During my recent cruise to New England and Eastern Canada we visited 5 different ports of call. The ship departed from Bayonne, New Jersey late in the afternoon. We had great photo ops of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York Skyline.
Early the next morning we arrived in our first port of call: New London, Connecticut. New London is the home of the US Coast Guard Academy, Groton Submarine Base, and is near Mystic Seaport. Many passengers ventured to Mystic to check out the authentic whaling port, Mystic Aquarium and the Olde Mystic Village shops. Departing New London we were escorted by a Coast Guard Helicopter and cutter. Made us feel very important!!
From New London we headed to Portland, Maine. Historical 19th century brick buildings in Portland were originally built to support the vast export and fishing industries. Now, this area, still very quaint, is home to specialty shops, restaurants and pubs. My favorite part of our visit to Portland was the tour of 5 different light houses, with Portland Head being the most famous and most beautiful. Light houses are everywhere in Maine!
Besides light houses, pubs are quite abundant, as well. If micro-breweries are your thing, there are 7 in Portland. All of the microbreweries, with catchy names like Gritty McDuff’s and Allagash Brewing Company, offer tours.
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House in downtown Portland was the home of the 19th century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Tours are available.
An excursion to Kennebunkport, the quaint little village President George Bush, made famous, is a also a wonderful way to spend your day in Portland. Here you will see the Victoria-style mansions built by sea captains, shop in little boutiques and galleries, and enjoy local seafood.
Bar Harbor, Maine is a typical New England village with quaint shops, selling local crafts, blueberry jam, and cans of lobster bisque! The village of Bar Harbor is surrounded by Acadia National Park. The scenery here, including the rock-bound coast, soaring granite cliffs and majestic mountains have attracted the Rockefellers, Astors and Vanderbilts for over 2 centuries.
Exploring the beautiful Acadia National Park, is a must do while in Bar Harbor. Cadillac Mountain, natural rock formations of Thunder Hole and the hand-cut stone bridges, breathtaking views of Penobscot Mountain and the fall foliage, will make for a memorable day.
Of course, no true visit to Maine would be complete without a lobster bake with all the trimmings: corn, potatoes and blueberry pie! Onto Halifax next blog!! Please call or email me for information on cruising or doing an escorted tour of New England and Canada. Trafalgar and Globus, as well as other tour companies offer several different itineraries for New England and Canada.