Getting sick at home is bad enough, but being sick on the road is never part of the itinerary. Away from our usual comfort zone, navigating an unfamiliar landscape while dealing with a bad cold or worse is enough to give anybody a headache. If the usual preventative measures—staying hydrated, frequent hand washing, taking vitamins, getting plenty of rest—fail, here are a few coping tips to get you over the hump.

1. Travel with meds. Depending on where and when you get sick, a pharmacy may not be around the corner, or open, in the middle of the night. Keep a small kit packed with pain relievers, cold/flu medication, antibacterial and cortisone creams, plastic thermometer and anti-diarrhea tonic so it’s handy. On the road, safe is better than sorry.
2. Don’t push it. If you’ve come down with something, forcing yourself to attend a meeting or stick to an ambitious touring schedule can just run down your immune system further. You may also be exposing your colleagues to whatever is bugging you.
3. Let yourself rest. Give yourself a sick day—you would at home. Sleep will help you get well faster and give your body the ammo it needs to fight off infections and viruses.
4. Push fluids. Water, juice, hot tea and soup will help flush your system and keep you hydrated.
5. Adjust your expectations. If you’re functioning but just not 100 percent, pick a few highlights from your itinerary and let the rest go.
6. Ask for help. The front desk staff at your Country Inns & Suites By Carlson^SM hotel will go the extra mile to be sure you have what you need in your room to feel better.
7. If you need a doctor, see one. Toughing it out isn’t always the smart way to go. Ask the front desk for a local recommendation.
8. Keep important phone numbers handy. Keep these in a prominent place in your purse or wallet in case somebody else needs to make calls for you. Include your emergency contacts, your doctor and a list of any prescription medications or allergies.
9. Know your benefits. As a precautionary measure, call your health insurance company and find out what your protocol is when you’re sick in the U.S. and abroad. For overseas travel, buying short-term supplemental health insurance can put your mind at ease.

Montana is a beautiful state with majestic scenery and great sites all over. From the elk, bison and bear in Yellowstone, the nation’s first national park, to the site of “Custer’s Last Stand” at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana has a rich variety of things to see. Head west and explore America’s distinct mountain and valley country.

But before heading off on your Montana adventure, make sure you add these must-see sites to your itinerary:

• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument – Take in the sites of one of the most significant battles in American history. At Custer’s Last Stand, in 1876, 263 soldiers were killed in combat with several thousand Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Admission is $10 per vehicle, and $5 for pedestrians and motorcycle riders.
• Billings – Bordered on the north by distinctive rock formations known as rimrocks, Billings was established in 1882 and is where Montana Territory began. Don’t miss the Western Heritage Center, Zoo Montana and MetraPark. After a long day of exploring the city, rest up at Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Billings, where you can curl up by the fire with a book from the Read It & Return Lending Library^SM, relax in the whirlpool or enjoy some fresh cookies before bed.
• Yellowstone National Park – Teddy Roosevelt declared Yellowstone the first national park in 1872. Home to hundreds of varieties of wildlife (elk, bison, grizzly bears and wolves), the park also includes geysers and hot springs, geological wonders that are more spectacular than words can describe. Drive through the park yourself or enjoy a guided bus tour. Prices range from $29 to $68 per person.
• Glacier National Park – Picture wide, open and rugged landscapes. Craggy peaks jut into the sky that the resident mountain goats climb. A gravity-defying two-lane road named, appropriately enough, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, stretches 50 miles while clinging to the edge of the world as cars—and bikes—cross over the Continental Divide. With wildflowers, alpine vistas and waterfalls along the way, prepare for an experience you’ll never forget.

All travel is not created equally. If you know the system, there are plenty of ways to do things better, faster and cheaper than other travelers. Sometimes it’s as easy as asking or doing a little advanced planning.

Loyalty Counts
There’s no reason not to join the free loyalty program for the hotel, car rental company and airline on your agenda. With Club Carlson^SM your hotel stays can quickly add up to points redeemable for free hotel nights, airline miles and even gift cards. Once you achieve an elite level, you’ll also be eligible for benefits such as room upgrades and late checkouts.

Likewise, by opting for the same airline each time you fly (when it’s possible) you’ll build up mileage points for future flights. But these days, what is even more appealing to travelers is that once you earn elite status, you can take advantage of perks such as waived baggage fees and upgrades for you and a companion.

The Airline Seat Shuffle
Even if you don’t have elite status, you can still try and get your favorite spot on the plane. When you make your reservation, go ahead and select the best seat available at the time. If you prefer a different seat, pull up your itinerary on the airline website using your confirmation number. You should be able to view the open seats on the plane and change seats if you’d like. You can do this as many as four or five times leading up to departure and move your seat to a better one. Elite status members are upgraded 24 to 48 hours before a flight, leaving their seats in coach up for grabs.

And if you’re wondering which seat to jockey for, take a look at SeatGuru to see detailed seating charts organized by airline. SeatGuru alerts you to seats with obstructions, those that do not recline, etc.

Breeze Through Checkpoints
Standing in line can be frustrating. Many airports, thankfully, now have separate lanes for different types of travel. If you get in the expert traveler lane, chances are you’ll get through faster. Just make sure you know the TSA guidelines and have your ID ready.

Another option is to pick a different checkpoint. People generally funnel from the ticketing counter to the nearest security line. If you know the lay of the land, you may find that a short walk leads you to a wide-open checkpoint.

Just Ask!
Sometimes, all you have to do is ask and you can get the VIP treatment without an extra penny. When you book your hotel room, ask about transportation from the airport. You may find that a car service sedan is the same price as a taxi. Also, let them know if you prefer a certain floor or view. If your flight is full, ask about compensation options for switching to a different flight. Many travel perks are available just by asking politely. You might be surprised by the answers you get!

Let the weekend fun continue! We’re wishing you and yours a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July. If you’re looking for a place to get out of town soon, visit www.countryinns.com to discover our hotel packages for great destinations all across this Country.

Happy Fourth of July!

Did you know that the state of Virginia is the birthplace of more presidents than any other state? Eight of our U.S. presidents were born in Virginia. Learn other interesting U.S. facts by booking one of our Tours & Sightseeing hotel packages. These activity filled destinations make the perfect summer getaway, just in time for Fourth of July weekend.

• Visit America’s oldest city and enjoy the great weather in sunny St. Augustine, Florida. With this hotel package from Country Inn & Suites – St. Augustine, Florida you’ll be treated to:
  • Two tickets per reservation for either the Red Sightseeing Train or the Old Town Trolley, which include unlimited on-and-off privileges for shopping, attractions and restaurants at more than 20 stops
• Tour New Orleans’ waterways by airboat. Country Inn & Suites New Orleans is proud to offer this Airboat package where you’ll ride through the depths of nature and experience a unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. This hotel package includes:
  • Two passes to Airboat Adventure
  • Pick-up and drop-off from hotel
• Explore Stone Mountain Park and enjoy this great family vacation destination from Country Inn & Suites – Stone Mountain, Georgia. Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety of fun family activities. This offer includes:
  • Four all day, all attraction passes to Stone Mountain Park
• All Aboard! Take the trolley tour of Watertown. Enjoy VIP perks at all of Watertown’s Trolley stops with this hotel package from Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Watertown, South Dakota. This package includes:
  • One-night stay in a single king or double queen room for two at the newly renovated Country Inn & Suites
  • Free trolley fare and VIP perks at all Watertown trolley stops
  • Two tickets to Bramble Park Zoo
  • Keepsake cookie cutter and Mellette fan from the historic Mellette House
  • Terry Redlin exclusive edition print from the Redlin Art Center

And, as always at Country Inns & Suites, enjoy complimentary hot breakfast and free high-speed Internet in the U.S. and Canada.

Make this Fourth of July one to remember forever!

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

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.

Spring into your next family getaway by adding a touch of the unexpected to the timeless pleasures of a good old American road trip. Plug one, or all three, of these family destinations into your GPS and you’ll find adventures to keep everybody happy.

Quirky St. Augustine

There’s more to St. Augustine than meets the eye. With its strategic coastal location, once a magnet for plundering pirates, and deep Spanish roots, St. Augustine offers a Florida experience best suited to visitors interested in something beyond the usual. Yes, this town of 12,000 has great beaches, restaurants, historic sites and plenty of shopping. But wouldn’t you rather go gator tracking? Or see the world’s oldest rug? Sure you would.

Don’t Miss

•          Villa Zorayda, a Moorish castle and museum patterned after the Alhambra in Spain, complete with a cursed Egyptian rug woven from the hair of the sacred cats that used to roam the Nile.

•          Adrenaline Alligator Adventures, an interactive gator adventure that almost always gets its reptile. Sign on and you’ll be in the middle of the action, helping the pros snag and snare the beast while keeping those sharp teeth at bay.

•          Yarrr! The new timber-shivering interactive St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum transports your family back in time to the pillaging and plundering Golden Age of Piracy, complete with gold doubloons and treasure maps.

Springtime in DC

The cherry blossoms are in bloom until the end of April in America’s hometown, an ideal multi-generational destination. Between the grandeur of the national monuments, the Smithsonian complex and the National Zoo, home to giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Tai Shan, Washington D.C. has all the bases covered. Just keep in mind that the distance between wherever you are and the Washington Monument is farther than you think. The Mall — the heart of D.C. main attractions — is almost two miles long. And here’s a tip — if there’s a line to climb the Washington Monument, head for the Pavilion at the Old Post Office (Pennsylvania Ave., between 11th and 12th Sts. NW), where the clock tower affords an equally dramatic view. A food court on the main level offers snacks to keep everybody’s spirits high.

Don’t Miss

•          The Newseum, with its section of the Berlin Wall, gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photos and an interactive newsroom, which gives kids the chance to be an on-camera TV reporter.

•          The National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall showcases some 8,000 artifacts including totems and both historic and contemporary art.

•          Fly high at the National Air and Space Museum, home to the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock sample that kids (of all ages) can touch.

Jazzfest in New Orleans

There’s always a party going on in the Big Easy but especially during Jazzfest, the annual music, roots and heritage fest held this year April 29-May 8 at the Fair Grounds Race Course.  What’s so special about this music event?

Depending on whom you talk to, it’s a tie between the 12 stages of music and the food, followed by, in no particular order, the people watching, the after-fest shows around town, and did we mention the food? With 2011 headliners including Jimmy Buffett, The Roots, local trumpet sensation Kermit Ruffins and Jersey boy Bon Jovi, Fest is an annual tradition for a legion of locals and music fans of all ages coming together for love of jazz and blues, Zydeco and gospel, and cochon de lait po’boys. Despite the thrumming crowds and weather that can range from gorgeous to blistering and torrential, the vibe is pure love fest.

Don’t Miss

•          Catch a Fest parade by the Mardi Gras Indians, a feathered and bejeweled tribal tradition that dates back more than a century.

•          New Orleans still needs a helping hand. With the sixth anniversary of Katrina approaching, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities to aid in the city’s rebuilding. For a full list of options, visit Volunteer Louisiana.

It takes planning to figure out where you want to spend spring break, let alone what you’re going to do once you get there. To help with a few ideas to get you going, check out the Country Inns & Suites by Carlson amusement park hotel packages that you can tap into for an easier vacation experience and great savings. Here are a few to consider, and keep in mind, each offers a complimentary hot breakfast every morning:

• Busch Gardens (Williamsburg, VA) – Stay at the Country Inn & Suites in Williamsburg, Virginia and book the “Busch Gardens Splash Package”! Thrilling rides and fabulous shows combined with waterpark fun are included in this getaway. Book a three-day stay to enjoy two seven-day tickets valid at Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, as well as $40 in area restaurant meal vouchers. Click for details.
• Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America (Minneapolis, MN) – Visit all of your favorite Nickelodeon friends like Dora, Diego and Spongebob Squarepants at this unique, indoor theme park. This popular “Family Fun Package” at our Country Inn & Suites – Bloomington Mall of America includes two unlimited one-day ride passes, and coupons for exciting extras at the Build-A-Bear Workshop® and MagiQuest. Click for details.
• Phoenix Zoo (Phoenix, AZ) – Now’s your chance to get up close with exotic animals like giraffes, monkeys and stingraysby booking the “Phoenix Zoo Package” the next time you stay at the Country Inn & Suites – Phoenix Airport at Tempe.  Two offers are available, and each comes with free zoo passes, free shuttle service to and from the zoo, and other valuable offers. Click for details.

View the entire list of up-to-date amusement park hotel packages by clicking here.

The end of winter is a great time to recharge with a break from the day-to-day. To help get you on your way, we’re excited to announce our Spring Getaway Offer for March and April that has you covered with great food or great entertainment.

Book a stay under the Spring Getaway Promotion for two or more nights between March 2, 2011 and April 30, 2011 at participating hotels in the U.S. and Canada, and you will receive:

• Certificate code to redeem online for a $30 Amazon.com Gift Card* (or a 30 CAD Amazon.ca Gift Certificate*)
• T.G.I. Friday’s Offer* ($5 off $15 coupon upon check-in)
• 3,000 Bonus Gold Points^®*
• Free Hot, Expanded Breakfast
• Free High-Speed Internet

Spend your spring vacation at Country, and you’ll understand why so many guests are saying, “I love this Country.”

*Visit http://countryinns.com/springgetaway for more details and terms and conditions!