Tour Highlights
- Bike three of Maine’s coastal islands, offering quiet roads and a relaxed lifestyle away from the mainland
- Take a boat ride through the pristine tidal basins on the island of Vinalhaven
- Experience the simple thrills of a New England summer, swimming in lakes, ponds, quarries, and even the Atlantic Ocean
- Share a lobster bake with the locals and sample sun-warmed blueberries at a farm in the St. George River Valley
Eat
Wild blueberries, vegetables and cheese from local organic farms, Maine seafood including lobster and oysters
Drink
Craft micro-brews, ciders, and local wines
As featured in:
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Camden and Rockport
Meet your guides in Portland and transfer up the coast to the idyllic harbor of Camden. After a light lunch, get fitted on the bikes for our first ride following the coast. We’ll spin through Rockport, one of the “prettiest small towns in America,” as we make our way to Lincolnville. Visit the picturesque harbor before continuing our ride through the fields and forests of the New England countryside. Get settled at our postcard-perfect hotel, followed by our first dinner together at our favorite local restaurant.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville
Accomplished: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 1,118 feet / 341 meters
Longer Option: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,870 feet / 570 meters
Accommodations: Whitehall - Day 2
Island Life in Islesboro
Catch a ferry this morning out to the island of Islesboro. With just 560 permanent residents, Islesboro has long been a summer retreat for artists, actors, and writers. We’ll get to know the island by bike, pedaling past rocky coves and secluded beaches to its northernmost point. No visit to the islands is complete without a lobster roll—perhaps Maine’s most emblematic meal. Back on the mainland, we’ll make a quick coffee stop on our way to the top of Mount Battie, the best place for pristine views of Camden Harbor. Join us tonight for another locally-sourced feast in the heart of Camden.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Islesboro
Accomplished: 24 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 1,148 feet / 350 meters
Accommodations: Whitehall - Day 3
Lavender and Blueberries
Today we get back on our bikes and pedal out of Camden into the scenic St. George River Valley. Our farm country route is lined with lakes, forests, and spacious meadows, and we’ll stop at a lavender farm where this fragrant herb flowers throughout the summer. Continue riding to a blueberry farm where we’ll have a lunch featuring hand-picked ingredients and fresh lobster. After, choose to ride back to Camden or opt for a lift in the van. Tonight, we invite you to explore the local restaurant scene for dinner on your own; your guides are happy to make recommendations and reservations.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Hope, Appleton, Union
Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 2,139 feet / 652 meters
Shorter Option: 18 miles / 29 km, elevation gain: 1,210 feet / 369 meters
Accommodations: Whitehall - Day 4
North Haven
Depart mainland Maine on a boat out of Rockland. Our destination is North Haven, a New England island unlike anywhere else: formerly dedicated to farming and fishing, it’s one of Maine’s best-kept secrets where families return to their vacation homes for generations. From the town pier, we’ll bike the entire length of the island with coastal views that stretch across the Penobscot Bay. A visit with a local oysterman piques our appetite for lunch at a picturesque organic farm. After lunch, pedal to our cozy hotel back in town to relax and explore before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Vinalhaven, North Haven
Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,246 feet / 380 meters
Shorter Option: 13 miles / 21 km, elevation gain: 702 feet / 214 meters
Accommodations: Nebo Lodge - Day 5
Vinalhaven
Today we’ll cross the thoroughfare to North Haven’s sister island: Vinalhaven. The former hotbed of a quarrying industry, we have Vinalhaven to thank for the paving stones that now line the streets in Boston and Philadelphia. Over time, the quarries have filled with water and become a refreshing place to stop for a mid-ride swim and a delicious picnic. Though Vinalhaven only measures nine miles across, it boasts nearly 270 miles of coastline, which makes boating an ideal way to explore: sail through tidal basins on the lookout for harbor seals, cormorants, and sea ducks. Later we’ll return to North Haven for a festive final dinner on the islands.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Vinalhaven, The Basin, Booth Quarry
Accomplished: 15 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 958 feet / 292 meters; 2 hours kayaking
Accommodations: Nebo Lodge - Day 6
Return to Portland
Catch a boat back to the mainland as we say goodbye to North Haven. Your guides will see you off for the drive home or transfer you down the coast to Portland before you head to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Rockland, Portland
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Portland, Maine Pick-Up Location: The Press Hotel, Portland, or first hotel of tour Pick-Up Time: 10:00 am at the Press Hotel or 11:30 am at first hotel of tour
Departure Details
Airport City: Portland, Maine Drop-Off Location: The Press Hotel or Portland Airport Drop-Off Time: 11:30 am
Arrival and departure details for alternate itineraries and future year departures may be subject to change.
Travelers Take Note
Ferry and boat rides rely on daily sailing conditions, so weather may dictate itinerary changes or activity cancellations.
The variety of accommodations on Maine’s islands is limited. Some hotels on this tour are therefore simpler than typical DuVine accommodations, but were chosen for their unique location and island proximity. There are a limited number of rooms available with two beds.
Dates + Availability
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
