On your next visit to London explore the legendary market at Harrods. Grab a picnic to go and retire to Hyde Park, where British artists (think Damien Hirst) have been commissioned to design the lawn chairs next to The Serpentine.
I’m sure everyone can make a pretty standard sand castle. Fill the pail with moist sand, flip, and voila! However, have you ever tried to build massive sand flip flips, or perhaps a VW bug made completely of sand? All have been done during The Annual Nantucket Sandcastle & Sculpture Day, which will take place on this Saturday, August 21 at Jetties Beach on Nantucket.
Starting at noon, teams must use their creativity and whatever tools possible (biodegradable items suggested!) to build an impressive sand masterpiece. The judges, professional artists from the faculty of the Nantucket Island School of Design, will review all creations based on creativity, concept and design and award ribbons to those that excelled.
How much for this amazing day on the beach? Just $10/person to participate, and free for all spectators! For more information, call the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce at 508 228 1700.
While today’s date might have the superstitious afraid to leave the house, we have found a few specials that will have even them ready to walk under a ladder.
Remember that old, isolated hotel in the 1980’s horror classic The Shining? Hard to forget. While you won’t be alone at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, the panoramic views of the Rockies will take you back to that creepy setting (in a good way). And at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill their “holiday” special is the $13 Superstitious Shrimp & Marg. A Pikes Place shrimp cocktail, served alongside a chilled house margarita. The perfect way to face your fears!
Does this sticky hot summer weather have you looking forward to the fall? If so, might be time to start planning a fall vacation to Nantucket. The summer crowds have dispersed, the water is the warmest it’s been all summer, and restaurant reservations are much easier to come by. If that’s not enough, here are 10 Other Great Reasons to Visit Nantucket This Fall.
Humans benefit from all kinds of perks with hotel loyalty programs, and it’s about time our furry friends receive the same treatment! The Nantucket waterfrontCottages & Lofts at The Boat Basin is now offering rewards to returning pets staying at the 11 pet-friendly WOOF Cottages with the new “VIPets” program. Repeat dog and cat customers will receive a customized welcome card, just like their human counterparts, as well as a take-home toy and a photograph of themselves in front of their cottage. For pets that really enjoy the limelight, the picture can be posted on The Cottages Facebook page. And finally, all “VIPets” will be entered in a sweepstakes to win a three-night stay at the WOOF Cottages this fall, plus a special pet spa treatment.
Pets in the past have appreciated all the comforts offered at the WOOF Cottages, as “almost 50% of pets are repeat customers,” says general manager Jim Storey. All pets (even first-timers) are treated extra-special; amenities include a welcome basket of pet treats and play toys, food and water bowls, personalized pet tags, Draper Canine Therapy dog beds – even Doggie sunscreen (15 SPF).
The Cottages at the Boat Basin are located in the heart of Nantucket Town, with waterfront or water view locations on the docks of Swain’s Wharf and Old South Wharf. The newly-refurbished WOOF Cottages feature dedicated one- and two-bedroom accommodation with stunning views of the sea.
Spa Credit: Two $25 spa treatment credits at the White Elephant Spa or The Spa by the Sea at The Wauwinet
Dinner Credit: $25 dinner credit when you spend $100, or $50 dinner credit when you spend $150, at either Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant or TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet
Offer is subject to availability, cannot be combined with any other promotions or offers, and is not applicable to groups. To receive the guarantee, you must book by April 1, 2010. Click here for other restrictions.
To book online, visit the Nantucket Island Resorts property of your choice and enter the booking code GTDLOW, or call 800.ISLANDS (800.475.2637) or 508.325.1000 and mention booking code GTDLOW.
Calling all boat lovers and Facebook FANatics! The Nantucket Boat Basin is now on Facebook. Help celebrate the marina’s 40th Anniversary by becoming a fan and entering the Boat Basin’s Become a FAN Sweepstakes.
The FAN prize includes:
Two-night slip stay for one boat
Dinner for four paired with house wine at Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant
photographs courtesy of Nantucket Chamber of Commerce/Michael Galvin
From early April to mid-May, over three million daffodils of every color, shape and size will bloom on Nantucket. This blossoming, and the arrival of spring itself, is the focal point of celebration during Daffodil Festival Weekend. This year the festival will take place over the weekend of April 23-25. The Festival’s grand event is the Antique Car Parade, which features more than 100 antique cars (decorated with daffodils, of course!) After winding through town and across the island to the charming village of Siasconset, participants join residents and visitors for the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic. This“Nantucket-Style” tailgate picnic showcases traditional New England fare ranging from gourmet meals served on fine china to boxed lunches and burgers.
Other Daffodil Festival Weekend highlights include the Nantucket Garden Club’s Daffodil Show, The Annual Daffy Dog Parade, Children’s Daffodil Parade, and The Daffy Hat Pageant. Not only does springtime on Nantucket bring delightful weather ideal for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and fishing, but it also brings delightful deals such as Hot Dates, Cool Rates at the Jared Coffin House with rates starting as low as $125 per night. Book by April 1st and guests will also get the added bonus of spa and dining credits!
For more information about Jared Coffin House and their Hot Dates, Cool Rates Guaranteed promotion, please visit http://www.jaredcoffinhouse.com/.
Hot Dates, Cool Rates by Nantucket Island Resorts are back! For 2010, guests who book by April 1, 2010, get the lowest rate guaranteed at each property.
No April Fools here. If the rate goes lower at any time before a guest’s stay, Nantucket Island Resorts will honor the lower rate. In addition to the guaranteed rate, guests will also receive:
When making reservations online, book and then enter special request code GTDLOW, or call 800.ISLANDS (800. 475.2637) and mention special request code GTDLOW
In addition to Crystal Cruises’ Price Guarantee, which protects guests who have already booked by giving them the best applicable fare if it drops, the Crystal Assurance Plan also includes reduced cancellation periods from 75 days to 45 days prior to sailing without penalty, and extended deposit requirements, from three to seven days before deposit is due.
Plus, to celebrate Crystal’s 20th Anniversary in 2010, guests will enjoy 2-For-1 Fares for all destinations, All Inclusive – As You Wish shipboard spending credits of up to $1,000 per guest, free round-trip air with most cruises, and business class air for Penthouse categories in Europe.
For information and reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit crystalcruises.com.
October 26, 2009, Cape Cod Times announced that a national advocacy group recently named Nantucket as the top recycling community in the country, knocking San Francisco off its perch. Thanks to an adaptation of a “zero waste” recycling program a decade ago, Nantucket leads the way in recycling and composting, and is ingraining “green” values within younger generations in the community. (Trust us. Ask any islander about the “Take it or Leave It” pile, which has become a hot gathering spot to find anything from furniture to good beach reads.)
Recycling and caring for the environment is now second nature to islanders. Everyone plays an important role. Here is how the Nantucket Boat Basin is helping:
Reducing Pollution from Vessel Sewage Discharges –Raw or poorly treated sewage can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds, and lower oxygen levels in water. Nantucket is a no-discharge harbor, and the Boat Basin offers complimentary pump-out services at all three of its wharves. Recently, The Clean Waters U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service recognized the Nantucket Boat Basin for participating in the most “pump-outs” of any marina in the U.S. The Boat Basin’s clean facilities and “clean boating” educational efforts were also recognized.
Welcome and Educate – Upon arrival to the Nantucket Boat Basin, all incoming vessels receive a lovely welcome bag dedicated to Nantucket & the environment. Information on how to recycle, the proper use of environmental materials and where to properly discard each, is included. Boaters looking to refuel are given an absorbent donut to affix around fuel nozzles, to reduce leakage into the water. Guests also receive a small jar of biodegradable soap to wash their boat with, all in an effort to keep the surrounding water clean.
Waste Has a Place! – The Nantucket Boat Basin has a zero-tolerance policy for mixed, or non-complying rubbish.There are 35 sets of large recycling bins to sort aluminum, plastics, and glass located throughout the 30 docks of the marina. Cigarettes can be extinguished in 50 dedicated areas, and there are 190 decorated rubbish barrels that blend with the décor of the island. Pet owners can even “dispose” at the Boat Basin’s Animal Needs Park with complimentary biodegradable bags.
Time and Dedication – The Nantucket Boat Basin provides environmentally- friendly staff dedicated to removing, sorting, and cleaning the marina’s waste each day. Four or more marina attendants are on hand daily just to clean and maintain the 18 bathrooms and shower facilities.
