SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

OVERVIEW

Get a wonderful overview of Portland during a panoramic driving tour, and then enjoy free time shopping in Kennebunkport, an equally picturesque coastal village. Your tour commences with a scenic drive through the Old Port, a former warehouse district that is now home to quaint restaurants, unique stores, and art galleries. Continuing, you will pass through the New Arts District, the heart of Portland’s cultural resurgence, and pause for photos at Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse. You will make another photo stop at the extraordinary Wedding Cake House in Kennebunkport. With its carved buttresses, spires, and lacy spandrels, this 1826 home is one of the most photographed buildings in the state. Just as famous is the George H.W. Bush family summer estate, which you will pass on the way to Dock Square, where you will enjoy free time to shop and dine on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Portland’s best, most characteristic architecture.
• Pause for photos at Maine’s oldest lighthouse.
• Spend about 1½ hours of free time exploring Kennebunkport.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy beautiful views of Maine's famous rocky coastline as well as a visit to the charming coastal village of Kennebunkport, which gained worldwide exposure as the summer home of the Bush family. Located just 45 minutes from Portland, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive through Kennebunkport passing the stunning mansions that were built by wealthy sea captains and merchants in the 1700’s and 1800’s. A stop will be made in the center of town at Dock Square to enjoy some free time to stroll the picturesque streets lined with shops, galleries, unique boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, and pubs. Your return route will take you past Walker's Point, and the Bush estate where world leaders often gathered when George H. Bush was president.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore famous rocky coastline of Maine.
• Enjoy scenic 45minutes ride to charming costal village of Kennebunkport.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

The intriguing site of Stonehenge and the beautiful city of Salisbury are yours to explore today. Salisbury Cathedral is one of the finest medieval churches and contains a remarkable range of monuments, including the oldest working clock in Britain and an original copy of the Magna Carta. During your free time you’ll have time for lunch on your own and discover how the city maintains much of its historic past with timbered buildings, museums, art galleries and some of England’s finest historic houses. Explore the circle of Stonehenge, one of the most intriguing and ancient sites in England. Situated on a vast plain, the site is truly impressive - shrouded in magic and mystery. The question of who built Stonehenge remains largely unanswered although many attribute the monument to the Druids. Your guide will provide explanations and enable you to view the impressive stones close up as well as provide you with some time to go to the visitor’s center.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the ancient stone circle on the Salisbury Plain.
• Learn about its mysterious origins from a knowledgeable guide.
• Enjoy time at the visitor’s center for additional insight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore three historical lighthouses on Portland’s rocky coastline, including the oldest one in Maine. The views will be spectacular before leaving town, as you will pass architectural landmarks such as the Portland Observatory and New Arts District. Lighthouse aficionados will find even more to enjoy at Bug Light, a cast-iron lighthouse with Corinthian columns that was modeled after an ancient Greek monument. Only 26 feet high, it was built in 1875 and became known as The Bug because of its small size. Close by lies Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, a sparkplug-style lighthouse made of brick on a cylindrical cast-iron caisson. It was built in 1897 in response to the many vessels that ran aground on the dangerous ledge there. A bit further south, you will find Maine’s oldest lighthouse. First illuminated in 1791, Portland Head Light now contains a museum that you may browse.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit three iconic Maine lighthouses.
• Notice their vastly different architecture.
• Browse a museum in Maine’s oldest lighthouse.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Picturesque, historic, and entertaining, the lively city of Portland incorporates the character and charm of its past with a developing urban community. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through the quaint streets of the Old Port where street lanterns highlight a gracious mix of architectural styles. Once a warehouse district, the buildings have been transformed into charming restaurants, pubs, boutiques, and galleries. You’ll continue to Munjoy Hill for terrific views of Casco Bay and the islands from Fort Allen Park. You’ll pass the Portland Observatory and through the commercial center where you’ll see the new arts district, as well as the facade of city hall before entering the Western Promenade, one of America’s best preserved Victorian neighborhoods. Entered into the National Register of Historical Places in 1982, it remains one of the wealthiest areas of the city. Situated along the beautiful coast of Cape Elizabeth is Fort Williams, home of the oldest lighthouse in Maine. First illuminated on January 10, 1791, Port Head Light has since stood at the gateway to the harbor for mariners traveling Maine’s perilous coast. A short photo stop will be made here before returning to your ship.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Portland’s New Art District.
• See Western Promenade, one of America’s best preserved Victorian neighborhoods.
• Catch sight of oldest lighthouse in Maine.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Browse a collection of armored vehicles dating to World War I that clearly showcases the significance of tanks in combat over the past century. The British invented the tank in 1915 and following the Great War out-of-service tanks were stored at a military camp in Bovington. It wasn’t until the end of World War II that the Tank Museum officially opened there. Today, it houses a multitude of tanks from all over the world, including Little Willie, a prototype designed to cross the trenches that marked the battlefields of World War I. You can expect to see refurbished tanks from every decade and global conflict such as the Allies’ all-purpose Sherman and the workhorse German Panzer from World War II. Another highlight is the Centurion, an armored vehicle that was such a quintessential tank that it was used in the Iraq war of 2003, nearly six decades after it was introduced.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See a remarkable collection of restored armored vehicles in the Tank Museum.
• Discover how tank design has evolved since the first tank was used in World War I.
• Learn how tanks have shaped world history with their dominance on the battlefield.
• Hear accounts of soldiers that have operated tanks and faced them in combat.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an introductory look at Portland, the wild and naturally beautiful isle that marks the southernmost end of Dorset County’s fossil-rich Jurassic Coast. Thanks to the isle’s unique geology, creamy limestone created in the Jurassic Period has long been quarried there for buildings such as Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and the United Nations headquarters in New York City. You will see that revered Portland stone up close at the Olympic Rings sculpture, which commemorates the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London and the sailing events held in Portland. At the very tip of the isle, you will find the Portland Bill lighthouse, which opened in 1906. During free time there, you might browse the visitor center and climb the 150 or so steps to the top of the beacon. The views from there are a spectacle. Later, you will pass St. George’s Church, an 18th-century landmark built with Portland stone.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a panoramic drive around the wild and wonderful isle of Portland.
• Snap photos of the Olympics Rings statue created to honor the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Spend free time exploring the Portland Bill lighthouse at the isle’s rocky southern tip.
• See St. George’s Church, which was built in the 18th century with Portland limestone.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See affluent Kennebunkport from several revealing perspectives: driving past its landmark attractions, strolling its shop-lined streets, and cruising the Kennebunk River. During the drive to Kennebunkport, you will be treated to spectacular views of Maine’s rocky shoreline. As you will soon see, the village features numerous restored homes from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the ornate Wedding Cake House. Be sure to notice its elegant carved buttresses, spires, and lacy spandrels. The cruise will afford a different perspective of affluent Kennebunkport, including a view of the summer residence of the George H.W. Bush family on Walker’s Point. Following your enlightening sight-seeing cruise, you will have some free time in Dock Square, Kennebunkport’s town center and home to a collection of upscale shops, restaurants, and art galleries. It’s an excellent place to wander about, browse at your leisure and simply enjoy the seaside atmosphere.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the sights while driving Maine’s scenic coast.
• Enjoy a relaxing cruise on the Kennebunk River.
• Spend free time browsing affluent Kennebunkport.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel through the scenic White Mountains in a meticulously restored 1950s-era railway car that evokes a period when life was more leisurely. You will get a hint of the natural beauty that lies ahead on the 1.5-hour scenic bus drive to North Conway, a delightful town in New Hampshire near the White Mountain National Park. After a bit of free time to explore, you will board the Conway Scenic Railroad in the 19th-century train station and settle in for a breathtaking ride through the majestic White Mountains, which cover nearly a quarter of the state. Along the way, you will pass over towering trestles, through Mount Washington Valley and up into an alpine setting that is spectacularly photogenic. Enlightening commentary will enhance the experience by describing the points of interest in fascinating detail. You will eventually disembark at the late 19th-century Crawford Notch train station for the two-hour return drive to Portland.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride the vintage Conway Scenic Railroad into the majestic White Mountains.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the White Mountains and its namesake national park.
• Pass over train trestles, through Mount Washington Valley and into an alpine setting.
• Enjoy the train’s historical ambiance and a boxed lunch along the way.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a spectacularly scenic drive around Portland and take in the historical landmarks that define the city. While driving between the Eastern Promenade that fronts Casco Bay and the elevated park along the Western Promenade, you will see a collection of outstanding 19th-century architecture that includes Victoria Mansion. This National Historic Landmark exemplifies the Italian villa style that was fashionable at the time. In the New Arts District, you will pass highlights such as the Portland Museum of Art, the State Theatre and the home where poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grew up. Now home to the Maine Historical Society, it is the first house museum in Maine. On the other side of the Fore River, you will find Bug Light Lighthouse, a 19th-century cast-iron lighthouse that was modeled after a monument that stands near the Acropolis in Athens. Only 26 feet high, it became known as The Bug because of its small size.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View the most meaningful landmarks in Portland on a panoramic drive through the city.
• See poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s house, the first home museum in Maine.
• Drive through the historical districts between the Eastern and Western promenades.
• Pause for photos at the diminutive Bug Light Lighthouse, a cast-iron treasure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a relaxing two-hour schooner sail, and a scenic drive of Portland with a visit to the historic Portland Head Light, the oldest commissioned lighthouse in the United States. Begin with a scenic drive through the quaint streets of the old port where street lanterns highlight a gracious mix of architectural styles. Once home of the warehouse district, the red brick buildings have been transformed into charming restaurants, pubs, unique boutiques, and galleries. Passing through the urban center, see Portland’s new arts district, as well as the thriving commercial and business districts. Situated just outside the city center and along the beautiful rocky coast of Cape Elizabeth is Fort Williams, the site of the America’s oldest lighthouse. First illuminated on January 10, 1791, Portland Head Light has since stood at the gateway to the harbor for mariners traveling Maine’s perilous coast. A short photo stop is made here. You'll return to Portland to board an authentic Maine built, wooden schooner for a leisurely sail on Casco Bay. The schooners are the ideal way to experience the beauty of Maine’s rugged coastline. Join the crew as they hoist the sails, take command at the ship’s wheel, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery as you ply the calm waters. Under full sail you’ll glide past the bustling waterfront, secluded islands, historic forts and lighthouses, your guide will point out the sites along the way.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through Old Port and Western Promenade with Victorian residential neighborhood.
• Enjoy photo stop at Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park.
• Drive through Portland’s New Art District.
• Board schooner for an amazing scenic cruise of coastline in Casco Bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to Peaks Island for a traditional Maine lobster bake with all sorts of delectable side dishes. A ferry will take you across Casco Bay to the island, which lies just three miles offshore. On the way over, you will pass the 19th-century Bug Light Lighthouse, an elegant cast-iron beacon with Corinthian columns. First settled by the Abnaki Indians, Peaks Island didn’t start to flourish until the late 1890s, when Portland’s population grew, and an amusement park went up. It is hard to imagine, but Peaks Island was once called the “Coney Island of Maine.” Today, the population is about 1,000, and the lifestyle is low-key and quintessentially New England. Upon arriving, you will walk to the nearby Inn on Peaks Island, a seasonal lodging that features outstanding views of the sea and classic Maine cuisine. There, you will enjoy a traditional lobster bake with New England clam chowder, steamed mussels and sides such as corn on the cob.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take the ferry across Casco Bay to Peaks Island and enjoy the scenery on the way over.
• See a 19th-century cast-iron lighthouse modeled after a monument in Athens, Greece.
• Enjoy a classic Maine lobster bake with clam chowder and steamed mussels, as well.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.