Celebrate National Grandparent's Day Like Never Before at the Atlanta History Center

What better way to celebrate National Grandparent’s Day than by sharing a day of fun activities and free giveaways designed especially for GrandParents and GrandChildren to enjoy together?

GrandCamp Adventures is hosting a day of special activities from noon to 5:00 pm at the Atlanta History Center to make this year’s Grandparent’s Day, Sunday, September 12th, something to remember. The History Center, featuring With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition, is offering one free youth ticket for every paid adult so everyone can come and participate in this wonderful event.

GrandCamp Adventures is hosting fun activities especially created for Grandparents and Grandkids:

- Family Treasure Hunt — Discover hidden clues and treasures throughout the Atlanta History Center’s 33 acres featuring interactive exhibitions, a discovery trail,, historic houses and gardens.

- “Here We Go!” Storytelling — Atlanta’s renowned actor and storyteller, Rob Cleveland introduces GrandCamp Adventures’ storybook Here We Go! Help Grammie, Papa and the grandkids use a quirky magic compass to find their lost family treasures.

- Live Concert and Sing-along — featuring silly and heartfelt songs from the new GrandCamp Adventures’ CD. Atlanta’s newest up and coming artists will come together in song to celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandkids.

- Pictures — Become a meerkat in pictures from the GrandCamp Adventures storybook.

- Laugh-along Program – Loosen up and laugh with Atlanta’s own Laughter Yoga leaderd, Celeste Greene and Jean Woodall.

- Free Giveaways and Prizes – Win T-shirts, hats, buttons, CDs and GrandCamp Adventures first storybook, “Here We Go!”, and more.

GrandCamp Adventures, launching this Fall, is a company for a new generation of grandparents and grandkids who want to connect deeper, have more fun together and generate memories that will last a lifetime.

“Indoors, outdoors and online, helping grandkids and grandparents grow closer and have more fun is at the heart of everything we do,” adds founders, Patricia Babuka & Scott Schaefer.

“Whether it’s a child and grandparent connecting through stories and backyard adventures, families connecting online, or grandparents connecting through shared values and the desire to help their grandchildren become happy, engaged members of our global community, GrandCamp Adventures’ goal is to make magical moments and relationships flourish.”

Both founders share a deep commitment to family and see building the bonds between generations as a way toward making the world a better place. “We want to share and live out our belief that the most precious gift Grandparents can give their Grandkids isn’t a toy, its their time.”

“We invite you to come out to the Atlanta History Center and experience what GrandCamp Adventures is all about.”

For more information on National Grandparents Day and the GrandCamp Adventures event, visit www.grandcamp.com.

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Back-To-School? Stay Active

 Just because the kids are heading back to school doesn’t mean families need to shelve their fitness regimen for next year. Georgia State Parks makes it easy to stay on track with challenging heart-pumping recreational programs and outdoor activities for every age and fitness level. Fall is the perfect time for families to re-energize and resolve to keep outdoor recreation an ongoing part of the weekly itinerary.

Outdoor recreation is just as important to living a healthy lifestyle as eating an apple a day! Pack a picnic lunch and head to a different state park every weekend for affordable adventure and quality time together that gets kids off the couch and moving in nature’s playground. Here are a few popular ideas based on age level. For a complete list of recreational opportunities and parks, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

·    Playgrounds, Swimming Beaches, Spray Park (Toddler and up)
Georgia State Parks feature fun for all ages, even those still sporting diapers and sippie cups. Parents with toddlers in tow can pack the beach pail and swimming suits for a fun-filled day of splashing and sandcastles at one of 18 state park swimming beaches. Some of the most popular lakeside beaches are at Vogel, John Tanner, Seminole, Unicoi, Hard Labor Creek, Fort Mountain and Richard B. Russell state parks. For even more water fun, bring the kids to Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge and enjoy the park’s splash pad where they can tire out by running through the fountains. The beaches and splash pad are open through Labor Day. Or for weekday fun, skip the indoor soft play and head to the state parks for safe, clean outdoor playgrounds perfect for the next toddler play date. And, for even more of an incentive to take the kiddies outdoors, Wednesdays are free days in Georgia’s state parks, allowing parents to skip paying the parking fee.

·    Kid-friendly Trails, Mini-Golf, Camping (Kids age 6 and up)
With technology such a big part of everyday life, kids need to unplug and connect with nature, especially during the school year when scheduled time is at its peak. Make outdoor play something to look forward to every week. Elementary age kids can explore the “real Georgia” and expend energy on a variety of state park hiking trails. Popular choices for kids to enjoy nature’s wonders include Fort Mountain (lake loop), General Coffee (farm animals), Reed Bingham (gopher tortoises), Skidaway Island (fiddler crabs), Sweetwater Creek (follows large creek) and Watson Mill Bridge (covered bridge and shoals). Young golf enthusiasts can also enjoy mini golf at 15 Georgia State Parks. Or, learn how to play disc golf, where a Frisbee-style disc is tossed into a metal basket. Disc courses are found at Cloudland Canyon, Fort Yargo, Georgia Veterans and Richard B. Russell state parks. This is also a perfect age for camping. With more than 2,700 campsites, Georgia State Parks have plenty of opportunities for everyone and rates average as low as $23 per night. Get the kids involved in preparing the site, carrying the wood, cooking food the old fashion way, and build lifetime skills and family memories.

·    Clubs for Mountain Bikers, Hikers and Paddlers (Kids ages 10 and up)
Parents with middle school-age children can keep them motivated all year long with three heart-pumping clubs at Georgia State Parks. Upon completion, members receive a bragging-rights t-shirt, as well as the personal satisfaction of accomplishment. For hiking enthusiasts, the Canyon Climbers Club invites families to explore four state parks. Hikers can experience breathtaking vistas and cascading waterfalls, more fun than any gym Stairmaster, at Tallulah Gorge, Amicalola Falls, Cloudland Canyon and Providence Canyon. Mountain bikers and cyclists can tackle the Muddy Spokes Club and challenge their skills across 11 state parks and 68 miles of trails for their bragging right t-shirt. Trails vary in difficulty, so riders have the chance to improve their skill as they move from park to park. The easiest trails are the paved path at Panola Mountain State Park and pine-needle trail at Magnolia Springs. The most difficult mountain bike trails are at Fort Mountain, Fort Yargo, Tallulah Gorge and Unicoi state parks. And, finally canoe and kayak fans will love the Park Paddlers club. Members explore six state parks by waterway, ranging from quiet lakes to the famed Okefenokee Swamp. Paddlers are challenged to complete 22 miles at Crooked River, George L. Smith, Magnolia Springs, Reed Bingham, Stephen C. Foster and Sweetwater Creek state parks.

To join any of the state park clubs, park visitors simply purchase a $10 membership card at any of the club parks or call (770) 389-7401. Members get their card punched at each participating park office and receive their official bragging-rights t-shirt upon completion. What a fun way to get the whole family moving and inspired throughout the year, as well as enjoy the diverse park landscapes and wildlife while getting fit. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Families interested in planning a weekend staycation at their favorite Georgia State Park can choose from a variety of affordable accommodation options including camp sites, fully-equipped cottages, yurts and hotel-style lodge rooms with restaurants. For help in planning a staycation for your family, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275.



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Plan a weekend of culture and fun: Get cheap flights to Washington D.C.

It's our nation's capital, home to myriad federal agencies, embassies and historic monuments. But Washington, D.C., is a lot more than just a city of government; it has a thriving arts scene that can compete with that of any other big city in the country.

So if you're looking for a great place to spend a long weekend, consider checking out Washington, D.C. Frequently cheap flights are available into one of the metro area's three major airports - just keep an eye on the prices online to score the best deal.

When Washingtonians decide what to do on a weekend, they've got a lot of choices. From music to theater to museums, here's a look at some of the best the city has to offer:

The National Symphony Orchestra, which is based at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during the winter, moves outside in the summer for a series of concerts at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia. They also play some special concerts on the West Lawn of the U. S. Capitol on several holiday weekends. With a program of both pop and classical concerts throughout the summer, there are plenty of opportunities to hear this internationally renowned orchestra.

How about planning your weekend around some of the great theater in Washington? If you save money on cheap airline tickets, you'll have something left over for theater tickets. Check out the schedules at a few of the local stages, many of which have national reputations:

The Shakespeare Theater Company is one of the leading venues for classic theater in the U.S. with a mission to present classical theater in an imaginative and accessible way. For the big shows, the National Theater is the place to go. One of America's oldest continually operating theaters, it features touring productions of Broadway hits. For something more offbeat, try the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. Known for its productions of innovative new plays, it has been called Washington's "most daring theatre company."

And not to be overlooked is the Kennedy Center, which is not only home to the National Symphony Orchestra, but also hosts popular and classic theater, as well as ballet and opera productions throughout the year.

Everyone knows about the big museums on the National Mall, but how about some of Washington's lesser-known gems? Visit the Philips Collection, America's first museum of modern art, for the opportunity to view modern masterpieces by such artists as Renoir, Rothko and O'Keefe in an intimate setting. To see an extensive collection of American art, as well as a fine collection of European masterworks, visit the Corcoran Gallery, located just down the street from the White House.

Jump online and snap up some cheap flights now so you can start planning your adventure in the capital city.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Number of Memorial Day Holiday Travelers Expected to Increase 5.4 Percent, AAA Forecast Says

/PRNewswire/ -- AAA today projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend will increase 5.4 percent from 2009 with approximately 32.1 million travelers taking a trip away from home. Last year, 30.5 million Americans traveled during the same period.

"While the economy continues to be rocked by waves of occasional uncertainty, improved economic performance from one year ago should cause more Americans to take vacations this Memorial Day holiday weekend," said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services. "AAA travel agents are reporting double-digit increases in the percentage of travelers making advanced bookings for tours and cruises, hotel bookings via AAA.com are increasing and AAA's many travel industry partners have reported improved business conditions this spring."

MacDonell cautioned, "Increased travel can also mean reduced availability, especially in markets like central Florida where the opening of exciting new attractions are expected to make the area one the summer's most popular destinations." MacDonell's best advice is to "talk to a travel agent to find the best package deals and be sure to jump on a bargain if you find one."

AAA's projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA in 2009 to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight 2010 Memorial Day holiday forecast can be found at AAA.com/news.

Air and car trips to increase

Trips by auto are expected to increase in popularity with 87 percent or 28.0 million people reaching their destination by driving. This is an increase of 5.8 percent from last Memorial Day when 26.4 million travelers went by motor vehicle. This Memorial Day weekend AAA does not expect the price of gasoline to average more than $3.00 per gallon. Leisure air travel also is expected to grow slightly with 2.15 million holiday flyers expected. This would be an increase of 2.4 percent from one year ago when 2.1 million flew. Trips by other modes, including rail, buses and watercraft, will be the dominant means of travel used by 6 percent of all travelers.

Average spending will top $800 and average distance traveled will be 626 miles

The average distance traveled by Americans this Memorial Day holiday weekend is forecast to be approximately the same as one year ago, 626 miles vs. 620 in 2009, AAA reported. Median spending is estimated to be $809 this Memorial Day*. This is a sizeable reduction from one year ago, when Americans reported average spending plans of $1,052. Sixty-one percent of Americans will spend time with friends and relatives over the holiday.

Airfares will be unchanged, hotel rates remain a deal, and rental car rates will be lower

According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, air fares over the Memorial Day holiday weekend are expected to remain unchanged from last year as air passengers will pay a lowest average round-trip fare of $176 per ticket. Weekend daily car rental rates will drop 15 percent from an average of $43.30 in 2009 to $36.65. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to remain a bargain, but will decline only one percent from a year ago with travelers spending an average of $141.60 per night compared to $142.45 last year. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels will pay four percent less at an average cost of $99 per night.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

*IHS Global Insight reported average spending last year rather than median spending. Average spending in 2009 was $1,052.

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2010 Is the Year To Visit The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford

/PRNewswire/ -- It is rumored that Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, once said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do...Explore. Dream. Discover." With millions of families about to embark on summer vacations, The Mark Twain House & Museum encourages Twain fans, readers, history buffs and I-95 road warriors of every age to discover Hartford.

Through the support of the museum's Centennial Sponsor The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., The Mark Twain House & Museum will host tours of the historic house, family events, literary lectures, and new exhibits celebrating the life, legacy and books of the father of American literature all year long. Located less than 90 minutes from Boston, two hours from New York and less than an hour from Interstate 95, The Mark Twain House & Museum is the perfect summer diversion.

"One thing most people don't know about Twain is that he was known for his unique travel writing long before Huck, Jim and Tom were born here at his Hartford house," said Executive Director, Jeffery Nichols. "We can't think of a more important time to make The Mark Twain House & Museum a fun and educational part of your vacation plans."

Between 1874 and 1891, Clemens raised a family and published The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, while living in Hartford. The House and its Museum Center are open every day for guided tours. Each year, more than 60,000 guests visit the home's 19 rooms, including the famous billiard room where Twain worked, and admire its many unique features, such as intricate decorative arts by Louis Comfort Tiffany's firm Associated Artists. The museum's collections boast approximately 50,000 artifacts, including original manuscripts and first editions, historic photographs and family furnishings.

In addition to Mark Twain's unforgettable mansion, visitors to Greater Hartford can also investigate the charming Harriet Beecher Stowe House, the brand-new Connecticut Science Center, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (America's oldest public art museum), the Tony Award-winning Hartford Stage, and dozens of other cultural sites.

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Mapping Out An Off-Season Getaway

(NAPSI)-Whether you enjoy trips off the beaten path or prefer mainstream vacation spots, off-season travel can be a delightful and affordable way to get away.

The trips can be an opportunity to discover that a destination-perhaps even one of your favorites-has a personality that changes with the seasons. Enjoying a ski resort in summer is a ready example. It's both weird and wonderful to hike on a cross-country trail or ride a mountain bike down a ski slope when your only memory of these locations is snow covered. Plus, many traditional warm-weather destinations offer incentives and activities to help save off-season travelers some cool cash.

Each year, for example, a four-month-long event called Pigeon Forge Winterfest attracts vacationers to the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., an area once strictly thought of as a place for summertime fun. Now in its 20th year, the festival welcomes thousands.

The hallmark of the celebration is an unforgettably dazzling show of millions of decorative lights. The city even mounts lighted snowflakes on utility poles and erects gigantic storytelling displays-a popular one depicts a blacksmith pounding on an anvil producing snowflakes, not sparks, in the Tennessee night.

Complementing the city's efforts-which you can view on narrated trolley tours-are displays created by businesses throughout town. The Dollywood theme park adds millions more lights for its holiday event called Smoky Mountain Christmas, as well.

There's also the popular Wilderness Wildlife Week that offers eight days of free classes, seminars, photo shows and activities, most of which focus on Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located next to Pigeon Forge.

Additionally, travelers can enjoy hikes in the Smokies-where winter produces vistas that don't exist when summer's leaves are on the trees. Indeed, each year, Wilderness Wildlife Week hikers collectively cover about 5,000 miles on dozens of National Park trails.

For those looking for what may be a surprisingly authentic Western experience, Winterfest stirs things up with its popular celebration of cowboy poetry and Western music. Even though the city is east of the Mississippi, American Cowboy magazine still calls the experience one of its Top 101 Western Events.

For more information and tips on planning a trip, visit www.MyPigeonForge.com or call (800) 251-9100.

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This Year’s Fall Excursions Offer Day Trips to Charlottesville, Va. and Asheville, N.C.

The N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation and the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society offer a chance to see the beautiful fall foliage, experience a great destination and enjoy the romance of riding the rails this fall. The museum is again hosting fall train excursions. In addition to our traditional Charlottesville, Va. day trip, the museum will also offer a day trip to Asheville NC.

After hosting day trips through the 1990s, the museum revived rail excursions in 2007. The past two years have been sell-out crowds and satisfied passengers made those excursions a great success. . The “Virginia Autumn Special” will travel to Charlottesville, Va., Oct. 31, while the “Blue Ridge Special” will travel to Asheville, Nov. 1. Each day’s trip will include spectacular views of fall foliage.

Departing Spencer at 7 a.m., Saturday’s “Virginia Autumn Special” will again offer a second passenger pick-up at the Greensboro Amtrak Station at 8 a.m., allowing those living in the Triad a more convenient boarding opportunity. Passing through the North Carolina cities of Thomasville, High Point and Reidsville, and the Virginia cities of Danville, Lynchburg and Oak Ridge, passengers will experience beautiful views of the Piedmont and rolling hills of the Carolinas and the western part of Central Virginia. Spectacular views of the Dan, Roanoke and James Rivers will be seen as the train crosses above. The train will even pass by Schuyler, the mountain town fictionalized in the television show “The Waltons.”

At noon, the “Virginia Autumn Special” will arrive in Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia. Here travelers will have nearly three hours to explore the historic downtown area. A short walk takes you to the downtown outdoor mall, considered one of the finest urban parks in the country. Unique shopping and dining opportunities can be found in boutiques, specialty wine, coffee and tea shops, and outdoor dining spots. Travelers may also enjoy relaxing walks under a lush, leafy tree canopy. Departing Charlottesville at 3 p.m., the train will arrive back in Greensboro at 6:45 p.m. and Spencer at 8 p.m.

During Sunday’s trip, the “Blue Ridge Special” will travel through the western Piedmont into the foothills and on to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Departing Spencer at 7 a.m., the train will roll through the cities of Statesville, Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Black Mountain and Swannanoa. The train will climb the famed "loops" of the Blue Ridge Mountains passing the famous Andrews Geyser and through several tunnels before arriving in Asheville at noon. Passengers will have nearly three hours for an outing at Biltmore Village.

Established in the late 1890s as a planned community near the entrance of the Biltmore estate, Biltmore Village stands near the entrance to Biltmore Estate. Shopping will be available in unique, locally-owned boutiques. Passengers can dine in restaurants and take walks along brick sidewalks that parallel tree lined streets. All of this will be enjoyed alongside spectacular views of the North Carolina mountains. Departing Asheville at 3 p.m., the “Blue Ridge Special” will return to Spencer at 8 p.m.

Several different levels of excursion tickets are available. Ticket prices are the same each day. Premium First Class tickets feature comfort seating on private rail cars restored to the height of luxury. Premium First Class passengers will also enjoy an early continental breakfast, newspaper and dinner in the diner on the return trip. Premium First Class tickets are $240 per person.

A new offering this year, Deluxe Coach Class tickets feature spacious seating with large windows, lunch on the dining car and light snacks during the trip. Deluxe Coach tickets are $170 per person.

Coach tickets feature comfortable seating, air conditioning and heat and restrooms. Coach tickets are $140 per person.

Another new feature, an optional box lunch will allow travelers to save time for shopping in Charlottesville or Asheville. The $14 box lunch, served in a souvenir lunch tote, includes include a half turkey wrap, pasta, chips & salsa, a cookie and drink.

Passengers may also take advantage of a shuttle bus at each destination for an additional $2.
Tickets are available online at www.nctrans.org or by calling 704-636-2889 ext. 232.
The N.C. Transportation Museum, located in historic Spencer Shops, the former Southern Railway repair facility, is part of the Division of State Historic Sites, Department of Cultural Resources. The museum is located just five minutes off I-85 at Exit 79 in Spencer, N.C., and about an hour from Charlotte, Greensboro or Winston-Salem. Visit www.nctrans.org for more information. The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is celebrating the 2009 theme of “Treasure N.C. Culture.” For information on the Department of Cultural Resources, call (919) 807-7385 or visit www.ncculture.com.
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Turn Your August, Labor Day Weekend Road Trips Into Prize-Winning Drive Smarter Challenge Video

/PRNewswire/ -- It's the "dog days of August," one of the heaviest time frames for road trips - what with travel to universities across the country combined with the "last hurrah" of summer vacations leading into the Labor Day holiday weekend.

As you capture those road trips for posterity on your camcorder, consider turning them into a fun, two-minute video that can garner extensive exposure on the web and win a $5000 grand prize, VIP NASCAR and Indy race packages, new tires, gift cards, car care guides, and more in the Drive Smarter Challenge video contest (http://drivesmarterchallenge.org/contest).

The online video contest is a new feature of the award-winning Drive $marter Challenge fuel-efficiency campaign sponsored by the Alliance to Save Energy and 16 other diverse nonprofit, governmental, trade association, and for-profit partners. The contest runs through September 20.

To enter, submit a two-minute (or less) video that illustrates one or more of the Drive Smarter Challenge gas- and money-saving driving and vehicle maintenance tips (http://drivesmarterchallenge.org/money-saving-tips/Default.aspx) such as the timely road trip tips below:

Planning your road trip:
-- Get a customized map with low gas prices along the route. Getting lost
while driving in unfamiliar areas could lead to an expensive waste of
gas. Print a customized vacation map that highlights low-cost gas
stations along your route using campaign website resources
(http://drivesmarterchallenge.org/money-saving-tips/fuel-efficient-res
ources.aspx). Or, navigate with a GPS system.
-- Choose the right vehicle. If your family has more than one vehicle,
drive the car that gets better gas mileage if possible.
-- Rise and shine! When possible, drive during off-peak hours to reduce
gas costs and stress by avoiding stop-and-go or bumper-to-bumper
traffic conditions.
-- Investigate other travel options. Consider trains, buses, or public
transportation to your destination when possible.
-- Explore new ways to get around at your destination. Find information
on biking, public transportation routes, car sharing, walking, and
renting hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles on the Drive $marter
Challenge website resources page.

Before you leave: maintenance tips
-- Inflate your tires. Keeping your tires properly inflated improves gas
mileage by around 3%.
-- Select the right oil. Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of
motor oil improves gas mileage by 1 to 2%. Motor oil that says "Energy
Conserving" on the API performance symbol contains friction-reducing
additives. Change your oil as recommended to extend the life of your
vehicle.
-- Tune up. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an
emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%.

On the road: driving tips
-- Decrease your speed. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 60
mph. Each five miles per hour over 60 mph is like paying an additional
20 cents or more per gallon for gas.
-- Drive sensibly. Speeding, rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts), and
rapid braking can lower gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds.
-- Use cruise control and overdrive gear. Cruise control cuts fuel
consumption by maintaining a steady speed during highway driving.
Overdrive gear, when appropriate, reduces engine speed, saves gas, and
reduces engine wear.
-- It's a "drag." Avoid carrying items on your vehicle's roof. A loaded
roof rack or carrier increases weight and aerodynamic drag, which can
cut mileage by 5%. Place items inside the trunk when possible to
improve fuel economy.
-- Turn down the AC. Operating the air conditioner on "Max" can reduce
mpg by 5-25% compared to not using it.
-- Avoid idling, which gets 0 mpg. Cars with larger engines typically
waste even more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines.
-- Fill up before returning rental. Rental car companies charge higher
gas prices if you don't fill up the tank before returning the vehicle.

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Would You Take a Trip to Space?

/PRNewswire/ -- If you could take a trip to space, would you? Comfort Suites hotels are offering travelers the opportunity to do just that. As part of the brand's "Explore the Space Sweepstakes" three lucky online participants will get the chance to win a trip to space.*

"What better way to remind our guests how spacious our Comfort Suites rooms are then to offer them a chance to win a trip to the biggest space of all -- a trip to outer space," said Chris Malone, Chief Marketing Officer for Choice Hotels International, Inc., franchisor of the Comfort Suites brand. "Comfort Suites rooms provide plenty of space to spread out and relax, along with free amenities like a hot breakfast and Wi-Fi."

Starting August 13 through September 24, 2009, consumers can go online to ExploreTheSpaceSweepstakes.com to enter for their chance to win "out-of-this-world" prizes and qualify for a chance to win a trip to space. To qualify, entrants must be current members of or sign up for the Choice Privileges rewards program. Once selected, three finalists will be given $5,000 in cash and a power packed trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex where they will participate in an amazing astronaut experience program. On the last day of their visit, the finalists will play a game of chance for the ultimate grand prize -- a trip to space!

In addition to the three finalist prize winners, three second prize winners will each receive a trip for four to space camp in Huntsville, Alabama and a Comfort Suites prize pack making for the ultimate space camp family experience. And just so no one is left on the launch pad, fifty runner-ups will receive a Comfort Suites prize pack valued at $100. For more information on the Comfort Suites Explore the Space Sweepstakes, visit ExploreTheSpaceSweepstakes.com.


* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.) 18 years and older. Ends 9/24/09. Trip to space prize consists of $200,000 to pay for a space flight ticket. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize descriptions visit choicehotels.promo.eprize.com/space. Void where prohibited.

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A Summer to Remember: Denny’s to Give Away over 40 Trips to the Bahamas in Its Grand Slam Bahamas Vacation Getaway Beginning July 14

(BUSINESS WIRE)--42 lucky customers who eat at Denny’s (NASDAQ:DENN) this summer will leave not only with a great meal but with a trip for two to the Bahamas for a five night/six day stay at the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino. It’s all part of Denny’s fun summer Grand Slam Bahamas Vacation Getaway promotion at participating Denny’s beginning July 14. Customers will know they have won after receiving a scratch-off card from their server and then entering the card’s unique code on the microsite, www.GrandSlamBahamas.com. Along with the customers who walk away with the opportunity to win free trips, Denny’s, in a show of its familiar generosity and complete appreciation of its employees, will also give away free trips to eight hard-working servers at the end of the promotion.

“The Denny’s Grand Slam Bahamas Vacation Getaway is our way of showing our continued appreciation for our customers and employees,” says Mark Chmiel, Chief Marketing Officer of Denny’s. “This is a fun way for our customers to not only enjoy their meal but know they may get a little extra after leaving the restaurant, because even if they don’t win a Bahamas travel package, they will win a free food or beverage item on their next trip to Denny’s.”

The Denny’s Grand Slam Promotion will work this way: Servers inform guests if they buy an entrée and add on a signature beverage, pancake puppies, soup, salad, or dessert on to their order, they will receive a scratch-off game card. The scratch-off game card is composed of two parts: Scratch-off instant win food and beverage prizes that are good on the customer’s next visit and an Online Game Grand Prize scratch-off revealing a unique code for a chance to win a trip for two to the Bahamas (includes hotel, airfare, $100 in Free Play Casino Cash and two rounds of golf). There are 42 Grand Prize trips for two to the Bahamas. Guests will enter their code at www.GranSlamBahamas.com to tell them if they’ve won.

For each Denny’s restaurant the eight servers who sell the most qualifying items at the end of the promotion will be eligible to win a trip for two to the Bahamas. Additionally, eight I-Pod Shuffles, 20 $50 Wal-Mart Gift Cards and 40 Coca-Cola Branded Prizes will be given away.

“The Denny’s Grand Slam Bahamas Vacation Getaway is a win-win for us, our customers and our employees,” adds Chmiel. “We are committed to making sure Denny’s visitors have an enriching experience and our employees know that they are valued. This event is the perfect opportunity to accomplish both goals.”

The Denny’s Grand Slam Bahamas Vacation Getaway will begin on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 and will end on Monday, August 31, 2009. All free food and beverage prizes must be redeemed by September 30, 2009, and the online game must be played by 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2009.

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Strategies for Snagging a Ski Season Deal

(ARA) - Last year marked a record-setting ski season for American resorts with 60.5 million skier visits, according to the National Ski Areas Association. This year, many ski enthusiasts are faced with tighter budgets and new economic challenges that have them searching for ways to save without giving up their annual trip to the mountains.

When looking to cut vacation costs, it all starts during the booking process. Top travel experts share the following tips for ski savings:

* Consider your lodging location. While “ski in/ski out” locations offer the convenience of walking out the door and hopping on the lift, opting for lodging a little further from the mountain can save you cash. And most ski resorts offer free shuttle services with stops throughout town, so getting to the slopes is not a hassle.

* Look for alternative lodging. For families and groups, alternative lodging like vacation rentals – homes, condos, cabins – can be much less expensive than booking multiple hotel rooms. Check out vacationrentals.orbitz.com for more than 30,000 properties around the world.

* Ski on off-peak dates. Busy holiday weekends, including Christmas, and Martin Luther King and President’s weekends, can be more expensive and very busy. If you want to save money and avoid long lift lines, think “off peak.” Consider weekday versus weekend trips and you’ll save even more.

Low Prices at Popular Destinations

Online travel Web site, Orbitz (www.orbitz.com) has pulled together a list of the top ski destinations for the 2008-2009 ski season. Lake Tahoe takes the top spot while Colorado makes a strong showing with six of its most popular destinations on the list.

The good news is that popular doesn’t always mean expensive. For example, even as Lake Tahoe continues to remain skier’s favorite destination, it still offers the lowest average daily hotel rate of any ranking destination.

Top destinations and their average daily hotel rate are:
1. Lake Tahoe - $116
2. Breckenridge, Colo. – $225
3. Park City, Utah - $239
4. Vail, Colo. - $286
5. Aspen, Colo. - $227
6. Keystone, Colo. - $149
7. Winter Park, Colo. - $193
8. Whistler, British Columbia - $292
9. Banff, Alberta - $189
10. Steamboat Springs, Colo. - $204

With ski season lasting well into the early months of spring, there are many opportunities to grab up the perfect ski vacation package at the right price. By searching for deals in even the most popular ski locations, every traveler’s budget can be accommodated this ski season.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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