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..

Street Skater 2 is the follow-up to the popular Street Skater from Electronic Arts. Talking all the best elements from the original, the game manages to grow without losing site of the much-loved original format.

Growing from the experience learnt on the first version, the programmers have managed to develop their ideas further. The game now boasts a skate park editor, allowing you to devise skate parks for practice or to set up challenges with friends.

The courses have not onl..

Every little girl appreciates the chance to play at being a glamorous grown up. This pink and purple dressing table, with stool and accessories, is both functional and fun.

It includes a "Hollywood-style" mirror surrounded by lights, a working radio, and our 5 year old testers favourite--a working hairdryer, which plugs into the side of the mirror. Also included are a brush and comb, play perfume bottles and three useful storage drawers. The set might benefit from the inclusion of some play ..

Bright, sturdy but most of all charming, the Baby LEGO Musical Apple is one of those rare toys that really will last from birth to two years old.

Press the cute, smiling yellow "worm" into the apple, and it will sing a soft lullaby as it gently reappears, rising slowly to its full height. Though this may at first seem simple and somewhat limited in function, it is anything but, and is something babies will love.

Newborns only hours old will enjoy the tune if it is activated close to..