Recently updated on January 24th, 2020 at 07:55 pm
As most Aussies will agree, one of the best ways to celebrate Australia Day is with a good old beach barbie. But wouldn’t be a bit more fun to transport your festivities to an exciting new location? Luckily, there are great beaches and great BBQ destinations to be found all over the globe. From authentic BBQ in the Lone Star State to freshly grilled Alberta beef in Banff, you’re guaranteed to sample some of the finest barbecue food in North America. And when it comes to beaches, surely the glistening waters and picturesque coastlines of Capri can rival Australia’s wild and windswept sands? For those looking for the perfect tribute to Australia Day, we’ve selected some of the best BBQ and beach destinations to visit. All you have to do is decide: are you a beach lover or a BBQ king?
Love BBQ?
Texas: Adventures of the Lone Star State
A real titan on the BBQ scene, Texans used to cook whole animals over trenches stuffed high with hot coals. Today, however, you’ll find everything from giant short ribs to even bigger spares, though it’s often sausages that steal the show. Try the ‘hot guts’, ‘grease balls’ and ‘links’ that dominate menus across the Lone Star State.
St Louis: Route 66
You won’t find much beef or slow-cooked BBQ in St Louis. And that’s because it’s all about the grill, the pork, and the sauce. People from St Louis are serious about their BBQ sauce, and the foods – whether it’s crispy snoots (pig’s nose and cheek) or pork steak – all bathe in sticky, smoky, sweet goodness.
Banff: Canada Rockies
Can you smell Alberta beef on the barbie? Chances are you’ve strolled deep into the heart of Canada, where BBQ is big and the sides are even bigger. Pick from pulled pork, grilled cheeses, gigantic beef ribs, homemade sauces and all the trimmings, before working off all the grub with an evening of traditional country western line-dancing.
Love Beaches?
Cote d’Azur: Best of France
A famously sparkling and pristine stretch of coastline, the Cote d’Azur possesses the sort of promenades, historical villas and seafront restaurants that ensure its beaches are enduringly popular. Don’t take our word for it though; make a beeline for the water and see what ‘azure’ really means.
Capri: Italian Glories
Those looking for the standard fare of sugary white sand should look away now. Capri’s beaches are more about privacy, stylish beach clubs and freshly caught and cooked seafood. Especially beloved is Marina Piccola, a place where Ulysses is supposed to have been seduced by sirens, but which nowadays tends to attract visitors for it’s scenic boat trips, sunsets and calamari.
Algarve: Best of Portugal
The Algarve is known for its swathes of golden sand, fishing harbours and caves. Despite the tough competition, however, it’s Baleeira beach that takes gold around here. With its silky smooth sand and startlingly clear waters, it’s the sort of beach that finds itself fronting many a brochure.Â
Image Credits: Texas Style BBQ Pit © iStock/SamyStClair. Pork Ribs © iStock/gkrphoto. BBQ © Trafalgar. French Riviera © iStock/stocknshares. Beach on Capri © iStock/Brzozowska. Algarve Beaches © iStock/peeterv.