with the North End and would have no problem exploring on my own. |
|
Wonderful |
| |
Sat, Aug 5, 06 10:00 AM |
lloretta |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| |
I would highly recommend this to anyone! |
|
Memories From Our Childhood |
| |
Fri, Aug 4, 06 10:00 AM |
ckatte |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| |
My sister and I were transported back to our Sicilian grandmother's kitchen by the sights, aromas, and tastes provided in this tour of the North End by Michelle Topor. Our guide, Beth, had a thorough knowledge of the subject and gave us much information about all aspects of the North End. We return to Boston each summer, and will see the North End with new eyes. Thanks for a very enjoyable morning. |
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I felt that I had traveled to Italy! |
| |
Fri, Aug 4, 06 10:00 AM |
JokaQuigley |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| |
I only live an hours train ride away from the North End, but I felt that I had been wisked away to Europe! The quaint neighborhoods, the local people shopping, the elders of the community sitting side by side on their lawn chairs ...on the street (!) ... and on benches. along with the flavors and smells of the shops all added to the sense of being given a glimpse of another world.
The guide we had was wonderfully informative, patient, and extremely interesting...I learned about the architecture...the ethnic groups, wine, the cuisine and the differences between the "authentic" Italian cuisine in Italy, and how the cuisine has changed and why to suit a more American taste.
The samples of pastry, and deli meats and cheeses were an extra bonus to a most wonderful tour!
Going back home on the train with my fresh Italian bread stick, Genoa Salami, melt in your mouth Prosciutto...laying side by side in waxed butcher paper, ... best ever chocolate and chocolate peanut butter fudge, I half expected to stop at a customs desk! The hour flew by, and I am SURE I will be back...I've already recommended the tour to tons of my friends! |
 |
Not worth the money.... |
| |
Sat, Jul 29, 06 1:00 PM |
boothroux |
Female |
30-39 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| |
Our family bought tickets for this tour as an anniversary gift for my parents, who came with us. We were extremely disappointed on a number of levels.
Thankfully our tour group was small (8), as we have no idea how we otherwise would have ever fit into some of the venues as a group (the morning tour had been 13).
We expected to be taken to more venues given the price (we only went to six, even though the handouts we were given listed more). One of the locations, a small local grocer, was so tiny that we were not allowed in. Instead, our tour guide parked us outside the front door on the sidewalk and brought out examples of produce for us to look at - things you could see at any common supermarket (eggplant, fennel, broccoli rabe, etc.). The way that it was delivered to us was almost insulting, and an effective way to lose a group's interest quickly.
Since this was advertised as a "Market Tour" , we expected to sample a good deal more than we did. As a matter of fact, almost every sampling we received were of items we could have asked to sample on our own as customers on a normal visit to that store. Again, given the price, we assumed some of this cost would be covering actual products. We're not sure given the limited samples where the money goes.
While our tour guide was knowledgable and pleasant, we came away with little additional knowledge about the offerings of the North End markets than we already had.
Overall, there is no justification for the cost of the tickets. Clearly someone is making good money on this tour since the costs are so minimal for the tour owner.
We think this tour was such a rip off that we feel the need to give our parents another anniversary gift to make up for it.
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