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Cape Cod
Cape Cod was named in 1602 by the founding ship, which had caught massive quantities of cod in the region and with a seventy mile long peninsula the region extends from the mainland of Massachusetts, and is the premiere vacation destination in New England with its charming historic towns and small villages, miles of sandy beaches and wind-sculpted sand dunes. Millions of visitors from around the world flock to the amazing natural beauty of the Cape and although known as the playground for the rich and famous and mostly geared for big spenders there is plenty of sun, sea and sand for everyone to enjoy. Provincetown, at the tip of the Cape, on the 'fist', is the gay centre of New England and long renowned as an artistic colony with more than 20 galleries. It is also the liveliest resort town on the Cape. Stretching from Provincetown down to the pretty town of Chatham, from the 'fist' to the 'elbow' of the peninsula along the Atlantic Ocean, are 40 miles (64km) of dunes and desolate beaches protected within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Wellfleet is a quieter and picturesque town untouched by commercial development, and famous for its oysters. The commercial towns along the horizontal stretch of the arm represented by the 'biceps' offer the obvious attractions of shopping, exquisite dining and beach activities, but there is also whale-watching, walking and biking. However, be prepared for summer crowds and traffic-filled roads, especially between June and August, when prices are high and accommodation booked out. Otherwise come in the off-season when the beaches afford solitude and the towns have quietened down. Cape Cod is also the gateway to the beautiful vacation islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
Martha's Vineyard
Martha's vineyard is a popular holiday destination in Cape Cod for the elite and is a landscape, which is adorned with an abundance of wild grapes, which believed to have been named after the daughter of the mariner Bartholomew Gosnold. Tourism is the main economy, boosted by celebrity regulars like actress Sharon Stone and the Clinton family, but they are usually tucked away in their private houses and on their private beaches. It is far less developed than Cape Cod, but more sophisticated than neighbouring Nantucket Island and simple pleasures such as the weekly farmers' market, miles of coastal pathways to explore and an agricultural fair blend with the concerts, outdoor theatres, galleries and nightlife that keeps the towns buzzing throughout the summer. The six towns have distinct characters, from the upmarket Vineyard Haven that is the island's main port, receiving ferries as well as private yachts, to the fun centre of Oak Bluffs where the old Flying Horses Carousel, pizza take-aways and ice-cream parlours cater to the young and carefree. The graceful Edgartown has quaint inns, historic whaling captains' homes and stylish boutiques lining the narrow streets, and is the island's oldest settlement. The pace is decidedly laid-back although the hassles of summer crowds, traffic and high prices have led to more visitors discovering the appeal of the off-season, with peaceful roads, friendly folk and private beaches that are opened to the public.
Website: www.mvy.com; Transport: Ferries from various locations on Cape Cod either arrive at Oak Bluffs, Edgartown or Vineyard Haven and there is a regular bus service between the three main communities on the island. Bringing a car across in summer is expensive and unnecessary as the roads are congested and a bike is an easier and more pleasant alternative. Ferries from Falmouth Harbour to all three are passenger services only. Car ferries depart from the main ferry terminal at Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. There is also a passenger ferry from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs.
Nantucket
Nantucket is a small and remote island, which is thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod and offers an escaper from the bust city life to an unspoilt paradise. Miles of unspoilt beaches, rolling wind swept moors, solitary windmills and lighthouses; church steeples, quaint cottages and peaceful lanes are the attractions on the island. Its only town, Nantucket Town, was once the whaling capital of the world and has retained much of its 17th to 19th century character with historic mansions, old fashioned street lamps and cosy inns lining the cobblestone streets. The rest of the island is mainly residential except for a few villages, and there is not a billboard, fast-food franchise or flashing neon light to be seen anywhere. Nantucket has long appealed to wealthy visitors and has grown to a summer vacation retreat for nearly 50,000 tourists, and despite the increasing amount of luxury houses going up, over 36 percent of the land is protected from development, and the island still feels like a romantic paradise. The excellent Whaling Museum is an added attraction to the beaches, strolling and biking, and window-shopping at the exclusive boutiques. July and August are the most popular months and the busiest times, and although off-season has its charms the island is often covered in thick fog at this time.
Website: www.nantucketchamber.org; Transport: Car ferries leave from Hyannis on Cape Cod and once on the island there are plenty of bikes for rent or shuttle buses to get around. A ferry also links Nantucket to Hyannis via Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard and a passenger ferry operates in season between Harwich Port and Nantucket
