Podcast: Boston’s Blue Hill

On San Andres, a small Colombian island in an archipelago off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, counting the blues in the famous “Sea of Seven Colors” is on every visitor’s to-do list. It’s a midday activity done en route as you cruise among the cays, or keys, dotting San Andres’s eastern side: low-lying (mostly) uninhabited specks that aren’t much more than coral topped with palm trees and circled by sandbars.

JetBlue announced Monday it reached an agreement with Spirit Airlines to terminate its merger. 

JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced on Monday that they would walk away from their planned $3.8 billion merger after federal antitrust regulators successfully challenged the deal in court. JetBlue said it would pay Spirit $69 million to exit the deal.

As one of the oldest cities founded in the USA and considered by many to be the cradle of the American Revolution, Boston is a gift to history buffs.

Kanchha Sherpa was part of the team that first conquered Mount Everest more than seven decades ago, but he's worried these days.

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Spirit Airlines has announced plans to suspend operations at New Hampshire's Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) on May 8, according to Boston.com.The budget carrier said the decision is due to "ongoing operational constraints related to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine availability and seasonal demand for our MHT flights.""This decision reflects our continuing efforts to make necessary strategic shifts to enable Spirit to compete effectively in the current environment," Spirit added. "We apologize to our guests for any inconvenience, and those with reservations for May 8 or later will be offered a refund. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is a great partner, and we look forward to returning with seasonal service next winter."Spirit operates nonstop flights to Orlando and seasonal service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina from MHT. According to Reuters, the airline is the largest domestic operator of GTF-powered (geared turbofan) NEO aircraft and has been battling engine issues since last summer."MHT is grateful to Spirit Airlines for their service to the Manchester community for the last few years," the airport said in a statement. "We understand that difficult decisions have to be made in light of the Pratt and Whitney engine issue. It is important to note that this is a pause in service, not a withdrawal in service. MHT stands ready to warmly welcome Spirit back to the Manchester market when the time is right for them."

In what may be a last ditch effort, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines have filed an appeals court brief asking that the merger between the two airlines be allowed to proceed.The brief, filed today with the Boston 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, asks that the court overturn a recent judge’s ruling that stopped the proposed $3.8 billion, according to Reuters. In the brief, the airlines argued that the merger was improperly blocked and pointed out that the same judge who ruled against the airlines joining forces also recognized that such a merger would: ”improve competition, and thus reduce prices, for the vast majority of consumers."

While the United States is a particularly young nation compared to some of its European allies, this sprawling country is no slouch when it comes to fascinating historic destinations. All across the eastern seaboard, there’s a wealth of centuries-old cities that offer a diverse blend of museums, landmarks and historic neighborhoods all open for exploration—and for New England in particular, Boston draws visitors in droves. As you plan your next vacation to the Bay State capital, don’t miss out on these fascinating attractions spanning from the historic North End to the southern reaches of Fenway.

Plant food is everywhere, even in pre-packaged ice cream pints at the supermarket.

Think of the classic New England dish, and it's likely your mind will go one of two ways — to the lobster roll, served warm in a hot dog-style bun with lashings of butter and lemon juice, or to clam chowder, served rich, thick and creamy in a steaming bowl, the ultimate comfort food. But if you really want to eat like the Bostonians do, you need to get the lowdown on the culinary scene from a local — and Nia Grace, chef at the Grace by Nia supper club in the Seaport district, knows exactly what's on the city's menu. With intricate creations and twists on New England classics, here are the hottest dishes in Boston right now.

Whether you visit Boston during the cold, gray winter or the humid, bustling summer, there’s no better place to soak up the city than a bar. These five off-the-beaten-path spots offer interesting libations, inspired bar bites and unique stories. So, cozy up and enjoy a cocktail or three.