With many destinations across North America becoming international gastronomic hot spots, Smithsonian Journeys is serving up an array of domestic food and wine tours to tempt the palate of any curious culinary lover throughout 2009. Each tour highlights the region’s unique cuisine, allowing travelers the exclusive opportunity to step into the kitchens of famed chefs across the continent.

Quebec Cuisine (July 27-31)
From the moment of arrival at the luxurious Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in the heart of Old Quebec, travelers will be immersed in the finest European culinary experience this side of the Atlantic. Led by the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s Executive Chef Jean Soulard, “Quebec Cuisine” explores how the foods and wine of France have translated in Canada. Included in the tour are two exclusive, hands-on cooking classes with Soulard, visits with local farmers and plenty of tastings. Soulard will reveal his favorite specialty-food providers while on a day visit to the Island of Orleans where participants will also meet Chef Philippe Rae, a connoisseur of fresh, local Orleans products. This tour balances sweet-tooth cravings on a tasting at one of the city’s best chocolatiers with a magnificent farewell dinner including wine tasting and cheese pairing.

Prices start at $2,795 per person, based on double occupancy, land only, including four nights’ accommodation at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, two lunches, three dinners and a welcome reception.

A Taste of Oregon (Sept. 9-13)
September is the perfect time of year to discover Oregon’s artisan wineries and food purveyors. Participants will join culinary expert and chef, Marcia Pilgeram, for a five-day celebration of the regions unique flavors beginning with a private dinner at the Museum of the Oregon Territory highlighting local produce and ingredients, followed by a demonstration on the use of decorative edible flowers—there are 38 kinds. On an excursion to the coastal town of Lincoln City, participants will meet with “The Wild Gourmet” Chef Lee Gray and visit the Culinary Center in Lincoln City (formerly known as the Pacific Coast Center for the Culinary Arts). Guests will also learn how to blend a vintage of their own in Oregon’s wine country, explore Portland’s trendy Pearl District, home to many local artisan foods, and enjoy a trip to the Multnomah Falls and the Hood River for a stop at The Fruit Company.

Prices start at $2,695 per person, based on double occupancy, land only, including five nights’ accommodation at The Heathman Hotel, four breakfasts, one lunch and four dinners.

Food and Wine of Virginia (Sept. 20-24)
The Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia may be little-known, but they are quickly becoming a first-class capital of cuisine less than 30 miles outside of the nation’s capital. Participants will gather in Leesburg, Va., at the Lansdowne Resort for an initiation wine tasting lead by 13-time Wine Spectator award-winning sommelier Mary Watson Delauder followed by a welcome reception and dinner. Over the next three days, participants will travel to the Blue Ridge foothills for a series of visits to Virginia’s preeminent wineries, including Pearmund Cellars, the Kluge Estate and Barboursville Vineyards. A highlight of the tour is a private lunch at America’s celebrated country inn and restaurant, the Inn at Little Washington. The lunch includes a multi-course meal with pairings followed by a kitchen tour led by world-renowned chef Patrick O’Connell. Other “Food and Wine of Virginia” visits include an artisan cheese maker and tours of James and Dolley Madison’s home, Montpelier, and a private sunset walk through Thomas Jefferson’s home, Monticello.

Prices start at $2,695 per person, based on double occupancy, land only, including one night of accommodation at the Lansdowne Resort, three nights’ accommodation at Keswick Hall, three lunches, three dinners and a welcome reception.

Smithsonian Journeys is the educational travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, with over 38 years dedicated to life-enriching experiences abroad. Annually, more than 250 expert-led international and domestic itineraries offer travelers exclusive access and unforgettable experiences. For more information, call 1 (877) EDU-TOUR (338-8687) or visit www.smithsonianjourneys.org.

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