Day #1 – Monday, July 29, 2024
Welcome to Vacationland! Make your way north to Portland, Maine’s largest city-by-the-sea.
Arrive in Portland, a peninsula extending into Casco Bay. The Old Port waterfront features working fishing wharves and converted warehouses with restaurants and shops. Lunch on your own along cobblestone streets in the Portland historic waterfront district.
We will take you to see the Portland Head Lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in America.
Travel to Boothbay Harbor for your unique Maine Coast Adventure! Includes Dinner along the way!
Check in with a welcome reception of punch and cookies to the Boothbay Harbor Inn, in Boothbay Harbor, for three nights. The hotel is located on “the quiet side” of Boothbay, just a short stroll from downtown across a charming footbridge beside the hotel. The footbridge that connects to the “downtown” center of Boothbay Harbor where there are many shops and art galleries to explore. The Inn does not have an elevator, if you are unable to do stairs please mention at time of reservation you need first floor. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets from this side of the harbor! (Dinner)
Day #2 – Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Breakfast is included at the hotel this morning.
Make your way to the Maine Maritime Museum where you’ll board the boat for their Shipyard and Lighthouses River Cruise. Explore the Kennebec River where American shipbuilding began more than 400 years ago and continues today. Cruise past Bath Iron Works for spectacular views of the Navy’s most advanced ships under construction, then cruise down river for a water view of the museum’s historic Percy & Small Shipyard and a close-up look at two lighthouses: Doubling Point Light and the Kennebec Range Lights.
After the cruise, you will have time to explore the Maine Maritime Museum. The museum depicts Maine’s shipbuilding industry from the 1600’s to the present. Numerous hands-on exhibits, boat building demonstrations, a lobstering exhibit and a special lighthouse exhibit (see the view from the top of the lighthouse without climbing any stairs!). If A Victorian shipbuilder’s home is also here on the grounds of an historic shipyard. Most of the shipyard’s original buildings, plus tools and equipment are on view.
Next, we depart for downtown Bath to enjoy free time exploring the shops and lunch on your own.
Return to the Boothbay Harbor Inn where you’ll get ready for Dinner at the Inn. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day #3 – Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel this morning.
This morning, you’ll have free time to explore the village and have lunch on your own in this popular resort town which has retained the atmosphere of an old New England village. Fishing craft lie alongside wharves that follow the quaint, winding village streets. Yachtsmen and artists began vacationing here in the early 1900’s. You’ll have free time to explore the local galleries, boutiques, and plenty of casual restaurants from which to choose.
This evening, sail aboard the Bennie Alice to Cabbage Island, a unique Maine experience! There you will enjoy a traditional “Downeast” clambake cooked on the water’s edge with all the traditional fixin’s.
Cabbage Island has been the home of traditional clambakes since 1956. The lobsters are cooked in seaweed, steamed from top to bottom, and covered with tarpaulins and rocks in order to capture all the flavor and sweetness of Maine lobsters and clams. Your authentic meal includes a steaming cup of fish chowder, two lobsters (or chicken for any landlubbers), tender white steamed clams wrapped in foil, sweet golden corn on the cob, onion, and new potatoes. For dessert, you will love their famous Blueberry Cake with hot fresh coffee or iced tea. There are restrooms and a cash bar on board the boat, as well as the island. Casual seating will be at picnic tables on the lawn and covered deck. There is additional seating inside the building if needed. (Breakfast, Lobster choice dinner)
Day #4 – Thursday, August 1, 2024
Breakfast is included at the hotel this morning.
Enjoy a scenic Harbor & Nature cruise on Linekin Bay this morning. You’ll pass by beautiful vacation homes, lighthouses, small islands and go out to see the seals on the ledges and the puffins that summer here on Eastern Egg Rock. Truly a magnificent “Seafari” for all nature lovers with seals, blue heron, an occasional whale, and other coastal wildlife along the way.
The cruise returns to Boothbay Harbor, and you’ll have free time for lunch on your own before we depart for home with A Fond Farewell! (Breakfast)
Package Price Per Person: Single $1,699 | Double $1,295 | Triple $1,175 | Quad $1,115