Thirty-nine Chateau Thomas Wine Cruise participants and Dr. Charles Thomas returned safe and sound, albeit a week delayed by Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano, to the good old USA at the end of April. The group visited ports of call in Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona, Tunisia, Sicily, Malta and Rome. In addition custom winery tours were arranged by Dr. Thomas to Chateau La Baume in Marseille, Gambino Winery on Mt. Etna in Sicily, Marsovan in Malta and Domaine Neferis in Tunisia.

The group arrived a day before setting sail aboard the MSC Splendida, an Italian Cruise ship and the 12th largest on the sea, to visit the Chianti Region of Tuscany. While there they stayed at the beautiful Palazzo Mannaioni, four-star hotel and historic palace located in the stunning medieval hilltop village of Mantaione. The Tuscan evening included a beautiful Tuscan sunset of course, traditional cuisine prepared by Chef Michele, wines of the Chianti Region and camaraderie followed the next day by a visit to San Donatino Winery before departing for the Mediterranean cruise.

Additionally a post-cruise trip to Pisa, Italy was on the agenda and where the group became stranded due to the volcanic ash crisis, but lady luck found favor upon all as they booked the last hotel rooms in Pisa, Italy. Thanks to everyone having travel insurance with Travel Guard the group enjoyed an additional week in the Italian countryside. Seven extra days in Italy meant an unscripted train ride to Florence to see Michelangelo’s “David” for some and for others 3 trains and an Italian station wagon to Montipulciano. Still others preferred exploring Pisa on their own. Everyone came back with amazing memories even if some like the "volcanic crisis" have to age like great wine to be appreciated.

A few from the group who made their own flight arrangements and were in various European cities when the volcano erupted reported amazing stories, some a kin to “The Great Race” in their attempts to arrive back home, but all arrived back safely.

The group formed such a bond that a reunion meeting is planned for June 13th to share wine an photos and stories of the trip including the “special maneuver” by the cruise ship at the Port of Tunis.

Chateau Thomas plans to conduct an annual wine trip so stay tuned for 2011’s destination. If you are interested in being on a list please e-mail info@chateauthomas.com. Some seats are already reserved for the 2010 participants and we will be limited to 40 persons.