Anna Giles

Did you know there is a secret magic show cocktail party happening on Beacon Hill? If you could use a little magic in your life, check out Four-Handed Illusions.  The experience is held at the historic Hampshire House in Beacon Hill. The best part is that there is a mandatory cocktail party dress code which gives the entire evening an air of sophistication, and just makes it more of a night out.  Once you find your seat in the historic library, cocktails await (hence the 21+ requirement). There is ample time to mingle and enjoy the ambiance before the show begins, and of course grab a few drinks.  Photograph: Courtesy Four-Handed Illusions If you don’t think magic shows are for you, think again. Joel Acevedo and Steve Kradolfer are the very definition of a dynamic duo. They present both solo and combined acts, showing off decades of mastery. And masters they are, gasps fill the room as the audience ponders, “how is that possible?”. Also they involve audience members throughout the show and somehow do this without the cringe factor like so many other magic shows usually do.  No spoilers – but even the most logical among us will be able to suspend their disbelief and look on in wonder.  What really makes this show special is Joel and Steve’s passion for their craft. Their joy is infectious, and the laughter is contagious. Audience participation adds to the fun and makes the space even more intimate. While I’m sure these magicians have done these illusions hundreds of times, i

It is possible to escape to Europe without even leaving Boston this summer. No plane ticket required.   The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a slice of Europe in Fenway. Its founder was inspired by a vacation in Venice, but the museum is full of art from all over the world. There’s the Spanish Cloister with colorful tiles, the Tapestry Room that feels like a medieval castle, and the Gothic Room and Long Gallery feels like a visit to one of Europe’s commanding cathedrals. The jewel of the museum is the Courtyard. While the museum is frozen in time (in her will, Isabella stipulated that everything must be left where she approved it) the courtyard comes alive with seasonal displays. It is truly one of the most instagrammable spots in Boston. And in the words of Isabella herself “My garden is riotous, unholy, deliriously glorious! I wish you were here.”  Photograph: Ally Schmaling, courtesy Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum The Museum is open until 9pm on Thursdays and is the perfect time to visit and enjoy the palace at dusk - romantic and mysterious with its LED candles.   Cafe G is an underrated dining spot. Grab a full meal, just drinks, or tea and dessert before wandering the Museum. The menu is small but mighty and has something for everyone. But our favorite is the polenta, so defiantly give it a try.   Photograph: Courtesy Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum/Nic LehouxIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum The best part? The Museum offers an Under 30 Membership for only $50! Unl

Get Out of Town is a series where we highlight easy getaways from Boston. These may be a perfect bitesize weekend trip or a splurge worthy weeklong escape. But the main criteria are that the destination is both convenient to access and offers visitors an experience that surprises and delights. If you missed our recommendation last week, read all about why you should book a trip to London. This week we are heading to the mountains in Bretton Woods, NH.  Why visit Bretton Woods, NH   In Boston you don’t need to go far to experience old-world luxury. But to emulate our Bostonian ancestors, is another thing entirely. Decades ago, the Brahmin would retreat to the New Hampshire mountains for a respite from the hustle and bustle. Just three hours from Boston lies a place that has welcomed the city-weary for over a hundred years: The Omni Mount Washington Hotel.  Photograph: Courtesy Omni Mount Washington What makes this resort so special is that the best thing to do here is to simply slow down. Grab a drink in the former speakeasy, the Cave. Sit by a roaring fire. Lounge on the deck. People-watch in the lobby. After all, that was what the Stickney’s intended when they built the Mount Washington – a place to step back from life, and to truly relax. Getting there  Getting to Bretton Woods, NH from Boston is simple, it is just a three-hour drive. The first glimpse of the hotel is dramatic, you head up the winding driveway up to a white and red palace, with the backdrop of New Hampshi