Winter vacation? (Brunswick, Scarborough, Bar Harbor: rental homes, condos, hotels)

[rossco17]

So i had big plans to surprise my wife with a Caribbean vacation next December to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Unfortunately, taxes were a little more than I thought they would be and that kind of luxurious getaway is out of the question now.

So my question is - because i'm not terribly familiar with New England, where is a great spot within a reasonable drive from Scarborough, where we can rent a cottage/cabin/house/condo/whatever for a week and enjoy some time away from everything. This will be during the month of December 2012. We do enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating. I had thoughts of Nova Scotia, but I don't know anything about it.

I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks

[Newdaawn]

Bethel Maine may be what you are looking for. The ski area there is great and also there are condos you can rent. If you stay in the main lodge there is a pool - not sure it is heated in the winter but the pool at the Bethel Inn is heated. You may already be familiar with Sunday River Ski Area.

Nova Scotia is a bit of a drive from Southern Maine as there is no ferry from Bar Harbor anymore. You would have to drive to St. John New Brunswick and take the ferry from there to Digby, NS.

[rossco17]

Thanks for the idea. I've been through Bethel many times on our way to/from Sunday River. I wouldn't mind getting even further out of the area, though. A 6-7 hour drive is about the maximum for us. thanks again.

[hennybenny]

What about Quebec City or Montreal? I've never been to either, but I know they both have a lot of stuff going on in the winter, and are an easy day's drive from Scarborough. I've also heard that Montreal is very romantic <3

[tarragon]

Quebec is awesome. How about going on vacationrentals.com or something like that and find a cabin for a week up north? It's so pretty around the Rangeley and Greenville area.

[bwap_bonk]

We spent a week in North Conway, NH last year. Tons of stuff to do, a few good places to eat. Overall, a real nice place. If you want to do something special for your anniv., I would recommend Bretton Woods, unreal scenery and really cool hotel. New Hampshire Resorts | Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, NH
If you want to rent a cabin/chalet, use HomeAway Vacation Rentals: Beach Houses, Condos, Cabins, Villas & Vacation Rental Homes.

[Verseau]

Nova Scotia is at least an 8 hour drive (just to get to the border of the province). For skiing especially I would stay in New England or go north to Quebec. Montreal is very large and cosmopolitan and probably not the place I'd go to "get away from it all," although Mont-Tremblant might be worth considering (or anywhere between here and Montreal). However, Quebec City is absolutely stunning in every way; a beautiful city and a true escape that makes you feel more like you're in France than just a few hours away from Maine. There's tons of pristine natural land north of the city; you might be able to find a place near Beaupré.

If you'd rather stay in the US but don't want to stay as close to home as Bethel or North Conway, maybe Stowe or Burlington VT? Or Lake Placid in NY?

[Newdaawn]

Rangeley Lakes and Saddleback Mountain are also a great get - a - way. Very pretty area with many winter activities including downhill skiing and snowboarding. The dining room at the Rangeley in used to be great too. haven't been there in a while so I am not sure how it is now.