| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 21/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 52 |
| Copyright: Other |
Regional report by Alan Moore
Tradition dies hard on the coast
Operators make headway with broader range of programmes
THE fishermen of Smith Island in Chesapeake Bay had dialects I thought I recognised – reminding me of an early summer morning visit to a Cornish harbour-front fish market some years ago.At Chesapeake, they were hauling in their local catch of the day – soft-shell blue crabs and oysters caught from the waterways of this 190-mile peninsula, which is dotted with island communities and townships like Cambridge, Salisbury and St Mary’s.
On Tangier Island in Virginia, just across the straits from Maryland, you can hear the same local dialect, said to be reminiscent of ElizabethanEnglish.
It is difficult to take in the fact that traditions of this small-town maritime lifestyle have remained relatively intact since English West Country settlers came here in the 17th and 18th centuries.
But tradition dies hard here. The region, which forms the eastern shore of Maryland off the Atlantic coast between New Jersey and Virginia, claims to have the only fishing fleet in the US that is still completely under sail.
In contrast, there is the nearby beautiful waterfront skyline of Baltimore in Maryland, just 38 miles from Washington DC. Despite being a modern commercial city, Baltimore bears all the trappings of its historic maritime past.
The trio of Maryland, nearby Washington DC, and colonial Virginia, with its Civil War trails and sites, has for some time been branded as the Capital Region.
Because of their close proximity, more operators are introducing flydrives that cover parts of all three areas within a one or two-week holiday.
Highlights include a stay in Washington; coastal resorts and outdoor activities in Maryland; as well as the region of Virginia Beach and visits to historic Williamsburg in Virginia.
North America Travel Service will decide later this month whether to introduce Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay area for next year, while Jetlife has already planned to extend its coverage of the region.
Product director Gary Grieve said: “Jetlife currently only features Washington DC in the Capital Region and with a reasonable though modest success rate.
“However, our forthcoming America and Canada brochure, which goes on sale at the end of next month, is about to change all that. An expanded feature will offer hotel stays and flydrives in Virginia and Maryland, as well as the capital.”
Funway Holidays introduced an eight-day self-drive tour of the Capital Region this year, from Washington to Williamsburg, from £239 excluding flights.
Managing director Stephen Hughes said: “Funway has sold a Chesapeake Colonial 15-day flydrive for several years, and with marketing support from the Capital Region authority, this area is receiving increased attention and sales.
“Baltimore is a well kept secret and has won awards for its city regeneration projects completed during the 1980-1990s. The Capital Region as a whole appeals to the same type of customers who have been to New England.”
A boost for Maryland is that it enjoys daily British Airways flights from Gatwick to Baltimore/Washington airports and a daily service from Heathrow and Glasgow on Icelandair via Reykjavik. At nearby Washington Dulles airport, BA, Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines all operate at least daily from Heathrow.
Coasting along: Maryland boasts a varied and picturesque coastline