airtravel Archives ⋆ The Dining Traveler https://diningtraveler.com/category/airtravel Travel Tips, Recipes, and Culinary Travel Website Wed, 04 Aug 2021 23:10:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://i0.wp.com/diningtraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/cropped-DiningTraveler_IG1-e1581697224126.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 airtravel Archives ⋆ The Dining Traveler https://diningtraveler.com/category/airtravel 32 32 88259031 Glamping in Mount Desert Island, Maine https://diningtraveler.com/2021/07/glamping-in-mount-desert-island-maine.html https://diningtraveler.com/2021/07/glamping-in-mount-desert-island-maine.html#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:30:00 +0000 https://diningtraveler.com/?p=7876 While the pandemic was so awful in so many ways, one of the few positives that emerged was that I was forced to look at vacation options closer to home. As it turns out, there are all kinds of interesting and dynamic places to visit in the northeast USA. I recently wrote about a walking […]

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]]> While the pandemic was so awful in so many ways, one of the few positives that emerged was that I was forced to look at vacation options closer to home. As it turns out, there are all kinds of interesting and dynamic places to visit in the northeast USA. I recently wrote about a walking tour in Vermont that I partook in last year. This year, my husband and I decided to go glamping at Mount Desert Island, Maine, home to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor! It was as enchanting as we imagined.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Acadia National Park


The highlight of glamping at Mount Desert Island is being at Acadia National Park. This massive national park encompasses mountains, trees, and stunning views of the Atlantic ocean. The combination is breathtaking. The best way to enjoy Acadia is to purchase a National Park Pass for the 27 mile Park Loop Road. From here, you can stop at vantage points for pictures, and jump off the loop to go on various hikes. Sites not to be missed include Cadillac Mountain for great views and the carriage roads for a lovely stroll.

Bar Harbor


While glamping at Mount Dessert Island, add Bar Harbor to your itinerary. The famed town of Bar Harbor offers many interesting opportunities for exploration. Take a cruise on the water to see bald eagles, whales, seals, and picturesque homes belonging to the Rockefellers and Sears family along the coast. Stroll the streets and drop into one of the many shops to peruse books, buy sailing-themed attire, and sample local specialties like a blueberry lemonade.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS

There are a variety of accommodations on Mount Desert Island, ranging from camping to high-end resorts in Bar Harbor. We aren’t really the camping type but didn’t want anything too touristy, so we found something in between that turned out to be perfect. Terramor Outdoor Resort is a new glamping venue in Mount Desert Island, Maine that just opened in 2020. The resort is stunning, with the main lodge for food, a heated pool, and a hot tub. The individual tents are situated in the dense, rustic woods of Desert Island. The tents are spacious and comfortable, with huge beds, elegant showers, and amenities like Chemex coffee makers and cozy robes. Each tent has a patio and fire pit, to give you space and the opportunity to enjoy the bucolic scenery.

Glamping in Mount Desert Island

DINING AND IMBIBING

Bangor


The Fiddlehead Restaurant: When you fly to Mount Desert Island the closest airport is in Bangor, which is a small town known for being the home of Stephen King. We left right away for our glamping adventure in Mount Desert Island, which is about an hour’s drive from Bangor, but not before stopping to dine at The Fiddlehead Restaurant. This charming restaurant is one of the best in the state; it has an impressive farm-to-table menu, featuring all the best of Maine’s produce. We indulged in crunchy roasted asparagus, smoky mushrooms enrobed in puffed pastry, grilled romaine, and roasted tomato salad, local cheeses, house-made bread, and ramp butter. It was the best meal of the trip.

Acadia


The Jordan Pond House: The only restaurant in Acadia, Jordan Pond is great for quick lunch of salads or sandwiches while you visit the park. Be sure to order a popover; these doughy rolls are exactly what you need after a long hike! I enjoyed mine with a glass of Champagne.

Bar Harbor


Copita: Our favorite spot to dine in Bar Harbor was Copita, a tiny Mediterranean restaurant located in northeast Bar Harbor. With dishes like pan-fried gnocchi, roasted sunchokes and Brussel sprouts, cauliflower piccata, and pasta with fresh pesto, the cuisine is fresh and delicious. Don’t skip their innovative cocktails, listed on a blackboard in the dining room, which are also made with local and seasonal ingredients.

Side Street Café: Maine is famous for several food items. Blueberries, coffee, beer, and as it turns out mac n cheese. This café is great for a quick bite if you are out and about in bar harbor. The menu includes burgers, tacos, and no less than a dozen different kinds of mac n cheese!

Jeannine’s Great Maine Breakfast: If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day, look no further than Jeannine’s. From egg dishes to tofu scrambles to hot blueberry pancakes there is something for everyone. Coffee is plentiful and the blueberry pancake sauce is divine!

Terramor Resort Lodge


The Terramor Lodge serves breakfast and lunch to go, while dinner can be enjoyed at the lodge. I highly recommend snagging a spot by one of the fireplaces. The food is glamping fare at its best! Menu items include classic American fare like chowder and impossible burgers. You can get s’mores kits to go to enjoy at the fire pit at your tent. One of the highlights of glamping in Mount Dessert Island!


Atlantic Brewing Co: There are two locations of this, one close to Terramor and one in Bar Harbor. Stop by either one to sample a local beer!

THE VERDICT

Glamping in Maine was a grand adventure – one that I highly recommend! The trip included nature, good food, and relaxation all around.


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]]> https://diningtraveler.com/2021/07/glamping-in-mount-desert-island-maine.html/feed 4 7876 6 Low Cost Airlines in Europe https://diningtraveler.com/2014/11/5-low-cost-carriers-in-europe.html Wed, 05 Nov 2014 03:16:00 +0000 http://www.diningtraveler.com/2014/11/flying-around-europe-6-low-cost-airlines.html When I first moved to Europe, I had the romantic notion of the rail. I fantasized about sitting on a train with majestic views of the Alps while I drank champagne and possibly meet Ethan Hawke. This is still completely attainable if you have all the time in the world. However, with my MBA studies followed by […]

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When I first moved to Europe, I had the romantic notion of the rail. I fantasized about sitting on a train with majestic views of the Alps while I drank champagne and possibly meet Ethan Hawke. This is still completely attainable if you have all the time in the world. However, with my MBA studies followed by a full time job at an international organization,  I did not have too much time on my hands. Instead, I became an expert weekend traveler thanks to some of the great low cost airlines in Europe. Sometimes flying via low cost carriers can save you not only time but money. 

6 Low Cost Airlines in Europe

Low Cost Airlines in Europe Vueling
Vueling Aircraft. Photo Courtesy of Aviation Corner

Vueling:  I am fortunate to have friends who live in Spain, making it the perfect destination for weekend getaways to Madrid and Barcelona.  You can fly from all the main cities in Europe to Spain plus domestic flights within the country for as low as 30 EUR per leg. This year I flew from Madrid to Barcelona for 39 EUR one way, cheaper than the 54 EUR train fare. 
 

Low Cost Airlines in Europe Wizz Air
Photo Credit: Wizz Air Website

Wizz Air:  Traveling to Eastern Europe? Wizz Air is a great choice. I’ve flown to Prague with Wizz Air and it was a great, hassle free experience. The prices are low and there are plenty of routes from the main cities such as London, Barcelona, and Milan to cities such as Prague, Budapest, and Split. 

Low Cost Airlines in Europe Germanwings
Photo Credit: German Wings Airlines

German Wings: When I lived in Stuttgart, I took a few flights with German Wings.  Didn’t feel like I was in a low cost carrier! My flight from Stuttgart to Vienna was not only cheap (recall 60 EUR RT) but it has the efficiency you can expect of Lufthansa (German Wings is part of the Lufthansa Group).

Low Cost Airlines in Europe EasyJet
Photo Credit:  EasyJet Website

EasyJet: One of the things I love about EasyJet is that it actually arrives to the bigger airports but it still has the feel of a larger airline versus low cost. Warning: for example, Brussels Charleroi is 50 minutes by bus from Brussels with no train connection from the airport to the city. I had a great weekend trip from Brussels to Berlin for 80 EUR. Good times!

Low Cost Airlines in Europe
Photo Credit: RyanAir Website

Ryanair:  My least favorite in the low cost category but it has taken me where I needed to be and cheap. No other airline can take you from Brussels to Lanzarote, Canary Islands for 90 EUR! The only downside is that they will nickle and dime you for everything and try to sell you even lotto tickets! Warning: Pack light or book your luggage ahead of time! This is where they make their money! On a positive note: I am happy to learn now that Ryan Air is also starting to fly from major airports such as Brussels Zaventem and Copenhagen. 

One of my Favorite Weekend Destinations: Madrid

Transavia: If your base is the Netherlands, I highly recommend you take a look at this airline for low cost traveling via Europe. This past December, we flew from Rotterdam to Budapest for 70 Euros each to include one full size piece of luggage each. Rotterdam is a great alternative to the Amsterdam Airport. It’s small, modern, and very quick check in and security. My husband has flown them for years and he is a fan. 

From Rotterdam to Budapest

I enjoyed seeing a lot of Europe by plane during my six years living there and my many subsequent trips. Many of these adventures have been done with these low cost airlines in Europe.  Although you have to do some planning ahead and pack light, you have more options than ever to get to see more of Europe and save time and money! 
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