Remember when your mom, uncle, gramma, or older sibling read books to you when you were small? It was a magical time – maybe at bedtime, or maybe during the afternoon on a stormy day when you couldn’t go play outside (or head outside to read in a tree, as I did). Books and family – two of my very favorite things.

It is rare, when traveling, to find THE perfect restaurant. You know what I mean – we do the research (urbanspoon, yelp, chowhound), look at maps, try to figure out where you’re staying and what’s around there. But you still never know about service, food quality, location, and if it will fit your family.

We found a home. When we were invited to the White House for the Summit on Study Abroad and Global Citizenship this past week, we knew we'd need a home base.

You know when you've found a kindred travel spirit, you can't get enough of sharing experiences? And you talk all night, and then over coffee for breakfast, barely stopping and gleaning each other's knowledge for new places to go, things to see, dishes to try...

The Netherlands – a place of beauty and great food! But I’m guessing that you’re not familiar with the cuisine of the southern Netherlands. If you’re driving the southern Netherlands, you’ve a great culinary adventure in front of you.

Have you ever read a book that grabbed you by the heart and never let go? Such is the case with All the Broken Things, a novel written by Canadian author Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer.

Do you love to share history and culture with your kids through stories? Me, too (in fact, that's the way I love to learn!). We love to read about different cultures, people, times, events - these small things, put together, bring the world alive to us.

Whether you're an old hand at visiting France, preparing for your first trip there, or just really LOVE French cuisine, I've got the book for you. The Farm to Table French Phrasebook: Master the Culture, Language, and Savoir Faire of French Cuisine, written by French native Victoria Mas, is a much-needed addition to the various ways of learning about French culture.

One of the best things you can do for your kids is to raise them as global citizens. And the easiest way you can do that? Well, travel with them - as much as you can, as far as you can. Because they will be exposed to many different people, lifestyles, cultures, and landscapes, they will be interested in - and care about - the world around them.

It’s long been a dream of our daughter’s to visit (ok, live) in Paris.