ENJOY EXQUISITE AFTERNOON TEA This Siwde of Pond

Enjoy Exquisite Afternoon Tea This Side of the Pond

This Side of the Pond

The time-honored British tradition of afternoon tea is also flourishing in the States as tea rooms and hotels are serving brimming cups of tea along with delectable finger sandwiches, mouth watering scones and decadent desserts.

Inspired by Shonda Rhime’s latest hit show Bridgerton, Nashville’s iconic Hermitage Hotel is now offering an afternoon tea befit for royalty. Every Friday through Sunday at 2 p.m. guests will enter the upper echelons of London’s high society for the afternoon, with a commemorative keepsake menu brimming with the hottest gossip from “Lady Hermitage.”

The exquisite afternoon tea features a wide variety of teas and a menu of royal Kensington biscuits, majestic apricot crumb bar, along with a chocolate tea cake. Tea sandwiches include cucumber & smoked salmon, herb cream cheese, marble rye, asparagus & parmesan quiche, fine herbs, poached chicken salad, baby pears, walnuts and brioche. Treat yourself to such delightful accompaniments as lemon curd & butter and Duchess Devonshire cream, or savory and sweet ladies spring garden scones.

Afternoon tea has a long-standing history, from high society Londonites gathering to pass gossip to suffragists gathering in the 19th century to discuss women’s right to vote, so carrying on this proud tradition is a natural fit for the Hermitage Hotel, which in 1920 hosted both Pro- Suffrage and Anti-Suffrage groups during a legislative battle over a woman’s right to vote, which ultimately gave women equal voting rights.

Foster Blazing colors of autumn are truly mother nature’s masterpiece and if you’re looking for an idyllic autumn scene, Bangor, Maine is the place to be. Visiting Maine is always a great choice, and planning a trip can provide so many wonderful discoveries. The fall foliage is stunning, and the temperatures are still warm enough for kayaking, fishing, hiking, and exploring. With convenient non-stop service and connecting flights to Bangor International Airport (BGR), getting here is easy.

Known to the locals as the “Queen City,” Bangor’s nickname does not disappoint. The jewel of the city is seen in the downtown architecture that speaks of the gilded age of the lumber industry. Once recognized as the

lumber capital of the world, Bangor is rich with history and was once home to some of the most influential people of the American industrial age.

Hugging the banks of the Penobscot River, Bangor is bursting with activity. The downtown streets are lined with unique shops, culinary delights, local microbreweries, and world-class entertainment. Visitors love Hollywood Casino for gambling and slot play and the Darling’s Waterfront Concert venue where some of the most famous acts in the music world perform. With a variety of overnight accommodations, including cozy inns, bed & breakfast spots, and brand name hotels, options are abundant.

The food scene in Bangor is buzzing, and foodies have made it a hotspot! With options that excite the taste buds, Bangor offers something for everyone; from fine dining, homey farm to table, or food trucks along the waterfront. Rest assured, all the Maine classics like steamed lobster, poutine, and blueberry pie are offered on most menus. Be sure to sample some of the local microbrews as well. Want to make a day trip out of your love of craft beer? Plan your route around Greater Bangor at: www.beertrail.me.

Bangor is the perfect launching point for an abundance of day trips. Charming main streets, friendly locals, eclectic art galleries, and unique fairs or festivals are just a few examples of what you will find when exploring all the surrounding areas of the Bangor region.

A leisurely drive will get you to Maine’s most spectacular regions; The Maine Highlands, Aroostook County, Down East & Acadia, and Maine’s Mid-Coast. Within 90 minutes, you can be sitting dockside enjoying a steamed lobster in Bar Harbor or hiking the trails of Maine’s highest peak, Mt Katahdin, in Baxter State Park. Of course, all the cozy towns and villages in between have an abundance of activities.

Millinocket, Maine, is home to Baxter State Park and the majestic Mt Katahdin. Just a car ride away, visitors can try their hand at fly fishing, rent a side by side and explore the vast ATV trails, climb aboard a luxury pontoon boat for a moose tour, or get a bird’s eye view of Mt Katahdin, Baxter State Park, and the West Branch of the Penobscot River on a seaplane. Visit Katahdin Woods and Waters, Maine’s newest member of the National Park Service and International Dark Sky registries.

Maine’s largest lake, Moosehead Lake, located in The Maine Highlands just west of Bangor, has steamboat cruises on the historic boat The Katahdin. The fully operational steamboat offers sightseeing tours perfect for foliage seekers l, like the most popular three-hour tour past Sugar Island and other scenic landmarks or the Blues and Brews tour that provides local brew and live music.

What are you waiting for? With so many activities to choose from, book your getaway to Bangor, Maine today!