MA Cape & The Islands Tour
Is an island adventure on your mind? In New England, two of the most picturesque island destinations await: Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Stepping off the ferry onto the cobblestone streets of Nantucket is like stepping back in time. Nantucket is so flat that most everything can be seen from the roads. The highest point on the island, Sankaty Head, home to one of Nantucket’s three lighthouses, is located 111 feet above sea level. At the eastern end of the island is the small hamlet of Siasconset, with its rose-covered former fishing cottages on white shell paths with weathered gray shingles Martha’s Vineyard features many high cliffs and rolling hills. It’s also home to six towns, all with their own personality and rich history. With our knowledgeable guides guests will travel the crescent-shaped island one that is easy to explore by bike.
- 6 Day Adventure
- April 23rd – 28th – (SOLD OUT)
- September 17th – 22nd – $3,795
Inclusions
- 6 days of guided biking
- 5 nights lodging**
- 5 breakfasts
- 2 dinners
- 1 lunch
- Welcome refreshments
- Daily hearty snacks and cold drinks
- Bicycle and helmet rental
- Three ferry passages for passenger and bike
- Historic lighthouse visits
- 2 dedicated guides
- Van support
- Luggage transfer
- Cycling maps and cue sheets
- Tax and gratuities for meals and side excursions
- Featherweight, high visibility, reflective vest
- Water bottle
- Dedicated, friendly service throughout your tour
- **Rates are based on double occupancy. Single occupancy is subject to availability.
Disclosure
Inclusions and Amenities
All Inclusions and amenities are subject to change, should we change our stay or dinner options, comparable options will be provided.
Packing List
- 2 pairs of bike shorts so you can alternate every day
- 1 pair of quick dry pants for cycling
- 2-3 pairs of biking socks + 1 pair of waterproof socks
- Bike shoes
- 2 quick dry cycling jerseys + one long-sleeved jersey if the weather is colder
- Arm warmers, leg warmers
- Rain gear, including a helmet cover, shoe covers, pants, and jacket
- Cycling gloves
- Sunglasses
- Bandana
- Bike: You may bring your bike or use one of ours. GFA bikes are high quality, lightweight, available with a drop or straight handlebars, and equipped with a computer, mirror, water bottle, handlebar bag, map case, and seat pack with essentials.
Rider Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Expert
Lodging Options
Standard Room at Various Hotels and Inns
Max Occupancy: 2 Guests
Single supliment available
Throughout the tour, guests will stay in a selection of upscale Inns and Hotels along the way. As many are Historic Inns, rooms may vary in design, aesthetics, and layout. We’ve provided some sample images to give you a sense of what your accommodations may look like. Please note in the room selection process; we ask that you choose between a shared or double occupancy room and a private room for individual guests.
Amenities
Wi-Fi
Meals Included
Private Rooms
Itinerary
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS :
This tour will start in Provincetown however our recommendation is for guests to meet up in Plymouth as transportation back to Provincetown at the end of the tour will not be provided.
To get to Province town from Plymouth guests have two options.
Our van service or the Provincetown fast ferry. Ferry options are not included in the price of the tour.
Free overnight parking is available in Plymouth and guests will be sent instructions on where to park.
Van service will be available back to our original departure spot in Plymouth on the last day.
Day 1:
Start at the tip of Cape Cod in fascinating Province Town. Bike spectacular trails in the 4,000 acres Province Lands. Pedal through maritime forests and emerge onto an open, vast dune system with far reaching views of the ocean. These parabolic dunes, some reaching 100′ in height, are unique to the Cape in this part of the world. Stop at the visitor’s center offering stunning 360° views of this extraordinary landscape. See Race Point Beach and Light and pedal alongside Herring Cove Beach on returning to Provincetown.
Day 2:
Bike along the coast through classic Cape towns, including the seaside artist community in Wellfleet. Explore another part of the Cape Cod National Seashore while pedaling past Nauset Light, Nauset Beach, and Coast Guard Beach. Visit the Salt Pond Visitor Center to learn about the seashore’s unique ecosystems and enjoy panoramic views of marsh, ocean, bogs, pond, and woodlands. Finish in Chatham, among the most picturesque towns on the Cape.
Day 3:
Cycle a short loop viewing the Chatham Fish Pier, Chatham Lighthouse, the US Coast Guard Station, and beautiful Chatham Light Beach. Walk an oceanside trail in the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge to see sensational views and beaches where gray and harbor seals haul out. Watch for seals frolicking in the shallow waters. Pedal past quaint shingled cottages and magnificent seaside estates. Relax at the beach or inn pool, explore the many unique boutiques and art galleries, take a seal-watching cruise or explore more of the area by bike. The afternoon in Chatham is free to enjoy as you wish.
Day 4:
Pedal on bike paths and roads to Saquatucket Harbor, then board the ferry to Nantucket, once the whaling capital of the world. Discover the beautifully preserved village architecture that looks almost as it did 200 years ago and explore cobblestoned streets lined with gas lamps. Pedal bike paths to pristine beaches and stately lighthouses while enjoying breathtaking views along the way. After exploring Nantucket, ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and view the renowned Gingerbread Cottages in Oak Bluffs. Pedal a seaside bike path to the handsome colonial era village of Edgartown. Enjoy dinner on your own with many excellent options to choose from.
Day 5:
Continue the exploration of Martha’s Vineyard and discover quintessential fishing villages, island farms and miles of beaches. Visit the Mytoi Gardens on the stunning Chappaquiddick Island. Swing back to Edgartown for lunch before a quick ride to South Beach. Travel back to Oak Bluffs through Edgartown. View the meticulously preserved mansions built by whaling captains. Relax at the inn pool enjoying a drink from the poolside bar, or stroll the charming streets of town, lined with fine boutiques and art galleries. Enjoy dinner together at an excellent Oak Bluffs restaurant.
Day 6:
This morning, take one last ride on Martha’s Vineyard, pedaling flat bike paths to the island’s most famous beach. Bike a quiet road to view fields of wildflowers embraced by soft dunes and framed by the sparkling Atlantic. Pedal back to the inn, then depart for the mainland, where you may wish to spend a bit of time exploring Woods Hole, a charming fishing village that is home to numerous shops, cafes, and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Return to your car or your transportation to Boston. By the tour’s end, you will have experienced much of the finest of Cape Cod and the Islands – and this extraordinary place will undoubtedly have captivated your heart.
Booking Information
FINAL BOOKING DEADLINE
7 days prior to the adventure departure.
DEPOSITS
A deposit is due upon booking – $750 per person for five to eight day tours and $500 per person for three to four day tours. Payments may be made by check or credit card. Our receipt of the deposit, registration form, and signed Release form will secure your reservation.
An invoice for the balance will be emailed and final payment is due no later than 30 days (exceptions made for last minute booking) before the tour departure date. Payment may be made by check or online with a credit card. If final payment is not received by the due date, Great Freedom Adventures reserves the right to cancel the reservation.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
All cancellations must be submitted in writing; refunds will be based on the day we receive written notice. Please purchase trip cancellation/travel insurance because exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including personal emergencies, illness or injury, canceled or delayed flights or ground travel to the tour departure point, or weather. Refunds will not be made for a participant arriving late or departing early from a tour, or for a participant not using accommodations, meals, or other services offered as part of a tour.
Cancellation Fees Are as Follows (Per Person):
Cancel 30 days or less from booking date – No charge (Does not apply to custom or private tours or to US tours booked within 60 days of departure or overseas tours booked within 90 days of departure.)
91 or more days before trip – $150
61-90 days before trip – $750 or $500 (loss of deposit)
31-60 days before trip – 50% of trip price
30 or less days before trip – 100% of trip price (20% of your payment may be applied to another of our tours departing within one year of original tour start date.)
TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is available from a number of insurers or their representatives, such as CSA Travel Protection at www.csatravelprotection.com or Travel Guard at www.travelguard.com. You may compare prices and policies at www.insuremytrip.com. We do not sell insurance or recommend any particular insurer or policy, but we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance.