Visit Maine, a new vacation destination in the United States

Located in the easternmost part of New England, it is bordered to the north by Canada and to the south and east by the Atlantic Ocean. Maine accounts for almost half of the total area of New England. Its northern limits, known as the Great Northern Forests, are largely virgin forests. The coastal regions, supported by fishing and tourism, are more densely populated, particularly in the southern part and warmest in the state.

While the state is most often known for its rugged coastline and proliferation of lighthouses, Maine also has much more. Here, visitors will discover national parks with limitless wildlife, charming historic towns, and ski resorts. In Auto Europe, we show you the natural beauty that has become a national and international destination; that is why in this blog, we will show you the region called "Vacationland." This experience is by the marketing department of Auto Europe.

Discover the Portland area

Located in southeastern Maine, Portland is the largest city in the state and a great place to start your visit. On one side of the vibrant downtown, the pier is the historic Old Port. I explored various locally owned art and craft shops amid the ornate Victorian architecture and cobblestone streets. I enjoyed the most delicious meals at Street And Co. Restaurant. It is also where you will find the waterfront of the city's work zone overlooking Casco Bay. You will appreciate when the lobster fishing boats arrive at the bridge and observe how the workers bring what they collected to the shore.

Icons of the waterfront in Cape Elizabeth

South of Portland, we visit a small town called Cape Elizabeth and its famous Portland Lighthouse. This is the oldest lighthouse of the 65 in Maine, and it is still in operation. Many tourists, especially photographers, love to capture the sunrise in this place. Enjoy the sea breeze and listen to the roar of the waves: how fantastic life is!

After a quick 10-minute drive, we arrived at The Lobster Shack At Two Lights, a highly regarded restaurant that draws customers from all over. I have never had dinner so close to the ocean. I enjoyed the popular lobster roll, made from fresh, juicy lobster meat on a buttery, soft roll. All this is accompanied by the sound of the impetuous waves and the horns of the boats that enter the bay. Nearby is Crescent Beach, a beach that offers visitors the opportunity to surf and swim or walk on the white sand beach with the family.

Shopping at Freeport Outlets

Just a 30-minute drive from Portland, we stopped in the city of Freeport for some shopping. You can browse a range of discounted outlet stores from popular brands like Ralph Lauren and Coach or pay a visit to one of the local haunts, renowned outdoor apparel maker L.L. Bean.

Appreciate the coastal beauty of Ogunquit

To get to know Ogunquit, board the open-air trolley that will take you on an excursion through the charming seaside town established in 1640. Soak up the family atmosphere and scenery. Spend your time cruising the 5.6 kilometers of white sand beaches with majestic dunes. Plus, find out why Ogunquit Beach consistently ranks among America's best beaches. The packed sand is perfect for walking, and the ocean water is refreshing and relaxing. The best time to visit is at low tide when the beach is at its maximum.

Try more excursions from the water with a variety of classic Maine-style boat tours, cruises, and charter boats that crisscross the shoreline and venture out into the Atlantic Ocean. When you return to the beach, head to the famous Perkins Cove via the Marginal Way, a nature trail that runs along the Atlantic Ocean coastline and where walkers, joggers, and cyclists abound.

The beautiful and internationally known Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor, located in northeastern Maine, is a small but lively seaside town with a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Our first stop was Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. This is the highest point on the North Atlantic coast. We drove all the way to the top to see the sunrise. Even before 6:00 a.m. m., a group of people can already be found at the top of the mountain waiting for the sunrise and ready to capture the moment with their phones and cameras. It really is one of nature's masterpieces.

The crushed rock surfaces of the carriage trails, which wind curves and twists in the center of Acadia National Park, are perfect for biking. This was my favorite activity since I could immerse myself in nature and enjoy everything that this place has to offer. Also, in Bar Harbor, I recommend the Lulu Lobster boat ride. The captain took us on tour to learn how local fishers catch lobsters and provided us with a comprehensive analysis of the anatomy and life cycle of the Maine lobster. For example, now I know that lobsters smell with the hairs on their legs. During the tour, we even got to see the seals stick their heads out of the water.

If you want to enjoy an unforgettable vacation, Maine should definitely be your first choice. Watch the sea, play on the beach, enjoy lobster, go shopping and relax.

Driving distances from Portland airport: