Have you ever had free time in a city but just didn’t know where to go, or settled for a mediocre restaurant because you didn’t have a recommendation? Travel guides aren’t just for exotic trips. They come in handy anytime you’re in an unfamiliar place. Especially if you’re travelling with family or want to do a lot of sightseeing, travel guides are great for insider tips and money-saving advice.

In Print

A lot of people prefer a physical travel guide that they can flip through, bookmark and take to their destination. Travel books offer maps, high-quality photos and listings in portable package. They also can be a fun way to get your family or group excited about an upcoming trip!

There is plenty of variety in the world of travel books to accommodate different travel styles and budgets. If you’re a visual type who values maps, photos and illustrations, check out DK Eyewitness guides. These books are especially good for family trips because they include floor plans of attractions, walking routes and tidbits from each region’s history.

Many travelers swear by Lonely Planet guides to help them discover authentic, local experiences. Lonely Planet caters to midrange and budget travelers who want to get off the beaten path.

Fodor’s travel guides may be mainstream, but they are reliable and packed with details. Each is written by a destination expert (usually a local writer) who recommends their favorite local spots.

On the Web

If you have a favorite travel book series, chances are the publisher has a robust website and even offers chapter downloads for your mobile device. Many of the traditional players in the travel guide market, such as Fodor’s, Frommer’s and Lonely Planet, have destination information and reader forums online.

For online recommendations and travel tips, no site beats TripAdvisor. Millions of users have rated and reviewed everything from Broadway shows in New York to Wacky Wahoo’s restaurant in Aruba. The candid comments help you decide what to skip and what you can’t miss at practically any destination in the world.

On Your Phone

If you have a smartphone, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great mobile apps that give you the information you need right on the spot. Using travel apps isn’t ideal if you want to browse, but they can’t be beat for finding restaurants and attractions based on your current location. Feeling hungry? Use Urbanspoon or Yelp to track down a restaurant near your location. You can filter by distance, cuisine and price.

There are many specialty apps for specific cities and attractions. Visitors to Boston, for example, can download an app for the Freedom Trail that maps the route and gives a description and photo at each stop or download MBTA apps with subway schedules and routes. Before visiting a new city, do a quick search of your favorite app website to see what’s available.

Memorial Day Weekend is great for spending quality time with loved ones. It’s also a great weekend to get outside and have some fun-in-the-sun. Forget the laptop at home and celebrate with us by booking one of these exciting hotel packages for Memorial Day.

• Country Inn & Suites – Bountiful, Utah invites you to experience Utah’s majesty. With this hotel package you’ll receive a snack bag for four people including bottled water, various snacks, and a pass to get into Antelope Island. After a day exploring the wilderness, come back and relax in the 24-hour swimming pool and whirlpool. Click here to learn more about celebrating Memorial Day in Utah.

• Visit Country Inn & Suites – Portage, IN and have some family fun while soaking up the sun. We’ll help make planning Memorial Day Weekend in Indiana easy.  With this hotel package you’ll receive a car pass into Indiana Dunes State Park as well as a complimentary gift bag. Enjoy a day of sun, swimming, and building sand castles at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

• Your dog will have a “pawsitivley” great time at Country Inn & Suites –  Mount Morris, NY. Bring your pup along if you’re celebrating Memorial Day in New York and we’ll make sure that your furry friend is taken care of. With this hotel package, your pooch will receive a bag of Milk-Bones® and a tennis ball upon check-in. This dog friendly hotel in New York is located near miles of trails for you and your pup to explore!

Planning Memorial Day is fun and easy with Country Inns & Suites. Take a look at all of our outdoors hotel deals.

Happy Memorial Day.

- Country Inns & Suites

Living green on the road is more than just a good idea. With close to 1 billion tourists traversing the globe every year, doing our best to preserve natural resources and be culturally and environmentally aware is our duty as a citizen of the planet. The good news is that you don’t have to be roughing it in the outback to make a difference. Traveling green is easier than you think. 

Green Travel Tips

• Measure and Offset Your Carbon Footprint. Traveling by plane, train, bus or automobile leaves behind a carbon footprint. Start with a nonprofit site like the Nature Conservancy to figure out what your impact is on climate change, and then invest in one of the offsetting programs, ranging from reforestation to renewable energy projects.

• Start Before You Even Leave Home. Adjust the thermostat to keep the air conditioning and heat from running needlessly, use a timer instead of leaving lights on and turn the temperature down on your water heater. Unplug all small appliances and electronics to keep from wasting resources while you’re away.

• Take advantage of green hotel options. Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM gives guests the option of reusing towels and sheets instead of having them changed every day, a big energy and water savings when multiplied by 488 hotels worldwide. Add in energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and showers, and responsible recycling programs, and your choice of hotel can make a difference.

• Pack a water bottle. Don’t add to the world’s 2.7 million tons of plastic used for bottled water. Refill a reusable container to quench your thirst responsibly.  Plus, those recycled bottles are used in many new products.  For instance, Country Inns & Suites’ employee uniforms are made from recycled plastic bottles.

• Take public transport or bike. Cities like Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C., offer excellent (in Park City’s case, free!) public transport, along with ample biking opportunities to get you moving on your own steam. If you need to rent a car, make it an economy size or hybrid.

• Keep it local. Visit farmers’ markets and shop in mom and pops instead of big box stores. Buy fair-trade products as souvenirs to make sure your cash makes a local impact.

• Support green companies. These could include outdoor outfitters, LEED-certified museums, pick-your-own farms or tour operators. One place to start is Sustainable Travel International, which offers a list of certified Green Travel Suppliers to get your trip off to an earth-friendly start.

All teams welcome! Whether you’re shooting hoops or hitting home runs, Country Inns & Suites supportsthe athletes in your life. With our TeamStop program, we’re proud to cater to your needs and provide winning features like great group rates and bonus Gold Points® through our Club Carlson® for Planners program .

Your winning team will also enjoy complimentary hot breakfast – ensuring that they stay energized for the big game. After the game they can take a relaxing dip in the pool, and stay in prime shape at the fitness center.

With our TeamStop program, you’ll enjoy additional features like:

• One complimentary room for every 20 occupied
• Two complimentary upgrades
• One free uniform wash per stay per player
• One free sports drink at check-in per player
• Free use of the meeting room for team gathering/per stay

For more information, visit our TeamStop program page or if you’re ready to book submit an online request for proposal.

It’s that time of the year again. The scent of spring is in the air, and the heat of full-blown summer is quickly approaching. We’re in high spirits at Country Inns & Suites because this all means that Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Take the opportunity to treat the mom in your life with an unforgettable night or weekend with one of these special hotel packages:

• Relax in the Country and enjoy an hour-long in-room massage as part of this hotel package from Country Inn & Suites St. Cloud, MN – East. You’ll also receive a $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant, and great amenities like the heated indoor pool and relaxing Jacuzzi. This hotel package is great for celebrating Mother’s Day in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.

• If the mom in your life’s idea of fun is socializing with friends and creating lasting memories, think about booking the Girlfriends Getaway Package at Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Wyomissing, PA (if you’re celebrating Mother’s Day in Philadelphia). Mom can reconnect with friends and indulge in great shopping, eating and relaxing!

• Celebrating Mother’s Day in Arizona is easy. Just book and enjoy the Do Not Disturb Hotel Package at Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Mesa, AZ. This package includes a 1-hour massage and aromatherapy at Massage Heights plus complimentary transportation to and from your session.

Keep in mind – you don’t have to book the trip for this weekend, and, if you aren’t in Minnesota, Philadelphia, or Arizona, browse through our other hotel packages and get more great ideas for Mother’s Day gifts.

From everyone at Country Inns & Suites – Happy Mother’s Day.

Shop for Mom and save 20% at FTD with your Club Carlson^SM membership. Choose from hundreds of ways to express your love and appreciation this Mother’s Day, from fresh plants and flowers to chocolates and spa baskets. Shop FTD now.

If you aren’t a member of Club Carlson^SM yet and want to take advantage of this special offer, join Club Carlson now