CHESAPEAKE LIFESTYLE

CHESAPEAKE BAY ~ "GREAT SHELLFISH BAY"

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“And so, in the middle of the Chesapeake…he turned his log canoe not to the turbulent western shore…but to the quieter eastern shore, and that simple choice made all the difference.” James A. Michener, Chesapeake

IT'S ABOUT DIVINE LIVING...

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IT'S ABOUT ACCESS...

IT'S ABOUT BUSINESS...

IT'S ABOUT CONVENIENCE...

IT'S ABOUT DIVINE LIVING...

TALBOT COUNTY MARYLAND

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TALBOT COUNTY - Where land and water intertwine in infinite varieties of mood and pattern. Dominated by the Chesapeake Bay, Talbot County, with its waterfront tributaries, mild climate and friendly neighbors, offers a lifestyle you simply cannot find anywhere else - an intimate place - capture the richness of a different time marked by the civilities and grace of a bygone era - timeless and serene - “land of pleasant living”. Talbot County’s five bountiful rivers with 602 miles of shoreline are home to great and modest country houses as well as the unique charming hamlets of St. Michaels, Oxford, Wye Mills, Tilghman Island, Trappe, and historic Easton. All offer a timeless treasury of history and beauty with centuries old architectural splendor, unsurpassed in America. The downtown areas are captivating, compact, and filled with a phenomenal assortment of fine art galleries, antiques, museums, theaters and boutiques. Fine public, private and parochial schools are located throughout the area. Surrounded by history, beauty and a wealth of cultural, culinary and outdoor activities, Talbot County is truly the best location to enjoy the best of the region’s many delights.

ACCESSIBILITY - Maryland’s Eastern Shore is one of the most popular coastal areas in America, and Talbot County is the most popular place on the Eastern Shore to live. Central Maryland location is everything - strategic, mid-Atlantic, accessible, easy access to major metropolitan areas. Close to beaches and golf courses and prime yacht moorings - and within spitting distance of the power centers that are sources of great wealth. Tax base provides better schools, health care and public services - not to mention such amenities as better exotic car mechanics, caterers, and gardeners, and Easton airport.

RICH HISTORY - Beginning with our Native Americans over 13,000 years ago - centuries of unspoiled cherished traditions, maritime history, rich architecture, the Chesapeake Bay - “our history is our future”.

UNIQUE LIFESTYLE - With a unique blend of a small-town atmosphere and cosmopolitan flavor, there is a richness of the past, the joy of the present, and the warm prospects for the future. Diversity of style, location, and price create superb housing opportunities. Many beautiful homes cover the outlying areas, and waterfront estates with panoramic views abound. The Chesapeake Bay is a place that can easily be called “home”.

ENVIRONMENT - Continental climate with well - defined seasons, a long growing season conducive to lush crops - natural beauty - salty breezes fill the air. Our uniqueness comes in large part from our natural surroundings and our dedication to the traditional outdoor lifestyle. Natural amenities - 602 miles of shoreline (the longest in the United States) - 80% of land is farmland, woods, and marsh lush land communes with water at every turn - best of outdoor living!

ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND

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ST. MICHAELS - The town that fooled the British.

Slumbers on a beautiful cove of the Chesapeake - the heart and soul of the Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels is a picture - perfect historic waterfront town that seems to live in a time warp - filled with an eclectic selection of shops and award winning restaurants, accommodations and attractions. St. Michaels has been an active port in Maryland since the town was developed. Tourism is a big draw to this picturesque port town where vessels from all over the world visit. The world-class Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum captures the history of life on this beautiful estuary. Many of the shops on Talbot Street are historic houses which have been converted into businesses.

photos - The Oaks - Inn at Perry Cabin

HISTORIC EASTON

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HISTORIC EASTON - Colonial capital of the Eastern Shore.

Here the arts are alive and well! Theatre, museums, art galleries, antiques, and festivals. From fine dining to gallery walks, Easton is filled with charm and history. Easton, on Maryland's Eastern Shore, has been selected the 8th Best Small Town in America as well as one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. The town's interesting ambiance reflects historic eclecticism. Throughout Easton, there is an exciting combination of colonial, federal, and victorian architecture creating a picturesque streetscape. Traditionally, Easton has been the hub of business activity in the county and also is known for its fine restaurants, enticing antique and art galleries and small boutique and specialty shops.
And for one weekend in November, Easton becomes the setting for the Waterfowl Festival, the original and still the premier event dedicated to an enjoyment of the arts and to wildlife conservation and education. Throughout the town, wildlife paintings, carvings, sculpture, photography, crafts, decoys, memorabilia, and events are coupled with Eastern Shore cuisine and good company. Easton is the county seat of Talbot County.

photos - Tidewater Inn - Inn at 202 Dover

OXFORD, MARYLAND

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OXFORD - One time leading Port of Entry.

Oxford is one of the oldest towns in Talbot County, and a quaint town of about 700 residents. Among the historical sites one can enjoy are houses dating to the late 1600s, the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry and an exact replica of the old Oxford Customs House. The Oxford Museum offers other historic artifacts and objects relating to the town. If you are familiar with James Michener’s “Chesapeake”, you may already distinguish Oxford as a destination filled with beauty and land that is irrevocably linked to water and portentous history. Oxford is a pleasure boater’s paradise, not only for the deep navigable waters and pleasant anchorages, but for the available full-service yards and marinas.

photo - Combsberry Inn - Robert Morris Inn

DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

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PRESERVING TRADITION IN CHANGING TIMES

Talbot County, Maryland

An area steeped in history

A unique blend of a small town atmosphere

With a cosmopolitan population

“Museum - Quality homes”

Economical tax structure

A safe atmosphere!

There is a richness of the past

The joy of the present and warm prospects for the future

Maryland’s Eastern Shore is a place

That can easily be called “home.”

A FRESH APPROACH

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A Fresh Approach to Extraordinary!Eastern Shore Distinctive Retreats are a collection of luxurious vacation residences on The Chesapeake Bay - Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Distinctive Retreats offer visitors upscale homes supported by our professional and knowledgeable concierge company and residential services company. Of the extraordinary collection of retreat residences, each has been thoughtfully chosen for its location and condition, architectural personalities and living spaces, amenities and comforts, entertaining and recreational opportunities, and flexibilities for special requests. “Above - and - Beyond Service.” We fit around your lifestyle so that you are left undisturbed - your privacy is your privilege. Don’t worry about the other guests - what other guests?

Imagine a place where wishes are granted before they are spoken. If you can imagine it, we can get you there!

All the Comforts of Home Residences

Eastern Shore Distinctive Retreats offers Maryland’s unique Eastern Shore Experience, the Chesapeake Lifestyle. Do you prefer down pillows? What kind of music do you enjoy? Is there a particular bottle of wine or champagne you have in mind? Did you say you love Brie? Bouquets of fresh cut flowers brighten your day? At Your Service can prepare your meals. All Eastern Shore opportunities and amenities are at your beck and call. Guests engage in a wealth of energetic activities or escape into the quietude of an engaging book or a soothing massage. It all begins with a very extraordinary “Shore Welcome Basket” upon arrival. Then a leisure experience beyond expectations!
A Portfolio of ResidencesEach Distinctive Retreat has a different pricing schedule which can be modified depending on intended usage. To make a reservation, please email or call. We will be delighted to discuss your requirements. Further details about booking and payment terms can be found on EasternShoreDistinctiveRetreats.com

WHY MARYLANDS EASTERN SHORE

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ENJOY WHAT MATTERS MOST!

We are learning that many folks are simply not willing to postpone the life they've imagined and worked hard for ~ Upscale ~ Unique ~ Diverse ~ Superb Hunting ~ Fishing ~ Sailing ~ Boating ~ Golfing ~ Lovers of Sporting Traditions ~ Metropolitan Amenities and Services ~ Culinary ~ Culture ~ Lively Arts
Recreation endless opportunities!!

CHESAPEAKE LIFESTYLE

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Preserving Tradition in Changing Times
Since its early settlement days Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been a haven for sailors because of its beautiful coastlines. Today the snug harbors and cozy coves provide vast opportunities for boating, fishing, and for restful vacationing or living. The intimate towns recall the richness of a bygone era that was full of grace.
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest inland body of water on the east coast. Captain John Smith described the Chesapeake Bay – “faire bay…heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man’s habitation.”
Rich HistoryOriginal land grants date back to the 1600’s which provide the back drop to what are now gorgeous farmland and estate homes. The development of the area has transformed the once tobacco farmlands and plantations to towns such as St. Michaels, Oxford, Wye Mills, Tilghman Island, Trappe, and historic Easton, which all offer a timeless treasure of history and beauty with centuries old architectural splendor, unsurpassed in America.
Unique LifestyleThe Chesapeake Lifestyle is a unique blend of small town relaxed atmosphere, with cosmopolitan flavor. You will feel the warmth of the area and the people as you stroll through the downtown areas that are captivating, compact, and filled with a phenomenal assortment of fine galleries, antiques, museums, theaters, and boutiques. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is very accessible, mostly unspoiled, rich in history, and a place that can easily be called, “home”. It is truly a leisure experience beyond expectations.

ITS THE LIFESTYLE

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THE SHORE

Whether coming from the western shore in Virginia or Maryland or from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other northern points there is usually some geographic marker where you breathe a sigh of relief thereby announcing you are at "the Shore". You can see it with the deep breathes fellow travelers take when they cross the Bay Bridge or Delaware Memorial Bridge. There is literally a physical reaction many of us have when the brackish scent of the Bay or the combination of sea and salt fills our nostrils. We relax, our muscles loosen, our smiles come easier and memories are made. So what prompts these physical reactions and contribute to the memories.
But Lifestyle can be an all-encompassing phrase. It covers not just how we live in our homes and with our families but the level of services, recreation and amenities we require and desire and the ease of access and affordability of all of the above. While the ready-made recreation offers at the Shore establishes the foundation of the Lifestyle we desire, the recent growth in local retail and services builds on the basics. Full time living at the Shore is no longer a dream but an easy reality.

THE SEASONS OF THE EASTERN SHORE ~ WINTER ~ SPRING ~ SUMMER ~ FALL

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WINTER ~ I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show. Andrew Wyeth

SPRING ~ It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! Mark Twain

SUMMER ~ Then followed that beautiful season.............. Summer....filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

FALL ~ Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Albert Camus