Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New England. Show all posts
Fall weather brings out a love for a cruise to New England Canada in unique ways and these destinations always seems like the perfect way to celebrate this time of year! Cruising in the fall has been one of my favorite adventures!
When I went on my first cruise throughout New England and Canada in 2015 (you can read more HERE) I quickly learned that it was very different then packing for other cruises! For examples, cruises to New England and Canada aren't like packing for a cruise to the Caribbean. When I went cruising to the Caribbean my suitcase was filled with cute sundresses, lots of cute sandals and flip flops, bating suits, and adorable warm weather clothes. But unlike the tropical getaway that a cruise to the Caribbean provides, cruising to New England and Canada in the summer or fall provides a completely different climate.
When I went on my first cruise throughout New England and Canada in 2015 (you can read more HERE) I quickly learned that it was very different then packing for other cruises! For examples, cruises to New England and Canada aren't like packing for a cruise to the Caribbean. When I went cruising to the Caribbean my suitcase was filled with cute sundresses, lots of cute sandals and flip flops, bating suits, and adorable warm weather clothes. But unlike the tropical getaway that a cruise to the Caribbean provides, cruising to New England and Canada in the summer or fall provides a completely different climate.
When I took my first cruise to New England and Canada back in 2015, I searched for what to pack for this type of cruising climate and I struggled to find answers. There were tons of ideas for warmer weather cruising but not for "colder weather climates". So I searched to find anyone who had been on a New England cruise that could share their thoughts, talked with different cruise lines, and searched tons of travel sites for their thoughts on visiting this area of the world. The reality is that this area of the world in the summer and fall seasons yet it can bring unpredictable weather, beautiful views, and gorgeous opportunities.
I have taken two cruises through New England and Canada. In addition to the one in 2015, in 2019 my mom and I had the amazing opportunity to sail in August through New England and Canada on Holland America and it was so delightful (you can read all about our trip HERE)! The one thing though that held true was that despite the season difference (late summer versus fall) I found that the list here still helped me pack appropriately for these two different types of trips. I hope you find it helpful also!
So if you are planning a similar cruise, here are the top 10 things that you can't leave home without y'all:
I have taken two cruises through New England and Canada. In addition to the one in 2015, in 2019 my mom and I had the amazing opportunity to sail in August through New England and Canada on Holland America and it was so delightful (you can read all about our trip HERE)! The one thing though that held true was that despite the season difference (late summer versus fall) I found that the list here still helped me pack appropriately for these two different types of trips. I hope you find it helpful also!
So if you are planning a similar cruise, here are the top 10 things that you can't leave home without y'all:
1. Layers
With weather that is unpredictable during this time of the year (some days can be in the low 30s to the high 80s!!) it is important to pack clothes that you can "layer". I definitely threw in different coats along with lighter weather clothes (as you can see in the picture above) and the mix and matching of these items really helped me throughout the day!
2. Boots, Booties, Shoes, Sandals
Unlike the Caribbean where you live in sandals, you might want to vary your shoe "wardrobe" a little bit more for a New England Cruise. For time on the boat you might want to still live in cute sandals but time off the boat and the excursions that you choose might determine that you wear different types of shoes.
Taking a cruise to New England and Canada offers you a wide array of options as far as choices go for excursions and many that include hiking so don't forget to pack a variety of different shoes that you will need for your cruise!
3. Scarves
Lets be honest. If you have been around the blog then you know that I love scarves and where them in all different weather environments, but a cruise to New England and Canada is a perfect opportunity and excuse to wear a variety of different scarves on the cruise.
Scarves are also a perfect accessory for a cruise as they are lightweight and don't take up a ton of room but can bring a pop of color to an outfit, change up an outfit (by simply wearing a different scarf), and are the perfect addition to any cruising outfit.
4. Sunscreen
It can be easy to forget this necessary component of your New England and Canada cruise since you are not traveling to a "warm weather" environment but don't forget to pack your sunscreen! There are so many days where the weather is so beautiful and you will definitely want to have your sunscreen with you! THIS ONE is one of my ultimate favorites and it is less than $9 on Amazon. You can find it by clicking HERE!
5. Camera (and the Extras)
I use my phone for pictures alone with my camera, but still am a photographer at heart so I always bring my camera on all of my trips and travels! I have the Canon EOS Rebel T5i and absolutely love it. I purchased it in 2016 and am always amazed by the quality of the photos it takes. I love this SD card HERE (it's less than $10!!)
Some additional suggestions...
Portable Battery Pack
Some additional suggestions...
Portable Battery Pack
6. Extension Cord
Throw in an extension cord and you will be glad that you did! One that I bring along is the 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip simply because it allows for several things to be plugged in at once which is a must on a cruise! (Less than $10!)
I wrote an entire post (you can read HERE) all about my new favorite travel charger (that I also use all the time), so I am not exaggerating when I say that this is truly my favorite charger!
8. Purse, Bag, Etc.
Woven Tote Travel Purse (click HERE)
Those of you who know me know that I have a little love affair with purses. *smiles* I have had many over the years, and love large purses- especially for traveling. For each of my trips I look for purses that I feel will "fit" the climate and the elements and that will be a neutral based color to easily match the clothes I am wearing. I also want a purse that was leather that could transition easily into fall. I love the color tone of the Burgandy purse above and the size of it.
Also... if you have ready some of my other packing posts you will have heard me mention purchasing a Sturdy Purse Organizer and y'all. SERIOUSLY. Go purchase this for everyday life along with travel! I have started talking about non-stop and telling everyone about. Just the other day I was telling two friends that they needed to get one! It is life-changing! Hahaha!
This felt organizer (I chose the beige color so that it will go with any of my purses!) comes in 11 different colors and is less than $20 on Amazon (you can find it HERE). I love that I can easily switch purses now just by taking this out and changing it from one purse to another. SO simple and easy! Even if you don't travel a lot you will love it for daily life (for size reference I chose a medium)! For traveling mine was loaded up with tons of items and it was the easiest trip in the airports because of how organized it kept things in my purse! If you are interested in it you can find it HERE!
9. Journal, Travel Books, Etc.
Y'all know from my shop that I love creating and altering travel books and travel journals so this recommendation is probably not a surprise at all! *smiles* Some people like to pack travel guides to take with them on the cruise so they can explore in depth the ports of call while others like to bring journals on board so as to remember the special details and memories that are made. Check out the shop for perfect solutions for your travel needs!
10. Cruise Documents and Passport
Don't forget that you will need to bring all of your cruise documents and passport. Looking for a cute passport holder? I love THIS travel organizer and it is less than $15!
What about y'all? Any must pack items that you recommend for a New England/Canadian Cruise? Looking for more cruising tips? Check out the following cruising posts:
Cruising Tips:
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you had a wonderful long weekend!
As I mentioned in my post about a new direction that Caravan Sonnet is heading in (you can read more HERE!) I am excited to spend more time sharing about upstate New York, New York, and New England in my travel posts! Several weeks ago I shared that I am excited to share with y'all some recap posts from the New England Winter Road Trip that I took with my mom 2 years ago about a month before the world stopped due to the pandemic!
At the time I shared a couple of posts about our trip, but with the way the world changed I stopped sharing and didn't get to share even half of what we saw or what we did and so I am excited to revisit this trip and share more! I hope that it encourages you to consider taking a road trip (in part or in whole depending on your circumstances) this winter to this beautiful place in the world!
Today I am excited to start sharing about some more of the places we saw on our New England Winter Road Trip that I didn't share back in 2020! This first place, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was one of my favorite stops we made and I hope that it will inspire you to go off the beaten trail to see this incredibly beautiful spot of Maine.
After our beautiful and brief stop in newcastle we continued to head north to where we were going to be spending the night in Camden, Maine. As we were driving I saw that there was a lighthouse that was about 35 minutes out of the way and would be a detour that would get us in later than we had originally planned. I didn't know much about this lighthouse and had never come across it on my original research for the trip, but both mom and I were excited to see another lighthouse and so we decided to head over. I am SO glad we did and can't recommend visiting this spot enough!
We arrived as the sun was starting to set which added a beauty to this visit that was simply lovely.
In the 1835 contract there was a stipulation that was placed that only fresh water could be used in the mortar mixture. Isaac Dunham (the lighthouse keeper) oversaw the project and this time the project was completed properly. One interesting note is that the original light was an Argand-Lewis parabolic reflector that only had a visibility of 2 miles because it was lit with candles. In the early 1850s this changed due to the invention of Augustin Fresnel who found a superior way of focusing light. Interestingly, Pemaquid is one of only six Fresnel lenses to this day that is still in service in Maine.
I found that part of the history of the lighthouse incredibly fascinating don't you? There was something so lovely and restful about this area and it made me curious that a man who was so decorated would spend time as the Lighthouse Keeper in this hidden and far away place. It makes me wonder if he found rest and restoration in this space. He was the lighthouse keeper for four years and this little fact of history has struck me deeply.
In 1934 the lighthouse became automated and in later years it was chosen to be featured on the Maine quarter by popular vote of Maine residents. Interestingly, Windows 7 also featured this lighthouse as a choice for a background. And something that I can definitely understand, this is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Maine Coast.
In 1985 the Pemaquid Lighthouse was added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
The lighthouse is currently owned by the US Coast Guard, but the upkeep and the ongoing restorations are funded solely by visitor donations.
If you are going to plan a visit around the lighthouse you can easily spend lots of time as you spend time at the lighthouse itself and then spend time in the nearby park which offers unlimited ocean views (from a variety of different directions), picnic facilities, an art gallery, and a museum that contains artifacts of the lighthouse.
There is a small fee ($3.00) but because we were there in the winter there was not a fee.
Have y'all visited the Pemaquid Lighthouse before? If not, I definitely recommend adding it to your list of "must see" travel places! You won't regret it!
If you are interested in reading about the exact route that we took on this trip check out this post HERE! Here is a general overview...
You can read all of the posts from the trip by clicking the links below:
Maine
// Nubble Lighthouse //
New Hampshire
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
HappyTuesday friends! I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day yesterday and that your week is starting off well.
As I mentioned in my post about a new direction that Caravan Sonnet is heading in (you can read more HERE!) I am excited to spend more time sharing about upstate New York, New York, and New England in my travel posts! Three weeks ago I shared that I am excited to share with y'all some recap posts from the New England Winter Road Trip that I took with my mom 2 years ago about a month before the world stopped due to the pandemic!
At the time I shared a couple of posts about our trip, but with the way the world changed I stopped sharing and didn't get to share even half of what we saw or what we did and so I am excited to revisit this trip and share more! I hope that it encourages you to consider taking a road trip (in part or in whole depending on your circumstances) this winter to this beautiful place in the world!
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Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far!
Today I am excited to share more about our New England Winter Road Trip that we took in February last year (prior to the outbreak of the COVID 19 virus and stay at home/shelter in place orders)! I had stopped sharing about this trip from last year due to the sensitivity of COVID, but for those around these areas there were so many things that we did that were outside that I wanted to continue to share in the hopes that this would inspire you to see the place around where you live and for others plan a trip for the future!
As I mentioned in my last post about our trip, after our time in Concord, New Hampshire, we started to make our way through and up the coast of Maine which was absolutely delightful. I had stopped at a couple of the places we spent time at on my one week road trip adventure through New England, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia (click HERE to read more) back in 2017 and also on the New England/Canada Cruise that I took in 2015, but to have this time with my mom added a special precious aspect to the trip.
After our time at the Portland Head Light House, we continued to head north to Camden, Maine where we were going to be spending the night! My mom had never been there and I was so excited to show this sweet town to her that I had fallen in love with when I visited in the fall of 2017!
As we made our way there we chose to continue making our way up route 1 which took more time, but went through charming and quintessential New England towns. One of those was the lovely Newcastle.
Newcastle is a small town that is located on the Damariscotta River and together with the village of Damariscotta it forms what is known as the "twin villages" in this area.
We literally came around the corner and both gasped aloud because it was just so beautiful and such a perfect "winter" New England town. We turned around and found a place to park to take pictures and walk around for a little bit because it was just so charming.
Newcastle (I was to find out later when I researched it) has a fantastic and interesting history. It was first settled in the 1630s by fishermen and a small number of families. Eventually in 1665, the territory was claimed by the Duke of York and renamed New Dartmouth. Destroyed in 1676 by King Philip's War, the townspeople fled and left only to try to return to have the town destroyed again in 1689 during King William's War. After this the town was not inhabited or reoccupied for nearly 40 years. Finally in 1730, Colonel David Dunbar, resettled Newcastle and named it after the Duke of Newcastle.
In 1978 the village was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes 51 buildings in the Italiante, Greek Revival, and Federal styles on over 12000 acres throughout this area.
This beautiful drive and winter road trip was just another beautiful reminder of how much beauty and adventure and learning is around each corner if we take the time to explore it!
Have y'all visited Newcastle, Maine before? If not, I definitely recommend adding it to your list of "must see" travel places! You won't regret it!
If you are interested in reading about the exact route that we took on this trip check out this post HERE! Here is a general overview...
You can read all of the posts from the trip by clicking the links below:
Maine
// Nubble Lighthouse //
New Hampshire
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