The Real Deal: A discounted two-night Lobsters, Lighthouse, and Luxury package from $373 per room.

When: June 1-30, 2007.

(PJ Walter) [enlarge photo]

The Fine Print: Hotel taxes are an additional 7 percent. Rates are based on double or single occupancy. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Contact: You can make a reservation by contacting any of the inns directly or by contacting Historic Inns of Rockland, 877/762-4667, historicinnsofrockland.com.

Trip Details: Rockland is a small, quintessential mid-coast Maine town boasting some of the state's best lobster. While not as pretty as neighboring Camden, it has a lovely historic district and a lively arts scene (note the Farnsworth Art Museum, among others). It makes a good jumping-off point for exploring Monhegan Island, an artists colony just off the coast, as well as antiquing, biking, and kayaking locally. June is an ideal time to visit. The weather is balmy, and the traffic is more manageable than in the later summer months.

All three participating inns are offering the same Lobster, Lighthouse, and Luxury two-night package, just at slightly different rates. The lobster part covers dinner at a local seafood restaurant, an hour-and-a-half ride on Captain Jack's lobster-hauling boat, and two goofy lobster hats. Tours of the inns and breakfast daily are also included.

As for the lighthouse part, you'll receive an autographed copy of Lighthouses of Maine, driving maps for getting to and around the local lighthouses, free admission to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, and a guided tour of Rockland's Breakwater lighthouse, which is not usually available to the public. Here are some examples of lighthouses within a short drive: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owl's Head Light, and Marshall Point Light.

The inn you choose determines the level of luxury and the package price. The Captain Lindsey House Inn, run by a couple, has nine rooms outfitted with antiques and Persian rugs, a garden, and a sitting area with a fireplace. Situated right off Main Street, it's the most central of the three options. Rates are from $373 to $455 per couple. 800/523-2145, lindseyhouse.com.

A converted Victorian lime-colored mansion, with its turret still in place, the eight-room LimeRock Inn features a wraparound porch, gardens, and a living room with a fireplace. It is located on a sleepy side street near the historic downtown. Rates are from $395 to $485 per couple. 800/546-3762, limerockinn.com.

Eleven of the 12 frilly, Victorian-style rooms at The Berry Manor Inn come with a working fireplace, and the communal areas include a library and the front porch. It's set in a stately residential neighborhood within walking distance of downtown Rockland and the harbor. Rates from $405 to $605 per couple. 800/774-5692, berrymanorinn.com.

Getting Around: Transportation to and from the Rockland area is not included. We suggest flying into Portland, Maine, and then renting a car. (There's a small airport in Rockland, but its fares tend to be about $200 more expensive than those we found on kayak.com for Portland.) The lowest round-trip airfares for Portland in early June are: $127 from New York City, $203 from Washington, D.C., $248 from Chicago, and $428 from San Francisco (all on JetBlue).

An economy-car rental starts at $26 (Enterprise) from the Portland airport. It's at slow hour-and-a-half drive north on Route 1 to Rockland. Along the way, you could stop at the L.L. Bean Factory Store in Freeport. Alternatively, if you're traveling from Bangor airport to the north of Rockland, you could stop at Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor.