Travel

Item Description

One week (dates TBD) in Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard. The house (completed in 2011) marries a clean, modern aesthetic and open design with the unique, creative touches of its owner, a ceramic artist. With a master bedroom, a children's bedroom with bunk beds, and an adjoining room that can be a third bedroom or a play room, the house sleeps 4-6. The house is 850 sq ft, though the generous "screened" deck makes it feel bigger, and kids can play on the jungle gym and race around the yard. The house comes with access to a tennis court (within walking distance) and a key to a Blackpoint Beach, a private stretch along the island's pristine South shore. Additional details:

• 1 1/2 bathrooms, plus outdoor shower (perfect for getting the sand off after a trip to the beach)
• New kitchen appliances and grill on the deck
• Wi-fi
• Fireplace
• Washer/dryer in basement
• For folks who want to work, there are two very basic office spaces in the basement, a post office 10 minutes away, and Fedex and UPS both deliver.

Chilmark is, as the locals say, "up-island" -- the part of the Vineyard that is known for farms, rolling hills, and houses nestled in the woods. The island's three main towns (Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown) are a 20-30 minute drive, and while all are fun to visit (don't miss a ride on the country's oldest merry-go-round!) they are not essential. A well-stocked grocery and drug store are 10-15 minutes away, and Chilmark is dotted with roadside farm stands offering fresh produce, meats, and dairy products, not to mention the semi-weekly farmers market.

Menemsha, a nearby fishing village, boasts Larsen's (where you can buy fresh fish to cook at the house or order lobster or shell fish to eat out back) and The Bite (for the most excellent chowder, fried shrimp and, well, anything fried). Davis Square's Flatbread Pizza has a restaurant in the middle of the island -- a 20 minute drive. And there are closer, more upscale eating options, such as The Chilmark Tavern, run by the owner's of Cambridge's Chez Henri, and State Road. (More suggestions and advice comes with the house.)

Item Special Note

The highest bidder will be given the option of scheduling any week until July 8, 2014. Given that the winner will need to arrange ferry tickets, planning ahead is an advantage!