Day # 1, Thursday, June 6, 2024
Today we begin our travel north to Portland, Maine’s largest city-by-the-sea, for lunch on your own along cobblestone streets in Portland’s historic waterfront district, the Old Port Exchange. Here you can enjoy views of Casco Bay while you browse through the quaint shops.
Photo stop at Portland Head Lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in America.
Then sit back and relax for your drive along the coast “downeast” to Bar Harbor. You’ll see quiet little protected harbors filled with working lobster boats along the way. Ospreys and bald eagles’ nest high in the spruces along the rugged shores, deer browse the open fields, moose forage the wetlands and harbor seals make their annual pilgrimage to quiet coves.
Check in for a three-night stay at Atlantic Oceanside Resort. You’ll find amazing views at this full-service resort on the shore with balcony rooms overlooking Frenchman’s Bay. The hotel features pools and Jacuzzi, beautiful grounds, restaurant, and lounge. The hotel is a mile from town (not walking distance).
Enjoy an included dinner at the resort. (Dinner)
Day # 2, Friday, June 7, 2024
Enjoy breakfast this morning at the Resort.
This morning, take a sightseeing / nature cruise of Frenchman’s Bay. Cruise along the calm waters of the harbor and see a variety of marine life on this narrated excursion. See harbor seals basking on the rocks and enjoy the majestic scenery of the Maine coast.
Free time for lunch on your own in Bar Harbor and time to explore the shops, boutiques and galleries in downtown Bar Harbor. There are also two parks and a shoreline walking trail here.
This afternoon, meet your local guide for a tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Bar Harbors breathtaking beauty was discovered in 1604 by Samuel de Champlain, who named it “Isle de Monts Desert” (Mt. Desert Island) for its bare, desert-like mountaintops.
The first national park founded east of the Mississippi, you’ll see 9 mountains over 1000 ft high, stone bridges, lakes, ponds, trails, and carriage roads. Travel the entire Park Loop road with stops at Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole on Ocean Drive and Sieur De Mont Springs Wild Gardens of Acadia and hear about the rich and famous visitors who built summer cottages here.
An early dinner is included at a local Bar Harbor restaurant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day # 3, Saturday, June 8, 2024
Breakfast included at the hotel this morning.
Take a Guided leisurely stroll through Bar harbor’s historic past and hear tales of how Bar Harbor grew into both a summer haven and year-round residences for many Euro-American. You’ll also learn how previously established Wabanaki Indian encampments had to adapt as the town grew with new people. This architectural history tour visits sites of Indian camps, buildings erected during the heyday of the famed Cottage era and those built after the Great fire of 1947.
Free time and lunch on your own in Bar Harbor with free time to explore the waterfront shops and shoreline walking path.
Next you will hop aboard our traditional, Downeast-style lobster boat, Lulu! Cruising on Lulu is like making the prettiest coastal Maine postcard come to life. During your cruise on Lulu, experience a sample of the life and work of the Maine lobstermen (or lobsterwomen!). Watch a demonstration of how lobster traps are hauled. Lulu will slowly and quietly approach the rock ledges where the seals rest at the lower tides. Observe sea birds, bald eagles, and other marine wildlife in their natural environment.
Don your souvenir Maine Lobster Hat for a traditional Maine lobsterbake dinner with all the fixin’s. Served in a unique waterfront location.
Then you’re off to the Great Maine Lumberjack Show. See “the Olympics of the Forest” re-enacted as the lumberjacks and loggers used to compete 100 years ago. You will hear the big crosscut saws singing in the forest, just as you would have heard in a logging camp competition in the Maine woods…and you will watch the thrilling lumberjack sports of wood chopping and sawing, tree climbing, ax throwing, and everyone’s favorite… log rolling… all exhibited with a modern twist, mixed with history, comedy, and lots non-stop, razor-sharp action! Return to your hotel by 8:30 pm. (show 7pm-8:15pm) (Breakfast & Lobster Dinner)
Day # 4, Sunday, June 9, 2024
After an included breakfast buffet at the hotel, you’ll travel back through mid-coast Maine toward home.
Have your camera ready for a photo stop atop Mt. Battie within the beautiful Camden Hills State Park, where you’ll see sweeping views of Penobscot Bay and the surrounding islands.
Continue traveling south to the charming Freeport Village, where you’ll have free time for lunch on own and to explore the quaint village with shops. Also, home to the L.L. Bean flagship store there are a myriad of outlet shops. (Breakfast)
Package Price Per Person: Single $1,725 | Double $1,325 | Triple $1,205 | Quad $1,145