Islands of Cape Cod - Spring

Departure Points

Yankee Trails, Rensselaer - 7:00am

Tuesday, May 18:

We are on our way this morning to the beautiful shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, known for its natural beauty, charming coastal villages, and classic New England scenery. Upon arrival in Plymouth, we’ll meet our local guide and begin exploring “America’s Hometown,” one of the country’s earliest settlements. A picture stop will be made at the National Monument to the Forefathers, followed by free time for lunch along Plymouth’s waterfront. This afternoon, we’ll board a 75-minute narrated Plymouth Harbor Cruise, featuring views of the Mayflower II, Bug Light, Gurnet Light, and Clark’s Island. We’ll also make a picture stop at Plymouth Rock, the traditional site of the Pilgrims’ arrival in 1620, and view the Mayflower II, a reproduction of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World. Later, we’ll travel over the Cape Cod Canal and check into the Fairfield Inn & Suites Cape Cod (508-771-6100), our accommodations for the next three nights. Enjoy a Punch & Cookie Welcome Reception upon arrival before settling in. Dinner is included this evening at a local favorite.

Wednesday, May 19:

Enjoy an extended continental breakfast at your leisure this morning before another full day of sightseeing. Our local guide will then meet us at the hotel and we will travel to Woods Hole. Woods Hole is home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), one of the world’s leading independent oceanographic research facilities. It was aboard WHOI’s research vessel, the Knorr, that the wreck of the Titanic was discovered in 1985. We’ll board the Steamship Authority ferry along with our motorcoach and travel to the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Upon arrival at approximately 11:30 AM, our guide will conduct a “Down Island Tour” aboard the coach. Learn about the history and lifestyles of the islanders as we travel through the island’s picturesque villages. Enjoy free time for lunch in the historic whaling town of Edgartown before continuing on to Oak Bluffs, where you can stroll through “Cottage City” and admire its brightly painted cottages and decorative gingerbread trim. We’ll depart Martha’s Vineyard later and return to the mainland, traveling directly from the docks to dinner. Dinner is included at a local restaurant this evening.

Thursday, May 20:

Enjoy an extended continental breakfast at your leisure this morning before another full day exploring the islands. Our local guide will meet us at the hotel and escort us to the Hy-Line Docks. We’ll board the ferry to the beautiful island of Nantucket. Upon arrival at approximately 10:30 AM, our guide will point out the restaurants, galleries, shops, and museums located within walking distance of the dock. Admission is included on a Nantucket Island Tour, giving us a chance to experience the history, scenery, and charm of the island. There will also be time to explore downtown Nantucket on your own and enjoy lunch, shopping, and sightseeing. Please remember to wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks throughout downtown Nantucket. We’ll depart Nantucket and return to the mainland, arriving at approximately 5:10 PM. From the docks, we’ll travel directly to dinner. Dinner is included at a local restaurant this evening.

Friday, May 21:

Enjoy an extended continental breakfast at your leisure this morning before checking out of the hotel. We’ll depart Cape Cod and travel to Rhode Island, known as the “Ocean State,” for our final day of sightseeing. We’ll arrive at the Newport Transportation Center. Meet our local guide at 10:30 AM, Mrs. Caroline Astor, the Grande Dame of Newport and New York Society during the Gilded Age of the late 1800s. Enjoy a narrated tour of Newport featuring more than 150 points of interest, including historic buildings, beautifully restored homes, the rugged scenery of Ten-Mile Ocean Drive, and the famous mansions lining tree-covered Bellevue Avenue. Enjoy free time for lunch and exploring along Newport’s historic downtown waterfront, where cobblestone wharves are lined with antique stores, art galleries, specialty shops, and restaurants. After our time in Newport, we’ll depart for home with sand in our shoes, seashells in our pockets, and plenty of great memories from our getaway!