Maine is the largest of the New England states and covers 33,265 square miles. It is situated in the far north east of the United States bordering Canada to the north, New Hampshire to the south and the rugged Atlantic Ocean coastline to the east. It has 5,000 miles of intricate bays and inlets with many picturesque lighthouses. Inland are lakes and wildernesses, vast state parks and some of the most beautiful and majestic landscapes of North America. The highest of the many mountains of Maine is Mount Katahdin standing at 5268 ft and is the habitat of the brown bear. Offshore are some two thousand islands.


Maine’s winter climate is harsh, but summer and autumn are warm and draw many visitors. The main industries are tourism, forestry, fishing and the growing of blueberries and potatoes. For lovers of the Great Outdoors, Maine is a magnet. A word of caution, under-21s are not permitted to drink in the bars of Maine, nor are they allowed to purchase alcohol.

Historically, Maine was one of the states opposed to slavery and was also involved in the Cuba Campaign when its battleship The Maine was sunk while at anchor in Havana during the 10-week war with Spain in 1898 and where 266 lives were lost.
Augusta is the State capital. Portland, occupying a peninsula, is the largest and busiest city in the State and is very historic. The Portland Head Lighthouse, a well known landmark is now a museum. It first shed light on the rocks of Portland in 1791. The childhood home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born in 1785, is open to the public.

The little lanes and houses of the Old Port area have been restored and the US Customs House nearby merits a visit to admire the gilded ceilings, staircases made from marble and the graceful chandeliers. Dock cruises are available to take visitors out to the Calendar Islands.

Kennebunk is made up of three villages rich in tradition and history. The 19th century Brick Store Museum, which is spread over four converted buildings, gives a comprehensive and fascinating insight into the time when shipbuilding was at its peak. The Wedding Cake House, built in 1826, by a shipbuilder, as a wedding present to his wife, is so called because its fancy wrought iron work does indeed resemble a wedding cake. Tradition has it that the husband forgot to provide a normal wedding cake on the big day and therefore the design of the matrimonial home was intended as a large scale apology!


There are organised archaeological walking tours of the historical areas of Kennebunk.

With all its mountains and cold winters, Maine is very popular with skiers, snowmobilers and skaters who go to Bethel in the White Mountains and to Sugarloaf in the Carrabassett Valley. Sunday River Ski Resort near Newry offers around 100 ski trails. These major ski resorts offer hiking, mountain biking and other extreme sports during the summer when nearby rivers and lakes provide boating opportunities.

Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island off the south east coast of Maine is enormously popular with visitors who photograph its Bass Harbour lighthouse, climb its 1,527 ft Mount Cadillac for the best panoramic views and entertain themselves in the zoos, aquariums, museums and galleries. There is also a lovely Art Deco theatre to visit. Outdoor activities of all kinds are available, and for the less energetic the flora and fauna are second to none. You can follow the trails on foot, by bike or on a horse.