Some travelers are inclined to fly off to faraway, exotic destinations. Others search for extreme, adrenaline-filled adventures. But I have found my escape in the Champlain Islands of Vermont.

Just a seven-hour drive up the New York State Thruway and a 20-minute ferry ride across Lake Champlain, I am able to find a destination that allows my family to strip away the pressures and chaos of daily suburban life. It's a place where cell phones often receive little or no signals, where cable TV does not exist, and where the nearest Wal-Mart is more than an hour away.

The view from the islands, looking west over the lake, is breathtaking. The Adirondack Mountains reach toward the clouds, turning a spectacular pink at sunset. The stillness of the lake and the soft lapping of the water hitting the rocky shoreline soothe even the most tightly wound of souls.

At Cozy Cottages in Grand Isle, Vt., my husband, three children and I stay in a charming cottage with a fully equipped kitchen, a shower, and comfortable beds. Our deck, where we relax and enjoy our morning coffee, is a mere five feet from the edge of the lake. Two docks and a small motor boat make it easy to fish, swim and dive.

Just a short drive north is Alburg Dunes State Park, which has one of the longest sandy beaches along Lake Champlain. Rocky cliffs to the east make me feel as though I've found a private retreat at the end of the Earth. Shallow, calm waters allow for a relaxed day of swimming for parents with children of all ages.

A drive through the islands takes us past working cider mills and petting farms, vineyards and pizza shops. The locals are friendly and willing to tell us where to find everything from the best blueberry picking and cider doughnuts to antiques shops.

When we want a little more excitement, we drive 45 minutes south to the charming city of Burlington, where a walk down Church Street exposes us to one of the most diverse populations in New England. Street performers, young bohemian travelers, artists, musicians and families mingle at the many restaurants and cafes.

We browse in one-of-a-kind boutiques stocked with wonderful Vermont-made products and explore the Lake Museum with its hands-on lessons for children.

For one week a year, the unspoiled, uncommercialized Champlain Islands let us unwind, reconnect, and enjoy the true beauty of nature on a small budget.