* Many castles, ancient cities and towns attract tourists, but how can you stay without stomach pleasures on a trip to this garden of France? Touraine and Anjou are famous not only for their wines, but also for fruits, vegetables, goat cheese, river fish and pate. According to legend, the Loire River originated thanks to the most famous giant in the history of literature, Gargantua. Like all kids, Rabelais' hero loved to play with water and mud. So he traced with his giant hands the riverbed of the Lady of the Loire and her vassal tributaries. The "father" of Gargantua and Pantagruel was born and lived on this land, west of Tours. His characters are very fond of gluttony. The descendants of Rabelais continue the gastronomic tradition. The very name of the local restaurant, Hedonist, sets us up for the right mood and the essence of this part of France. The tour I am offering is divided into one or two days. We will make it up according to your request and depending on the time of the year. First of all, we will include a visit to the wineries with a tasting and a meeting with the owner. The region produces white, red, sparkling champagne, and rose wine. In the warmer months, we will descend into the underground labyrinths of the mycelium and have lunch in a rocky (troglodyte) restaurant, while in winter we can "hunt" for truffles. A visit to one of the farmers' street markets will give you the opportunity to see and experience the colors and flavors of the French countryside. And of course I will intersperse all this with cultural references and information. After all, the trip should remain in the memory of not only the language receptors and the stomach, but also the soul and mind. During the tour, I suggest you visit the birthplace of Francois Rabelais, combine an elegant gastronomic restaurant with a visit to the chateau and gardens of Chenonceau. In an elegant and aristocratic Valence, we will fast forward to the beginning of the 19th century and look into the kitchen of chef Antonin Karem and find out what he fed the high-ranking guests at the Vienna Congress.