Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

It's the elite hot spot for celebs to relax, and if you're looking for some serious down-time, ditch the Valley for The Vineyard.  Here's my personal experience on the New England island.   

It’s known as “The Vineyard” or “M.V.”…regulars don’t call it Martha’s.  And hopefully this is just the beginning of us becoming regulars at Martha’s Vineyard, probably one of the most peacefully serene places I’ve ever been.

It’s quite a trek making the trip to the Massachusetts island, but the inaccessibility is surely what preserves its charm.  Yes, to access M.V. you’ll either need a private jet or a ferry pass, and boarding the ferry is exactly where our Vineyard adventure began.

The BF’s brother was kind enough to include us in their annual summer vacation, so we immediately jumped on the chance to spend some family Q.T. at one of New England’s most appealing destinations. 

On a 100+ degree Valley day, we ditched the heat and flew to Boston. Once we arrived, the BF and I boarded a 2-hour bus ride, making our way to Woods Hole, Massachusetts.  That’s where we met up with the BF’s East Coast family—his older brother, sister-in-law, and two (very adorable) young kids. 

With our bags in tow, we boarded the Woods Hole ferry.  The sun was shining and I was, once again, reunited with the beloved blue water…I immediately felt at ease.    

About 30 minutes into our ferry trip we spotted The Vineyard.  Already, I could tell it was as cliché as I envisioned.  I thought of all the presidents who often frequented the island, and at that moment, I knew why.  As the ferry pulled up, we were greeted by such a picturesque setting.  It took my breath away.

Our temporary humble abode was surrounded by others like it; a neighborhood of colorful Victorian houses right out of a fairy tale.  Ours was blue, equipped with an adorable front porch where the white rocking chairs and swings seemed to fit right in.  In front of our house was a lush-green lawn, where the BF instantly made BFFs with his newfound love—a kite. 

In the distance, we had a lovely view of the water, and after mixing a welcome-to-M.V. mixed drink, we made ourselves comfortable relaxing on the porch.

We stayed in Oak Bluffs, as the island is much bigger than you’d probably imagine.  It’s made up of a handful of little areas, all with a uniquely distinct ambiance.  Oak Bluffs is on the northeast shore—a quaint resort town full of ice cream eateries, restaurants, shops, and harbor-side bars.  We kicked off our first supper snacking on an array of seafood.  Probably—actually surely, the best shrimp I’ve ever had. 

And then the BF’s brother introduced us to Back Door Donuts.

If you have no willpower, avoid the donut shop all together.  However, I strongly feel calories don’t exist on vacation, so we gave into all temptation taste-testing the fresh-out-of-the-oven apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and Boston Cremes.