New England Travel and Vacation Gazette and Other Wicked Good Content

Editor's note: We thought it would be a great idea to answer our readers' email inquiries here at the Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette. We hope our perspectives will be helpful to that specific reader and others that are interested in similar New England vacations. Here is the first in a series of many inquiries: Q.: My wife and I are visiting the US for the first time in August this year. We have nine days to spend exploring New England and want to spend at least three days in Boston. What would you recommend in terms of exploring by car for the rest of the trip? We have been playing with the idea to travel south to New Haven and then back up to Boston via the coast or explore north up the Maine coast. Some advice would be highly appreciated. A: So many possibilities, so little time!  I do think, however, that nine days of vacation will give you a good sampler of the diversity of New England. Boston to New Haven is a two and a half hour drive, New Haven i...

(Photo: A bounty of pumpkins. Credit: Maine Office of Tourism ) We recently received word from our friends at the Maine Office of Tourism that several local Fall food events -- and a wine event in Portland -- will be celebrating the bounty of the season. The scenic mid-Maine coastal town of Camden will be hosting the 4th Annual Maine Fare culinary celebration , Sept. 11-13. This tasty food event starts with the Grand Tasting on Camden Harbor with Maine chefs, wine makers, distillers and brewers, and continues with cooking classes, demonstrations, guided tastings, and a marketplace of artisan and organic foods, and hand crafted beverages. The 21st Annual AppleFest will celebrate and pay tribute to Monmouth's historic apple orchards on Sept. 26. Cider pressing, apple arts and crafts, children's games, pies and pastries, and historic artifacts associated with apple harvesting and processing will take place on the grounds of the Monmouth Museum. VinFest at Cellardoor Winery...

Just a reminder that the 142nd annual Marshfield Fair , in Marshfield, Mass., runs until Sunday, Aug. 30. Truly one of New England's most special fairs, this year's event will include plenty of vendor comfort foods and midway rides, plus demolition derby, wrestling motocross, truck pulling, blues festivals, lawn mower races and pony, horse and ox pulling. As they say in the infomercials:" But wait, that's not all!" We suggest you check out the Marshfield Fair Web Site's schedule of events before traveling to this fun, seasonal attraction on the South Shore of Massachusetts. You can also call (781)834-6629 for more information. We hope you enjoy this traditional New England event!

Article and photo by Eric H. The latest VisitingNewEngland.com summer travel article is "Ten Reasons to Visit York Beach, Maine." One of New England's best family-oriented vacation destinations, York Beach features two fantastic ocean beaches (Long Sands and Short Sands), the famous Nubble Lighthouse, York Wild Kingdom Zoo and Fun Park, Brown's Ice Cream stand with its famous wild Maine blueberry ice cream, and The Goldenrod -- a restaurant that is best known for its salt water taffy making. The York Beach area is also a great place to dine on Maine seafood at places like Fosters Downeast Clambake we've fallen in love with the lobster and clam chowder You can read the full article on York Beach attractions by clicking the link above.

Article by Eric H. Tom's Tavern, a long-time favorite local restaurant in Wrentham, MA, for the past three decades, closed its doors last Saturday, according to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle . A classic roadside restaurant/bar, Tom's Tavern looked slightly menacing from the outside -- with its dive-like, rather drab look and motorcycles out front -- but once inside, everyone from the drinking crowd to families coexisted peacefully with the very friendly staff. Fresh seafood and a good variety of beer were signatures at Tom's Tavern, along with the knack of making a fantastic burger. It appears that the closing had more to do with management and debt conflicts rather than a poor economy, according to the Sun Chronicle. Tom's still drew a great crowd despite the recession. We will miss this great local restaurant and bar -- and the air hockey game, too! Thanks for all the years of dining excellence, Tom's Tavern.

Article and Photos (from Port In a Storm Book Store in Somesville) by Eric H. Not to be confused with the more urbane Somerville, MA, Somesville, Maine, isn't even officially a town: it's part of the municipality of Mt. Desert Island! Regardless of its designation, Somesville sure looks like a real New England coastal town with its quaint look enhanced by amazing views of Somes Sound, mountains, inlets and other rural scenery that remain unspoiled. There's not much to do in Somesville except take in the views and visit the wonderful Port In A Storm Book Store -- one of the best examples of a successful, friendly independent book store that we've found in New England. Of course, it helps to have those great water views (including a waterfall) within a stone's throw of the book store. Port In A Storm is up to date on many of the latest books, but offers an especially impressive selection of books about Maine. Acadia National Park is the real draw within Mt. Deser...