Cape Cod - Unique and Odd

Photo Courtesy of Cape Cod St. Patrick's Parade

March is here! We can already feel the warmth in the air.  We’ve had a few very mild days this week and feel very lucky to have gotten a taste of spring. Speaking of luck and springtime, the luck of the Irish is popping up everywhere.  

Just in time for the Saint Patrick’s Day, there is the famous Yarmouth parade, an annual festive event that draws people from every corner of Cape Cod and beyond. Massachusetts is known for being a home-base for people of Irish descent and Cape Cod is no different. We’ve got Irish Pubs all over, from The Claddagh in West Harwich to Liam McGuire’s in Falmouth and everywhere in between. 

Looking for a true Irish breakfast? The Keltic Kitchen in Yarmouth has got you covered. You don’t even have to have that Celtic blood running through you, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Yarmouth takes place this Saturday March 5, 2016 at 11am. Be sure to arrive early as this event does draw in the masses of lads and lasses.

Weeping Beech Tree - Yarmouth Port, MA

Cape Cod is full of all kinds of unique attractions and out-of-the-box things to do. Have you ever been to the Edward Gorey House, home of the famous off-beat children’s book illustrator? How about the oldest home on Cape Cod – The Hoxie House in Sandwich? Word on the street is that a pirate museum may be opening at the site of the old ZooQuarium in Yarmouth. Scargo Tower is a sight to behold, located in Dennis, this 1901 cobblestone tower offers breathtaking vistas from the highest point in the mid-Cape area and is free to visit. How about gazing up at a 150 year old weeping beech tree, feel transported to a mythical place beneath the branches of this historic giant in Yarmouth Port. 

In a place so full of history, oddities, unique locales, and vibrancy you’re sure to find something different that piques your interest here on Cape Cod.

Scargo Tower - Dennis, MA

Put down your phones, look up, and enjoy the moment. We promise, Facebook will still be there when you come back. 

Experience something unique and interesting here. From the Irish St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Yarmouth to historical landmarks and the amazing natural world, there is something here that will make even the most difficult to impress teenager say “Wow!” 

So get out there, explore off the beaten path, and make a memory!

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. 
Memories are Made in Our Homes.

www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

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It's All About the Memories!

Ahhh… February, the month of love! From the dead of winter emerges the warmth of your heart. 

Even for the single people there is always an opportunity to get together with a group of your friends and celebrate how much you appreciate each other. It’s not just about a significant other, it’s about love in general. The love for your friends. The love for your family. The love for your pets. The love of nature, the beach, a sunrise, flowers, a warm mug of tea, your favorite sweater, a glass of red wine by the fire.

 It is about the love for life and taking a day to appreciate whatever it is you choose to love, whatever makes your heart sing.

Now, we do love big romantic gestures and really, who doesn’t? But who says that you need to go out and spend an arm and a leg on dinner at a high end restaurant and fancy flowers and jewelry to prove your love? You know you’ll probably just bicker over whose fault it is that you’re late for your dinner reservations anyway. 

We have a solution to the madness – give a gift that doesn’t need to be bought. Give the gift of a memory. 

Make dinner for your love, plan a romantic evening watching the sunset with a bottle of wine, stargaze cuddled up in a warm blanket with a couple of hot cocoas. The best things in life are free. 

Why do you love your significant other, best friends, sister, mom, or dad? We think writing them a letter is the perfect way to show them you love them, make a top 10 list—top ten reasons you love them, top 10 funniest memories you’ve shared together, or the top 10 times they made you smile the biggest. This is a gift that is really from the heart and is sure to make them feel genuinely loved and appreciated.

There are plenty of ways to be creative with your Valentine’s Day gifts. We hope that you try something different this year than the old tired routine, plus what’s romantic about a routine? Romance is spontaneity, the creation of a moment that you will remember forever. 

It’s about more than money, it’s about the memory.

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. 
Memories are Made in Our Homes.

www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

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New Year, New You.

So what’s your New Year’s Resolution? Everyone usually thinks big goals--but we believe you should pick some small simple achievable goals... And then success!  

We know everyone is clamoring for the gym and starting up diets, but what about scheduling time for you and your loved ones.  

What we love about Cape Cod is it's simplicity in that you can just turn off and enjoy everything here. So now is the time to schedule your vacation this year. Come to the Cape anytime even though the summer is most popular.

When you rent a vacation rental home, you and your group have space to spread out, a fully equipped kitchen to cook, living areas, game areas and the most beautiful outdoor playground around. You will have a home base for jogs on the beach - we know that the sweet salt air is just the invigorating push that will keep you motivated!  

Fresh grilled seafood straight off the boat, now that’s certainly something that will fit into every diet plan! You really can have it all here on Cape Cod! 

Now is the time to embrace new beginnings and new opportunities.

Think about it, every summer visiting your favorite seaside retreat with your friends and family making new memories – sounds like a dream. Not only can you live the dream, you can also share this dream with others --sharing a piece of paradise seems like a very generous resolution that will be sure to bring you all kinds of good karma! 

Whether you’re looking for a cute beach cottage or a waterfront luxury home, we can answer any questions you might have about the selecting the right Cape Cod town and the right property.


We only focus on vacation rentals here at NEVR and we know the Cape, we know what will work best for you and your group.

This is what we love to do! Let us assist you in making your dreams for 2016 a reality! 

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. Memories are Made in Our Homes.www.newenglandvacationrentals.com
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The Coast of Christmas Past

December is upon us and we're like little kids when it comes to the magic of the season! With a flurry of holiday activities this month, we can't complain about the mild temperatures we've been having here on Cape Cod - although a cozy white Christmas would warm our hearts. We're definitely jumping up in down with excitement over the festive holiday season in our classic Cape Cod towns.

Photo Courtesy of The Chatham Merchants Association

Harwich kicks off their holiday season this Friday December 4th. Santa will arrive by fire truck and offer season's greetings to everyone - we hope you haven't been too naughty! The annual lighting of the tree is something we definitely hold our breath for each year. The countdown, the illumination, the crowds reaction to seeing the spectacle is always a highlight. We don't want to play favorites but we adore the horse drawn carriage rides - a family favorite to remind you of days of yore... We can't wait!

Chatham's Christmas Stroll is set for the following Friday December 11th. With offerings of cookies and cocoa from the businesses along Main Street we'll definitely be feeling as jolly as Old St. Nick. There is something for everyone at this stroll - including prizes, raffles and even breakfast with Santa the following morning at The Wayside Inn.

Don't stress this season about finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Christmas is a time for caring. Think about your family and friends, what would really they really enjoy? Look back on a memory, your mom loved the chowder the last time you were at  400 East, why not get her a basket full of gift cards to use on a special day you've planned for just the two of you? Take her out for that chowder, relieve her stress with a massage from Knead A Massage, arrange a private wine tasting at a local vineyard, take her out to a movie. It's the gift of an experience and you will share plenty smiles and laughs while making irreplaceable memories. We bet that will mean more to her and you than if you got her another pair of earrings this year - and you thought gift cards were impersonal!

The Christmas strolls are a perfect time to explore area shops and find unique one of a kind gifts for even the toughest person to shop for. In this season of giving, we always find the gifts that make our families smile the biggest at the most adorable boutiques, creative artisan shops, even classic antique stores! This year skip the lines at the big retailers and the exhaustion of a trip to the mall. Find gifts with a personal touch that will leave your friends and family full of joy right in our backyard. Take a moment and think about what will make each loved one smile. Sit and listen to what they talk about, we're sure inspiration will strike!

December is the season of giving after all, let's give back to our communities by showing our local artisans and shopkeepers support. Let's give gifts that will put a smile on even the biggest Grinch in your family's face! Shop small, shop local, look back on a past memory to make a new one. After all, the joy of the season rests on how you feel inside when you make other's happy, let's not forget that as it is what makes this the most wonderful time of the year.

Life is about the moments...make great memories with your families and loved ones!  It can all be too quick.

Photo Courtesy of Christopher Seufert

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. Memories are Made in Our Homes.

www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

Check out our Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more fun Cape Cod insight. 

Live History Without a Time Machine

Everyone knows that The Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, but we bet that you didn't know that it was Provincetown, Cape Cod where they first anchored on November 11, 1620 before they continued on to Plymouth over a month later. We know in summer traffic it certainly feels like it takes us a month to get to Plymouth too! Cape Cod has a rich history and what better time to learn about it than in November, the month of Thanksgiving, the month of the Pilgrims and Native Americans.

Pilgrim Monument - Provincetown Cape Cod

Here on Cape Cod the evidence of the Pilgrims can be seen in our architecture, our businesses, our close-knit local communities, and even our residents - some of whom descend directly from the first settlers on Cape Cod. The Pilgrim Monument was built to commemorate the first landing of the pilgrims in Provincetown. If you reach way back in your brain, The Mayflower Compact should ring a bell. Now, do you recall where that document that sketched the outline of government in the New World was signed? If your memory of 6th grade history class is anything like ours, then probably not, but we'll tell you... it was while The Mayflower was anchored in Provincetown Harbor. The Pilgrims continued to explore from Provincetown to Eastham for 5 weeks before making the decision to move on from Cape Cod. They would then land in Plymouth and the most famous rock on the East coast would come to be. You can tour the Pilgrim Monument and climb all of it's 116 steps to the top for a birds-eye view that is unrivaled anywhere on Cape Cod. Click here to learn more about touring the monument and to even peek in on a webcam to see the view!: Pilgrim Monument Provincetown.

Tall Ships in Provincetown Harbor

Thanksgiving is a time for family and being around a table beautifully dressed for a feast. Without The Mayflower landing in Massachusetts, we would not all be celebrating this holiday here together the way that we know it. So this November, let's look back on the past and the whispers of history while we gather together to revel in tradition and what we have here in the present. Let's not get consumed by the rush of the rest of the holiday season. Let's enjoy our time with our nearest and dearest and talk, laugh, and eat. Let's not run away from the dinner table early to wait in line for a sale; there will always be other sales, but there will never be another day just like today. Make memories, not purchases. Let's remember what this holiday is really about before jumping into the next one. Take a cue from the first Thanksgiving which lasted 3 days and take it slow. Relax, eat, drink, be merry, and most importantly be thankful for all that you have in front of you.

Photo Courtesy of Plimoth Plantation

Put your feet in the sand where the passengers of The Mayflower first set foot in the New World. Lay your eyes upon the same bay where the ship anchored and breathe in that same salty sea air that filled the lungs of our forefathers. Get back to basics and what is truly important. Here at New England Vacation Rentals, we can provide you with that perfect home for you and your family to celebrate the holiday the way it was intended. Visit our website, click here: NewEnglandVacationRentals.com and make a memory for the future, while experiencing the past here on Cape Cod, the way life used to be and the way life should be. 

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. Memories are Made in Our Homes.

www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

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October, a month to celebrate Cape Cod

Another October is upon us here on Cape Cod and we'll let you in on a secret, this is the beginning of all the fun! Festivals and fairs are in the autumn air! Why not book a trip to Cape Cod in October and celebrate all that makes us unique? From Oktoberfest merriment to honoring the almighty oyster this is truly a fabulous time to visit.

Community Beach Bonfire. Photo Courtesy of The Yarmouth Seaside Festival

The weekend of October 10th - 12th the Yarmouth Seaside Festival is in it's 37th year. Taking place along Route 28 and offering a variety of events, there is sure to be something there for everyone. A craft fair, intricate sand sculptures, rides for children, a 5K road race, community bonfire on the beach, and live music (just to name a few highlights) will surely keep a smile on your face. It is a free event that us locals and tourists attend yearly without fail. Click here to view a full schedule of events: The Yarmouth Seaside Festival 2015.

Photo Courtesy of Wellfleet Oysterfest

One of our favorite festivals, Wellfleet Oysterfest is taking place the weekend of October 17th -18th. We anxiously await its arrival each year. Learn about and support the shellfishing industry while you revel in the delights of fresh oysters on the half shell being sold by local vendors. What is more alluring than an oyster freshly shucked before your eyes and served to you in any quantity you desire? Sounds like a dream come true to us! If oysters on the half shell don't tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other creative oyster inspired dishes available throughout the festival, as well as many delicious non-oyster based samplings. Not to be missed are the tents lining the street where local goods, art, and services are displayed and sold. Enjoy the live music and dance the afternoon away! This festival draws people from all over Cape Cod as well as the world. As we can attest, there's no oyster like a Wellfleet! The admission is $5 for one day, $8 for both Saturday and Sunday, and children under 12 are free. Click here for info and ticket purchasing: Wellfleet Oysterfest 2015.

Photo Courtesy of the Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine Festival

Feel like venturing to Martha's Vineyard? There's no better time than October 15th - 18th for the Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine Festival. So hop on the ferry and set sail for a treat! This festival, geared towards the adult crowd and designed in an "a la carte" style makes for an experience of variety. On the opening day of the festival experience farm to table delights from local island farms. On Friday, and this day sounds so scrumptious, fresh seafood off the boat. The Crudo inspired event offers creatively and artfully prepared dishes along with a tasting of 6 Sauvignon Blancs from around the world, and this is just one of the many Friday events sure to entice a trip to the Vineyard. Saturday and Sunday offer their own delicious and entertaining options throughout the day including a cheese and charcuterie event, the sea's bounty - oysters, an architectural tour, and a Parisian themed dining experience just to name a few. This renowned festival is sure to please your palate. For information and details on each days events click here: Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine Festival 2015.

If you think the festivals stop there, you're wrong. Join us for Cape Cod Restaurant Week, running October 12th - 18th. Try somewhere new or return to the tried and true. Restaurants participating in the event are offering 3 course pre-fixe meals in the range of $25 - $35. Click here for a full list of participating restaurants and sample menus: Cape Cod Restaurant Week 2015.

Photo Courtesy of Bistro on Main

Visit Bistro on Main, a local favorite for adult casual dining in Chatham with seasonal offerings prepared using locally sourced ingredients. In a hip and inviting atmosphere, allow their friendly and knowledgeable staff to welcome you into a world of international flavors and beautifully presented fare. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the Bistro. Their Restaurant Week Pre-Fixe menu is available for $35 Monday through Sunday, and we certainly will not be missing it!

Photo Courtesy of The Wild Goose Tavern

Also a favorite in Chatham, The Wild Goose Tavern is offering it's pre-fixe menu for $35 every night of Restaurant Week with the exception of Friday and Saturday night. From the moment you walk in the door you are surrounded with charm. In the main dining room look up to see a mural of the town of Chatham, a prized feature. The location provides a view out onto Main Street from the front and Kate Gould Park from the side, where throughout October, you will be able to dine along side the pumpkin people! The food is nothing short of delightful and all served with a smile. Find us sitting at the bar sipping one of their special seasonal drink creations, chatting with the friendly bar tender, and of course enjoying a meal that will already make us yearn for our next visit in.

There are so many other wonderful festivals and fairs going on here on Cape Cod throughout the fall. Come see why Cape Cod is more than just the beach and summer sunshine! We've got Oktoberfest celebrations, festivals to honor the Cranberry Harvest, spooky Halloween and history themed tours, and the ever entertaining Pumpkin People in the Park.

Enjoying Cape Cod doesn't end after Labor Day, as far as we're concerned, it's the most wonderful time to do so. Allow us to assist you in booking your fall Cape Cod getaway here at New England Vacation Rentals, we offer shorter stays at many of our homes and attractive off season rates. You can't go wrong on Cape Cod in autumn!

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. Memories are Made in Our Homes.

www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

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Fall, in love on Cape Cod

It’s September and love is in the air here on Cape Cod! Autumn is quickly becoming the most desirable season for weddings and what better place to wed your beloved than by the sea? 

Whether it is an intimate beach ceremony, a grand resort celebration, or anything in between, Cape Cod offers it all with its classic seaside charm.  From Chatham Bars Inn, Wequassett Resort, and Ocean Edge to country clubs, museums, state parks, or even a private rental home, the Cape has a venue to suit any vision and a range of budgets.

Many brides are jumping at the chance to wed in autumn and we believe this is the best season on Cape Cod for a wedding! 

It's a bit quieter, the beaches are less crowded, the air is warm with a dry crisp sea breeze, and there is a peaceful serenity blanketing life. We can definitely see why so many people get married this time of year here-- it’s definitely our favorite!

Photo Courtesy of Chatham Beauty and Bridal

If you're planning a wedding on our lovely peninsula, allow us to be of assistance! Looking for a rental home for your bridal party, out of town guests, or the happy couple for a honeymoon? We’ve got you covered at New England Vacation Rentals! Let our friends over at Chatham Beauty and Bridal assist you with all things bride. They are a one stop shop for brides to be. They offer an expansive selection of cosmetics and beauty products (many of which are paraben free) to keep you looking stunning on your big day, not to mention a very talented makeup artist in house. They also offer bridal accessories, shoes, gowns and will outfit your bridal party.  

Photo Courtesy of Cape Cod Chef on Call

Need a caterer? Cape Cod Chef on Call is available to help you with your needs. Book their personal chef services for small groups or large banquets for 150 people. They offer a delicious variety of passed hors d’oeuvres, stationary displays for your cocktail hour, even raw bar offerings and clam bakes, in addition to their plated mouthwatering options for your sit-down dinner.

Have the wedding of your dreams and make memories to last a lifetime. There's no better place to celebrate your love than here on Cape Cod!

Say Yes to New England and Cape Cod. Memories are Made in Our Homes.

www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

Check out our Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more fun Cape Cod insight.