Banff has 12 different faces depending on the month — January for skiing, July for crowds and wildfire smoke, September for golden larches in Larch Valley. We lived and worked there in winter 2016/17 and know exactly when and where to go. A month-by-month guide plus a decision matrix by priorities (hiking, photography, bears, aurora).

Banff Canada skiing = the best in the country: champagne powder, an ultra-long season (December–July) and 3 resorts under one SkiBig3 pass. We worked in Banff in 2016/17. Full guide to 6 resorts (Lake Louise, Sunshine, Mt Norquay, Marmot Basin, Castle Mountain, Nakiska) + lift passes 2026.

Poland with kids is our favourite family destination — just a short flight from the UK, brilliant value for money, and the Polish people are incredibly welcoming to children. Here's our guide with 15 top attractions: Energylandia, Suntago, Wrocław ZOO, Hel Peninsula, Wieliczka and more.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is our go-to base in the Dolomites, and this year we visited for the first time with our one-year-old — swapping long treks for cable cars. A complete guide with 15 tips: 4 tested hotels, ZTL traps, the 2026 Olympics impact, and everything you need to know before you go.

Some places you don't look forward to visiting — you don't plan smiley photos for social media, and honestly, they scare you a little from the start. This is not a travel tip. It's a challenge — go and see it for yourself.

From Portland through the waterfalls of Columbia River Gorge, the Mount Hood volcano, and coastal Cannon Beach to Crater Lake and turquoise Lake Tahoe. A detailed 14-day itinerary with tips on accommodation, food, and practical information for a Pacific Northwest road trip.