Four Romantic Getaways in New England

New England is famous for its historic inns, luxurious resorts, and intimate bed and breakfasts. But now add in the varied and startling scenery of sandy beaches, rocky coastlines and the lakes and mountains, and you’ve the ultimate in choices for romantic getaways.

But where would I choose to visit and stay? Here are four destinations for romantic getaways in New England that would always make my list.

ACADIA REGION IN MAINE:

Travel further north than the shopping outlets and the Boothbay Harbor region and you enter another Maine of dramatic coastline, beautiful villages and islands, and Acadia National Park. Here you can cycle on carriage roads with breathtaking views, walk through silent forests or hike to mountain summits, or drive on scenic roads.

Visit the park but then slip away to Deer Isle on Penobscot Bay and take in the historic villages of Castine and Stonington, or travel north to the Schoodic Peninsular and tour along coastal Route 1 where fishing villages dot the inlets and secluded harbors all the way to the Canadian border. Places to stay that specialize in romantic getaways can be found in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth both just outside Acadia National Park’s boundary.

BERKSHIRE HILLS IN MASSACHUSETTS:

The rolling Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts have long been popular with the rich and famous but more recently discovered by those seeking an alternative to the crowded beaches and hiking trails of more popular New England destinations. Nestled in valleys between mountain ranges, and along rivers and streams, are villages where during the day you can discover the outdoors, and at night experience Shakespeare or a musical in any of the towns dotting the region. This is also a recommended spot for fall foliage romantic getaways.

The Berkshires is also home to many of New England’s most exclusive resorts and historic inns centered in the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge.

CAPE COD IN MASSACHUSETTS:

Drive a few extra miles from the tourist haven of Hyannis and you’ll enter what the locals call the quiet or lower cape. This is the Cape Cod National Seashore region with miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches and stunningly beautiful cliffs, dunes, and ocean. You can take a walk through a salt marsh or visit historic sites and see for yourself the forces of nature erode and redistribute land in this geological wonder.

Or you can just share a walk along a sandy lane to a kettle pond and forget about the commitments to keep at home. Recommended towns to stay include Chatham, Orleans and Eastham, all of which have inns and resorts that specialize in lodging and amenities for romantic getaways.

WHITE MOUNTAINS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:

One of the first areas of New England to be developed for tourism the White Mountains in New Hampshire once boasted a large choice of grand resorts. Today just a few of the resorts remain but the spectacular views and wide-open spaces are still a magnet for those seeking to discover places off-the-beaten path, and explore the peace and quiet of the northern woods. Spectacular scenic drives and mountain villages dot the valleys and invite a stop to admire a covered bridge or take a walk to a waterfall and a picnic lunch together.

The fall foliage in this area is considered some of the best viewing in New England and makes an ideal time for a romantic getaway to one of the inns in Jackson or Bartlett Village or any number of hideaways nestled in Mount Washington Valley.

These are just a small sample of ideas for romantic getaways in New England and I hope they inspire you to start planning your next trip together today.

For more destination ideas and lodging for Romantic Getaways in New England and to get a free trip planer package to download visit Cliff Calderwood’s New England Vacations Guide web site at http://www.New-England-Vacations-Guide.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Calderwood

Camden Maine – Perfect Small Town America for a New England Getaway

Are you looking for the ideal small town America for your New England getaway? If so it would be difficult to find a place more fitting than Camden, Maine.

Camden is one of those places in Maine with a picturesque harbor, some colorful history, and distinctive shops and galleries along the waterfront. And if you’re after lobster – who isn’t when they visit Maine – then you won’t be disappointed.

The best views of the town are at the top of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park which overlooks the harbor and the surrounding Penobscot Bay region. It’s a short hike to the top of the hill from the town or you can drive when the road is open – usually mid-May to mid-October.

Other trekking destinations in the area include Beech Hill Preserve which offers hiking, picnicking and birding activities, Fernald’s Neck Preserve that offers trails through forests along the shores of Megunticook Lake, and Bald Mountain preserve which is a more strenuous climb to views of Penobscott Bay and Camden Hills. These destinations are managed by the Coastal Mountains Land Trust and you can pick up a brochure and trail maps from their web site.

For those that remember the classic small town depiction in the movie Peyton Place from 1957 then Camden Maine was the inspiration and where a lot of the location filming took place. But Camden was not only inspiration for Hollywood; it was also the inspiration for Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Edna St. Vincent who went to school in Camden, and it’s said the breathtaking views from Mount Battie led to her first volume of poetry.

Camden has not been without it’s drama as the town almost burned to the ground in a catastrophic fire in 1892. Much of the rebuilt town was down in red brick – one side of Main Street is almost entirely of brick. The town was also eyed by the British – though never occupied – during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812.

While Camden may be your nightly resting haven for the time you spend in the area your stay should include visits to nearby Rockport and Lincolnville where you’ll find the same charm and relaxed feelings you’ll experience in Camden.

Of Maine’s more than 60 Lighthouses seven are within striking distance of Camden, including Curtis Island Light in Camden Harbor and Indian Island Light off Rockport. They make a fine day tour and the others include: Rockland Breakwater Light at Rockland Harbor, Grindle Point Light on Isleboro – a short ferry rife from Lincolnville Beach, Owls Head Light just south of Rockland, Marshall Point Light at Point Clyde, and Pemaquid Point Light at Damariscotta.

Other activities popular in the Camden area are Windjammer cruises which are offered for a one day trip or a 5-day vacation, Mountain biking especially on Ragged Mountain, and antique hunting which folks seem to love scouring the shops for resell bargains or that special memento.

For those seeking evening cultural entertainment the area is well represented throughout the year with Camden and Rockport each having their own opera houses and the Schoolhouse Museum in Lincolnville providing exhibits covering thousands of years of history in the region. Summer seasonal arts include productions at the Camden Civic Theatre and Bay Chamber Concerts can be enjoyed at Rockport.

Food is important in mid-coast Maine and Camden offer fine dining along the Main Street and waterfront area. Naturally seafood is prominent and offered at places like: the Atlantic Seafood Bistro, Bayview Lobster, Camden Harbour Inn and Cappy’s Chowder House. If deli sandwiches or pizza is more to your liking then try the Camden Deli or Zaddick’s Pizza & Mex.

When it comes to finding a place to rest your head for your Camden getaway then the town offers up superb and budget minded lodging. If you’re looking for a coveted AAA Four Diamonds Award then the Camden Harbor Inn has achieved that distinction for both the inn and restaurant. The town has plenty of Bed & Breakfast lodging available such as Swan House Bed & Breakfast, Inn at Camden Place and Elms B&B at Blackberry Common.

If your New England getaway plans coincide with the fall then be aware autumn and foliage comes a little later to coastal Maine than the interior. But in these parts the crisp air makes the mountains and the town sparkle one more time before “closing down” for the winter.

Happy New England getaways,

Jed

Fall New England Getaway Series – Acadia National Park

Fall in New England is approaching fast and everyone is hoping for a repeat of the colorful foliage show we experienced in 2008. Over the next few weeks I thought I would share my favorite New England fall getaways. I’ll start this week with Acadia National Park in Maine.

Acadia is the only National Park in New England. It’s one of the most popular destination points in the summer and offers hiking, biking, canoeing, camping, photography, bird-watching, scenic drives, and many other activities. It can be crowded in the summer but after Labor Day and during the autumn – especially weekdays – getting around the park is much easier.

Usually the coastal areas of New England do not have the most spectacular of fall color, and what they have tends to be late in the season. But Acadia is different. Mount Desert Island is the largest section of the park and has varied terrain and plenty of color. The hiking and bike paths through the forest and woods provide outstanding opportunities for seeing the fall foliage.

Popular destinations for fall viewing include: Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road, Eagle Lake, Bubble Pond and Jordan Pond. If you have bikes then take the Jordan Pond and Sargent Mountain carriage road loop for a 3-hour ride through amazing scenery and color.

If scrambling up mountains or pushing peddles around the carriage roads isn’t your favorite form of seeing the views than take your car around the 27-mile Park Loop Road. The road travels along the eastern and southern coast of the park before turning north into the interior for views in the mountains and lakes.  There are many pulls off and short paths into the words to fill your camera’s memory with foliage pictures.

Popular fall getaway lodging is available in Bar Harbor and nearby town of Ellsworth. Bar Harbor tends to be the preferred accommodation center as it has plenty of restaurants and shops right on the edge of the park and offers scenic views into Frenchman Bay across to the Schoodic Peninsular.

Bar Harbor dates back to late 1800’s as a resort town but it suffered a major fire in 1947 when many of the mansions and resort building were destroyed. Today it mingles shops and cafes with distinct lodging such as the Atlantean Inn and Manor House Inn, and resorts such as Bar Harbor Inn & Spa and the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel. Don’t forget to take in a traditional blueberry pie while visiting, which is as traditional as the other Maine food of choice… lobster.

If you still haven’t decided on your getaway vacation then check out here what Acadia National Park in the fall has to offer and make that trip to the Downeast Maine coastline you’ve always dreamed about since seeing those calendar shots of the famous rocky coastline.

Back next post with more of my New England fall getaway destinations.

Jed

Ogunquit – One of Maine’s Best-Loved Getaways

New England’s largest state – Maine has a lot of destinations to offer for getaways but none more striking than the seaside town of Ogunquit. Ogunquit was named by the Abenaki Indians as “beautiful place by the sea.”

Located in Maine’s southern coastal section it is within easy striking distance of Boston yet far removed from the bustle of a city, and this makes it a magnet for getaways seekers. Despite Maine’s reputation for dramatic and rocky coastlines, at Ogunquit you can find one of New England’ finest sandy beaches.

In the summer trolley buses leave from the town to the beaches as parking can be problematic.

The three-mile sandy beach is overlooked by rugged cliffs which have a footpath on the rim known as the Marginal Way. The Marginal Way offers striking views of the ocean and Perkins Cove which is at one end of the path.

Many people love Perkins Cove for its shops, art galleries and restaurants, and it is popular. In the summer it can be a challenge to find a parking spot and room to move, but a trip to Ogunquit should take in this village as well.

Ogunquit offers plenty of shops, restaurants, arts and antiques, and places to stay – hotels and B&B Inns abound and you can expect to pay $150 – $200 per night in-season for accommodation.

If you want a day out on the ocean whale watching or deep sea fishing head for the docks early and get your excursion booked in advance, in summer do it at least the day before.

As a getaway Ogunquit is well located for both Kittery factory outlet shops south and the Kennebunk’s north along coastal Route 1. Despite being well-known for its outlet stores Kittery has a Naval Museum, Fort McClary State Historic Site and many fine old mansions along its streets. And the Kennebunk’s have more to offer than the vacation home of past presidents – take in the Seashore Trolley Museum and Brick Store Museum, and the sandy beaches and shops in the towns of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk.

Ogunquit is a favorite to visit out of season especially in the early fall when crowds are less but many places are still open. Winter in Ogunquit is silent and peaceful except for one weekend in December when the town hosts its annual and well-attended Christmas celebrations with special festivals and bonfires and candlelight walks.

If Maine is your idea of a getaway then consider Ogunquit as your destination.

Jed