New England | View a sample itinerary for this location

In a perfect world, we would all have a whole month off for vacation. In the real world, most of us fight to clear our calendars for four days, much less four weeks. One of the best things about chartering in New England is time. If you only can squeeze four days from your busy schedule, you can still have a wonderful holiday, as most ports you will want to visit are close by each other.

On the other hand, if you have the luxury of a week or two weeks, there are more than enough places to visit so you won't bet bored. It's summertime in New England, let's go!One of the best places to start charter is Newport, RI. Considered the center of yachting in the Northeast, most every boat that travels in the area will stop by Newport at some point.Yes, Newport does get crowded, both onshore and in the water, but crowded in the nice, polite New England way that makes it all okay.

The best way to get around is usually by foot, and it is an easy stroll to most everywhere. Bikes are also an option, but be warned: if you ride your bike the wrong way down a one-way street and a police officer catches you…you will get a ticket!There are so many things to do ashore here, that you might want to consider giving yourself extra time. Cliff Walk is magical, especially first thing in the morning when the dew is still on the roses. A visit to one, or two or several of the mansions, a tour of Hammersmith Farm where JFK and Jackie had their wedding, or a Sunday champagne brunch at Castle Hill are just a few of the things you will probably want to make time for. And chowder. New England chowder. You can eat chowder morning, noon and night and still not get around to all of the Newport eating establishments featuring it. For the real chowder aficionado, they have a Chowder fest in June. I have just one word to say on the subject: YUM.

Board your charter yacht and leave Newport in your wake as you set off on your adventure. The delights you will be able to sample will depend on the time you have managed to squeeze out for yourself. Within a short distance is Block Island, Martha's Vineyard,Nantucket, the Elizabeth Islands and all of Buzzard's Bay.

If you really need a holiday, but can only take a couple of days, even Narragansett Bay holds diversions aplenty, all within eighteen miles, stretching from Newport up to the Providence River, with Providence seven miles further upriver. Narragansett Bay is surrounded by gently rolling hills, green fields, woods and of course, houses. The waters are protected with sheltered coves and more ports of call than you will be able to visit in a couple of days. Block Island is 12 miles south of the mainland, seemingly stranded by itself in the swells of the Atlantic Ocean.

Just six miles long and three miles wide, Block Island has still managed to become a favorite stop for cruising yachts. Thanks to its surrounding waters,Block Island is usually about 10 degrees cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the mainland. Upon arriving at Block Island, most people head for the beach. The two-mile stretch of Crescent beach is actually made up of three beaches. First is the very civilized Bensen Beach, which even has beach chair and umbrella rentals, showers and a snack bar. Further along is Scotch Beach, which is more isolated and is reached by a series of dune paths.

Finally,Mansion Beach is located beneath the cliffs and ruins of a former ocean-side estate. A trip to Mohegan Bluffs is also a great way to while away sometime. Multi-colored clay cliffs that rise to heights of 200 feet stretch for several miles along the shore, offering spectacular ocean vista with steep walking paths to the beaches below.East of the bluffs is the Southeast Lighthouse, built in1874, and moved 100 yards inland several years ago to save it from the eroding shoreline. A quarter of the island is preservation land, and The Greenway, a network of trails that wind through park, conservancy and private lands is a terrific way to experience the island. A distance of less than four miles divides Martha's Vineyard from the southern shore of Cape Cod.

There are four distinctively different harbors; Menemsha, Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown. The two that you most likely will visit are Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.

Oak Bluffs originated as a Meeting place for Methodists,where they would come to pray, preach and repent; annually setting up their tents in the seaside wilderness. Gradually, tiny houses replaced the tents, each with a small front porch, gaily painted and liberally festooned with gingerbread and scrollwork. Today, Oak Bluffs is the Vineyard's resort harbor. Crowded, hectic and always festive,there is much to enjoy.The blocks of gingerbread houses still exist and merit repeated walking tours. In keeping with the light-hearted merriment of Oak Bluffs, treat yourself to a ride on the Flying Horses– America's oldest operating platform carousel, dating from1876.

While Oak Bluffs is filled with fanciful gingerbread homes, elegant Edgartown takes itself much more seriously, with the houses there reflecting the attitude in stately antique magnificence. Originally built by ship's captains, they are meticulously kept up,shaded with ancient trees and surrounded by banks of flowers.

Equally exquisite are the classic wooden power vessels that abound,kept in peak condition by ever-polishing crews! The Martha's Vineyard Historical Society and Vineyard Museum gives life to history. The museum includes ships models, costumes and gear used by whalers and early farmers.

The Vincent House Museum is the oldest known house on the Island. Built in 1672, it affords you glimpse of what island life was 300 years ago.Next stop: Nantucket. Native Americans aptly named Nantucket, which means "land far at sea". Whaling dominates both the history and the mystique of this 15-mile-long island. By 1700,Europeans and Indians alike had already begun the serious pursuit of whales in long boats from shore. Half a century later, Nantucket stood as the preeminent location for the American whaling industry. Whaling was the sole basis of island wealth until the late 19thcentury when petroleum products prevailed. The well-preserved houses from the whaling days help preserve its charm, making it one of the most picturesque places on the East Coast.

Cobblestone streets shaded by stately trees beckon you to stroll around, leaving the harbor behind. The local Historical Association provides pamphlets with self-guided walking tours of the town. Top on your "need to experience" is spending some time in the cozy comfort of The Brotherhood of Thieves pub. Low, oak-beamed ceilings, wood paneling, lots of candles, folk music most evenings – these are just a few of the reasons to go there. The corkscrew fries and friendly staff are additional reasons to linger.Tine is now running out on you, and your captain must now head back to Newport. I hope you have saved a day or so for the return, because there is still fun to be had.

Back on the mainland, on the south shore of Cape Cod, are the quintessential New England towns of Falmouth, Wood's Hole and Hyannis Port. Spend sometime visiting them, or head on down the Elizabeth Islands, the necklace of islands that form part of the northern shore of Vineyard Sound, separating it from Buzzards Bay. The islands are privately owned, with the exception of Penikese and Cuttyhunk. A last night stop in Cuttyhunk offers primitive island atmosphere,a perfect wrap up to a perfect charter.

Tomorrow you will be back in Newport, and too soon, back to your daily routine. But for now, savor the fresh New England air,and stop to smell the roses along the way.