From Milan Italy to Maine

Maine - The Way Life Should Be

From Milan Italy to Maine

by Dino
(Italy)

Acadia National Park Fall Foliage

Dear Liz,

Thank you for the excellent information and data on Maine.

We are an Italian couple planning to visit the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts between next Sept 25 and October 10, starting from and arriving to Boston.

I would appreciate your hints regarding a possible itinerary especially in Maine..your suggestion regarding other states are, of course, very welcomed.

Our plans is to rent a car from Boston and drive up all the way to Acadia National Park. I understand I am not being original but we would like to see the coastal Maine which, apparently, is spectacular in the fall period.

We are planning to stay in B&B's as the human factor is very important to us and should you have any addresses or recommendations at this regard, that will be of course appreciated.

I hope you may be so kind to suggest a route which is off the beaten track but is still particular to nature lovers as we both are..

I am, of course, too generic in my request but apart from Lonely Planet and some browsing on the net, I did not properly make my homework. So I rely on "pros" assistance and experience

Final question: if you would have 14 days vacation to spend in New England which would be the highlights of your trip?

Thank you for the cooperation.

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From Milan Italy to Maine

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Sep 19, 2010
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Fryeburg ME to Gorham NH
by: Liz

Dino, another scenic route from Fryeburg, Maine to New Hampshire, one that I just took last week...

...is Route 113 North, all of which is a Maine Scenic Byway, with portions of the road winding through the incredibly peaceful White Mountain National Forest.

This road connects with Route 2 West, which you can take into Gorham, NH and then pick up Route 16 South, down to Mount Washington, Conway, and the Kancamagus Highway.

Sep 17, 2010
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Part III Response Milan Italy to Maine
by: Anonymous

(See also Part I and Part II of Response)

...Kancamagus Highway (a spectacular display of mountain vistas and foliage) to Lincoln, NH.

From Lincoln I would head toward Vermont. There are a number of ways to do this, and from years of living in New Hampshire, with parents in Bennington, Vermont, I've tried varying routes. I will describe one of my fall favorites.

In Lincoln, NH...

...pick up Interstate 93 South, to Concord, NH. From concord take Interstate 89 North to Lebanon, NH.

In Lebanon take Route 4 into Vermont.

Stay on Route 4 through Woodstock, Vermont, continuing on toward Bridgewater/West Bridgewater, where you can pick up Route 100 South.

Stay on 100 South until North Windham, where it meets Route 11 East. Take Route 11 to Manchester, VT.

In Manchester take 7A South to Bennington, a historic area surrounded by mountains.

As for Massachusetts...

I don't know how much time you plan to devote to Massachusetts, however, Boston is certainly worthy of at least a day trip. The Freedom Trail - www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/ - can be a great way to uncover a wealth of the city's history.

Because individual tastes and lodging preferences vary so dramatically, I try not to recommend one place over another. However, when I travel I rely VERY heavily on the advice of other travelers who have posted reviews on TripAdvisor.com. Thus far I have not gone wrong by doing so. As a matter of fact...

My husband and I have been lucky enough to visit Italy on two occasions and made hotel reservations based solely on the advice of travelers who wrote about their experiences on TripAdviosr.

As your travel plans evolve, I am sure you will come across many other interesting places to visit in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. And when you arrive, little side roads and nooks and crannies are sure to becon you. For the most part, they will not disappoint!

You may also be interested in:

Detailed State of Maine Map
Maine Tourist Attractions
Places to Visit in Maine

I truly hope you enjoy your trip.

Best regards,
Liz

Sep 17, 2010
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Part II Response From Milan Italy to Maine
by: Anonymous

Port Clyde, Maine...

...a tiny and serene, working fishing village, and also the point of departure for the Monhegan Boat Line that departs to Monhegan Island (a small piece of land around 10 miles offshore). One of my fondest memories of Port Clyde is checking into a hotel and not being presented with a room key. The proprietor explained that he had lost the key years ago, but assured me that my belongings, left unattended in my room, would be perfectly safe. it was then that I feel in love with Port Clyde!

Camden, Maine, and Boothbay Harbor, Maine...

...are both very pretty harbor towns. Camden, with its surrounding hillsides can be particularly pretty during fall foliage. You will see many Maine pictures featuring this quaint town.

Bailey Island, Maine...

...with a dead-end at Land's End, is an incredibly peaceful outpost of sand, sea and rock. If you visit, just prior to reaching Land's End, you may want to take the left-hand turn that leads to the Giant Steps - a rock formation created centuries ago, offering wonderful views to the Atlantic.

Where do you go from there?

I would probably head toward Portland, Maine...then across to Fryeburg, Maine, continuing on into the neighboring town of...

...Conway, New Hampshire.

I would head north on Route 10 through the village of North Conway and continue on until reaching the Auto Road entrance of Mount Washington, at the top of which, the highest surface winds in the world were recorded in 1934.

You can drive your own car to summit, take a guided auto tour, or do neither. However, the summit is not visible from the base. But, just a bit south of the Mt. Washington Auto Road is the Wildcat Ski area which offers gondola rides. From the top of Wildcat you should be able to look across the valley, and on a clear day, see Mount Washington.

There is also an interesting Appalachian Mountain Club facility located along that same road, just a bit south of the Mount Washington Auto Road entrance.

I would then head back to Conway and take the...

(Read also Part III of Response)

Sep 16, 2010
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Part I Response to From Milan Italy to Maine
by: Liz

Hi Dino,

Due to space limitations, my Comments are in several posts...

What a wonderful time of year to be traveling from Milan, Italy to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. As you must know, New England fall foliage should be at or near peak during your travel dates.

I'll share a few of my thoughts, suggestions, etc.

Acadia National Park is truly stunning. I highly recommend the Park Loop Road, a 27-mile paved road that winds along the rugged coastline and the park's interior And, if you are up for it, and the Maine weather forecast cooperates...

...sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain. The panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, and the town of Bar Harbor and Frenchman's Bay, is simply breathtaking at sunrise (the first in the continental United States).

Bar Harbor, the nearest town to the Acadia National Park entrance, is a charming seaside village, filled with shops, restaurants, and various sightseeing boat cruises that depart from a downtown harbor.

All along Maine's coast there are scenic nooks and crannies that hold wonderful surprises, beautiful vistas and fun things to do. Over the years, a few have become my favorites, some of which may satisfy your quest to find places suited for a "nature lover", while others may seem a bit "touristy", to you. However...

...in most locations you will find that Maine's natural beauty and local wildlife are well showcased - and that hiking trails are nearby, as well as guided tours by - land and by sea - that allow visitors to better partake in Maine's magnificent outdoor life.

Some of my favorites include...

(Read also Part II of Response)

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