BY Clay Larroy
Traveling can
be an important part of your life, whether for business or for pleasure. Take
time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or
vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all
the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot
of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another
one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will
make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it's all over. When you want
to plan a vacation contact me!
By Kristyn
Lack Miller
Does
skiing down a black diamond trail make my pulse race? Not really. How
about twisting around turns on the world’s fastest roller coaster? Not so
much. Perhaps a cage dive with a great white shark? Nope. Could
it be finding a Ralph Lauren Purple Label cashmere sweater for a mere fraction
of its retail price? You got it!
I’m an outlet shopper. A serious outlet
shopper. I’ve planned entire trips around destinations with outlets malls, driven
nine hours in search of the ultimate bargain, and have had to buy an extra
suitcase (at an outlet, of course) in order to bring all my deals home.
From coast to coast, I’ve prowled outlets the way a hungry lion
stalks the Serengeti, sniffing the air for slashed prices on a Prada purse, L’Occitane
body lotion, even Fini Gold Label balsamic vinegar. This is an overview of my
favorite outlets in the Northeast corner of the U.S.: where the best bargains
are, where to recharge, and tips and hints that could save you even more during
your visit.
Freeport,
Maine
Unlike outlets malls or centers, Freeport is an outlet town,
just two and a half hours north of Boston. But don’t be fooled - it doesn’t
look like an outlet town. Before a shop can open its doors, it has to meet
strict design codes that ensure Freeport keeps its charm without adding any
kitsch. The result is that Freeport feels like any other quaint Maine town...
just one with lots and lots of really great bargains.
170 outlets line the city’s Main Street (or should that be Maine
street?), including Freeport’s undisputed king, L.L. Bean. Here, you can burn a
lot of calories as you walk to all the shops, including the
everybody-knows-their-name stores like Tumi, Burberry, Coach, Banana Republic,
Dooney & Bourke, Bath & Body Shop and Patagonia, as well as local finds
like Lovell Design (for jewelry) and Abacus (for totally unique housewares and
gifts).
My Best Bargain: I bought several pairs of $250
shoes at Burberry for $29 each.
How to Save Even More: Go to www.FreeportUSA.com and download special offers
from the ‘Coupon’ section of the site.
Inside Hint: The large L.L. Bean store on
Main Street isn’t an outlet; the store’s discount shop is actually located in
the parking lot across the street, behind the Ralph Lauren and Cole Haan
outlets.
Where to Recharge: All year long, you can grab a
snack at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (located right in front of L.L. Bean’s
main store; and, trust me, there are no lines in January) or enjoy a sit-down
meal at Gritty McDuff’s, Freeport’s original brewpub (located on Route 1, just
¼ mile from Exit 19).
How to Get There: From Boston and Points South,
take I-95 to the Maine Turnpike, Exit 52. Follow signs to I-295 North and take
Exit 17, 20 or 22 for Freeport. All of these exits lead directly to US Route 1,
which is Main Street.
Kittery, Maine
One mile. 120 stores. Beautiful water views. The Kittery Outlets
area, located just over an hour north of Boston, is as scenic as it is a
shopper’s paradise. Stores are located in named clusters, like Tanger Outlet
One, along the mile-long strip, and you’ll need your car to get from one
cluster to the other, especially if you plan on amassing several shopping bags.
Stores include Puma, Gap, Calvin Klein, Dana Buchman,
Brookstone, Timberland, Coldwater Creek and Wedgewood; and there’s a Crate &
Barrel outlet that will be your dream-come-true if you’re looking for serious
discounts on upscale furniture (do you have your moving van ready?). No trip to
Kittery is complete without a stop at Kittery Trading Post where you’ll find
everything you need to enjoy life in the great Maine outdoors (think of it like
L.L. Bean’s little brother).
My Best Bargain: I bought a $1,200 dresser at
Crate & Barrel for $180.
How to Save Even More: Go to www.TheKitteryOutlets.com and download coupons from the ‘Special Discounts’ section
of the site.
Inside Hint: If you’re a big fan of Old
Navy, consider crossing the bridge into Newington, NH and shopping at that
store instead of the store in Kittery. Why? Well, the merchandise is the same
in both stores but you won’t pay any sales tax in New Hampshire.
Where to Recharge: There are a few restaurants
along the strip, but my favorite place to replenish body and soul is a bench
next to the Nine West outlet. Grab take-out from Noel’s Café and Coffee Shop
(located in the Maine Outlet cluster) or Starbucks Coffee (located in the
Manufacturer’s Outlet cluster) and then drive south to the bench-with-a-view at
the Maine Gate Outlets cluster and enjoy lunch overlooking the marsh and
evergreens.
How to Get There: From Boston and Points South,
take Route 95 North to Exit 3 in Maine, marked Kittery/Coastal Route 1 North;
The Kittery Outlets are a half mile beyond, on Route 1 North.
REFERENCE SITES:
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
Gertrude Stein
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