Maine: Acadia National Park

Viewed from the ocean and named Acadia by early French explorers, Mount Desert Island encompasses Acadia National Park, the charming town of Bar Harbor, and especially, the dramatic contrast of land and sea—from mountaintops, to rocky shores, and outlying islands. One of the best places for walking and hiking in Maine, Acadia is interwoven with over a hundred miles of historic trails and an ingenious network of carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. between 1913 and 1940.
     Wealthy vacationers from Boston and New York were enticed by Hudson River School painters’
landscapes of Acadia in the mid-19th century, and each summer came to live a “rustic” life in the manner to which they were accustomed. The “Rusticators” built lavish residences-Italianate columns and semi-formal gardens in stunning juxtaposition against a backdrop of deep green firs, rocky shores, and tranquil coves. Indeed, it was their shared love of the region and philanthropy that inspired the vacationers to donate and preserve huge tracts of land for future generations.
     The meeting of the Atlantic with granite shoreline results in an abundance of life along coastal trails; teeming tidal pools and diving seabirds. Nearby lobster boats ply the glistening harbors and sounds. Artfully designed paths meander through hushed conifer forests, past fresh water ponds, or up a grassy headland overlooking intriguing islands. “Downeast” Maine hospitality welcomes you into two gracious hotels, reflecting the refinement of another era, with updated comforts. Fresh lobster and seafood from the cool waters, as well as the bounty of local gardens and markets, are on the menu at every meal.