Contestant's Row Friday: Travel Bug Sweepstakes

Alo-ha Travel Channel...

Enter the Travel Channel's Travel Bug Sweepstakes before May 31 (that's Sunday, folks) to win way a fabulous seven-day vacation to Oahu and Maui.

* Photo from The Travel Channel

Local-ly Picked Top 3 Chill Out Spots in Vacationland

Over the weekend I was helping a friend plan a "Thelma and Louise-style" New England road trip and it reminded me that my home state, Maine, is a pretty awesome and versatile vacation destination.

There's something for everyone in Maine -- especially expecting or new parents looking to rest and relax at an inn that offers a wonderful sense of place. Here are three of my favorite places to chill out in Vacationland:

1. Chebeague Island Inn: Beautifully-restored 1920's inn on a lovely little island along the Southern coast of Maine. Dinner on the porch is a must.
2. The Inns at Ullikana: Further up the coast is one of the country's most visited and IMHO most beautiful national parks -- Acadia. As a kid my family always camped at Acadia but I hear The Inns at Ullikana -- ideally situated in Bar Harbor-- are a choice stylish retreat.
3. Kawanhee Inn: The coast of Maine gets a lot of attention but a trip off the beaten path to the Western Mountains can be equally (if not more!) rewarding. If you're really looking for a true Maine experience, check out Weld, Maine's Kawanhee Inn on Webb Lake (near Mount Blue State Park). About twenty minutes from where I grew up, this is my absolute favorite spot in Western Maine.

This list could probably go on forever -- Maine's a pretty chilled out state -- so I invite my fellow Maine-iacs to add their favorite spot in the comments.

Photo credit: www.chebeagueislandinn.com

Contestant's Row Friday: Luggage Makeover

Need a luggage makeover?

If you are a traveling Mom or Dad you may have noticed that those cute little roll aboards don't really work so well when you're trying to transport the kids' summer vacation gear.

We Just Got Back is giving away two nicely-sized, easy to transport LL Bean rolling duffle bags.

Giveaway ends by May 31st.

All in the Family

More and more I find myself forgetting things -- little things and big things. Now, I know that post-kid forgetfulness is normal and nothing to worry about but it really can make a girl wonder what exactly happened to that well-rested, focused pre-pregnancy brain I used to take for granted.

If you're like me and curious about the complexity of the brain but don't have the time to comb through the mountains of research on the topic, read my cousin's blog -- Brain Today -- which does a very nice job of breaking down news related to brain matters -- stress, memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, treatments, risk factors, diagnostics, and discoveries -- in plan English and without the spin.

Pop on over and check it out. The more the merrier, especially since my cousin said he would pay me for each referall from my blog.

Dennis - you should have my PayPal address in your inbox ;-)

Cool Baby Naming Art!

We're in love with this illustration of 2008's Most Popular Baby Names. The coolest part is that the size of the names reflects their relative popularity for that particular year.

Since many of these names will be the names of his or her contemporaries, we think it's a particularly clever addition to a child's room.

Compare the illustration above with the popular names of the 1890...my, how times change.

Remember this? Traveling Mom's Ode to Baby Wipes

Since so many of us traveling moms will be heading out this weekend to parts unknown, I thought I'd rerun an ode to one of my favorite travel tools -- baby wipes.

This was originally published to Two and a Half Travelers during our family road trip up the coast of California in January.

Traveling Mom's Ode to Baby Wipes

Thank you baby wipes manufacturer for all that you do for traveling Moms and Dads.

I know you get a bad rap at times for not being green, but I'm here to give you props for always being there with your portable carry case full of fresh, clean convenient towelettes selflessly ready to remove the most unfriendly substances. In addition to the obvious biological suspects, dirt, chocolate or sticky lollipop residue don't stand a chance when you're around.

To your green detractors, I say behold all the water and electricity (not to mention hotel laundry fees), you save when you heroically remove large swaths of yogurt from my trusty (and halfway fashionable) travel blazer -- no washing machine required.

Your steadfast commitment to keeping our family free of smelly, sticky and sour substances has earned my loyalty.

Thank you.

Contestant's Row Friday: Tahiti Tourisme Free Trip to Tahiti

For a mix of personal and professional reasons, we've been obsessed with the South Pacific lately so we were naturally intrigued with Tahiti Tourisme's "Invest In Your Love" contest prize -- a week in Tahiti.

To win you need to make a video anywhere between 25 seconds to 3 minutes proving why you and your loved one(s) NEED and DESERVE a trip to Tahiti to Invest In your Love.

A Spandex-Worthy Yoga Retreat

You know those dvd's featuring blissed out yogis
sporting spandex with nary a fold or wrinkle in sight downward dogging in front of the most beautiful tropical settings?

If I ever lose the last five (okay, ten) pounds of baby weight, I swear I'm going to put on a cute spandex outfit and audition to be one of those tapes. Sorry, was that too much info?

For now, I guess I'll have to pay for that type of opportunity but I'm fairly certain Laluna's Wellness Retreat in Grenada from October 16 -18th, 2009 would be worth every penny.

E-mail us at info@twoandahalftravelers.com if you'd like to get in on this action...three beautiful days and 2 nights for two people including yoga instruction (in the beautiful yoga pavillion above), food and a balinese massage for $980.00!

Contestant's Row Friday: Phil & Ted's Travel Cot

As thoughts turn toward Summer vacation and just how you'll fit that bulky pack n play in the truck for your trip to the beach, this Phil & Ted's Travel cot giveaway on Two of a kind, working a full house is worth a visit.

Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on May 9th.

Lighten up and check it out

5 tips for capturing babymoon moments on camera

The Mr. was doing a little web browsing this week and stumbled upon five tips for maternity photography guidance from Annie Tao of Annie Tao Photography.

Definitely a must read for babymooners looking to capture some memories on their vacation.

Sweet Shot Sunday: Happiness is a Grenadian Beach

Wow! That's happy.

Reader Question: Costa Rica Babymoon

Question from Marina Villatoro of Costa Rica
I have a pregnant friend who wants to come to Costa Rica, do you have any babymoon recommendations here?

Answer from Two and a Half Travelers
We'll admit to being a little intimidated at answering this question from a Costa Rica expert like Marina (aka: the travel experta) but we'll give it our best shot!

For a super-indulgent babymoon there's no doubt in our minds that the Four Seasons in Costa Rica will suit even the most selective travelers. Located just a short drive from Liberia International Airport on the country's northwest coast, the Four Seasons gets top marks across the board for pampering and first-class service. I would personally go just for the heavenly pregnancy massage (recommended for women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester) -- specially designed to ease swelling. In addition (or as an alternative for a massage), try the marvelous mango sugar scrub which exfoliates and replenishes skin with a mix of sugar and honey, followed by a natural mango moisturizer.

Lower-priced Alternative
If the Four Seasons is out of reach, we also like the following value-packed vacation package from Xandari Resorts. You can snatch up this standard package for 2 this summer for less than $2000 (including tax, but excluding airfare).

• First two nights & last night at Xandari Resort & Spa, Central Valley.
• Four nights at Xandari by the Pacific, Playa Esterillos.
• Transfer to and from San Jose International Airport.
• Transfer to and from Xandari by the Pacific on schedule shuttle.
• One dinner for two at each resort.
  
• Continental breakfast daily.
• One-hour massage with aromatherapy per person at Xandari Resort & Spa
  

Small Print
The most important thing about your babymoon is that you feel comfortable with the decisions you've made about travel. Like most advice (both professional and unsolicited) that you receive while pregnant, there's often no universal right and wrong when it comes to travel.

In our view, traveling while expecting or with a newborn really comes down to two things: common sense and your own comfort level. Do your research (or work with someone who can do it for you), talk to your doctor and pay attention to your body and your instincts to ensure that you're comfortable with your decision to travel.

Photo from Xandari Resorts -- https://www.xandari.com/Pacific_index.html

Contestant's Row Friday: Macy's Celebrates Mom

Macy's is celebrating Mother's Day by giving away fifty-one Disney vacation packages for four (one lucky winner in all fifty states and the District of Columbia).

The cool thing about this five nights and six day vacation is that it begins with a sunrise breakfast at Disneyland in California and ends with a sunset dinner at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. All accommodation, transport and VIP park passes are included. Travel dates are June 21 - 26, 2009.

Get in on the action before May 10.