The accessory

What could mark you out as a serious globetrotter more than a swanky leather passport holder? For your pooch! A selection of silver embossed pet passport holders is available from Pet Pavilion (020 7221 1888; www.petpavilion.co.uk) from £14.95.

The book

Passion and expertise lie behind Footprint's Snowboarding The World guide - the three British authors have lived much of their lives on snow and one is still a sponsored pro. It covers 100 resorts in 19 countries, including destinations such as Shemshak in Iran, where men and women must queue separately for the ski lift. An invaluable guide for Britain's quarter of a million boarders. It costs £19.99.

The website

Families who are fed up of running through the checklist with their travel operator on the phone - 'Does it have a high chair? Cot? Stairgate? Steriliser? etc - can now find suitable properties via www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk. All the UK holiday cottages featured offer babysitting, at least some of the above and more, including sandpits, dressing-up boxes and 'baby arrival survival packs', which include wet wipes and that child-friendly alternative to white wine, Calpol.

The food festival

Somerset's Mendip Food and Drink Festival runs from Friday until 29 October and offers 60 gourmet events, from family fun days at local farm shops to a 'safari supper' in Wells, where each course of a meal is eaten in a different venue. Contact organiser Fab (0870 389 3210; www.mendipfoodfestival.co.uk).