Top Ten Travel Destinations: Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod

TripAdvisor TravelCast recently ranked Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod #2 on their list of Top Five U.S. Travel Destinations for 2010, saying in part that “its picturesque sandy beaches make it a fantastic retreat.” Hyannis is one of eight villages that actually comprise the town of Barnstable. West Barnstable, Centerville, Cotuit, Barnstable Village, Hyannisport, Osterville, and Marstons Mills complete the list. Owning a bed and breakfast inn in West Barnstable, I am particularly delighted that TripAdvisor bestowed this wonderful designation on our humble little hamlet and hope that it bodes well for the coming year for all of us who live and work in Barnstable, MA. I can honestly say that I love living here and love sharing some of what makes it such a great destination with our guests.

It got me wondering about what makes for a great travel destination. Personally, I think that it has a lot to do with the diversity of things to do year round. At this time of year, every town across Cape Cod is resplendent with holiday cheer. There are the annual Christmas strolls and church holly fairs, and Santa seems to arrive daily by land or sea somewhere around this sand-filled peninsula. Christmas will give way to New Year’s and celebrations of First Night, and even when we are in the depths of winter, driving along the Old King’s Highway, taking the dog for a walk on the beach, or window shopping on Main St. in any Cape Cod village is a pleasure.

Spring brings with it the promise of warmer weather to come, and the landscape seems to turn green overnight. Spring is when the whales return to Stellwagen Bank to feed and frolic through the summer and on into fall. Summer offers its own pleasures with abundant sandy beaches, and seemingly endless possibilities for a golf outing, fishing excursion, or messing around in boats.

Fall is a time to take pride in the harvest. Numerous festivals celebrate the bounty of the sea, the bog, and the fields (Bourne Scallop Festival, Wellfleet Oyster Festival, local Farmer’s Markets, and CLASH).

So if you want to visit one of the Top Five U.S. Travel Destinations 2010, pack a bag and call for reservations. We’ve always got a room for you, no matter what time of year.