Beat The Euro Wine-cruising

FOOD & WINE TRAILS RELEASES 2009 WINE-CRUISE SERIES WITH OCEANIA CRUISES, REGENT, SILVERSEAS AND PRINCESS CRUISES.

Food & Wine Trails is known for their wine-focused cruises, and in 2009 they are offering more departures than ever, many including free airfare. This brings the total cost of a European wine-trip to as low as $350 per day per person far less than a comparable land-based wine tour.



A Food & Wine Trails wine-cruise not only includes the normal trappings of a deluxe cruise - such as gourmet meals, accommodations, nightly entertainment and prepaid gratuities, but also includes private wine seminars, tastings and a wine-makers dinner, all hosted by nationally recognized wine personalities. In addition, at many of the ships ports-of-call, optional wine tours and lunches at top wine estates are offered.



"Given skyrocketing airline costs, and the devaluation of the dollar to the Euro, a wine-cruise by far offers the wine-lover the best value for their money," states Larry Martin, President of Food & Wine Trails. "A wine-cruise will also appeal to both the hard-core wine-lover and to their spouse, as each can choose how much time to devote to wine and how much time for relaxing around the pool, sightseeing and shopping."



The value of a European wine cruise when compared to a similar land trip has never been greater. A typical one-week wine tour of France in 2009 will cost the wine-lover between $6,000-$7,000 per person including airfare, but not all meals, entertainment, or gratuities. A Food & Wine Trails wine-cruise costs approximately half of that amount, while offering the traveler the benefit of not having to pack and unpack each day, and the choice and convenience of having wine education onboard and visiting various wineries in port.



In 2009, Food & Wine Trails will have 15 wine cruises, hosted by over 20 wineries many of which are listed as Americas best by major wine publications. These include Paul Hobbs, Kosta Browne, Ledson, Robert Mondavi, Chateau St. Jean, Franciscan, Simi, St. Supery, Wattle Creek, Mara Winery, Saddleback, Matanzas Creek, Arrowood, Freeman, August West and Peachy Canyon.



To add flavor, two new combinations are offered; the acclaimed wineries of the Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association will host a Pinot Passions Cruise on June 17-27. This is the cruise for fans of the movie Sideways, as the four hosting-Pinot Noir wineries will be pouring their own wines and Pinots from other members. Departing a week later on June 24, America's East Coast wineries will be represented with Paumanok Vineyards and Wolffer Estate on "The Best of Long Island" 10-day cruise.



Food & Wine Trails (http://www.foodandwinetrails.com) is the educational tour division of HMS Travel Group, one of Americas oldest food and wine travel companies. The company specializes in creating educational travel programs for the countrys top food and wine organizations, and works with such clients as Robert Mondavi, Beringer and Kosta Browne wineries, culinary schools such as the Culinary Institute of America and groups like UC Berkeley and the American Wine Society. They can be contacted at (800) 367-5348 or info@foodandwinetrails.com.



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