Mrs. dchristiva and Jr. dchristiva and I are trying to plan our summer vacation and are giving vacation rentals at Cape Cod and the Outer Banks serious consideration.

My understanding is that it takes a pretty hearty soul to brave the water temperatures around Cape Cod in the summer, but this would be a shorter journey for the family. On the other hand, I spent quite a bit of time in the Outer Banks when I was a kid, so even though it would be a VERY healthy drive from NY, I'm leaning in that direction. Plus, I think waterfront vacation rentals in Cape Cod are few and far between whereas they're pretty abundant in the Outer Banks.

I don't know the various towns in the Outer Banks all that well (besides the obvious Nags Head and Kitty Hawk), nor am I too familiar with the Cape (only been there once for a wedding).

So, I figured I'd turn some of the decision-making over to the experts here at FT. Some of you are bound to be experts on both areas, so I'm open to your suggestions and thoughts.

Thanks in advance.