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Tucking into fresh lobster, hiking coastal trails and exploring towns barely touched by time on a visit to the Pine Tree State.

Lobsters, lighthouses and laid-back coastal towns… Maine makes a relaxing seaside retreat for Americans and overseas visitors alike (just ask the Bush family, who have a holiday home here). Its rocky coastline is dotted with sandy beaches, knobbly granite-and-spruce islands, candy-striped lighthouses and waterside towns such as Bar Harbor, where you’ll find independent shops and seafood freshly caught that morning.

You could take a boat trip with a local lobster catcher to find out more about the area’s most lucrative industry. Go whale watching in search of humpback, minke and finback whales. Or, simply use Bar Harbor as a base for exploring Acadia National Park, where forested clifftop hiking trails give you a chance to see whales, otters, eagles and puffins.

However you decide to explore Maine, our specialists can help. They’ve visited the state many times and can draw on their own experiences to suggest the best ways for you to experience its highlights.

You can visit postcard-worthy New England towns like Camden and Kennebunkport, with their painted wooden houses, picket fences and white clapboard churches. Or, in the state’s largest city, Portland, you could join a food walking tour to sample fresh lobster rolls, potato doughnuts (a local delicacy) and Maine craft beer.