my boyfriend will be going to iraq in a few months..so I wanted to plan a wonderful 3 days in maine..looking for somewhat romantic yet great base for hiking and kayaking..any suggestions..please!!

Bar Harbor.

Both my adult daughters love Camden...and they are also self-described romantics.

Camden offers a wonderful selection of Inns and B and B's. Great hiking and kayaking.

I live in Kennebunkport...but they still prefer Camden ;-) !

Have fun planning wherever you choose !

Marion

Check out the Welch House Inn in Boothbay Harbor. Also, if you can wait until just after labor day, crowds will be non-existent, you'll save about 25% on your room, and the weather should still be beautiful.

Consider lakeside visit to New Hampshire, Alton Bay is very nice and awesome-view hike at Mt.Major nearby, you might just sit and enjoy the lakeview all afternoon.

www.bayside-inn.com

Another vote for Camden (although I also love Kennebunkport). You can both hike and kayak in/near Camden so it's an ideal base for a 3 day visit. We loved our room at the Lord Camden Inn and the location in center village can't be beat...just a walk across the street to the harbor for your kayak adventure! Fantastic food and view at Waterfront Restaurant.

The most romantic place of all is Bar Harbor. My husband and I spent 4 nights there in May a few years ago. We stayed a a wonderful little inn called the Castlemaine. The innkeepers were so sweet and helpful and the rooms were so cute - fireplaces, Ralph Lauren comforters and it was very reasonable as it was off season. The Bar Harbor restaurant sits on the water and has the best Lobster Bisque. There is a pub in downtown Bar Harbor that has live bands and it is so fun to dance to a local band (from Bangor). The best of all is the hiking in Acadia National Park. Places to hike up to top of a cliff and overlook the area. Took a picnic with wine etc... to top, spread out a blanket and had a great time. Just me! Kenebuncport (spelling ?) is nice, but not nearly as romantic as Bar Harbor. Booth Bay harbor is okay too, but kind of dismal- not as scenic as Bar Harbor. Acadia and the Castlemaine are the best!!!!

Whether you stay in Camden or Bar Harbor, make a visit to the Cellar Door Winery in Lincolnville (just north of Camden) for a wine tasting. Pick your favorite and buy an extra bottle to put away to celebrate his return home. See their website at www.mainewine.com

Taramick

I too am planning my first trip to Maine....but I will leave that to others to get you info. I just wanted to say I hope you both have a wonderful time and give a "great big kiss" to your boyfriend for all of us Americans who might not know all the details about this war.....but want all of our brave soldiers to return safe and sound to the good ol USA and to those that love them!!
John