The Maine thing is...

Nothing says summer like New England’s biggest state, and its longest stretch of coastline [View in browser]( [Lonely Planet Logo.](         [Friday Around the Planet - Your source for all things travel news](www.lonelyplanet.com) Friday Around the Planet July 22, 2022 Sure, you know about the towering cliffs at [Acadia National Park]( or the tony seaside hamlets like Kennebunkport and Boothbay Harbor. You have seen the lighthouse and the lobster postcards. But the Maine where I vacationed as a kid – and continue to as an adult – looks a bit different. Inland Maine, with its scattershot clusters of lakes, dense green woods and one-stoplight towns, is the place where my grandparents owned a cottage, and where I continue to retreat in summer when New York City just gets too darn hot. And okay, even though we stay on a small lake instead of on the ocean, we still get lobster. If you’re in search of this flipside of Maine, or just looking for a break from the crowds along the coast, the state’s biggest lakes, Moosehead and Sebago, are good places to start. Public beaches make swimming easy, and you can even rent a Maine lake classic – a pontoon boat. These flat-bottomed, canopied boats on torpedo-shaped floaters usually won’t break any speed records, but that’s not the point. Most Maine vacationers spend the summer doing lazy circles around the lake with a cooler of beverages in tow. Just look out for the massive, black-and-white-speckled loon birds that make their summer nests on many of Maine’s lakes. [Laura Motta] [Laura Motta | Director of Content]( [Rock arch with milkyway.]( The best dark sky parks When the sun goes down, look up Low artificial light conditions make these dazzling spots across the US perfect for watching the night sky. This year's Perseid meteor shower has just begun and will reach its peak during the predawn hours of August 11-13. According to NASA, it's "considered the best meteor shower of the year." [Read more]( Cape Cod on two wheels: a guide This idyllic New England peninsula is best explored by bike There are plenty of paved cycling paths that travel through forests, marshes and areas of sand dunes that you’d never see from a car. Click below to find out how to take in the most beautiful views – and avoid the traffic. [Read more]( [Cape Cod bike.]( [Acadia National Park views. ] If you’re heading to Acadia National Park… To combat crowds and protect the delicate ecosystem from overtourism, Acadia National Park began requiring vehicle reservations to drive up to Cadillac Mountain in 2021. As the highest point on the Eastern seaboard, the mountain offers quite the sunrise show – think splashy pastel light moving across green sea islands and rocky cliffs. (If you can get up that early, anyway.) It costs $6 a car, and it's well worth the cash. For late risers who are visiting the park for the first time, the views remain lovely throughout the day. Plus, Cadillac Mountain puts you just off the park’s easy-to-navigate ring road, which gives you straightforward access to a smorgasbord of vistas – clear lakes, rolling hills, the sea and a sandy beach. As a frequent Maine visitor, I can't recommend it enough.   Bonding over Burgundy: sample the best of France [I'm an image]( Burgundy is a place where meals are made to be savored, accompanied by the finest wines on earth. A paradise for lovers of the outdoors. A living museum of medieval monasteries and Romanesque capitals, with a glorious artistic and architectural heritage. It’s a special place to connect with yourself, your friends and loved ones, in a land of tradition and beauty. 5 min read — Published Jun 29 [Cycling the Route des Grands Crus pairs the outdoors with wine]( 6 min read — Published Jun 29 [Centuries of art, from graceful interiors to multicolored roofs, await]( [Start bonding over Burgundy]( More travel news you can use [Italian beach with sunbathers. ]( Italy’s latest beach rules An increasing number of Italian beach destinations are bringing in new rules this summer. From identity bracelets to entry fees and even towel and swimwear bans, [here's what you need to know]( about some of the latest regulations and where they apply.   3 perfect Spain itineraries Don’t know where to start in Spain? (It has 17 distinct regions, after all.) From the magic of Malaga to foodie paradise San Sebastian, you'll find beaches and mountains, nightclubs and fine dining. [So check out these itineraries]( for inspiration and to start planning your next trip. [Spain restaurant.](   [South Carolina bridge. ]( The best things to do in South Carolina Beautiful shorelines and dreamy marshes dot South Carolina’s idyllic Atlantic Coast. From thrill rides to pristine beaches, the Palmetto State's top sights offer tons of variety for every kind of traveler. 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