TRAVEL

Get Out While You Can: An Early Fall Getaway to Maine’s Hidden Gems

Full of good old-fashioned Yankee houses and fresh lobsters the size of a lap dog, there are few more appropriate places to close out the New England summer than Maine.

Most New England beach towns are aflutter with tourist traps over the summer, but there are still hidden gems and treasures off the beaten path for you to explore. Here’s a look at York Beach, a sun-bleached beach-side summer town, and Kennebunkport, a bustling (by Maine standards) historic city.

York Beach, ME

Across from the York Harbor Inn, what looks like a park or war memorial is actually the entrance to a oceanside boardwalk. The trail is a mix of Newport cliff walk and hiking trail, with views of turquoise pools and pristine rock beaches. Parts of the walk are steep, so bring appropriate footwear and make sure to pack your camera. The foliage is almost as stunning as the crystal clear water.

On the other end of York Beach, Sohier Park is home to a historic lighthouse. A ski-lift style gondola dangles invitingly, waiting to escort you to the lighthouse island, but you’ll have to sweet talk a coast guard to get a ride. No matter; the sweeping views down the coast are worth the visit.

Kennebunkport, ME

Skip the crowded, over-priced tourist joints in town and head to Captain Hook’s, over the bridge and just out of downtown. Grab a seat at the picnic-style outdoor tables and place your order. Most fish and fried things are ordered inside, but for lobster, you go out back and pick out your lunch in person.

If you are into architecture, history, or just pretty things, the Carriage Rides are a real treat. They depart from the edge of the town’s residential area at 25 Ocean Street. Watch where you park your car though – a sign on a nearby house warns visitors: “Don’t park here. We’ll crunch your car while you shop and dine.”

Wanna Stay Overnight?

In Kennebunkport, you can get 40% of the Nonantum Resort ($144-214, 1-800-552-5651) or 30% off at the Kennebunkport Inn ($199, 1-800-248-2621). Just ask for the “Inn Crowd” rate.

Gabi Logan is a jetsetting food and travel writer.  In addition to being a fabulous contributor to The SavvyBostonian, Gabi inspires people with her menus, recipes and cooking tips for delicious home-cooked gourmet food in a flash at The 30 Minute Dinner Party.  For more of Gabi’s guest posts on The SavvyBostonian, please click here.

RECIPES

A Little Love From The Washington Post’s Lean & Fit eNewsletter

Liberté Yogurt by Jessica Gioglio

You don’t have to be from Washington, D.C. to enjoy the Washington Post’s weekly Lean & Fit eNewsletter.  In addition to featuring helpful nutrition and fitness tips and recipes, the newsletter allows readers to submit their food-related questions.  I recently sent in a response to a reader’s question about yogurt suggestions that were fat-free AND low in sugar (yet delicious).  A tall order, right?

Well, imagine my delight when my savvy tip made the cut:
I find Greek yogurt a bit too tart, so I prefer plain Liberté yogurt, which isn’t non-fat (2 percent milk), but for 6 ounces it only has 9 grams of sugar and has a rich, luxurious taste. The only ingredients are milk and yogurt cultures. I typically buy it at Whole Foods – hopefully they also have it at their DC stores. – Jessica

Thanks again to Jennifer for including my yogurt obsession in this week’s Lean & Fit eNewsletter.  If you’re interested in subscribing, please click here to do so.  Note that you are required to register for The Washington Post’s website first, which is free.

BOSTON

Keepin’ It Real (Estate): Three Sites For Virtual Apartment and Condo Hunting in Boston

Beacon Hill by Jessica Gioglio

In a city where it’s common to move annually, hitting the apartment jackpot can require navigating a complicated maze of craigslist postings, followed by numerous site visits to prospective rentals.  While it’s easy to expend a significant amount of time and energy apartment hunting, I’m particularly impressed with the local agents and agencies that are making the process easier by embracing the blogosphere to market themselves to a time-strapped, web-savvy client base.

Featuring snazzy site layouts, engaging copy, plus photos and videos galore, a few sites including The Boston Apartments Blog by Charlesgate Realty, The Boston Condo Loft by Condo Domain and LRG Boston’s Real Estate Blog go above and beyond to offer a Bostonian’s additional insight into the local market.

Continue Reading

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

Friday, July 30: MFA Hosts Free Community Day

MFA Boston by Lilbenne from Flickr

On Friday, July 30, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is opening its doors to the general public by hosting a free community day.  From 10:00 a.m. through 9:45 p.m, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a frequent visitor, or haven’t stepped inside the Museum in ages, because general admission is gratis courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation.

With ten exhibitions and seven guided tours available at various times during the day, visitors can decide whether they prefer to wander on their own and play art critic, versus tapping into the wisdom of a Museum-trained guide.  Also not to be missed is the current visiting masterpiece,  Vincent van Gogh’s The Sower.

While there are tons of family-friendly activities during the day, visitors over 21 can also enjoy alfresco cocktails and live music in the Museum’s Calderwood Courtyard from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

For more information about the MFA’s free community day on Friday, July 30, please click here.

BOSTON, RECIPES

Sweatin’ in the City: How I’m Trying to Beat the Heat

Christian Science Center Plaza Fountain by Jessica Gioglio

Hot.  Sticky.  Humid.  Oppressive.  Unbearable.  Just a few words that I have been abusing this week.  In between sucking down water and fighting my urge to jump into the Charles River, here’s how I’ve been beating the heat this week:

Sip: Coconut Water. Sweating depletes both sodium and potassium, making this lightly sweet beverage a nice way to refuel.  Offering more potassium than two bananas, sodium and sugar for energy, I’ve been sipping on one per day to replenish.  Though there are many brands available, I’m partial to Vita Coco.

Stay: Air-Conditioned Office Building: I’ve never loved my office so much.  Usually I complain about the overly cold air conditioning, but this week, the temperature feels just right.  I’ve actually found myself staying a bit later than usual to postpone going back to my heat box of an apartment.  Don’t work in an office building?  If I didn’t, I’d be spending my time in public buildings, like the Boston Public Library, Prudential Center, movie theatre and local museums.

Splash: Christian Science Center Plaza Fountain: While there are several great fountains around the city, this one has attracts both locals and tourists equally.  Though a shorted power cable temporarily disabled the fountain yesterday, it’s now back up and running.  It’s not only little kids that can shriek in delight while running through the spiral streams of water!  Who’s dashing through with me!?

Savor: Summer Soups. My friend Gabi has a fantastic food blog with oodles of soups, slaws, salads and salsa recipes perfect for cooling off after a hot day.  I can personally attest to going gaga for her Summer Gazpacho and slurping the wine-infused Chilled Watermelon Soup with delight.

Splurge: Double Shot Affogato. When this Health.com recipe popped into my inbox this week, I was instantly taken back to Italy, where I first tried this yummy espresso and coffee ice cream dessert drink.  Why didn’t I think to try and re-create this at home sooner?   Click here for the recipe.

With scorching temperatures scheduled to run through the weekend, how have you been keeping cool this week?