SCENIC Routesacross the country
While a road trip can often mean a weekend at the cottage or a stay at the beach, increasingly the good old car-cation is just as likely to land you at a dairy farm or a brewery.
Culinary trails, where producers band together to tempt travellers to their corner of the world, are one of the fastest growing trends in tourism. These trips present a great opportunity to rattle down some roads less travelled, sampling local specialties along the way. Chris Ryall, president of Travel Marketing Experts says these culinary routes are successful among travellers because “they appeal to all ages and budgets, from those who want to do a wine tour in Tuscany to those looking for a cheaper trip, like the Apple Pie Trail in Blue Mountain. Everyone loves to eat and drink, and that’s a big part of a holiday.”
Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Butter Tart Trail
Wellington North, Ont. In the mood for a drive through some of Canada’s best farmland and a tasting of one of our nation’s favourite desserts? Thirty minutes north of Guelph, Ont., the 100-km Butter Tart Trail runs through the township of Wellington North, from Mount Forest to the village of Arthur. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to try butter tart pies, sundaes and no fewer than 12 varieties of the decadent little cups themselves. For the completist looking to sample all 12 tarts, you’ll have to stay overnight. Try Oxy Acres B&B — a charming log home that serves a classic country breakfast in the morning. wellingtonnorth.com/whats-on/buttertart-trail.aspx
Kentucky Bourbon Trail For the bourbon enthusiast, the Bluegrass State is Mecca. A winding drive through the rolling, green hills around Lexington, KY., will land you at the stills of six of America’s finest bourbon makers. The distilleries each offer tours, showing visitors what exactly goes into making their unique brands. Adults may sample the bourbon after each tour, so it’s recommended that visitors complete the 180-km trail over two or three days. Try to get your lips on some of the ultra small batch of Elijah Craig aged for 20 years at Heaven Hill, or taste Wild Turkey Rare Breed, a bourbon that’s bottled straight from the barrel.
kybourbontrail.com
Finger Lakes Cheese Trail Driving around Upstate New York’s two largest Finger Lakes, the Cheese Trail brings visitors to 14 independent farms and dairies, each producing artisan cheese — from classic chevre to blueberry Monterey Jack. Many of the farms give tours, and some will let guests visit their livestock, making this trail especially family-friendly. Visitors who wish to see all 14 farms on the 140-km trail should plan to bunker down in the scenic Finger Lakes for an evening or two. The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars, just five minutes from Shtayburne Farms, offers guest rooms that overlook the vineyards and Seneca River.
If you love cheese, but want to keep it domestic, the Route des Fromage divides Quebec’s cheese makers along eight trails. Visitors can stop by any of the 110 farms and cheeseries, from the abbey where Oka is made to the Maison Maurice Dufour, where the awardwinning Migneron de Charlevoix is produced. routedesfromages.com, flcheesetrail.com
Weekend Post champton@nationalpost.com