With the coming of fall, many cruisers
are taking or thinking of a cruise to Canada and New England. The
leaves are starting to turn color in that region and there is
something refreshing about being out in the crisp air in a place of
such scenic beauty. Accordingly, cruise ships gather each fall in
the embarkation ports of the northeastern United States for their
annual fall foliage cruises.
It should be noted at the outset that
it is very difficult to time it so that your cruise matches the
height of the fall colors. The time when the leaves are at their
height varies each year as a result of temperature, rainfall amounts
and other conditions. But while the changing leaves can be indeed
breathtaking, the good news is that the scenic beauty of this region
goes beyond the leaves. In fact, in my opinion, the cruises earlier
in the season are usually nicer because the weather is usually warmer
and so it is more pleasant to be outside viewing the scenery.
The state of Maine is in the heart of
this region. Relatively undeveloped, it is known for its forests
which come down to its rocky coastline, its lighthouses and, of
course, for its lobster.
appeal
Most cruise ships call at either Bar
Harbor or at Portland. Some call in both ports because they are
quite different experiences. Bar Harbor is a small town on an
offshore island that is dominated by the Acadia National Park. It
was once a summer playground of wealthy Americans but now its
unspoiled charm is accessible to all. Beyondships' photo guide to
Bar Harbor begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Bar-Harbor.html
Portland is Maine's largest city and
has been a major port since Colonial days. However, during the
second half of the 20th century, many of its traditional
businesses declined to moved elsewhere. As a result, Portland had to
re-invent itself - - something that it has had to do several times in
the past due to war and natural catastrophes. The city which has
emerged is quite tourist friendly with restaurants, art galleries and
interesting shops as well as places of historical interest.
Beyondship's new photo guide to Portland begins at
http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination---portland.html
As mentioned earlier, one of the
things that Maine is known for is its lighthouses. These lonely
sentinels standing at the edge of the sea have a unique romantic
appeal. Consequently, many travelers to Bar Harbor and to Portland
choose to visit some of the area's lighthouses. I've put together a
photo essay showing some of the lighthouses that can be visited in
both ports. http://www.beyondships2.com/lighthouses-in-maine.html
One lighthouse that just about
everyone has seen is Portland Head Light. Standing on a bluff
overlooking the entrance to Casco Bay, Portland Head Light has been
the subject of numerous paintings and photographs. It is the classic
image of a lighthouse. However, while the image is well-known, one
thing that struck me about visiting Portland Head Light in person was
how much the image was enhanced by the sight and the sound of the sea
crashing against the rocks below the lighthouse. Therefore, I have
put together a short video in which you can hear and see the power of
the waves. It is posted at
http://www.beyondships2.com/video-the-portland-head-light.html
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