Sox and the City

There's plenty to cheer on in Boston, JOSHUA PECK finds, with Red Sox baseball, fun on the Charles River and food and views to make your head spin

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In busy Boston, there was a spot where peace and calm was to be found. In a city of around 700,000 locals - plus 250,000 students from Harvard University and MIT - it can be difficult to find a moment to yourself. But in a kayak on the Charles River, it's like time stood still.

Peace, quiet, a moment to reflect. Until the wobbles take over and you remember you need to paddle unless you want to get a soaking.

Boston, or Beantown, as tourists often refer to it, is just under an eight-hour flight from London. I'd flown on JetBlue's recently launched direct service from Gatwick and was lucky enough to bag a seat in the Mint cabin.

Lie-flat bed, a huge pullout TV and excellent food choices ensured the journey literally flew by. Plenty of film and documentary options too, while the chicken Milanese was fresh and flavoursome. A scone, topped with jam and cream, shortly before landing on America's East Coast, filled the little gap that appeared after a short snooze.

And it was a good thing to arrive in a relaxed fashion given the amount the city was to offer.

After checking in to the gorgeous Westin Copley Place hotel, which provided stunning views across the river from my room, it was time to hit the town.