By Sam Seddon

Get a hearty Boston sandwich:

Assuming you are not like me, and don’t crack your phone the day before going to Boston, then that probably doesn’t make your top five. But this should. The Italian influence in Boston is rich with the strong history of Italian immigration in the late 19^th Century. This, luckily for us led to the emergence of the Italian-American cuisine. One of the staples of this is a hearty Boston sandwich. I would recommend a spot to pick up such a delectable treat, however that would not justify the shear range of exceptional sandwich shops that fill the streets of Boston. I can however give a couple of recommendations for the filling of the glorious Boston sandwich. It would be falling short to not pay homage to the Italian heritage in your selection with Pastrami ham and a hard cheese of choice leading to a beautiful mix of flavours when lightly toasted to provide warmth. Secondly, a chicken, pesto and mozzarella cheese sandwich fully justifies the heritage and craftmanship that comes with a Boston sandwich. This blend of Italian foods is enhanced by the toasting of the sandwich leading to a beautiful sandwich to enjoy whilst walking along the streets of a new city.

Watch the Celtics in the Finals:

This one is slightly more personal (and a subtle flex) however I could not recommend this highly enough. The title of this section is merely to provide me with nostalgic memories as really any game at TD Garden you can get to will be a great experience. I had the pleasure of watching the Celtics win the NBA Championship for a record 14^th time, being in Boston the jubilation was much easier to see. However, the main purpose of this suggestion is to experience the atmosphere in a hostile Boston crowd for a significant game. The atmosphere was unlike any European sport that I have experienced, and I cannot recommend it enough. You are able to experience the unwavering passion that the Boston community has for their sports teams, whilst being entertained by the high standard of sport on display in Boston that is provided for their adoring fans. For that reason, the atmosphere of TD Garden and experiencing a game here goes up to number two on the list.

Take a walk through Boston Common:

This activity provides a wonderful contrast to the busy and over-whelming experience that Boston provides. Whilst the naturally exciting atmosphere of downtown Boston is the reason so many attends even those hardcore tourists should and will be able to find time for a peaceful stroll along Boston Common. My father and I used this to connect our hotel with downtown Boston as well as to eat our lunch on our first day in Boston. The beautiful nature and interesting history provide good reason to pass through even if there is not time to fully appreciate each aspect of this breath-taking park. I would highly recommend taking the time to relax for even half an hour if in Boston allowing for peace and quiet in an otherwise bustling city. Furthermore, due to the natural extrovert personalities that are present in the US – even more so in Boston – you may find a new friend or at least have an intriguing conversation with a local grabbing lunch. It is for these reasons that Boston Common takes the number one spot on this intriguing travel list.