Erie june

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ERIE REGION

Vol. 14 No. 6

JUNE 2013

BOOK NOW & SAVE UP TO $125 PER ROOM Premier: $125 • AAA Plus: $100 • Basic: $75

REVELING IN REGENSBURG

Bavarian Christkindlmarkts sparkle at heart of popular AAA holiday tour

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DMITTEDLY, CHRISTMAS may not be on your mind at this very moment...but it should be! Especially considering everything AAA’s bigger-and-better German Christmas Markets tour offers Dec. 2-10!

For AAA members, one element is a Christmas gift of sorts — a limited-time, many-dollarsoff discount based on your membership level. Premier members booking & depositing by 6/30/13 get $125 off the regular rate per room, based on double occupancy. AAA Plus members save $100, and Basic members save $75.

Escape with us to experience the Old World tradition of welcoming the Christmas season at public marketplaces large and small, where walkways lined with rustic stalls hum with holiday strollers and shoppers young & old. Local artisans exhibit traditional handmade decorations, artwork and craft items; purveyors of aromatic seasonal culinary delights tempt passersby with gingerbread cookies and spice-mulled wine; and musicians and performers add a festive note to the ambience. Some markets even sport carnival-type rides and amusements.

Most German cities of any significant size present at least 1 Christkindlmarkt; on this get-

in-the-spirit tour in the southeastern state of Bavaria, you get to visit at least 9 (yes, 9!), each unique in size and style — from some of the most famous and popular to some of the most intimate and charming. And, because they’re usually in the heart of the community, they’re ideal bases from which to explore surrounding landmarks like cathedrals and castles, as well as year-round brick-and-mortar shops and restaurants.

This unique tour operates on the same principles of convenience and efficiency. Spend 4 nights in Nuremberg and 3 in Munich; you’ll be able

German Christmas Markets

to comfortably “settle in” in those cities, taking short rides each day to the markets and landmarks surrounding them.

Forget traipsing from a hotel in one town one day to another hotel the next day to yet another hotel the following day, and so on. Best of all, forget about packing and unpacking each time! With only 2 base hotels, you’ll have more time to see and do (or rest and relax) — whatever your travel style may be. All in all, it makes for a much more pleasant, satisfying experience...and it maximizes your valuable time and energy.

And all the while, you and your fellow travelers will enjoy CHRISTMAS MARKETS continues on page 14

MERRIMENT IN MUNICH

ENJOY AT LEAST 9 MARKETS & MORE!

AAA Club Rewards on AAA.com

Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com

MOTORISTS ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR BAD ROADS

AAA Club Rewards is an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands discounts and savings available to AAA members! This innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com, features deep discounts, limited offers and everyday savings on electronics, home improvement, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including national chains like Kohl’s, Macy’s, Best Buy, Walmart and The Home Depot.

In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn reward or WOWPoints on most purchases that you can “burn off” at your favorite participating merchants. Starting with just 200 points, AAA members can redeem their WOWPoints for merchandise on AAA Club Rewards.

• WOWPoints are as flexible as cash; • 100 WOWPoints earned = $1.00; • No limit to the points you can earn; • No blackout dates, no restrictions.

Members can access these new discounts simply by visiting the discounts section of our website at AAA.com.

Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. You can even customize your shopping experience to receive personalized recommendations based on your interests. Why wait any longer? Register online at AAA.com/discounts.

Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, restaurants and retailers.

AAA senior driving site wins industry award AAA’s SeniorDriving.AAA.com senior driver safety website received an award of distinction in a recent competition sponsored by the International Academy of Visual Arts. The academy seeks to promote innovative thinking about the changing nature of media. Members include communications and advertising professionals from organizations such as Condé Nast, Disney, Time Inc. and Lockheed Martin.

“Nearly half of senior drivers worry about losing their freedom and mobility,” said AAA East Central President Jim Lehman. “This award reflects AAA’s commitment to be the leading source of information, tools and resources for senior drivers and their families.”

As 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, AAA is helping aging drivers cope with the life-changing transitions with expert advice and easy-to-find resources.

SeniorDriving.AAA.com provides convenient, online access to a wealth of free interactive material, including AAA Roadwise Review, a computerbased screening tool that allows older drivers to measure changes in their functional abilities scientifically linked to crash risk.

A fall festival of color with AAA Travel New England’s fiery palette of crimson, orange, and yellow is pure magic in the fall.

Here the fields are gilded with the gold of Indian Summer and the past lingers like a late afternoon sun. You’ll be captivated by New England’s autumnal splendor aboard AAA Travel’s Colors of New England. This 8-day air & motorcoach tour takes you from the heart of historic Boston, north to the pastoral villages, coastal towns and mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Travel the famed Kancamagus Highway, admire Maine’s dramatic coast and discover the seaside communities of Boothbay Harbor and Kennebunkport. This is New England at its best and AAA members save $100 person when they book and deposit by June 30, 2013. SEE PAGE 7

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AAA MOTORIST

Maximize the value of your AAA membership Custom fit a membership to match your lifestyle

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ust as one type of vehicle doesn’t suit all driving situations, a onesize-fits-all approach to AAA membership won’t be right for everyone. That’s why AAA offers several types of membership.

Your benefits will only increase with each level, giving you the freedom to choose the membership option that fits your budget and works best for you.

AAA Basic Membership covers 24-hour roadside assistance, free printed and online maps, TourBook® and eTourBook guides, TripTik® Travel Planner on AAA.com, plus all kinds of AAA savings on hotels, online, at retailers, restaurants and attractions. AAA Club Rewards is an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands discounts and savings available to AAA members at approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide! You’ll earn reward or WOWPoints on most purchases that you can use just like cash at your favorite participating merchants.

AAA Plus Membership offers all the basic AAA membership benefits, with enhancements like: • Up to 100 miles of extended distance towing; • Free fuel and delivery – to get you to the nearest service station; • Up to $100 in vehicle Lock & Key Services; • Extrication/winching – two trucks and two drivers, if needed;

JUNE 2013

AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES • ADDRESS CHANGE triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license 412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008 APPROVED AUTO REPAIR 412-365-7411 or 1-800-233-9733 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE 412-362-1900 or 1-800-222-4357 EXPRESS TRAVEL RESERVATIONS

airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

412-363-7283 or 1-800-354-8761

INSURANCE SERVICES: 1-800-207-7947 MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 412-365-7242 AAA MOTORIST: 412-365-7017 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS

THE CHOICE IS YOURS — Choose the AAA membership option that works best for you.

• Reimbursement for pre-approved non-AAA roadside services; • Basic and Plus members also receive Free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership with 600 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points.

AAA Plus RV Membership offers all the benefits of AAA Plus, extended to cover eligible RVs like your motor home, boat trailer, pickup truck with camper, and motorcycle.

For the utmost in AAA benefits, services and peace of mind choose AAA Premier Membership. Premier Members enjoy a wealth of added privileges, including: • Emergency towing up to 200 miles;* • Free professional concierge service; • $1,500 Trip Interruption protection; • One day free emergency rental car reimbursement, with tow; • 24-hour emergency assistance; • Dedicated AAA Premier toll-free line; • Up to $500 car return protection; • $25 flight reservation fee waived;* • Member discount plus an extra 15% savings at AAA Travel Store;* • Free worldwide emergency medical assistance; • Notary fees waived on personal documents;* • One free passport photo session per member;* • Free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership with 1,000 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points, second day rental free on a two-day emergency rental (with tow) and discounts on Hertz rentals. * Discounts on select services available only at AAA East Central. For complete details on Premier services, review the AAA Premier Guide to Member Services Remember, membership is a family affair, too! Primary Membership means you are either the first or sole AAA member within your household.

Associate Members are for eligible individuals residing in the Primary Member’s household, namely the Primary’s spouse (or one adult age 18 or older) and dependant children ages 16 through 22. Associate members receive the same benefits as Primary members.

Add Associate Members, or upgrade your existing AAA Membership to a higher level at any time! For more information, read the AAA Guide to Member Services, contact your local AAA office, visit AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at 1.800.441.5008.

Altoona 1634 Valley View Blvd. ............................. 814-946-1277 Brookville 288 Main St. ................................................. 814-849-5381 Butler 138 Clearview Circle .................................... 724-287-2713 Cranberry The Village Shoppes, 20510 Rt. 19 .......... 724-772-1122 Erie 6660 Peach St. Unit #2 .............................. 814-866-0246 Franklin 102 Sugar Creek Town Center Rd. ........... 814-432-3960 Greensburg Eastgate Shopping Center 5142 Route 30, Suite 135 ......................... 724-834-8300 Grove City 24 Pine Grove Village Dr. .......................... 724-458-8930 Harborcreek 4430 Buffalo Rd. ........................................ 814-897-9508 Hermitage 1749 E. State St.......................................... 724-981-9141 Indiana 1169 Wayne Ave........................................ 724-349-4193 Jamestown (New York) 111 W. Fifth St., Jamestown, N.Y.. ........... 716-488-1981 Kittanning Franklin Village Mall. ............................... 724-543-1924 Lewisburg 530 1/2 North Derr Drive . ....................... 570-524-7455 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area Crossroads Plaza 2503 Leechburg Rd.................................... 724-339-4440 McKean County (Bradford) 587 South Ave. .......................................... 814-368-3113 Meadville 18939 Park Avenue Plaza Unit #7 ............ 814-724-2247 New Castle 40 East St.................................................... 724-658-8551 Niagara-Orleans 7135 Rochester Rd, Lockport, NY. ............ 716-434-2865 Pittsburgh–Century III Area (Pleasant Hills) 9 Clairton Blvd. (RT 51). ........................... 412-655-6100 Pittsburgh–Downtown 538 Smithfield St. ...................................... 412-338-4300 Pittsburgh–East Liberty/Shadyside 5900 Baum Blvd. ........................................ 412-365-7196 Pittsburgh–Monroeville 2725 Mosside Blvd. .................................... 412-858-4640 Pittsburgh–North Hills Area (Ross Township) 4790 McKnight Rd. .................................... 412-367-7600 Pittsburgh–Robinson Township Robinson Town Centre 1760 Park Manor Blvd. ............................. 412-809-2800 Pittsburgh–South Hills Area (Bethel Park) 160 Ft. Couch Rd. ...................................... 412-833-5203 Rochester 300 Adams St. ............................................ 724-775-8000 St. Marys 1375 Bucktail Rd. ...................................... 814-834-7838 Somerset 110 N. Center Ave. .................................... 814-443-6526 Sunbury 1001 Market Street. .................................. 570-286-4507 Uniontown 111 W. Main St. ......................................... 724-438-8575 Warren 2285 Market St. ......................................... 814-723-6660 Washington 196 Murtland Ave. .................................... 724-222-3800 Waynesburg 184 Greene Plaza, US 21 & I-79 ................ 724-627-3434 White Oak/McKeesport Area Oak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............ 412-675-3400

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AAA MOTORIST

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Motorists are paying the price for bad roads Erie Region Official publication of the Erie Region of AAA East Central Published monthly (except bimonthly Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.)

by AAA East Central 6660 Peach St., Unit #2, Erie PA 16509-7710 814-866-0246 USPS 0178-440 ISSN 109-77554 Periodicals Postage Paid at Erie PA Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist Erie Region c/o AAA, 5900 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Douglas O’Neil Editorial Office 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854 412-365-7017 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 Glenn B. Bachman, 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, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell**, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie, Terrence L. Walton** 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, J. Terrence Farrell, Floyd R. Ganassi**, 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

Regional President ......................... David R. Poor Regional Board of Directors James R. Brown, Peter Burton, Harry G. Gorton, Ernest L. Lake, David R. Poor, William C. Sennett, William J. Stroh, Herman C. Weber Jr.

Erie 814-866-0246 6660 Peach Street, Unit #2 Harborcreek 814-897-9508 4430 Buffalo Rd

Copyright ©2013 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.

AAA poll finds two-thirds support increased funding

By David R. Poor President, Erie Region o matter how you get around, our nation’s roadways form an essential part of our transportation infrastructure.

Americans understand the need for adequate transportation funding because most of us travel over decaying roads every day. Road congestion robs us of our most valuable commodities — time and money — an estimated $121 billion annually spent stuck in traffic.

Sixty-two percent of U.S. motorists believe the federal government should invest more funds in our neglected roadways, according to a recent public opinion poll conducted by AAA. The vast majority (81 percent) think more needs to be done to rehabilitate roads and bridges.

Unfortunately, policymakers and transportation advocates are failing to connect with the public on the practical issues that matter most to motorists.

Nearly seven out of ten (68 percent) motorists believe the federal government should make “reducing congestion on the roads” a top transportation priority. Congestion is not only detrimental to the environment it negatively influences mood, job performance and physical well-being. A Canadian study reports that for every additional hour in a car, there is a 6 percent increase in the likelihood of obesity.

As our aging infrastructure reaches the end of its natural life, the need for investment takes on an even greater urgency. The Federal Highway

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David R. Poor Administration estimates that $170 billion in capital investment is needed on an annual basis to significantly improve roadway conditions, nearly double the current amount.

One of the unintended consequences of more fuel-efficient vehicles is that the nation’s current gas tax can no longer fund all the necessary maintenance and improvements to our transportation system. AAA believes all funding options must be on the table. According to the survey, motorists who feel that the federal government should increase taxes or fees to improve roadways support a number of options: • Replacing the per-gallon gas tax with a national gasoline sales tax (55 percent);

AAA and Hertz now offering Dollar Thrifty car rentals Hertz, AAA’s exclusive car rental partner, recently acquired the Dollar Thrifty Auto Group and AAA’s partnership agreement has been expanded to include both brands.

The addition of the Dollar Thrifty brands to the AAA car rental portfolio provides members with more choice for economy rentals. Dollar Thrifty’s philosophy has always been to provide the public with a combination of the best service available in the industry at the most competitive prices possible.

AAA members will now receive a 10% discount on published Dollar retail rates, and an 8% discount at Thrifty Car Rental on all car classes when booked in advance using a AAA CDP Number (your club code - 215).

In addition, members can receive a 10% discount on navigation units (GPS).

“The addition of Dollar Thrifty marks a new era in the AAA/Hertz partnership,” said Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “This expanded collection of brands, exclusive discounts and unique benefits enhances AAA’s ability to satisfy the needs of a broad cross section of members.”

The addition of Dollar and Thrifty to AAA’s portfolio of car rental providers is a natural evolution of Hertz’s partnership with AAA. Hertz has been AAA’s exclusive car rental partner for 20 years and members enjoy a suite of value added products and services, including guaranteed best rate availability and no charge for additional qualified AAA drivers when renting with Hertz. To make reservations members can contact their local AAA travel agent, or visit www.AAA.com/travel.

• Creating a new national sales tax dedicated to transportation (47 percent); • Expanding the use of tolls to Interstate highways where tolls are not currently collected (47 percent); • Creating a carbon tax on fossil fuels (45 percent); • Replacing the federal gas tax with a per-miles-driven fee (37 percent); • Creating an energy tax on all sources of energy (35 percent); • Increasing the federal per-gallon gas tax (27 percent).

Stabile funding solutions should go hand-in-hand with reforms that target waste, mismanagement, and ensure greater transparency and accountability in federal and state transportation programs. Motorists overwhelmingly (83 percent) remain concerned about wasteful government spending.

AAA is dedicated to examining all funding options and educating policymakers on the need to fully fund improvements for America’s roads and bridges. We have worked diligently with Congress to implement reforms, such as eliminating earmarks, and streamlining bureaucratic oversight. We will continue to push for reforms that accelerate project development and reduce wasteful spending.

Finding workable solutions will entail a host of challenging policy and revenue issues, but these efforts should be viewed as an opportunity to move transportation into the 21st century, bolster economic recovery, and improve our quality of life.

Insta-Quote battery pricing from AAA

If your battery is failing you AAA Battery Service offers an easy solution to your mobility problems.

AAA Battery Service provides convenient mobile battery testing on the roadside, using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The diagnostic service confirms whether your battery will hold a charge or if the problem lies deeper in the electrical system. Best of all, the service is free to AAA members.

Worried about what size battery you need or how much it will cost?

Our Insta-Quote battery price calculator on AAA.com will give you a price for your vehicle’s battery before requesting service. Just select make, model and year of your vehicle and the engine size and click “Request a Quote”. Prices displayed include the $25.00 member discount.

And each AAA Battery is covered by an unprecedented nationwide 72-month warranty with a 36-month free replacement warranty on AAA branded batteries. Over one million AAA members have already enjoyed the convenience of having a AAA Battery delivered and installed on the spot.

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AAA MOTORIST

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AAA MOTORIST

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Do you need an umbrella? Some things to consider Umbrella insurance coverage begins where other policies end

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tandard insurance policies cover liability a person may have for injuries or property damage suffered by someone else. They are designed to cover accidents for which the insured may owe tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, sometimes the person is responsible for an accident so catastrophic that the damages add up to more than $1 million. To cover financially devastating events insurance companies offer personal umbrella policies, which provide additional protection when an accident exceeds limits provided by the other insurance policies. They also may cover some types of losses these other policies do not cover.

Since there isn’t a “standard” umbrella policy it helps to have a checklist of considerations when evaluating a policy.

Identify things that could expose you to a catastrophic loss. How many cars do you own? Inexperienced drivers in your household? Items like swimming pools, trampolines, and swing-sets present an exposure to severe losses. Boats can cause serious injuries and damage if the operators are inattentive, intoxicated, or inexperienced. An umbrella may cover things like volunteer activities, statements made online, and certain business activities that a homeowner’s or auto policy might not cover.

Identify exposures which might require different coverage. Does your

WATER HAZARD — An umbrella policy applies on top of the limit on items like your boat policy. family participate in social media or online discussion forums? Does anyone coach a youth sports team, belong to the governing board of a non-profit organization, write computer code as a hobby, or give music lessons? These activities present exposures to legal liability.

Review your insurance policies. How much will your auto insurance pay for injuries to others? How much will it

pay for property damage? How much will your homeowners policy pay for your personal liability for an accident?

Does it cover any business activities?

Does it cover family members accused of slander, libel, or defamation of character in online postings? Does it cover you for causing mental anguish to a kid who didn’t get much playing time on a team you coached, or trouble caused by a computer program you wrote? How

much will your boat policy pay for your liability for boating accidents?

If your auto policy will pay up to $250,000 for injuries to one person and $500,000 for injuries to multiple people, an umbrella with a $1,000,000 limit will give you insurance equaling $1,500,000 for injuries to two or more people. If your homeowners policy will pay up to $300,000 for your liability, the same umbrella will afford $1,300,000 if someone gets seriously hurt at your home. The umbrella limit of insurance also applies on top of the limit on the boat policy.

Normally an insurance company will require you to pay a deductible amount (such as $250 or $500) before it will pay for a loss that one of these other policies does not cover.

A professional agent can help you sort out what your current insurance covers and what additional coverages an umbrella will provide.

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 800.207.7947, or visit AAA.com/ insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive insurance review. AAA – your trusted insurance advisor.

JUNE 2013

AAA MOTORIST

Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

S R U TO

L L A F !

T S A F FILL

AIR & MOTORCOACH TOUR FROM PITTSBURGH

Colors of New England: Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine This is a 7-night ramble through quintessential small-town America amid its autumnal beauty.

Picture-perfect covered bridges, tidy villages punctuated by tall steeples, quaint waterfronts abuzz with activity — they’re all here. Plus the Yankee charm of Boston! See Vermont’s 165-foot-deep Quechee Gorge, cider making and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream factory. Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Follow Kancamagus Highway, a favorite of “leaf-peepers.” See lighthouses and harbor seals on a Boothbay Harbor cruise. AAA Vacations® Exclusive: Sail Lake Champlain Book by 6/30/13 with dinner & entertainment onboard! (select dates only).

Sept & Oct dates • AAA Member Rate: $2,199 plus airfare

& save $150.00!

PER PERSON

Pre-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotels, There's no motorcoach sightseeing, 11 meals (including welcome dinner in America's oldest oyster house & a lobster dinner), escaping facts: Fall hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. is fabulous. Fall is festive.

Above all else, fall is fleeting!

No wonder fall tours are so desirable, so in demand: There's no such thing as Lower Hudson Valley, Boston, The Poconos ever booking way too early for a fall tour!

For just a few weeks each year, Nature paints the land with short-lived, sun-glowing hues.

New England & Canada It fills the crisp air with enough chill to make Avoid potential airport hassles! Park for free, relax and ride our convenient a sweater feel oh-so-comfy. And it offers up “Cruise Express” motorcoach to NY’s Hudson Valley for an overnight & dinner distinctive scents, sounds and other sights — on the grounds of a historic estate. Tour a Hudson River Valley landmark. Head fresh-carved pumpkins...wood smoke...roasting to Boston for a tour, a special dinner and time on your own. Then, from Boston, chestnuts...crunching leaves...honking geese... enjoy a 7-night New England/Canada cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of crackling bonfires...haystacks & cornstalks the Seas to Halifax NS, St John NB and Bar Harbor & Portland ME. Motorcoach — that make us all want to experience from Boston to a Poconos Mountains resort in eastern Pennsylvania for an overnight and then return to Pittsburgh. this unique time of year before it gets away from us all too soon.

Sept 20-30 • AAA Member Rate: from $1,948 Don't wait until it's Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation, 3-night hotel accommodations, 7 on-land meals, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, too late! government fees and services of a AAA Tour Manager. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for itinerary details & pick-up points.

MOTORCOACH TOUR FROM PITTSBURGH PLUS 7-NIGHT CRUISE FROM BOSTON!

MOTORCOACH CRUISE FROM PITTSBURGH New England & Canada

RIde AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach to Baltimore MD to board Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas.

Portland & Bar Harbor ME St John NB • Halifax NS 3 full days at sea

Sept 19-27 AAA Member Rate from $1,115 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes 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. © ALPHASPIRIT / FOTOLIA.COM

MOTORCOACH TOURS FROM THE PITTSBURGH AREA Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

Western Maryland Rail & More

Enjoy northwest Pennsylvania’s spectacular foliage and natural landmarks from the comfort of a motorcoach, aboard the Tioga Central Railroad and even on a horse-drawn covered wagon! 3 meals.

Enjoy the views from the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad on your ride from Cumberland to Frostburg. Visit the site of Fort Cumberland and an Underground Railroad “stop.” 2 meals.

Oct 3-4 • AAA Member Rate: $375

Oct 17 • AAA Member Rate: $159

New England Rails & Trails

Oct 6-13 • AAA Member Rate: $1,805

Let autumn dazzle you in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont & Connecticut. To fully experience it all, ride several trains, a schooner & your motorcoach. 17 meals.

Rail to Rail in West Virginia

Oct 9-11 • AAA Member Rate: $509

Two scenic railroad excursions are the highlight of this fun-filled fall adventure that also features resort lodging, Blackwater Falls, an entertaining Branson-style show & more. 6 meals.

© JOHN KEITH / FOTOLIA.COM

Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Pittsburgh 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.

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AAA MOTORIST

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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

CONVENIENT MOTORCOACH CRUISING FROM PITTSBURGH Avoid potential airport hassles. Motorcoach to your cruise! Park for free, then relax & ride AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach to Baltimore to board Grandeur of the Seas!

2013 CARIBBEAN Dec 14-24 • from $1,024 Basseterre, St Kitts Tortola, British Virgin Islands San Juan, Puerto Rico; Labadee, Haiti 5 full days at sea

2013 NEW ENGLAND & CANADA Sept 19-27 • from $1,115

2014 CARIBBEAN Jan 21-31 • from $1,029

2014 CARIBBEAN March 18-28* • from $1,132

2014 BAHAMAS Aug 8-15 • from $1,144

Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI Philipsburg, St Maarten 5 full days at sea

Port Canaveral, Florida CocoCay, Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas 3 full days at sea

2014 BERMUDA May 23-30 • from $1,225

2014 BERMUDA Oct 10-16 • from $885

King’s Wharf, Bermuda 3 full days at sea

King’s Wharf, Bermuda 2 full days at sea

Portland & Bar Harbor, Maine Saint John, New Brunswick Halifax, Nova Scotia 3 full days at sea

San Juan, Puerto Rico Tortola, British Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI Philipsburg, St Maarten 5 full days at sea

2013 CARIBBEAN Nov 26–Dec 6 • from $1,082

2014 CARIBBEAN Feb 18-28 • from $1,132

2014 BAHAMAS June 27–July 4 • from $1,244

2014 NEW ENGLAND & CANADA Oct 16-24 • from $1,076

Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI Philipsburg, St Maarten 5 full days at sea

Labadee, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI Philipsburg, St Maarten 5 full days at sea

Port Canaveral, Florida CocoCay, Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas 3 full days at sea

Portland & Bar Harbor, Maine Saint John, New Brunswick Halifax, Nova Scotia 3 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 & Western Pennsylvania pick-up points.

*WEST VIRGINIA MOTORCOACH from Morgantown & Bridgeport available for the March 18, 2014, departure.

DON’T MISS THE BOAT — VISIT AAA.COM / MOTORCRUISE

JUNE 2013

AAA MOTORIST

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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Eastern Caribbean Cruise CRUISING HAWAII with Pittsburgh personality Bob Logue THE BEST WAY TO SEE IT ALL...AT YOUR OWN PACE!

AAA’s unique 9-night Hawaiian vacations feature a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Honolulu, an Oahu tour (featuring the USS Arizona Memorial & more) and a 7-night cruise of 4 islands — Oahu, Maui, Hawaii & Kauai.

Nov 15-23 Independence of the Seas

Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale ST MAARTEN (pictured): The Dutch and French left their marks on this heavenly slice of tropical delight. Its beaches are some of the most breathtaking in the Caribbean region.

ST KITTS: What’s a town square fashioned after London’s Piccadilly Circus doing in the middle of the Caribbean? It’s just one of many surprises St Kitts has in store.

SAN JUAN: Step back in time when you stroll Old San Juan’s narrow cobblestone streets lined with brightly hued shops, houses, restaurants and nightspots.

LABADEE: Surrounded by beautiful mountain slopes and exotic foliage, Royal Caribbean’s private paradise offers pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery and fun water activities...even an Aqua Park for kids.

PLUS 3 FULL DAYS OF CRUISING AT SEA!

AAA Member Rates Jan 9-18: from $1,705 Jan 30–Feb 8: from $1,809 Feb 27–March 8: from $1,809

AAA Member Rates from $769

ALSO INCLUDES ONBOARD COCKTAIL PARTY $25 SHIPBOARD CREDIT PER STATEROOM Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/ entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees.

Ship’s registry: Bahamas.

Ask about available add-on airfare.

© CHAD MCDERMOTT / FOTOLIA.COM

Pride of America

Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to change/availability at time of booking and include hotel/pier transfers, 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor tour, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.

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AAA MOTORIST

JUNE 2013

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

AAA, The Preferred Travel Agency of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Bring the kids for more than just a game!

• Pirates baseball cap • Autographed baseball • Game ticket — outfield box seating • Pre-game behind-the-scenes tour of PNC Park • Pre-game food & drink in the PNC Pirates Deck • Opportunity to watch batting practice if it takes place that day due ALL OF THIS FOR JUST $69 PER PERSON PER GAME! atFulltimepayment of booking.

Saturday June 29 @ 7:15pm vs Milwaukee Brewers

THE AMERICAN WEST

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated, services of a AAA Tour Manager and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.

Napa Valley & San Francisco

New Mexico Balloon Fiesta

So many delights in one tour — from San Francisco’s endless charms to the natural splendor of the Muir Woods redwoods. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy 5 vineyards (participate in a “Blend Your Own Merlot” event) and 3 nights at Tuscan-style Vino Bella Resort in Napa. Savor a 4-course dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. With your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf as your base, tour San Francisco’s famous landmarks, cruise by ferry across the bay and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. 2 meals.

Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons.

Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks.

Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with llamas! 14 meals.

Oct 7-12

•

$1,949

Oct 9-15

•

$2,309

Zambelli Fireworks Night • Scratch’n Win

Thursday July 4 @ 1:35pm vs Philadelphia Phillies Saturday July 13 @ 7:15pm vs New York ! Mets

OUT D Industries Zambelli Fireworks Night presented SObyLPPG

• Scratch’n Win

Saturday Aug 31 @ 7:05pm vs St Louis T!Cardinals

SOLD OU

Skyblast featuring Zambelli Fireworks and Third Eye Blind in concert presented by Iron City Beer • Scratch’n Win

Saturday Sept 21 @ 7:05pm vs Cincinnati ! Reds

SOLD OUT

Skyblast featuring Zambelli Fireworks and Neon Trees in concert presented

by Iron City Beer • Scratch’n Win • 2014 Magnetic Schedule

Travel B uc k et Li st Cru ise the Car ibb ean's exo tic isle s... and "do it in sty le"!

AAA has just what you’re looking for!

Join Pittsburgh tv & radio personality BILL CARDILLE for an out-of-the-ordinary eral 14-night cruise vacation that combines sev ones: lesser visited islands with more popular OS ARUBA • CURACAO • GRENADA • BARBAD THOMAS ST LUCIA • ANTIGUA • ST MAARTEN • ST

sh and luxurious Best of all, you'll do it all aboard the styli Celebrity Eclipse. You’ll enjoy dinner 1 night in a specialty restaurant (2 guests per stateroom), martini tasting vouchers (2 per stateroom) and an onboard cocktail party!

Feb 22–March 8 AAA Member Rate: from $2,190 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: Malta.

Ask about available add-on airfare.

American Majesty

Grand Canyon Adventure

From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite landmarks.

Visit Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone NP (Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower National Monument, Mt Rushmore National Memorial (evening light ceremony), Ft Laramie National Historic Site and Buffalo Bill Historic Center. Float down the Snake River and ride a Jeep safari in the Black Hills. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting).

See Crazy Horse Monument. 15 meals, including a chuck wagon dinner.

Luxuriate in Red Rock Country at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Take a Pink Jeep backcountry tour. Ride first class on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to your national park lodging just a quarter-mile from the South Rim. Visit Glen Canyon Recreational Area and a night at Lake Powell Resort. A tour highlight is your guided half-day float trip on the Colorado River! Motorcoach to the Luxor Hotel on the Strip in Las Vegas. Flirt with Lady Luck, relax by the pool or take in a top-notch show on your free full day in Vegas. 9 meals.

Aug 31–Sept 8

•

PASADENA

$2,735

Oct 4-10

•

$2,195

CALIFORNIA New Yearʼs Getaway including reserved seats for the worldfamous Tournament of Roses Parade!

Dec 29–Jan 3 AAA Member Rate: $3,255 Start in LA, touring historic Farmers Market, glitzy Rodeo Drive and star-studded Hollywood. At the Chinese Theatre (née Grauman’s, then Mann’s), see celebrity signatures immortalized in cement. Follow the bronze medallions studding Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. At Hollywood & Highland, a shopping & entertainment complex housing the new home of Academy Awards extravaganzas, enjoy a great view of the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign from the upper level. Continue to downtown LA if time permits, then relax and get acquainted with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at at a bayfront restaurant in Long Beach.

Day 2 takes you to Pasadena to see floats in the final stage of parade preparation; watch volunteers & professionals hand-apply flowers. Tour Burbank’s Warner Brothers Studios for a behind-the-scenes look into making films and TV shows; be alert for star sightings! Return to your hotel to relax poolside or enjoy beachside paths for walking, jogging and biking. Dining on your own allows you to explore Long Beach.

On Day 3, drive to Simi Valley’s Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, the nation’s largest and most elaborate; see a full-scale Oval Office replica, Air Force One, a re-created White House state dinner and numerous videos & displays. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through exclusive Malibu to fun & funky Santa Monica; explore its

variety of sights in your free time. Attend an exclusive New Year’s Eve party in Long Beach on the magnificent Queen Mary — a luxurious setting for sophisticated dining, dancing and bidding farewell to 2013 in grand style. Usher in 2014 with a toast from the best seat in Long Beach for a gigantic fireworks display off the ship’s stern!

Day 4 finds you in Pasadena, at your reserved seat for the Roses Parade — 60 flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians. Stop at Victory Park to view the floats up close.

Enjoy lunch in see-&-be-seen West Hollywood, then drive to your all-suite hotel on San Diego’s waterfront.

Explore this unique city on Day 5; see Cabrillo Monument atop Point Loma, with commanding views of the Pacific, the harbor and the city skyline. Drive through Mission Bay, continue to Old Town (California’s birthplace) and La Jolla, a chic beachside hideaway where you’ll have time to explore. Established in 1868, Balboa Park is the country’s oldest and one of its largest city parks. Take a guided tour on a doubledecker bus at San Diego Zoo, then board the luxurious Lord Hornblower, designed to resemble the grand steamships that once plied the harbor; enjoy entertainment, dancing and a sit-down dinner while cruising past glittering harbor lights under radiant stars in the sky before debarking at the Embarcadero.

All too soon, fly home on Day 6.

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh– Los Angeles, San Diego–Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person), 10 meals (including 2 dinner cruises), 2 cocktail parties, reserved parade seat, taxes/gratuities on included items, local tour manager and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met).

JUNE 2013

AAA MOTORIST

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

PAGE 11

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

AAA Featured Vacations are specific cruise, motorcoach or air tour vacations created or selected by AAA Travel for their value, amenities and/or inclusions.

Look for the AAA Featured Vacations logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings.

This year, the people of Ireland are hosting an unprecedented year-long celebration of everything that is unique & great about Ireland. It’s called The Gathering. Communities, villages and towns are organizing gatherings, festivals and events to welcome visitors. With the focus on Ireland’s vibrant living culture, heritage and people, it’s a chance to experience Ireland like never before.

• Bunratty Folk Park • Medieval banquet in a 15th-century castle • Cliffs of Moher

Altoona PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bridgeport WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Brookville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Butler PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Columbiana OH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cranberry Township PA . . . . . . . . . . . . .

East Liverpool OH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Erie PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Greensburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Harborcreek PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Indiana PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kittanning PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area PA . .

Martinsburg WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meadville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Morgantown WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Castle PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

814-946-1277 304-842-7676 814-849-4000 724-282-8810 330-482-3836 724-772-1122 330-385-2020 814-866-0246 724-834-8300 814-897-9508 724-349-4193 724-543-4244 724-339-4440 304-263-4619 814-724-3157 304-983-6480 724-658-8551

Pittsburgh PA area Century III (Pleasant Hills) . . . . . . . . .

Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

East Liberty/Shadyside . . . . . . . . . . . .

Monroeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

North Hills Area (Ross Twp) . . . . . . . .

Robinson Township . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

South Hills (Bethel Park) . . . . . . . . . .

White Oak/McKeesport . . . . . . . . . . .

Rochester PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

St Marys PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Uniontown PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Warren PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Washington PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waynesburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wheeling WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weirton WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• Flying Boat Museum 412-655-6105 412-338-4305 412-365-7272 412-858-4640 412-367-7625 412-809-2803 412-833-5060 412-675-3404 724-728-6230 814-781-3003 724-438-8575 814-723-6660 724-225-3600 724-627-3434 304-233-1810 304-748-1616

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. 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.

AAA Vacations ® offers some of the best values at sea & amenities unavailable anywhere else!

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL DATE

NTS

SHIP

• Killarney National Park, including Muckross House • Ring of Kerry drive, including the Skellig Experience & Moll’s Gap • Waterford Crystal tour • Russborough House mansion • Dinner & song at a real pub • Dublin: city tour & free time ...AND MUCH MORE!

Oct 13-20 • AAA Member Rate: $1,399 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 more information.

ITINERARY

9/1 7 Navigator of the Seas Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Rome IT Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant 9/7 7 Splendor of the Seas Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Venice IT Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant 9/15 7 Liberty of the Seas Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona SP Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant 9/30 7 Liberty of the Seas Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Toulon FR Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom

PRINCESS CRUISES

DATE

NTS

SHIP

ITINERARY

9/7 7 Diamond Princess Alaska Southbound: Whittier AK to Vancouver BC Amenities: Preferred Check-in on Boarding Day • $50 Shipboard Credit per stateroom • Exclusive Wine Tasting hosted by Sommelier 9/15 12 Royal Princess Mediterranean: Venice IT to Barcelona SP Amenities: Preferred Check-in on Boarding Day • $75 Shipboard Credit per stateroom • Exclusive Wine Tasting hosted by Sommelier 10/12 7 Caribbean Princess Canada & New England: Roundtrip from New York City NY Amenities: Preferred Check-in on Boarding Day • $50 Shipboard Credit per stateroom • Exclusive Wine Tasting hosted by Sommelier

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DATE

NTS

SHIP

ITINERARY

9/17 11 Noordam Mediterranean: Rome IT to Barcelona SP Amenities: Pinnacle Grill Dinner (guests 1 & 2) • Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event • Holland America Cookbook (1 per cabin) 10/6 7 Nieuw Amsterdam Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona SP Amenities: Pinnacle Grill Dinner (guests 1 & 2) • Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event • Holland America Cookbook (1 per cabin) 10/18 10 Zuiderdam Panama Canal: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL Amenities: Pinnacle Grill Dinner (guests 1 & 2) • Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event • Holland America Cookbook (1 per cabin) • Chocolate-covered Strawberries

Choose from hundreds of AAA Vacations® cruises at AAA.com/cruises.

Look for cruises with the AAA logo:

New bookings only. Offers listed available only on AAA Vacations® departures. Combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions.

Edinburgh: welcome drink & dinner • Spean Bridge Woolen Mill • Loch Ness cruise • Scottish Highland evening • Culloden Battlefield • Whisky tasting/tour at Blair Athol Distillery • Edinburgh Castle & city tour • Ferry to Northern Ireland • Belfast: city tour, Titanic Center • Dublin: city tour, Book of Kells, canal dinner cruise with live music • Rock of Cashel • Blarney: Castle & Woolen Mills • Killarney: national park “jaunting car” ride • Ring of Kerry • The Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap • River Shannon ferry • Cliffs of Moher (pictured) • Bunratty Castle medieval banquet • AND MUCH MORE!

Nov 9-19 • AAA Member Rate: $1,699 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, 16 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/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.

PROGRAMS OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL

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AAA MOTORIST

JUNE 2013

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Pittsburgh 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.

Best of Montréal & Québec: Aug 4-10

AAA Member Rate: $1,885

TENNESSEE MUSIC EXPRESS Oct 27–Nov 3

AAA Member Rate: $475

AAA Member Rate $1,505

Journey to Alexandria Bay; cruise the enchanting Thousand Islands.

Overnight on the shores of the St Lawrence. Cross the border to Ottawa, Canada’s national capital. In Québec City, experience the European charm of North America’s first French settlement. After lunch at the world-famous Château Frontenac, explore Old Québec.

Savor a unique dinner at a traditional sugar shack; visit the Maple Museum, showcasing the syrup industry. Enjoy a full-day tour of Baie St-Paul. Visit Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré’s world-famous shrine. Stop at impressive Montmorency Falls, 1.5 times higher than Niagara.

Tour Montreal, the world’s second-largest French-speaking city; dine at an Old Montréal steakhouse. Toronto boasts clean streets, cultural sites, sports venues and a diverse population. Dine at 360 Restaurant atop CN Tower, more than 1,150 feet tall. Lunch at Table Rock in Niagara Falls, with time to enjoy the falls. 12 meals.

Girls’ Spa Getaway: Aug 16-18

Head to Wilkes-Barre’s Woodlands Inn & Resort for this girls’ weekend. On-site spa treatments (manicure, pedicure, 45-minute massage included), dining venues, hip cocktail lounges, exciting entertainment venues and more! 3 meals.

“Noah” in Lancaster: Aug 27-28

AAA Member Rate: $315

Chautauqua Wine & Dine: Aug 29-30

AAA Member Rate: $335

Travel to PA Dutch country for a live performance of the biblical story of Noah at Sight & Sound Theatre; visit Kitchen Kettle Village, Central Market, an Amish farm & more. 2 meals.

Discover the elegance & culture of NY’s Vintage Trail and Chautauqua Institution. Winery visits, mansion tour, lake cruise and more. 4 meals.

Cape Cod Adventure: Sept 15-21

AAA Member Rate: $1,195

This seaside escape features waterfront lodging in Cape Cod and visits to Newport RI; Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard & Plymouth MA; and more. 9 meals.

Niagara & Beyond: Sept 22-25

AAA Member Rate: $459

Virginia Beach USO Show: Oct 22-25

AAA Member Rate: $769

Stay in the heart of Niagara Falls, Canada, and tour the falls area, Welland Canal, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto and more! 6 meals.

The 1940s USO shows of Bob Hope and the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band come to life! Enjoy other entertainment & Virginia Beach attractions. 7 meals.

1-DAY FUN-DAY TOURS!

Easy Float on the Yough: Aug 24

AAA Member Rate: $105

Float safely on the Yough River as a Colonial-garbed guide points out sights on this “soft adventure.” Lunch & free time in Ohiopyle. 1 meal.

Lights & Sights along the Lake: Sept 30

Member Rate: $139

Explore Lake Erie’s picturesque shoreline, charming Dunkirk, 2 lighthouses, a waterfront luncheon, the Boardwalk Market and more. 1 meal.

A-haunting We Will Go!: Oct 26

AAA Member Rate: $129

This “spooky” eastern Ohio excursion features a guided Lisbon Cemetery & Funeral Walk and a riding tour of Spruceville Ghost Town. 1 meal.

NASHVILLE

From the Grand Ole Opry to Graceland, this tour celebrates country music and Tennessee’s past & present as well as its natural beauty. Start in Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains; enjoy an evening of music, dance and comedy at the Smoky Mountain Opry. In Gatlinburg, visit the Titanic Museum and see a show at the Smith Family Theater. Head to Memphis for unique Delta food at the famous Rendezvous restaurant and a free night of leisure on Beale Street, home of the blues. While in Memphis, tour Elvis’ Graceland and Sun Recording Studio too. Stop at Loretta Lynn's plantation home on the way to Nashville, center of America's music heartland. Enjoy dinner and a country music variety show at the Nashville Nightlife Theater.

Tour the city and the Country Music Hall of Fame before enjoying the ultimate Nashville experience — the Grand Ole Opry. Wrap up this tour with a visit to the Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson's home. Overnight in Clarksville IN, with food and entertainment at the Derby Dinner Playhouse. 15 meals.

SMOKY MOUNTAINS

JUNE 2013

AAA MOTORIST

PAGE 13

1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

PARE DOWN YOUR AIR BY

100 DOLLARS • Fairbanks: University of Alaska Museum, free time, sternwheeler river cruise, salmon bake dinner at Pioneer Park • 4-hour flying adventure over Brooks Range and across Arctic Circle • Denali National Park: free time, “Welcome to the Subarctic” talk, full-day Tundra Wilderness Tour, overnight in the park • Anchorage: city tour, kennel/home of an Iditarod Sled Dog Race winner, Native Heritage Center • Portage Valley: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Scenic Seward Highway to Begich Boggs Visitor Center • Seward: free time • Cooper Landing: 2-hour scenic float on the Kenai River • Girdwood: free time, Alyeska Tram, farewell seafood buffet dinner

July 8-17, 2013 • AAA Member Rate: $4,979 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, 9-night accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, 16 meals, in-Alaska local guide, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met), Arctic Circle air adventure (small aircraft; group will be staggered; departure is weather-dependent) & more.

Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/Alaska for itinerary details.

cheerio, STEELERS FANS! cross “the pond” and BE A PART OF HISTORY! SEE THE Steelers BATTLE THE Minnesota Vikings IN wembley stadium in London, England! travel with YOUR HOST Larry Richert, kdka radio personality, sept 26–oct 1.

Enjoy 4 nights at the perfectly located 4-star deluxe Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, just steps from the original Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Aquarium, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and restaurants, shops and nightspots. Also included are...

Roundtrip Pittsburgh-London flights • Accommodations Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers & hotel/stadium transfers English breakfast daily • 2-day London sightseeing pass Cocktail reception & dinner with Larry Richert Pre-game party (open bar & hors d’ouerves) with Larry Game ticket (Sept 29) • Hospitality staff on-site Taxes & gratuities AAA Member Rate: $3,399 per person (double occupancy)

2013 Caribbean sailings of 7 nights or more on

NOW THROUGH JUNE 28, 2013 AAA Travel will find the lowest available airfare for your cruise AND then deduct an additional $100.00 per person from it!

To qualify for the air discount, book & deposit on a balcony or higher stateroom on ANY 2013 Celebrity Cruises Caribbean sailing, including these AAA Vacations® departures.

CREDIT BONUS PRIORITY CHECK-IN and $50 ONBOARD ® per stateroom on these AAA Vacations departures DATE

10/19 11/9 11/16 11/16 11/23 11/30 11/30 12/7 12/7 12/14 12/14 12/15 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/28 12/28 12/29

NTS

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

SHIP

ITINERARY

Summit Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Silhouette Reflection Summit Silhouette Reflection Summit Silhouette

Repositioning / Eastern Caribbean: Bayonne to San Juan Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

PRIORITY CHECK-IN and $100 ONBOARD CREDIT BONUS per stateroom on these AAA Vacations® departures

Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

BIG BEN X 2!

SPACE IS LIMITED!

DATE

NTS

SHIP

ITINERARY

11/30 12/9 12/20 12/30

14 11 10 11

Eclipse Equinox Equinox Equinox

Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

PAGE 14

AAA MOTORIST

JUNE 2013

Christmas Markets

continued from page 1

the company and insider knowledge of your professional English-speaking native European guide. From start to finish, you’ll have peace of mind knowing an experienced expert is at your side and at your service to provide practical information and interesting background about all you see and tour. He’ll even be able to offer suggestions about what to do during free time after touring.

When you are on your own, you can explore cobblestone streets lined

with festively decorated boutiques and charming squares brimming with high-quality crafts and gifts (toys, wood carvings, jewelry, nutcrackers, fashions and delicate ornaments, among others). Discover Christmas goods that aren’t mass-produced — traditional nativity figurines, puppets, beeswax candles and lambskin shoes. This may be an ideal opportunity to make a dent in your gift shopping list!

Few items may be as difficult to resist as the baked apples and Glühwein (“glow-wine,” from hot irons once used to mull this red wine spiced with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, star anise, citrus and sugar). Enjoy them all beneath twinkling lights, evergreen garlands and other holiday decorations.

Nuremberg’s Old Quarter market, the world’s most famous, is opened each year by a youngster playing the Christ Child. Kids of all ages love the Kinderweihnacht (children’s Christmas area) and its carousel featuring an upper tier, reindeer and Santa’s sleigh. Nuremberg’s also known for its honey and its thin brown sausages.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber (“Red Fortress above the Tauber River”) on the Romantic Road offers, fittingly, one of the most romantic markets.

An ancient walled town largely untouched for centuries, it boasts some of Europe’s most impressive medieval architecture. The Schneebälle (“snowballs”) made from deep-fried dough dusted with sugar are a local specialty.

Four markets in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Bamberg come in different shapes and sizes — traditional, medieval, Advent and arts & crafts. A “Route of Nativity Scenes” links 40 churches, museums, public buildings and other places via a series of diverse Christmas creches.

Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, has markets sparkling with decorations, Nativity scenes, toys and other very practical presents; the creative people who fashion the objects happily explain their traditional techniques.

Other booths invite you to sample

NEUSCHWANSTEIN

ICE CASTLE — Ludwig II built this fairytale castle in order to withdraw from public life; ironically, 1.3 million people now visit here every year!

MEMBERS SAVE 1 OF 3 WAYS Premier ...........$125 Plus ................$100 Basic ................. $75 PER ROOM...NEW BOOKINGS ONLY

BOOK & DEPOSIT THROUGH 6/30/13 gingerbread and Christmas cookies.

Dating to the 14th century, Munich’s Marienplatz market offers live Alpine holiday music from Town Hall’s balcony and creative activities for kids. While in town, savor an included traditional dinner featuring Spätzle (dense egg noodles; name means “little sparrow”) and Strudel (“whirlpool” — layered pastry filled with fruit or sweet cheese).

Escape on a fun excursion to Mad Ludwig’s Alpine castle, Neuschwanstein. Spectacularly located, the shy king’s palace appears prominently in many movies and inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Füssen holds its market in the festively illuminated monastery courtyard of St Mang in the heart of the town’s historic cobblestone streets.

Ettal’s market, in a narrow valley 3,000 feet above sea level, is dominated by a magnificent abbey surrounded by baroque buildings, green pines and snow-covered mountains.

Bonfires in carved stumps provide warmth (as does mulled wine). Nearby Oberammergau offers worldfamous wood carvings; see a Holy Family so small they fit in a nutshell!

If these markets/treats whet your wanderlust/appetite, visit AAA.com/ GoEurope for more information!

German Christmas Markets

Before-discount AAA Member Rate includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Frankfurt, Munich-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach transportation, hotel taxes/service charges, hotel baggage handling, 13 meals, Neuschwanstein tour, services of a AAA tour manager (if participation goal is met) and in-Germany escort.

Dec 2-10

•

AAA Member Rate: $2,739

Call 1-800-354-8761 or visit AAA.com/GoEurope

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AAA Vacations® is your connection to the world Hand-crafted itineraries and exclusive member values

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o see the world is one thing, to experience it is quite another.

This is the essence of travel that transcends the ordinary.

AAA Vacations® has scoured the globe to uncover the world’s most remarkable journeys. These cruise and land-based vacations are hand-selected by AAA for carefully crafted itineraries that seamlessly mingle the “must sees” with intimate glimpses of other cultures. And they are only available through AAA. AAA Vacations® are an exceptional value because AAA has negotiated great members-only savings and benefits. Every vacation includes the AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care. You can also rely on the expertise of your AAA Travel Agent in selecting the right vacation for you.

Do it your way

Travel the Canadian Rockies by rail, or watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Savor a glass of Chianti in Tuscany, or explore America’s National Parks. AAA’s land vacation program features over 35 guided and locally hosted programs to the world’s most sought after locales — both exotic and familiar.

All are designed to reveal the very heart and soul of the places you’ll see.

Travel independently or share the experience with a host and other likeminded nomads. No matter how you go you’ll travel with confidence. AAA

EVERY STONE TELLS A STORY — Come face to face with 4,000 years of civilization on the Greek island of Rhodes.

Vacations® 24/7 Member Care delivers peace of mind should you need assistance on you journey.

Looking to chill out on a beach or plunge under a waterfall in a tropical lagoon? Choose from more than 100 resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and the South Pacific. You’ll also enjoy premium amenities like complimentary room upgrades, early check in and late check out, resort credits and optional excursion certificates.

Disney means sharing special moments with family and nobody

does Disney like AAA Vacations®. Let your AAA travel professional create a package to Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort that will make magical memories. You’ll also receive exclusive AAA Vacations® benefits, plus AAA member benefits on select AAA Vacations® packages

Choose your cruise

Follow a winding river past fairytale castles and charming walled towns, or retrace the voyage of Odysseus while dolphins frolic in an opalized Ionian

Sea. AAA has partnered with some of the industry’s best cruise lines, and with more than 400 departures, you won’t have wait for your ship to come in.

Plus, AAA Vacations® offers exclusive bonus amenities like priority checkin on day of boarding, champagne on arrival, onboard spending credits and specialty dining experience, just to a name a few. Look for the AAA Vacations logo located next to the cruise listed on AAA.com/aaavacations, then click on the link that says “Special Offer” to see the added amenities for that particular departure.

Engaging, authentic experiences and the pulse quickening thrill of discovery.

Values you won’t find anywhere else.

The road goes on forever and AAA Vacations® will get you there.

YOUR BEST PRICE GUARANTEE

All AAA Vacations® land based and cruise programs include the AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee. Should you find a valid better rate for the exact same itinerary within 24 hours of booking, AAA will match the lower rate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Pick up your 2013 AAA Vacations® catalog today at any AAA Travel Agency location, or download the new 2013 AAA Vacations® eBrochure at AAA.com/aaavacations.

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Tails are wagging over 2013 AAA PetBook Area golden retriever is top dog in this year’s edition

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ody Bear, a golden retriever from Cranberry Township, PA was awarded the coveted cover position in the 2013 AAA PetBook® Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western, a AAA Preferred Hotel Partner. The photogenic fido is featured on the cover of the 15th annual edition Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook®, released in May. The cover photo featured Cody Bear, relaxing amid the sylvan splendor of Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Resort.

“Cody Bear is part of our family,” said owner Kathy Havey of Cranberry Township. “We wouldn’t dream of leaving him at home.” Recently, the 15-year-old canine traveled to Florida with his owners, one of several vacation spots he has visited.

Along with the celebrity that comes from being on the cover, Cody Bear’s prizes included cash, pet treats, copies of the book and a Best Western Travel Card® usable at more than 4,000 hotels worldwide, including more than 1,600 pet-friendly properties. This year’s winners and a number of finalists, will also enjoy a year of star treatment in the AAA.com/PetBook photo gallery.

The surging trend of pet travel is putting more bite into vacation demands as millions of Americans view their pets as full-fledged family members.

Many hesitate to hit the road with their canine companions for fear of not

plete, reliable vacation planning information. Members will find all kinds of valuable advice concering the health and safety of their pets in one handy online location, as well as member’s only savings and helpful tips about traveling with their pets.”

“With more than 1,000 pet-friendly properties in North America, Best Western knows pets are very much a part of our guests’ families” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Best Western.

“We are proud to offer a variety of ways for travelers to get information about hitting the road with their pets.”

The AAA PetBook, cover price $18.95 U.S., is on the shelves at participating AAA offices, bookstores and online sellers. The digital edition, cover price $9.95, is available on the iTunes Store, Amazon.com and bn.com.

STAR POWER — Cody Bear, shown here with owner Kathy Havey, is featured on the front cover of the 2013 AAA Petbook. finding accommodations that accept four-legged friends. Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook® provides listings for more than 14,000 pet-friendly AAA Approved accommodations in the U.S. and Canada. These include thousands of Diamond Rated hotels as well as some 600 campgrounds.

The detailed lodging listings include fees, permitted pet sizes and conditions of stay for properties at every Diamond

Rating level including — for pampered pets — AAA Five Diamond Award® hotels. The book also includes information about pet-friendly activities, planning tips, travel safety.

“The key to memorable travels with pets is careful planning,” said Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central.

“With tools like our comprehensive PetSpot.AAA.com website, AAA provides traveling pet owners with com-

READY FOR A CLOSE UP

Capture your pet’s most memorable travel moments on camera and enter your ‘bestin-travel’ photograph before November 30, 2013. Two winning pet photos, chosen in January 2014, will be featured on the cover and spine of the AAA PetBook, published in May 2014. Photos of winners and finalists, contest rules, entry forms and valuable pet travel tips and more can be accessed at AAA.com/PetBook.

AAA releases annual ‘Your Driving Costs’ study Reduced depreciation can’t offset higher fuel prices

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ars are expensive but it might surprise you to learn that it costs about 62% more to drive a Hyundai Genesis, than a Ford Focus. Or that it makes more financial sense to own a Chrysler minivan, which costs almost 20% less to operate than a Chevrolet Suburban SUV. These are just some of the findings from AAA’s annual study on driving costs. AAA has published the report every year since 1950, when driving cost just 9 cents per mile, and gasoline sold for 27 cents a gallon.

Results from the 2013 edition of ‘Your Driving Costs’ study reveal a 1.96 percent rise in the yearly costs to own and operate a typical sedan. The average costs rose 1.17 cents per mile to 60.8 cents per mile, or $9,122 per year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving. Typical SUV costs climbed to $11,599 yearly, or 77.3 cents per mile.

While several vehicles included in the Your Driving Costs study had increases in fuel economy, it was not enough to offset higher maintenance, depreciation and insurance costs. Gas prices were relatively stable compared to the previous year, increasing just 1.93 percent to 14.45 cents per mile on average for sedans.

The costs associated with maintaining a vehicle had the single largest

driver, driving habits, issuing company and geographical region. AAA insurance cost estimates are based on a lowrisk driver with an excellent record.

For 2012, average insurance costs for sedans rose 2.76 percent to $1029 yearly. Large sedans had less of an increase than small- and medium-size sedans.

The cost of tires did not change from 2012 to 2013, remaining at one cent per mile on average for sedan owners.

The stable price is attributed to a leveling off of past increased costs for raw materials, energy and transportation from factories to distributors.

AAA calculates the average costs of owning and operating five top-selling models in three popular size classes: small, medium and large sedans.

Though not part of the AAA composite average, SUV and minivan cost are also included.

READING THE NUMBERS — Stable fuel and tire prices helped keep increases in car costs down this year. percentage increase from 2012 to 2013, growing by 11.26 percent to 4.97 cents per mile on average for sedan owners.

AAA’s estimates are based upon the cost to maintain a vehicle and perform needed repairs for five years and 75,000 miles including labor expenses, and replacement part prices and purchase of an extended warranty.

Depreciation costs were up slightly in 2013, increasing .78 percent to $3,571 a year. This change may be a consequence of recovering new vehicle sales, resulting in more used cars available in the marketplace and thus the softening of the resale value of clean older models.

Insurance rates vary widely with

HOW MUCH ARE YOU PAYING

AAA’s 2013 Your Driving Costs brochure can be downloaded at AAA.com/ PublicAffairs. To assist members in determining their individual driving costs, the AAA ‘Your Driving Costs’ brochure contains a worksheet that can be filled out and personalized for a specific area, driver and vehicle.

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Voice-to-text apps offer no driving safety benefit Just like manual texting, reaction times double

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exting drivers may believe they’re being more careful when they use the voice-totext method, but new research findings suggest that those applications offer no real safety advantage over manual texting.

The study was sponsored by the Southwest Region University Transportation Center and conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. It is the first of its kind, as it is based on the performance of 43 research participants driving an actual vehicle on a closed course.

Other research efforts have evaluated manual versus voice activated tasks using devices installed in a vehicle, but the TTI analysis is the first to compare voice-to text and manual texting on a handheld device in an actual driving environment.

Drivers first navigated the course without any use of cell phones. Each driver then traveled the course three more times performing a series of texting exercises — once using each of two voice-to-text applications (Siri® for the iPhone and Vlingo® for Android), and once texting manually. Researchers then measured the time it took each driver to complete the tasks, and also noted how long it took for the drivers to respond to a light which came on at random intervals during the exercises.

Major findings from the study included:

DOUBLE THE DANGER — Driver reaction was doubled no matter which texting method was used.

• Driver response times were significantly delayed no matter which texting method was used. In each case, drivers took about twice as long to react as they did when they weren’t texting. With slower reaction times, drivers are less able to take action in response to sudden roadway hazards, such as a swerving vehicle or a pedestrian in the street.

• The amount of time that drivers spent looking at the roadway ahead was significantly less when they were

texting, no matter which texting method was used.

• For most tasks, manual texting required slightly less time than the voice-to-text method, but driver performance was roughly the same with both.

• Drivers felt less safe when they were texting, but felt safer when using a voice-to-text application than when texting manually, even though driving performance suffered equally with both methods.

Christine Yager, a TTI researcher who managed the study, says the findings offer new insight, but only a part of the knowledge that’s needed to improve roadway safety. “Understanding the distracted driving issue is an evolving process,” she says, and “we’re eager to see what other studies may find.”

“AAA believes the Texas Transportation Institute voice-to-text study is a good step in the right direction,” notes Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “Past research confirms what we’ve known for many years that hands-free driving isn’t risk-free driving.”

Ninety-four percent of drivers tell AAA they consider texting while driving a serious threat, but according to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in three drivers read or send text or email messages behind the wheel.

DEADLY DISTRACTION

In 2009 AAA launched a 50-state campaign to pass laws prohibiting motorists from text messaging while driving. As of February 2013, 33 states and the District of Columbia have laws in place restricting at least some teens or new drivers from using cell phones while driving.

More research is needed to identify strategies that can decrease distraction-related crashes.

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Disney Magic adds an extra dash of pixie dust New attractions & Marvel Superheroes climb aboard

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here’s an extra dose of magic coming aboard the Disney Magic, when the Disney Cruise Line vessel re-launches with new spaces, and exciting additions for the whole family. Guests will experience new adventures from stem to stern on the cruise ship that set the standard for oceangoing majesty and family fun.

From a new grand atrium lobby and a children’s area of “superhero” proportions, to a three-story waterslide, there are plenty of new and magical surprises.

And for the very first time, superheroes from the Marvel Universe will be sailing on a Disney Cruise Line ship after a Sept. 7-Oct. 10, 2013 dry dock in Cadiz, Spain.

Marvel’s The Avengers will make their presence known in an epic way with Marvel’s Avengers Academy. Young crime-fighters will be transported to a high-tech command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training.

Andy’s Room, adjacent to Marvel’s Avengers Academy, is where stars of the Disney-Pixar “Toy Story” trilogy come to life. Stocked with all of Andy’s favorite toys, the room features a largerthan-life Mr. Potato Head, a giant version of Hamm the lovable piggy bank, and a Slinky Dog slide.

An elegant Art Deco lobby will be inspired by elements of the sea.

Opulent furnishings, a grand piano and giant portholes recall the great

sends guests on an exhilarating, swift and splashy ride in a translucent tube that extends 20 feet over the side of the ship.

Soak up the fun with AquaLab, an interactive water playground open to kids ages 3 and up. Families can frolic among pop jets, geysers and bubblers in this fun and fanciful 1,800-square-foot space, while the Twist n’ Spout water slide gets them delightfully drenched with more than 250 feet of sliding fun of loops and turns.

Animator’s Palate, one of the most popular restaurants on the Disney ships, will be updated with all-new, animation-adorned walls and larger high-definition flat-screens. The restaurant’s black and white “blank canvas” explodes into full color as favorite Disney and Disney-Pixar characters, such as Rapunzel from “Tangled” and Remy from “Ratatouille,” come to life right before your eyes.

CRYING FOWL — AquaDuck takes you on an exhilarating high-speed ride around the top deck.

20th century ocean liners, while the chandelier glistens like the rays of the sun on the surface of the water. The lobby’s centerpiece, a cold-cast bronze statue of “Helmsman Mickey,” which has stood in the atrium since the ship was launched, will receive a special makeover bringing new luster to its golden hue.

The ship’s upper decks are being re-

imagined for plenty of splashtacular fun, including a three-story waterslide and a Huey, Dewey and Louie-themed toddler splash zone.

AquaDuck is a three-story body slide that begins with a surprise launch.

Riders step inside a translucent tube and await the near-vertical launch that takes place when the floor beneath them opens like a trap door. The drop

competition, shopping the booths of local artists, sampling some tasty treats, and listening to great music.

There also will be a youth art competition and an area for kids’ arts & crafts activities where they can create their own work of art to take home! Festival in the Forest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Forest County 4-H Grounds, Route 36 (5 miles south of Tionesta). Free admission (donations accepted).

FIREFLY FESTIVAL — (June 21-22) Did you know that the firefly is the state insect of Pennsylvania? Come check out the PA Firefly Festival, a family event featuring the many species of fireflies found in Forest County. Throughout the weekend, there will be campfires, educational programs, arts and crafts, a costume contest, firefly walks and more.

Event location: Black Caddis Ranch B&B, 13558 Pennsylvania 666, Kellettville. For a full schedule of events and the latest updates, visit www.pafireflyfestival.blogspot.com.

ART FAIR ON THE BOARDWALK — (June 22-23) The Art Fair on the Boardwalk is an annual fine art and craft show held on the Boardwalk of centuryold Conneaut Lake Park and on the lawn in front of the Hotel Conneaut in Conneaut Lake Park. Enjoy the

artwork as well as a great view of Conneaut Lake. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.conneautlakepark.com.

FOX TOWNSHIP BICENTENNIAL — (June 28-30) Fox Township is turning 200! Come help them celebrate all weekend long. There will be music, rides, fireworks, Car Cruise In, Children’s Fest, a parade and food, lots of food! For a schedule of events and locations, visit www.foxtownship.com and click on “Bicentennial”.

BUFFET ON THE BAY — (June 29) The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania will be hosting the third annual summer concert event called Buffet on the Bay. This concert features live music, a children’s area, merchandise vendors and a large Chinese auction. Last year’s event helped Second Harvest collect thousands of pounds of food and approximately $18,000 to support our mission to feed the hungry and eliminate the waste of food. Entry is free. Food and monetary donations are appreciated at the gate. Event hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Location: Burger King Amphitheater at Liberty Park, Erie. For more information, visit www.eriefoodbank.org.

SOMETHING FOR GROWN-UPS

After Hours, Disney Magic’s new nighttime entertainment district, will feature an all-new lineup of clubs, including venues for dancing, comedy, music and variety shows.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see your AAA Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on Disney cruise vacations.

aroundtown SUNSET MUSIC SERIES — (Wednesdays, June 12-July 17) Every summer, Presque Isle’s Beach 1 comes alive for six Wednesday-night concerts.

Against the backdrop of a beautiful Lake Erie sunset, the UPMC Sunset Music Series brings the best regional music — at no cost — to park visitors. Concerts start at 6 p.m.

For this year’s concert lineups, visit www.discoverpi.com.

LAKE CITY FIRE COMPANY CARNIVAL — (June 13-15) Have a fun day with the family while supporting the local fire department at the Lake City Fire Company Carnival.

There will be delicious food, a variety of carnival rides, games, live music, craft vendors, face painting, a 5k run, a parade and more at this annual event. Event hours: Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Location: Lake City Fire Company Station 56, 2232 Rice Avenue, Lake City. For more information, visit www.lakecityfire.org/carnival2013. htm.

“FESTIVAL IN THE FOREST” ARTS FESTIVAL — (June 15) Spend a relaxing day under the trees watching art and craft demonstrations, voting for your favorite exhibit for the People’s Choice award in the art

PICNIC IN THE PARK — (July 4) This year, the Perry 200 ‘Picnic in the Park & Fireworks’ at Liberty Park in Erie will provide activities and fireworks that will light up the skies over Erie County. Three musical acts will take the Burger King Amphitheater stage at Liberty Park starting at 5:30 p.m. There will also be food vendors, caricature artists, various children activities and of course an extraordinary fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. presented by Zambelli Fireworks. Free admission. For more information, visit www.perry200.com.

IMAGEINATION EXHIBIT AT ERIE ART MUSEUM — (through July 13) Visit the Erie Art Museum’s new exhibit “IMAGEination” in the Ronald E. Holstein Gallery. This collection from the Photographic Arts Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania includes beautiful images from around the world. Locations covered in the exhibit are as far away as China, Iceland and Africa and as close as Erie County. Museum admission: $7; $5, seniors and students; free for children under 5. Erie Art Museum is located at 411 State Street in Erie. For more details, call 814-459-5477 or visit www.erieartmuseum.org.

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