Coastal Maine | July 21 - July 26, 2024

Landscapes & Lighthouses of Coastal Maine

Enjoy Maine’s picturesque coastal landscapes as we cruise Casco Bay, visit one of America’s oldest and most photographed lighthouses, and dine at a traditional Down East lobster clambake.

Join Our State as we enjoy Maine’s picturesque coastal landscapes as we cruise Casco Bay, visit one of America’s oldest and most photographed lighthouses, and dine at a traditional Down East lobster clambake.

July 21-26, 2024

 

Package Includes:

  • Round-trip airfare — Raleigh/Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport
  • Five nights’ hotel accommodations
  • Five breakfasts and three dinners
  • All sightseeing and admissions as listed
  • Deluxe motor coach transportation
  • Professional tour guide and driver
  • Our State host
  • Baggage handling
  • Hotel transfers

 

Itinerary Highlights:

  • Casco Bay Cruise
  • Portland Head Lighthouse
  • Walker’s Point
  • Lobster Boat Cruise
  • Cape Neddick Lighthouse
  • Boothbay Harbor
  • Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
  • Lobster bake
  • Five-night resort stay in Kennebunkport at the Nonantum Resort

 

 

Detailed Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVE BOSTON — KENNEBUNKPORT

Upon arrival, meet your tour director. Take in the natural beauty of the New England coastline as you travel north towards Maine with a photo stop in the picturesque coastal town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Later, travel to coastal Maine with its sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes, quaint villages, and lighthouses. Check in for a five-night resort stay. Enjoy a reception and welcome dinner.

Meals: D
Overnight: Kennebunkport

 

DAY 2: PORTLAND, MAINE

This morning, travel north to Portland — Maine’s largest city that sits on a peninsula jutting out into beautiful island-filled Casco Bay. En route, stop at Len Libby’s Candies in Scarborough to sample treats and meet Lenny, the world’s only life-size chocolate moose! Enjoy a scenic Casco Bay Cruise to see lighthouses, forts, lobster boats, and seals. Visit the Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse Libby House, the nation’s premier showpiece of Victorian architecture. Enjoy some leisure time in Old Port Historic District before heading to Cape Elizabeth for a visit to the Portland Head Lighthouse & Museum, one of America’s oldest and most photographed lighthouses. In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own.

Meals: B
Overnight: Kennebunkport

 

DAY 3: KENNEBUNKPORT — OGUNQUIT — YORK

Today explore the Southern Maine Coast dotted with charming seaside towns, picturesque beaches and magnificent old captains’ mansions. In Kennebunkport, see the Wedding Cake House, an over-exuberant version of gingerbread Victorian architecture and the most photographed house in Maine. Visit the Seashore Trolley Museum, the oldest and largest electric railway museum in the world. No visit to Kennebunkport would be complete without taking in the view from Walker’s Point, the longtime summer retreat of George H.W. Bush and family.

In the seaside village of Ogunquit, take a leisurely stroll along Marginal Way, a one-and-a-quarter-mile walking path that winds along the town’s rocky shore and offers dramatic, iconic views of the craggy Maine coastline leading to quaint Perkins Cove. Later board a lobster boat, where a local lobsterman takes you out into the harbor aboard his working boat for an authentic, hands-on experience in the lobstering trade with a lobster haul.

In nearby York, take in breathtaking views of the Cape Neddick Lighthouse, commonly known as Nubble Light. Top off the day with a traditional Down East lobster clambake and a chance to try some delicious Maine lobster!

Meals: B, D
Overnight: Kennebunkport

 

DAY 4: BOOTHBAY HARBOR

Set off on a full day of sightseeing to Boothbay Harbor to discover more of the unique and enduring appeal of Maine’s magnificent coastline. The beat of Boothbay Harbor is vibrant and rich in maritime history and tradition. Visit the village of Boothbay Harbor, both historic and hilly, with charming streets lined with flower boxes, restaurants, coffee houses, jewelry and art stores, and candy and ice cream stands. Enjoy some free time to explore this charing town on your own.

Later, we visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the largest in New England, comprised of 295 acres, 17 of which are gardens featuring native plants of Maine and other plants suited to northern coastal conditions. Its exquisite gardens and dramatic natural landscape, including nearly a mile of tidal saltwater frontage, make it ever-changing, endlessly captivating, and thoroughly unique. Enjoy free time this evening to enjoy dinner on your own.

Meals: B
Overnight: Kennebunkport

 

DAY 5: FULL DAY AS YOU WISH

Enjoy the day at leisure to relax and explore the resort and Kennebunkport. The town is home to many dining options, boutique shops, art galleries, and the First Families Kennebunkport Museum. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner.

Meals: B, D
Overnight: Kennebunkport

 

DAY 6: KENNEBUNKPORT — BOSTON — DEPART FOR HOME

Today, we head south to Boston for your flight home, filled with memories of your Landscapes & Lighthouses of Coastal Maine tour.

Meals: B

 

Tour Rates:

Regular Rate: $3,450 per person based on double occupancy
Booking Discount: $3,350 per person based on double occupancy
Single supplement: $995

Please ask about the “No Risk Deposit” plan.

 

For reservations and more information:

Premiere World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com

 

Additional Information:

What to expect on an Our State trip:

Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.

We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.

You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.

Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.

Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.

One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
 

Physical requirements:

Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.

Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.

Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.

We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.

 

COVID-19 Travel Precautions – Update:

Effective January 1, 2023, Our State highly encourages, but no longer requires COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters for travelers on our domestic tours. This policy goes into effect for international travelers on April 30, 2023. We will keep all participants updated of any changes to these requirements.