Maine Coast

Highlights

• Historic Bar Harbor and Northeast Harbor
• Acadia National Park, Thuya Gardens, Cranberry Islands
• Hike craggy coastal mountain trails and historic carriage roads
• Fresh local lobster and other seafood

There's nothing that compares to the rugged beauty of the Maine coast, and the jewel in the crown is Mount Desert (pronounced 'Dessert' by locals) Island. Once the summer estate of the Rockefeller family, it is now home to Acadia National Park and hundreds of miles of footpaths and carriage roads, making it the perfect spot to enjoy mountain views and lush pine woodlands, with walks along rivers, ponds, and the craggy coast; not to mention some of the best seafood you'll ever have the chance to eat. It is a place defined by picture perfect small towns and snug harbors with lobster boats chugging in and out to sea. While we're there we stay in two wonderful towns: bustling Bar Harbor filled with museums, shops, and restaurants, and the quieter more exclusive Northeast Harbor, with bobbing sailboats moored just off shore. Days are spent enjoying the trails in Acadia and all over the island, with visits to its famous gardens, round glacier carved mountains, deep ravines and water holes, and beaches that offer splendid views of the shore as well as the sea. Speaking of the sea, we've planned a ferry ride to the Cranberry Islands Inlet -- just one of the many unexpected highlights of this wonderful 5-night Walk.