| There's a reason Maine's license plate says | | | | garage or backyard, take the kayak off the roof so |
| "Vacationland." | | | | you don't have to drive around town with it on your |
| If you want to get away from it all for a little while, this | | | | car. And if the owner of the home allows pets, you're |
| is the state for you. Maine has mountains, lakes, | | | | dog will be as happy as you are with all the room to |
| forests, rivers, and beaches. The diversity of that | | | | stretch out. |
| environment means you can ski, fish, swim, hike, bike, | | | | Renting a house for your Maine vacation will require |
| sail, and snowmobile. There is a reason to visit in every | | | | some planning, though. Yes, there are sometimes |
| season. But you don't need a reason, you can just kick | | | | last-minute rentals available on the many vacation |
| back and take it easy, drinking in the natural beauty of | | | | rentals Web sites, but by waiting until the last minute |
| this great state. | | | | you may not find exactly what you are looking for. |
| Unless you fly into Portland, you'll probably be driving to | | | | Plan ahead a few weeks or a few months and you |
| Vacationland through New Hampshire. Crossing the | | | | may snag that old Victorian on a bluff over the sea |
| state line on the bridge above the Portsmouth Naval | | | | that has a sublime ocean view from the porch and |
| Shipyard, you'll get a glimpse of the ocean that will | | | | every window of the house. |
| make you hunger for greater, wider ocean views. | | | | The other major benefits of renting a home or cottage |
| They are not far away. | | | | on the southern coast of Maine are that with a kitchen |
| The southern Maine coast alternates between wide, | | | | you don't have to eat every meal at a restaurant, and |
| sandy beaches and rocky points where lighthouses | | | | there are often multiple bathrooms and bedrooms, |
| oversee the waves endlessly crashing ashore. Not far | | | | depending on the size of the house. If someone in the |
| from the beaches, the landscape is forested with | | | | family is an early riser, he can make coffee and head |
| lakes and ponds offering more watery respite. What | | | | to another part of the house so that everyone else |
| this means for you is that there are many recreational | | | | can sleep in. Common amenities include barbecue grills, |
| opportunities in southern Maine. If you can fit it all in and | | | | TVs, DVD players, Internet access, books, and washer |
| on your vehicle, you may want to bring bikes, kayaks | | | | and dryer sets. |
| or a canoe, or even your dog. Of course, if you can't | | | | There are many options when it comes to vacation |
| fit everything, you can probably rent a canoe, kayak or | | | | rental homes. If you want a waterfront in Wells, Maine, |
| bike in the larger communities on the coast. Pet rentals | | | | you can rent it. Or if your budget's a little tighter, you |
| aren't likely. | | | | can rent a cottage in Biddeford that's a little farther |
| So the car is packed and you're on the road to Maine, | | | | away from the water, but maybe still close enough to |
| but did you plan your lodging? Darn, you knew you | | | | walk or ride your bike. If it's just a romantic weekend |
| forgot something! Don't worry, there are plenty of | | | | getaway, you can rent a cozy condo in Old Orchard |
| lodging options on Maine's south coast. There are | | | | Beach. |
| seaside campgrounds, motels and resort hotels. What | | | | The bottom line is that when you rent a Maine |
| you choose depends on how much you want to rough | | | | vacation rental home, you shape the course of your |
| it, whether pets are allowed and your budget. | | | | vacation. You have more control over what you can |
| There is an option if you want to have it all and keep | | | | do and how much you can enjoy yourself. Don't pay |
| your costs manageable, however, and that is to rent a | | | | too much for a lobster at a restaurant, buy one at a |
| vacation home. It is very common for vacation homes | | | | fresh fish market, bring it home and prepare it yourself. |
| on the Maine coast to have parking, a yard, and many | | | | While you're at it, throw a steak on the grill and make it |
| rooms for you to spread out and feel at home. In fact, | | | | a real Maine summer vacation. Enjoy your |
| the home will be yours for the week or two that you | | | | independence as the sun sets to the soundtrack of a |
| rent it. You can unload the bikes and put them in the | | | | tide rolling in and your real-life tension rolling away. |