During my teenage years, my family made several journeys up the Pacific coast to Washington State in order to get out of suburbia and spend a week with my aunt at her house in the country. I say journey because this was definitely no leisurely road trip. My dad was a man on a mission- he had to make good time.  We drove through San Francisco and peered out the window at a city that I had never actually set foot in (how dare we think about stopping? If we lingered we may hit traffic!), craned our necks up at the redwoods with our heads pressed against the glass of the car windows as we zipped through the national park, and watched the dramatic cloud-shrouded Oregon coastline whiz past us.  During our lengthy stretches of time in the car, I sat with our AAA guidebooks in my lap, searching for a hotel room for the night.  My family was on a budget and my dad always had me look for a  Best Western on the route.  He was looking for value and didn’t want to sacrifice a comfortable bed or clean room to stay in some roach motel.  Best Western was a brand he trusted. Though they were less than glamorous, those trips fostered my love of travel and today when I stay in a Best Western with my own children, I can’t help but drift back to memories of the excitement  pulling up to a new hotel each day.

My guess is that your family has stayed in a Best Western hotel too. With over 4,000 hotels worldwide it would be pretty hard not to! If your family has a trip planned in the next year, whether it be a road trip, destination vacation, or a soccer tournament, it may be worth considering the following deal…

The Deal: Now Through Dec. 31, 2011, purchase a $100 Best Western Travel Card® and Receive a $10 Gift Card of Your Choice!

Customers who purchase a $100 Best Western Travel Card  will receive their choice of a $10 gift card to Amazon.com, Best Buy, Walmart, Darden restaurants, or Best Western for free! These  Best Western Travel Cards work like cash at any of the  4,000+ Best Western worldwide and can be purchased here. If you know you will be staying at a Best Western hotel in the coming year there is no good reason not buy some and stock up some free $10 stocking stuffers!

And now for the GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Steal: Win one of two $50 Best Western travel cards!

Details: Trekaroo is giving away two $50 Best Western travel cards.

Number of winners: (2) Two

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:

Leave a comment telling us where your family is traveling next!

Want more chances to win?

Feel free to do any or all of the following actions.  Each action counts as an extra entry but be sure to LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ONE or the entry will not be counted.

• 
• Share this giveaway using the Facebook by clicking the FB “Like” button at the top of the page.
• Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo using the Twitter share button at the top of the page.

• Subscribe to the Trekaroo Blog

• Follow Trekaroo on Twitter
• Post this giveaway on your blog

Rules and guidelines:

• 18 years of age or older
• US Residents only

Deadline to enter: Sunday, December  11, 2011 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to  Online Sweepstakes and CashNet Sweepstakes,.

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor  for Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

October is an ideal time to visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park- the summer crowds are gone, the weather is pleasant, and kids are free! From now through October 31st, families looking for a great outing at an amazing bargain will be happy to know that children under the age of 11 can visit two of the top zoological parks in the world at no cost.  Since my family hadn’t been to the Safari Park since it took on its new name (for the previous 38 years it was known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park) and  we decided to take advantage of the free entry for kids and head to the park to check out  the new cheetah run.

Truth be told, I kind of have a thing for cheetahs. You know those little girls who spend their childhoods pining away for pony? Well that was me, but with cheetahs. So as soon as I heard that guests now have the opportunity to see a cheetah run off-leash on a 330-foot track at 70 miles per hour, I knew the kids and I were going to have to head down to Escondido to experience that for ourselves.  I figured we would love the experience but I had no idea just how much it would blow us away!

Every day at 3:30PM, park goers are encouraged to gather around the track to watch one of three cheetahs run the track. Last time most visitors saw these cheetahs was two years ago when they were tiny little cubs that stole the hearts of everyone who passed by their nursery window. Now cheetahs like Johari, are super stars as they chase their favorite toy on a lure at speeds normally seen on the interstate. You definitely want a front row view for this sprint because it is unlike you have ever seen.

There are a couple different ways to experience Shiley’s Cheetah Run. One way is from the bridge near the kids’ cool zone. This advantage point is great because it puts viewers at the end of the track where they can watch a cheetah run full speed in their direction. Another great spot to watch the cheetah run is from the preferred viewing area.  For a $15 fee, viewers will get the chance to get an up close view of the cheetah at take off. Cheetah’s can run from 0 to 60mph in only three seconds so watching an animal accelerate that fast must be spectacular. Thanks to the Safari Park, my family went with the ultimate option- the Cheetah Safari Experience.

If you or your kids love cheetahs and want an up close personal experience, then the Cheetah Safari is definitely for you. The first part of the experience is a pre-show of sorts where guests get to meet an animal ambassador. We met a rock hyrax which looked like a cross between an overgrown guinea pig and a rabbit but is actually the closest living relative to an elephant. My kids got a kick out of having the luxuriously soft animal hop into their laps and watching it the little guy try its best to stay in our little viewing area where the treats were plentiful instead of having to go back to its enclosure with the trainer.

After that, we lined our private side of the fence to watch the cheetah speed by. First the dog companion of Johari the cheetah, Yeti, ran the track. My kids were certain that nothing could run as fast as the dog. Then the cheetah burst from its cage and ran with grace and incredible speed. Tears welled in my eyes- it was more than I could have imaged. I turned to the kids and saw huge grins on their faces. Even a five year old knew that seeing a cheetah run was like witnessing magic.

Johari ran 330 feet in 5.12 seconds- a new park record! She took a few minutes to regain her breath and pump some oxygen back into her blood before she have us one more show- 5.62 seconds. Then she joined us Cheetah Safari guests in our special seating area for a meet and greet. We sat a few feet from Johari, listening to her purr as she happily licked on her bloodsicle. Her trainers gave us a private talk about the cheetahs at the Safari Park and answered our questions about the animal that managed to leave me speechless. While our group wasn’t able to stand near the cheetah for pictures, I was told some groups do get that opportunity, dependent on  a wide variety of factors.

Picture or no picture, our Cheetah Safari experience was incredible. My kids have told everybody who would listen about the “super fast cheetah with a doggy friend” and I fulfilled a cheetah lover’s dream. Of course, there are plenty of other great reasons to head to the Safari Park- including the chance to see the newest member of the gorilla family, Monroe.

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Sharlene Earnshaw is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Melanie B, entrant #25. We hope you will share of a review of the Embassy Suites you choose to stay at so other Trekaroo families can get the inside scoop.

Summer and Southern California- they just seem to go hand in hand. The sun is shining and rain disappears from the forecast until the seasons change and school is back in session. With its deserts, valleys, mountains, and coastline, Southern California gives visitors the opportunity to choose the amount of heat they would like to soak up and enjoy without all that nasty humidity that much of the country is forced to endure. Families looking to enjoy all Southern California has to offer will be happy to know Embassy Suites has 18 Southern California locations, all of which make great home bases for vacationing families.

I have made it no secret that I am a big fan of Embassy Suites. I travel with my four-year-old twins and as much as I love my kids, I need to have some space to wind down and enjoy some quite time at the end of the day. All of the rooms in an Embassy Suites hotel are suite-style, with doors separating the living area from the bedroom. These doors can be a weary parent’s life saver. Kids sleep while Mom and Dad unwind. Kids watch Nickelodeon while Mom and Dad watch something that doesn’t involve an animated starfish. You get the picture.

Of course, the free breakfast and complimentary manger’s reception, complete with cocktails, are certainly another reason to love Embassy Suites.  The breakfast features much more than the typical pastries and coffee.  Actual warm and tasty food, such as cooked to order omelets, make breakfast a hearty way to start your day filled with activities and fun.  When you want to come back to your room and collapse with exhaustion before dinner, the cocktails, kid-friendly beverages, and snacks at the manager’s reception give everyone a moment to relax and gear up for a the rest of the night.

Did you know that there are five Embassy Suites in Orange County that are all within 11 miles of Disneyland (Irvine, Santa Ana, Brea, and two Anaheim locations)? Embassy Suites are a great place to spread out while enjoying Disney and the surrounding attractions and cocktail hour after a long day at Disneyland can be heavenly. Beyond Disney, locations such as La Jolla, La Quinta, and the brand new Ontario Airport location speak to the diversity of the brand’s locations within the region.  If you are ready to book your stay at Embassy Suites of Southern California be sure to take a peak at the deals below…

The Deal:

Stay at a participating Embassy Suites hotel in Southern California now through September 30, 2011, and receive a $10 gas card* upon check-out for each night you stay – up to three nights! Simply reference code PL9 when booking our stay.

If you are a AAA member, your family can stay at any Embassy Suites hotel in Southern California now through December 30, 2011, and your kids will eat free at the onsite restaurant (one child per registered adult).  Just reference code AA3 when booking your stay.

The Steal:  Win a Two Night Stay at the Embassy Suites of Southern California of your choice!

Details: One very lucky winner will receive

• Two night stay at your choice of 18 different Embassy Suites of Southern California.

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN:

Step 1: Share this giveaway using the Facebook share button at the top of the page

Step 2: Leave a blog comment below letting us know that you did.

Get extra entries by repeating steps 1 and 2 once a day.  But be sure to leave a new comment each time.

Get even more additional entries:

Feel free to do any or all of the following actions.  Each action counts as an extra entry but be sure to LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ONE or the entry will not be counted.

• Fan Embassy Suites of Southern California on Facebook.
  
• Fan Trekaroo on Facebook.
  
• Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo using the Twitter share button at the top of the page.

• Subscribe to the Trekaroo Blog

• Follow Trekaroo on Twitter
• Post this giveaway on your blog

Rules and guidelines:

• 18 years of age or older
• US Residents only

Deadline to enter: Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage and Contest Girl.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Michelle! Random.org selected comment #2! Enjoy your time on the slopes!

Where else but California can you surf in the morning and snow ski in the afternoon?  Its both a question and tag line that Southern California tourism bureaus love to use.  As a lifelong California resident,  I have never had the pleasure of completing this feat, but I have made mountainside snowballs in the morning and had the sand between my toes in time for a beachfront sunset.  It truly was a wonderfully unique experience.

So where do people in Southern California go when they are looking for a day filled with snow?  Many head to Mountain High.  Mt. High is the closest resort to the Los Angeles metropolitan area and visitors staying in LA or Orange County can make it to the slopes in under 2 hours.  Since the resort is located only 20 minutes off of Interstate 15, there is the added benefit of not having to deal with treacherous mountain driving.

The Mountain High ski season typically runs from November to April and the resort consists of three separate mountains- Mountain High East, West, and North.  The resort also includes two world-class terrain parks and the North Pole Tubing Park, the largest in the region.  So whether your family skis, snowboards, or sleds, you are sure to find a hill that fits the bill.

First timers are welcome at Mountain High.  There is a children’s academy offering full or half day lessons to children aged 4-9 and adult group lessons for parents and older children.  Private and family lessons are also available.  For the tiniest little skiers, the resort offers the parent and me “Virtual Snow” simulator.  It helps prepare tots (and even older people who are a bit nervous about skiing) for the real event.

If all of this talk of fun on the slopes make you want to head on up the mountain? Well have we got a deal and a steal for you!

The Deal: Head to skiforfree.com and use promo code: SLED1 for 50% off lift tickets at Mt. High! This promo code is good for lift tickets discounts the entire 2011 season so be sure to share it with your friends and family. Update: A reader informed us that the code is only good  for 50% Monday through Thursday and 24% off on weekends. We were not given this information when we originally posted the code and apologize for any convenience.

The Steal:  Win 2 Lift Tickets to Mountain High Resort!

Details: One lucky winner will receive two lift tickets for the Mountain High Ski Resort in Wrightwood, CA

HOW TO ENTER TO WIN: Leave a comment.

For additional entries, feel free to do any or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra entry but be sure to LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ONE.

• Follow Ski For Free on Twitter
• Follow Ski For Free on Facebook
  
• Tweet a link to this Monday Mad Steal via @Trekaroo .  YOU MAY DO THIS ONCE A DAY.  JUST LEAVE A COMMENT EACH TIME YOU TWEET. Sample Tweet:  “I just entered to win 2 Mountain High lift tickets via @trekaroo http://bit.ly/hX1aIs “.
  

• Subscribe to the Trekaroo Blog

• Post this on your Facebook Wall using the Facebook Share link above
• Fan Trekaroo on Facebook
• Follow Trekaroo on Twitter
• Post this giveaway on your blog
• Subscribe to Trekaroo in your reader
  

Rules and guidelines:

• 18 years of age or older
• US Residents only

Deadline to enter: Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 11:59PM PST

What is Monday Madness?

Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either a fantastic giveaway or an incredible deal.  It could be a green water bottle, a hotel stay on Maui or theme park tickets. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog for the details. Want a reminder? Become a Trekaroo member or follow us on facebook or twitter.

Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes, and Sweepstakes Advantage.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

For many families, a vacation  just isn’t a vacation without a good dose of Disney.  As an Orange County resident and Disneyland season pass holder, I get the opportunity to frequently see friends from out of town during their holiday.   I wish I could pretend that they made a trip to see me, but in reality I know its because they can’t live without their annual pilgrimage to the “happiest place on earth”.  In a selfish effort to bring more friends out to the park, I scoped out the hottest deals Disneyland currently has to offer.  I was a woman on a mission and it wasn’t long before I found some great deals for the Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World as well.  I certainly couldn’t keep all this juicy information to myself and who better to share it with than the loyal readers of Trekaroo?  I hope these tips help you fulfill your family’s Disney dreams this year.

DISNEYLAND

Photo courtesy Trekaroo user "annniepants"

Getting there:  If you are planning on flying to visit Disneyland between now and April 15, 2011, be sure to take advantage of Alaska Airlines “kids fly free” package. Any adult flying on Alaska or Horizon Air into LAX or Orange County can bring one child aged 2-11 for free!!!!  Flights must be booked by 2/19/2011 so hurry up and make plans!

Buy 3 nights get the 4th free: Now through February 19, 2011, families can buy a 3 night Disneyland Resort package and receive a 4th night free along with $20 ESPN Zone Game Card.  Arrivals must be between now and April 11th.

Read Trekaroo reader reviews of  Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

Park hopper discount:  I love to be able to go back and forth between Disneyland and California adventure is this 3 day park hopper is the way to do it!  For $169, guests can hop back and between the two parks for three days, and enter Disneyland before the general public on one “Magic Morning”.

Active and retired military discounts:  From now until September 28, 2011, active and retired US military can purchase up to six 3-day park hoppers for only $99 per ticket to be used by family or friends!!!!  That’s an incredible deal so grab a member of the military and head to Disneyland.

Southern California residents:  From now through May 14, 2011, Southern California residents can purchase a 2 day ticket for only $99.  This allows you to visit one park per day and the best part- the days do not have to be consecutive!  You can upgrade the 2-day ticket to a park hopper for just $10 more.

Read Trekaroo reader reviews of Disneyland and California Adventure.

DISNEY WORLD

Photo courtesy of Trekaroo user "Kimmy"

Discount on Disney World Resort lodging: Families looking to visit Disney World between February 17th and April 16, 2011 can take advantage of some nice discounts being offered by Disney Resort hotels as long as they book by February 13th.  Disney hotels are discounting their rates from 15-30%.  See the Disney World website for more details.

Read Trekaroo reader reviews of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas,  Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Hotel.

Bring the little ones for free: Families who purchase a 4-night/4 day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels can bring their 3-9 year old children for free on select nights from February through October 2011. The Disney World website says that stays February 17- April 16 should be booked by February 13th and stays April 28- October 1st should be booked by March 27th to take advantage of this deal.

Active and retired military discounts:  From now until September 28, 2011, active and retired US military can purchase up to six 4-day tickets for $138.  You get to choose either “park hopper” tickets or “water park fun and more” tickets.  You can  also upgrade your tickets to cover both option (park hopper and water park fun) for $165. Members of the military can also save up to 40% at select Disney resort hotels. See Disney World website for more details.

Florida Residents: From now through May 22, 2011, Florida residents can purchase a 4 day Wild 4 Disney Pass for only $119.  This allows purchasers to visit one theme park per day for 4 days, and the days to not have to be consecutive. The week of 4/17-4/24/11 is blocked out from this promotion.

DISNEY CRUISE LINES

There is so much to look forward to with Disney Cruise Lines in 2011.  The Disney Dream is about to depart on it’s inaugural sail to the Caribbean and Disney cruises will finally be offered on the West Coast to destinations such as Mexico and Alaska. Families can enjoy a 7-night Alaskan Cruise departing on May 17th, 2011 for as little as $139 per person per day (based on 2 adults/ 2 children for a total voyage fare of $3892).   Families looking to head to Europe on a Disney Cruise can embark on an 11-night itinerary which includes Malta, Tunisia, Corsica, Italy, and France for 139 per person per day as well.  See the Disney Cruise booking site for details.

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Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA