Planning for a vacation is an exciting time for everyone, whether it’s for one or for a family. For some, it happens once a year, for those lucky ones, it happens more often, either way, thinking where to go and when to go is fun to do. What is not as exciting is the actually planning and getting everything ready, as far as searching for the right location, how to get there, the cost,  or wondering if the hotel or resort will be as nice as it looks on the web. All of this is stressful - after working hard and wanting to relax, the last thing anyone wants is to have a lousy vacation.

If you're visiting Montreal, I have one big tip for you, one that will make a difference in your time there: where to stay.

From luxury hotels and resorts to low-cost yet comfortable economical accommodation options, from high-end malls and designer studios to bustling streets and bazaars, from luxury world-class coaches to much reasonable Rajdhani and Shatabdi express trains, from a continental cuisine in a 5-star restaurant to the mouth-watering street food - India is truly a land of contrasts.

Remember those days of drawing a line on the backseat of the car, and not allowing your brother to cross it? Or, fighting for the armrest on the airplane (wait, that still happens!)? I'm all for family travel - and am constantly promoting it as a way to explore the world together, whether in your backyard or in far-flung places. But there are ways to create happy family travel - less stress, more bonding and joyful journeys. Interested? Of course!

You're in the car listening to the SAME cloying, made-for-children CD aGAIN (oh, and your toddler insists on track 3 on repeat).

But wait! There's an escape! Help Matt Heaton fund his new album, Toddlerbilly Riot! in exchange for an infusion of clever songs that kids love... and adults do, too:

A visit to Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan guarantees fuel to the soul and creative inspiration. The new addition of the Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden this June adds another stronghold of natural wonder with peace and serenity at every corner.

Last week, I took you on a stroll through the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Today, I'm going to share the Festival A-Z.

Nestled alongside the Miramichi River in (you guessed it) Miramichi, New Brunswick is a treasured hotel, and a genius restaurant. I had no idea, when we pulled up to the long (very long!) yellow building fronting the river, that such goodness would await us inside. 

It is with great, great pleasure that I share with you a remarkable story and video. It comes from Alex Berger, a friend and fellow international educator, who runs a fantastic site called Virtual Wayfarer (here's our interview with him!).