American Express Publishing, which publishes Travel + Leisure magazine is partnering with CNN, CNN.com and several Time Inc. titles to promote weekend getaways that are “great escapes and itineraries accessible from major cities across the country.”

Starting Saturday, CNN, HLN and CNN Airport Network will air “Weekend Getaways” travel segments sponsored by Infiniti. The series is an insider’s guide to weekend destinations. It will highlight inns, restaurants, art, entertainment and shopping on the main streets and back roads of America. Travel + Leisure editors will share their insight and provide expert advice weekly on the networks through September 2009.

The “Weekend Getaways,” naturally, will also be available online and on mobile devices. A special microsite has been set up that includes 400 itineraries from 11 cities. Also, CNN.com has a special site with travel tips, information and the latest news. It’s also available at the mobile site: m.cnn.com.

Oh, and there’s a sweepstakes too. More details in the press release after the jump…

AMERICAN EXPRESS PUBLISHING, CNN, AND TIME INC.
COLLABORATE ON MULTI-MEDIA PROGRAM

Travel + Leisure’s “Weekend Getaways” Series Launches with
Exclusive Content Sponsored by Infiniti

NEW YORK, NY March 18, 2009 – American Express Publishing, CNN, and Time Inc. announce the launch of the Travel + Leisure “Weekend Getaways” series sponsored exclusively by luxury automaker, Infiniti. Created by the editors of Travel + Leisure, “Weekend Getaways” focuses on great escapes and itineraries accessible from major cities across the country, including: where to go, eat, and stay when you only have a few days to spare. Beginning in March, “Weekend Getaways” will be presented in multiple formats, including: print, online, mobile and broadcast.

T+L “Weekend Getaways” in Print
A three-part booklet series will be featured in the April, July, and October issues of Travel + Leisure and are scheduled to appear in select copies of other American Express Publishing Corporation titles—Food & Wine, and Departures,—as well as select Time Inc. titles including Time Style & Design, Fortune and Money. Infiniti will be the sole advertiser within these pull-out booklets. The three in-magazine booklets will cover a total of nine “Weekend Getaways” experiences as chosen by the editors of Travel + Leisure. The three booklets will focus on the following areas: Northeast (trips from New York, Boston, and DC), Southwest (trips from Phoenix, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas), and the West (trips from Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles).

T+L “Weekend Getaways” On-Air
Getting away from it all is still possible if you know where to go. Beginning March 21, CNN, HLN and CNN Airport Network will air “Weekend Getaways” travel segments sponsored by Infiniti. The series is an insider’s guide to weekend destinations. It will highlight inns, restaurants, art, entertainment and shopping on the main streets and back roads of America. Travel + Leisure editors will share their insight and provide expert advice weekly on the networks through September 2009.

T+L “Weekend Getaways” Online & Mobile
Travel + Leisure “Weekend Getaways” will be featured online through a special microsite at travelandleisure.com/weekends as well as a dedicated page at CNN.com/travelcompanion. About 400 “Weekend Getaway” trip itineraries from 11 cities are accessible through a “Weekend Getaway” finder tool at travelandleisure.com/weekends that allows users to choose their desired travel distance as well as characteristics of the type of trip they’re looking for. CNN.com/travelcompanion provides the tips, information and latest news needed to make the most out of any trip. The site provides helpful tips for various travel situations, technology that makes travel easier and fun ideas for weekend trips. The special report includes streaming video, quick votes, and other interactive galleries. The Travel Companion special report is also available on wireless devices at m.cnn.com.

T+L “Weekend Getaways” Sweepstakes
CNN.com will also host a co-branded “Weekend Getaways” sweepstakes that allows consumers a chance to win one of three trips to their choice of nine featured “Weekend Getaways” destinations. The “Weekend Getaways” sweepstakes will give away $35,000 worth of trips designed by the experts at Travel + Leisure and will be promoted on-air as well as in print and digital media advertising across CNN, Time Inc. and Amex Publishing brands. Infiniti is the exclusive sponsor of this promotion, and will be receiving co-branded :30 sweepstakes spots, print ads, and banner ads on CNN.com and travelandleisure.com.

This program follows last year’s Travel + Leisure “City Guides” series which brought together American Express Publishing, CNN, and Time Inc. for the first time. That program was also sponsored by Infiniti.