When explorer Giovanni Verrazano sailed past in 1524, he was so astounded by the beauty of the coastline that he declared its “Arcadia”— ancient Greek for “idyllic place”. The name may have evolved without the ‘r’, but that cinematic splendor of Acadia National Park lives on, in rugged rose-tinted cliffs, islands scattered along the coast, glacial lakes and quintessentially New England coastal villages.  Songbirds join hundreds of other bird species, from bald eagles to peregrine falcons. Otters and seals play in the waters around your kayak. From a culinary standpoint, you decide if the area should be known as the lobster, blueberry or craft beer capital of the world… or all three. Journey with us through maritime Maine, where ocean meets coastline, coastline meets mountains, and New England charm meets you at every turn. 

DAYS 1-2 - PENOBSCOT BAY / CAMDEN
The coastline’s long, rocky estuaries, sheltered coves and salty water provide ideal conditions for oysters, and local friends in Edgecomb have been perfecting the cultivation process for over thirty years. Hear how, and learn the art of oyster farming and tasting, when you visit their artisanal farm just in time for lunch.  

Later, sail one of Maine’s signature schooners in one of the world’s most photogenic bays. Penobscot is known as “the jewel of the Maine coast”, and with your captain and crew, you’ll navigate past rocky shoreline and sculpted narrows, over glassy open waters. Watch out for puffins, seals, porpoises and whales as you sail along.  

Did you know that Mainers make wine? Visit vintners at their 200-year-old timber barn on a Lincolnville hillside, home to the Cellardoor Winery. Your hosts welcome you to the estate on a private tour of their five-acre vineyard and state-of-the-art facility. Along the way, they’ll share how they make their award-winning wines. Then, they’ll host you to a wine tasting, paired with locally-grown produce.  

DAYS 3-5 – ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Just north along the Atlantic coast is Mount Desert Island. Following the coastline of pink granite cliffs, you get a great introduction to how wild and scenic it is. So wild in fact that you might spot a Maine moose during your walk. The farther north you find yourself, the more likely you’ll spy the Aurora Borealis. And in the continental U.S., you can’t go much farther north than Maine. The tiny towns and vast wilderness mean little light pollution, so even if the dancing green waves of the Northern Lights don’t make an appearance tonight, you’ve got the shimmering quilt of the Milky Way overhead. 

Maine has 3,478 miles of coastline, so lighthouses are a must, and the state has 65 scattered strategically along the coast. The Bass Harbor Head lighthouse is a legendary Acadia—and Maine—landmark, and you’ll see it perched on craggy coastline, looking out to the endless Atlantic from the very southernmost tip of the island, as you enjoy a scenic walk rich with songbirds, including warblers and kinglets, as well as tide pools, formed in pink granite and home to vibrant algae, barnacles and marine snails. Paddle sea kayaks to an island onto Frenchman Bay to see jellyfish, seals, porpoises and humpback whales.