by Alexa Evans

Think those quaint country roads and darling B&B’s scattered throughout Cape Cod are simply to inspire romance? Think again ladies. For lovers of autumn-colored trees, cluttered antique shops and afternoons filled with Victorian teapots brewing Earl Grey, Cape Cod in the fall with a girlfriend is a great way to find your inner feminine-self. Every other word can be an explanation of “cute!” without a hearty groan from a disgruntled male companion.

Reserve a room piled with old books, a fireplace and a complimentary bottle of wine then settle down to share a few secrets with a pal – who left the heals and lingerie at home and instead opted for slippers and that “cozy” pair of pajamas.

Where to Put Those Pretty Painted Toes Up
Cape Cod is a B&B haven. Quaint little Victorian houses are set in amongst the trees and offer guests a secluded “home away from home” escape with daily breakfasts and plenty of cups of tea. Depending on whether you and your gal pal are looking for some serious girlfriend gab time or if you plan on frequenting a couple of clubs, select a stay that best suits your needs.

The Captain Ferris House, Yarmouth

Located just off the main drag, the Captain Ferris House is the quintessential Cape Cod bed and breakfast. A parlor room and breakfast nook greet you as you walk through the entrance and a tall bookcase features stacks of old novels and history books. A small table offers freshly baked cookies and tea. You’ll want to grab a few, they’re delicious. The rooms are decorated with age-old pieces you’d be hard pressed to find at your local flea market. Some rooms feature fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, the perfect way to end a day of exploring the cape. Grab a book, a wine bottle and gather round the warmth of the fire to slip back in time to bygone eras.

The White Porch Inn, Provincetown
Classic and elegantly decorated, the White Porch Inn in Provincetown offers adventurous ladies a luxurious stay at the tip of the Cape. Rooms are decorated in a beachy-chic décor and many of the private facilities offer fireplaces and spa tubs. Step into the piano room to mingle with new-found friends and take your breakfast out on the porch where you can enjoy uninterrupted water views. Best of all the White Porch Inn is only steps away from all of the hot bars, clubs and art galleries that make Provincetown famous.

Wining and Dining
You ladies aren’t in Cape Cod for a romantic five course sit-down dinner, but that doesn’t mean you should skimp on the bread bowls of clam chowder, platters of fresh oysters and the extensive offerings of various vintages and wine varietals.

The Oyster Company
Choose from an extensive list of fresh, raw oysters when you come to the Oyster Company in Dennisport, along with other exquisitely prepared seafood creations like Cioppino, Seared Ahi, and Striped Bass. Accentuate your eating extravaganza with one of the Oyster Company’s signature martinis, like the Pomegranitini, the Black Cherry Cosmo or the Bikini Martini.

The Skipper
Anything but pretentious, The Skipper Restaurant is where you want to go for a big bowl of piping hot New England Clam Chowder. It is one of Cape Cod’s oldest waterfront restaurants and offers a warm, tavern-like atmosphere inside. Grab a booth in the back and contemplate the life of those sea-faring skippers over a cold pint of their Harpoon I.P.A.

Relish
It’s okay girls…you’re on vacation and you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. Relish, located in Provincetown is just the stop that you need to make. Scrumptious rows of baked goods line the glass cases and seriously, who could turn down one of their colorful melt-in-your-mouth cupcakes? In addition Relish also offers double fudge brownies, cream puffs, snickerdoodles and chocolate espresso cookies.

Exploring the Cape
The best way to enjoy the Cape is to travel by car. Trundling up Old Highway 6A that winds and weaves through dense forests and through small, storybook towns you’ll begin to wonder if you are in fact transported into a Jane Austen novel. Old Victorian houses peak out from the trees and candlelit windows gleam in the dusky autumn surroundings. Old country gardens offer hues of rose, amber and blushes of pink flowers while ambling vines creep along walls and rooftops. Old wooden bridges will lead you over silently streaming rivers, and pockets between the trees offer glimpses of deep crimson cranberry bogs. On your way up the old road, stop in at cluttered little antique stores and peruse for charming little treasures to transport back home.

Take the time to stop along the way for a taste of Truro wine in their picturesque outdoor pavilion and wander among the vines to capture unforgettable photo opportunities. Highly recommended varietals include the Triumph, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and their Cape Blush.

Park your car at the small town of Sandwich for a leisurely stroll through the Heritage Museum and Gardens and learn a little more about the delicate art of horticulture, while taking in the lush landscape of this fertile region.

Cape Cod will always be an ideal spot to rekindle the romance, but it offers up plenty of charms that can be especially appreciated by a like-minded girlfriend who just needs to get away from it all and clear her senses with the steam of a hot pot of tea, tucked away in a cozy, country cottage.

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Alexa Evans is a full time web-marketing editor, and as often as possible, freelance travel writer. She enjoys aimlessly strolling the streets of foreign cities, sipping wines from here and there, eating freshly prepared Italian dishes and going on long walks to nowhere in particular.