Itinerary

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive Boston

Make your own arrangements for travel to Boston and the Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel.

VBT provides you with City Information that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Massachusetts' historic capital during your stay.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Boston

Your hotel is conveniently located for easy access to the city's highlights. Boston is a great walking city, with many highlights concentrated in the old, established downtown area. Maybe you'll decide to take one of the amphibious landing vehicle “Duck Tours” that originated here in Boston.

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Arrive in Chatham, Cape Cod

Make your own arrangements for travel to The Bradford Inn. If you're flying to Massachusetts, VBT will offer a shuttle from Boston's Logan International Airport. The shuttle works on a “show and go” basis and will make its only departure from the airport to the inn at 12:30 p.m. Shuttle reservations are not required or available. Meet the driver outside Terminal C, on the second level, at the second island out. Your shuttle bus will carry “Cavalier Coach Trailways” titles, and the driver will be holding a VBT sign. The shuttle will be coming from the pre-extension hotel with VBT guests. Please allow for traffic delays.

If you are scheduled to arrive at the airport after 12:30 p.m. or are delayed, you must take a taxi or bus at your own expense. If you are driving to the tour, we recommend that you leave your vehicle in Chatham while on tour. You can park at The Bradford Inn while a guest at the inn. When you leave Chatham, the leaders will help you with the transfer of your vehicle to another location, where you may leave it while you're on Martha's Vineyard. You may return to this location at the end of the tour by way of the VBT van. If you are delayed or your travel plans change, please contact the first inn; they will pass your message to your VBT Trip Leaders.

VBT Pre-Trip Extension guests: You have another morning to enjoy Boston. At 12:00 noon, a shuttle will meet and transfer you to The Bradford Inn by way of Logan International Airport. Your shuttle bus cannot pull into the drive of the Fairmont Battery Wharf, and your driver cannot leave the bus. You will need to step outside the hotel and look for the bus at the corner of the drive. Your shuttle bus will carry “Cavalier Coach Trailways” titles, and the driver will be holding a VBT sign.

The tour starts at the The Bradford Inn, located in Chatham, Massachusetts. After settling in, meet your Trip Leaders at 3:30 p.m. for a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a short warm-up ride and introduction to Chatham. Check in is at 4:00 pm. Your room may be ready earlier, please confirm with the front desk upon arrival. Later, join your fellow travelers over a wine-and-cheese reception, followed by dinner at the nearby Wild Goose Tavern.

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cape Cod Rail Trail / Cape Cod National Seashore

Our morning cycle takes us from the inn to join the Old Colony Rail Trail and the Cape Cod Rail Trail. The Cape Cod Rail Trail follows a former railroad right-of-way for 22 miles through the towns of Dennis, Harwich, Brewster, Orleans, Eastham and Wellfleet. Its paved surface, few hills and well-marked automobile crossings make it ideal for cyclists.

Much of today's riding is through the protected Cape Cod National Seashore. Stop en route at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham. This is Cape Cod National Seashore's main visitor facility, with frequent orientation movies, a well-stocked bookstore, a comprehensive museum and restroom facilities. Offering breathtaking views of Nauset Marsh, this Visitor Center is also convenient to the popular 1.5-mile Nauset Marsh Trail and the Buttonbush Trail.

After lunch, options include riding or shuttling back to Chatham, or continue on to visit Coast Guard Beach, Three Sisters Lighthouses and Nauset Light Beach, returning to Chatham along the bike path.

Back in Chatham, relax around the inn's swimming pool, stroll the village's beaches, or explore the town with its myriad shops. There are a number of great restaurant options for dinner on your own tonight. Your Trip Leaders will be happy to help with recommendations.

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Ferry to Martha's Vineyard / Oak Bluffs / Edgartown

After a leisurely breakfast, we shuttle to board a ferry to Martha's Vineyard. “The Vineyard,” as locals call it, is New England's largest island (23 miles long by 9 miles wide). Under the protective arm of Cape Cod, the cold Labrador Current is warded off, while waters warmed by the Gulf Stream flow up from the south. We will have free time in Oak Bluffs to have lunch and explore. Oak Bluffs has been a summer resort since the early 1800s, and its history is reflected in the colorful gingerbread cottages surrounding the village green. The town's Flying Horses Carousel has been in operation since 1884! Afterwards, we'll ride along the bike path to Edgartown and our lodging for the next three nights, the Harbor View Hotel & Resort.

For a few more miles, board the “Chappy” ferry for a three-minute sail across the 300-yard-wide strait separating Martha's Vineyard from Chappaquiddick Island. Having short trips and no timetable, the Chappaquiddick Ferry is always on time! The island's main attractions are, of course, the infamous Dike Bridge, along with the Mytoi Japanese Garden.

We return to the inn and settle into our rooms at the resort and perhaps take a swim in the heated pool before our included dinner at the inn this evening.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR North Tisbury / Lambert's Cove / West Tisbury

After breakfast, we will ride out of Edgartown toward North Tisbury. Along the way, we'll cycle through Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. Located in the center of the island, this forest is a 5,000-acre pine and scrub-oak forest crisscrossed with hiking trails and circled by a paved bike path.

After exiting the bike path, we'll enter Lambert's Cove Road, known for its towering trees and winding curves. Back on the main path, stop and visit Chilmark Pottery in West Tisbury. The gallery at Chilmark Pottery is filled with an array of colors and wares for sale.

Cycle back to Edgartown by way of West Tisbury, along one of the island's dedicated bike paths typically separated from car traffic by a planted median. You can enjoy lunch in West Tisbury as you visit the town or back in Edgartown.

The rest of the day and dinner are at your leisure.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Aquinnah Cliffs / Menemsha

Today, we will be heading “up island.” The term comes from sailing days, when a vessel was running “up” its longitude when it was sailing west away from the prime meridian. In a similar manner, a ferry always comes “up” from Nantucket.

Today's ride will be all the way to Aquinnah cliffs and beach, on the western part of the island. Perhaps the best-known natural feature of the vineyard, the brilliantly colored cliffs at Aquinnah are a mile long and are sprinkled with tropical fossils. The Aquinnah lighthouse stands atop the cliffs, creating a very dramatic view. The beaches below are a delightful spot to picnic and swim.

Continue on to Menemsha. The fishing village of Menemsha was used as the setting for the film Jaws, and the area continues to serve as a working fishing port and as home to the U.S. Coast Guard. A convenient and fun bike ferry connects Menemsha with Aquinnah (seasonal).

Tonight, rejoin the group for a farewell dinner at one of Edgartown's celebrated restaurants.

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Chappaquiddick Island / Ride to Katama Beach/Depart

After breakfast, we'll offer an early morning ride to Katama Beach. Katama Beach is three miles of barrier beach on the South Shore at the end of Katama Road with a beautiful expanse of sand and surf. Energetic guests can complete both rides this morning.

After returning to the hotel for a shower and to check out, we will transfer to Vineyard Haven for a final lunch. All aboard! Our Steamship Authority ferry leaves for a 45-minute crossing to Woods Hole. A shuttle from Woods Hole Ferry Terminal to Boston International Airport will be provided with a departure time from Woods Hole at 3:30 p.m. We recommend a flight out of Boston no earlier than 7 p.m.

If you parked your car at the start of the tour, the VBT van will transfer you back to Chatham to collect it.

Cape Cod & Martha's Vineyard 2012

Pre and Post Trip Extensions

Pre-Trip Extension

Boston 2012 - 2 nights for only $295

When visiting Boston, you'll discover neighborhoods with distinct character, quaint brownstone-lined streets, the beloved Red Sox and big-city entertainment. Begin your Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard trip with a relaxing stay at the harborfront Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel. Located just steps away from the Freedom Trail, the North End, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Institute of Contemporary Art and the Fairmont Battery Wharf, it is the ideal location for discovering Boston by foot.

Note: Single supplement for this extension is $245.

Accommodations

Fairmont Battery Wharf

Located adjacent to the historic North End, the Fairmont Battery Wharf luxury hotel embraces the rich history of its neighborhood. New in 2009, the hotel is dedicated to providing its guests with a contemporary and sophisticated retreat in the city’s most vibrant location.

The Bradford Inn

Set in the heart of the quaint seaside village of Chatham, Cape Cod, the Bradford Inn offers stylish accommodations, comfortable dining and outstanding service, creating the perfect experience.

Harbor View Hotel & Resort

The Harbor View Hotel & Resort, located in the very heart of Edgartown, is the perfect Vineyard is the perfect Vineyard lodging, with its stunning ocean views and refined Martha’s Vineyard décor.

Fairmont Battery Wharf

Adjacent to the historic North End, Fairmont Battery Wharf luxury hotel embraces the rich history of its neighborhood. New in 2009, the hotel is dedicated to providing its guests with a contemporary and sophisticated retreat in the city’s most vibrant location.

Rating Level

Easy

This tour offers mostly easy terrain with the occasional rolling hill and the opportunity for some longer rides. Our VBT van support shuttle is always available throughout the trip. During peak season on Cape Cod and the islands, roughly July 4 to August 21, roads and paths can be very busy.