About 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts sits the magical island of Nantucket, unmatched in its beauty and ability to relax even the most ardent Type A personality. Once the whaling capital of the world, Nantucket is 14 miles long and 3.5 miles wide and has a charm like few other places; cobblestone streets and gas lamps, quaint lanes of cedar shingled cottages and homes surrounded by white fences and adorned with window boxes of colorful flowers. Roses and hydrangeas are everywhere and there are miles of pristine beaches to enjoy. Lighthouses and cliffs, ponds and moors, cranberry bogs and fields of wildflowers make the island the perfect romantic hideaway. Visitors and islanders alike are passionate about their island. As a sign says, “God made Martha’s Vineyard, but he lives on Nantucket.”
Nantucket’s year round population of 10,000 swells to 50,000-60,000 at the height of the season and both air and water temperatures average in the mid-70’s in summer. The locals are obsessed with preserving the historical integrity of the island and building and renovation codes are strictly enforced. 40% of the island can never be built upon. There are no fast food outlets, no national chains (except 2 food stores), no neon signs, no garish architecture and no traffic lights.