Indulge in Kentucky bourbon life throughout the year
Posted on Saturday 05 May 2012
in Travel, Holidays, United States of America
By Sophia Choice
In honour of the May 5 Kentucky Derby, which pits the planet's most athletic horses against each other in the fastest land race in the world, Kiwis looking to live like a Kentuckian for a day should put on their most lavish hats and whisk up a mint julep before enjoying luxury holidays in Louisville. Millions of people across the globe will fix their eyes to their television sets (or, for the lucky, be present at the race) for the Derby and though the city receives hundreds of thousands of visitors during the event, Louisville is a fascinating and charming destination throughout the year.
On the Bourbon Trail
Wine holidays take on an entirely new meaning in central Kentucky, the undisputed bourbon capital of the world. With its serene and tranquil meadows, clear river waters and temperate climate, the locale has been an ideal spot for the production of the smooth and amber-coloured spirit. The liquor was first manufactured in the 1700s by the first settlers in Kentucky who were unsure of how to save excess corn and wheat crops. Taking the name of an original county of Kentucky, Bourbon has remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years and remains a staple of whiskey-lovers.
After hiring a car, Kiwis can take a relaxing road trip along the Bourbon Trail, which begins in Louisville and provides amazing vistas of white water rapids. Scents of wild mint growing freely along the roadside waft through open car windows as travelers venture along the road path.
Founded in 1999 by the Kentucky Distiller's Association, the Bourbon Trail provides visitors with a hands-on experience of how the libation is crafted and has shaped the culture of much of the South. Numerous distilleries offer tours and tastings while providing snapshots of Kentucky history, including the premier bourbon manufacturer, Maker's Mark.
Art the Kentucky way
Kiwis who forgot to pack their fancy feathered hats for their Derby-themed holiday need not worry: The Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville catalogues the history of the sport both on and off the track, displaying the feminine fashions that have turned the event into an iconic festival. Some of the interactive exhibits allow the more adventurous Kiwis the opportunity to take a ride on a simulated horse that imitates the same motions made by the thoroughbreds.
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