Cape Cod
June 18 - 25, 2011
This 8-day vacation whisks you away to the majestic peninsula that reaches out into the Atlantic from the mainland of Massachusetts. Join Travel Crazy as we discover five distinctive New England towns while wandering throughout, and all of the way to the tip of, Old Cape Cod.
Our adventure will begin with an overnight stay in Pennsylvania. The following day will find us arriving in Newport, Rhode Island--playground of the prominent and wealthy.
While in Newport, we'll be joined by a local guide for an overview and history of a very illustrious town. We'll be mesmerized by a rugged coast where the ocean roars as it pounds upon the shore near a valiant lighthouse. We'll stroll along one of the most magnificent streets in America, where colossal "cottages" and summer homes are a standing testament of America's wealth and excess during the gilded age. We'll tour two of its mansions before exploring the restaurants and shops of Newport's Harbor area.
From Newport we'll head to Hyannis, Massachusetts, where a 4-night stay will serve as base for our Cape Cod region exploration.
The ferries to both Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket originate in Hyannis, and we will be setting aside one day for each island. Our third day will take us all of the way to the tip of the cape to Provincetown and back through the quaint town of Chatham.
The fun in Cape Cod begins with a ferry ride to Nantucket Island, a former whaling port that has changed little since the 17th century. Here,
old-fashioned lamp posts still line the streets as quaint boutiques, galleries and museums beckon visitors to step inside. We'll be greeted by a local guide who will give us an overview and history of the island during a 1-1/2 hour van tour. Then, we'll have time to browse the shops and restaurants that line the cobble stoned village of Nantucket before returning to Hyannis.
The following day, another ferry ride will take us to one of the top vacation destinations in the world--Martha's Vineyard. In addition to offering visitors white sandy beaches and dramatic ocean views, the island plays host to six charming towns to browse, each with its own personality. One is known for its gingerbread houses; another for its whaling history. One is known for its spectacular clay cliffs, another for being a typical New England type of town. During a locally hosted tour, our guide will transport us to several of these towns, and we will discover the many faces of Martha's Vineyard.
Our final day in The Cape will find us traveling to its tip, to the always festive Provincetown. Since the town is the location of the Mayflower's first landing in the New World, we'll begin our visit with a stop at the Pilgrim Museum and Monument. Afterward, a we'll browse the town's mile-long Commercial Street, featuring an abundance of eclectic shops and restaurants like nowhere else!
Before leaving Provincetown, we will get to see something most visitors to Cape Cod never get to experience. Using the services of a local off-road sand dune tour company, we will venture into Cape Cod National Seashore, beyond the boundaries established for private vehicles. This will afford us the opportunity to enjoy secluded beaches and dramatic ocean views away from the crowds.
We'll top off our Cape Cod exploration with a visit to the charming town of Chatham. Here, we'll see one of the most photographed lighthouses of the Cape and wander along its quaint Main Street which boasts one of the regions most popular shopping areas. If we're lucky, we might get to see the fishing boats return to unload their daily catch--a popular activity among visitors of Chatham.
After our 4-night stay in Hyannis, we'll travel back to Pennsylvania and overnight before returning home to Kentucky.
If you're fond of sand dunes and salty air, quaint little villages here and there, you'll want to join us as we fall in love with Old Cape Cod.
$899 per person (based on double occupancy)
Trip includes: motorcoach transportation, 7 nights hotel accommodations, ferry to Martha's Vineyard, ferry to Nantucket Island, van tour of Nantucket Island, tour of Martha's Vineyard, Pilgrim Museum and Monument admission, off-road sand dune tour in Cape Cod National Seashore, Admission to two Newport Mansions, guided tour of Newport, baggage handling.
Mackinac Island and Frankenmuth
August 16 - 19, 2010
The reason we make our Mackinac Island trip at this time of year is simple. The weather is pleasant and the kids are just getting back to school!
Our trip begins with our arrival in the charming village of Frankenmuth, Michigan. We'll be overnighting at Frankenmuth's Bavarian Lodge, an adorable resort with sweeping well-manicured lawns dotted with flower gardens, and a covered bridge that leads strollers down to the Bavarian Village of Frankenmuth. The lodge is fun by itself, with live Bavarian entertainment, an activities center, and beer gardens. But, you'll find a delightful time in exploring the quaint shops and restaurants in Frankenmuth's Bavarian Village. During our stop at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, we'll discover our country's largest Christmas store and spend a bit of time trying to find that one last decoration that we've been hunting for years.
The following morning, we will head to Mackinac Island. On the way, we will visit Fort Michimillimackinac, a restored fur-trading post that sits upon the northern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula, where we will meet 1700's villagers, soldiers and traders. The fun continues as we stop at a local casino for 2 hours of gaming entertainment. Then, we will board a ferry and head over to Mackinac Island.
When we disembark the ferry, we'll feel the difference. Stunning Victorian architecture, an abundance of horsedrawn carriages, majestic views and a historic ambience combine to make Mackinac a unique place. Our Victorian-style hotel, located in the heart of Mackinac Island, will place us amidst all the shops and activity of Main Street!
During our 2-night stay on Mackinac Island, we will be treated to a horsedrawn carriage tour of the Island. The tour is a fantastic one, covering Mackinac's historic past, island life of the current residents, and natural wonders hidden in the woods and around the island. The tour concludes at the historic Grand Hotel, most noted for being the location of the 1979 movie, Somewhere in Time, and for having the longest porch in the world. At the hotel, we will enjoy its legendary Grand Luncheon Buffet (a dining experience you'll never forget!)
After our two night stay on Mackinac Island, we'll reboard our ferry, return to the mainland, and begin heading back to Kentucky.
$539 per person (based on double occupancy)
Trip includes: motorcoach transportation, 3-nights hotel accommodations, baggage handling, ferry to and from Mackinac Island, horse-drawn carriage tour, admission to Fort Michimillimackinac, and luncheon at the Grand Hotel
