Traveling in Our Fabulous World: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
By Donald Pile & Ray Williams, Gay Travelers

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On our recent 4 week driving trip to the East coast we visited a lot of cities, towns and villages and had a wonderful time at each of them.  All were fun, interesting and exciting to visit however our stay in Boothbay Harbor, Maine was “beyond fabulous”! We first checked into the Topside Inn.

It is located on the tallest hill in the city and is an 19^th Century Sea Captain’s home. They also have guests cottages to the side of the main house. They have a total of 21 guest rooms.

The owners, Brian Lamb and Ed McDermott have owned the Inn for several years and they certainly know how to do every RIGHT !!!!!  The views of the harbor, ships, seals, birds and the flora and fauna from the Inn are absolutely incredible!

The view from our room looking out into the harbor was just like a movie set!  This truly was Heaven  All guest rooms have their own private, in-suite bathrooms, cable TV and dial-out telephone. King, queen, or two beds available. All rooms include hairdryers, irons and ironing boards. 

Breakfast is something that is a “DO NOT MISS”.  A fabulously scrumptious sit- down breakfast is served every morning in the breakfast room which overlooks the bay.

It just doesn’t get any better!  We met a lot of wonderful guests from all over the country while staying there.  Many guests return time and time again because of the great way that  Brian and Ed makes all of their guests feel at home.  Everything about this Inn is perfect!

They should open a school for Innkeepers on the right way to run an Inn. And, did we mention the incredible views that we had from our room at the Inn? from sunrise and the famous footbridge over the inner harbor, to the lighthouses, islands, out to sea, and the western sunset. Their website is: http://www.topsideinn.com/ and their toll free phone is 1-888-633-5404 or you can email them at info@topsideinn.com.

Downtown Boothbay is just a couple of blocks down the hill and it is filled with quaint restaurants, galleries, shops and the famous footbridge across inner harbor and the waterfront piers.  You can take excursion boat trips ranging from an hour cruise to a full day at sea.

The first morning we visited the Botanical Gardens which was a real treat. Check it out at www.mainegardens.org.

It is New England’s largest botanical garden on 248 waterfront acres with beautiful gardens, waterfront trails, sculpture and much, much more.

Enjoy collections of roses, native plants, rhododendrons and thousands of other perennials, ornamental trees, shrubs and spring bulbs.  It is a wonderful walking tour and you can either take a guided tour on visit it by yourself.  They are open 9 to 5 everyday and all year long.

No trip to Boothbay Harbor would be complete without taking a Schooner Eastwind cruise.  Herb and Doris Smith have built six schooners.  They have sailed around the world twice with their children.  They offer a 2 1/2 hour cruise in the harbor where you can visit several small islands, birds, seals and other sea life and a lighthouse.

They have 3 or 4 cruises everyday.  Call 207.633.6598 to make a reservation.  This is the finest Schooner cruise that we have ever taken.  Herb and Doris really enjoy telling people about their travels and explains everything about the Schooner.  This is the only cruise to take!

And now, the best of the best when it comes to dining.  In our travels from coast to coast we have never had such a fabulous dining experience as we had our last night in Boothbay Harbor.

Ports of Italy is a family owned and operated restaurant. Chef Davide Rossi and his wife Christa are the owners.  We used taste buds that we have not used in years!  We are NOT talking spaghetti and meatballs here, but a full range of Northern Italian cruising that is mouth-watering tasty.

The full menu ranges from Tulip Shaped Pasta with Shrimp  and Calamari in a  tomato fresh herb and white wine sauce  to a stew of sea scallops, Maine shrimp, calamari, mussels, little neck clams simmered in a white wine tomato fresh herb broth.

Other offerings includes pan seared filet mignon with gorgonzola cheese sauce, white wine and truffle oil and thinly pounded veal medallions sautéed with wild mushrooms, Marsala wine and demi glaze. Between courses be sure and try their Intermezzo to cleanse your palette with the fabulously delicious Lemon Sorbet and Vodka Slush.  Just be sure and save room for some of their wonderful desserts.  Their website is: www.portsofitaly.com.

As we said, in all of our travels this is the finest dining experience that we have ever had!  We had a 7 course meal that night and everything that we had was “beyond” fabulous and we know that we will never, ever have a dining experience so grand as this one.  That  is until we go back to Boothbay Harbor again. Their website is www.portsofitaly.com.

Boothbay Harbor is a wonderful place to spend a week or two and just relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the area.  Forget going to the Red Door for a complete rejuvenation of yourself, instead just go to Boothbay Harbor.  And don’t forget to stay at the wonderful Topside Inn.  Owners Brian and Ed are the best of the best! 

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!