As impossible as it is to choose, Cortona just might be my favorite Tuscan town. I say “might” because even I can’t make a decision. Cortona checks a lot

How to do a day trip to the Valley of the Nuns, Madeira (Curral das Freiras), including the bus journey and where to eat.

One of the reasons I love travelling so much is because of towns like Lovere. Before visiting Bergamo, I didn't even know it existed; to my knowledge, I had never read about it or seen photos of it. And yet, when I arrived on that rainy day, it immediately spoke to me: the green and blue shutters on the houses, the cool air coming down from the mountains across the lake, the small coffeeshops in the centre of town serving afternoon espresso. It was the kind of place that made you want to stay longer, made you want to explore its streets through every twist and turn. It was the epitome of why I've grown to love Italy so much in the first place.

Tuscany is the perfect place to visit for the first time traveler in Italy, but it’s also a region you could return again and again. Tuscany is full of

Goal setting is an important skill, and if we teach goal setting for kids and make it fun, it can become a good habit for life. Many schools now run through a goal setting exercise at the beginning of every school year and school term, with regular reviews along the way. You can do the same, or of course you can set some goals with the kids yourself at home. Whether you choose to use our Goal Setting resources at New Year, Back to School time or perhaps even the beginning of every month, we hope you will find some fun and inspiring printables below! Why should children set goals? Feeling in control is an important part of feeling happy and confident. Regular and careful goal setting can help children feel that they are taking control of their own behaviour and working towards something; having a positive impact, no matter how small. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Lao-Tzu Be careful to keep the goals realistic and measured. Start small! Some supervision might be necessary here, as the last thing you want is for children to set goals that are just too high and impossible to reach. It doesn't necessarily help a child to boldly declare "I will play football for Chelsea". Instead try "I will work 15 minutes every day to improve my football skills by practising ball control". Think about the time scale for your children's goals. Many people like to set an end-date to make their goals "measurable", and if you are working on goals in a school-setting this may well be appropriate. I have found, however, that a time-scale can put children - especially younger children - off. Young children find it hard to understand the concept of time. It can be more effective to set a simple goal which can be "ticked off" every night before bed, which has the added benefit of teaching children how to instill a good habit. "I made my room tidy before I left for school" or "I got everything ready for tomorrow before bedtime" can be useful skills - and goals, too! It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Confucius Think about what might get in the way before you start. If your child has decided that they want to read a book a week, but you know they spend most of their reading time watching television instead, the time to point it out is when the goal is being set. They might even include it in the goal itself. "I will turn off the TV 20 minutes before supper so that I can spend that time reading instead." Show children how to break down their goals into smaller steps. A child that wants to be prime minister one day might start by trying out for class representative, or signing up for public speaking practice after school. Look out for goal-setting opportunities. When a child starts a sentence with "I wish I could..." or "I wish I had..." - there's a possible goal to work towards at the end of it, even it just means some careful saving up of pocket money for the lastest video game! Try to encourage co-operative goals rather than competitive goals. Some children might want to "come first" in all their tests. Perhaps a better goal would be "to score over 80% in all my tests". That way, the outcome is something that they contribute to and, at least to some extent, achieve by their own hard work. Make sure kids choose their own goals - not just try to please others! If you are working with your children to set goals, it can be tempting to "help" with your own ideas - especially if you have a reluctant child! Try hard to elicit a goal from the child rather than impose your own. Remind children that they don't have to achieve all their goals! Goals are something to work towards and aim for. Falling short isn't necessarily a bad thing, if we keep moving in the right direction. Remind kids to learn from their slip-ups and road-blocks. Keeping a record of goals set and tracking how children work towards them can help with this. Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star. W. Clement Stone Explore Our Goal Setting Printables...

A country that long topped my "dream list" of travel destinations, Bhutan is also a country that I didn't know very much about. Despite a few websites and a guidebook in my arsenal, Bhutan seemed draped with mystery even the day before my arrival, when I'd fly over the Himalayas and land in its tiny Paro airport. Because I was visiting in December, I worried that the country would be freezing cold, and I didn't want that to hinder my enjoyment or appreciation of the adventure. When turning to the internet for advice, however, I didn't find much by way of packing tips - "Bring a jacket" one website told me. Another said to "dress appropriately for the weather." Gee, thanks. How helpful. So, without further ado, here's what to wear in Bhutan, from personal experience.

Here are some of the best restaurants in Funchal, Madeira, that I personally recommend. Also cafés, snack bars and more. Bon appétit!

This precious little Teddy Bear is ready to hit the road with you in her very own little suitcase! Get the pattern today!

Saint Émilion is a must visit town in southwest France for those who love wine, history and charming scenes. The area is known for its wine since as far

When we first moved to Spain, we had a dream to road trip to Italy. We’d make the initial long haul from Andalusia up to Costa Brava. Then, meander our

A 3-day itinerary with the best of Provence | Tips on visiting Gordes, Aix-en-Provence, Ansouis, Roussillion and St Remy.

When we first moved to Spain, we had a dream to road trip to Italy. We’d make the initial long haul from Andalusia up to Costa Brava. Then, meander our

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I was planning to visit Lake Garda. I knew it was a beautiful lake in northern Italy and I guess I was thinking it

The ancient city of Sorrento sits high on a cliffside about an hour outside Naples. Not only does the town make the perfect base to explore the Amalfi

Here are 45 things to do in Funchal, Madeira, also featuring things to do in Madeira as a whole. Featuring food, drink, day trips and more.

Nestled on the sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea, Sopot is a popular destination in Northern Poland for travellers seeking the perfect weekend retreat.

When we first moved to Spain, we had a dream to road trip to Italy. We’d make the initial long haul from Andalusia up to Costa Brava. Then, meander our

Ischia Travel Guide with the best places to stay, where to eat, things to do in Ischia and how to get to there from Naples.

Here are some lovely things to do in Pitlochry, Scotland, that I personally recommend. Featuring restaurants, day trips, walks and more.

Trying to decide where to stay in Puglia? Between masserias, trulli houses, airbnbs and luxury hotels, there is something for every budget and preference.

There is more to do in Munich with a dog than you think. So if you are planing to visit the city with your pup, here is where you can take him...

Here are 23 things to do in Lucca, the walled city of Tuscany. It includes my personal recommendations for food, bars, sights and shopping.

The ancient city of Sorrento sits high on a cliffside about an hour outside Naples. Not only does the town make the perfect base to explore the Amalfi

When we first moved to Spain, we had a dream to road trip to Italy. We’d make the initial long haul from Andalusia up to Costa Brava. Then, meander our

Planning a trip to Namibia? Check out the 12 best things to do in Swakopmund to help you plan your next trip.

The holiday travel season is upon us! This means we’re all once again digging through our hall closets and garage storage to find our favorite carry-on bags… well, not all of us! Some of the most practical specialty closets I’ve been commissioned to design over the years are for stowing away luxury

A guide to Sossusvlei, Dune 45, Big Daddy, and Deadvlei in Namibia's Namib-Naukluft National Park. When to go, how to see it all, and how to do it right!

Your fall foliage trip should include a trip to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Lake Willoughby is a glacial lake and is the deepest lake contained...

Looking for something different? From Portugal and Macedonia to Spain and Norway discover some of the most fascinating hidden spots across Europe.

Guide on what to do in Berlin in 2 days. Includes visiting the top landmarks like Brandenburg Gate, alongside artsy spots like East Side Gallery.

Here are 20 things to do in Naxos, Greece, a beautiful island in the Cyclades. My personal recommendations for where to eat, drink and more.

Here are 45 things to do in Funchal, Madeira, also featuring things to do in Madeira as a whole. Featuring food, drink, day trips and more.

Travel Guide to Avellino, Italy | Where to eat and things to do in Avellino. Discover the best wineries in Avellino. You might not have heard of Avellino, Italy. It’s not a place in Italy that most first time or even experienced travelers have visited. For about a year,

Best hikes in Madeira, Portugal: most beautiful mountain hikes, famous levada walks, waterfalls, spectacular coastlines, easy walks & adventurous trekking

If you're planning a trip to Sedona, you need to know what you should bring, depending on the season! Click here to learn more to organize your suitcase properly!