Inexpensive and a short drive from Provincetown -- Horizons Beach Resort

Why is it that the spontaneous, unplanned trips end up being the most fun? 

In early October, we received a call from a group of friends who were heading to Provincetown, Massachusetts for Women's Week.  We thought about the idea of a quick getaway trip -- for about 30 seconds -- and quickly responded "we'll meet you there!"

Since 1984, the women innkeepers of Provincetown have been hosting what's known as "Women's Week," which is a week long celebration, including hundreds of social events, that cater to women but certainly don't exclude others.  To read the full story behind Women's Week, click here.

With less than a week's notice, we now faced the issue of finding accommodations.  I tried to call a few of my favorite B&B's, located in the heart of Provincetown, but everything was booked.  Luckily, we planned to make the trip by car rather than bus, plane or train, which gave us the option of staying on the out-skirts of town.

In North Truro, a small tranquil town that sits less than 5 miles from Provincetown, we found Horizons Beach Resort.  They offer newly remodeled efficiency units on the beach, ocean view units at Terrace Dunes, two bedroom poolside units, or a unit at the unique Pagoda complex.  All accommodations feature kitchens, air conditioning and cable televisions; and most units offer a balcony with views overlooking the bay.   The accommodations also offer a private beach, although campfires on the beach are not permitted. (We tried).

Room rates are approximately $150.00 per night, during off-season, which runs April 6 to June 22 and then from Sept. 3 to Oct. 28.  During peak season, rates jump to $250 a night, which is comparable to the rates of most B&B's located directly in Provincetown.

Truthfully, Horizons Beach Resort is basically a motel that sits on the water, so please don't be confused by their title of "Resort." All-in-all, I would give them a fair review since our room was clean and we were able to save money by stopping at the local market to fill our in-room refrigerator.  That, along with being less than 5 miles from all the action during Women's Week, gives no room for complaining.

Find Horizons Beach Resort online at: www.horizonsbeach.com

For important info on what to do when you get the late night munchies, click here.

An Important Message and offer from Lance Swank, Owner of Swank Properties in Boston, Massachusetts

The suffering in NY/NJ is breaking my heart and since we have a few luxury apartments available, I would like to offer these suites to those who are without their home and/or have no power, or just need a break from the impact zone.  

 As we try to comprehend the full impact of Super Storm Sandy, all of us at Swank Properties Boston extend our thoughts and prayers to those that have been negatively affected.  We would like to help in any way we can and will also offer our services to those in need, especially for those from the hardest hit areas of the Mid-Atlantic. 

If your family is in need of a place to refuge or you would like to just get away for a bit, we are waiving our entire rental fee for up to 3 nights in any of our available luxury vacation condos in Boston for the remainder of 2012.  We hope that those that can take advantage of this offer will find some peace and comfort during these incredibly trying times.  We at Swank Properties were very fortunate that Boston was spared the worst, and are grateful that we may provide some comfort to those in need. 

If you would like to reserve a stay for yourself, friends or family, please provide the coupon code “Storm2012” when calling or emailing.  Again, we wish all those affected by the recent storm a speedy recovery and return to normalcy. Don't forget, we are only a $10 bus ride away and some of our apartments are pet friendly!

Visit http://swank-properties.com/ for a complete list of available rentals.

Also, stop by the new Swank Properties facebook page and send along a 'thank you' for the generous offer from Lance Swank.

Cape Cod Town Kicks off the Summer 2012 Season with a Host of National Awards, Cultural Milestones, Family Activities and More

From the world-class nature trails and beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore, to the lively festivals and cultural events held throughout the summer season, there is no better time to explore your Provincetown. Read on for a complete primer on Provincetown for the nature lover, the LGBT visitor, the history buff, the arts & culture enthusiast – and everyone in between. This summer, see for yourself whyGayCities.com named Provincetown the “Best Resort Town of 2011” and why Homes.com named Provincetown one of the “Top 10 Scenic Sea Sides.”
 
For the Nature Lover
Surrounded by water on three sides, Provincetown boasts the Cape Cod National Seashore, home to some of the best beaches in the country, most of which are accessible by bike trails. It is also the closest port to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a federally-protected marine habitat home to whales, dolphins, sea turtles, deep sea fish and sea birds.

Bay State Bike Week (May 14-21, 2012)
Bay State Bike Week takes up residence in Provincetown in mid-May as a weeklong celebration of human-powered, two-wheeled transportation. Take advantage of the newly-rehabilitated, eight-mile long Province Lands Bike Trail, the first bike trail designed and constructed in a national park area, as well as a variety of activities for the cyclist. (www.baystatebikeweek.org)

Whale Week (July 23-28, 2012)
A weeklong celebration of family-friendly, marine-themed events, Whale Week features a build-your-own boat paddle race, arts and crafts, talks and sunset whale cruises. (www.coastalstudies.org)
 
Harbor Week (September 1-7, 2012)
The perfect way to wrap up the summer season, the Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta  kicks off a week of schooner races, art exhibitions, cookouts, films, tours, parties and award ceremonies during Harbor Week. Winding down the maritime festivities is the 25th annual Provincetown Harbor Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla (September 8), a community-building swim through the harbor
that raises money for a variety of Cape Cod charities. (provincetownschoonerrace.com,swim4life.org)
 
For the LGBT Visitor
Provincetown’s reputation as a gay and lesbian mecca began in the 1920s when the town was a summer destination for artists, writers, playwrights, poets, socialists, radicals and dilettantes. This reputation was fostered throughout the 20th century thanks to summer regulars taking up permanent residency and purchasing local businesses to further entrench themselves in the town’s fabric. Today, Provincetown, the “Gayest City in the U.S.” according to the 2010 Census, attracts a wide swath of summer visitors for its annual LGBT events and festivals.

Provincetown Bear Week (July 7-13, 2012)
A Provincetown tradition, Bear Week celebrates the bear community and their admirers with a week of tea dances, galas, barbecues, dance parties, performances and more. (www.ptownbears.org)

Provincetown Family Week (July 28 – August 4, 2012)
As an organization that celebrates diversity and promotes community building for same-sex parents raising children, the Family Equality Council sponsors a week of family-oriented picnics, clambakes, activities, unity and pride parades and more. Events are open to all families. (familyequality.org)

Carnival (August 12-18, 2012)
Rivaling the diversity and energy of Rio, Provincetown celebrates Carnival every August with this year’s theme being “Ptown: A Space Odyssey.” Events include DJs spinning dance music, karaoke, the infamous Gay Pride Parade (August 16) with floats down Commercial Street, art exhibits, boat cruises and more. (ptown.org/Carnival)
 
For the Arts & Culture Enthusiast
Recognized as the nation’s oldest artist’s colony and as the birthplace of modern American theatre, Provincetown has inspired artists, writers and playwrights such as Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Edward Hopper, Tennessee Williams,
Truman Capote, Norman Mailer and Michael Cunningham over the years.

14th Annual Provincetown Film Festival (June 13-17, 2012)
This five-day festival features an impressive lineup of more than 50 American and international narrative films, documentaries and shorts, bringing together some of the entertainment industry’s most popular and recognized names. Honorees this year include Roger Corman receiving the 2012 Filmmaker on the Edge Award, Kirby Dick receiving the prestigious 2012 Career Achievement Award. (ptownfilmfest.org)

Portuguese Festival (June 21-24, 2012)
What began in 1947 as the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet to pay homage to the town’s patron St. Peter, the Provincetown Portuguese Festival has expanded into a four-day celebration of the town’s vibrant Portuguese heritage with traditional food, games, music, dance and art. (www.provincetownportuguesefestival.com)

Robert Motherwell: Beside the Sea Exhibition (July 20 – September 30, 2012)
Just one of the many 20th-century artists who came to call Provincetown home, Robert Motherwell was the youngest and most prolific member of the Abstract Expressionist movement, which included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko and Franz Kline. This exhibition at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) marks the 70th anniversary of the artist’s first visit to Provincetown and the 50th anniversary of the creation of his Beside the Sea series, based on his experiences living Provincetown. (paam.org)

8th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival (August 11 & 13, 2012)
A three-day lineup of artists includes Washington DC musicians Sharón Clark (the vocalistJazzTimes calls “a revelation”), Paul Carr (director of the non-profit Jazz Academy in the Washington, DC area) and Joe McCarthy (Grammy Award-winning drummer, producer and bandleader of Afro Bop alliance, and chief in charge of the US Naval Academy Jazz Ensemble).  (provincetownjazzfestival.org)

7th Annual Tennessee Williams Theater Festival (September 20-23, 2012)
A celebration of Tennessee Williams’ legacy, this three-day festival features nine innovative productions from as near as Boston and as far as Italy. (twptown.org)

Nationally-Known Performers (throughout the summer)
Provincetown’s reputation for attracting top-tier talent continues this summer with scheduled appearances and performances by Whoopi Goldberg, Bruce Vilanch, Margaret Cho, Kate Clinton, Patti LuPone, Betty Buckley and more.
 
For the History Buff
Provincetown is rich with historical significance as the site of the Pilgrims’ first landing in the New World when they arrived from England on the Mayflower.

Independence Day Weekend (July 3-5, 2012)
Provincetown teems with Fourth of July activities and celebrations. Set off over Provincetown Harbor, the annual fireworks display is the culmination of a weekend of parades, bands, live music and performances. (www.provincetowntourismoffice.org)

In the Path of the Pilgrims (throughout the summer)
A new walking tour that traces the path the Pilgrims took upon their 1620 landing in Provincetown, their three exploratory treks throughout the Lower Cape, and their subsequent signing of the Mayflower Compact, the first written declaration of a democratic commonwealth in the New World. (www.capehistorymuseums.org)

Historic Walking Tour (throughout the summer)
Available as a mobile app (with voice-over narration) or brochure, this 50-site self-guided walking tour leads visitors past icons of early- and mid-20th century residential architecture, famous artist and playwright homes, as well as historic whaling captain homes from the 19th century. (provincetowntourismoffice.org)
 
About Provincetown
Located 120 miles from Boston along the National Seashore on the outer most tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a year-round destination with a fascinating history and extraordinary offerings.  From incredible beaches and boundless natural beauty to an eclectic arts and culture scene and world-class dining and shopping, Provincetown offers something for each of the diverse visitors it
hosts throughout the year. Provincetown is the proud recipient of the following honors and designations over the last two years: America’s Most Dog-Friendly City (Dog Fancy, 2010), the Gayest City in America (U.S. Census, 2010), Best Resort Town (GayCities.com, 2011), Top 10 Scenic Seasides (Homes.com, 2012), Best U.S. Destination to Get Married (Grindr, 2012). 
 
For more information visit: www.provincetowntourismoffice.org