Adventure in Wonderland

Nothing will prepare you for the historic charm and beauty of Portland as you arrive into Maine’s largest city and creative hub. Holding on to it's heritage, mainly lobster and local arts and craft, combined with a famously booming restaurant scene, you’ve got one of New England’s best destinations. Wander amongst the cute boutiques and design shops of the Old Port, meander up to the parks and cafés of Munjoy Hill, explore the galleries and studios of Congress Street, stock up on Maine-made goods at the Public Market House, and delve into the renowned dining scene at Duck Fat. Bike along the rocky, picturesque coastline, or get the best views from above in a hot air balloon. Sail around the bucolic islands of Casco Bay, and along the coast we hope you’re noting the lighthouses. They dot the shore all the way along the state, each majestic and iconic in its own way, and don’t forget to have a lobster roll.

Whether you prefer to explore the stunning botanical gardens, hike one of the nature preserves, spend a day on the water, take in a concert or theater performance, play a round of golf, or simply explore the shops, restaurants, and art gallaries, the Boothbay Harbor region has something for everyone. A unique vacation awaits you as you explore the great outdoors. There are miles of hiking trails just waiting to be discovered that offer everything from relaxed strolls to challenging hikes. A trip to Boothbay wouldn’t be complete without soaking up a little of the local culture. With over 200 artists in the region, you will discover studios and galleries from Broadway musicals to classical concerts to performances by Grammy-Award winning artists. Take a tour of a local lighthouse in the area, or visit a local museum to experience the Maine of bygone days.

As you travel just 12 nautical miles from the mainland and arrive at Monhegan Island, you may think you have gone back in time as this is an island of simple pleasures, with no cars or paved roads in sight. The population is fewer than 75 during the winter months. Visit the village store and browse the wonderful island arts and crafts, or set off on a cliff-edge hiking trail on an island known for its natural beauty. Lobster Cove can be found at the south of the island, an excellent place for bird watching or visit the high ocean cliffs of the Headlands. Make sure you don't leave the island without catching a glimpse of the Harbor Seals hanging out on the rocks.

Nestled in the heart of Maine’s mid-coast region, where the mountains tumble all the way down to the water, these two towns offer some of the best hiking opportunities in the state – with the best views, too, of course. Head up into Camden Hills State Park and up Mount Battie as much for the panoramic view back over the harbour as for the scenery on the hike. Explore the bay on one of the area’s signature windjammers, or kayak inland past Islesboro. Back in the charming towns, explore the waterfront lobster shacks and dine waterfront with a glass of local wine; Maine’s first vineyard, Cellardoor Winery, is just ten minutes away. Head inland a bit to the surprisingly large Farnsworth Museum, with a good collection of Maine art, and to take a cooking class at the highly-acclaimed Salt Water Farm.

Stroll through this quaint seaside village and take in the historic charm of this beautiful town considered one of the oldest in New England. Museums, old military forts and Dyce Head Lighthouse are all on the to-do-list. Explore the streets of Castine with antique-style houses shaded by beautiful elm trees. Located on the magnificent island-dotted peninsula of Penobscot Bay in Eastern Maine, Castine is well worth a visit.

A landscape of forests, mud flats and rocky shores where you can appreciate nature in its purest form. Choose from one of the many hiking trails, find a picnic table or set off on a kayak. This mile long island has an incredibly diverse eco-system offering breathtaking beauty. Why not stop at Butter Island on the way for a hike on the Montserrat trail, where you can try some of the islands finest home-grown blueberries.

An esteemed New England summer destination well-known to be frequented by the wealthy, Northeast Harbor can be found on the Southern end of Mount Desert Island. Due to the natural protection of this harbor, this is a favourite spot for sailing. Visit the quaint shops and restaurants , paddleboard or kayak up the12 mile Bagaduce River famous for its oyster beds, or take a tender past Deer Island.

One of Maine’s iconic destinations, along with its Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor was for decades New England’s premier summer resort, where estates belonged to families such as the Rockefellers, Astors, and Carnegies. Now, it attracts visitors as much for the national park and outdoorsy activities as it does for the cute town. Hike up Acadia’s Mount Cadillac and amongst its scenic lakes, cliffs, and valleys. Sail and kayak between the tiny islands that dot the bays, all ruggedly beautiful and green in the summer. Watch for a variety of whales, including humpback, finback and Minke, as well as porpoises, seals, and puffins. After you’ve worked up an appetite, eat and drink with the locals at the off-the-beatentrack Lompoc Café, the local and organic Red Sky, and the waterfront lobster roll mecca Seafood Ketch.