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The problem with most “best things to do” or “Top 10” lists is that they either only include the popular places you’ve already heard of, or they’re entirely subjective to what the author’s favorite things are. While I’ve only actually met one lobsterman, and I should avoid making generalizations…he was, indeed, exactly what I imagined a lobsterman would be like: bearded and full of ocean tales. A few fan and personal favorites: Bickford Slides (AKA Rattlesnake Flume), Coos Canyon, Smalls Falls, Little Wilson Falls, Angel Falls, Katahdin Stream Falls, Step Falls, Grafton Notch, Houston Brook Falls (near Bingham), The Cataracts, and Frenchman’s Hole. Even if you don’t head inland, the stargazing is stunning in most places in the state, and Acadia National Park hosts the Acadia Night Sky Festival every September.

Community-based tourism is when the local community itself leads the way in creating the travel experience (like a tour or homestay), and they also directly benefit from it. Our trip was focused on community tourism in Guatemala, and while there we also attended a community-based tourism conference (keep reading for more on the beautiful town it was hosted in). In addition to staying with a local T’Zutujil (pronounced “soo-too-HEEL”) family, you can shop directly from artisans here in San Juan–from hand-spun, naturally dyed fibers at a weaving cooperative to medicinal plants at a women’s cooperative to stunning paintings at artists cooperatives. They have four main areas: local community development (capacity building), providing networking opportunities (important for community tourism where most people are in rural areas), research development, and operating tours.

I definitely don’t want to promote the idea of buying stuff just for the sake of buying something, so I’ve done my best to curate a list of high-quality gift ideas to save you time. I’ve been using this 16-liter pack from Cotopaxi for about a year now and have found it to be a great size for day hikes (from short trips to hiking a volcano in Guatemala to my camping shower bag). While some of us 🙋 can’t pull this off, if your friend can rock a fanny pack, this one–also from Cotopaxi’s Del Día line–is perfect for a pop of color. Give the gift of travel and pair this book with a one-year National Parks Pass. Subscription to Backpacker – Magazine subscriptions make affordable gifts that keep giving all year long.

Magazine subscriptions make an affordable gift that keeps giving all year long (just remember that the first copy takes awhile to arrive, so you might want to pick up a physical copy to present as your gift). This wall art makes a unique Maine gift, perfect for someone’s camp or home. Sea Bags tote – Once standing the test of salty air and ocean waves off Maine’s rugged coast, these gorgeous totes and bags made from recycled sails make a long-lasting and unique Maine-made gift. For the hiker on your gift list, grab this hand printed t-shirt that depicts six of Maine’s peaks.