SEE PAGE 3
Vol. 6 No. 1
EAST CENTRAL OHIO REGION
Shop AAA Discounts & Rewards on AAA.com
It’s DISNEY MONTH at AAA Travel!
AAA Discounts & Rewards is an innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com featuring deep discounts, limited-time offers and everyday savings on dining, electronics, home, apparel, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nation wide. Discover great deals on the names you trust and the products you need — all at unbeatable prices. It’s just one of the many perks of AAA membership. The AAA Discounts & Rewards shopping portal at AAA.com/discounts features an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface to help you find exactly what you are looking for with just few simple clicks. In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn reward points on everything you buy. WOWPoints are AAA’s online reward points — just like the loyalty points you get from credit cards or airlines. 100 WOWPoints = $1 and your points never expire as long as you remain a AAA member. Paired with great online savings, you can earn double and triple WOWPoints for the purchases you make from your favorite brands and redeem them on your next purchase. Now that’s rewarding! AAA East Central members can register online at AAA.com/discounts. It’s completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, movie and attraction tickets, restaurants retailers and more.
January perks just for members make NOW the best time to book Disney!
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t’s a new year, and that means all-new Disney offers are now available to AAA members during Disney Month (Jan 6-31)! January is the very best time to book your vacation to the Walt Disney World® Resort. Booking early now provides you with more benefits than ever…and special Disney Month offers. Members who book a 2014 AAA Vacations® package receive 1 Disney tote per room filled with Disney gifts, including a music CD, a photo album and a baseball hat! Another member exclusive: Book a 2014 Walt Disney World® Resort vacation and get a free copy of the very practical Walt Disney World® Birnbaum Guide (and a discount of up to $50 per room for select resorts).
JANUARY 2014
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE DANGERS OF DROWSY DRIVING
What’s New? Disney World’s homage to the 1937 classic animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” debuts this year! The indoor & outdoor Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family-friendly coaster (not a thrill ride) that takes guests of the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland through the mine where the dwarfs spend their days digging for gems. The opening of this steel roller coaster will wrap up the largest expansion in the • AAA Diamond Parking at theme park’s history. Located all 4 theme parks behind Cinderella Castle, • AAA Disney Magic Moon the right after entering ments savings of 10%, 15% the Castle Courtyard gates or 25% off the nondiscountleading into the Enchanted ed rate of the room portion Forest, the ride starts in the on select package dwarfs’ cottage, then takes and dates. guests on a rollicking, musical voyage into AAA the mine where a milOPEN lion “diamonds” shine. Value Resort MOUSE The Mine Train will Walt Disney World® feature first-of-its-kind Massillon Come in for a free Birnbaum Guide vehicles that swing back Jan 15 11am-2pm quote on a Disney Moderate Resort and forth, responding to 330-833-1084 vacation & get a free $25 per room earlyevery twist and turn of the booking discount and gift, while supplies last. track. The journey will be a Walt Disney World® accompanied by music AAA Travel professionals Birnbaum Guide from the film and animat& a Disney representative will answer questions & ed figures of Snow White Deluxe Resort provide expert advice. and the Dwarfs. $50 per room early-booking Turn to page 15 for Disney discount and a Walt Disney See page 15. Month details & restrictions! World® Birnbaum Guide AAA members also receive a Disney value-added benefit: Ask your AAA Travel professional about a special Disney gift card offer when you buy a select AAA Vacations® package. See page 15 for details and restrictions. And there’s more! AAA members also get these AAA Vacations® exclusive benefits: • AAA Vacations® Diamond Savings Card® offering savings of 10%, 15% or 20% at participating locations
New T-Mobile program offers international service AAA affinity partner T-Mobile recently introduced Un-Carrier 3.0 – a service for Simple Choice plan customers that includes free texting and Web surfing, along with 20-cents-per-minute calling in more than 100 countries. Member-exclusive benefits include a 10 percent discount on Simple Choice plans. Additionally, members are eligible for a 10 percent discount on T-Mobile’s $10 monthly international plan, which provides calling to more than 100 countries for 20 cents per minute and unlimited texting to more than 200 countries. Along with 10 percent savings on monthly service for all lines on an account, members receive a 25 percent discount on accessories, free shipping on new activations and no annual service contract. Members also can request AAA emergency road service by dialing *AAA. The member discount can be accessed online or by dialing 877.AAA.7494 and using promotional code “AAA.”
AAA and Hertz Set the Standard…the Gold Standard AAA members now can enjoy all the benefits of Hertz Gold service Free! Enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and earn points toward free rental days and more. It’s the fastest way to rent a car — skip the rental counter at 40 of the world’s busiest airports and at 1,000 worldwide locations, simply show your driver’s license, pick up your keys and go! AAA Basic & Plus Members receive free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, plus 675 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points — enough for One Free Rental Day, after their first Gold rental! Join at AAA.com/HertzGold. AAA Premier Members receive free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership plus 1,100 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points — enough for Two Free Weekend Rental Days, after their first Gold rental! Join at AAA.com/HertzPremier.
Pleasant Holidays has Two for the Road Dreaming of an exotic vacation to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Tahiti? Pleasant Holidays can take you just about anywhere you want to go. And now you can double down on the deals. Receive a $100.00 Visa Gift Card from AAA Travel when you book & deposit on any Pleasant Holidays vacation of 5 nights or longer, between January 1-31, 2014 (1 per room). Book using your AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card and you’ll also earn 5X the Reward Points. SEE PAGE 7
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AAA MOTORIST
Hertz is transforming the car rental experience With exclusive members-only discounts and benefits
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inter vacation season will soon be in full swing and shopping for rental cars is on many travelers “to do” list. One of the many benefits of AAA membership is the special package of savings available when you rent from Hertz. Members receive up to a 20 percent discount on car rentals, free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, plus an array of money-saving opportunities, including special upgrades, dollarsoff coupons, and more. Their Member Satisfaction Guarantee is your assurance that the rate and car class, or a higher car class, will be available as reserved. It’s all part of their commitment to provide customers with the most technologically innovative products and services available. Hertz is also redefining the car rental experience in a variety of ways: Hertz is transforming its locations worldwide in a complete rethinking of what a car rental location and experience should be. The company is introducing the use of LED and energy efficient lighting, solar power systems and solar outdoor lighting at select sites. A streamlined rental experience eliminates the need to wait in line, and an iPad station lets you research local area information or recharge your mobile devices. More than 75 percent of the company’s fleet averages 28 plus mpg and
AAA MEMBER SERVICES
Triptiking, Tourbooks, Maps, Address Change, AAA Plus
800-441-5008 membersvccntr@aaaec.com aar@aaaec.com
AUTO BUYING SERVICE: 800-446-7433 BAIL BOND SERVICE: 216-606-6640, 216-606-6000 (After 5 p.m.) DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS: 216-606-6121 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE: Cuyahoga County: 216-606-6000, ers@aaaec.com Ashland, Ashtabula, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Mahoning, Stark, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas: 800-AAA-HELP
INSURANCE AGENCY: 216-606-6194, 800-343-4851 insuranceservices@aaaec.com
IRA's: 888-728-3230 LEGAL REIMBURSEMENT: 216-606-6864 administration@aaaec.com
MOTORIST, Northeast Ohio Region: 216-606-6700 motorist@aaaec.com
PUTS YOU IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT — Hertz is the only car-rental company endorsed by AAA. their Green Traveler Collection offers a variety of alternate fuel vehicles, including Electric Vehicles, Clean Diesels, Compressed Natural Gas vehicles and hybrids. Hertz 24/7 is a revolutionary new ‘self-service’ rental experience available any time, day or night that allows customers to rent a wide variety of vehicles near their home or work when needed and for any length of time — hourly, daily, or weekly. Hertz Local Edition utilizes a net-
Upgrade your membership to AAA Plus® and experience a higher level of benefits! Extend your benefits for even more driving security Basic Membership
AAA Plus® Membership
Towing
Back to the AAA station that comes to your rescue or Anywhere up to 100 miles. up to 3 miles to a destination of your choice.
Emergency Road Service When Out of Gas
Free delivery of emergency gas. Member will be charged for fuel at current pump price.
Free delivery of emergency gas. Fuel is free.
One service vehicle and one driver.
Two service vehicles and two drivers (if needed) at no extra charge.
Off-Road Rescue Service
AAA DIRECTORY
APPROVED AUTO REPAIR: 216-606-6332
Reach for the sky with Benefit
JANUARY 2014
Lock & Key Service
Free service call (to gain entry) and up to $60 for Free service call (to gain entry) and up to $100 for locksmith charge. Towing benefit applies if necessary. locksmith charge. AAA Plus towing benefits applies if necessary.
When AAA Emergency Road Service is not Available
Reimbursement according to published limits
Get more out of your membership! Visit your local AAA office, AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at 1-800-441-5008
Full amount reimbursed for covered AAA services (as long as costs are based on commercial rates.)
work of neighborhood locations servicing leisure and business customers and offering customers pickup and delivery service as well. Hertz Technology is committed to providing customers speed, ease and value with technological innovations and personalized service, unique customer services include: Carfirmation is a mobile email/SMS text service — Mobile Gold Alerts — that confirms a Gold customer’s reservation, advises of their car, and its location at the Hertz facility. Mobile Gold Alerts also shows other available cars and upgrades and lets customers select the one they want — all via their mobile device. Choose Control — available to Hertz Gold Choice members — gives you the power to keep the car you reserved or simply choose another, something no other car rental brand offers. Consumers are looking to mobile technologies as a way to take back control of their travel experience. Zap Technology: Hertz e-Return is the fastest way to get you back on your way home. Hertz will email your receipt in a flash. Acceler-Rental: Hertz is the first rental company to offer airport and neighborhood location customers the ability to rent cars through a live face-to-face video kiosk with Hertz ExpressRent™ kiosks. Book, modify and search car rental reservations, and browse special deals and offers all from the palm of your hand. The Hertz 24/7 Mobile App gives AAA members 24/7 access to a variety of vehicles with the ability to reserve a car or modify an existing reservation and view upcoming and previous reservations. YOUR KEY TO HERTZ SAVINGS
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Your Hertz CDP # is your key to exclusive Hertz savings and benefits. The CDP # 215 the same as your club code, the three digit number that appears on the front of your membership card.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: 216-606-6194 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6702 PUBLIC RELATIONS: 216-606-6712 SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMS: 216-606-6022 TRAFFIC LAWS & TRAFFIC SAFETY: 216-606-6022 TRAVEL AGENCY: 800-354-8761 www.AAA.com
Northeast Ohio AAA Offices ALLIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/823-9820 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/821-2323 2322 South Union Ave., 44601 ASHLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/289-8133 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/289-2222 1074 Commerce Parkway, 44805 ASHTABULA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/997-5586 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/998-1008 2835 North Ridge Rd. East 44004 INDEPENDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216/606-6300 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216/606-6080 5700 Brecksville Rd. 44131 LAKE COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/974-0990 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/205-9090 6980 Heisley Rd., Mentor 44060 LYNDHURST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/473-0700 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/473-0747 5356 Mayfield Rd. 44124 MAHONING COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/726-9083 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/726-0622 1275 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Boardman 44512 MASSILLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/833-1084 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/833-1084 1972 Wales Rd, 44646 MIDWAY MALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/324-2090 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/324-3423 1839 Midway Mall, Elyria 44035 NORWALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/668-1622 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/668-1622 275 Benedict Ave. Norwalk 44857 PORTAGE COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/296-3406 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/296-3406 2641 Rte. 59, Ravenna 44266 SOLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/248-9000 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/248-1808 34050 Solon Rd. 44139 STRONGSVILLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/783-3395 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/783-3396 17220 Royalton Rd. 44136, Borders Plaza TRUMBULL COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/652-6466 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/652-6466 937 Youngstown-Warren Rd., Niles 44446 TUSCARAWAS COUNTY TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/343-4481 1112 Fourth St., New Philadelphia 44663 . . . . . . . 330/343-4481 WESTLAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/788-3102 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/788-3103 149 Market St., Crocker Park, Westlake 44145
JANUARY 2014
AAA MOTORIST
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Everyone is at risk of falling asleep at the wheel East Central Ohio Region Official publication of AAA East Central Published monthly (except bimonthly Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.) by AAA East Central 1972 Wales Rd. NE#1, Massillon, OH 44646-4110 330/ 833-1084 USPS 0679-850 Periodicals Postage Paid at Massillon, OH Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist East Central Ohio Region P.O. Box 6150 Cleveland, OH 44101 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year. Publisher ................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor............................. Douglas O’Neil Business Manager ..................... Sherry A. Madison Editorial Office/Advertising Inquiries 5700 Brecksville Road, Independence, OH 44131 216/606-6704 e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com
AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman: ................................................Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman:....................................... James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman:....................................... Douglas W. Caldwell Vice Chairman:.........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman:.................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President: ................................................... James E. Lehman Treasurer & CFO: ...........................................Michael R. Pratt Secretary: ................................................Robert H. Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, Richard D. Linderman**, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Chairman, Neil D. Bassi, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Charles O. Casto, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, Mona N. Generett, Charles W. Groce , Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Leonard L. Scheinholtz**, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward *ex officio **emeritus directors
OHIO MOTORISTS REGION BOARD OF TRUSTEES John B. Hexter, Chairman, James H. Kanicki, Vice Chairman, Keith Boales, Thomas G. Brick**, Steve D. Bullock*, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Audrey T. Cole, Gary S. Cowling**, Jon E. Denney*, Richard S. Hamilton, John B. Hexter, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, John D. Leech**, Khai H. Lim, Marvin E. Montgomery, Peter C. Ohlheiser, James H. Purtz, Sara E. Stashower *ex officio **emeritus directors ALLIANCE REGIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn L. Akins, Keith Brown, Roy Clunk, Janet Culp, Mark Henschen, Gregory King, Terence Taylor, Andrew Zumbar MASSILLON REGIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wendy Blosser, Jeffrey Bushman, Karen Crites, Douglas Lab, Robert Marks, Ray Martinez, James Purtz, William Schumacher, James Snively, Robert Yund TUSCARAWAS REGIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS William Andreas, Terry Bates, William Belknap, II, James Carrothers, Michael Cochran, Chris Helbing, Chris Hensel, John Herzig, Blair Hillyer, Rex Hostetler, E. L. Loader, Thomas R. McCartney, Jeannie Michel, Sally O’Donnell, John Ourant, Rod Rafael, Ronald Shell, Clark Smith, Robert Stephenson, II, Richard Stephenson, Dayne Thomas, Ryan Wallick, Michael Welsh Copyright ©2014 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Motorist does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Motorist or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.
Drowsy drivers a factor in one of six fatal crashes By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central ess than half of Americans say they get a good night’s sleep but the driver’s seat of your car is no place for a cat nap. Drowsy driving can be just as deadly as driving under the influence, but crashes are often under-reported due to the inherent difficulties of attributing crashes to sleepiness. Now a new report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety offers some eye-opening conclusions. According to a survey of 2,035 motorists conducted as part of the AAA Foundation’s 2013 Traffic Safety Culture Index, more than a quarter of those polled (28.3 percent) admitted they drove despite being so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open. An earlier study found two in five (41 percent) admitted they had “fallen asleep or nodded off” at least once while behind the wheel. Just like alcohol and drugs, fatigue impairs judgment, mood, reaction times and driving performance. Studies by the National Sleep Foundation indicate that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08%, the legal limit in all states. Although typically associated with long distance driving, fatigue can set in at any time. Contributing factors include emotional stress, illness, boredom and sun glare. Overeating, drinking alcoholic beverages, or riding in an overheated or very cold vehicle can compound the effects.
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Richard Hamilton Sleep-related crashes are nearly twice as common among young people, who tend to stay up late, and sleep too little. Shift workers, those with untreated sleep disorders and commercial travelers are all at greater risk. Men are almost twice as likely to fall asleep at the wheel. Many of us tend to underestimate the negative effects associated with fatigue and sleep deprivation, or maybe we’re just too tired to recognize the symptoms. Unlike alcohol-related crashes, there are no blood, breath, or other objective tests for sleepiness. A recent analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash data estimates that about one in six (16.5 percent) deadly crashes,
involve a driver who is drowsy. These numbers suggest that the impact on motor vehicle crashes has not been fully appreciated. AAA’s research and educational initiatives into drowsy driving began in 1993, as part of the AAA Foundation’s comprehensive “Wake Up!” campaign and this new report should serve as a wake up call. It also underscores the importance of educating drivers on the simple, yet effective measures they can take to prevent a possible tragedy. What can you do to prevent fatigue from making you another crash statistic? Start any trip by getting enough sleep the night before — at least seven hours. Schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles. If you can, have another person ride with you, who can share the driving. Learn to anticipate your circadian rhythms — or internal clocks — and avoid driving during your body’s natural downtime. Be on the alert for signs of sleepiness such as trouble keeping your eyes open, difficulty paying attention and drifting out of your lane. If you notice any of these danger signs, stop for a rest and if needed, a quick nap. Get some exercise — it helps you become more alert quickly — and for an extra boost, drink a caffeinated beverage. AAA urges all motorists to pay attention to these warning signals. Unfortunately, too many have adopted the “I’m tired, but I can make it” mentality, often at their peril or the peril of others. It’s time to put that notion to rest, once and for all.
membersonly
AAA TripTik Travel Planner, now with Google Maps Your definitive choice for online trip planning
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here are plenty of options for online maps and directions, but there’s only one that combines AAA’s professional hotel and restaurant ratings and robust travel information with Google map functionality — TripTik® Travel Planner. Millions of members turn to the TripTik Travel Planner (TTP) on AAA.com for trip planning expertise, including maps, driving directions, travel information, hotel reservations and more. For many travelers, 24/7 access from a personal computer offers the best of both worlds — the flexibility you need, coupled with AAA’s expert knowledge. A versatile application for both local turn-by-turn directions and long-distance routes with multiple stopovers, TTP offers the tools and customization options to help you plan a complete road trip. Choose your route, add points of interest and create maps specific to the things you’d like to see and do with accompanying AAA TourBook
guide details. Modify routes using the drag-and-drop feature to select the roads you prefer to travel. TripTik Travel Planner also displays gas station locations and electric vehicle charging station locations and provides updated fuel prices. New to TripTik Travel Planner, Google maps display at 17 zoom levels with an added option for viewing satellite imagery. For creating routes, entry points can now be added on a single line, using entries as simple as an airport or postal code. Unique to TTP, representative icons display the location of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants. While other mapping resources show dining and lodging options, only TTP displays properties that have been evaluated by AAA professional inspectors. Every AAA Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality, and ratings of One to Five Diamonds to help travelers find the right match of amenities and services. Follow the Diamond Ratings to
choose hotels that meet your needs and book at AAA member rates. Add your selections to the route itinerary to easily generate directions to each location. Interested in seeing what other travelers have to say about a hotel, restaurant or attraction? TTP displays traveler reviews by linking directly through the TripAdvisor network. Once you’ve customized your trips, save, print or share through e-mail, or share them with the AAA Mobile app for on-the-go use. The free AAA Mobile app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones. Coupling the AAA content and guidance travelers have trusted for more than 100 years, with other leading travel resources like Google maps and TripAdvisor reviews, make TTP the definitive choice for online maps, directions and road trip planning. Whether you need local maps, turn-by-turn directions, or a complete vacation, including low rates on hotels and other travel reservations, start with a quick trip to AAA.com.
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Do you know how to handle an accident? What to do if you are involved in a car crash
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ccording to The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there are more than six million U.S. motor vehicle crashes per year reported in the United States. The odds are that you’ll find yourself involved in a vehicle accident at some point in your life. Would you know what to do? Once the initial shock wears off and you’ve checked for injury, attempt to exit your vehicle. You might need to use a window if your door has been damaged. If your vehicle is drivable, move it to a public location. From there, you’ll be able to safely exit the vehicle and report the accident. Moving the vehicle is a good idea if there’s an immediate danger like being hit again on a busy interstate. Do keep in mind that some states require you to stay on the scene. In the event that your vehicle ends up in water, stay calm. You won’t be able to open the door due to the pressure from the water if the vehicle submerges. Take a deep breath and roll down the window to escape. If the electric windows won’t work, then break the window by hitting it with an object or kicking it. Dial 911 to report the crash. In most cases the dispatcher will automatically know your location using GPS technology. Otherwise, look for mileage mark-
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ODDS ARE AGAINST YOU — There are more than six million motor vehicle crashes reported each year. ers or directional signage. Most insurance carriers recommend the following steps following an accident: • Take note of how many passengers are in the other vehicles involved in the accident, as this will help prevent the future addition of passengers during insurance scams. • Collect the full name, insurance infor-
mation, and home address of all other drivers involved in the accident. You should also provide your information to the other driver(s). • Write a brief summary of the accident, recording as many details as possible - the make, model and year of the vehicles involved; the time of accident; and weather conditions. • Take photos. Must of us carry cell
phones with the ability to take photographs. Pictures really DO tell a story. Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses, especially if you feel something or someone other than yourself caused the accident. While it’s okay to express concern over what happened, you should never admit that the accident was your fault or claim liability. Have your insurance information, driver’s license, and vehicle registration available for the police. Information will be collected and the officer will ask all the drivers what happened and record the account(s). Ask for the police report so that you can give it to your insurance carrier. Contact your insurance agent or carrier as soon as possible. Most major insurance companies have a 24-hour phone number for claim reports. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 866.802.8210, or visit AAA. com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review.
JANUARY 2014
AAA MOTORIST
Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
Book PLEASANT HOLIDAYS! Earn 5X Rewards PLUS $100 Gift Card Deciding which vacation offers represent the best value for your hard-earned dollars can be challenging, but during January one of AAA’s longtime preferred travel partners makes that process easier. Pleasant Holidays offers getaways to just about anywhere you dream of going — Hawaii, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Mexico, Europe, the continental US and even Tahiti, Fiji and the South Pacific! And, when you book & make a deposit on ANY Pleasant Holidays vacation using your new or existing AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card, you’ll earn 5 times the Reward Points (redeemable for great gifts as shown in the box below). Also during January, if the Pleasant Holidays vacation you book is at least 5 nights long (whether or not you use a AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card), AAA Travel will throw in a $100.00 Visa Gift Card (1 per room; card will be mailed after receipt of full payment)! Don’t have a AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card? Don’t fret. You can easily and quickly apply for one now and purchase your trip to take advantage of the 5X points offer. That’s not all. You can enjoy other value-added AAA Member Benefits
Get 5X Rewards Points when you book & deposit on any Pleasant Holidays vacation. JAN 1-31, 2014
LIMITED TIME OFFER
with your Pleasant Holidays vacation, such as: • a $50.00 voucher per booking toward optional activities, tour or excursions for Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean • a $40.00 discount per person toward packages in Tahiti, Fiji and the South Pacific; restrictions apply • complimentary room upgrades, early check-in & late check-out and special VIP stature (subject to availability) • additional amenities (varies by hotel)
NEW IN 2014! Select Pleasant Holidays packages have been chosen as AAA Vacations® departures, which qualify for a Double Member Benefit (applicable to select hotels with a minimum 5-night stay). AAA Vacations® departures feature 24/7 Member Care Assistance and a 24hour Best Price Guarantee. Sample AAA Vacations® land-only packages (per person, double occupancy), based on May 13-20: 5-NIGHT CANCUN from $1,241 (6,205 points): Occidental Grand Xcaret all-inclusive resort with Chichen Itza Excursion, Isla de Mujeres Catamaran, $100 voucher for optional sightseeing/activity. 7-NIGHT HONOLULU from $1,340 (6,700 points): Waikiki Beach Marriott (oceanview) with USS Arizona/City Tour, Majestic Grand Circle Island Tour, $100 voucher for for optional sightseeing/activity.
Call 1-800-354-8761, click AAA.com/ Pleasant5X or visit a AAA Travel location.
$100!
Receive a $100.00 Visa Gift Card from AAA Travel when you book & deposit on any Pleasant Holidays vacation of 5 nights or longer.
2 great offers that go hand-in-hand!
JAN 1-31, 2014 •
1 PER ROOM
REDEMPTION CHOICES
USE YOUR NEW OR EXISTING AAA MEMBER REWARDS VISA® CREDIT CARD! For information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of the credit card or to apply, call the toll-free number, go to AAA.com/Pleasant5x, or visit your local AAA branch. Pleasant Holidays Bonus Points Offer. You will earn 5 points per dollar spent (consisting of 1 base point and 4 bonus points) on any Pleasant Holidays or
JourneseSM transactions that post to your account from Jan 1, 2014, through Jan 31, 2014. Purchases made through merchants other than Pleasant Holidays or JourneseSM will not qualify for the bonus points. This promotion will not impact the standard earn rate on purchases or the bonus rewards offers on travel, gas, grocery store and pharmacy
purchases. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as neither, Bank of America or its affiliates, nor their employees provide tax advice.
This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the Issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. AAA is a trademark of American Automobile Association, Inc. ©2014 Bank of America Corporation.
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AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2014
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
JANUARY 2014
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Sizzlin’ Westerns CORRAL A WILD DEAL IN JANUARY!
AAA MEMBERS SAVE $50! PER PERSON WHEN TOUR IS BOOKED & DEPOSITED BY 1/31/14
DISCOVER GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
© SNEHIT / FOTOLIA.COM
AMERICAN MAJESTY
Tour a silver mine in Wallace ID (once the “Silver Capital of the World”) and the SmokeJUNE 22-28 • $3,425 jumpers Aerial Fire Depot. Visit artsy Big Fork MT and enjoy a float trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Stay at an Old World–style lodge in Glacier National Park. Cruise on 2 lakes. Travel “Going to the Sun” Road amid snowy peaks and virgin forest. Ride a vintage Red Jammer Touring Car. Cross the Continental Divide. Take America’s longest gondola up to Silver Mountain. Visit Lake Coeur d’Alene. Dine on Spokane’s River Queen paddle boat. 10 meals.
From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite national landmarks. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (choir schedule AUG 30–SEPT 7 • $3,619 permitting). Visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks (including Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower, Deadwood, Mt Rushmore (during the day and again in the evening for its inspiring lighting ceremony), Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, Ft Laramie National Historic Site, Cody’s Buffalo Bill Historic Center and Cheyenne. Take a wildlife Jeep® safari through South Dakota’s Black Hills. 15 meals.
BEST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE
© SCOTT BUFKIN / FOTOLIA.COM
So many delights in 1 tour — from the endless charms of San Francisco to the natural JULY 24–AUG 1 • $3,799 splendor of the redwoods at Muir Woods to the opulence of Hearst Castle. Cross Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance of Sausalito, sample wines at Napa Valley vineyards, savor lunch aboard the Napa Wine Train. Ride Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr to Lake Tahoe. Visit the ghost town of Virginia City NV. Dine & dance on a riverboat paddlewheeler. Marvel at Yosemite National Park's wonders. Explore coastal Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey. 14 meals.
This Centennial State tour features rides on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Royal Gorge SEPT 13-20 • $2,689 Route RR, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. Tour the US Air Force Academy and marvel at the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Ride the country’s steepest incline and walk on the world’s highest suspension bridge at Royal Gorge. Visit Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde national parks. See the monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Visit the CO Railroad Museum in Golden. 15 meals.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
GRAND CANYON & ARIZONA ADVENTURE
From San Francisco to Seattle, see wonders along the Pacific. Explore the City by the Bay AUG 3-10 • $3,719 and California’s Wine Country. See redwoods on the Avenue of the Giants and in Redwood National Park. Enjoy rides on a jet boat on Oregon’s Rogue River and a dune buggy at the National Dunes Recreation Area. Tour Portland and its renowned rose gardens. Marvel at the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls and Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument. In Seattle, dine atop the Space Needle and tour the world’s largest building, a Boeing assembly plant. 10 meals.
Fly to Phoenix and ride to the luxurious Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Explore scenic backSEPT 21–28 • $2,559 country on an exciting off-road Pink Jeep® tour. Visit the IMAX Theater at Williams, then ride the Grand Canyon Railway (first class) to the canyon’s South Rim. Spend 2 nights there in a national park lodge, then ride the vintage Verde Canyon Railroad. Explore Old Town Scottsdale, marvel at intriguing plants at the Desert Botanical Garden and Western art at the Heard Museum. Enjoy a memorable farewell steakhouse dinner — cowboy-style! 11 meals.
YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE
CANYON COUNTRY EXPERIENCE
© ANDREANITA / FOTOLIA.COM
Our first national park’s first explorers were called liars when they described its otherAUG 11-17 • $2,695 worldly geysers & bubbling mudpots and its free-ranging bison, elk, moose, bears & wolves. Begin at Salt Lake City and travel through scenic Idaho to Yellowstone. Enjoy Old Faithful & many other natural landmarks, as well as the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. A Wildlife Safari includes a picnic dinner. Also enjoy Grand Teton National Park, the cowboy town of Jackson, a Jenny Lake cruise, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting) and more! 12 meals.
Eroded for eons by wind & water, the colorful canyons of AZ, UT and NV captivate all who OCT 8-14 • $2,499 visit. Begin in the Entertainment Capital of the World — Las Vegas! Enjoy an afternoon & evening on your own before departing for Kingman’s Route 66 Museum. Marvel at the magnificence of the Grand Canyon; enter the Navajo Nation and see Monument Valley from a 4WD vehicle. Enjoy a sunset jet boat ride on the Colorado River followed by a BBQ dinner. Visit 4 national parks — Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion — and 2 state parks too! 11 meals.
Before-discount AAA Member Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Cleveland, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and meals as indicated. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.
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DOWNTOWN BANFF
BANFF SPRINGS
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Fly to Calgary and drive into the Canadian Rockies to Banff. Enjoy 5 nights at Brewster’s Mountain Lodge. Ride Banff Gondola for panoramic vistas. Visit thundering Bow Falls and cruise serene Lake Minnewanka. Enjoy a day in Banff on your own; play a round on Banff Springs’ golf course, take an unforgettable helicopter sightseeing tour or relax on a river float trip. Banff offers shopping and dining opportunities – as well as an occasional moose! Cross the Continental Divide on the way to Yoho and Banff national parks. See Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and Lake Louise (“Jewel of the Rockies”), where you may ride the gondola. Spot wildlife along Columbia Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Glacier and turquoise Peyto Lake. Cap off the week at the world-famous Calgary Stampede, a celebration of cowboy life, chuckwagon races, rodeos, parades, fireworks and more. Enjoy the thrilling Grandstand Show from reserved seats.
JULY 6-12
SAVE $50
per person!
Canadian Rockies and the Calgary Stampede
Book & deposit by Jan 31
AAA MEMBER RATE: $2,979
LAKE LOUISE
Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Cleveland-Calgary), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, accommodations, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met), 9 meals, motorcoach sightseeing and baggage handling (1 per person). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.
WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR EXTRA-SPECIAL? RELAXING IN 1 GREAT HOTEL “HOME” FOR 5 NIGHTS! Brewster’s Mountain Lodge offers premier comfort in the heart of downtown Banff, your “home away from home.” Handcrafted log furnishings, Western décor, historic photos and cowboy art enhance its ambience. Relax in the whirlpool & sauna. Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast and in-room high-speed internet. Explore lobby-level boutiques.
ASK US ABOUT OTHER SPECIAL OFFERS!
JANUARY 2014
AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
ALLIANCE ........................ 330-821-2323 ASHLAND ........................ 419-289-2222 ASHTABULA ..................... 440-998-1008 BOARDMAN ..................... 330-726-0622 ELYRIA ............................ 440-324-2090 INDEPENDENCE ............... 216-606-6080 LYNDHURST ..................... 440-473-0747 MASSILLON ..................... 330-833-1084
MENTOR .......................... 440-205-9090 NEW PHILADELPHIA......... 330-343-4481 NILES .............................. 330-652-6466 NORWALK........................ 419-668-1622 RAVENNA ........................ 330-296-3406 SOLON ............................ 440-248-1808 STRONGSVILLE ................ 440-783-3396 WESTLAKE ....................... 440-788-3103
____________________________________________________________
GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/travel. AAA Featured Vacations are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.
Car-free, carefree adventures
Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Cleveland area, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/ admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!
VALENTINE’S EVE: NIAGARA FALLS
career. Includes Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad, Western Maryland Railroad, Harper’s Ferry National Park, Patsy Cline Hometown tour, 4 meals and more.
Experience fun & romance in Niagara Falls, Ontario, this coming Valentine’s Day. We’ve got all the bases covered — wine, chocolates, flowers & love songs — all in front of the specatacular backdrop of the frozen falls. Includes wine tasting, chocolate factory, Niagara Greenhouse, Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show (“Broadway Love Songs with a Twist”), 3 meals and more. Passport required.
3 RIVERS CRUISE: PITTSBURGH PA
Feb 13-14 •
AAA Member Rate: $299
MAPLE & MADE IN AMERICA: ELMA NY March 22 •
AAA Member Rate: $109
Maple sugaring. Animal park. “Made in America” store.
WASHINGTON DC SPRINGTIME April 24-27 •
AAA Member Rate: $639
Bring your camera to capture the memorable sights of our nation’s capital. An experienced guide takes you on a full-day tour to some of DC’s most interesting & historic attractions. Includes full-day guided sightseeing of DC, half-day tour of Arlington VA, Illuminated Monuments Tour, Flight 93 National Memorial (Shanksville PA), 5 meals and more.
MARIETTA TEA TOUR: MARIETTA OH May 3 •
AAA Member Rate: $89
Tea. Castle tour. Shopping. Winery, with tasting.
“MOSES” & MORE: LANCASTER PA May 16-18 •
AAA Member Rate: $499
Witness the parting of the Red Sea, the burning bush and the 10 Commandments in Sight & Sound Theatre’s new show — “Moses.” Relive the splendor & pride of ancient Egypt, the poverty & oppression of the Hebrew slaves and the humble, broken man God raised up to become their deliverer. Be completely immersed in the epic events of the story and experience the humanity of Moses and the children of Israel as they struggle for faith, freedom and belonging. Includes 2 tickets (“Moses” and “Shrek the Musical”), guided tour of PA Amish country, Kitchen Kettle Village, 4 meals and more.
TWO-TRAINS TOUR: WV, VA, MD June 6-8 •
AAA Member Rate: $539
Travel to 3 states and enjoy 2 relaxing train rides through scenic mountain valleys, past historic farms and among lush mountain greenery. Also visit Winchester VA (Patsy Cline’s hometown) and learn more about her life and her
June 20 •
AAA Member Rate: $95
Luncheon cruise. Musical tribute to Elvis. 3 hours at Rivers Casino.
CHAUTAUQUA WINE WEEKEND: NY June 21-22 •
AAA Member Rate: $339
Visit the largest grape-growing region in the US outside of Napa Valley on this fun and educational weekend to the beautiful Lake Chautauqua region of New York. Includes tastings & lessons at 3 wineries, Chautauqua Institution tour, “Summer Wind” luncheon cruise on Lake Chautauqua, 3 meals (including dinner at historic White Inn) and more.
3 RIVERS CRUISE: PITTSBURGH PA July 11 •
AAA Member Rate: $95
Luncheon cruise. Musical tribute to Neil Diamond. 3 hours at Rivers Casino.
NEW ENGLAND’S SCENIC RAILROADS July 14-19 •
AAA Member Rate: $1,239
Enjoy some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the East as you travel on 3 trains through the notches of New Hampshire‘s White Mountain region. Experience the region‘s history in Boston and at the legendary Mount Washington Hotel. Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee and wander through picturesque resort towns and villages. Includes Conway Scenic Railway Notch Train, Hobo Railroad, Winnipesauke Turkey Dinner Train, MS Mt Washington lake cruise, Mt Washington Hotel tour, Wright Museum, Boston tour, Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, Old North Church, USS Constitution, Turning Stone Casino, 10 meals and more.
BOSTON
© CHEE-ONN LEONG / FOTOLIA.COM
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s a i s t n V i l a Ita
CONVENIENT CRUISING FROM CLEVELAND Avoid potential hassles at the airport. Instead, motorcoach to your cruise! Park for free at a pick-up point, then relax & ride AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach to Baltimore’s pier to board Grandeur of the Seas!
DON’T MISS THE BOAT!
JANUARY 2014
This 13-day escorted adventure features visits to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Pisa, Venice and Verona! Enjoy included extra-special “moments” you’d have to research & add on at your own expense & effort:
2014 BERMUDA Aug 29–Sept 4 • from $1,030 •
King’s Wharf, Bermuda 2 full days at sea
2014 NEW ENGLAND & CANADA Oct 2-10 • from $1,169 Portland & Bar Harbor, Maine Saint John, New Brunswick Halifax, Nova Scotia 3 full days at sea
2014 CARIBBEAN Nov 1-11 • from $1,167 Cozumel, Mexico Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti 5 full days at sea AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government fees. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for itinerary details & pick-up points.
•
Guided visits to St Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City’s museums, including the Sistine Chapel A 4-course dinner with wine in Rome, with live performances of arias from the best operas After-hours visit to a 14th-century monastery, followed by a family-style feast of Tuscan dishes, with wine! A serenaded gondola cruise on the canals of Venice — one of the world’s most famous travel experiences
• •
Enjoy relaxing multiple-night stays in Rome (3), Sorrento–Amalfi Coast (2), Florence (2), Venice (2) and Stresa–Lakes District (2).
Oct 18-30 • AAA Member Rate: $5,479 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Cleveland-Rome, Milan-Cleveland), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations/taxes/service charges/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 20 meals, air taxes & fees/surcharges, in-Italy tour director. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for details.
FREE airport parking & FREE motorcoach on a unique cruise!
Once in a great while an amazing opportunity comes along that you just can’t ignore; THIS is one of those! And, as is usually the case with once-in-a-blue-moon situations, time’s of the essence. Celebrity Cruises and AAA present a unique Eastern Caribbean (St Maarten, St Thomas, Tortola) & Bermuda cruise vacation featuring:
FREE 9-DAY PARKING AT PARK ’N FLY® NEAR CLEVELAND HOPKINS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT! AN 8-NIGHT CRUISE ON CELEBRITY SUMMIT TO THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA! FREE ONE-WAY RETURN MOTORCOACH FROM CAPE LIBERTY, NEW JERSEY!
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES per stateroom!
Priority Check-in $50 Shipboard Credit
AAA MEMBER EXCLUSIVES! 24 / 7 Member Care 48-hr Best-price Guarantee
Eastern Caribbean & Bermuda • April 26–May 4 9-day airport-area parking ($69 value) .............FREE Airport-to-pier transfer in San Juan.....................................................$30 Port charges & government fees........................................................$331 8-night cruise on Celebrity Summit (balcony stateroom) .......from $704 Return motorcoach transportation ($175 value) .......... FREE AAA Member Rate...... from $1,065 + 1-way air to San Juan Rate/offer is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes 9-day parking (1 per stateroom) at Park ’N Fly® near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, airport-to-pier transfer in San Juan, cruise accommodations (balcony stateroom), onboard entertainment, most onboard meals, AAA Vacations® amenities (listed on photo at right), port charges, government fees and 1-way motorcoach transportation (Cape Liberty NJ–Cleveland). Ship’s registry: Malta. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for detailed itinerary. Ask about available addon 1-way airfare (Cleveland–San Juan).
JANUARY 2014
AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Beijing
Walk on the GREAT WALL! Enter the FORBIDDEN CITY! Explore one of the world’s most important capitals and meet BEIJINGERS at home & in school! And so much more!
INTRO to CHINA AN ESCORTED EXPERIENCE
Sept 11-18 • AAA Member Rate: $3,249
Escort & driver gratuities included!
Enjoy the comfort & security of an escorted experience — a comprehensive, informative & personal look at this rapidly growing city and an in-depth introduction to its fascinating culture.
EXTRA-SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS include... • A traditional PEKING DUCK DINNER in one of Beijing‘s best restaurants renowned for the preparation & presentation of this world-famous delicacy
See landmarks & learn customs for nearly a week; then enjoy an entire day independently exploring & indulging your interests — art, history, cuisine, shopping, photography, parks & zoos — it’s all up to you, with suggestions, advice, directions, etc, from your expert guide!
• An up-close & personal FAMILY-HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL in one of Beijing’s ancient and fast disappearing hutong neighborhoods, with an opportunity to question and interact with your hosts • An entertaining KUNG FU ACADEMY VISIT & DEMONSTRATION by its young students — whom you may meet afterward and try your hand at learning a move or two!
Marvel at ancient & modern, urban & rural, rich & poor, simple & sophisticated, serene & chaotic. Beijing’s unique combination of seemingly contradictory elements may well change your understanding of this city & nation...and provide moving memories that last a lifetime.
• A traditional, interactive & fun “HOTPOT“ DINNER, where spearing, dipping & cooking your meats & veggies in a tabletop “vat“ of broth makes for a very social experience!
4 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES — THE GREAT WALL AT BADALING, THE IMPERIAL PALACE (FORBIDDEN CITY), THE SUMMER PALACE AND THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN TIANANMEN SQUARE • 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS SITE • LAMA BUDDHIST TEMPLE • HUTONG MARKET VISIT, HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • BELL & DRUM TOWERS TEA CEREMONY • JADE FACTORY • PEDICAB RIDE • KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION & STUDENT INTERACTION • TRADITIONAL PEKING DUCK & HOTPOT DINNERS • & MORE!
Before-discounts rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Cleveland-Beijing), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, in-China guide, sightseeing/admissions, baggage handling (1 per person), driver/escort gratuities, AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met) & government taxes/fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
Visit AAA.com/GoAsia for the complete itinerary!
AAA MEMBER SAVINGS $200 $150 $100 PREMIER
PLUS
ALL SAVINGS PER ROOM
BASIC
BOOK & DEPOSIT BY 1-31-14
Meet your Experienced Guide A favorite of AAA guests on previous China tours, professional guide & Beijing resident Duan Fangming proudly shows you his city. With more than 20 years of guiding Americans through his country, he offers fluent English and extensive knowledge, insight & humor to enhance your Beijing experience with an authentic personal element rarely available anywhere else!
DUAN FANGMING
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Portugal & its Islands Portugal is hot...and getting hotter. It’s fast becoming the last “undiscovered” destination in Western Europe. Those who have discovered its considerable assets are having a hard time keeping it to themselves! In Lisbon, explore the Moorish Alfama Quarter, Jeronimo’s Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Monument to the Discoveries and the Tower of Belem (UWHS). See Sintra (UWHS), summer residence of kings for 6 centuries. Then enjoy Portugal’s “Riviera” and dinner with wine and fado, soulful music recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible ©STEVANZZ/FOTOLIA.COM Cultural Heritage. On the Silver Coast, see sleepy villages, rich vineyards and age-old castles. See Fatima’s famous Basilica and magnificent Batalha Monastery (UWHS). The truly remote Azores lie some 900 miles west of Lisbon. Their volcanic birth created mountains and valleys, pocket lakes resting in ancient craters, hot springs, fumaroles and thermal fountains. Seaside villages, white-washed houses guarded by medieval city walls, bustling harbors and cities overflowing with architectural treasures — these, and Europe’s only pineapple and tea plantations, make the Azores all the more inviting. About 600 miles southwest of Lisbon, the resort island of Madeira, “pearl of the Atlantic,” boasts a subtropical climate, majestic mountain ranges, volcanic cave, traditional villages and age-old ways of life — fishing, wickerwork, embroidery and world-renowned wine making.
Sept 12-24 •
AAA Member Rate: $4,769
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Cleveland-Lisbon), in-Portugal flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations/taxes/ service charges/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 19 meals, air taxes & fees/surcharges and an inPortugal tour director. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoEurope for details.
See & do MORE on a Celebrity Cruisetour!
LIMITEED! SPAC
ALASKA BY LAND! PLUS
Alaska Northern Glacier Cruisetour
June 20–July 3
AAA Member Rate: from $3,274
Canadian Rockies & Alaska Cruisetour Aug 8–21
AAA Member Rate: from $4,927
See the incredible, inspirational interior of the Last Frontier on this 9-night escorted tour — unforgettable experiences not on cruises!
a 6-night land tour of Alaska (Seward, Anchorage,Talkeetna, Denali, Fairbanks) OR a 6-night land tour of the Canadian Rockies (Vancouver,Victoria, Jasper, Banff, Calgary).
Traditional salmon bake & a sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks 4-hour adventure flying over the Arctic Circle,the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Yukon River 7-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park, looking for grizzlies, moose & more... with an overnight in the park Meet a 4-time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and his canine crew Visits to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation & Begich Boggs Visitor centers 2-hour river float trip in Kenai Fjords National Park A ride on Girdwood’s Alyeska Tram — from sea level to 2,300 feet! Special welcome & farewell dinners with your fellow travelers
Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include 7-night balcony-stateroom cruise accommodations/ entertainment, most onboard meals, government taxes, port charges, 6-night hotel accommodations and sightseeing/transportation. Ship's registry: Malta. Visit AAA.com/travel for more information. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required.
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Cleveland-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Cleveland), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach sightseeing, accommodations (Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward: 2 each, Girdwood: 1), 16 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), gratuities for included features (includes driver, escort), in-Alaska escort and AAA Tour Manager (if minimumparticipation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
A Celebrity Cruisetour is an unforgettable vacation that delivers the best & most of both sea & land. Enjoy an experience-packed combination of a 7-night Alaska cruise on Millennium
PLUS
July 8-17 •
AAA Member Rate: $4,999
JANUARY 2014
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers ESCORTED TOUR OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
Glasgow • Spean Bridge Woollen Mill • Loch Ness cruise • Highland evening • Blair Athol Whisky Distillery • Edinburgh & its Castle • Ferry to Northern
Bunratty Folk Park Medieval banquet in a 15th-century castle
Ireland • Belfast: Titanic Center
Cliffs of Moher
canal dinner cruise • Rock of
• Dublin: Guinness Storehouse,
Flying Boat Museum
Cashel • Blarney Castle & Woolen
Killarney National Park, including Muckross House
Mills • Killarney: “jaunting
Ring of Kerry, Skellig Experience & Moll’s Gap
car” • Ring of Kerry • Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap
Waterford Crystal tour
• River Shannon ferry • Cliffs
Russborough House Dinner & song at a pub Dublin: tour & free time ...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Oct 5-12 •
AAA Member Rate: $1,459
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/ entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and information.
ESCORTED TOUR OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
Nov 1-12 •
of Moher (pictured) • Bunratty Castle medieval banquet • AND MORE!
AAA Member Rate: $1,799
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 17 meals (including medieval banquet, canal dinner cruise), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/Ireland for itinerary and more information.
JANUARY 2014
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
AAA MASSILLON Motorcoach Tours
AAA Member Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip deluxe motorcoach transportation, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points (from the Massillon, New Philadelphia and/or Alliance areas, depending on tour).
Menopause the Musical Playhouse Square, Cleveland
Feb 1
AAA Member Rate: from $119
If you have not yet heard the storyline of this show, imagine 4 women at a lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more! This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. A girls' day out with lunch included. 1 meal.
SUPER SHOPPER TOURS
Vera Bradley PLUS: 2-nighter April 9-11
Ft Wayne IN
from $389
This is the tour for the ultimate Vera Bradley experience — 3 days and 2 nights of quaint artisan shops on a beautiful lake, antiques, surprise shops, group gifts, tastings and touring. AND, the choice to shop the Vera Bradley sale 1 night or 2. This tour is for anyone that wants Vera Bradley and other shopping options. 7 meals.
Vera Bradley 1-nighter April 10-11
Ft Wayne IN
from $249
If you’ve never tried the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale experience, here is your chance to see what it’s all about. We enter the sale as a small group for a 2.5-hour shopping experience; enjoy checking out through a private group cashier area. Enjoy time to relax and sort our goodies and be escorted back in to the sale again if you choose! Day 2 is more shopping, tasting and fun along the way! We’ll be joined by the “Vera Bradley PLUS” (tour described above) shoppers on the second leg of their 3-day tour. 4 meals.
Two-buck Treasure Tour
© JACKF / FOTOLIA.COM
April 25
Northeast Ohio
$87
The best of the best of our first Treasure Tour — consignments, antiques, wholesalers and more! Come with a sense of adventure and your best bargainhunting skills. Shop for yourself. Shop for a prize category. Show us your savvy shopping skills and impress your friends. Lunch is included to bolster your energy. 1 meal.
One More Two-buck Treasure Tour May 2
Northeast Ohio
$87
This new tour will take us a little farther from home. There are so many consignment, antique and boutique junk stores in Ohio that it’s difficult to pick which direction to go. As always, we never know what treasures each site will have in stock; that’s the mystery!...that’s the hunt!...that’s the fun! Sometimes it’s a cache of designer clothing. Other times you’ll find deep discounts on tools or trendy home décor. Come with a sense of adventure and your best bargain-hunting skills. 1 meal.
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AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2014
Royal Caribbean introduces new Quantum class ships Why cruise travel may never be the same again
T
he cruise industry is on the verge of a quantum leap with the launch of Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum class of ships. It’s a dramatic move forward, with game-changing “firsts” such as a skydiving simulator and an observation capsule that lifts guests more than 300 feet in the air. Quantum of the Seas makes her debut in November 2014, followed by sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015. These architectural marvels at sea will span 18 decks, and carry over 4,000 passengers. Transformative venues on the 167,800-ton ships include the industry’s biggest indoor sports and entertainment complex and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms with upscale customizable layouts and larger, more intuitive storage solutions. And every one of the 2,090 staterooms will have a view with “virtual balconies.” Inside cabins will become outside cabins, thanks to an 80-inch LED projection screen mounted on the wall that streams live images from cameras mounted on the sides of the ship. Ever wonder what it feels like to freefall from 10,000 feet without jumping out of an airplane? RipCord by iFly will be the first skydiving experience at sea. Everyone from first-time flyers to seasoned skydivers can enjoy the adrenalin rush of skydiving risk-free. After a short training session you’ll get suited up and before you can say “Geronimo”
HITTING NEW HEIGHTS — North Star will take guests more than 300 feet above the ocean. you’ll be floating on a column of air inside a 23-foot-tall transparent glass flight chamber on the top deck. A marvel of maritime engineering, North Star will take guests to new heights — literally. The jewel-shaped, glass capsule will transport you on a spectacular 15 minute journey more than 300 feet above the ocean. The view alone is worth the trip with unobstructed vistas of sunrises, sunsets, ports of call and the boundless ocean.
Give Yourself an Upgrade— to the highest level of protection available! Get more from your membership. Upgrade to AAA Premier. With expanded roadside assistance — and a host of other benefits — AAA Premier is a smart choice. To upgrade your membership, call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at
1-800-441-5008
Signature Royal Caribbean venues such as the Rock Climbing Wall; FlowRider surf simulator; and DreamWorks entertainment will all be back on Quantum class. The ships will also take a quantum leap forward in their culinary offerings with the most flexible dining options and more specialty restaurants than ever before. SeaPlex, the flexible sports and entertainment venue, will inspire guests of all ages to cut loose and connect with their playful sides. Fly through the air on the circus school’s flying trapeze, or shoot some hoops on a full-size regulation court. By night, the first-ever bumper cars at sea deliver midway-style fun and excitement. Inspired by the spirit of rock ‘n roll, Music Hall is the place to enjoy intimate live performances. Rebellious and edgy, Music Hall’s two-story design will also host DJs, theme night parties, billiards and more. The multi-level Two70° is named for its 270-degree views through floorto-ceiling glass walls spanning almost three decks at the stern of the ship. Amenities include nighttime aerial entertainment and an ice bar. While Quantum of the Seas may seem like a destination unto itself,
Royal Caribbean will be steering her to some of the most storied ports in the Caribbean. Sailing out of the New York Harbor from her Cape Liberty homeport, Quantum of the Seas will offer 7- to 12-night Bahamas, Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries during the winter 2014/15 season. All feature a stop at Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination. A secluded tropical paradise, Labadee sits along Haiti’s mountainous north coast on the island of Hispaniola. Once the home of the “boucaniers,” the original pirates of the Caribbean, this 260-acre wooded peninsula features five spectacular beaches. Columbus Cove Beach offers a variety of family-friendly attractions including water slides. Nearby Splash Bash is a pirate-themed water playground, featuring a “sunken” pirate ship. Labadee Town Square boasts a popular artisan market and a festive atmosphere that comes alive with music, folkloric dancers and more. Adventure-hungry guests will find a fresh variety of activities including the new Dragon’s Tail Coaster, a high-speed joyride through 2,232 feet of tropical flora and rock formations. The Dragon’s Breath Flightline, offers memorable aerial views of Labadee’s coral reefs and crystal blue waters for those brave enough to take the wild ride down a 2,633-foot cable zip-line. No matter what your tolerance for adventure guests on Labadee can discover the area’s picturesque terrain with tours like the High Speed Coastal Cruise & Swim excursion and the Discover Haiti Coastal Cruise. Labadee’s Wave Jet Adventure offers guided journeys down one of the wildest coasts in the Caribbean via personal SeaDoo watercraft. Venture up to Dragon’s Rock on the tip of the island. When the surf comes in, it really does sound like the breath of a dragon.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on Royal Caribbean cruise vacations.
Breakaway Niagara Falls We’re as close as it gets...
Just steps from the Falls, next to Skylon Tower and right beside the world-class Fallsview Casino. Two nights from just $154* including meals... 2 full breakfasts, dinner at Coco’s Steakhouse, and a superb dinner high atop Skylon’s Revolving Dining Room overlooking the Falls. Ask us about our super Niagara Attraction Package From $124 PP/DO. Unbeatable value!
BY THE FALLS Prices are per-person based on double occupancy valid Sun to Thurs. Holidays and weekends higher. Tax extra. Free Parking. Rates valid from Oct 14, 2013 through May 15, 2014. Also available child add-ons, whirlpool suites and gift certificates. *Subject to exchange rates.
$
15400*
FROM
PER PERSON DBL. OCC.
Holiday Inn By The Falls Niagara Falls, Canada 1-800-263-9393 holidayinnniagarafalls.com
JANUARY 2014
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 19
Travel Europe’s original highways on a river cruise Tulips and Windmills on a Viking River Cruise
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ore travelers are discovering that river cruising is one of the most comfortable and intriguing ways to explore Europe. River cruising allows up-closeand-personal access to cosmopolitan cities and quaint villages—because so many towns were built along these medieval highways. Travelers will also appreciate the value. Most river cruises are priced in U.S. dollars and all-inclusive pricing typically includes accommodations, all onboard meals, daily, guided shore excursions and more. Sail into the very heart of cities like Amsterdam or St. Petersburg, then walk right off the ship into the center of town. River cruising has become so popular that Viking River Cruises — the world’s largest river cruise company — launched six new vessels last year as part of company’s $250 million fleet development program. Merging cutting-edge technology with Old World elegance, Viking’s new Longships feature 190 staterooms with more full-size rooms and full-size verandas than other European river cruise vessels. Three-quarters feature a veranda, French balcony with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, or both. Tulips & Windmills is the ultimate 10-day spring sojourn through the Low Countries. Explore Amsterdam’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and world-famous museums. Experience Belgium’s Golden
IN BRUGES — Bruges is known as “the Venice of the North.” Age in historic Antwerp and the lovely patrician cities of Ghent and Bruges. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work on an actual working windmill tour. Amsterdam gives you the impression of having stepped into a 17th century canvas by Vermeer. Linden bordered canals are lined with stately homes topped by graceful stepped gables. From Amsterdam, sail across the Ijsselmeer (once known as the Zuiderzee) to the ancient shipping vil-
lage of Hoorn. Enjoy a guided walk through the cobbled streets and visit the town’s main square, which dates back to Holland’s Golden Age. In Arnhem, take a journey to 17thcentury Paleis Het Loo, the Dutch royal family’s summer residence for more than 300-years. A guided tour offers an intimate look at the sumptuously furnished rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens. The Flemish capital of Antwerp is famous for the Cathedral of Our Lady,
with its three monumental altarpieces painted by Peter Paul Rubens. The city’s Grand Square is surrounded by the Golden Age Town Hall and Steen Castle, Antwerp’s oldest building. Sometimes referred to as “the Venice of the North” Bruges is famous for its canals and medieval architecture, most of which remains intact. Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century Gothic church, and the Belfort, a 272-foot-high tower prominently featured in the 2008 film In Bruges. During the Middle Ages, Ghent was one of Europe’s wealthiest and most powerful cities. The town’s rich history and past is evident in the imposing buildings and squares. The Castle of the Counts was constructed in 1180 with 6-foot-thick walls, battlements, and turrets and a fully-equipped torture chamber. TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS
Keukenhof Gardens, near Amsterdam in Holland’s Bulb Region, is the world’s largest floral park. Visitors can admire the stunning floral beauty at both indoor and outdoor exhibits of millions of blooms. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see your AAA Travel professional, or log on to AAA.com/cruises for more European river cruise vacations.
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AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2014
Maximize your membership with AAA Mobile Solutions Essential apps for e-readers, IOS and Android devices
A
reviews and browse photo galleries. Share with your friends through Twitter and Facebook. Where available, AAA members will be able to contact a certified dealer to purchase their selected car at significant negotiated savings.
AA members have a choice of killer apps and mobile solutions that can help make your getaways a breeze, from getting directions, booking a hotel, or finding the best things to see and do while you are there. In the market a new car? There an app for that too, and they all just happen to be free.
AAA Find Me
AAA members have another reason to feel safer on the road. If you need roadside assistance and call from your AT&T or Sprint GPS-enabled mobile phone, AAA will rescue you — even if you aren’t sure where you are. There are no additional fees and the only requirement is that participants are current AAA members and an AT&T or Sprint subscriber.
AAA Mobile
AAA Mobile combines maps, directions, and roadside service features with member discount information in one easy-to-use app! Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android devices, key features include: • TripTik® — Trip planning with interactive maps and directions; • Exclusive member discounts at over 114,000 locations; • Roadside Assistance for AAA members. Request roadside assistance electronically directly from the app with the ability to find you by your GPS location on your phone; • Mobile battery replacement quotes and AAA Approved Repair locations; • Research, find and book AAA Diamond Rated hotels with reviews, inspector notes and information on AAA member offers. (where available)
AAA eTourBook Guides
Now available for e-readers and
AAA.com in Your Palm
GOING MOBILE — Expanding our digital footprint enables AAA to deliver a great member experience. smartphones with e-reader apps, top North American destinations are updated daily with the newest available information. The eTourBook guides include: • Detailed destination information; • Suggested three-day itineraries; • AAA travel editors’ picks for attractions, events and nightlife; • AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants.
AAA Auto Buying Tools
Want to make shopping for a new car simple and stress-free? The AAA Auto Buying Tools app helps you build the car you want, including make and model. Compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch prospective buyers can customize details of their ideal car, including color, trim levels, options, estimated dealer cost and crash safety ratings. Get TrueCar price reports, read AAA
The mobile version of AAA.com is beautifully responsive and optimized to look and work great on your mobile device. Browse through AAA content, online tools and services from anywhere. Do it all from your mobile device at AAA.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information or to download the AAA Mobile and AAA Auto Buying Tools Apps, visit the AAA Mobile Solutions page at AAA.com/Mobile.
The Winter Olympics come to Russia’s Summer Capital Real snow guaranteed for Soviets’ subtropical oasis
T
he XXII Winter Olympics will be the biggest ever; with over 2500 athletes competing in 98 separate events. From February 7th to 23rd the eyes of the world will turn to Sochi, on Russia’s Black Sea coast near the border with Georgia. Russia’s largest resort sprawls for miles along the shores of the Black Sea and into the Caucasus Mountains. Best known in the West as the hometown of tennis star Maria Sharapova, the nation has poured an estimated $50 billion into making the Sochi games a success. What many Russians find puzzling is that Sochi is hosting the Winter Olympics and March 7-16 Winter Paralympics at all. Russia’s “Summer Capital,” Sochi is better known for its beaches, spas, swaying palms, and subtropical climate. Just about every place in Russia has a real winter except Sochi. To compensate for Sochi’s nearly total lack of snow, organizers are hosting the games at two main venues. The Sochi Olympic Park, located along the sea, is the site of the ice events and the Olympic Village. The mountain events will take place at the Krasnaya Polyana ski area about 30 miles away. Aside from the Olympics the “Caucasian Riviera” offers a variety of attractions for outdoor lovers and history buffs. Sochi first became fash-
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE — Snow coats the palm trees in front of Sochi’s Summer Theatre. ionable under the iron rule of Joseph Stalin, who had his favorite dacha built here. Today, Stalin’s Summer Residence is a museum with many personal belongings and Stalin’s uncharacteristically benign waxwork. According to legend Stalin’s ghost is occasionally seen wandering the halls at night. Stalin was also responsible for erect-
ing many of the city’s imposing neoclassical “palaces for the proletariat,” in an architectural style known as Stalinist Gothic. Among them are the Sochi Central Train Terminal, Sochi Seaport, the Summer Theatre, Sochi Art Museum, and numerous resort hotels. Mount Akhun is famous for its panoramic views of the city, while the
Dendrarium, the city’s famed botanical garden, offers a peaceful oasis under the shadow of the Caucasus Mountains. Russia’s largest subtropical garden collects some 2,000 exotic flora and fauna from all over the world. The Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the breathtakingly beautiful Western Caucasus, and home to the newly reintroduced European buffalo. The Rosa Khutor Alpine Center — home of the Olympic ski and sliding events — is a popular ski resort and personal favorite of Prime Minister Putin. And just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate organizers have stockpiled 450,000 cubic meters of snow up at higher altitudes. As President Vladimir Putin so succinctly put it, “real snow is guaranteed.” While the 2014 Winter Olympics marks Sochi’s entrance onto the world stage, don’t expect a quick exit once the athletes go home. The city will also play host to this year’s inaugural Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix and will be a host city for the 2018 World Cup.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/TravelPlanner for great vacation values from AAA Travel.
JANUARY 2014
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 21
Discovering Ireland’s traditional pubs and folklore The pipes are calling you back to the Emerald Isle “A good puzzle”, mused Leopold Bloom in James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, “would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub.” But Ireland’s pubs are more than just places to tip a pint. They’re an informal venue for music, storytelling and good talk, which the Irish call “the craic.” Here the art of conversation finds effortless expression and no one remains a stranger for long. Brazen Head Pub, Dublin’s oldest, dates back to 1198. Visitors can discover what goes into making Ireland’s magical dark brew at the Guinness Storehouse. Each of the sixth floors is dedicated to a different aspect of the Guinness legend, while the rooftop Gravity Bar rewards visitors with a pint and a fine view of the city. Venturing beyond the busy capital, the Irish countryside is like a fine piece of music. It needs to be taken at just the right tempo. Cobblestone lanes and whitewashed cottages give way to luminous green valleys flecked with heather and wandering sheep. Stand under the shadows of ancient towers and cathedrals in Kilkenny. Known as the “Marble City” the locally quarried black stone with decorative white fossils forms the backbone of the town’s medieval buildings. Drop in for a pint at one of historic pubs along the Medieval Mile. Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city. This is history you can touch and feel as you explore the creative heart of Ireland’s tra-
tury mansion, overlooking Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, offers a stark contrast to the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages on Achill Island, abandoned during the Great Famine in 1845. Trade stories with an Irish farming family, or visit Kilbeggan Distillery in Kilbeggan for a guided tour. Established in 1757, Kilbeggan is the oldest working pot-still distillery in the world. The tour culminates in a tasting where guests may sample a glass of “uisce beatha” the Gaeilge term for “the water of life.”
IF YOU GO
FAR AND AWAY — Slea Head on Ireland’s Dingle Penninsula. ditional crafts at Waterford Crystal. Drive south along the coast to historic Blarney Castle. High up in the battlements is the Blarney Stone, said to bestow the gift of eloquence for a kiss. The Dingle Peninsula is a rich storehouse of Irish cultural heritage. Here the old ways still survive and Gaeilge —the Irish language — remains widely spoken. Stand at the tip of Slea Head and take in the spectacular views made famous by
films like “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far and Away.” The starkly beautiful mountains of Galway and Mayo in the west of Ireland, drop down a coast filled with mist-covered moors and windswept cliffs. South of Galway are the Cliffs of Moher. Jagged rocks tower 700-feet above the restless Atlantic coast and on a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay. Westport House, an elegant 18th cen-
AAA’s 6-night Irish Pub and Folk Tour departs April 25-May 4, 2014. Highlights include a Dublin bus tour; Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile tour, Achill Island tour; Kilbeggan Distillery Experience; Brazen Head Pub Dinner; visits to House of Waterford Crystal; Blarney Castle; Cliffs of Moher and Westport House. This AAA Featured Vacation includes motorcoach transportation, 8-night hotel accommodations, 15 meals, admissions, sightseeing and guide as per itinerary, hotel taxes, service charges, and baggage handling. Ask about add-on airfare. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/Europe for more European vacation ideas.
History takes flight at U.S. Air Force Museum Kennedy’s Air Force One highlights Presidential Gallery
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ast November, the world marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Now visitors can view one of the most historic artifacts from that fateful day at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, Special Air Mission (SAM) 26000 — Kennedy’s Air Force One — is the highlight of the museum’s Presidential Gallery. This is the aircraft that flew the president to Dallas, where he was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963 — and it was on this airplane that Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as president. SAM 26000 then carried Kennedy’s body and Johnson back to Washington, D.C. According to museum historian Dr. Jeff Underwood, SAM 26000 is one of the most important aircraft in aviation history. “When visitors walk through this aircraft, they have the opportunity to be in one of the most historic places on earth,” Underwood said. “They can stand in a place that shaped history.” Constructed in 1962, the Boeing VC-137C aircraft was the first jet specifically made for use by the commander in chief. Unlike previous presidents Kennedy did not name his aircraft, which became popularly known as “Air Force One” although officially this des-
WINGS OF HISTORY — The Presidential private suite, looking towards the State Room of Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 (Air Force One). ignation was only used when the president was aboard. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy selected the colors — a striking blue and white instead of the usual military colors — to give the aircraft its distinctive look. With the words “United States of America” emblazoned on the fuselage and an American flag painted on the tail, SAM 26000 flew President Kennedy to Berlin in 1963, where he delivered his
famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech to a West Germany under siege. The modified Boeing 707-320B eventually carried eight presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton. President Nixon flew aboard SAM 26000 on his historic “Journey for Peace” to the People’s Republic of China in February 1972. In May 1972, SAM 26000 carried Nixon to the Soviet Union.
Visitors will have a brush with history as they walk through SAM 26000, standing in the places where Johnson took his Oath of Office and where the bulkhead was cut to make room for Kennedy’s casket. A shuttle bus takes visitors from the main museum complex to the Presidential Gallery. A current government-issued photo ID is required for U.S. citizens over age 18. While JFK’s Air Force One is the centerpiece of the Presidential Gallery, guests can also tour the presidential aircraft of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. President Roosevelt’s C-54 nicknamed “Sacred Cow,” was America’s first official presidential aircraft. Five smaller presidential planes and four other aircraft are also on display. IF YOU GO
Located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, The National Museum of the United States Air Force houses over 10 acres of indoor exhibits with more than 300 planes and missiles and thousands of artifacts documenting Air Force and flight history from the early 1900s to present. More aircraft and exhibits are displayed outdoors and at the Presidential and Research Development Hangars.
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AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2014
Separating winter driving facts from fiction Urban legends versus the cold, hard facts
U
rban legends are those apocryphal, happened-to-afriend-of-a-friend stories that are mostly circulated around the Internet. These cautionary tales perpetuate such durable but mostly fictional fables as alligators infesting New York City sewers. Likewise, there are a number of automotive beliefs with varying degrees of authenticity — like hanging a CD from your rear view mirror will confuse radar guns. Most of these shaggy dog stories are harmless but they can be dangerous when they concern winter driving. Here are some of the most common: Myth: You only need two winter tires. Reality: Incorrect. Installing just two winter tires can be dangerous. Today’s high tech winter tires grip more effectively and are able to stop up to 50 percent faster than all season tires. Putting two winter tires on the front or back wheels will help you get going just fine, but steering and stopping will be greatly compromised. The safest way is to install winter tires on all four wheels. Myth: Wide tires are better for driving in snow. Reality: Wrong again! Wide tires tend to float on top of the snow, unlike narrow tires, which provide a better grip. It is important tires be properly inflated so the tread will meet the road surface as it was designed to do. Letting air out to improve trac-
the traction available by splitting driving torque four ways rather than two. But four-wheel-drive does nothing to improve braking or cornering traction. Myth: Adding weight to the trunk improves traction. Reality: False. Adding weight over the driving wheels of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle may improve traction for initial drive away. The added mass makes the vehicle harder to stop and increases cornering loads, neither of which are desirable. In a front wheel drive vehicle it may make you more inclined to lose control of the vehicle. In general, it’s not a good idea. Myth: Your vehicle’s engine should be “warmed up” before driving in cold weather. Reality: False. Warming your engine up, or idling, is not the best route to take. In fact, excessive idling can be harmful. You should, instead, drive the vehicle to get the engine warm during the cold weather.
TO TELL THE TRUTH — Front wheel drive or AWD offers no better traction on snow and ice. tion can be dangerous and should be avoided. Myth: Front-wheel-drive offers better traction on snow and ice. Reality: False. The traction advantages of frontwheel-drive are primarily in the initial stages of acceleration from a stop. Once moving, front-wheel-drive can be at a traction disadvantage, especially
on very slippery surfaces. Since the forward-mounted wheels must drive and steer (often at the same time) each portion of grip used for one function (acceleration or steering) thus becomes unavailable for the other. Myth: Four-wheel-drive increases traction. Reality: False. Four-wheeldrive does make more effective use of
THAT’S A FACT
When buying winter tires, motorists should look for the mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall, which means the tire meets or exceeds tire industry snow traction requirements. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com/auto for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
aroundtown 14TH ANNUAL ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE SHOW — (January 7-May 18) This year’s two-wheel show features a total of 30 antique cycles — three from each decade spanning from 1900-2000. These vintage machines include those manufactured by Harley Davidson, Chief, BMW, BSA, NSU and others. Plus 10 bicycles — one for each decade — will be on display. Times are Tuesday-Saturday 12-5 p.m.; and Sunday 1-5 p.m. at the National Packard Museum, 1899 Mahoning Avenue NW, Warren. Admission is $8.00 (Adults); $5.00 (Senior citizens age 65+); $5.00 (Children ages 7-12) Contact: 330.394.1899 or www.PackardMuseum.org. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE — (Jan. 17-18; 24-26; Jan. 31-Feb. 2) A drama critic learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family. The times are Friday & Saturday, 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, 3:00 p.m. at the Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown Warren Road SE (US 422), Niles, OH. Contact: 330.652.1103, or www.TrumbullNewTheatre.com. WINTERFEST — (January 18) Families of all ages are welcome to this free event. Games, food, prizes, and fun will be provided. Donations
will be accepted. The time is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Tuscarawas Community Center, 522 E Cherry St., Tuscarawas, OH. Phone: 330.859.1050. GOLD RUSH COMPETITION — (January 24-26) The 2014 Gold Rush at Camp Tuscazoar requires skill, endurance, strategy and luck to become the overall winner. A wealth of outdoor knowledge will certainly assist you in obtaining a good scorecard. Cost is $20 per participant. Tent sites are free for the weekend. Cabin fees are additional. Location: 6066 Boy Scout RD NE Dover, OH. Make your reservations with Ranger Dana at 330.859.2288. THE NUREYEV STATE BALLET THEATRE — (January 28) Transport yourself to the world of elegance and royalty, while enjoying the enchanted story of Sleeping Beauty. Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, the Nureyev State Ballet Theater will guide you on this magical journey with their lavish sets and costumes. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center, 330 University DR. NE New Philadelphia, OH. Phone: 330.308.6400 or visit their website at www.tusc.kent.edu/pa. HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS — (January 29) The Harlem Globetrotters are
back to entertain with their own brand of basketball that combines athleticism, showmanship and comedy. For more than eight decades these goodwill ambassadors of sport have been entertaining crowds all over the world. The time is at 7:00 p.m. at Covelli Centre, 229 East Front Street, Youngstown. For tickets call: 330.746.5600, option 3, or ticketmaster.com. ELTON JOHN IN CONCERT — (February 1) Few entertainers have achieved the legendary status of Sir Elton John. The musical icon and his band return to Youngstown for one show only. Hear all of the classic hits that you know and love, plus some selections from his new album, The Diving Board. Don’t miss your chance to see this music legend live in concert. The time is at 8:00 p.m. at Covelli Centre, Youngstown. For tickets call: 330.746.5600, option 3, or ticketmaster.com. 5TH ANNUAL MOSQUITO LAKE OPEN — (February 2) Up to 75 teams will compete in this ice fishing tournament. The top six teams will win prizes. Sponsored in part by Causeway Sporting Goods and the Trumbull County Tourism Bureau. Tournament fee is $75.00 per team. Location: Mosquito Lake State
Park & Causeway Sporting Goods, Mecca, OH. Tournament runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Weighin begins at 3:10 p.m. Contact: Dave Hoheisel at 614.361.5548, or www.IceFishOhio.com. CASINO NIGHT & TEXAS HOLD ‘EM — (February 8) Enjoy Blackjack and poker tables, raffles, food and beverages. Must be 18 and older to attend. There will be a $50.00 buy-in, or call for early buyin incentives. A registration form will be available on the church’s website in January 2014. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Location: Blessed Sacrament Parish, 3020 Reeves Road NE, Warren, OH. Contact: 330.372.2215, or visit www.EBlessedSacramentParish.org. 4TH ANNUAL WINGS OF HOPE ANNUAL WINTER GALA — (February 1) Barnett Realty presents its 4th Annual Winter Gala to benefit the Community Hospice House serving Tuscarawas, Stark, and Carroll Counties. There will be light fare, desserts, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle, and a cash bar. This event will take place on from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center. Phone: 330.339.1196 or visit www.barnettrealtors.com for tickets or more information.
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JANUARY 2014