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.