Hi, I am new to this board but I have been on the Europe board for a few years,

I had intended going to Scandanivia and Russia this summer but it fell through.

I am now looking at New York (been there a few time and love it), Boston and Cape Cod (never been).

I will be travelling in July/August and I will have about 16 days. I will be travelling solo. I would also like to travel by public transport as I ndo not want to drive.

I would like to spend the first 10 days loking at the historical aspects of New York and Boston and the last 6 days Cape Cod reading and walking on a beach.

I am thinking of
day 1 Dublin to NYC
Day 2 NYC
Day 3 Day trip to Phiadelphia
Day 5 NYC
Day 5 Train to Boston
Day 6 Boston
Day 7 Boston
Day 8 Cambridge
Day 9 & 10 visit historical areas in the Boston area.
Day 11 - 16 Somewhere on Cape Cod where I can relax but also walk and visit other towns for a few hours.

Home to Ireland from Boston

Is this doable?

Please advise

Helen

Looks very doable. 1 issue for you to work through is how to get to the Cape from Boston. There is probably Bus Service, but I am not sure. It may also prove to be difficult to move around the Cape without a car. Maybe just get a car for that portion of your trip?

I would add an overnight to Philly and take one day away from the Cape.
T
here will be easy public access to the historic sights in Boston/Cambridge, but if you get out of the city it may not be as convenient, depending on where you want to go.

I would go with Amtrak for this trip.

Yes, not a problem for the most part. You can take the train to Philly, and then up to Boston, but you'll need to either take the bus (Greyhound) or rent a car for Cape Cod.

Take some tours in Boston...let's you see a lot in relatively short time periods. You can walk the Freedom Trail in Boston www.cityofboston.org/freedomtrail and it's a easy walking tour...my wife & I did it and it was great!

I agree with others here that renting a car to get to the Cape would certainly be the easiest and possibly cheapest way to get around. There is virtually no public transportation on the Cape. If you are determined against a car, here are a few additional options to taking Greyhound:

The Plymouth & Boston bus line runs from Logan, along the "South Shore" to the Cape...

http://www.p-b.com/

There's a high-speed ferry from Boston to Provincetown (at the very tip of the Cape). Provincetown (or P-town) is a gay-friendly town...

http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/ptown_schedule.html

Another option is flying from Logan to Hyannis (on the Cape) or the Islands (Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard)...

http://www.flycapeair.com/common/ind...av=AB&page=A02

I hope you have a great trip!

Take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown and then use the Provincetown shuttle to travel to the nearby beaches and Truro, the next town over. Ptown has lots of quaint shops and restaurants (very crowded in summer), the beaches are absolutely stunning.

There is a bus called The Breeze that takes you as far down as Orleans. You could take a day trip to Wellfleet (artist shops and a working fishing/shellfish market) and/or Orleans; a visit to the National Seashore headquarters (small museum) and the ocean-side beaches would also be good.

If you want a hotel or B&B, stay in Provincetown; if you want to rent a cottage, choose Wellfleet. Both offer walk-to-town options, while the other towns don't really have town centers.

Alternatively, you could stay on the ``upper cape'' area, say between Hyannis and Orleans, but this less quaint, more built-up with traffic and shopping malls -- better for drivers than pedestrians. And the beaches facing south are disappointing, compared to the others on the cape. You could get around by local shuttle bus service if you choose this area, though.

You could easily skip Philadelphia.

I would say if you do not want to spend the time in Provincetown and the surrounding area (although it is beautiful with gorgeous beaches to walk) - do a search on Provincetown in this forum and you'll get lots of ideas -

if that does not appeal to you, you can take the bus from downtown Boston to Woodshole/Falmouth area - and google the bus schedule to see what other nearby towns to Falmouth you can use the bus to access
-
so you can also do a search on that and see if that appeals to you -plenty of water, beaches, hikes, etc - and from Falmouth/Woodshole you have easy access by ferry, every day , to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket for a day trip where you can rent a bicycle and go all around either island - or they both have a very affordable bus line that stops at all the little towns, beaches on each island

From Woodshole/Falmouth you can take the bus direct to the airport for your trip home.

Don't know what your budget is, flying Cape AIr is not inexpensive and the flights fill quickly - last July we could not find a relative landing in Logan a seat to the Vineyard over a four day period in August - so just an fyi.

Same for lodging/ start reserving sooner than later so you are not rushed and have more choices.

If there is not a specific interest or reason for the Philadelphia stop, I would omit it - that's a long day and I'd personally rather more days than 2 in NYC - I am in Boston, but I would think about
Day 2 ,3, 4 , 5 and 6 in NYC: gives you time to adjust to jet lag, have an easier first day of touring, and really see not only the highlights but spend some time in the neighborhoods too -
and on the 7th train to Boston having the remainder of the 7th, 8 , 9, 10 and 11 in Boston and go to the Cape on the morning of the 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - and leave on the 16.

* The train takes about 4 hours between NYC and Boston - There is also a bus, which is cheaper, but then can hit a snag in traffic, but runs anywhere from around 59-79 depending on if you go Greyhound of Limoliner (which goes from Hilton to HIlton and is fancier with services, etc) -

Do not use the Fung Wah bus or other discount lines, in my opinion, they are not safe and if you google their driving records you will see why -

So I would look into Amtrak, bus lines, Limoliner, and start plotting and planning so you aren't rushed in making your final decisions.

(in Boston, make sure to get out on a boat to the Harbor Islands - George's, Spectacle - nothing like viewing Boston from the harbor, a nice hike on Spectacle and one of the best, highest views from the islands, lunch spot (and jazz/music) on Sundays on Spectacle - a real treat in the summer weather !

there are daily bus trips to historic towns like Concord/Lexington, etc out of Boston

also a Salem Ferry from Boston to Salem if you are interested in a day in that area.

Thank you all who have responded to my post - it has been most helpful.

TKT - you are right I should spend a night in Philadelphia, infact I have decided to spend 2 nights in that city - thank you.

Capxxx & Escargot thank you for your suggestions of transport on Cape Cod - you really have helped me a lot.

My revised itinerary is;

dAY 1 Dublin to NYC
Days 2-4 NYC
Day 5 train to Philly and overnight
Day 6 Philly
Day 7 train to New Haven
Day 8 Train to boston
Day 9 - 10 Boston including trip to Cambridge,
Day 11 Ferry to Provincetown
Day 12 - 17 Provincetown - reading, walking on the beach, cycling, Orleans, Chatham. I might hire a car for s few days if public transport is not available.

thank you all for your help

I didn't realise Cape Cod was so big and expensive!

Having said that I really do want to 'chill out' there for about one week,

Helen

Helen: My only question about your new itinerary is why you are stopping in New Haven - do you have friends to visit there? I wonder why you are not going either direct to Boston or stopping in NYC for the night vs. New Haven.... does that happen to be the schedule?

I would also look at the ferry schedules to Provincetown - and take the latest ferry you can on that day to give you a bit more time in Boston -

of course I am saying this not knowing what your interests are in Boston, but I would like to see someone have at least close to 3 full days -

Escargo, I was talking to a friend last night about my trip and she recommended that I stop in New Haven because in her opinion, Yale was nicer than Harvard.

I have re-read your first post and the itinerary you have suggested is much better and less stressful considering NY & Boston are going to be very packed days.
bwblakley, I like the look of the freedon trail.

New itinerary:
5 nights/4 days NY
Amtrak train to Boston
4 nights/3 days Boston (if necessary I can make that 5 nights/4 days).

Now comes the difficult part. I have spent all day reading about Cape Cod both on the internet and in travel books and I have fallen for this place. It sounds like the perfect place to unwind afer my very full itinerary in NY & Boston. I have decided to spend 7 days (at least) here and stay in 2 different locations. The Breeze bus and the Flex bus (not sure about that name but it is the one that covers Provincetown) cover what I want to see and are sooo cheap!!. I spend every working day in traffic jams and don't want to be bothered with that on holiday.

1st itinerary for cape Cod:

Ferry from Boston to Proviincetown
Stay 3 nights and go Whale watching, walk along the beaches, visit Wellfleet,Cape Cod National Seashore either by flex bus or bike.

Flex Bus to Orleans and onward by the Breeze bus to Falmouth or Woods Hole for 4 nights.

Day trip to Martha's Vineyard and on another day breeze bus to Chatham via Hyannis.

It would make sense to stop in Chatham on the way through from Provincetown to Falmouth but I can't find out if there is a left luggage area and I will have my luggage on that day.

Bus from Falmouth to the Airpot in Boston and home.

What do you think?

Thank you for your help so far, it has been wonderful.

Helen

Ferry from Boston to Proviincetown
*Perfect; and this is delightful ride !

Stay 3 nights and go Whale watching, walk along the beaches, visit Wellfleet,Cape Cod National Seashore either by flex bus or bike.
** Perfect again (to me) just double check and make sure you have the summer 08 schedules

Flex Bus to Orleans and onward by the Breeze bus to Falmouth or Woods Hole for 4 nights.
Perfect too : a different Cape experience than Provincetown, but still lovely. Falmouth has different type of stores, shops, feel to the town, but is still a welcoming and fun place - I wouldn't normally say to spend 4 nights here, but if you are going to use this as a base for a day trip to Martha's Vineyard then absolutely !

Day trip to Martha's Vineyard and on another day breeze bus to Chatham via Hyannis.
*Great. Of course, I am partial to Martha's Vineyard - we spend one week in Nantucket each July and 3 wks on MV in August - MV has great bicycle trails, or a bus route you can easily hop from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown to Vineyard Haven - take the On Time Ferry to Chappy - see the Mytoi Gardens - lots of choices - or perhaps also the bus out to Aquinnah and the clay cliffs - you have time to plan that day.

It would make sense to stop in Chatham on the way through from Provincetown to Falmouth but I can't find out if there is a left luggage area and I will have my luggage on that day.
** I am not aware of any luggage left area -
but someone else might

Bus from Falmouth to the Airpot in Boston and home.

Good plan - I think. But I am sure others will check in - and there are plenty of Cape people very qualified on this board -

if you plug in and look at some of their threads - see if you can find some by Capecodshanty, always good info there, but there are plenty of others I just can not remember screen names for the life of me

**Yale nicer than Harvard : Wow, I bet the Yale and Harvard grads would have a field day with that one !
I have been to both when my daughter was looking at colleges - and of course I might be partial to Harvard b/c I grew up in Boston - but while they are both lovely campuses - I would visit Harvard - it is far easier to fit into your trip, t he area surrounding Yale is lousy and the area surrounding Harvard is Cambridge/harvard square and is fabulous -
Lots to see and do in Cambridge/ fabulous museum at Harvard - but again, I'm sure you will get other opinions.

I just don't think Yale is worth getting on and off the train for and possibly lugging your bags and I do not think it is worth an overnight.

Sounds like a plan. I don't think you need to stop in Chatham on the way down from P-town.

Be aware that weekend traffic on the Cape (esp. Saturday) is really really heavy, because all the week-long rentals are changing. Stay off the highway on those days, or at least plan for delays -- at peak times the highways entering/exiting the cape take an hour to go a couple miles. Things quiet down during the week, though.

Providence, RI or Mystic, CT may be more attractive for stopovers than New Haven. Yale has a nice campus, but otherwise it is just another urban area -- not terrible, just not great. Newport RI would be nice, but I don't think the train goes there.

Hi Cambe,

You've some great advice on the thread- I second escargot's suggestion, spending time in Cambridge, walking around Harvard, and Harvard Square, rather than Yale! Much more to see and do- and in the summer, festivals in the Square abound.

Do get on the web site for the Flex and Breeze buses.I don't have the 2008 summer schedule, but it should be up shortly. In Provincetown, you might wish to rent a bike, an easy way to get to Race Point Beach and the lighthouse, as well as the bike trail going thru the Outerlands. If you are able, take Art's Dune tour, so you are able to see the vast expanse of dune, ocean and dune shacks. Walk across the jetty by the Provincetown Inn to the Wood Light, at low tide. Stop at the Portugese Bakery, picking up their linguica and meat pie for lunch, and eat on the pier, or in back of the Whalers Wharf shops, where there is a patio and picnic tables, and one can enjoy the activity in the harbor.

If you can, plan on coming to Wellfleet on a Saturday-when the art galleries are open, and everyone strolls from one to another, enjoying not only the art, but talking to the artists, and the wine and cheese! Dinner at Winslow Tavern, on the lawn, or at the Wicked Oyster are a good choice.

Chatham is a fun place to walk, in the village, but to see more you would need a car. You're right- the Cape is "spread out", and not easy to see the different towns without a means of transportation.

I am not as familiar with the Falmouth/Woods Hole end of the Cape, other than catching the ferry to MV!

Do click on my name, and hopefully you will find other information in past threads you are able to use.

Give a shout if you need more information-You will have much fun!

cambe,

I noticed your comment on another thread and wanted to confirm your fears that yes, the Cape, Boston and NYC will be more expensive than Europe. The accommodation on the Cape in summer will be especially expensive and I suggest you book sooner rather than later as it is also very busy at that time of year and places do book up quickly.

Your itinerary looks great but do try to avoid travelling to/from the Cape at weekends.

cambe:

people are correct to tell you to plan as best you can for your travel to and from the Cape - however, you need not worry as much since you are not traveling down by car -

taking the boat from Boston to Provincetown removes you from all traffic woes - so that is not a problem - you can travel any day of the week you want , although the boat will be busier on weekends because of weekend local travelers, you won't ever sit in a traffic jam !

Returning to Logan for your plane is another matter and you should give it some thought -

Returning from the Falmouth area on weekends will take longer , especially later in the day when day trippers who drove down to the cape for a day are returning at the end of the day.

WHen you get your exact days, dates down, people here can advise if you need to leave 2 hrs, 3 hrs, etc - you will also notice on some bus schedules , which I believe is how you are traveling from Falmouth to Logan, they usually take traffic into consideration when posting their schedules since they do it fairly often - but it is often sound advice to still take an earlier bus in case of highway accidents, traffic jams, etc -

you can always plan it to get to Logan on the early side and perhaps enjoy a nice meal prior to your flight -
or you could consider, if you are not a frequent flier with access to one of the airline lounges (like say a Delta Crown Room) you can usually get one time access through certain credit cards and/or by sometimes purchasing a "one day pass" for fairly short money ( I don't know why, but I have $ 25 in my head) There, you can relax, watch tv, have snacks, even shower, access to business area, etc.

If it was my dream vacation, and I could afford to do so, I would do NYC, Boston, ferry to Ptown for 1/2 of cape experience and then get myself to Martha's Vineyard for the last. Finishing with a bus ride back to Boston from WoodsHole. Yes housing on the vineyard is expensive, but it is such an explorable island and more worthy of your time then trying to see the rest of the cape by public transportation.

Good luck

Thank you all for your advice which I have I have taken to heart.

Highflyer, that was a bit of a winge on the other post. Since then I have found accommodation in NY and Boston which is reasonable. The problem is I am traveling solo and rooms are for double occupancy.

This is my final itinerary:

July Saturday 26th fly Continental Airways from Belfast to NY Newark airport.

Sat 26th - Thurs 31st July - Wellington Hotel NY. I got a very good rate of $149 per night including taxes and reports look good.

Thurs 31st July train from NY to Boston.

Thues 31st JUly - Monday 4th August, a studio off Copley Square Boston. I got this through an agency - boston-bbagency.com for $139 per night.

Monday 4th August - ferry from Boston to Provincetown.

As yet I do not have any accommodation booked on the Cape but I think I will stay 4 nights in the Outer Cape as this location appears to be the most interesting for me. I have found reasonable accommodation at Surfside hotel for $189 per night - does anyone know this hotel and is it within walking distance of Provincetown? I don't mind staying in basic accommodation in Cities (in fact as I am a shower and sleep person in cities I wouldn't stay anywhere else), however, in a small seaside area I would prefer a little more comfort as I will probably spend a little more time in the hotel.

The flex bus schedule is only available at the moment until June 20th, I assume it will not be a lot different in August. If I am reading it correctly I can get a bus to Wellfleet, Truro and Orleans using the off route schedule - anyone know if this is correct?

Friday August 8th - Flex bus to Orleans and connect with Breeze bus to ?????

Escargo recommended Falmouth with a day trip to Martha's Vineyard and I do like this idea but Kealalani's suggestion of going to MV is also appealing.

I have not found accommodation in Falmouth or Woods Hole as yet (am I picking the most expensive areas on the Cape?). Hyannis looks much less expensive but I am not getting good vibs about this place.

I leave from Boston to Newark on Monday 11th August at 4.30pm and onwards to Belfast so I really need to be in Falmouth/Woods Hole area for my last night.

If I stayed in Martha's Vineyard it would be for 2 nights and then one night in Woods Hole - is this rushing my restful time on Cape Cod?

The flights are now booked so I can't change my dates but I am having difficulty getting my head around the Upper Cape.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again for all your help

This really is turning into my dream holiday.

Helen

Helen,

Your itinerary sounds good. Am interested in your trip, as I am planning my own trip to Boston and Provincetown in June, also using public transport.

It's been about 8 years since I've been to P'town, but I recall the Surfside as looking kind of tired. It's about a 15 minute walk from down town, on the quiet east side. If you are keen on a waterfront room, then this may be for you. Most of the accomodations closer in town are B&B's, but the ones with waterfront rooms will be very expensive in August. After much deliberation, I've decided to stay at the Aerie House, which isn't on the water, but has a deck with views.

P'town has a lot of great restaurants, shops, art galleries and people watching. The beaches of the Cape Cod National park are beautiful and there are some wonderful bike trails. Hope you have a great trip.

http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisi...activities.htm

Will be very interested in your impression of whether the Cape, etc. is, indeed, "more expensive than Europe." I can't quite believe that, given the exchange rate, but please do give us your assessment.

I laughed out loud at the "Yale is nicer than Harvard" comment -- there's a traditional rivalry between the two universities that might explain the comment. However, I don't know many people who would say the CITY of New Haven is preferable to the CITY of Cambridge for the purposes of a traveler/tourist. There's just so much more to do around Harvard Sq. than there is in New Haven, which can get downright dicey at night. Note: not saying a THING about which campus and which student body is nicer, just talking about itinerary choices.