Maine is the ideal vacation destination for anyone looking for pretty islands, coastline, forests and cities - as long as the word "rugged" is your definition of "pretty." This is definitely back country United States, and a Maine vacation rental is the best way to see it all and really experience the best of it. Because when you think about it, there is no hotel that can put you in the more remote and beautiful places in Maine - and that is where you want to be.

One of the things that make Maine vacation rentals such a great choice is the sense of freedom and privacy you can have. There is no hotel concierge to see you come and go, no daily housekeeping service for which you have to leave the room - it is just you and nature. That means you can sit back and watch the view out your window all day long if you like. Of course, with so much to do in Maine, you may not want to sit around for very long.

If you are near water, there are all kinds of activities that you can choose from - including kayaing, canoeing, surfing, and even swimming (yes, the water is cold). Elsewhere, there is stellar hiking, mountain biking, and snow-shoeing/snowmobiling in the winter. Maine also offers great sights for the times when you are tired of exerting so much energy. You can make a tour of the state's lighthouses, go whale watching or visit the historic landmarks in Maine.

Instead of staying in a hotel in a city and taking day trips into the surrounding wilderness, choosing from one of the many Maine vacation rentals and actually staying outside the cities will give you a much better idea of what the state is truly like. Fall asleep to the sound of wildlife, not the squealing brakes of cars on Main Street. Make day trips into the cities for provisions and then head back out into the country. Your soul will thank you.