For wine aficionados who desire more than a simple wine tasting, Silversea Cruises has created 11 Wine Voyages for 2009 that take passengers through the Mediterranean, South America, or Northern Europe to experience an area’s wines through tastings and lectures by vineyard owners, winemakers, and other epicurean specialists. On many voyages, guests will also have the chance to explore some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions on guided-shore excursions. One such tour is hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the founder of the eponymous brand, who will serve as host for Mediterranean cruise from Lisbon to Monte Carlo with stops in places such as Cadiz, Malaga, Ibiza, Barcelona, Cannes, and Corsica.  He’s also the managing director of the family’s Tuscan winery, Il Borro estate. Each specially designed excursion features an intimate view of a specific locale with stops along the journey while cruising on a luxury vessel with all its amenities. (www.silversea.com)

—Jill Newman