PHOENIX, AZ -- (Marketwire) -- 07/30/09 -- Best Western International is taking a look at how today's technologies have changed the road trip experience with a "Retro to Now Road Trip," co-sponsored by AAA, which transports one family back in time for one leg of the trip, and brings them back to present day for the latter portion. Along the way, the family will answer the question -- how have road trips changed over the years and has it been for the better?

As grand prize winners of the Best Western and AAA "Retro to Now Road Trip" sweepstakes, the Monteith family will hit the road and tour some of the Northeast's most famous cities and landmarks in a way most modern day families don't -- in a standard family van, without access to a CD player, cell phones or other technology. While traveling in the vehicle, provided by Hertz Rental Car, video games and DVDs will be replaced by road games and paperbacks to keep the children -- a five-year-old, eight-year-old and nine-year old twins -- occupied. The journey will be guided by a TripTik® Travel Planner provided by AAA.

"We are huge fans of road trips and really looking forward to hitting the road with Best Western and AAA," said mom Vonnette Monteith. "I have been preparing the kids for the road trips that I grew up taking, which will mean car games instead of game consoles or DVDs. They are really excited to experience an old fashioned road trip."

Midway through the journey, the family will switch to "now," with all familiar and modern amenities returning. In addition the family will drive a fully-loaded 2009 Volkswagen Routan, the only minivan in America with German engineering. Features include power sliding doors, U-Connect(TM) Bluetooth cellular phone wireless connection, DVD navigation with wide touch screen, built-in single-disc AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3, USB connection, 30GB hard drive, music storage feature, Sirius Satellite Radio and rear view backup camera.

"Best Western is synonymous with the iconic family road trip, having opened our doors to driving families for generations," said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western senior vice president of marketing and sales. "AAA and Best Western online and mobile tools let the fun start with the planning and continue during the ride, while the hotel is where the vacation really comes together. Great service, convenient locations, comfortable rooms, free high-speed Internet, and breakfast make Best Western the perfect partner to a road trip -- then, now and always."

Travel fans can follow the Monteiths on their "Retro to Now Road Trip" via Best Western's travel blog www.bestwestern.com/roadtrip and on the hotel's Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.