Downeast Maine: Liberty & Light

Transcription

1 Downeast Maine: Liberty & Light

2 Dear Friends, Before the Revolutionary War, in what would soon become the District of Maine, colonists were feeling the bite of British policies as much as in Boston and in the other colonies. In Falmouth (today s Portland) there were riots and violence against agents of the king trying to implement the Stamp Act, and in York a tea-laden ship was burned in the harbor in Mainers still have a reputation for their weathered, nononsense approach to life, but that image is softened by hosting generations of artists and artisans. Maine s coast is also a getaway for the nation s elite clusters of summer homes (in many cases sprawling estates of old and new money) nestled on the coast side by side with working communities where lobstermen and fishermen ply their centuries-old trades, and shipwrights still turn out some of the finest wooden vessels afloat. The Connoisseurs Tours journey to Maine will touch on the best of old and new. We will visit historic sites of significance from before and after the Revolutionary War, and dip our toes into the modern waters of fine dining, sailing yachts and beautiful estates. According to Connoisseurs Magazine (no relation), the restaurant scene in Portland is second in the nation only to that of San Francisco! Best regards, July 26 through August 2, 2017 OR August 2 through August 9, 2017 Day 2 Falmouth - Colonial Portland Today we will focus on the Colonial period of Maine s rich history. This morning we are welcomed by the Maine Historical Society and members of the Maine Society who will accompany us on a private tour of Portland including the Tate House Museum and the Means House. This residence was originally built for George Tate in It is the only surviving pre- Revolutionary War home in Maine open to the public. By law, in colonial times, all white pines in Maine over 24 in diameter were the property of King George. As Royal Mast Agent for the crown, Tate s charge was to oversee the cutting and shipping of these to England for use as masts on English ships. This vital link in the chain of maintaining England s supremacy at sea ensured Tate s fortune and, like the Stamp Tax, was an exploitation that furthered the growing resentment between colonists and the crown. We will continue with a tour of the Captain James Means House (1797), just across the way from the Tate house and a prime example of architecture in the post- I T I N E R A R Y Day 1 - Arrive from your home city to Portland airport, transfer by a private meet-and-greet service (included) to the lovely Portland Harbor Hotel. Connoisseurs Tours provides an airline concierge service to help you with airline reservations. At 6:00 pm our tour officially begins with a cocktail reception followed by dinner. (D)

3 war industrial boom of this historic Stroudwater district. The Means house is also owned and maintained by the NSCDA in the State of Maine. (B,Lobster Bake) Thanks to Ms. McNeil s expertise, we will gain insight as to why so many artists have been drawn to capture the extraordinary lighting so evocative in these landscapes, seascapes, and people of Maine. (B,L) Day 4 - Monhegan Island Experience This morning a short motor coach ride takes us to Port Clyde, where we board the ferry to Monhegan Island. The island is a plantation of just over 1 square mile that lies about 12 nautical miles offshore. The ferry which will take us there has been bringing the mail to some 75 year-round residents of Monhegan for nearly 100 years! Day 3 - Premier Maine Artists (Portland to Rockland / Camden) This morning we are bound for Rockland, and the Farnsworth Art Museum. We are joined by Donna McNeil, Maine s preeminent art historian, who will tell us of art culture and artists in Maine. Building on forty years of professional experience and devotion to the arts at the highest levels, Donna McNeil firmly believes that the arts are essential to the creation and sustainability of liveable communities, and that they serve to educate and enlighten a citizenry toward its best self. One local says, There s magic here. The island is still rustic, not marred yet by an overload of technology, so the people tend to be more intuitive. There s no doubt there s something special about this picturesque island, with its rugged cliffs and crashing surf; soft, inland meadows and pristine spruce forests; narrow roads and footpaths; and a down-to-earth, hard-working culture, where fishing and lobstering families still live and work by the tide clock. Thanks to the presence of Donna McNeil, once on Monhegan we will be met by Edward Deci, Director of the Monhegan Art and History Museum, who will personally direct us on a private tour of the museum. After a lunch of fresh, local seafood we can enjoy free time or continue exploring Monhegan with guided tours Our first visit is at The Farnsworth Museum, which boasts one of the nation s finest collections of work by American artists, including many sculptures by Louise Nevelson, a special focus on works by Andrew, Jamie and N.C. Wyeth, and too many others to list here. that focus on the art and nature of this unique island. Our mail boat and motor coach return us to the Lord Camden Inn, where we have the evening on our own for dinner, relaxation, and strolling the village as we please. (B,L) Day 5 - Contention, Catastrophe and Grit (Camden to Castine/Mount Desert Island) We depart this morning from the Lord Camden Inn and travel to Castine, one of the oldest continuously settled communities in America and the gatekeeper to the

4 treasured natural resource of timber that would make Bangor one of the wealthiest cities in the world. We leave Castine for Mount Desert Island and the lovely and historic Asticou Inn, where upon checking in we have a couple of hours for rest, relaxation and exploration. This evening, we board the 81 sailing schooner Bailey Louise Todd for a private charter, coastal sail, and cocktails with dinner a truly elegant and spectacular experience! (B,L,D) Day 6 - Mount Desert Island: Acadia National Park This morning we set off for a breathtaking tour of the Acadia National Wildlife refuge. Among the lush and varied landscapes in this unique region is Mount Cadillac, the point where, each day, sunlight first Accompanying us on our journey will be a representative of the Castine Historical Society, who will regale us with four centuries of characters and controversies, including the story of the fight for Fort George and the strategic significance of this peninsular stronghold. Upon arrival, we will have a brief tour of Fort George, as we relive the doomed Penobscot Expedition, which was the Continentals failed attempt to touches the United States. We return to the Asticou Inn for lunch an excellent opportunity to sample the Inn s famous popovers a culinary treat with some local history mixed in! The afternoon is free to relax on the porch and enjoy the breathtaking views of Northeast Harbor, or meander on a small hiking path near the Inn which leads to the harbor, or even a visit to the Asticou gardens located a beside the Inn. capture this strategic stronghold from British forces. We then continue to the Wilson Museum to view their collection of prehistoric, Native American, and geological artifacts. We will enjoy a catered luncheon at the museum, then move on to tour the John Perkins house. Built in 1765, it is one of the oldest houses in Maine and forms part of the grounds of the Wilson Museum. Late this afternoon we will board our private vessel, The Sea Princess, for a whale watching/wildlife cruise through peaceful bays, and enjoy magnificent scenery of the Cranberry Isles and Somes Sound fjord. We return to the Asticou for another lovely dinner. (B,D) Day 7 - Mount Desert Island This morning we are joined by the Land and Garden Preserve of Mount Desert Island who will open the doors to two of the Isle s most beautiful gardens, such as The Thuya Garden and surrounding land. The Thuya Garden is a wonderful blend of semi-formal

5 C) Kebo Golf Course: first formed in 1894, Kebo is famed for its beauty and charming layout, is the perfect place for couples to play together as the course doesn t play long, but offers delightful twists and turns. This evening we will finish off our Maine experience with (what else? It s Maine!) a classic lobster and clam bake at The Asticou. (B,D) English border beds and indigenous eastern Maine woodlands situated on a granite hillside overlooking Northeast Harbor. Mr. Charles K. Savage designed Thuya Garden to be a herbaceous garden in the style of England s famous designer and author, Gertrude Jekyll, as interpreted for coastal Maine by Beatrix Farrand. Many of the original plants in the garden were purchased from Beatrix Farrand s collection at Reef Point in Bar Harbor when the estate was dismantled in We will return to the Asticou Inn where we are free to immerse ourselves in all that this historic and scenic Inn has to offer. Select from one of the following optional activities: A) Horse-drawn carriage: Ride along the elegant carriageways built by J.D. Rockefeller and other founders of Acadia National Park. B) Seal Cove Auto Museum: Featuring early automobiles and motorcycles from the Brass Era ( ). Day 8: Homeward Bound We will offer two shuttles to the Trenton and Bangor airport, the exact timing of which will be determined once we have the details of our group s travel arrangements. This transfer is included in the tour cost. (B) P R E - T O U R I T I N E R A R Y Day 1 of Optional Pre-tour Extension: Arrive one day early from your home city to Portland airport, with transfer (included) by a private meet-and-greet service to the lovely Portland Harbor Hotel. This luxury hotel is located in Old Port, where charming cobblestone streets and 18th century buildings mix with chic shops, art galleries and interesting nightlife. Dinner this evening is on your own. Day 2 of Pre-Tour: This morning we will depart on a private tour, with docents, of the Portland Museum of Art, known for its constantly rotating collection of over 18,000 significant works of art, ranging from Monet to Homer to Warhol. We ll have lunch at the Black Point Inn, a classic Maine resort with views of beaches and rocky coastline on three sides. The inn is situated on the exclusive promontory of Prout s Neck, just a few minutes outside of Portland. After lunch, we ll be treated to a private, guided tour of the Winslow Homer studio, also on Prout s Neck, where the classic American artist painted some of his most celebrated masterpieces. Recently purchased and restored by the Portland Museum of Art, this was Homer s residence and working studio from 1884 until his death in 1910, and is deemed one of the most significant locations in American art history. Later this afternoon we ll return to the Portland Harbor Hotel with time on our own to rest or explore the Old

6 Port district, while the remainder of our group arrives and settles into their accommodations. Tonight we join our fellow travelers for welcome drinks and dinner. (B,D) forward to making your stay with us one worth remembering. The Inn boasts 36 guest rooms and suites spanning four floors. Each room is a stunning architectural arrangement of light and space, many of which H O T E L A C C O M M O D AT I O N S The Portland Harbor Hotel: Experience old world charm, distinctive design, and impeccable service. Located in the heart of the Old Port, a Victorian district of lovingly restored shops and restaurants. The area features cobblestone streets, galleries, shops, day spas and historic landmarks. For the twelfth consecutive year, AAA has awarded the Portland Harbor Hotel a Four Diamond award for excellence in service. incorporate old world brick walls with modern and stylish marble and granite surfaces, wainscoting, and crown molding. Lord Camden Inn is proudly a AAA 3-Diamond rated property, 100% non-smoking. The Asticou Inn The classic inn & restaurant overlook the picturesque waters of Northeast Harbor, Maine. Acadia National Park, Thuya Garden, and the Asticou Azalea Garden are each just a short walk away. Your stay with us will evoke the charm of a bygone era with impeccable service that has been an Asticou tradition for more than a century. The Lord Camden Inn Welcome to Lord Camden Inn, Camden s premier downtown boutique hotel. Located in the heart of Camden Village, the Inn is just footsteps from Camden s finest shops, restaurants, Harbor Park Amphitheater, and waterfront boardwalk. Celebrating 30 years of warm hospitality, unsurpassed service, comfort and elegance, the Lord Camden Inn looks

7 GENERAL INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. PRICE OF TOUR $ per person, double occupancy $ per person, single occupancy PORTLAND PRE-TOUR EXTENSION $ per person, double occupancy $ per person, single occupancy Includes private transfers from the airport, hotel accommodations at the Portland Harbor Inn, including all taxes and breakfast, plus full day of the Portland Museum and Winslow Homer studio with lunch at the Black Point Inn. PORTLAND PRE-TOUR HOTEL ONLY $ per person, double occupancy $ per person, single occupancy Includes private transfers from the airport, hotel accommodations at the Portland Harbor Inn, including all taxes and breakfast. DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT A Deposit of $ per person is due to reserve a place on this tour. Deposits and payments can be paid by check or any major credit card. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. The Travel Insured Group Deluxe travel insurance protection plan is strongly recommended. CONNOISSEURS TOURS PROTECTION PLAN PROVIDED BY TRAVEL INSURED Traveling is a big investment. It pays to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that can result in trip cancellation and additional expenses such as costs related to medical emergencies. This Travel Insured Protection Plan is specifically designed to provide you with peace of mind knowing you are protected against the financial impact of unexpected events while on your trip. Protection plan rates are available through Connoisseurs Tours. Additional insurance is available to include the cost of your airfare. Please contact Connoisseurs Tours if you would like to insure the cost of your airline tickets after you have purchased your airline tickets. INCLUSIVE PRICES Tour Prices Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, motor coach transportation, special dinners, sightseeing, admissions, porterage, and the services of the local guides, drivers and the Tour Escort/Guide are included. Transportation from arrival Airports to the beginning hotel is included, regardless of the time you check in to the hotel, provided you have furnished us with accurate flight information at least three weeks prior to the start of the tour. If you are arriving into a local train station please retain a receipt for the transfer and submit it to your Tour Escort for reimbursement. Transportation from the last hotel to the departure airport listed in the brochure is also included when you check out of the hotel. Transportation to and from airports and train stations may be shared with other guests. Hotel Accommodations The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are usually twobedded rooms plus a roll-away cot and are not recommended for comfort. Meals Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Gratuities Included All customary gratuities for hotel, restaurant staff, and local guides are included. No Options Sold Connoisseurs Tours Escorts and Guides will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means a better value plus a more relaxed and pleasant experience for you. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your journey. NOT INCLUDED Transportation Air transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Gratuities to your Guide/Escort and drivers Gratuities are not included to your overall guide/

8 GENERAL INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS escort and coach driver, a recommended gratuity amount will be provided to you in your final tour documents. Connoisseurs Tours wishes to stress that this gratuity is optional and on a voluntary basis. Personal Expenses Personal expenses such as phone calls, use of fitness center, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, airline service fees, excess luggage fees, and other optional incidental extras are not included in the tour price. Itinerary Change and Flexibility Connoisseurs Tours pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to alter or curtail any aspect of the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels/ and or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any additional expense for these substitutions will be covered by Connoisseurs Tours. Health and Fitness Connoisseurs Tours are active journeys. Travelers must certify that they are in good health and can walk two to three miles a day. These journeys are not recommended for those who have mobility limitations such as walkers, wheelchairs and scooters. CANCELLATIONS $ per person from the time of booking to 120 days prior to departure is non-refundable. $ per person from 119 to 90 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 50% of the tour price from 89 to 60 days prior to departure is non-refundable. 100% of the full program cost from 59 to 0 days prior to departure and during the tour is non-refundable. All cancellations must be in writing. Tour cost does not include items of a personal nature. or expenses to person or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other causes in connection with the tour for anything beyond their reasonable control. Connoisseurs Tours is not responsible for transportation or other delays or changes the tour program beyond their control, nor any addition expenses or loss of time that may be incurred by the traveler. It may be necessary or advisable for the wellbeing of all travelers to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the travelers, and such alterations will be mad without penalty to Connoisseurs Tours. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to decline or not to retain any person as a member of any tour or to change or withdraw a tour as circumstances demand. All rates quoted are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject to change in the event of adjustment therein. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk and baggage insurance is recommended. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right substitute hotels of equal or superior quality. The proposals of this section are governed by Georgia law, and final payment by the traveler to Connoisseurs Tours shall be deemed to be consent to the above provisions. VALIDITY June 13, 2016 through February 25, 2018 Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. RESPONSIBILITY Connoisseurs Tours acts only as an agent for the traveler with respect to transportation, accommodations and other services offered on the tour. Connoisseurs Tours and the agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error omission, or for any injury, loss, accident or delay or irregularity that may be caused by any defect in any air- craft, ship, train, bus or other carrier or through negligent or default of any subcontractor or other third party. The passage contract in use by the carriers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the traveler. Connoisseurs Tours and/or their agents will not responsible for loss, injury, damages

9 RESERVATION FORM Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Telephone: Rooming with: Please reserve place(s) for this tour. Enclosed is a deposit of for people. Check (Checks should be made payable to Connoisseurs Tours) Credit Card: Visa Mastercard Amex Discover Card #: Exp Date: / Security Code: Signature: Today s Date: / / 2016 A deposit in the amount of $ per person is required for a reservation. Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. q I have read and understand the Terms & Conditions q I am interested in the Connoisseurs Tours Protection Plan q Please contact me about airline reservations q I wish to include the 1-night pre-tour experience. q I wish to include 1-night, hotel only Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. Please mail your reservation form and deposit to: CONNOISSEURS TOURS 110 McIntosh Drive Savannah, GA (912)