Have you ever been to the Vacationland state for your annual holiday? The state of Maine in the northeast of the United States is one of the best places for nature lovers. Drive up the beautiful coast and visit beaches, lighthouses and parks, and treat yourself to fresh lobster and clams.



About one and a half hours north of Boston by car, start your sightseeing trip in a historic village and the sandy beaches of Kennebunk. Moving north, Old Orchard Beach is a town with outdoor concerts and festivals all throughout summer. Amusements parks and Old Orchard's Pier will keep kids of all ages happy. Continuing up the coast, Cape Elizabeth is a beautiful town with family parks like Fort Williams or Two Lights State Park.

You'll find camping areas, inns and B&B's all along the coast for your holiday but however, if you're looking for a luxury resort, take advantage of spa, swimming pool and easy beach access at the Inn By the Sea in Cape Elizabeth.

Only ten minutes from Cape Elizabeth, you'll arrive in Portland, the largest city in Maine, where you can visit the Old Port with cobblestone roads, floating restaurants and artisan shops. Then drive up to Freeport at any hour to spend time at L.L. Bean, an enormous outdoor equipment outlet open everyday, 24 hours a day. In the fall, the drive up to Freeport - and in and around Maine in general - is gorgeous. The leaves on the trees are bright red, yellow and orange, and the fresh autumn air revives our health and well-being.

If you like boating, Maine is the perfect place to be. Continue up to Boothbay Harbor where there are many excursion boat trips and then drive up to Camden and Rockport. These beautiful towns along the coast combine stunning ocean views with impressive mountains for hiking and nature walks.

You can't leave Maine without spending time in Bar Harbor. Surrounded by nature and breath-taking views, Acadia National Park is a place that every family member can enjoy. From hiking trails, scenic driving, biking and swimming, there are many activities for all ages. For lodging, Acadia National Park has camping facilities and accommodations to suit various needs.

If you would like to discover nature again, the state of Maine is a beautiful place to visit. Wide roads with few cars guarantee fresh air and relaxing moments with your family and friends.

In the winter, ski stations like Sunday River and Sugarloaf can welcome skiers of every age and level. If you would like to start out on a smaller mountain, try Lost Valley, a family ski resort where there is night skiing.

Maine is a very different place in the summer and in the winter time. Winters are long, cold and windy. Summers are short and hot. But the change in scenery and the multitude of activities for each season make Maine a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. If you plan on spending time in Maine, make sure that you taste Maine specialities like lobster and fried clams, and look up dates for festivals in the various towns. Maine is an outdoors state where nature is at our doorstep. At the end of your trip, you'll understand why Maine is called the Vacationland state and the ideal place for your holiday.