The low-carb trend seems to be here to stay, and with it comes a giant shake-up in how and what we eat.  Adapting to a low-carb diet can seem counterintuitive and rather complex.  By Sunshine Ison

(more…)

Photo caption: At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls is taller than Niagara Falls.

New York’s Finger Lakes region is filled with waterfalls and wine trails waiting to be explored. 

(more…)

Looking for a getaway for fall AND the winter season?  Visit www.countryinns.com/blog to read all about our “Free Night Fall promotion.”  

Looking for a quick getaway this weekend?  It’s not too late to book a trip to your favorite Country – visit www.countryinns.com/offers to take advantage of this weeks great offers in select destinations around the country!

Have a great week!
~Emily

On the Great River Road, the Mississippi is never far away. Take a drive and you’ll discover the people and places shaped by this mighty waterway. 

(more…)

 In a recent survey commissioned by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, kids were asked about their favorite part of family vacations. Here’s what they said:

• going to new places (27%)
• spending more time with parents (18%)
• staying in a hotel (14%)
• playing in a swimming pool (11%)
• not going to school (11%)

 Moms surveyed said that they want to take the kids on a nice vacation to:

• provide new experiences (79%)
• relax and have fun (66%)
• get away from the stress of work, school and home (63%)
• spend one-on-one time with them (44%)

 Grand sights or theme parks are only part of the vacation experience. As this survey shows, what happens around the main events is often the stuff of the best family memories.

 For a trip that gives kids and parents happy memories, get everyone in on the planning and keep these tips in mind.

Getting there. Consider renting a car to get you to your destination. It saves wear and tear on your car and you can rent vehicles with DVD players for games and movies, and on-board GPS to help navigate.

 If you decide to fly, book early to get seats together, and pay attention to connection times. Missing a connection or having luggage not make the transition can make it a vacation everyone would like to forget.

Eating out. Fast food three times a day might be cheap, but there are affordable alternatives to keep the whole gang happy.

• Stay at a hotel that has a free breakfast buffet. There’s something for everyone and it doesn’t cost extra.
• Many family chain restaurants have a “Kids Eat Free” night for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. A great way to get a good meal for less.
• Picnic at a local park. Grab some picnic food at a nearby grocery store, spread out a blanket and enjoy a leisurely lunch. The kids can also run around and play while the adults relax.

Finding a hotel. The hotel should be close to where you’ll be exploring, and should have family-friendly amenities. Look for things like:

• Swimming pools: free fun for everyone.
• Suites: a little extra room to spread out makes staying together more fun.
• Exercise facilities: mom and dad can give each other a break by taking turns working out.

With the rising cost of gasoline adding to trip expenses, it’s important to find the best values possible, including your hotel choice. Look for hotels that offer additional family-friendly perks. A popular program from Country Inns & Suites by Carlson is the Read It & Return Lending Library. Guests of all ages can borrow a book and return it on their next visit. Books are a great way to unwind at the end of the day and on the ride home.

A family trip can go from good to great when you consider all the trip details, not just the main attractions.

 For more about Read It & Return, or to book your stay, visit www.countryinns.com.

With more than 990 locations in 71 countries and five hotel brands, including Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Carlson Hotels Worldwide is a leading authority in leisure and business travel.

Along the leaf-covered dirt path that follows the small flowage, or dam-formed lake, fall is everywhere. It can’t be missed—in the soft crunch and crackle perfectly matching the heel-to-toe roll of each foot as I step, and in the musky air that fills the cool forest. With one deep breath of the sweet smell, I know that fall has returned to the Northwoods.

 Autumn’s my favorite season for a visit. The almost 500-acre Totagatic Flowage, lying northwest of Hayward, Wisconsin, on state Route 27, offers not only great fall color, but also eagles, deer, loons and, infrequently, endangered Karner Blue Butterflies, whose migration takes them through the area around this time. Several flowage accesses join state Route 27, or for a quieter look take Duck Pond Road (five miles north of the Totagatic River) to the west dam.

 Flanked by the 850,000-acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Hayward sees premier leaf-color, and its three intersecting highways make it a natural base for day trips. State Route 77 runs east and west; state Route 27 and U.S. Highway 63 run north and south, and it’s easy to spot accesses as you drive. Those who prefer to plan ahead can start with http://www.travelwisconsin.com/ or http://www.wisconsinbeautiful.com/.

I’ve gravitated once again to the 47,000-acre Brule River State Forest along state Route 27, between Hayward and Superior. Since bald eagles migrate down the Brule River, whenever I wander this forest I watch for their far-off silhouettes. And should raptors not cooperate, I can still laugh at the chattering chipmunks as they blur across the ground, stopping to dig at every possible hiding place for some forgotten morsel. Fortunately, unlike them, I’m in no hurry.

Writer, photographer and outdoor enthusiast David Iushewitz is based in Glendale, Wisconsin.

 Rumbling Waters: Visit Big Manitou Falls, which tumbles 165 feet to the Black River, and Little Manitou Falls immediately downriver. You can find them in Pattison State Park on state Route 35.

It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means — there’s still time to book a weekend getaway to your favorite Country!
Visit http://www.countryinns.com/offers/ to take advantage of these great rates at select offers.

Also, check out our Free Night Fall promotion — Stay 2+ nights between October 1 and November 30, 2o09, and enjoy a free night on a 2+ night stay later at participating Country Inns & Suites By Carlson hotels.  Visit www.countryinns.com/freenightfall for more details and to book your fall getaway today!

Happy travels,
~Emily