CAMDEN, MAINE

Romance factor: There's something sexy about winter along the rocky coastline of Maine, and Camden captures it all: the windswept beaches, the striking lighthouses, the sailboat-filled harbors. Heat things up with a mitten-and-scarf hike through the forest of Mount Battie, or cozy up on a schooner ride on quiet Penobscot Bay.

Love nest: Camden Harbour Inn is a 14-room colonial-style B&B on a hilltop overlooking Penobscot Bay. While the circa-1874 exterior is pure New England (picture a mansard roof, wraparound porch, white clapboard, and stone retaining wall), don't worry about granny furnishings ruining the mood. The interior—with damask wallpaper, feather duvets, and striking black-and-white color schemes—is surprisingly contemporary.

Fuel for the fire: You can't come to Maine without sampling the local seafood—and the end of lobster season doesn't have to put a damper on those dreams. Head to Cappy's for a steaming cup of clam chowder, which, after all, tastes better when there's frost on the ground.

Camden Harbour Inn
Tel: 800 236 4266 (toll-free)
Tel: 207 236 4200
Doubles from $175

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