Busy Mom Reviews

The holidays are upon us, and for many people that means travel, and possibly a hotel stay or two.

The Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), well-known brands such as Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaze, Intercontinental Hotel, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge want to make your holiday travel a little easier this year by helping you cut travel costs:

* Check it Free – Travelers can get up to $50 toward their first checked bag on any airline when they spend a weekend at any IHG hotel across the U.S. between now and Dec. 30, 2010.

* Sweet Dilemma - IHG is offering a flexible choice for any traveler who stays twice at any IHG property from September 20 to December 31, 2010 - free nights, double reward club points or miles.

The giveaway

IHG also wants your travel to be easier by offering a chance at a “Travel Made Easy” gift basket.

The prize: A “Travel Made Easy” gift basket that includes: a new carry-on bag, decorative cosmetic bags, a travel pillow, headphones and a $25 Visa gift card. ($125 value):

1. (Required): Leave a comment here and share a tip to make holiday travel easier.

2. For an extra entry, tweet about this contest (I'm @busymom), and be sure to leave a separate comment with a link to your tweet.

2. One (1) winner will be picked randomly via Random.org from the comments.

3. Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older

4. Winner(s) has 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.

5. Hurry! Contest ends December 13, 2010 at 10pm CST.

I received a set of the items as described above. No other payment or consideration was given for this post

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NAVTEQ. All opinions are 100% mine.

In-dash navigation units can be found in cars all over the country. They're really handy and can save countless hours of driving time if you're going someplace unfamiliar, or if there's a traffic jam ahead. I love our navigation system, it's been invaluable as I've driven all over the country for my daughter's volleyball games.

But, in order for these navigation systems to work, the maps have to be updated. Construction changes roads and landmarks every day, and an outdated map can't help you get where you're going!

NAVTEQ is a leading provider of maps, traffic and location data, and a map update  by NAVTEQ would make a perfect present for the traveler in your life, a new driver or even for yourself. An in-dash navigation system can help you navigate an unfamiliar part of town, lead you to landmarks, restaurants or your hotel on the road.

It's always useful, it doesn't take up space, and it's never the wrong size. How many other gifts are that awesome?

What are you waiting for? Go find out more or order a NAVTEQ  map update for that someone who has everything.

Since we stuck close to home for spring break this year, we did a few nearby things instead, and we went to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. (Disclosure: we were already planning a trip, and they were kind enough to give me 2 media passes, but we paid for the rest of our party).

If you're not familiar with it, the Tennessee Aquarium is a highly rated aquarium with over 10,00 animals
and an IMAX 3D Theatre, as well as extensive education and conservation programs.

The Tennessee Aquarium is located on Chattanooga's downtown riverfront and there are two buildings (admission includes access to both) with all kinds of things to do.

The River Journey building is a freshwater habitat with river otters, turtles, alligators, giant catfish and other freshwater life. The Ocean Journey building has great exhibits, too: penguins (PENGUINS!), sharks, butterflies and other ocean life.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a great spring break destination, especially with their Keeper Kids program.

From now through April 17th, 2011 kids can sign up for (free with admission and sign-up) behind-the-scenes experiences where they can help the vet, feed otters, turtles and partridges, release butterflies or be a SCUBA assistant.

We got to be a part of the Secret Reef Feeding Frenzy where we were treated like royalty high above the tanks and fed sharks, turtles, fish and more.

The Tennessee Aquarium has lots of events coming up, including:

- Born To Be Wild 3D opening at IMAX on April 8th, 2011.

- Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari opening on May 12th, 2011.

Guests can tune into, and appreciate, nature from their backyard to the backyards of creatures from around the world.

Generations of readers (Hello? Are you my age? Ranger Rick Magazine was the coolest, and it's still around today!) have followed this wise raccoon and his friends as they come across and solve threats to the natural world. Now for the first time, Ranger Rick and his animal cast of friends will come to life at the Tennessee Aquarium.

So, if you're looking for something to do this spring break (or any time!) for all ages, go check out the Tennessee Aquarium and see what it has to offer. Be sure to pack your walking shoes and allow plenty of time to see everything!

Don't forget to follow the Tennessee Aquarium on Facebook and the Tennessee Aquarium on Twitter.