Wish You Were Here! Since we can't be there in person, we've put together this "Armchair Travelers" series so you can enjoy these favorite destinations from the comfort of your home. Click Thru to View is a fun and easy way to feel like you escaped on an armchair vacation! Simply click on any of the blue links for more detailed information or click on the videos.

Enjoy our first in the series: Cape Cod and The Islands.

It always seems easier to get up early and get on the road when you know you’ll be at the Cape in a few hours. The fresh sea air, sky blue skies with white fluffy clouds, and an abundance of fresh seafood!

First up on your trip to the Cape and the Islands, a stop at Seafood Sam’s in Sandwich, serving fresh seafood with a view. You may want to peruse the menu ahead of time so you can step right up to the counter and place your order. Maybe fried clams ? Or maybe the Fried Lobster Platter! Whatever you choose, remember, vacation calories don’t count!

With hungers at bay, we venture to the Sandwich Glass Museum. Once a cornerstone of the glass blowing, pressing and cutting industries, The Boston & Sandwich Glass Company was a major contributor at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Preserved by the Sandwich Historical Society, the old Boston & Sandwich Glass Company facility became the Sandwich Glass Museum. Not only does the museum boast glass displays both historical and modern, they offer engaging live glass blowing demonstrations.

The art of glassblowing, or glass blowing as an art, has been most recognized by the American glass artist Dale Chihuly, whose work is included in more than 200 museums collections worldwide. Counted as one of Chihuly’s better known installations is Chihuly Over Venice, for which he created sculptures at glass factories around the world, then installed them over the canals and piazzas of Venice.

You don’t need a passport to see a Dale Chihuly sculpture in person. On your next trip to see a performance at The Bushnell in Hartford, take in the centerpiece of Autorino Great Hall, the extraordinary visual experience of "Ode to Joy" , a tribute to the first musical composition ever performed on the Hartford stage. Or a trip to Mohegan Sun Casino will provide another opportunity to see one of his sculptures in person. Soaring 25 feet above visitors is the spectacular "River Blue". The commissioned piece is made up of 2,500 components of hand blown glass in shades of blue, silver and clear, weighing in at a whopping 10,000 pounds!

Maybe give glass blowing a go for yourself. Home in Connecticut, take a trip to the quaint town of Riverton and the Peter Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio, Gallery & School and you can make your own piece of art to take home and enjoy forever.

Next stop, Hyannis which will serve as the base for our Island hopping trip Famously known for its association with the Kennedy family and the home of the Kennedy Compound, Hyannis is a bustling town full of shops and restaurants. You won’t be able to get on the Kennedy Compound, but you can visit the JFK Hyannis Museum or visit the JFK Memorial down by the harbor.

Take a stroll down Main Street Hyannis where you can shop for souvenirs, Nantucket Reds & sea glass jewelry or pop into Plush & Plunder Vintage and browse the racks of vintage clothing! After dinner, watch as the sun dips down and the sky glows orange, signalling the end of another day.

We depart on the Hy-Line ferry for the 30 mile trip to “The Little Gray Lady”, Nantucket! Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1966, Nantucket, together with two small islands Tuckernuck & Muskerget, is the finest surviving architectural and environmental example of a late 18th and early 19th century New England seaport town. What was once the whaling capital of the world is now one of the most sought after locations for vacations. Evidence of this bygone glory can still be seen on the cobbled streets of the town's Main Street.

The Nantucket Historical Association preserves and interprets the history of Nantucket through its programs, collections and properties. Browse their site and some of the things you can experience from home is a live view of Nantucket Harbor, listen to a multilingual reading of Moby-Dick, watch videos presented by the NHA, and explore the Whaling Museum and its history.

Hollywood brought Nantucket’s whaling history to screen in the movie In the Heart of the Sea. The film tells the tale of the whaling vessel Essex and crew who face a harrowing battle for survival when a whale of mammoth size and strength attacks. The ship is left crippled and adrift at sea, pushing the crew to their limits to stay alive. This incredible tale ultimately became the inspiration for Herman Melville’s, “Moby-Dick”.

For those who enjoy a good beach read, try one of Nantucket’s own best selling authors Elin Hilderbrand books. Dubbed the queen of beach reads, Hilderbrand lives full time on Nantucket and incorporates all the local sights into her books. Whether you're on the beach with your toes in the sand, or curled up in front of a fire, Hilderbrand brings you to Nantucket through the eyes of a local.

On the final day of our Cape Cod & the Islands trip we cruise the 7 miles over to Nantucket’s sister island, Martha’s Vineyard. Like Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard is seeped rich in history. Our tour takes us to see some highlights the island has to offer.

The exceptionally well-preserved collection of Victorian cottages found in Oak Bluffs and the site of the Methodist camp will be the first stop. These adorable homes are laced with gingerbread details in an array of shapes and colors.

Next a stop at the oldest settlement on the vineyard, Edgartown. Stroll the quaint streets of this port town, lined with gray clapboard homes frosted with blue hydrangea and roses. There are lots of shops and restaurants to visit. Or stroll over to the Harborview Hotel and relax on the veranda while taking in the view of the Edgartown Harbor Light, one of five lighthouses located on the island.

Our Martha’s Vineyard tour ends with a trip to the west coast of the island and its beaches. Over 25 movies have been filmed on Martha’s Vineyard, but none so notable than Stephen Spielberg’s classic Jaws. This original summer blockbuster was filmed mostly in Menemsha, the small fishing village on the western side of the island in the town of Chilmark. Who can forget Chief Brody’s famous declaration, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.”?

Until we can travel there together, we hope you’ve enjoyed your Armchair Travels through Cape Cod and the Islands. On behalf of Friendship Tours & The Ship Shop, thank you for being with us on this adventure!