Published August 8, 2025 12:28PM
Destinations & Things To Do
‘The Road Less Eaten’ Explores Aquaculture in Three Maine Towns
In the latest episode of The Road Less Eaten, chef and host Biju Thomas visits three coastal towns in Maine, and aquaculture as a whole
Chef Biju in Camden, Maine (Photo: The Road Less Eaten)
In the latest episode of The Road Less Eaten, chef and host Biju Thomas visits three coastal towns in Maine, where life has been shaped by the land, the sea, and as Thomas says, “the people who make a living from both.”
There is a term for this in the East: aquaculture. Along the coast in towns like Freeport, Camden, and Biddeford, aquaculture knits together communities, grows local and larger economies, and cares for the planet.
Thomas explores it— and coastal life in Maine— by learning from a kelp harvester, walking on (yes, on) acres of wild blueberry farms, and by sitting with award-winning chefs and cocktail engineers who all understand that along the coast of Maine, it’s not just about the food; it’s about the feeling.
Freeport
If you’re visiting Maine, you’ve probably got your mind set on lobster and oysters, but Maine’s food story runs much deeper.
Freeport, a shoe-making and ship-building hub that later turned into a food haven, as drawn world-wide attention for harvesting something much less common: kelp.
Ken Sparta, owner of Spartan Sea Farms and the Freeport Oyster Bar, harvests different kinds of kelp (sugar, skinny, winged) alongside oysters. Most know about oysters, but kelp? It’s nutrient rich, and if harvested right, tasty enough to be a main dish, not just a versatile ingredient.
Kelp is planted in Maine in the fall when the water temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature rises, the kelp is taken out of the water and driven into town. Fifty thousand pounds of kelp were harvested during the 2025 season in Freeport, Maine.
But what Ken geeks out about the most is the fact that harvesting kelp takes nitrogen and oxygen out of the water, therefore lowering ocean citification and making our planet more sustainable.
“I’m making food for my friends and family and making the ocean a better place,” he says.
Back at Freeport Oyster Bar, Thomas takes on kelp tacos and burgers. “If somebody didn’t tell me I wasn’t eating meat, I wouldn’t have known,” he says. Vodka is sustainably harvested from sugar kelp and distilled in small batches to sell at the bar, too.
Camden
Like Freeport, the small coastal town of Camden was once a 19th century ship-building hub, a protected harbor that eventually brought in artists and foodies alongside sailers. Camden quickly became known for its wild trails, blueberry farms and a food scene deeply rooted in tradition.
“Come late summer, the hills turn a deep, brilliant blue,” Thomas says, walking acres of wild blueberry farm alongside the owner of Brodis Blueberries, Jeremey Howard. “Wild blueberries aren’t the big plump ones you find at the grocery store,” Jeremy says. “They’re smaller, bright, with complex flavor.”
Brodis Blueberries has been running for nine generations, but the blueberries have been growing wild in this part of Maine for 10,000 plus years, though not a single patch was planted, Jeremy says.
“When the glaciers receded, they pushed away the fertile soil, and the only things that liked the acidic, ledgy soil, were blueberries.” Ron Howard, Jeremy’s father, explains how the different shades are different wild plants. Each is genetically different. These wild blueberries genetically modify on their own as they grow and thrive. There’s no need to mess with them.
Thomas tours Barren’s Distillery + Restaurant, where the shelves are stocked with blueberry gin, blueberry vodka, blueberry brandy, and more. The blueberries go through the fermentation process, and when they are complete mesh, (which is a wine at that point) they are put into a still that extracts the alcohol vapors.
“It tastes like booze with a kick of sweetness at the end, with the brandy warmth to it,” Thomas says.
Thomas also meets up with Jeremy’s business partner, Andrew Stewart on a trail run. “Apparently here, we hydrate with distilled fruit, then go run up a mountain,” Thomas jokes. The trails are closer to the ocean, and the views are unreal.
Stewarthelped launch Barren’s waterfront restaurant downtown. It’s become known for its seafood classics alongside its full line-up of blueberry spirits.
Biddeford
Along the Saco river, the town of Biddeford draws in the artistic and the young. It’s a hip, developing area that once stood out in the booming textile industry through the 1900s. Those same mills are now full of chefs and artisans like Kate and Jason Hamm, co-owners of Fish and Whistle, and semi finalists in James Beard awards’ emerging chef category.
Fish and Whistle’s main event is its fish and chips, but the happenin’ new place also serves up some seriously unique sandwiches, like the “squidwhich,” a sandwich full of squid, swallowed up by scored and fried milk bread, and smothered in marina and hot cherry peppers— a seafood lover’s dream.
All the seafood at Fish and Whistle is caught fresh from the gulf of Maine, the couple says.
Thomas also visits Magnus on Water, where he chats with Brian chats with Brian “Cat” Catapang, director of beverage working alongside owner of the place, Julia Russell, to create an incredibly experience for those bustling through Biddeford.
Russell sees Magnus on Water as a neighborhood bar and destination restaurant. It is one of only 37 bars (of 10 in the U.S.) recognized by the pinnacle guide to excellence in cocktail craft.
Thomas joins Catapang as he explains how the “couch surfer” was born, the restaurant’s bread and butter, and a love letter to Maine.
“I would go to the beach and check for surf, if I got skunked, I started collecting some of the high tide water to make some sea salt in house,” Catapang says. “The beach has magical properties that no one tells you about.”
Carrying five-gallon buckets during high tide, Catapang brings fresh salt water back into the restaurant to cook down and add to fresh pineapple juice and egg whites for stabilization. The liquor is made with poblano peppers, creating that zippy experience, just like waves that can pull you under.
Magnus on Water’s chef, Rafael Zimmerman, is constantly experimenting with Peruvian comfort food that makes for a fun menu. During his visit, Thomas tries the restaurant’s most popular dishes and is most impressed by the roasted cabbage, because its flavors catch him by surprise.
There is an energy forming in Biddeford, but not just there, in every quaint town with aquaculture at its core. There is a shared respect for tradition and nature, and for creative dishes and drink that truly embody coastal living.
Destinations & Things To Do
Dubai and Riyadh Becoming Top Travel Destinations in 2025 with New Attractions and Infrastructure: All You Need To Know Before Planning a Trip
Published on
August 9, 2025 |
With 2025 approaching the forefront of global tourism, particularly leisure travel, the focus seems to be on Dubai and Riyadh. Both of these cities are undergoing an infrastructural makeover along with the construction of new and modern leisure attractions to accommodate the rising number of tourists. Riyadh is in the regime of catching up due to its vast reforms and investments, while tourism and luxury travel in Dubai is long established.
This exciting development is not just about high-end hotels and impressive skyscrapers; it is about a shift in culture, business, and hospitality. Dubai and Riyadh tourism are becoming more dynamic, offering experiences that are both innovative and enticing for travelers worldwide.
Why Dubai Is Dominating the Global Travel Scene
With 2025 approaching the forefront of global tourism, particularly leisure travel, the focus seems to be on Dubai and Riyadh. Both of these cities are undergoing an infrastructural makeover along with the construction of new and modern leisure attractions to accommodate the rising number of tourists. Riyadh is in the regime of catching up due to its vast reforms and investments, while tourism and luxury travel in Dubai is long established.
The government of Dubai has strategically places major tourism infrastructure like Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Media City. Other businesses and creative industries have also set up offices in these areas which, along with new global attractions like Dubai Opera, Aqua Fun Park, and Dubai Safari Park, makes Dubai a must visit place for corporates and entrepreneurs looking to blend business and leisure.
The Dubai tourism policies have also evolved, with initiatives encouraging global partnerships and enhancing the visitor experience. The city’s commitment to sustainability and smart technologies ensures that its future in tourism remains promising and appealing to the growing eco-conscious traveler.
Riyadh: The New Rising Star of Middle Eastern Tourism
While Dubai’s evolution has been impressive, Riyadh is now catching up at an astonishing rate. Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the capital city of Riyadh is being transformed into a vibrant global hub for business, tourism, and leisure. Vision 2030 has reshaped the city’s tourism and hospitality industry, focusing on the development of cultural landmarks, luxury resorts, and entertainment options that can rival cities like Dubai.
Riyadh has made leaps towards attracting international tourists. By 2025, Riyadh’s tourism infrastructure includes luxury hotels and unparalleled services of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center and Mandarin Oriental Riyadh. Aside from the existing high-end hotels, modern cultural museums, art exhibitions, and even theme parks are under consideration which will augment demand and cater towards leisure tourism.
Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to lift alcohol restrictions in designated areas and host major sporting events signals its intentional pivot toward becoming a more tourism-friendly country. This shift, paired with large-scale investments in tourism infrastructure, makes Riyadh one of the most exciting places for tourists in the coming years.
The Competitive Edge: How Dubai and Riyadh Are Competing in Tourism
The rivalry between Dubai and Riyadh is heating up. Both cities are keen to dominate the Middle Eastern tourism market, and this competition is fueling rapid advancements in infrastructure and tourism policies. By 2025, Dubai was already the destination of choice for many corporates and leisure tourists. However, Saudi Arabia has introduced several new policies aimed at increasing the number of regional hubs in Riyadh.
The change in Saudi Arabia is one of the major economics Saudi Arabia. Riyadh isn’t only erecting new lavish hotels. Riyadh is setting up a new complete system for businesses, events, and recreational activities. In response, Dubai eased its business laws and started granting a number of incentives for foreign companies to establish regional offices there. This rivalry of industrial supremacy is for sure going to add a new layer in the already Dubai and Riyadh fueled innovation in tourism and increasing traveler’s opportunities in 2025.
The Future of Travel: Why You Should Visit Dubai and Riyadh in 2025
As the cities of Dubai and Riyadh strive to diversify and innovate, they are becoming more appealing to travelers. Dubai is a luxury travel destination, and with the new additions of mid-scale and affordable options, it is now accessible to all. Riyadh is emerging as the prime location which serves a dual purpose of business and leisure travel. With its strategic investments and rapid pace of development, it is going to be a tourist hotspot in the coming years.
Both cities now have sophisticated tourism infrastructures, offering modern transportation systems, attractive cultural events, and a growing number of entertainment options for travelers. Whether you’re visiting Dubai’s iconic malls or exploring Riyadh’s cultural renaissance, these two cities will continue to define the future of Middle Eastern tourism.
Key Takeaways for Travelers
- Dubai and Riyadh are poised to dominate the global tourism landscape in 2025 with new attractions, policies, and experiences.
- Dubai’s tourism scene is expanding beyond luxury to include mid-scale options and sustainable initiatives.
- Riyadh’s rapid transformation under Vision 2030 is making it a competitive alternative to Dubai for both business and leisure.
- As both cities compete for tourism dominance, 2025 will be a pivotal year for travelers looking for unique experiences in the Middle East.
Conclusion: Why 2025 Is the Year to Visit Dubai and Riyadh
With their ever-growing appeal to leisure travelers, Riyadh and Dubai are poised to be the ultimate destinations by 2025. Both cities are sure to stay at the top of travelers’ lists for years to come. This is thanks to their booming infrastructures, fuelled by а sustainable practices, new tourism experiences, and visionary policy investments.
- Hanover Food Coop, NH (1756.7) to Trescott Road (1706.6)
- 1148 feet ascent, 748 feet descent
Today is a nero experiment. The Historian’s back hurts and he is still struggling with getting enough food to run his engine. With our Katahdin climb scheduled so soon, my my engine is running overtime. We decided to do errands in town and then The Historian will drop me off for a quick slack pack to pick up some of the disjointed bits and pieces we have not hiked in the gap between Hanover and Glencliff.
I missed this section in 1975 because The Historian had limited time for a visit with me. Either I could skip ahead to the start of the Whites, or he would have to miss the Presidentials. I decided to skip ahead for love. During the time we lived in Hanover in the 1990s, we day hiked some of the missing parts but not all of them. I am filling in the pieces now.
Morning Garden Patrol
We had another peaceful morning with our friends enjoying their multi-generational family life. One thing we particularly enjoyed is the early morning garden inspections.
A few years ago we had a large raised bed garden spread out along a .15 mile meandering path. Each morning we would take our coffee and our dog out for a lap through the garden. We have since downsized and have a small garden but we still enjoy morning coffee inspection of the garden.
Our friends have a large vegetable garden plot and multiple berry patches as well as flower gardens, fruit trees, and nut trees. Morning garden inspection made us think about our gardens past and future, and appreciate the slow and exciting process of food production.
Town Chores
After breakfast we made a list of our town chores. We have all of our meals already; they arrived in our mailed resupply. We needed to add some protien bars, rasins, m and ms, chia seeds, and protien drink. We knew we could find the very things we wanted from the Hanover Food Coop. We also needed more bug spray, available from the outfitters nearby.
The drive to town included passing over several bridges, two of them covered bridges. Even having lived in the area before, the novelty of covered bridges never wears off.
The light from inside the bridge is as much fun as seeing the bridge from the outside.
Hanover Coop
The Coop store on the Appalachian Trail is a lot smaller than I remembered. There is a large, modern supermarket version but I wanted nostalgia so we went to the original store.
The food selections were amazing, as always. It was hard not to over buy dramatically. We had some car days coming up so our over selection of food did not punish our backs.
When we got to the checkout, they asked if we were members. Low and behold, we were still in the member records from 1996.
A Snippet of Hiking
Town chores accomplished, we ate our Coop-acquired lunch in the car at the Dartmouth playing fields, literally parked on the Appalachian Trail.
After downing the last of my sparkling water, I tightened my shoe laces and took off. The Historian would drive to the next trail crossing and I would race to meet him, covering the short 4 miles as quickly as I could.
This would fill in one of the gaps and allow me to advance to the next non-contiguous needed section tomorrow.
New Terrain
I scampered along as best I could. However, the trail character was very different from Virginia. When you walk from one geographical region to the next, the changes are noticeable but more gradual. Leapfrogging 700 miles was a surprise.
My brain felt like it could move along but the surface under my feet was unfamiliar and my steps were less sure. Looking around, I was reassured by the vegetation and rocks. We love the northern mountains, in New England, and in Montana. I felt more at home than I had in a long time.
Gradually, my feet grew accustomed to the terrain and I made good progress.
Boggy Area
Virginia has swampy areas filled with water and rhododendron. New England has ponds and bogs. Today, smack in the middle of rocky, wooded uphill trail was a boggy section. Thankfully, the majority of the transit was accomplished by a bog bridge. Although it listed left and right as you passed over it, it did not sink or bob like the bog bridges of old.
In 1975, if present, bog bridges were half logs with the cut side up. They were slippery devils. Often they immediately sank when you stepped on them. Occasionally, when you stepped on one end, the other end sprang up like a teeter totter and down you would go.
Mostly Uphill Hiking
Most of the hike was uphill. I was good with that. Although the temperatures were warm, it was in the 80s with moderate humidity so it was a welcomed relief from the back-to-back Virginia heatwaves.
The trail showed little evidence of use and I saw only one other hiker. I was surprised by that since it was a nice trail right outside of town.
Wow, Glad it Wasn’t Me
As I pulled up the summit of Velvet Rocks, a SOBO who looked a little harried zoomed by me. I was somewhat surprised, as we were used to the “say hello and share trail names” routine with other thru hikers.
I called out, “Hello! Are you one of the rare, elusive SOBOs?” The hiker, who was by then past me, looked back at me and it was as if he was registering my presence for the first time. He acknowledged he was a SOBO and said he was hurrying to town.
We shared a laugh about the intensity of town-drive. I encouraged him that he was close, and told him how to find the Coop and where all the cold drinks were in the store. He was appreciative.
We passed on. Very soon I came to a long skid mark at the top of a 10 foot drop-off. I could only shake my head. The slide must have been heart-stopping. Save for a tree, he would have skidded off the cliff. No wonder he seemed a little fuzzy.
Thankfully, the tree was there to stop him. Below the tree would have been a rough landing. The tree with the blaze in the photo below is the opposite side of the same tree with the skid mark.
We all are guilty of dashing to town on occasion, but prudence is always in order. I won’t judge, maybe his shoes were worn out and he had new shoes waiting for him in town.
Velvet Rocks
I finally arrived at the aptly named Velvet Rocks. It is crazy that I never hiked here when I lived here. They are just a short distance from town and so pretty!
Meeting My Trail Magician
After passing the rocks, it was a short distance to where The Historian was waiting for me.
Just at the road crossing someone had thoughtfully left a small cooler of frozen water bottles for hikers. I looked in the cooler but didn’t take any since I was done for the day and had my very own trail magician waiting for me.
I found him sitting in a small parking lot attentively watching for my reappearance. It had been strange to hike without him, but it had been OK too.
I knew he was supporting my hike from the car as much as if he was on the trail beside me. I was grateful he had time to rest his back and keep a little weight on.
Tomorrow we will go back on the trail together to complete the hike to Glencliff. It has been good to have the time off, zeros and neros, but I miss the trail. I look forward to getting back out there and the rhythms of being on the trail and sleeping where you end up each day.
I slept in! And in a big bed. The robot vacuum turned on around 11 pm last night, and I disorientedly scrambled to try and shut it off. We got picked up to get back on track just after 8 and were back on the Bear Mountain campus before 9. It was a late start, but we got into the groove pretty quickly.
Bear Mountain held a great view for us and restored my faith in this state. I hope I’m emerging from my funk, but it’s tough to say. I truly love it out here, but the heat and general exhaustion are bringing me down sometimes.
This stretch of trail has minimal water, and we’re going through somewhat of a drought. We took a blue blaze to a state park to fill from their bathroom sinks and have lunch. We both had the midday sleepies, so we took a small nap at the picnic table.
We crossed mile 800 today! We plan to be out of New York in a day and some change and to PA before the end of the month.
Eventually, we made it to Tiorati State Park. This was located a mile from our campsite, which did not have any water present. We filled our bottles, 2 L CNOC bags, and packed out sodas to have with dinner.
Tonight was our first official night without the stove. We cold-soaked ramen, and it was…. Good! It’s so hot out that I don’t want warm food anyhow. Just prep your dinner, set up camp, and then it’s ready for eating! I love ramen so much still. That and a spam single packet is an ideal dinner for me. Followed by a few scoops of Nutella, of course.
The following day was going to be a heat advisory. We didn’t have a ton of miles planned because the terrain was also pretty rocky, and our water sources were becoming more scarce.
I used my Seek App to identify some slime mold, and I’ll never ever forget about it. It’s called Dog Vomit Slime Mold. Crazy, insane name for anything. It’s so vibrant and cool looking.
The heat of the day was a struggle but manageable. I took it slow and had a few extra pack-off breaks than normal.
We got to a small waterfall and each took a dip. We only had about four miles to go til our evening destination, which was back to Nick’s friend’s house! We planned to meet them at Bellvale Creamery for ice cream, then ride home with them.
Neither of us wanted to sleep outside in 80-degree heat all night. This was a welcome break. We had London broil and potato salad, and regular salad with watermelon for dessert. Replenished our spirits. Their daughter, Juliana, is my new best friend. She’s such a happy baby and even let me hold her!
Sam and Matt dropped us back at the creamery around 6:30 am. The terrain today looked to be fairly easy, and we were excited! The NY/NJ border was only a handful of miles away. We started to cruise some miles until we got our last gifts from New York.
The whole state of New York felt like purgatory. After climbing up and down so many little pointless hills with little to no views and overgrowth tick heaven, we were ready to transcend beyond this place.
Just about as soon as we crossed over into New Jersey, we were gifted beautifully even terrain and well-maintained trails. It was a miracle. We were cruising at a 3 mph pace consistently for the first time since what felt like Massachusetts.
We made it up Wawayanda Mountain and got a glimpse of hazy, smoky views. Wildfires from Canada are happening again, it seems. There were tons of day hikers out. The famed Stairway to Heaven is what we got to walk down. It wasn’t bad at all.
We stopped at a hot dog and ice cream spot for some nourishment.
Our campsite for the night was at a shelter, and we were sure to find one with a bear box tonight. Well-adjusted bears are rampant in these parts, so we needed to secure our food!
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