Aug 12, 2024 • 12 min read
31.07.2024 - 16:44 / lonelyplanet.com
Jul 30, 2024 • 8 min read
Combining rugged beauty, maritime history and a thriving culinary scene, the city of Portland is one of Maine’s shining stars, showcasing the best of New England.
Situated on Casco Bay, Portland packs a punch across its walkable Old Port district, beautiful working waterfront and historic neighborhoods – and there’s a lot to explore. This small city (even though it’s the largest in the state) is a destination where you can sip craft cocktails in a t-shirt or flannel without judgment, or walk into a dive bar and become friends with some locals over blueberry-pie Jell-O shots (more on that below).
If eating the best lobster roll you’ve ever had at a lighthouse perched on the Atlantic Ocean sounds like your kind of thing, Portland is for you. And while lobster and ocean views are the city’s calling cards, there’s much more to discover here.
Outdoor activities get you pumped up? Lace up your boots to take to the numerous hiking trails nearby. Love the beach? Portland has you covered. Looking for culture? Check out the buzzing art scene. If you’re looking for a weekend of superb eating and drinking, or a few days of wellness, Portland can provide whatever kind of escape you want. It’s a place that encapsulates Maine’s tagline, “The way life should be.”
Relaxed, friendly and fun, Portland never disappoints. If you’re planning your first trip, here’s all you need to know.
Summer is peak season for Portland (and for Maine), with warmer temperatures ideal for taking advantage of all outdoor pursuits, taking a dip in the chilly ocean and spending Thursday or Friday evenings washing down food-truck fare with local brews, your foot tapping to live music at Thompson’s Point – for free. While summertime is spectacular in southern Maine, it’s also a very popular time to visit, so expect many fellow visitors and higher prices for accommodations. Portland Wine Week in June is an especially busy time.
Portland charms in all seasons – though the weather does turn frigid and snowy in the winter. Yet the snowflakes falling on the cobblestone streets of the Old Port are fetching indeed, and you can always get cozy with a hot toddy in one of the city’s many tucked-away cocktail bars.
The shoulder season in Portland may be the sweet spot, with fewer crowds and more budget-friendly accommodation come fall and spring. Leaf-peepers can enjoy the colorful display anywhere from mid-September to the end of October. Foodies will savor the annual Harvest on the Harbor festival, held in late October or early November.
The destination works well as a weekend escape – in a couple of days, you can sample a couple of restaurants, breweries and museums – though three to four days will spare you feeling rushed while
Aug 12, 2024 • 12 min read
Aug 12, 2024 • 4 min read
Wherever I'm headed, near or far, whether it's a two-week trip to Europe or a two-day stay down the shore, I'll always have a pair of comfortable sneakers on my feet (and maybe a second pair in my suitcase). The most comfortable sneakers can make the difference between a perfect travel day spent exploring a new city and a painful afternoon at the hotel with a foot full of blisters.
Aug 7, 2024 • 8 min read
Aug 7, 2024 • 8 min read
Aug 6, 2024 • 10 min read
Aug 6, 2024 • 9 min read
At the urging of labor activists in the late 19th century, Congress declared a national holiday on the first Monday in September to celebrate the hard workers of the United States. Now, 130 years later, Labor Day has become more widely known as a three-day weekend celebration that officially ends summer. And it's often seen as travelers' last chance to hit the open road, hop on a plane or book a staycation at a nearby hotel to grab one last dose of sunny R&R before the kids go back to school, the days grow shorter and pumpkin spice season begins.
Margaritaville at Sea is expanding its Heroes Sail Free program across its entire fleet to honor first responders, military members, teachers, and others.
Big changes are happening at JetBlue. The Queens-based carrier recently announced it would be pausing or cutting service on two dozen routes, pulling out of seven cities entirely, expanding popular routes on the East Coast, and bringing its much-loved Mint business-class cabin to more domestic routes.
Holland America is out with another epic itinerary from North America to Europe and back — this time with an unusual twist.
JetBlue is on the move with new flight routes, while saying goodbye to others. Ahead of the winter travel season, the airline will add a variety of new routes to popular destinations such as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Phoenix. “These moves underscore JetBlue's commitment to refining its network while leveraging its award-winning experience,” the airline shared in a release announcing the news. In the New York area, the airline will begin new service from Long Island’s MacArthur Airport (ISP), with a new daily flight to Orlando, and also service to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and West Palm Beach (VPS) four times a week.