Every year New Zealanders living in London can be seen loading up Kombi vans and heading off to experience the "classic European holiday", The trip usually starts in the north of France, after crossing the channel from Dover in England to Calais, driving down through France, over the Pyrenees into Spain, west into Portugal and then across the Continent to Italy and often beyond. There are numerous reasons young New Zealanders take this rite of passage—as well as seeing all the fantastic sights and tasting the delights of Europe’s food and wine, it’s relatively inexpensive. The Kombi is transport and accommodation all in one, cutting down significantly on costs. There is just one problem. As the Kombis become "antique", these trips are usually punctuated with numerous roadside sessions as the van sits idle, in no hurry to start, while you swelter in the hot sun. But do not let this deter you. Travelling Europe in your own vehicle means no public transport schedules to cramp your style, the ability to explore the quaint, off-the-beaten-track villages where the "real" locals live, freedom to not have to book accommodation in advance—you can nearly always get a campsite and can toad your vehicle with cheap, fantastic regional wines and souvenirs. With these bonuses in mind, here are some suggestions for planning the great Europe road adventure. The key to a pleasurable driving experience is a good navigator and a driver with a cool head. If you do not feel relaxed driving around New Zealand’s cities and highways, then you probably will not enjoy driving around Europe. As co pilot to the driver, you need to read (and understand) maps, look out for turn-offs—and keep the music playing. Language is not a big problem once a few essential terms are mastered. The biggest challenge is in the cities, where traffic can be chaotic and elaborate one-way systems and narrow, cobbled alleyways can make finding your destination hard work. It can be easier to leave the vehicle on the outskirts of town or in a camping ground and use public transport. This also avoids paying for costly parking.

Every year New Zealanders living in London can be seen loading up Kombi vans and heading off to experience the "classic European holiday", The trip usually starts in the north of France, after crossing the channel from Dover in England to Calais, driving down through France, over the Pyrenees into Spain, west into Portugal and then across the Continent to Italy and often beyond. There are numerous reasons young New Zealanders take this rite of passage—as well as seeing all the fantastic sights and tasting the delights of Europe’s food and wine, it’s relatively inexpensive. The Kombi is transport and accommodation all in one, cutting down significantly on costs. There is just one problem. As the Kombis become "antique", these trips are usually punctuated with numerous roadside sessions as the van sits idle, in no hurry to start, while you swelter in the hot sun. But do not let this deter you. Travelling Europe in your own vehicle means no public transport schedules to cramp your style, the ability to explore the quaint, off-the-beaten-track villages where the "real" locals live, freedom to not have to book accommodation in advance—you can nearly always get a campsite and can toad your vehicle with cheap, fantastic regional wines and souvenirs. With these bonuses in mind, here are some suggestions for planning the great Europe road adventure. The key to a pleasurable driving experience is a good navigator and a driver with a cool head. If you do not feel relaxed driving around New Zealand’s cities and highways, then you probably will not enjoy driving around Europe. As co pilot to the driver, you need to read (and understand) maps, look out for turn-offs—and keep the music playing. Language is not a big problem once a few essential terms are mastered. The biggest challenge is in the cities, where traffic can be chaotic and elaborate one-way systems and narrow, cobbled alleyways can make finding your destination hard work. It can be easier to leave the vehicle on the outskirts of town or in a camping ground and use public transport. This also avoids paying for costly parking.

Every year New Zealanders living in London can be seen loading up Kombi vans and heading off to experience the "classic European holiday", The trip usually starts in the north of France, after crossing the channel from Dover in England to Calais, driving down through France, over the Pyrenees into Spain, west into Portugal and then across the Continent to Italy and often beyond. There are numerous reasons young New Zealanders take this rite of passage—as well as seeing all the fantastic sights and tasting the delights of Europe’s food and wine, it’s relatively inexpensive. The Kombi is transport and accommodation all in one, cutting down significantly on costs. There is just one problem. As the Kombis become "antique", these trips are usually punctuated with numerous roadside sessions as the van sits idle, in no hurry to start, while you swelter in the hot sun. But do not let this deter you. Travelling Europe in your own vehicle means no public transport schedules to cramp your style, the ability to explore the quaint, off-the-beaten-track villages where the "real" locals live, freedom to not have to book accommodation in advance—you can nearly always get a campsite and can toad your vehicle with cheap, fantastic regional wines and souvenirs. With these bonuses in mind, here are some suggestions for planning the great Europe road adventure. The key to a pleasurable driving experience is a good navigator and a driver with a cool head. If you do not feel relaxed driving around New Zealand’s cities and highways, then you probably will not enjoy driving around Europe. As co pilot to the driver, you need to read (and understand) maps, look out for turn-offs—and keep the music playing. Language is not a big problem once a few essential terms are mastered. The biggest challenge is in the cities, where traffic can be chaotic and elaborate one-way systems and narrow, cobbled alleyways can make finding your destination hard work. It can be easier to leave the vehicle on the outskirts of town or in a camping ground and use public transport. This also avoids paying for costly parking.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Universal human rights begin in small places, close to home." And Tolerance.org, a Web site from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is helping parents across the country create homes in which tolerance and understanding are guiding themes. "The goal of nurturing open-minded, empathetic children is a challenging one," says Jennifer Holladay, director of Tolerance. org. "To cultivate tolerance, parents have to instill in children a sense of empathy, respect and responsibility—to oneself and to others—as well as the recognition that every person on earth is a treasure." Holladay offers several ways parents can promote tolerance: Talk about tolerance. Tolerance education is an ongoing process; it cannot be captured in a single moment. Establish a high comfort level for open dialogue about social issues. Let children know that no subject is taboo. Identify intolerance when children are exposed to it. Point out stereotypes and cultural misinformation depicted in movies, TV shows, computer games and other media. Challenge bias when it comes from friends and family members. Do not let the moment pass. Begin with a qualified statement: "Andrew just called people of XYZ faith ’lunatics.’ What do you think about that, Zoe" Let children do most of the talking. Challenge intolerance when it comes from your children. When a child says or does something that reflects biases or embraces stereotypes, confront the child: "What makes that joke funny, Jerome" Guide the conversation toward internalization of empathy and respect—"Mimi uses a walker, honey. How do you think she would feel about that joke" or "How did you feel when Robbie made fun of your glasses last week" Support your children when they are the victims of intolerance. Respect children’s troubles by acknowledging when they become targets of bias. Don’t minimize the experience. Provide emotional support and then brainstorm constructive responses. For example, develop a set of comebacks to use when children are the victims of name-calling. Create opportunities for children to interact with people who are different from them. Look critically at how a child defines "normal." Expand the definition. Visit playgrounds where a variety of children are present—people of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, etc. Encourage a child to spend time with elders—grandparents, for example. Encourage children to call upon community resources. A child who is concerned about world hunger can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The earlier children interact with the community, the better. This will help convey the lesson that we are not islands unto ourselves. Model the behavior you would like to see. As a parent and as your child’s primary role model, be consistent in how you treat others. Remember, you may say, "Do as I say, not as I do," but actions really do speak louder than words.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Universal human rights begin in small places, close to home." And Tolerance.org, a Web site from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is helping parents across the country create homes in which tolerance and understanding are guiding themes. "The goal of nurturing open-minded, empathetic children is a challenging one," says Jennifer Holladay, director of Tolerance. org. "To cultivate tolerance, parents have to instill in children a sense of empathy, respect and responsibility—to oneself and to others—as well as the recognition that every person on earth is a treasure." Holladay offers several ways parents can promote tolerance: Talk about tolerance. Tolerance education is an ongoing process; it cannot be captured in a single moment. Establish a high comfort level for open dialogue about social issues. Let children know that no subject is taboo. Identify intolerance when children are exposed to it. Point out stereotypes and cultural misinformation depicted in movies, TV shows, computer games and other media. Challenge bias when it comes from friends and family members. Do not let the moment pass. Begin with a qualified statement: "Andrew just called people of XYZ faith ’lunatics.’ What do you think about that, Zoe" Let children do most of the talking. Challenge intolerance when it comes from your children. When a child says or does something that reflects biases or embraces stereotypes, confront the child: "What makes that joke funny, Jerome" Guide the conversation toward internalization of empathy and respect—"Mimi uses a walker, honey. How do you think she would feel about that joke" or "How did you feel when Robbie made fun of your glasses last week" Support your children when they are the victims of intolerance. Respect children’s troubles by acknowledging when they become targets of bias. Don’t minimize the experience. Provide emotional support and then brainstorm constructive responses. For example, develop a set of comebacks to use when children are the victims of name-calling. Create opportunities for children to interact with people who are different from them. Look critically at how a child defines "normal." Expand the definition. Visit playgrounds where a variety of children are present—people of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, etc. Encourage a child to spend time with elders—grandparents, for example. Encourage children to call upon community resources. A child who is concerned about world hunger can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The earlier children interact with the community, the better. This will help convey the lesson that we are not islands unto ourselves. Model the behavior you would like to see. As a parent and as your child’s primary role model, be consistent in how you treat others. Remember, you may say, "Do as I say, not as I do," but actions really do speak louder than words.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Universal human rights begin in small places, close to home." And Tolerance.org, a Web site from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is helping parents across the country create homes in which tolerance and understanding are guiding themes. "The goal of nurturing open-minded, empathetic children is a challenging one," says Jennifer Holladay, director of Tolerance. org. "To cultivate tolerance, parents have to instill in children a sense of empathy, respect and responsibility—to oneself and to others—as well as the recognition that every person on earth is a treasure." Holladay offers several ways parents can promote tolerance: Talk about tolerance. Tolerance education is an ongoing process; it cannot be captured in a single moment. Establish a high comfort level for open dialogue about social issues. Let children know that no subject is taboo. Identify intolerance when children are exposed to it. Point out stereotypes and cultural misinformation depicted in movies, TV shows, computer games and other media. Challenge bias when it comes from friends and family members. Do not let the moment pass. Begin with a qualified statement: "Andrew just called people of XYZ faith ’lunatics.’ What do you think about that, Zoe" Let children do most of the talking. Challenge intolerance when it comes from your children. When a child says or does something that reflects biases or embraces stereotypes, confront the child: "What makes that joke funny, Jerome" Guide the conversation toward internalization of empathy and respect—"Mimi uses a walker, honey. How do you think she would feel about that joke" or "How did you feel when Robbie made fun of your glasses last week" Support your children when they are the victims of intolerance. Respect children’s troubles by acknowledging when they become targets of bias. Don’t minimize the experience. Provide emotional support and then brainstorm constructive responses. For example, develop a set of comebacks to use when children are the victims of name-calling. Create opportunities for children to interact with people who are different from them. Look critically at how a child defines "normal." Expand the definition. Visit playgrounds where a variety of children are present—people of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, etc. Encourage a child to spend time with elders—grandparents, for example. Encourage children to call upon community resources. A child who is concerned about world hunger can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The earlier children interact with the community, the better. This will help convey the lesson that we are not islands unto ourselves. Model the behavior you would like to see. As a parent and as your child’s primary role model, be consistent in how you treat others. Remember, you may say, "Do as I say, not as I do," but actions really do speak louder than words.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Universal human rights begin in small places, close to home." And Tolerance.org, a Web site from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is helping parents across the country create homes in which tolerance and understanding are guiding themes. "The goal of nurturing open-minded, empathetic children is a challenging one," says Jennifer Holladay, director of Tolerance. org. "To cultivate tolerance, parents have to instill in children a sense of empathy, respect and responsibility—to oneself and to others—as well as the recognition that every person on earth is a treasure." Holladay offers several ways parents can promote tolerance: Talk about tolerance. Tolerance education is an ongoing process; it cannot be captured in a single moment. Establish a high comfort level for open dialogue about social issues. Let children know that no subject is taboo. Identify intolerance when children are exposed to it. Point out stereotypes and cultural misinformation depicted in movies, TV shows, computer games and other media. Challenge bias when it comes from friends and family members. Do not let the moment pass. Begin with a qualified statement: "Andrew just called people of XYZ faith ’lunatics.’ What do you think about that, Zoe" Let children do most of the talking. Challenge intolerance when it comes from your children. When a child says or does something that reflects biases or embraces stereotypes, confront the child: "What makes that joke funny, Jerome" Guide the conversation toward internalization of empathy and respect—"Mimi uses a walker, honey. How do you think she would feel about that joke" or "How did you feel when Robbie made fun of your glasses last week" Support your children when they are the victims of intolerance. Respect children’s troubles by acknowledging when they become targets of bias. Don’t minimize the experience. Provide emotional support and then brainstorm constructive responses. For example, develop a set of comebacks to use when children are the victims of name-calling. Create opportunities for children to interact with people who are different from them. Look critically at how a child defines "normal." Expand the definition. Visit playgrounds where a variety of children are present—people of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, etc. Encourage a child to spend time with elders—grandparents, for example. Encourage children to call upon community resources. A child who is concerned about world hunger can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The earlier children interact with the community, the better. This will help convey the lesson that we are not islands unto ourselves. Model the behavior you would like to see. As a parent and as your child’s primary role model, be consistent in how you treat others. Remember, you may say, "Do as I say, not as I do," but actions really do speak louder than words.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Universal human rights begin in small places, close to home." And Tolerance.org, a Web site from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is helping parents across the country create homes in which tolerance and understanding are guiding themes. "The goal of nurturing open-minded, empathetic children is a challenging one," says Jennifer Holladay, director of Tolerance. org. "To cultivate tolerance, parents have to instill in children a sense of empathy, respect and responsibility—to oneself and to others—as well as the recognition that every person on earth is a treasure." Holladay offers several ways parents can promote tolerance: Talk about tolerance. Tolerance education is an ongoing process; it cannot be captured in a single moment. Establish a high comfort level for open dialogue about social issues. Let children know that no subject is taboo. Identify intolerance when children are exposed to it. Point out stereotypes and cultural misinformation depicted in movies, TV shows, computer games and other media. Challenge bias when it comes from friends and family members. Do not let the moment pass. Begin with a qualified statement: "Andrew just called people of XYZ faith ’lunatics.’ What do you think about that, Zoe" Let children do most of the talking. Challenge intolerance when it comes from your children. When a child says or does something that reflects biases or embraces stereotypes, confront the child: "What makes that joke funny, Jerome" Guide the conversation toward internalization of empathy and respect—"Mimi uses a walker, honey. How do you think she would feel about that joke" or "How did you feel when Robbie made fun of your glasses last week" Support your children when they are the victims of intolerance. Respect children’s troubles by acknowledging when they become targets of bias. Don’t minimize the experience. Provide emotional support and then brainstorm constructive responses. For example, develop a set of comebacks to use when children are the victims of name-calling. Create opportunities for children to interact with people who are different from them. Look critically at how a child defines "normal." Expand the definition. Visit playgrounds where a variety of children are present—people of different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, etc. Encourage a child to spend time with elders—grandparents, for example. Encourage children to call upon community resources. A child who is concerned about world hunger can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. The earlier children interact with the community, the better. This will help convey the lesson that we are not islands unto ourselves. Model the behavior you would like to see. As a parent and as your child’s primary role model, be consistent in how you treat others. Remember, you may say, "Do as I say, not as I do," but actions really do speak louder than words.