We met this friendly and uniquely tall French man at our first meal on the road. We were driving by and the smell of garlic and wood burning ovens drew us in.

Our first "degustation" in the wine caves. The proprietor had a great sense of humor. He kept us laughing as we struggled through our French and shared a few glasses of wine.

We met Katie and Niels Andersen of Norway on our first night on the road. We enjoyed hours of great conversation and a fabulous dinner together at a small restaurant near the Loire river.

We met Stephanie and Michael Ribbe of Belgium at the Chateau de Marchangy. Two very warm people and excellent French teachers too! Stephanie lured Michael and me into a very brisk morning swim in an unheated pool. Nous l'avons fait!

Madame Marie Collette Rufener of Chateau de Marchangy. We had a spectacular dinner and drank a lot of Marie's own private wine. She makes it from the grapes grown in the vineyards surrounding the chateau. We also discovered steamed fennel root - delicious.

Pauline Durdan of Les Petites Sources suggested some possible routes for our final leg to Monaco. She is a warm hostess and wonderful cook!

These two guys oozed French warmth and friendliness. They also make the best ravioli on the planet!