ExploringMaine.com

One of my favorite parts of Greater Portland is the islands. If you're not in a kayak or sailboat, grab a ride on the ferry (CascoBayLines.com) and get a tour. There's reggae Sunday nearly every Sunday at Jones Landing on Peaks Island (joneslanding.net). In the center of Peaks is an old battery where they have a festival called "Sacred and Profane" each year. It's bizzare and intruiguing. You can also walk along roads clear around the island an afternoon. If you're tooling around the islands, I'd also suggest Great Diamond Island. I went to Diamond's Edge Restaurant on Great Diamond Island one summer night when they had a little tiki bar set up overlooking the cove. It was a perfect sailing destination. If you want an eyeful, but don't want to leave the ferry, check out Casco Bay Lines' summer music cruises. And if you want to avoid the ferry, go anchor at uninhabited Jewell Island, where there's a protected cove and great walking trails.

Even though you can't wear heels on the cobblestone streets, I enjoy the beauty and charm of the Old Port.