Massachusetts offers everything from tranquil colonial cities to the stunning wild beaches of Cape Cod. Rich in history and natural beauty, New England's most populous state is a must for travellers who crave variety and east coast romance.

Seventeenth century Puritans arriving from an England threatened with civil war came to set up a new colony in the region, intending it to be an example to the world of a perfect human society through rigid Protestant discipline and a devout way of life. This was the beginning of New England, which, today, is made up of six states including Massachusetts.

Boston has been the proud hub of the state since colonial times and is full of fascinating history that can be traced by walking the Freedom Trail and the Black Heritage Trail. Boston also boasts a wealth of culture thanks to the prestigious presence of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. To the east lie the beaches of the Cape Cod Peninsula as well as the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket that together form the region's most popular holiday destination. Visitors will find historic coastal towns, and plenty of walking and cycling opportunities.

Inland Massachusetts is much quieter, with settlements clustered around the fertile river valleys and in the Berkshire Hills to the west. Development of the Berkshires began with the construction of the railway from New York and Boston, and it gradually became a favourite summer retreat for wealthy city folk as well as attracting artists and writers. The region is now most famous for its vibrant summer music, dance and theatre festivals, particularly as the Boston Symphony Orchestra has its home at the huge Tanglewood Estate in Lenox.