FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boston, Mass. (May 8, 2008) Boston-area experts lead a palate-pleasing exploration of delicacies in Cheese, Wine and Chocolate, a new Day of Discovery series from Elderhostel this June and July. Each of four program dates affords participants the chance to savor the salty-to-nutty flavors of cheeses, taste chocolates from around the world, and appreciate the delicate complexity of wine.

On June 26 and 28, and July 9 and 12, a cheese expert from South End Formaggio will take participants on an artisan’s journey from farm to finished product, illustrating how each cheese has a story of place, family and culture, capping with a lesson on the art of cheese tasting.

Naturally, the perfect complement to cheese is wine. A member of Divas Uncorked, a Boston-based women’s wine appreciation group whose motto is “wine savvy, not wine snobby,” will lead a lecture on Wine 101 — transforming participants into experts in wine varietals, navigating a wine list, a wine glossary, and even opening a wine bottle.

Finally, chocolate aficionado Nina Gilbert connects chocolate to holidays and traditions, from chocolate coins, or gelt, at Chanukah to Easter bunnies and Native American customs. She will also lead a tasting of samples from several countries — including white chocolate from Venezuela and "black milk" chocolate from Italy.

“Cheese, Wine and Chocolate promises to be a learning experience that appeals to all the senses,” says Maeve Hartney, associate vice president of special programs at Elderhostel. “We are delighted to have each of these experts share their knowledge about the delicacies on this brand new Day of Discovery.”

Elderhostel presents several other Days of Discovery that highlight the best of local culture this summer. In Down to the Sea, former Boston Globe food writer Alison Arnett leads an insider’s look into Boston’s seafood industry. At the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Isabella and Italy provides a fascinating exploration of the Italian collection and access to small galleries not open to the public. Building Bridges to Islam at the Boston Islamic Center opens the door to the Islamic aesthetics. Notable literary locations come to light in The Saturday Club: Literary History Along Boston’s Freedom Trail. And an up-close look at Boston Light is part of Boston’s Harbor Islands: 350 Years of Military History. For more information, visit

Elderhostel, founded in 1975, is the world’s largest not-for-profit educational travel organization for older adults. More than 160,000 people enroll in Elderhostel’s 8,000 programs annually. Elderhostel provides exceptional learning adventures throughout the United States and Canada and in more than 90 countries around the world. Expert instructors and experienced group leaders create extraordinary experiences by sharing stimulating information, leading fascinating field trips and providing meaningful cultural excursions. In 2004, Elderhostel launched Road Scholar to meet the needs of a new generation of educational travelers. For more information, please visit

or