Luxury Travel in Maine
Azure blue water and long sandy beaches stretching as far as the mind can imagine won’t be in the cards this year.
This year something closer to home will have to do. Just the thought a non-medically necessary strip search, or strange folks rifling through our natties is enough to make a rented Chevrolet appear the true definition of “luxury in travel.”
We’re a salty bunch, so inland vacations are out, and we’ll forego wayward attempts at spelunking and ridge running (lest there be no 24-HR ER nearby). Upon closer inspection it becomes evident anywhere from the Canadian border (we don’t want the passport, ER, or natty issues, remember)? to the Mid-Atlantic will be acceptable.
A cup of coffee later, and some pondering . . . and it becomes evident a drive greater than ten-hours would be, well, ambitious – more of a task than a vacation destination. Our date – mid-August – causes yet another dance with reality. “South” does not mean “better” – it gets sticky below the Mason-Dixon – and this crew of Yankees has thick blood.
The price of gas is also a consideration, unless, of course, we’d like to sleep in that luxurious Rent-a-Chevy. The possibilities still seem endless; Boston’s North Shore, New Hampshire, some parts of Connecticut are nice. Even the Hamptons would do. The choice, however, after reviewing a few old vacation brochures, soon becomes evident.
Portland, Maine, with her long, rocky beaches, hidden tide pools, crashing surf, and foggy vistas perfectly fits the bill!
Perched upon a jetty in the center of Casco Bay, Portland is well within a fifteen-mile radius of countryside and coastal recreation. Much more resembling a living postcard than an urban seascape, cruise boats and lobster bakes dot the horizon of the Eastern Promenade each summer evening, and the port itself is still illuminated by “Head Light,” the nation’s oldest operational lighthouse, a worthy sight to behold.
First named “Machigonne” (Great Neck) by the native Indians, she was dubbed “Portland” by the British in 1632 when they established a center for trade and fishing there. The city remained a part of “The Massachusetts Bay Colony” from 1652 until Maine became a state in 1820. All this occurred only after Portland had been completely leveled by fire four times by 1866. This prompted her to adopt the phoenix, the symbol of a bird rising from the ashes, as her logo. By 1941 Portland had established herself as the solid Naval port she remains today.
You might experience some of this rich history for yourself with a walking tour, available from the Visitors Center in the “Old Port” section of town. Filled with architecture true to the Victorian era, Old Port is highlighted by a vibrant community of small artists, antique shops, and a picturesque bay. On Saturday mornings in the summer the area comes alive with a Farmer’s Market and a street fair – complete with impromptu musicians and everything from glassblowers to macramÃ?© artisans.
A multitude of restaurants are located here, and many choices for every pocketbook are offered. An indoor version of this event, dubbed “The Public Market,” is open year-round, just a few blocks away. Offering the very best of both local and imported treats, many of their delicacies are available on-line. My notes told me I especially enjoyed the fresh fish seller’s chowder and the cheese venders there, who offer a wide variety of choices at a fair price. My husband liked the wine dealer, who had a good selection of unusual Spanish vintages and was fun to chat with, too. After hours the entire section of the city hosts a vibrant nightlife featuring live entertainment and a festive atmosphere.
Narrated bus tours are available from the Visitors Center. Visits to The Eastern Cemetery (1688) – the first in Portland, The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, and The Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow Home, boyhood abode of the famous poet, are included.
If the urban scene is just not what you’re looking for, then maybe lobster fishing, exploring a hiking trail filled with the intoxicating scents of wild flowers and pine trees, some time at a remote beach, a Colonial fort, or even the sight of a lighthouse or two might prove exciting.
Recently voted the fourth most livable city in the U.S. by Fine Living Magazine, clean air, a low crime rate, and solid schools have also gained Portland recognition as the number one city in America in which to raise children by The Children’s Rights Council. Taking pride in her status as a kid-friendly town, she currently offers a Planetarium and Children’s Museum with hands-on arts and science exhibits. The Portland Sea Dogs, a minor league baseball team, offers a great opportunity to experience something special for families during the summer months. Our eight-year-old nephew couldn’t get enough of Smiling Hill Farm Barnyard’s petting zoo and pony rides, not to mention their homemade ice cream!
The Gulf of Maine Aquarium, a nationally acclaimed educational resource for children since 1968, is conveniently located in the heart of the Bay and youngsters are invited to participate in a study on lobster diets, to learn about the fishes of the Gulf of Maine, or to watch the renowned North East Cod Tagging Program when visiting. If my kids stayed there any longer, they would have begun to charge us rent.
Seasonal concerts by a symphony orchestra led by Toshiylci Shimada, autumn and fall foliage festivals, white water rafting events in the spring, and ski tours in the winter are featured throughout the year by this “Fine Jewel of the North,” as she was dubbed by her son Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow. Old Orchard Beach sits just twenty minutes south, and offers state-of-the-art amusement and water parks, a boardwalk, and gift shops in the summer. The mansions of Kennebunkport, bargain-laden factory outlets in Kittery (go off-season for the best deals), and the quaint coves of Ogunquit, famous for their beauty and artist’s retreats, are also just a short drive from this peaceful seaport.
Apparently The Pine Tree State has much more to offer than a few lobsters, some blueberries, and a moose or two.
Well, time to start packin’ up that very definition of luxury. Hand me that beach towel, eh?
