Cape Cod travel guide

Marthas Vineyard

Believed to have been named by mariner Bartholomew Gosnold for his daughter, Martha, with the 'vineyard' referring to the abundance of wild grapes growing on the island, Martha's Vineyard is a favourite summer destination for New England's wealthy elite.

Tourism is the main economy, boosted by celebrity regulars like actress Sharon Stone and the Clinton family. Martha's Vineyard is far less developed than Cape Cod, but more sophisticated than neighbouring Nantucket Island. Holidays here are dominated by simple pleasures such as the weekly farmers' market, and walks on the miles of coastal pathways.

Although it is a peaceful place, Martha's Vineyard does host many events in the summer months, which keeps things lively; however, the influx of people in summer raises prices and makes things less serene so that some travellers prefer to visit off-season. Visiting outside of the busy summer period (June to August) also increases the chance that some of the private beaches in the area will be open to the public.

The six towns of Martha's Vineyard have distinct characters. Upmarket Vineyard Haven is the island's main port, receiving ferries as well as private yachts. The fun centre of Oak Bluffs is home to the old Flying Horses Carousel, pizza take-aways and ice-cream parlours which 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.

Nantucket

Thirty miles (48km) off the coast of Cape Cod, the small and remote island of Nantucket is an escape from the city stress and chaos of everyday life. The land has miles of unspoilt beaches, rolling wind-swept moors, solitary windmills and lighthouses, church steeples, and peaceful lanes.

Its only settlement, Nantucket Town, was once the whaling capital of the world and retains much of its 17th to 19th-century character with historic mansions, old fashioned street lamps, and cosy inns lining the cobblestone streets.

Bar a few villages, the rest of the island is mainly residential. There isn't a billboard, fast-food franchise, or flashing neon light in sight. Nantucket has long appealed to wealthy visitors and has grown to a summer vacation retreat for nearly 50,000 tourists.

Despite the increasing amount of luxury houses going up, more than 36%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 thick fog often covers the island at this time.

Cape Cod Lighthouses

Cape Cod is home to a number of picturesque lighthouses that draw sightseers throughout the year. At one point, there were more than 20 on the peninsula. However, many of them are now decommissioned and knocked down.

Those remaining have varying degrees of difficulty in access: some are easy to reach, while others require a hike. Some of the most popular, and easiest to get to, include Chatham Light and Nobska, which offers a spectacular view of Martha's Vineyard. Some that involve more walking are Cape Cod Light and Race Point Light.

There are also lighthouses that only viewable from a distance, including Monomoy Light, which involves a boat trip past a very active seal colon. Some of the lighthouses can be rented for weekly accommodation.