Frequently Asked Questions:

What is included in this trip?

All lodging, a lobster dinner and some other meals, ground transportation, ferries, park entry fees, and guides.

What is not included in this trip?

Your airfare or other travel expenses to and from Maine, gratuities, personal purchases.

What is the Cancellation/Refund Policy?

Cancellations & a full refund are possible until 90 days prior to the trip, and later if the spot can be filled from a waiting list. A 50% refund is possible 90-30 days prior to the trip. No refunds are possible after 30 days prior to the trip. Stripe credit card processing fees (7%) are non-refundable.

How difficult will this tour be? What should I be prepared for?
This trip will be relaxed and comfortable.  We will be staying at beautiful B&Bs and Inns, and traveling in a van.  There will be short hikes, some over rough terrain, but all of which are optional.  Maine in the spring can have inclement weather, and we will be taking a few boat trips, so participants should pack accordingly (it can be quite cold on the water in Maine).  If you are prone to sea-sickness, bring medication. The boat to Machias Seal Island is about an hour trip, and you then take a zodiac to the island. This trip is subject to weather conditions.

Do I need vaccinations?
No

Do I need a passport?
If everyone has/brings a passport, we could visit Campobello Island, which is a Canadian territory just across from Lubec

What is food like?
Breakfast will be included at all of the inns where we stay. Participants will be free to find their choice of food for lunch and some dinners. A lobster dinner will be included in our stay in Lubec, with lobsters caught that day nearby. If you do not eat lobster for any reason, please inform me and other arrangements will be made. Please alert me to any other dietary restrictions you may have.

What is the weather like?
Maine in the spring is generally beautiful but cool. Typically it is colder along the coast, especially when on the water. Temperatures are typically in the 60s during the day and the 40s at night, but on a foggy or rainy day at the coast it can feel quite cold. There could also be a fluke 80-degree day, it's hard to predict.

How should I pack?
Do not overpack! A standard, carry-on size suitcase should be ample. Be sure it has your address on the inside of the bag, as well a luggage tag on the handle. Be sure to pack your personal medication, airline tickets, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag.

How should I dress?
Dress is very informal. While some people will change for dinner, it usually is just a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day. Bring layers, and plan for a variety of temperatures and weather. Maine in spring can range from cold and rainy to hot and sunny. Bring T-shirts, a long-sleeved shirt or turtleneck, sweaters or a fleece, and a raincoat or even a winter jacket. Also a wool hat and gloves are a good idea (Maine is a couple months behind NYC temperature-wise). A sun-hat or baseball cap is a good idea too. Bring comfortable, sturdy shoes as well, suitable for light hiking. A second pair of sneakers to wear around the inns or in case your hikers get wet could be useful (I just bring one pair of boots). Some people bring rain pants.

What else should I bring?
I also recommend bringing a small daypack, insect repellant, a small flashlight or headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen, chapstick, a water bottle, a raincoat or poncho, a washcloth, your camera with fresh batteries, and of course binoculars.

What about bugs?
Maine is famous for its enthusiastic population of mosquitoes and blackflies.  Some of the wetland areas that have the most birds have the most mosquitoes as well, so plan accordingly. Happily however, coastal areas are breezier and relatively bug-free; some inland bogs we visit might be quite buggy. Deer Ticks have also been found in Maine, and Lyme disease has been reported, so common-sense measures such as using insect repellant and tucking pants into socks, and checking for ticks after a walk are recommended.

What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations are comfortable and modest. We will be staying at scenic coastal inns and B&Bs. Think quaint and charming, but not luxurious.  Participants will be sharing rooms with two beds unless the single-room supplement option is chosen.

Should I get Travel Insurance?
This is optional but always a good idea in case you need to cancel for any reason, although not required as on some international trips.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or during group activities.