WA R M G E T AWA Y S
NOVEMBER 15 2009
AMERICANWAY 37
blast of summer in a bottle, but probably
more than anything, a visit to the Tabasco
PepperSauceFactoryonAveryIsland,Loui-
siana, during winter qualifies as a hot trip
— particularly when it’s done in combina-
tionwith a stop inNewOrleans, which is a
couple of hours to the east. For more than
140 years, Avery Island has been the home
of McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce, and the pro-
cess formaking ithasn’t changedmuchdur-
ing that time. Seeminglyconceivedperfectly
for the task,AveryIsland sitsatoponeof the
world’s largest saltmines— salt is a key in-
gredient inmaking the sauce—andhas soil
conducive togrowing thenecessarypeppers.
Producing Tabasco sauce is a family affair,
and generations of employees have worked
and livedon the island.Of course, hot sauce
isn’t all there is to the island, so be sure to
check out the 250-acre Jungle Gardens —
home to azaleas, bamboo, and camellias—
and explore the marshes and bayous that
surround thisnatural paradise.
Info
AW
and natural wonders like theGreat Barrier
Reef, festive Aussies have plenty of other
ways to mark the beginning of summer.
For instance, the 628-nautical-mile Rolex
SydneyHobart YachtRace has beenboth a
proving ground for some of theworld’s top
sailors for64 years and—and this iswhere
youcome in—a reason to throwabigparty
inSydneyHarbor,where theracestarts,and
inHobart on the islandofTasmania,where
it ends. Once inTasmania, whichhas likely
suffered from its association with Bugs
Bunny’s cartoonnemesisTaz, checkout the
Taste Festival, where you can sample local
produce, wine, seafood, and many other
culinary specialties from the island. There’s
nothingdevilishabout that.
Info
Hot Head
A face-plant into a snowdrift can leave your
faceburning from thecold.Strangeas itmay
be, a dollop too many of Tabasco Pepper
Sauce, the ubiquitous hot sauce found on
restaurant tables everywhere, can also leave
your faceaflame.Tabascomaybeawelcome
and ruled by the Vikings for hundreds of
years, but residentsmust either have short
memories or not think their Norse rulers
were too harsh, because the festival today
involves getting dressed up in Viking garb
and partying like it is 899. Some say that
although it hasmurky origins,UpHellyAa
was begun to curb boisterous holiday cele-
brations.Well, if that’sdonebyencouraging
a raucous day-and-night party with dress-
up Vikings wielding axes that culminates
with a torchlight parade through town and
the ceremonial immolation of a Viking
longship, thenmissionaccomplished.
Info
/
up-helly-aa
Find summer
Plentyof folks don’t hate skiing— they just
loathewinter. Luckily, they can take advan-
tageof the fact that theworldhas twohemi-
spheres andgive theentire seasonamissby
heading down under to Australia, where
JanuaryandFebruaryaresynonymouswith
heatwavesandbarbecues.Besides enjoying
the vibrant cities of Sydney andMelbourne
ChRIsWARREN
, aCalifornia-basedwriter, hasnoexcuse for be-
ing so clumsy on skis.
• The fascinatingFrenchsideof the islandatAnseMarcel
• LuxuriousEuro-chic guest rooms and suites
• Beautiful andprotectedwhite sandbeach
• 300-foot beachside infinity swimmingpool
• LeSpa -5 treatment rooms, salonandfitnesscenter
• Chicopen-air andbeachfront restaurant and
market-stylebrasserie
• 150-slipmarinawith scuba, sailingandfishing
• Waterexcursions tonearby islands,plus islandday trips
• NearGrandCase, culinarycapital of theCaribbean
Radisson.com/StMartin
800.333.3333
RESORT,MARINA& SPA
STMARTIN
ExcitinglyNew
ExquisitelyFrench
ExoticallyCaribbean
