If we get to 2,000 “likes” by midnight today on our facebook page we are giving away a 4 day 3 night vacation to one lucky person that completes the “ENTER HERE” form on our page Best Travel Deals.  Don’t miss your chance to win a free vacation!

Photographer: Robert Holmes

Go on a safari without leaving the country? You can, just 35 miles north of downtown San Diego. Observe roaming herds of elephants, rhinoceroses and giraffes at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. This spectacular 1,800-acre preserve features more than 3,500 animals in their native habitats. Starting June 19th the park is open from 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Give dad the gift of relaxation this Father’s Day weekend at one of these stunning yet affordable beach resorts.

1. Kids Stay Free at All Occidental Hotels & Resorts this Father’s Day Weekend

Single dads or dads who want to travel solo to spend some quality time with their kids won’t want to miss this deal, wherein two children age 12 and under can stay free when traveling with one paying adult. This translates to a savings of $60 per child, per night. This offer is valid through December 17th at all Occidental Grand and Allegro properties.

And through August, the nightly rates at these all-inclusive resorts start from $53 per person in Aruba, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, saving you up to 53%. The nightly rates include unlimited meals, snacks, and free-flowing drinks as well as activities like scuba classes, snorkeling, windsurfing, and more. For more information on this unbeatable beach vacation deal, visit http://www.occidentalhotels.com/occidental/Specials_kidsfree.asp

2. Get a $50 Daily Resort Credit, a 25% Discount on Golf, and a Free Father’s Day Brunch at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort

Bookable through July 30th for travel through August 19th, the Love Your Parents Package includes complimentary admission for dads to the Father’s Day buffet brunch at Bimini Market and a $50 daily resort credit to be used towards dining and in-room amenities. Complimentary family-friendly activities that are offered at the resort including snorkeling, kayaking, storytelling, dive-in movies, and cultural performances.

Package prices start at $198 per room, per night, and guests who book a minimum of four nights by June 4th are also eligible for free companion airfare with the Companion Flies Free offer. Flights must be purchased at the time of booking through domestic tour operators or online travel agencies to qualify. Dads who are golf enthusiasts can golf for $75 per round (a 25% discount) at the neighboring Cable Beach Golf Club. The Sheraton Nassau also boasts an Adventure Club, which organizes counselor-led activities in the daytime and evening for the little ones while parents spend kids-free time together. For more information about the Love Your Parents Package or to place a reservation, call (877) 782-0149 or visit http://www.sheratonnassau.com.

3. Save 40% on a Father’s Day Golf Package at Las Brisas Hotels & Resorts in Mexico

Why not celebrate Father’s Day with a golf vacation in paradise? From now until July 16th, a two night/three day golf package at Las Brisas Hotels & Resorts starts at only $500 (40% off of its original cost). The golf package includes a welcome cocktail, accommodations in a deluxe room, breakfast for two, a bottle of wine anytime you dine at one of the resort’s restaurants, a complimentary green and a 50% discount for a second golfer, and a 50% discount on a second room if you decide to travel with friends or family.

Up to two children can stay free when sharing a room with their parents. This offer is valid for travel between June 1st and July 16th. To book this Father’s Day package, visit www.brisas.com.mx and use the promo code FATHER.

Whether you want to kick back and admire the beauty of the great outdoors, window shop on 5th Avenue, or perfect your swing at a scenic golf course this Father’s Day weekend, check out these 7 terrific travel deals based in the US.

1. Get a $25 Active Duty Military Discount on Any Room at Our Hearts Inn B&B, Colorado Springs

Fathers who are active duty military members will receive a $25 discount on any room at Our Hearts Inn B&B in Colorado Springs this Father’s Day weekend. Fathers who are retired military will receive a $20 discount on any room at the B&B. Regular nightly rates at Our Hearts Inn range from $95 to $140. Visit www.inn-colorado-springs.com and mention the discount while making your reservation to take advantage of this offer.

2. Dads Ride Free on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

When accompanied by a family member, dads ride free on the Cumbres & Toltec scenic railroad on the Colorado-New Mexico border this Father’s Day weekend (June 18-20). This offer includes the train ride and lunch. The railroad has terminals in Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. Call 1-888-CUMBRES or click here for more details.

3. Free Admission on June 20th, 2010 to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, Colorado

Dads get free admission to the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, Colorado on June 20th, 2010. Walking or driving across the Royal Gorge Bridge, America’s highest suspension bridge, is nothing short of an awe-inspiring experience.

4. Enjoy a Father and Son Campout at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs on June 19th

Want to enjoy some father and son bonding time? On June 19th, the Cheyenne Zoo in Colorado Springs is organizing a father and son “campout” from 6pm to 8am, which includes a hearty dinner and tour of the zoo . The campout costs $60.50 per pair and $25.25 per additional child. Click here or call (719) 633-9125 for more information.

5. Play Golf and Stay in Lakeview Accommodations at the Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho on Father’s Day weekend for $399

If dad enjoys golf and the outdoors, why not treat him to an unforgettable weekend getaway at the historic Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho? The “It’s All about Dad” Father’s Day package at the Shore Lodge is available from June 18-20 and includes lake view accommodations for two nights, a round of golf at the Whitetail Club, and complimentary brunch for dad on Father’s Day. The package costs $399 and does not include taxes or resort fees. One dad per package is allowed. For more information about this package, click here.

6. Spend a Luxurious Father’s Day Weekend at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City for $499

This Father’s Day weekend, you can enjoy a relaxing getaway at the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City for only $499. This offer is valid through December 30, 2010. The package includes one night’s accommodation for two in one of the hotel’s luxurious guest rooms, a bottle of champagne, dinner at the fyve Restaurant Lounge, a keepsake, and complimentary parking. Tax and gratuities are included in the package, but alcoholic drinks are not.

Each couple that books this weekend package will automatically be entered into a drawing which will take place on December 31, 2010 for a vacation at the Ritz-Carlton in Sanya, China. For more information about this Ritz-Carlton Father’s Day vacation special, click here.

7. Save 20% at the Andaz Wall Street Hotel in the Heart of New York City

For stays of three nights or longer at the Andaz Wall Street hotel over Father’s Day weekend, you’ll receive a 20% discount off of room rates, two signature cocktails at Bar Seven Five, two 15-minute spa treatments at the SPA, and an exclusive tour of the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, June 18. This offer is valid from June 17-21, and rates begin at $200 per night.

The Andaz Wall Street hotel, which opened in January 2010, is located in the Financial District and serves as the ideal jumping off point for visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For more information about this Father’s Day weekend deal, click here.

Flag Day, celebrated on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

Spirit has made no alternate arrangements leaving travelers with refunds, a $100 flight credit for a future Spirit flight and no way to fly home or start their trip unless they can find another flight on another carrier on short notice AND pay the full-fare, walk-up price.

Shame on Spirit Airlines for it’s reckless behavior and complete lack of consideration for it’s passengers. They should start allowing travelers to cancel and get full refunds for flights scheduled for at least the next two weeks.

Spirit Airlines has now cancelled its entire flight schedule for tomorrow, Sunday, June 13, to go with its early-morning cancellation of today’s flights. The carrier’s pilots, working without a contract for nearly four years, walked off the job at 5 a.m. this morning.

Spirit has now stranded about 30,000 people (the airline carries about 15,000 passengers a day) without offering an alternative. This is not what other airlines do when they face a strike. Spirit still has a punitive change or cancellation policy in effect until they announce cancellations but despite this you may try calling the airlines and see if they lift their policy in light of the strike.

If you’re scheduled to fly on Spirit Airlines next week you may want to book other flights now if you can afford to do so.

Does your dad have a taste for adventure? Book one of these vacation packages if you’d like to enjoy the beauty and exhilaration of the great outdoors this Father’s Day weekend.

1. Save up to $330 on Costa Rica vacation packages at Los Sueños Resort

Stayincostarica.com is offering two great travel deals this Father’s Day for luxury condominiums on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. The Fishing and Golf Package costs $650 per person (a savings of $330 per person) and includes a 3 night stay at a luxury 2 bedroom 2 bath condo at Los Sueños Resort, a full day of offshore fishing in a 32’ Maverick that includes lunch, drinks, and beers for 4 people, a round of golf for 4 people at the La Iguana golf course, and transportation to and from the airport. The Fishing and Jungle Adventure Package costs $575 per person (a savings of $310) and includes a 3 night stay at a luxury 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo, a full day of offshore fishing in a 32’ Maverick that includes lunch, drinks and beers for 4 people, a zipline tour through the rainforest for 4 people, and transportation to and from the airport. Click here for more information about these vacation packages.

2. An 8 Day, Kids-Stay-Free Safari in Kenya Starting at $5,999 for a Family of 4

Taking a safari to Kenya has never been this easy on the pocketbook. Through July 31, 2010, Kensington Tours is offering a Kids Stay Free promotion at all 3 of its safari parks. Up to 2 children, 17 years old or younger, stay free when sharing accommodations with 2 adults. Prices start at $5,999 and include a private guide and vehicle. Click here for more information about this family-friendly vacation deal.

3. Complimentary Third Night with Every 2 Paid Nights at Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole

Get a complimentary third night with every 2 paid nights at one of the luxury private residences at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole. The Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole is only minutes away from Teton National Park and a scenic, one hour drive away from Yellowstone National Park. And Father’s Day Weekend is an excellent time to visit Jackson Hole because the weather is pleasant and there are no thick crowds as in the summer. The Base Camp concierge at the resort arranges custom, guided national park tours for guests that include activities like hiking, biking, and wildlife watching. Click here to learn more about the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole.

4. Fathers Stay Free at the 1785 Inn & Restaurant in North Conway, New Hampshire

Fathers accompanied by at least one other person can stay free at the 1785 Inn & Restaurant in the White Mountains of New Hampshire this Father’s Day weekend. The 1785 Inn & Restaurant is a colonial-style B&B that boasts a scenic vista of the surrounding mountains and world-class dining. The inn’s restaurant is renowned for its quality and service, and its wine list has been called “one of the finest in the world” by Wine Spectator magazine. Outdoor activities you can enjoy in the North Conway area include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and spelunking. Click here or call 603-356-9025 for more information about this Father’s Day special.

5. Get an Air and Land Inclusive Package to Sydney and Cairns for $1299

Through June 30th, get an air and land inclusive package to Sydney and Cairns, Australia from $1299 per person. The package includes round-trip airfare on Qantas from Los Angeles to Sydney and Cairns, 3 nights’ accommodation in Sydney, 3 nights’ accommodation in Cairns, and applicable fuel surcharges. During the trip, you’ll visit the Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains, observe kangaroos in the wild, taste delicious wines in Hunter Valley, explore Daintree Rainforest, and snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef. For more information about this and other vacation packages to Australia and New Zealand, visit the Down Under Answers specials page.

Accor Hotels is offering great savings for summer travelers with 50% off at over 800 Accor Hotels Worldwide.  This offer is available from June 10th to June 16th for arrivals between July 8 and September 6, 2010. Hotels available through this offer include the Novetel Paris Tour Eiffel, the Novotel Amsterdam City, Novotel Roma La Rustica, and the Novotel Montreal Center among hundreds of others.

Got a Droid cell phone? We’ve blogged about iPhone travel apps, but we know that there are also many Droid users out there who are craving travel-related apps. Here are 10 free Droid apps that you can download the next time you hit the road.

1. Talk to Me

If you’re traveling to a foreign country and don’t feel like spending time and money studying the language, check out the Talk to Me Android app, a real-time speech translator. Just say something in English and the translator will say the words back to you in your language of choice. There’ll be no more fumbling around with a phrasebook and making a fool out of yourself abroad with this app at your side.

2. Where

Where is an awesome, value-packed app that could probably replace multiple travel apps on your Droid. Where tracks your location via GPS and gives you information such as the local weather forecast, coupons, gas prices, news, movie show times, and more. It even has a Starbucks locator for all you Java heads.

3. Cab4me

There’s no need to shout, whistle, or flail your arms to hail a cab anymore. Simply download the Cab4me app to your Droid, pick a location on the map where you’d like for the cab to pick you up, and then call one of the cab companies on the list tab.

4. Trip Journal

Ditch the ancient practice of paper journaling and opt for Droid’s Trip Journal app to save space and keep loved ones up to date while you’re on the road. Trip Journal app allows you to document your travel experiences and share them with family and friends. You can track your travel route, save photos of your trip, attach notes, and more.

5. iNap

Do you fear taking naps on the bus or train because you’re worried that you won’t wake up when you arrive at your final destination? The iNap app eliminates those fears, using GPS and an alarm system to wake you up when you reach your stop.

6. Car Locator

When you take a road trip to a new city, it’s easy to forget where you parked. To avoid spending hours wandering around parking lots looking for your car, download the Car Locator app to your Droid.

This app uses GPS to save the location of your car anytime you park. It also features a parking time alarm so you can avoid those pesky parking tickets. The free version of the Car Locator expires after 25 runs, but the paid version only costs $1.99.

7. Wikitude Premium AR Guide

The Wikitude Premium Augmented Reality Guide uses Google maps, GPS, and Wikipedia to provide a broad range of information about destinations you visit. It will tell you where public transportation, restaurants, and sites of interest are located and display the information on a map or on your phone’s camera display.

8. ConvertMe

One of the more confusing parts about traveling abroad is deciphering measurements. To avoid mixing up clothing sizes, currency exchange rates, distances, and more, use the ConvertMe app to keep track of all those mind-boggling conversions.

9. Langtolang Dictionary

Carrying a dictionary around with you on a trip can be a pain, especially if you’re traveling to multiple countries. The Langtolang Dictionary app is a convenient, multilingual dictionary that translates to and from English. Supported languages include Japanese, Portuguese, Greek, Hebrew, and Albanian, to name a few.

10. StayHIP

Tired of staying in cookie-cutter chain hotels? Download the StayHIP app to your Droid so you can search for hip, boutique hotels with an intimate atmosphere wherever you happen to be.