There are also environmental reasons to stay close to home. As we collectively try to reduce our carbon footprint, we’ve learned that plane travel and driving are two of the biggest producers of carbon dioxide, the key driver of climate change.
And now more than ever, with gas prices climbing almost daily, we cannot overlook the financial reasons for vacationing close to home this year.
Fortunately, there are more options than I could ever fit into this short column. So I’ll highlight a few of my favorites.
Maine state parks: One of the most cost effective vacation destinations out there! There are more than 30 of them offering endless outdoor adventures including hiking, swimming, camping, fishing and more.
Green hotels: If camping is not your thing, you’ll be happy to know there is a growing list of hotels, B&B’s and other lodging facilities in Maine that have achieved Environmental Leader certification by Maine DEP for their eco-friendly practices. From wilderness yurts and solar powered cabins to oceanfront cottages and century-old inns, you’ll find plenty of choices including more than 30 within an hour of Portland. For a complete list, check out visitmaine.com and click on Plan Your Stay. Several offer discounts in the SunriseGuide.
Car-free vacations: The Maine Department of Transportation publishes a great website, exploremaine.org, which compiles all of the transportation options in Maine including bus routes, train routes and even bike routes.
The Amtrak Downeaster offers daily service from Portland south to Old Orchard Beach, Saco or Wells (and work is set to begin later this year for service north to Brunswick). Or, if you’re heading up the coast, check out the Eastern Maine Railroad, which offers seasonal service between Brunswick, Bath, Wiscasset and Rockland. From there you can even catch a ferry out to Vinalhaven, North Haven or Matinicus Island.
With a little planning you just might be able to plan your entire vacation without having to even use a car.
Heather Chandler is the publisher of the SunriseGuide, a locally-published resource guide and coupon book about healthy & eco-friendly living in Southern Maine. Online at www.thesunriseguide.com.