These are exclusive excursions were offered on our 2017 Escape to New England and Canada.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Bar Harbor, Maine
This is a “tender port” so we can expect to be on the dock by around 9am; the last tender is scheduled for 4:30pm
Acadia National Park Bus Tour
2.5 hours
Check in on the dock: 10am
Tour: 10:30am – 1:00pm
Explore the beauty of Acadia National Park! This 2 ½ hour fully-narrated tour offers a complete and comprehensive sightseeing experience of the Downeast area. We’ll see historic mansions on the way in and the way out of Acadia National Park as we learn about the area’s rich history, from discovery in 1604 to the great fire of 1947. The tour includes three 15-minute stops for walks and photos. The scheduled stops are Cadillac Mountain Summit, Thunder Hole on Ocean Drive, and the Sieur de Mont’s Spring area, including the Wild Gardens and Nature Center of Acadia.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Portland, Maine
Docked 7am – 5pm
Kennebunkport Bus Tour
7 hrs
8am – 3 or 4pm
We will leave the dock at 8am and head along the scenic route to Kennebunkport to enjoy the beauty of the Maine coast. We should arrive in Kennebunkport around 8:45am.
Once in Kennebunkport, you’ll have lots of options: enjoy the shops and local eateries … and the sea air. The director of the chamber of commerce promises that some shops will open early for us as their usual opening time is 10am … but one of the “main attractions” actually opens really early every day: H.B. Provisions is the local coffee shop hang-out, general store (if we don’t have it, you don’t need it), and all-around deli & gift shop. http://www.hbprovisions.com
Kennebunkport Foodie Tour ADD-ON
15 person maximum
10:15am – 12:15pm
This is a walking and tasting tour of a few of Kennebunkport’s famous restaurants. You will have an opportunity to sample delectable, Maine-inspired foods and learn from many who craft these culinary delights. Along the way, you will learn about Kennebunkport’s colorful local history. http://mainefoodietours.com
Enjoy a hands-on lobsterman experience! ADD-ON
18 person maximum
10:30am – 12:00pm
Come aboard the Rugosa, a classic New England wooden lobster boat for a 90-minute tour of the Kennebunk River and the Maine coastline. You can sit back and relax or roll up your sleeves and help the crew! https://rugosalobstertours.com
Shop at Needlepoint America
9am – 12:45pm
Shop owner MaryJo Cole will open early for us for those who want to shop before doing the foodie tour or the Rugosa Lobster Boat excursion. For all others, you’ll have all morning to enjoy Needlepoint America! http://needlepointamerica.com
Shop at Camp Wool
10am – 11:30am
Owner LeAnn Hodgson described her inventory at “only” about 300 cross stitch patterns but she offers an amazing line of fibers. Her main emphasis is wool appliqué, rug hooking, penny rug, and needle punch. Our bus will take all who want to visit this shop over to Kennebunk (it’s about a 15 minute drive). Note: the shop is usually closed on Tuesdays but LeAnn is happy to open just for us! http://www.campwool.com/index.html
Our bus will depart Kennebunkport at 12:45 sharp and head for Saco River Dyeworks, home of the famous Paternayan yarns — 418 glorious colors! — used worldwide for needlepoint, knitting, crewel embroidery, and more! We’ll get a tour of the dye works by the Managing Director Claudia Raessler and though they do not have a retail shop, she is happy to set up something for us. http://sacoriverdyehouse.com/site/
Back in Portland, tour Victoria Mansion
Arrive around 3pm
Pay at the Mansion
Our bus will drop you off at the door and pick you up an hour later. (Those who do not want to go on the tour will be dropped off near the ship) Also known as the Morse-Libby House, the Mansion was built between 1858 and 1860 as a summer home for Ruggles Sylvester Morse, a Maine native who made his fortune in New Orleans as the proprietor of luxury hotels. The mansion is well known for it’s extraordinary architecture and original interiors. On cruise ship days, the museum is well staffed with docents in each room for your self-directed tour. http://victoriamansion.org
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Saint John, New Brunswick Canada
Docked 8am – 6:30pm
Fundy Coast to Fundy Shore Bus Tour
5 hours
9:30am – 2:30pm
A visit to Saint Martin is a journey back in time! Travel by bus to this picturesque fishing village, famous for its wooden ship building industry. See some of the highest tides in the world (as much as 38 feet!) ebb and flow during our visit.
This excursion is a photographer’s delight … Saint Martins is encircled by twin covered bridges, a lighthouse, and public gardens … all with the ocean for a stunning backdrop. We’ll explore the wave-carved sea caves in the sandstone cliffs during low tide. For the best view, walking shoes are a must!
And we’ll visit the world famous Reversing Falls Rapids in Saint John where the huge tides from the Bay of Fundy force the mighty Saint John River to reverse its flow twice every day.
Next, we stop at the New Brunswick Museum where there truly is something for every interest. And for those of us with a penchant for antique samplers, we’ll have a behind-the-scenes tour of their sampler collection, most of which have never been on exhibit! This is also where Because You Count will have a “pop-up” shop set up for us. This cross stitch store is located in Moncton which is too far away for us to visit so owner Jeanie Taylor is bringing her shop to us!
As we head for the ship, we have one last treat in store for you: the unique old City market in the heart of Saint John where the local folks have loved to buy fresh produce since 1876.
Optional lunch: We can order seafood chowder through one of the local churches which sets this up as a fund raiser when cruise ships are in town. Plan to spend around $13.
— OR —
Bay Roads and Wine Bus Tour
5 hours
9:30am – 2:30pm
Soak up the unique blend of past and present in one of the friendliest cites that you’ll ever visit … all from the comfort of our bus or van.** Our tour guide will introduce us to the personalities, places, and events that have made Saint John “the greatest little city in the east.”
We’ll visit the world famous Reversing Falls Rapids in Saint John where the huge tides from the Bay of Fundy force the mighty Saint John River to reverse its flow twice every day, Martello Tower (from the War of 1812), and Fort Howe which offers an incredible view of this charming old port City.
Next, take in the breath-taking scenery as we travel along the Kingston Peninsula, bordered by the St. John and Kennebecasis Rivers. We’ll pass through farm country and country villages such as Kingston with its traditional village square, featuring a school, a general store built in 1788, and a church, designated as a National Historic site. You will have 60 minutes of free time here to browse or grab a quick bite of lunch on your own.
Our destination is New Brunswick’s newest winery, Gillis of Belleisle Winery. Located at the head of the Belleisle Bay, this state-of-the-art winery specializes in handcrafted premium wines made with organically grown grapes. Visitors will enjoy a vineyard tour, private tastings, and shopping in the contemporary wine boutique. Learn about the growing of the grapes and the winery’s handcrafted methods that produce such exceptional flavor.
Coming back into Saint John, we stop at the New Brunswick Museum where there truly is something for every interest. And for those of us with a penchant for antique samplers, we’ll have a behind-the-scenes tour of their sampler collection, most of which have never been on exhibit! This is also where Because You Count will have a “pop-up” shop set up for us. This cross stitch store is located in Moncton which is too far away for us to visit so owner Jeanie Taylor is bringing her shop to us!
As we head for the ship, we have one last treat in store for you: the unique old City market in the heart of Saint John where the local folks have loved to buy fresh produce since 1876.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
Docked 9am – 6pm
The Best of Halifax Walking Tour
2.5 hours
10:00 – 12:30
Halifax is an intriguing and easily walkable seaport. Going from point to point to visit the sites listed here make up a total of just a two-mile walk! In addition, we’ll see historic homes and other points of interest such as Spring Garden Road (the busiest pedestrian street East of Montreal), the famous Town Clock, City Hall, Saint Paul’s church, and the Grand Parade.
Halifax Public Gardens a 16-acre oasis in the heart of downtown Halifax. In true Victorian fashion, the Gardens boast ornate fountains, a bandstand, statues, urns and a magnificent wrought iron entrance. Also among their treasures are over 140 different species of trees, and the serpentine, scroll and carpet beds guarantee a bounty of color and fragrance throughout the seasons. http://www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca
Citadel National Historic Site
With a commanding view of the Halifax harbor, the Halifax Citadel’s star-shaped architecture is equally as impressive from the inside and out. We’ll step back in time with the 78th Highlanders and the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery to learn what it was like for the soldiers and their families to live and work in this historic fort. http://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax
Province House
This National Historic Site (c 1819) is the seat of the Nova Scotia Government, Canada’s oldest provincial legislative assembly, and the original home of Britain’s first overseas self-government. Writer Charles Dickens called Province House “a gem of Georgian architecture.”
Historic Properties is a popular waterfront complex of 19th-century wharves and privateers’ warehouses that have been transformed into charming boutiques and restaurants. Here, if you choose, is a good place to pick up a great souvenir or keepsake of locally made woolens, hand cut crystal, local pewter, and much more!
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is located in the heart of Halifax’s historic waterfront. There’s no better place to immerse yourself in Nova Scotia’s rich maritime heritage! From small craft boatbuilding to World War Convoys, the days of sail to the age of steam, the Titanic to the Halifax Explosion, you’ll discover the stories, events and people that have come to define Nova Scotia and its relationship with the sea. https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/permanent-exhibits
Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Marketis the oldest, continuously operating farmers’ market in North America. It was established by royal decree in 1750, and is a vibrant feature of the city today. Food, local crafts, and lots of hand made items. http://www.halifaxfarmersmarket.com/about
Stops for restrooms will be made if desired. This is a walking tour, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Alexander Keith’s Brewery ADD-ON
Often listed as the #1 thing to do in Halifax, Alexander Keith’s Brewery is one of the oldest commercial breweries in North America. The brewery is named for a Scottish immigrant who devoted his life to brewing his beer. Today, the brewery still runs on Keith’s values, creating flavorful ales and generously providing visitors with a relaxed, social experience. In additon to tasting four of their awesome brews, we’ll enjoy music and story-telling, too! http://keiths.ca
Registration
If you are a member of the Stitchers’ Escapes group and would like to add to your excursion registration, contact Jean at jeanfarish@gmail.com