Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Islands, Massachusetts

Lovely beaches, elegant towns, and plentiful of shopping and dining. Welcome to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Islands! Located just off of the coast of Cape Cod, the two islands are perfect for a relaxing getaway. The islands can be accessed both by ferry and air. Year-round ferries operate from Woods Hole, Hyannis, Nantucket and New Bedford. If Martha's Vineyard is famous for Oak Bluff's brightly painted Victorian gingerbread cottages, the island of Nantucket is known for its history of whaling ships, which is beautifully preserved in the Whaling Museum.

The best part of Nantucket are the beaches. They are scattered almost everywhere, and at every edge of the island. Moreover, there are old fashioned cobblestone streets and perfectly preserved 17th and 18th century houses. Martha's Vineyard has a great waterfront and many places to hang out, especially Oak Bluffs Harbor and downtown Edgartown. Both the islands are a perfect place for bikers, there are miles and miles of bike trails for a great biking experience. Do have a taste of the palatable seafood, consisting of cooked lobsters and fresh-shucked Littleneck clams or oysters on the halfshell.

These are summer islands--the hostels are open from April through October, so it is best to visit these islands during summers. But remember you have to take ferries to get to both, so check the schedules before planning any trip.