Cadogan Guides Tuscany, Umbria and the Marches is a good example of these always-reliable guides friendly format. The book acknowledges that the travellers have moved beyond the golden hills of Tuscany west to the Bolgheri and Maremma seasides and east into the regions of equally stunning Umbria and the Marches. Its insider focus on food and wine based on a healthy appreciation of the culture gives it a mix that other guidebooks can miss.

The drawback to this approach, when coupled wi..

The Toshiba SD220 is a well specified and attractive DVD player that is sure to win many fans. Building on the successes of the award-winning SD210 this new model adds good looks and a host of neat touches that establish the SD220 as a benchmark that other DVD players will need to work hard to match.

The SD220 has an interesting footprint. From the front it looks like a standard size, measuring 430x69 mm. However, a shallow depth of just 222 mm differentiates this from many competing models. ..

The blonde My Special Baby looks outwardly like a normal doll with pretty flaxen hair, large blue eyes, painted lips and a charming pink and yellow outfit. This cute facade hides a number of sensors and computer chips making it an extraordinary voice-activated toy that can do everything from laughing and crawling to singing, walking and even growing a few centimetres in height.

The comprehensive setup and operational instructions need to be followed carefully by an adult, with the child..

The little brother of Toshibas range of DVD players, the SD110E certainly has looks on its side, with a sleek silver finish and a minimalist feel. It carries the usual set of connections on the back for UK players--S-VHS, Composite and Scart outputs, plus coaxial digital audio-out and a set of phono sockets. The Scart is fully wired for RGB, Composite and S-VHS.

Nearly all the controls are situated solely on the remote control. The on-screen setup is one of the best: its clear, functional an..