Maryland Travel - washingtonpost.com

Bobby Crane, 5, of Reston picks blackberries on a recent trip to Homestead Farm in Poolesville.

This month, the last phase of the summer harvest and the first crops of fall are ready for the picking along a trail of Montgomery County farms. (By Eliza Barclay)

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FALL AND WINTER CRUISES

Baltimore Port to Open Year-Round for Cruise Traffic

Baltimore is about to sail past a travel milestone: Beginning in November, it will become a year-round cruise port, with winter cruises departing from its 3 1/2 -year-old passenger terminal for the first time.

Escapes

Divide and Conquer; by Rail and Trail

On the right: a deep, Swiss-style farm valley encircled by high peaks. On the left: sheer rock. Overhead: a sulfurous storm cloud. Behind us: the nearest town, six miles back. Up ahead: the gloomy entrance of the Big Savage tunnel.

Chesapeake City, Md., Has a Lock on History

A traveler comes to Chesapeake City, Md., to check out the two things the hamlet has always been known for: the busiest canal in the country and famous Eastern Shore cooking.

A Walking Tour of Baltimore Covers 10,000 Steps

One of Baltimore's latest promotions marries old-fashioned sightseeing with health and eco-consciousness: a tour that has visitors walking 10,000 steps, the American Council on Exercise's daily exercise recommendation.

Road Trip: Maryland State Fair

The cows -- and pigs, bull riders, farmers, winsome women and barrel racers -- are coming home. On Aug. 28 to Sept. 7, the Maryland State Fair returns to the 104-acre Timonium Fairgrounds, a rousing time for humans and beasts alike.

Aloft Hotels: A Hip Addition to the Inn Crowd

Starwood Hotels and Resorts' new hotel brand, Aloft, is targeting tech-savvy travelers with DJ nights, a pool table, board games, specialty cocktails, flat-screen TVs and iPod, PlayStation and computer connectivity units.

In Berlin, Md., Old Hotel Lives Anew

A new owner has reopened the Atlantic Hotel, a 114-year-old inn that serves as the heart and soul of historic Berlin, Md. The establishment, which anchors the town's heritage tourism culture, has been refurbished with antiques, mahogany-stained hardwood floors, old photographs of Eastern Shore locals and other details that pay homage to the inn's glory days.

Visiting Maryland's Lighthouses

Maryland's lighthouses come in all shapes and sizes. Visiting half a dozen of them makes for a great outing.

Lessons From Maryland's Steeplechase Scene

Just north of Baltimore lie the pastoral hamlets of Monkton, Sparks, Cockeysville and Butler, comely settings for about half a dozen steeplechase races

Putting Charm in City Living

Baltimore's Harbor East area is a walkable, waterfront, up and coming chic locale with a sophisticated buzz and best-in-the-city restaurants and shops.

Recent Maryland Travel Stories

The Washington Area Has Indoor Water Parks, Too (Post, March 15, 2009)

Escapes: Off-Season Attractions Along the Jersey Shore (Post, September 23, 2009)

Maryland/Virginia Travel: Washington Area Cabins Glow With a Certain Warmth: Rustic shelters glow with a certain warmth, even when you're down to your last match (Post, June 7, 2009)

Maryland/Virginia Travel: 2009 Maryland/Virginia Issue: The Great Outdoors (washingtonpost.com, June 5, 2009; 10:55 AM)

Travel Readers Share Their Summer Vacation Memories (Post, May 31, 2009)

Baltimore: When Ocean Critters Invade (Post, May 27, 2009)

comingandgoing: Coming and Going: Great U.S. Hiking Trails (Post, May 24, 2009)

Map: Maryland Lighthouses Information (Post, May 17, 2009)

Go Between the Covers at a Novelist's B&B (Post, May 10, 2009)

Give History a Workout (Post, March 11, 2009)

Love Art or Wine? There's a B&B to Match (Post, February 4, 2009)

How to Have a Great Time Without Going Very Far (Post, February 1, 2009)

Dulles, BWI and National: What You Need to Know (Post, February 1, 2009)

Flight Plans (Post, January 25, 2009)

Road Trip - Antietam National Battlefield Memorial Illumination (Post, November 30, 2008)

Suspect in Carjacking Dies: Man Had Been Stopped and Shot by Seat Pleasant Officer (Post, November 16, 2008)

Virginia's Bay Crossing: Hardly a Bridge to Nowhere (Post, November 16, 2008)

To Find Refuge, Follow the Birds: Wildlife Oasis Is Just a Short Drive From D.C. (Post, October 29, 2008)

Coming and Going: In-Flight Porn?: In-Flight Porn? (Post, September 28, 2008)

Cruising 101: Raise The Jib, Hold the Rib-Eyes: How Four Women Weathered a Weekend on the Bay (Post, September 3, 2008)

A Tropical Thrill, Just Past Baltimore: Sailboarding Close to Home? Mix Wind and Water, and Lean Back. (Post, August 13, 2008)

Escape Keys: Gunpowder Falls State Park (Post, August 13, 2008)

Nosh by the Mile in Pikesville (Post, August 10, 2008)

Foraging for Dinner on Amish Back Roads (Post, July 30, 2008)

Between the Beaches: Lewes Market Is Full of Fresh Food and Characters (Post, July 23, 2008)

For This DJ, OC's Beach Food Is A-OK (Post, July 9, 2008)

In Maryland, a Dip Down Memory Lane (Post, July 6, 2008)

Two Inns, One Weekend -- at the Very Minimum (Post, July 2, 2008)

For a Fast Break, Breakfast on Kent Island (Post, June 22, 2008)

Let's Go Carrolling-ing (Post, June 8, 2008)

Budget Md.: How to Save in 5 Locales (Post, June 8, 2008)

Md./Va. Special Issue: The Two Carrolls (Post, June 3, 2008)

BEACH GUIDE: Sun, Sand & Surf 2008 (washingtonpost.com, May 14, 2008; 4:29 PM)

At This Maryland Park, Prepare for Takeoff (Post, April 23, 2008)

Birding in Blackwater (Post, April 20, 2008)

Three Wrights Don't Make a Wrong: In Pa., you can sample a trio of the master's works in a day -- and it's quite a rush. (Post, March 19, 2008)

Just Zip It: She Wanted to See Amish Country, Plain and Simple (Post, March 5, 2008)

Baby, They Were Born to Run (Post, February 24, 2008)

Track Star (Post, February 13, 2008)

Annapolis B&Bs: Full of Character(s) (Post, February 10, 2008)

SPECIALTY TRAVEL: For a Custom-Tailored Trip, Whatever Your Niche (Post, February 3, 2008)

WEEKEND GETAWAYS: 20 Great Escapes: You Don't Have to Go Far to Have a Good Time (Post, February 3, 2008)

Clams on the Half Price, er, Shell: Ocean City in the middle of the week? During the winter? You bet. We found spots where you can save some dough while you stuff your face. (Post, January 16, 2008)

Baltimore's Aquarium: What a Dive! (Post, January 2, 2008)

Really? You Don't Look a Day Over 299 . . .: For Annapolis and others, 2008 is a milestone year. Here's how to get in on the celebrations. (Post, December 26, 2007)

St. Michaels: A Feel-Good Christmas Story (Post, December 23, 2007)

The Last 'Noel': When all-Christmas-all-the-time became too much, he traded in carols for Cal. (Post, December 19, 2007)

Winter Wonderland: In a Western Maryland Cabin, Five Friends, One Mouse and No Snow (Post, December 16, 2007)

Dream? On.: Readers Respond to Plight of Woman Who Missed Cruise (Post, December 2, 2007)

ESCAPES: Outlet Bound: Look, Ma, No Tax! (Post, November 28, 2007)

'Anatomy of a Nightmare': The Readers Respond (Post, November 18, 2007)

Beacons Beckon: On a Md. Lighthouse Tour, You Can See The State in a Flash (Post, October 17, 2007)

Shorter Rounds for Shorter Days: A 9-Iron and a Putter Can Get You Across Md. (Post, October 10, 2007)

Baltimore (Post, October 7, 2007)

ESCAPES: Antietam Still Has Stories to Tell (Post, September 12, 2007)

OCEAN CITY (Post, September 5, 2007)

IF YOU MUST PEEP . . .: If You Must Peep . . . (Post, September 5, 2007)

Time for the Beach (Post, September 5, 2007)

Scaling Mt. Whitewater: Maryland Ski Resort Turns Rapidly to Rafting (Post, August 19, 2007)

Somewhere Over the Bay Bridge: Stop on Sleepy Kent Island and It'll Hit You: You're Not In D.C. Anymore (Post, July 11, 2007)

Put Me in Coach (Post, June 20, 2007)

TRAVEL Q&A: Cruising From Baltimore (Post, June 17, 2007)

Vintage Shopping, Close to Home: Maryland: The Vineyards Are Small, but Passions Run High (Post, June 3, 2007)

THEME CRUISES: Dueling Pirates (Post, May 30, 2007)

Dueling Pirates: With Johnny Depp back in theaters shivering his timbers, you may want to get in touch with your inner Blackbeard. Here's a look at two Maryland day cruises -- and how they compare. (Post, May 30, 2007)

A Trip off the Old Rock (Post, April 22, 2007)

No, Not That Vienna: It's the Quiet, History-Filled One on Md.'s Eastern Shore (Post, April 18, 2007)

SLEEPOVER PROGRAMS: Bunking With a Blue Whale (Post, April 11, 2007)

ESCAPE KEYS: U.S. Naval Academy (Post, March 28, 2007)

Ready for Takeoff? If You Need a Van, Make a Plan (Post, March 25, 2007)

Eats of Easton: Little Maryland Town Gains a Big Restaurant Rep (Post, March 21, 2007)

Frederick of Maryland: The Little Town to the North Offers Serious Boutique Shopping (Post, March 7, 2007)

A Fine Line: Between Gettysburg, Pa., And Emmitsburg, Md., Mason and Dixon Still Draw Subtle Distinctions (Post, February 14, 2007)

Specialty Travel Resources (Post, February 4, 2007)

The Bald And the Bountiful: Winter Eagles Flock to Md.'s Blackwater Refuge (Post, January 17, 2007)

COOPERSTOWN 101: Orioles Flock North (Post, January 14, 2007)

Ready to End It All?: For Folks Willing to Take a Road Trip, There's a Variety Of New Year's Eve Celebrations Around the Region (Post, December 27, 2006)

Hon-ukkah: With Campy Style, Great Food And Rich Jewish History, Baltimore Delights in the Festival of Lights (Post, December 13, 2006)

TRAVEL Q&A: Mixing It Up With Marsupials (Post, December 10, 2006)

Four More Foodie Inns: Four More Foodie Inns (Post, December 6, 2006)

Bars that Charm (Post, November 1, 2006)

TRAVEL Q&A: Fido-Friendly Beaches (Post, October 22, 2006)

COMING AND GOING: Passport Watch (Post, October 8, 2006)

ESCAPES: Leaf the Driving to Us (Post, October 4, 2006)

FILE THIS: Take Your Peak: A Guide to Fall Foliage on the East Coast (Post, September 24, 2006)

Waterbeds: Looking for a cushy berth? Rent a Md. houseboat for a waterfront weekend. (Post, August 16, 2006)

Drive-In Nature: Park Campgrounds Provide the Woods Without the Walk (Post, August 9, 2006)

TRAVEL Q&A: A Grand Adventure (Post, July 30, 2006)

Escapes: Borderline Insanity (Post, July 26, 2006)

KENT ISLAND 101: Get Off Route 50 (Post, July 9, 2006)

ESCAPES: The Inns and Outs of Weekending With Rover (Post, June 14, 2006)

ESCAPES: Baltimore Remains a Beehive of Kitsch Glam (Post, June 7, 2006)

OXFORD, MD.: Bench With a (River) View (Post, May 28, 2006)

10 MORE GETAWAYS: Point the Car in a New Direction (Post, May 28, 2006)

OCEAN CITY: Three-Ring Circus by The Sea (Post, May 19, 2006)

FENWICK ISLAND: Searching for Quiet (Post, May 19, 2006)

Beautiful Obsessions: Baltimore's American Visionary Art Museum Captures the Passion of the Peculiar (Post, March 15, 2006)

The O.C.: Why Wait?: In the winter, it can be cold and desolate. In other words, perfect. (Post, February 22, 2006)

The Maryland Press: In Frederick County, Free State Wines Begin to Age Nicely (Post, January 18, 2006)

A Wild Duck Chase: A novice hunter finds geese -- and good times -- are the easier prey on Maryland's Eastern Shore. (Post, January 4, 2006)