Alongside the state's exciting attractions, taste smoky and spicy barbecue in Kansas City or homemade gooey cinnamon rolls and other Amish fare in Jamesport. Try dishes that were invented in Missouri, such as savory cashew chicken in Springfield or crunchy toasted ravioli on the Hill, St. Louis' Italian neighborhood. Sip Missouri's award-winning wines in beautiful vineyards alongside the Katy Trail, or take a tour of the Budweiser, Schlafly, Boulevard or Pony Express breweries. And don't forget to visit local family-friendly farms where Missourians are producing fresh blueberries, pecans, milk and goat cheese.

And this summer, the Missouri Division of Tourism wants to give travelers the chance to experience the culinary cultures of the state by offering the chance to win one of five Missouri vacations during the Taste of Missouri promotion. The Taste of Missouri entry form is available on www.VisitMO.com, or entrants can call 800-519-4800 to participate. In addition, the Web site offers recipes for a variety of dishes from around the state !! including descriptions of the towns and regions from which the recipes originate !! and ideas for tasty trips through Missouri.

Participants have until noon on July 29, 2005, to enter for the chance to win one of the following two-night vacation giveaways:

The Northwest Sampler !! Kansas City and Jamesport

The winner of the Northwest Sampler will receive accommodations for four in Kansas City, where they can experience the city's internationally famous barbecue at Gates and KC Masterpiece, tour Boulevard Brewing Company and see buried treasure at Arabia Steamboat Museum. They'll then travel north to Jamesport, Missouri's largest Amish community, where they'll see the fascinating area with Amish Country Bus Tours, sit down for a family-style Amish meal at Gingerich Dutch Pantry and Bakery, and relax in the Country Colonial Bed and Breakfast.

The Northeast Sampler !! St. Louis and Hermann

One lucky winner and three traveling companions will win a trip to St. Louis, including lunch at Sassafras, the new caf?at the Missouri Botanical Garden, dinner on The Hill, and a VIP tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. They'll also receive passes to the top of the Gateway Arch, a cruise on the Gateway Arch Riverboat and tickets to the City Museum. In Hermann, the winner will
enjoy gliding along the Katy Trail with a one-day bike rental for four from Hermann Ride, Rest and Go, dine at the Vintage Restaurant at Stone Hill Winery, tour the Stone Hill and Adam Puchta wineries, and rest at Meyer's Hilltop Bed and Breakfast.

The Central Sampler !! Sedalia, Columbia and Jefferson City

In Sedalia, the winner of the Central Sampler will win lunch for four at the mouthwatering Ivy Cottage Tea Room, a gift certificate for famous guberburgers !! that's a burger spread with peanut butter !! at the Wheel Inn Drive-in and stay at the historic Hotel Bothwell. In addition, the winner can pick up a welcome package at the Katy Depot Heritage Site and tour the Sedalia Heritage Trail, with stops at the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, the Missouri State Fairgrounds, and Bothwell Lodge State Park. In Columbia, the winner will stay at the Comfort Suites next to the Boone County Farmers Market, snuggle in a Columbia fleece blanket, sample a variety of Agri- Missouri products from the area and use a $200 gift certificate for dining, shopping and entertainment in the District in downtown Columbia.

The Southwest Sampler !! Carthage, Joplin and Springfield

The winner of the Southwest Sampler will enjoy dinner at the Whiterose Restaurant and Winery and passes to Precious Moments Inspiration Park in Carthage. In Joplin, the winner can dine at the Bistro at Sandstone Gardens and Crabby's Seafood Bar and Grill, as well as tour Richardson's Candy Factory. And in Springfield, the winner can use gift certificates at Hemingway's Blue Water Caf?!! which is inside the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World !! Honey Heaven and The Vineyard Tearoom, downtown's Agrario, and Haruno Japanese Sushi Bar and Grill. Then, they'll rest and relax at the Walnut Street Inn Bed and Breakfast.

The Southeast Sampler !! Sikeston and Ste. Genevieve

In Sikeston, the winner of the Southeast Sampler and three guests will indulge at Lambert's Caf? home of the "throwed rolls," then tour Sikeston's Historic Depot and the Beggs Family Farm. The group can rest at the Klein House Bed and Breakfast, a turn-of-the-century Victorian-style home. Then, after traveling to Ste. Genevieve, the group can experience the region's French culture by tasting wines at Crown Valley and Ste. Genevieve wineries, dine at Treasured Memories Tea Room and the Inn St. Gemme Beauvais, tour
the Felix Valle State Historic Site, and sleep in at the Somewhere Inn Time Bed and Breakfast.

For additional details about the trip giveaways and complete promotion rules and regulations, to order your Official Missouri Vacation Planner, or to plan your own epicurean experience in Missouri, please visit www.VisitMO.com or call 800-519-4800.