Dates: August 23 – 27, 2023

Travelers: Beetle Fisher, Pookie Boudreaux, Sharon Phillips 

Choosing the Destination

This Travel Thursday features Beetle Fisher and her sister, Pookie Boudreaux, along with best friend, Sharon Phillips who have just returned from a "Five Star Sistas Weekend." Inspired by one of their favorite authors, Elin Hilderbrand, they choose Nantucket, Massachusetts as their main destination. Hilderbrand is an American writer whose novels are all set and revolve around Nantucket Island and real locations on the island.

 

 

 

 

 

"The latest two novels we read, "The Hotel Nantucket" and "The Five-Star Weekend," inspired us to take our very own "Five Star Sistas Weekend" in Nantucket and then venture to New Port, Rhode Island for a tour of the Famous Cliff Walk Newport Mansions." - Beetle Fisher 

The island's beauty left them in awe. Once a whaling port, it now boasted beautiful beaches, a charming downtown, and an elegant vibe. "Everyone wears pastel sweaters and seersucker clothing. It is very country club chic," Beetle commented. These well-dressed ladies fit right in. In Nantucket, they stayed at the Brass Lantern Inn, allowing them to explore the locations they had read about in books.

Dining at the Hotel Nantucket's Breeze Restaurant, they were pleasantly surprised when the owner, Mark Snider, joined them for dinner, sharing his love for Nantucket.

A private historic tour, guided by Val, a lifelong resident of Nantucket, was also a highlight of their trip. Her 85-year perspective chronicled the island's transformation from a quaint fishing village to a bustling tourist hotspot. Val's personal family story was mesmerizing as she described the island's transformation from a quaint fishing village to a bustling tourist destination over her lifetime.

The Whaling Museum, housed in a restored 1847 candle factory, provided insight into over four centuries of the whaling industry.

Departing Nantucket via ferry, they embarked on a 1.5-hour journey to Newport, Rhode Island. Here, they explored the opulent mansions lining The Cliff Walk along the Atlantic Ocean. These grand homes, dating back to the mid-late 1800s during the Gilded Age, were constructed by the likes of the Vanderbilts, Astors, and other industrial tycoons. Lavish parties and galas epitomized their lives of affluence. Dinner at The Vanderbilt Hotel in the Auberge Resorts Collection was set in a building dating back to 1909, once owned by the Vanderbilt family amongst their many mansions.

Words of Wisdom 

Since it was such a short vacation, the ladies agree that bypassing busy Boston and flying into Providence, Rhode Island would have been a better choice. They could have just used a car service from Providence to Newport, arrived in Nantucket by ferry, and flown back to Providence. Ultimately giving them more time to tour both of the islands.

They also caution that booking hotels and restaurants at least six months in advance is a must.

Be aware that is a relatively expensive vacation. According to Travel Magazine, Nantucket beats out the Italian and French coasts for the world's priciest beach destination, according to Travel magazine.

"After booking, we came across that article. But, I will say...the beaches, mansions, art, historical buildings, amazing views, five-star restaurants, and shopping did not disappoint! And the memories we made along the way, calling each other Mrs. Astor's! "