New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

Article and photo (Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park, Maine) by Eric H . We are pleased to announce that the 2010 New England Travel Newsletter is available for your reading pleasure at http://www.visitingnewengland.com/New-England-Travel-Spring-2010-Newsletter.pdf  . Our first online newsletter includes spring-related articles on Kennebunkport, Maine, Boston, Mass., Ogunquit, Maine, an amazing castle in Connecticut, a few key spring events, colorful large photos of New England, and more. The New England Travel Newsletter will be published four times a year -- spring, winter, summer and fall. Please feel free to contribute by emailing your story ideas, tips and calendar of event items. We hope you enjoy the newsletter, and would appreciate any feedback you have so that we can help this publication grow with each season. Happy travels!

Information Source: Maine Office of Tourism . Map - Current Maine foliage conditions for September 16. (Credit: Maine Department of Conservation) The Maine Office of Tourism in Augusta, Maine, just sent us a message stating that all that rain that occurred during the first half of the summer proved beneficial for the impending fall foliage season, as leaf-bearing trees are healthy and primed for their annual color change. "Good foliage development is a prerequisite for good fall color," said Bill Ostrofsky, a forest pathologist with the Maine Forest Service. "The plentiful summer rain allowed the foliage to develop vigorously, and most crowns now appear full, dense, and very lush. All regions appear to be on track for another spectacular season." Aroostook County and northern portions of Piscataquis and Somerset County forest rangers report low leaf color, at this writing -- less than 30 percent peak and low leaf drop. For the remainder of the state, low color and ...

Article and photo (of Nubble Lighthouse, York Beach, Maine) by Eric H. Top 10 lists are popular from what David Letterman has to say to the greatest music of all time. How about a top 10 list of favorite things to do in New England? We'd love to hear your feedback. I'll start off with my top 10 list (subject to change depending on mood and season), and look forward to yours. 1. Spending a day at friendly, scenic Short Sands Beach in York Beach, Maine, and then walking to Nubble Lighthouse for a taste of coastal rocky Maine, some salt-sea air and views of perhaps New England's most scenic lighthouse. 2. Enjoying a Pawtucket Red Sox game at the nicely restored, fan-friendly McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI. 3. Taking a drive through the small towns along scenic Route 169 in the beautiful "Quiet Corner" of northeastern Connecticut. 4. Eating the best Italian pizza in the world at the landmark Santarpio's in East Boston, MA. 5. Reveling in the ultimate New England ...