Property at a Glance: Belfry Inne & Bistro

Belfry Inne & Bistro comprises not one but three buildings that all date back to the 19th century. Each has its own distinct character: there’s a Federal-style home, a former Catholic church, and a Victorian-era “painted lady” that once served as a rectory. It boasts pink gables and a welcoming front porch that leads to a cocktail and wine lounge.

• Use your $35 dining credit toward bouillabaisse, clam chowder, and other Cape Cod specialties at the Bistro; valid for food only, dinner menu only.
• Daily breakfast served in the Bistro
• In-room amenities: flat-screen TVs; some rooms also have gas fireplaces and/or two-person whirlpool tubs
• Wednesday wine tastings: Taste wines from around the world paired with small plates every Wednesday evening from 6–7 p.m. ($27 per person).

Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Historic Towns and Miles of Protected Beaches

In the late 19th century, Cape Cod blossomed into a summer vacation destination as visitors swapped crowded coastal cities for the sandy shores of eastern Massachusetts. Today, the arm-shaped peninsula, located 60 miles south of Boston, encompasses 15 idyllic towns, rolling dunes, and 300 miles of sandy shoreline—and it’s still the place where many East Coasters choose to spend their leisurely summer days. Popular attractions include fresh-seafood restaurants, quaint stores, and bicycle trails, such as the 11-mile Shining Sea Bikeway that wends from North Falmouth to Woods Hole.

Situated just south of Cape Cod Bay, the homey village of Sandwich draws visitors in search of both activity and relaxation. Biking and hiking are popular along the village’s restored boardwalk, which was rebuilt using 1,700 wooden planks carved with personal messages from the townspeople. Nearby, Heritage Museums & Garden features a maze garden, antique automobiles, and a working carousel from 1908.

Along the Lower, or Outer, Cape, the 44,000-acre Cape Cod National Seashore stretches from Orleans to Provincetown and features six swimming beaches, wild cranberry bogs, and miles of walking and biking trails. In Eastham, be sure to check out the Nauset Lighthouse, which has overlooked the Atlantic and helped guide vacationing British fish to shore since 1838. This coastal region is also known for whale watching; between April and November, tour boats take passengers out to sea to catch glimpses of humpback and minke whales.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.