My husband and I (no kids yet!) were thinking about visiting Maine for our vacation this year (July 5-13,02) because we've always heard such wonderful things about the tranquility and beauty. We are nature lovers, appreciate fabulous food and prefer B&Bs to hotels.

We've heard the coast is a great week trip or the 'interior' as well. Any suggestions on an itinerary would be helpful to us!

Also, we'll be flying from Atlanta and renting a car, so should we fly directly into Maine or somewhere else, like NY or Boston and drive in?

Thanks for any help!

Well, Katz, I can tell you that you don't want to fly into NY -- it's 200 miles south of Boston, which is another 50 miles to the Maine sate line. And the Maine you want is a bit north of that.

If I were you, I'd try to fly into Portland. Second choice would be Boston, third choice Providence RI which is 50 miles south of Boston but smaller and saner and right on the highway.

Manchester, NH airport is another idea.

several years ago we flew into boston and drove to bar harbor/acadia national park....great trip for nature lovers..though july would probably be very crowded.

The best bet is to fly into Manchester, New Hampshire, and then head for Rt. 101 East, to Rt. 95 (Maine Turnpike)north, stopping along the way in Portsmouth, Kittery Point, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport. Do a search; there is a ton of info here on this forum. Check out the B&B Finder on the Yankee magazine websit. Do it all now because you are planning on the busiest, most expensive season--but it's worth it.

Thanks for all of your help! I will do some research this afternoon so we don't miss out!

You ought to be able to get the best fares flying into Manchester NH. Portsmouth NH has great restaurants and would be on your way if you got Rt 101 to Rt 95. There is so much to see on the coast that if you prefer tranquility don't get off the highway until you are north of Portland. Portland has some great restaurants too. Bar Harbor/Mt Desert Island is definitely very beautiful with steep craggy shoreline, many hiking opportunities plus the incredible view from the top of Cadillac Mtn. You will find many places serving lobster on an open deck. I think there are 3 in the Pemaquid Point area alone. We think that's the best way/place to eat lobster. Fabulous food is also found in places like Camden and Boothbay where there are busier restaraunts catering to tourists but things are a little too noisy and crowded in those towns. OK for a visit but you might want to choose B&Bs in more out of the way places. Check the Yankee Magazine website at www.newengland.com.

As you may realize, the further up the coast you go, the less crowded it becomes. There are so many hidden peninsulas and coves, you could spend months exploring them. However, if you want long sandy beaches, the stretch from Ogunquit to Kennebunkport is virtually all wide sand beach. Because of this it does get more crowded, however. Realize the water is quite cold in Maine, even in mid summer- a quick dip is the most many people can stand. Also, if you enjoy the outdoors, you may want to think about spending a few days in New Hampshire's White Mountains, which start about 1 1/2 hours north of Manchester. Fabulous hiking and scenery!

Katz-You can fly nonstop out of Atlanta on Delta to Portland and use that as your base for going everywhere.Delta used to fly 727's to Bangor but I think that Comair(their smaller commuter) is th one that has alot of flights in and out of there? If you use Portland as your base,you can cut your driving down considerably.I personally would suggest that you head up north on the coast to Boothbay ,Rockport/Camden and then over to Mt. Desert Island. Acadia National Park is beautiful and there are many fun things to do,eat and see. Enjoy those lobster rolls!(McDonalds even sells them during the summer for about $5.00).

We've enjoyed both Squire Tarbox Inn in Wiscasset and the Newcastle Inn in Newcastle. Fairly close to one another in the Bath/Pemaquid/Boothbay general area which offers charm, natural beauty and good access to Freeport shopping! Both Inns are quiet, small, well-run and offer great dining. Squire Tarbox is located in a more remote location and they raise the cutest goats (which you can frolic with!) on the property and produce their own goat cheese. Newcastle is on the way to Pemaquid just off Rte 1 and is known for consistently good sort of classic French cuisine. Both have websites.
In the Ogunquit area, you'll find no finer dining than at Arrows Restaurant (reservations a must) and the Inn by the Sea just south of Portland is a smallish resort in a fabulous location - walk right to the beach from the Inn.
Enjoy - Maine is wonderful!

I did a trip last summer flying into Boston and driving along the coast (no interior though). I was convinced that in the future I would make an effort to fly to Bangor or Portland, anything to get me further north before the driving started. However, I have since been told that unless you can get a direct flight, connecting from Boston or New York to get to one of those cities wastes far more time than then extra driving. Does anyone agree or disagree with this?

Katz, if you're interested, my trip report is on this forum, or I could email it to you. It was called "Wonderful Sailing Trip in Maine"

It really was wonderful-- I hope you enjoy yours too.

One more thing, Katz: Bring plenty of heavy-duty bug repellent (forget about that wimpy Avon stuff). As soon as springtime Black Fly Season ends, the huge mosquitos are out in full force. Those short-season bugs are ferocious!

Old Port (in Portland Maine) is the best walking/eating area in Maine. Street and Company and Fore Street are 2 incredible restaurants.

The cobble stone streets and small shops are great as well.

For a more beachy area, try Ogunquit (and Cherrystones Restaurant and the Hurricane Restaurant).

Thank you all for your help! I will be sure to check out the travel report. I think we are going to fly into Portland and spend a day or two and then drive north on Sunday the 7th. I am checking into specific B&Bs now, and had already found Newcastle Inn so it was good to hear that you liked it. I'll keep you posted on where we actually book!

After your initial visit, I'm betting you will start planning your second, and so on... We who live here may be biased, but you will understand why we put up with the inhospitable winters after you have experienced our summers. They are truly SWEET. Be sure to visit the mid-coast area. The drive up route one in Lincolnville takes you closest to the Atlantic than any other place along the coast. And there's a beach! Yes, July is one of the busiest times of the year, but we think the crowds are still more polite than anywere else (we travel a lot). Be sure to visit the most unusual jewelry store in the state of Maine, Bennett's Gems & Jewelry, right on Rt one in Belfast, just over the bridge. Great finds, great prices. Bring home some "real" souvenirs from your Maine Visit! Enjoy!

I believe that Delta flies into South Portland. The airport is called the Jetport, and fares are usually pretty reasonable.

Katz, I wholeheartedly agree with the other postings about how wonderful Maine is to explore. I did a long weekend there a couple years ago, and we're going back again this fall. It has beautiful spots along the many lakes inland, as well as the breathtaking scenery along the coast. We spent more time than we ever expected just exploring roads that went along the coast and never even made it as far as Acadia. It is one of the few places I am compelled to get back to!

For a look at Maine away from the coast, drive up to Greenville on Moosehead Lake (Moosehead is the largest natural freshwater lake within any state in the lower 48)

Stay at the Indian Hill Motel for a great view of the lake. Take a cruise on the Katadin

Hello all! Here's the plan (still a few holes!) We are flying into Boston on the 5th in the AM, I got a really inexpensive flight from ATL. Then, we're renting a car and driving up the coast (through Salem, Glouster (sp?) to Portland where we're going to spend Fri & Sat night; then onto Bar Horbor for 4 nights. I was thiking of the Pomengrate inn for the 2 nights in Portland, does anyone have suggestions?? And, what are the recommendations for Bar harbor B&Bs— places you've stayed.

And, we want to whale watch, is it better from Bar Harbor or Portland?

The southern portion of Main sounds fabulous, but we wanted the 'craggy' coastline and all the other wonderful things you think of being in Maine for the first time around.

definitely make a reservation and go to Fore Street in Portland - -outstanding food -and don't miss Pemaquid Point, beautiful coastline view on the rocks. Get lobster at a REAL Maine place, you'll be amazed at the prices and at the taste - -incredible, but stay away from the chain places, Warren's Lobster House, etc - -a bit too touristy. Go where the lobstermen sell their catches directly and sit on the water with no frills - - great place to visit. Enjoy!