Mountains and Moosin in Maine

Day 1

Today we will make our way to Maine for a stay in the south coast Maine region. Stops for rest & lunch will be made enroute. Check-in to the lovely Meadowmere Resort with luxurious accommodations, beautiful gardens, and indoor & outdoor pools. Upon arrival at the resort, the Maine Tour "lobsterette" will provide each passenger with a souvenir hat. Tonight we'll enjoy a festive and traditional lobster dinner with all the fixings! Feast on fresh Maine lobster (or BBQ chicken or vegetarian option if you prefer) in a casual setting with sing-along entertainment.

Day 2

After breakfast we will meet a local guide for a narrated tour of Kennebunkport, ME. We'll drive past the sandy beaches, rocky coastline, and the George H. W. Bush compound at Walker's Point Estate as we hear the history of these shipbuilding towns and the legend of the Wedding Cake House. During our touring we'll visit the seaside Franciscan Monastery with its beautiful landscaping, outdoor shrines, and chapel. Lunch will be on your own in the Dock Square area before we continue up the coast to tour the Museum at Portland Head Lighthouse. This small museum is contained within the lighthouse keeper's quarters. We'll learn about the history of Maine beacons and the families that operated them. Next, we travel through the lakes region to the mountain village of Bethel. We will stop to visit Maine Balsam Fir Products, a small company that hand-makes balsam-filled pillows and products. Enjoy the fragrance while learning how this Maine-made production got started. We'll then head to the Jordan Hotel at Sunday River Resort where we'll be greeted with a welcome reception around the giant lobby fireplace before we settle into the comforts of this lovely mountainside resort. The hotel features a heated outdoor pool and whirlpool, beautiful walking trails, and on-site lounge. Dinner is included at the hotel followed by a crackling campfire.

Day 3

Following breakfast we'll discover the history of this unique area that is known for its mountaineering, skiing, and gemstone mining. Don an apron and a bucket for a hands-on mineral and gemstone sluicing program where you can keep any treasures you find! Learn about the various gemstones, including the exquisite Maine Tourmaline which is commonly found in this area. We'll tour the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum with mineral specimens, gemstones, and historical items that tell the story of Maine's mining history. You may even be able to hold some rare meteorite specimens from the moon and Mars! Lunch will be on your own at a local restaurant followed by free time back at the resort to relax and freshen up. Later this afternoon, don your souvenir moose hat for a special guided moose-watching tour. This is the perfect time of day to try and spot Maine's gentle giants as our guide takes us along some "off the beaten path" roads where they feel we'll be most likely to spot a moose. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we drive through Grafton Notch State Park with stops for scenic photos at mountain overlooks & a local covered bridge known as the "Artists Bridge". Dinner will be included this evening.

Day 4

After breakfast we will travel west along one of Northern New England's most scenic routes to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Stop to see the picturesque Jackson Village covered bridge, also known as the "honeymoon bridge". We'll then have lunch on our own with time for tax-free shopping in downtown North Conway or relax in Schouler Park which offers comfortable benches with views of the Moat Mountain range. This afternoon, we'll cross the Kancamagus Highway - New England's most scenic byway - and check-in to our hotel in Lincoln, NH. Tonight, we'll relive the romance of dining on the rails aboard the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train. Board a beautifully restored vintage Pullman railroad car and enjoy a leisurely two-hour evening ride among the lush New England Forest and magnificent mountain vistas accompanied by an elegant five course feast.

Day 5

Enjoy a full buffet breakfast this morning before we travel through the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. With stops for rest & lunch enroute, we will arrive home early this evening.

Please note

Our intention is to run each tour as originally planned and published. However, if deemed necessary to do so, Perkiomen Tours reserves the right to make changes to tour components, schedules or itineraries without prior notification.

Tips for Perkiomen motorcoach drivers and tour escorts are not included in the price of this tour. We feel that these gratuities should be extended on an individual basis and dictated by the level of service provided.

Motorcoach seating is assigned at the time of reservation but cannot be guaranteed. Although we do our best to keep each traveler in the seat assigned at the time of reservation, there are times that it is necessary to move seat locations. Please be sure to verify your final seat number(s) with your driver at the time of boarding. Historically, daily seat rotation was practiced on most multi-day tours. We have suspended this practice for a period of time. Seat rotation will be explained by your driver or tour escort if reinstated.

Perkiomen Tours recommends that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance for your tour. Travel Insurance is purchased directly by you from a third-party of your choice. One option is Travel Safe Insurance. You can purchase insurance directly from Travel Safe through our website. www.perkiomentours.com.

CB=Continental Breakfast, B=Full Breakfast, D=Dinner