SEE PAGE 8
Vol. 20 No. 4
OHIO/WEST VIRGINIA • HUNTINGTON/PARKERSBURG REGION
FALL’S COMING!
Play Your Cards Right
Your AAA membership card already gives you access to thousands of discounts; this summer, why not use it to win, too? Between now and August 31, 2015, when you visit any participating Approved Auto Repair facility, swipe your membership card for a chance to instantly win a $100 service voucher valid for your next purchase at a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. And, as part of the 2015 AAA Summer Spectacular Sweepstakes, that swipe could win you a car! With about 8,000 Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America, you’re never too far from a technician you can trust. All approved facilities must pass stringent reviews on a regular basis and meet insurance and financial background checks.
Don’t wait until spring or summer for Italy’s delights
SAVE UP TO $800.00 NOW! There’s still time to enjoy a 2015 Italian getaway — and great offers
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ummer’s upon us, when lots of folks take their annual vacations. But AAA Travel suggests autumn may actually be a better time to get away — especially this year, and if you’ve always wanted to visit ever popular Italy. That’s because you can take advantage of great savings and valuable perks on select Italian vacations offered by 2 of our preferred travel partners — AAA Member Choice Vacations® and Insight Vacations.® To qualify, you must book and pay in full a Fall 2015 itinerary from the list on page 21 between July 1 and July 31. Besides the fact that the US dollar remains strong against the euro, why should you go to Italy during a “shoulder” season like fall? First, it can mean avoiding the larger crowds, longer waiting lines, crazier traffic and, in many cases, higher cost of everything from meals to souvenirs that characterize summer’s “high” season. Second, fall weather can be very pleasant; while you may encounter a few more raindrops than in summer, Italy’s daytime temperatures and humidity levels are generally very comfortable, making for excellent touring
JUL./AUG. 2015
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
SWIPE, SAVE & WIN WITH AAA’S SUMMER SPECTACULAR SWEEPSTAKES!
conditions. Third, traveling this fall in particular entitles you to limitedtime offers on select itineraries, starting with a $200.00 rebate per room (double occupancy) which you can then use for just about anything for your upcoming trip or while on your trip — travel clothes...airport parking...souvenirs...whatever you want. Additionally, AAA Member Choice Vacations® itineraries on the list include an exclusive $600.00 per room (double occupancy) member-only discount...complimentary door-to-door home-toairport sedan service (within 50-mile radius of airport; other restrictions may apply; call for details). Insight Vacations® itineraries on the list feature a 7.5% discount per booking (a value of as much as $180.00), prepaid guide & driver gratuities (an exclusve-to-AAA value of as much as $89 per person) and a AAA Member Benefit in the form of a $40.00 voucher per person toward the payment of select optional tours. Italy has always been one of the most popular European destinations among AAA members because it seemingly offers it all — ancient history & contemporary style, arguably continued on page 21
TURN TO PAGE 21 FOR 8 GREAT OCT/NOV 2015 ITINERARIES!
Connect With Us on Facebook This summer, make your Facebook friends envious. Like our Facebook page to find information on planning your next getaway. And, stay up-todate all year on exclusive discounts, travel news, insurance and safety tips. Put your timeline to work for you! With the latest updates on what’s in store for popular theme parks, top destinations and travel trends, scrolling through AAA East Central’s Facebook makes it easy and convenient to find out what you need to know before you hit the road for business or leisure. Like us at Facebook.com/AAAEastCentral.
Updates and Savings Wherever You Go Looking for advice on buying a new car? How about planning your next day trip? Before you head to a search engine, check your email inbox. AAA’s monthly e-Update newsletter packs a variety of travel news, discounts and deals available only to members, information on local events, insurance tips and more into one email! There’s also information on credit monitoring, insurance, new products and services and annuities. Signing up for and receiving AAA’s eNewsletter is free and secure. You can discontinue your subscription at any time. For more information and to sign up, visit AAA.com/enews.
Keep Your Contact Information Up To Date Have you moved recently or changed your status? AAA relies on having your correct address, telephone number, and email as our primary means to stay in touch and keep you informed about the AAA benefits, services, and news that may be important to you. To update your information, or change your address call AAA Member Services at 1.800.441.5008 or 1.412.363.5100 in Pittsburgh.
Take Two for the Road With AAA
Planning a road trip this summer? A recent survey found AAA members are more likely to find better room rates at AAA.com/hotels than at other leading online travel sites 72% of the time. The independent survey compared rates on AAA.com with Expedia, Orbitz and AARP. AAA members also enjoy an exclusive package of savings and benefits when you rent from Hertz. Hertz makes a driving vacation affordable with up to 20% discounts, special offers, free unlimited mileage on most rentals and free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® membership. SEE PAGE 9.
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Free identity theft monitoring for AAA members Monitor your personal information with ProtectMyID® Essential
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mericans are having their personal information exposed at record-breaking rates. Hackers have exposed the personal identifying information of more than 110 million Americans — roughly half of the nation’s adults — in the past 12 months.1 Once your information is stolen, it can be used to open bank accounts, forge checks, and even take out loans — all in your name. Restoring your good name and credit record can be a long and frustrating process. Some commonsense precautions can help protect your sensitive information: Password-protect all accounts. Do not share your password, and change passwords regularly. Limit access to your Social Security number. Do not carry your card in your wallet. Shred sensitive documents such as pre-approved credit card offers, convenience checks or anything containing personal or financial information. Keep personal files off your desktop and out of easy access. Check your credit report monthly. Pay bills online through your bank or creditor’s secure website. Keep your firewall and anti-virus software up-to-date on digital devices. Never open emails or click on links from unknown sources. Even with all these safeguards, your information can still be compromised by increasingly sophisticated malware.
AAA members can be proactive about detecting identity theft by taking advantage of a free identity theft monitoring product provided by ProtectMyID®. This product is backed by Experian®, a major U.S. credit bureau and provider of superior identity theft monitoring products. Comparable to plans costing $79, ProtectMyID® Essential includes these important features: • Daily Credit Monitoring of your Experian® Report — Your credit report is monitored daily to detect key changes. • Email Alerts — Sends an alert notification to your inbox if key changes are
detected in your credit report. If no changes are detected, you’ll be sent a monthly allclear email. • Fraud Resolution Support — Provides support and guidance from a dedicated Fraud Resolution agent to help you investigate and resolve fraud. • Lost Wallet Assistance — Provides assistance from a ProtectMyID® agent to help cancel and replace your cards if your wallet is lost or stolen. In addition, ProtectMyID® Essential also provides AAA Premier members with $10,000 in Identity Theft Insurance to help reimburse eligible expenses, such as lost wages and legal fees, should you become a victim of identity theft AAA also offers a more robust identity theft monitoring product known as ProtectMyID- Deluxe at a substantial member savings. ProtectMyID® Deluxe offers additional monitoring for just $8.95 a month, a 60 percent discount off the retail price. It monitors all three major credit reports daily, and provides up to $1 million in Identity Theft Insurance2. • Internet Scan — Conducts confidential daily monitoring of online sources known for selling, trading or sharing compromised information and searches for signs that your identity is exposed. • Change of Address Notification — Monitors the U.S. Postal Service’s national change of address databases to alert you if your address has been changed. ProtectMyID® Deluxe also includes ChildSecure®, a feature that helps sdetect identity theft by closely monitoring enrolled children’s credit information, and alerting you if someone applies for credit or opens credit accounts using your children’s personal information. To be eligible, to enroll, you need to be an active member over the age of 18 with a valid email address and access to the internet. More details about ProtectMyID® Essential and ProtectMyID® Deluxe are available at AAA.com/watchid or by calling or visiting your local AAA branch office. Source: CnnMoney May 28, 2014 Identity theft insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. 1 2
JULY 2015
AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES
triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license, address change
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: PA/WV: 1-800-207-7947 OH: 1-800-589-8308.
MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6701 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 DRIVER EDUCATION 800-329-2415 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144
AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS ATHENS, OH 130 E. State St. ...................740-593-6677 BRIDGEPORT, WV 138 Barnett Run Rd............304-842-2221 CHILLICOTHE, OH 141 W. Main St. ..................740-702-3838 COLUMBIANA, OH 118 South Main Street.......330-482-3836 EAST LIVERPOOL, OH 516 Broadway ....................330-385-2020 GALLIPOLIS, OH 360 Second Ave. .................740-446-0699 HILLSBORO, OH 125 W. Main St. ..................937-393-3489 HUNTINGTON, WV 1126 Sixth Ave. ..................304-523-6423 IRONTON, OH 624 S. Fourth St..................740-532-3242 JACKSON, OH 126 E. Gay St. .....................740-286-5077 LOGAN, OH 82 W. Main St. ....................740-385-8595 MARTINSBURG, WV 284 Retail Commons Parkway. .............................304-263-4619 MORGANTOWN, WV 482 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive ...... 304-598-7470 PORTSMOUTH, OH 1414 Twelfth St. ................740-354-5614 VIENNA, WV 1100 Ninth St., Unit D........304-295-7101 WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH 334 E. Court St. ..................740-335-3950 WAVERLY, OH 217 W. Emmitt Ave. ...........740-947-7775 WEIRTON, WV 3126 West St. .....................304-748-1616 WHEELING, WV 846 National Rd. . ..............304-233-1810
JULY 2015
AAA MOTORIST
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Kids, cars and heat are a deadly combination AAA urges caregivers to “look before you lock”
Ohio/West Virginia Huntington/Parkersburg Edition Official publication of AAA East Central Published bi-monthly by AAA East Central 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-5614 USPS 0016-186 ISSN 1074-097X Periodicals Postage Paid at Portsmouth, OH and additional mailing office Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist South Central Ohio 1414 Twelfth St., Portsmouth OH 45662-0371 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.
Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Doug O’Neil Ohio Editor ............................. Babbette L. Bays Editorial Offices 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854
e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com
AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman ................................................ Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman.........................................James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman............................................... Gregory E. Grim Vice Chairman..........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman..................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President ....................................................James E. Lehman Executive Vice President ............................... Thomas J. Ashley Secretary .................................................. Robert H. Compton Treasurer .......................................................Robert S. Collins GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Charles O. Casto**, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Charles J. Kelly** , Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, 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, Jacob N. Skezas, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward **emeritus directors
Huntington Regional Board of Directors William H. Blenko, Noel P. Copen, Earl W. Heiner Jr., Samuel Kapourales, Charles Lanham, Robert M. Levy, James H. Morgan, William D. Stark, Maurice G. Taylor Jr. Marion County Regional Board of Directors Robert H. Martin Northern West Virginia Regional Board of Directors Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Forest Bowman, Nikki Bowman, James B. Bruhn, Wayne J. Northey, Sharon Sakacsi, Harold J. Shamberger, Thomas Shamberger, Thomas H. Van Landingham, Monte Williams Parkersburg Regional Board of Directors Charles O. Casto, Joe C. Hushion, Art Oliver Jr.
Copyright ©2015 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.
By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central izzling summer temperatures mean things can heat up quickly, especially for children, seniors and pets left inside closed vehicles. Heatstroke or hyperthermia can occur when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), heatstroke is the leading cause of noncrash vehicle fatalities for children 14 and under. Statistics compiled by San Jose State University found that an average of 37 children perish from being left in a hot vehicle every year. Some were left behind or forgotten by an adult. Others gained access to an unlocked car and could not get out. Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can reach dangerous levels within minutes. Sunshine streaming through car windows makes your car work like an oven. According to a study sponsored by General Motors, it takes just 10 minutes for the temperature inside a vehicle to warm up by 19 degrees. In 30 minutes it can rise as much as 34 degrees. Heat rapidly overwhelms the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Children under four are especially vulnerable because their bodies do not have the same internal temperature control as an adult’s, and warm three times to five times faster. Heatstroke occurs when the body core temperature reaches 104 degrees
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Richard Hamilton F, and a body core temperature of 107 degrees F is almost always fatal. Warning signs include red, hot, and moist or dry skin, no sweating, a strong rapid pulse, or a slow weak pulse, nausea, confusion or acting strangely. If a child exhibits any of these symptoms after being in a hot vehicle, NHTSA recommends cooling the child rapidly and calling 911. Dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke than people because unlike humans, they mostly lack the ability to sweat. They cool their bodies by panting, and dogs with short muzzles are at greater risk because of their narrow, short airways. Don’t leave an animal in a parked vehicle in warm weather, no matter how briefly, and
make sure your pet has access to shade and water when you travel. Attempts to add an element of safety by “cracking” the windows — enough to let in air but keep others out — have been shown to be ineffective at keeping car interiors at an acceptable temperature. Make a habit of looking inside your vehicle — front and back — before locking the door and walking away. Unlocked cars pose serious risks to children who may be naturally curious. Once they crawl in, they often lack the developmental capability to find their way out. If a child is missing, check the car first, including the trunk. Always make sure you test the temperature of the car seat surface and safety belt buckles before restraining your children to prevent burns. Teach children not to play around parked cars and consider blocking the sun with shades for the windshield and rear window. Never leave a child or a pet unattended in a vehicle — even if the windows are partially open or the engine is running and the air conditioning is on. If you see a child left alone in a hot vehicle call 911 immediately, or the local emergency number. Parents and caregivers may want to keep a stuffed animal in a car seat when it’s unoccupied. Move it to the front seat after securing your child in the restraint as a visual reminder. Make “look before you lock” your mantra whenever you get out of the car.
membersonly Penske Truck Rental goes platinum for AAA members Now a Platinum AAA Discounts & Rewards partner
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ew jobs, new relationships, going off to college — these are just some of the reasons people have for moving. Millions of Americans move every year and most are pleasantly surprised at how much they can save by moving themselves. As the summer moving season gets into high gear, AAA is pleased to announce that Penske Truck Rental is now a platinum-level AAA Discounts & Rewards Partner. “We have a longstanding relationship with the Penske organization as a discount moving partner for our members,” notes Jim Lehman, president, AAA East Central. “We know our members value Penske’s commitment to customer service and to operating a fleet of high-quality rental trucks to meet their moving needs.” Whether they are moving across town or across the country, AAA members enjoy savings of up to 20 percent when reserving a Penske truck online at www.PenskeTruckRental.com and up to 12 percent when buying mov-
ing boxes and supplies online from Penske. Plus, Penske is the only national truck rental company that offers free unlimited miles on oneway rentals anywhere in the United States. “AAA has been a significant and valued partner with us for the last 16 years,” said Don Mikes, senior vice president of Truck Rental at Penske. “We’re pleased to continue and expand our relationship with them.” For most moves, a moving truck is a must. With one of the newest moving truck rental fleets, Penske Truck Rental provides do-it-yourself movers with clean, well-maintained and reliable rental trucks as well as moving equipment, packing supplies and accessories to keep consumers and businesses moving forward. Penske recommends reserving your truck at least two weeks in advance of moving day. Use their patented Truck Wizard to calculate what size truck is best for you.
Pack in increments. Start early to avoid the stress of last-minute rushing. It’s OK to leave a box open in case you need something you’ve packed inside it; it’s much easier to tape a box shut on moving day than it is to pack at the last moment. As you load the truck, try to keep boxes from each room grouped together. Load the heaviest items onto the truck first to create a sturdy base, then start stacking on top. Be extra careful driving your moving truck, especially after it’s loaded, and use caution when cornering. In the unlikely event of a breakdown, one call to the Penske 24/7 Roadside Assistance team is all you need. Finally, create a travel bag for moving day and keep important paperwork, credit cards, identification, a change of clothes, beverages and snacks close at hand. Do-it-yourself movers can pick up a free moving guide at any Penske Truck Rental location, or find more moving tips at www.PenskeTruckRental.com.
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What you should know before you go on vacation Get your insurance ducks in a row before you leave
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icture this: You just got off the plane, and you’re waiting at the rental car counter for the clerk to pull up your reservation. You’re daydreaming about driving along the beach, when the clerk interrupts your reverie. “Would you like to purchase our optional insurance coverage?” he asks. It’s just one of several insurancerelated scenarios you might encounter this summer. As you plan for your vacation, you also need to think about your insurance, to make sure you’re properly covered should something unexpected happen. Here are some common seasonal situations where it helps to have some insurance know-how.
Renting a car Typically, if you have a full-coverage auto policy, it will apply, subject to deductibles, to rental cars in the United States. However, before you leave home, review your policy and declarations pages so you’re aware of what insurance protection you have. That way, you’ll know what you might need when you get to the rental counter. The most common optional insurance coverage by rental car companies is Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This CDW covers the cost to repair the rental vehicle if it is stolen, vandalized or if you return it damaged. The waiver may also cover loss-of-use fees that a rental agency might charge while a
SEASONAL SITUATIONS — Planning a summer vacation also means thinking about your insurance. car is being repaired. Again, if your auto policy is a full-coverage policy, you would be covered for these losses subject to the limits of your deductible. Optional insurance coverage offered by rental car companies can be very expensive and can vary depending on where you’re renting a car. Make sure you read the contract or talk to the rental agent if you have questions about what that optional auto policy
covers before you go. Another possible source of coverage is your credit card. Check with your credit card company to see if it covers any deductibles in the event of a loss with a rental car that is charged on the card.
Going on a road trip Before you hit the road, make sure your insurance is up-to-date and consider these questions: Are you going to share the driving?
Check to see if your auto policy covers a permissive user–someone else that you allow to drive the car. If it does, then your auto coverage remains in effect no matter who’s driving. However, if you’ve specifically excluded someone from your policy (for example, a person who has his or her own policy or a child who’s away at college), your loss wouldn’t be covered if that person was driving and became involved in an accident. Crossing the border? Many U.S. insurance policies are valid in Canada. In Mexico, however, U.S. policies are often invalid. If you’re involved in an accident anywhere in Mexico, your insurance company might not be able to help you. You can buy Mexico auto insurance for your trip from any of the brokers along the border or at selected AAA branch offices in border communities.
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.
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Take the high road with AAA travel planning tools Advanced TripTiks — The definitive choice for your next driving vacation ®
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ummer vacation season is in full swing, and millions of travelers are getting ready to explore national parks, beach destinations and America’s great cities. While some just like to point the car and drive, most travelers prefer to plan ahead to avoid potential pitfalls on the road. There are plenty of options for online maps and directions, and for decades the AAA TripTik® has long been the go-to resource for motorists. That’s why we are excited to announce an enhanced version of these routings, now called AAA TripTik® Travel Planners. New technology uses real-time mapping to provide more accurate directions and road conditions, while still including information on points of interest and AAA services along your route. With the summer road-trip season upon us, now’s a perfect time to give it a try. AAA TripTik® Travel Planners are available to members free at local Auto Club branches. Or create your own routing at AAA.com, and with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone or Android systems. For many travelers, 24/7 access from your personal computer or mobile device offers the best of both worlds — the flexibility you need, coupled with AAA’s expertise, all on demand and at
AT HOME ON THE ROAD — Now you can share AAA TripTik® Travel Planners with the AAA Mobile app for on-the-go use. your fingertips. Locate road trip necessities like restaurants, rest areas and service plazas, or use the integrated Drive Trips and Travel Guide content to find must-see and must-do recommendations from AAA travel editors. And every AAA Approved establishment offers the assurance of acceptable cleanliness, comfort and hospitality.
TripTik® Travel Planners let you customize your routing, then save, print or share it with the AAA Mobile app for on-the-go use, Available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones, the Android version has just been updated to provide new TripTik® Travel Planner capabilities previously available only for the desktop and iOS versions. These
include streamlined access to saved trips and points of interest, AAA Drive Trips and AAA Travel Guides. AAA Mobile also features full-color maps with turn-by-turn narrative directions, plots routes to user-selected addresses and provides voice guidance to your next maneuver. And when you get diverted from your original route, simply shake your mobile device and TripTik® Mobile redraws the route from your current location. Use it to find member discounts, or the most up-todate fuel price information. It’s hightech for the highway, and with detour and construction information updated in real time In the event something does go wrong with your vehicle AAA members can request roadside assistance without even placing a call. The app uses the phone’s GPS technology to transmit the user’s location and details about the vehicle breakdown directly to AAA Roadside Assistance. Members can download the AAA Mobile app at AAA.com/mobile. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com to take advantage of all of AAA’s travel planning tools including TourBooks and TourGuides, online TripTiks, driving directions, AAA DriveTrips, maps, and mobile and GPS solutions.
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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
AAA.com/hotels — lowest online rates 72% of the time
Travelers who visit AAA.com to book a hotel room are more likely to find a better rate there than on other leading websites, according to a 2014 survey. A direct comparison of hotel rates offered on competing sites showed that AAA.com offered the lowest rate available 72 percent of the time. “This research reconfirms what we have known all along — that AAA consistently offers the best A direct comparison of hotel rates rate and value to offered on competing web sites travelers,” said in September 2014 showed that Jim Lehman, AAA.com offered the lowest rate President of available 72 percent of the time. AAA East The study measured AAA.com Central. against Expedia, Orbitz and AARP. “While no Ten cities and ten AAA lodging company can partner properties within each city were chosen to measure. The study claim to offer the looked at 2-night weekend (Friday/ best rate all the Saturday) stays and showed that time, the most AAA.com had the lowest price salient finding is (equal to or better than) 72 percent that AAA is the of the time. absolute lowest rate winner among the web sites included in the study.” The independent survey of lodging rates compared rates available on AAA.com to Expedia, Orbitz and AARP. The study chose 10 cities and 10 AAA lodging partner properties within each city. It looked at 2-night weekend (Friday/Saturday) stays and showed that AAA.com had the lowest price (equal to or better than) 72 percent of the time. Members who book through AAA.com automatically receive the best rates at Best Western; Choice Hotels, including Comfort Inn and Quality; Days Inn; the Hilton family of brands, including Hampton
Inns; Hyatt Hotels; La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inn & Suites; and the Marriott family of brands, including Renaissance Hotels, Courtyard and Starwood. “Today’s challenging economy places a tremendous strain on many Americans’ travel budgets,” said Lehman. “AAA.com is responding with access to the some of the best online hotel rates available.” In addition to the member discounts, the AAA rate requires no pre-payment, is eligible for loyalty program points accrual and is backed by AAA’s Assured Stay® satisfaction guarantee with participating hotel chains. AAA travel agents recommend making advance reservations for any hotel stay to ensure the best availability of rooms. Online users can read descriptions of lodgings and their amenities in the online TourBook,® access Diamond Ratings and see photos of a hotel prior to making reservations. The TourBooks are interactive with AAA’s online mapping products like Internet TripTik® and AAAmaps.com, allowing you to select a hotel based on its proximity to attractions, addresses, events or other venues. Create an electronic routing with door-to-door driving directions, mark your choices right on your map and book your hotel stays directly from the site.
AAA.com/Hertz — the site for member savings and benefits on rental cars
AAA’s partnership with Hertz gives AAA members great pricing, incomparable savings and member-only benefits. Consider these valuable enhancements: Discounts up to 20% on daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rentals. FREE Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® membership and a FREE rental day. FREE use of a child, infant or booster seat (savings: $11.99/day). Reduced fee on Hertz NeverLost® GPS rental. Additional qualified AAA drivers are FREE (savings: $13/day). Free unlimited mileage on most rentals. Sign up online and enjoy the benefits of Hertz Gold Service for free. Skip the counter and get on the road! • There’s no stopping at the counter at more than 40 of the world’s busiest airports. • At 1,000+ locations worldwide, show your driver’s license, pick up your keys and go! • Choose a car you like better on the spot with Hertz Gold Choice.® • Enjoy expedited drop-off with eReturn. • Receive notification of exact car location through Mobile Gold Alerts. • Receive vehicle updates or select an upgrade on your phone with Mobile Gold Alerts. • Earn free rentals with points that don’t expire.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
German Christmas Markets Experience Old World holiday-season traditions! Germany’s many unique Christmas markets and fairs, a tradition begun in the Late Middle Ages, are popular because of their enchanting festive atmosphere. Aromas of roasting chestnuts, savory sausages and freshly baked goods fill the air. Festively decorated, boutique-lined streets and stall-lined town centers brim with locally hand-made, highquality crafts, toys, wood carvings and delicate ornaments. Enjoy this escorted tour’s convenience and efficiency by spending 4 nights in Nuremberg and 3 in Munich. You’ll comfortably “settle in,” taking short rides each day to the markets and landmarks surrounding the 2 base cities; forget about packing and unpacking each day! Start in Nuremberg, with a tour featuring views of the imperial castle (Kaiserburg) and the site of the Nuremberg Rallies. Then visit your very first Christkindlmarkt.
AAA Member Rate: $3,349 ATURE
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FREE HARDCOVER BOOK!
New Mexico: A Guide for the Eyes explores the region’s notable features. Vivid photography and informative text provide insight into architecture, design, flora, fauna, food, crafts, folklore, landscape and other facets of identity and style. 1 book per room (double occupancy). New booking with deposit July 1-31, 2015.
Thrill to the sight of hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons rising above the dramatic landscape around Albuquerque NM at the International Balloon Fiesta!® Explore the Land of Enchantment’s largest city, then enjoy a 3-night stay in charming Santa Fe. Visit historic Chimayo village. Enjoy artsy Taos and the impressive Rio Grande Gorge. Take a fun salsa-making class. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway. Explore Rte 66, Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Acoma Pueblo. Don’t miss the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” — a spectacular display of hot-air balloons illuminated from within — with fireworks afterward!
Oct 4-9 •
AAA Member Rate: $3,265
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Columbus-Albuquerque), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and 11 meals. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.
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One and a re-created state dinner. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through exclusive Malibu to Santa Monica. Attend a New Year’s Eve party in Long Beach on the Queen Mary; dine, dance and bid farewell to 2015 in grand style. Day 4 is in Pasadena, at your reserved seat for the Tournament of Roses Parade! Then visit Universal Studios CityWalk before heading to San Diego. Explore San Diego on Day 5; see Cabrillo Monument atop Pt Loma, with sea, harbor and skyline views. Drive through Mission Bay to Old Town (CA’s birthplace) and La Jolla, a chic beachside hideaway. See Balboa Park, the country’s oldest city park and one of it largest. Tour the worldfamous San Diego Zoo on a doubledecker bus. On Day 6, visit the USS Midway Museum, the longestserving aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Travel to a winery for a private tour & tasting, followed by a sunset dinner cruise on San Diego Bay.
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Over the next few days, set out from Nuremberg to the historic and charming Bavarian towns (and their Christmas markets, of course!) of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (with its well-preserved medieval center), Bamberg (its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site), Bayreuth (best known for its association with composer Richard Wagner, who lived here for a time) and Regensburg (also a UNESCO World Heritage site). Journey to Munich, Bavaria’s capital; enjoy a sightseeing tour, a Christmas market and dinner at Ratskellar Restaurant. An excursion to Neuschwanstein, the palace upon which Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle is modeled, is a memorable experience. Continue on to Kempten (Germany’s oldest town) and Augsburg (a university town) to explore their holiday markets. Return to Munich for a brewery tour/tasting and a farewell dinner at the famous Hofbräuhaus.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
An ON- and OFF-road guided adventure
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Want a one-of-a-kind getaway for the entire family...or your gang of fun-loving friends? Get in on the fun and adventure of this “Pink Jeep Western Adventure,” featuring 4 Pink Jeep excursions into areas of Arizona and Nevada not accessible by standard vehicles! SCOTTSDALE: All-suite hotel close to Old Town. Cactus Canyon Tour takes you into the Sonoran Desert on rugged mountain roads overlooking the Bradshaw Mountains. Cowboy-style dinner! SEDONA: Poco Diablo Resort. Venture into the surrounding backcountry on the Broken Arrow Tour, which ascends 1,500 feet along the Mogollon Rim. GRAND CANYON: National Park Lodge. Explore the East Rim on the Deluxe Grand Canyon Tour, visiting lookout points not accessible by the park’s shuttle bus system! LAS VEGAS: The Mirage. Enjoy 1 of 2 tours (indicate your choice at time of initial reservation) — Valley of Fire Jeep Tour (sandstone formations in the Mojave Desert) OR Hoover Dam Top to Bottom Discovery (dam, power plant, observation tower, river float trip). Full day on your own to explore Las Vegas.
Oct 25–Nov 1 •
AAA Member Rate: $2,759
Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Columbus-Phoenix, Las Vegas–Columbus), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 7 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), taxes/gratuities for included features and services of a AAA Tour Manager in Arizona & Nevada (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
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AAA MOTORIST
JULY 2015
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
FEATURED VACATIONS
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. 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. FEATURED VACATIONS include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details.
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are specific cruise, motorcoach or air tour vacations created or selected by AAA Travel for their value, amenities and/or inclusions.
Look for the FEATURED VACATIONS logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings... and be sure to visit AAA.com/FeaturedVacations to see the latest offerings.
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Rates are per person (double occupancy for multiday tours), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Portsmouth 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!
FOR MOTORCOACH TOURS, PLEASE CALL 1-800-887-1976 CINCINNATI REDS VS ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Aug 23 •
AAA Member Rate: $99
Join us for this 1:10pm contest between the Reds and the Diamondbacks at Cincin© ORHAN ÇAM / FOTOLIA.COM nati’s Great American Ball Park. Visit some of the many vendors to buy yourself a hotdog and a drink or pick up a souvenir of the game. Join us for a day of fun as we enjoy “America’s Favorite Pastime,” the game of baseball.
SOUTHERN FEVER...WITH NEW ORLEANS LA Sept 21-27 •
AAA Member Rate: $1,199
Overnight in Madison AL. See Hanceville’s Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. In Biloxi MS, overnight at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, a 4-diamond resort with a lushly landscaped tropical pool; 2,100 slot machines; a 16-table poker room; headliner entertainment; a shopping promenade and more. From New Orleans’ French Quarter, board the steamboat Natchez for a jazz cruise and a casual buffet brunch; live narration takes you back to a time as slow and graceful as the Mississippi current. Explore the French Market’s history, unique shops and flea market. Dine and dance at Mulate’s Cajun Restaurant, celebrating the food, music and culture of bayou country. At Mardi Gras World, view a film and see floats and costumes associated with this annual event. Take a New Orleans city tour. Travel to La Place for a Cajun Pride swamp tour; explore the backcountry and learn about its history and wildlife. Check out Baton Rouge’s Mall of Louisiana for shopping and dinner on your own. In Natchez MS, tour Longwood House — a 6-story, 30,000-square-foot octagonal mansion that was never fully completed because of the Civil War. Overnight in Winona MS. Travel to Memphis TN, where you’ll have free time on Beale Street to explore and have lunch on your own. Overnight in Nashville TN, with dinner at Cock of the Walk, known for some of the country’s best catfish. Enjoy a 2-hour city tour of “Music City.” 9 meals.
AUTUMN IN NEW ENGLAND
Oct 3-11 •
AAA Member Rate: $1,799
Travel to Hershey PA for an overnight; the Connecticut shoreline is your next overnight. Enjoy a Newport RI highlights tour featuring Ten Mile Ocean Drive and the Bellevue Avenue mansion area; learn about Gilded Age millionaires who built 40to 70-room “summer cottages.” Visit “The Breakers” estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Cross over Cape Cod Canal for a tour of Hyannis MA to see the JFK Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, Hyannisport and St Francis Xavier Church. Ride a high-speed ferry to Nantucket, with time to see the Basket Museum and Whaling Museum on your own and then take a guided bus tour of the island. Return to Hyannis for a second overnight there. Visit Sandwich at the height of cranberry harvest and see “wet harvesting.” At Carver, the “Cranberry Capital of the World,” tour Flax Pond Cranberry Farm to learn how berries are “dry harvested” and to
see old-fashioned bog houses. Enjoy a Plymouth Rock photo op of the Mayflower II replica in Plymouth Harbor. Journey through MA and NH to Ogunquit (“beautiful place by the sea”) ME. At Perkins Cove, explore on your own and take an included lobster boat tour which combines scenic shoreline beauty with a look at the art of lobstering. Tour Kennebunkport’s rocky coastline and the Bush estate at Walker’s Point, then hear the history of shipbuilding towns and the legend of the Wedding Cake House; also visit the seaside Franciscan Monastery. In Portland ME take a guided tour through historic neighborhoods overlooking the islands of Casco Bay with a stop at Portland Head Lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in America. Don a souvenir lobster hat for a classic downeast lobsterbake with singalong entertainment; feast on your choice of boiled lobster or bbq chicken and all the fixings. Return to your Ogunquit hotel. Follow the foliage color trail from ME’s coast to NH’s White Mountains and enjoy the famous Kancamagus Highway, one of New England’s most scenic byways. Take an enclosed gondola to the summit of Loon Mountain for panoramic views of Mt Washington Valley. Board the Hobo Railroad for a ride (with a box lunch) through the river valley. If time permits, stop for a photo op at Quechee Gorge State Park (“VT’s Little Grand Canyon”). Visit Rutland’s New England Maple Museum, home of the largest collection of maple sugaring artifacts, then depart for an overnight in Lewisburg PA.
GREENBRIER HOLIDAY
Nov 14-15 •
AAA Member Rate: $419
There’s no better place to start the Christmas season than at The Greenbrier, “America’s Resort.” See dazzling decorations, beautiful flowers, spectacular trees and electrifying light displays as the resort is transformed into Santa’s home-awayfrom-home holiday headquarters. You can’t help but get into the holiday spirit in this 6,500-acre winter wonderland where you can enjoy an afternoon tea and concert, holiday entertainment, a movie in the evening, access to the President’s Cottage Museum or gaming activities in the Casino Club. You’re on your own for dinner at the resort; choose from business casual to formal dining. You may wish to visit The Greenbrier’s shops, which will be open for Christmas shopping. Head home with wonderful memories of Christmas in WV’s beautiful Appalachian Mountains.
ADDITIONAL DEPARTURES DATE
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July 21-25..... Nashville & Memphis TN, with Elvis’ Graceland and Antique Archaeology (from “American Pickers” TV show) ..... $699 Aug 12-15 .... American Quilt Society Getaway: Grand Rapids MI................. $569 Dec 3-6 ......... A Country Christmas at Opryland Hotel: Nashville TN ............. $979
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Be a snowbird & escape winter for 28 nights: Rent a furnished Florida “nest” for your family and / or your friends!
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Just because you don’t own a home in Florida is no reason you can’t be a “snowbird” and live the leisurely (and warm!) life-style of the Sunshine State for 28 nights (Saturdayto-Saturday weeks) in 2016. AAA Travel has just what you need: 4-week Saturday-to-Saturday rentals of a roomy furnished vacation home in peaceful Port Charlotte! On the southwest Gulf Coast just 100 miles south of Tampa and 65 miles north of Naples, Port Charlotte is a premier ecotourism destination that’s off the beaten path and free of crowds, yet offers sailing, boating, fishing, birding, shopping, dining, arts & more. One of Sail magazine’s 10 Greatest Places to Sail, the Charlotte Harbor area offers nature adventures like canoeing/kayaking on 53 trails, exploring 5 national wild-life refuges and discovering prime birding opportunities. There are more than 70 parks & preserves, 16 golf courses and numerous sporting events and recreational facilities. Cultural pursuits include visual arts, theater, dance and music (Port Charlotte is home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra). No wonder Money magazine called it Best Place to Retire. Choose from a selection of attractively landscaped homes, and use yours as a base from which to explore the local area’s uncrowded beaches and/or the many attractions within comfortable driving distance. Or just settle in, take advantage of the screened-in swimming pool and laugh at winter back home! Get away from it all...or invite family and/or friends to share some Florida fun with you. These 3-bedroom/2-bathroom (some with 2.5) homes can comfortably sleep 6 (bedding/ linens provided). They feature fully equipped kitchens (dishwasher, stove/oven, refrigerator/freezer, microwave) and dining areas for everyone to gather in...screened-in heated pools for swimming, lounging and loafing! Living rooms feature entertainment centers (with cable). Optional weekly cleaning/linen service is available for an additional fee. Imagine not having to shovel snow this winter...and watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico instead. Forget about bundling up just to go to the corner store...and ATURE slipping into a soothing pool after dining on your patio instead. With AAA’s CA O help, you can look forward to winter this year; contact a AAA travel agent now! TI
Images representative of available homes. No 2 homes are identical, but styles & amenities are similar.
HOME
2016 RENTAL PERIODS & AAA MEMBER RATES
175 Rosemary St .............1/2–1/30: $3,925 • 1/30–2/27: $5,269 • 2/27–3/26: $5,405 17499 Poston Ave ..............................................1/2–1/30: $4,275 • 1/30–2/27: $5,719 18017 Brazil Ave ................................................................................... 1/2–1/30: $3,895 18106 Lake Worth Blvd ....................................................................... 1/16–2/13: $4,959 18239 Temple Ave ............................................1/30–2/27: $5,269 • 2/27–3/26: $5,405 18279 Caddy Ave .............................................1/30–2/27: $5,719 • 2/27–3/26: $5,785
• 3/26–4/23: $4,409 • 2/27–3/26: $5,785 • 1/30–2/27: $5,055 • 2/13–3/26: $8,435 • 3/26–4/23: $4,409 • 3/26–4/23: $4,825
Rates vary by home selected, are subject to availability at time of booking and include accommodations, taxes & fees and pool heating fee. Visit AAA.com/HomeRentals.
Bucket-list “iCruise” — inviting itinerary, incredible incentive
i i i IRELAND... ICELAND... IPad mini © Artur Bogacki
The “i”s have it on a truly out-of-the-ordinary luxury cruise sailing to Ireland and Iceland. AAA Travel and Celebrity Cruises invite you to experience 2 fascinating islands rarely paired together on a single cruise. To enhance your experience, we’re offering a FREE iPad mini (at right) with each double-occupancy balcony stateroom booking made with a nonrefundable deposit between July 1 and July 22! Sail roundtrip from Southampton to St Peter Port (UK); Cork (Ireland); Akureyri, Isafjordur & Reykjavik (Iceland); and Belfast (UK), with 4 relaxing days at sea to enjoy the many pleasures of your ship. Celebrity Eclipse sets new standards for modern luxury vacations. Renowned for contemporary décor and an extraordinary choice of dining options, Eclipse also offers a wide selection of bars and lounges to suit every mood; almost endless entertaintment, from impressive theater shows to the peace & quiet of the library; and a variety of activities to keep mind, body and soul in tune. Visit AAA.com/iCruise for complete itinerary details and more information.
• 1 stateroom delivery of chocolate-covered strawberries • $75 per stateroom shipboard credit
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16GB, Wi-Fi model • $249 retail value 7.87" high x 5.3" wide x 0.28" deep 7.9-inch display: Web pages, photos and videos look sharp on the brilliant display with 1024x768 resolution. A5 chip: Powerful processing and fast graphics make everything quick, from launching apps to browsing the web. Powerefficient design for up to 10 hours of battery life. iSight and FaceTime HD cameras: Shoot photos and 1080p HD video with the iSight camera. Or make video calls with the FaceTime HD camera. Apps included: Comes with apps for sending email, browsing the web and making video calls. Also includes apps that let you do amazing things with photos, movies, music, documents, presentations and spreadsheets. 500,000+ apps on the App Store: The App Store has apps designed specifically for iPad (not just scaled-up phone apps),utilizing iPad technologies like the gyroscope, accelerometer and every pixel in the Retina display.
1 per balcony stateroom, double occupancy. New bookings with nonrefundable deposit July 1-21, 2015.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Clip a trip and save a lot... HAWAII
$50.00 Discount & a FREE Hawaii Guidebook Per room, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & deposit July 1-31, 2015. 2015 departures of 7+ nights. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
Capturing your dreams. Creating memories.
CARIBBEAN
$50.00 Discount & a FREE Caribbean Guidebook Per room, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & deposit July 1-31, 2015. 2015 departures of 7+ nights. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
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Capturing your dreams. Creating memories.
MEXICO
$50.00 Discount & a FREE Mexico Guidebook Per room, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & deposit July 1-31, 2015. 2015 departures of 7+ nights. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
Capturing your dreams. Creating memories.
CARS $25.00 Gas Card Gas card with prepaid car rental made July 1-31, 2015. Must be booked through AAA. 2015 rental periods of 7+ days only. Gas card provided after payment; receipt & coupon required. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
JULY 2015
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
...while these hot offers last!
half over, lues aren’t! alf savings available! SE DEALS LY 31!
EUROPE
Free Prepaid Gratuities & 7.5% Full-payment Discount
Per room, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & full payment July 1-31, 2015. Europe 2015 departures of 7+ nights. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Gratuity value up to $160.00 per person. Coupon has no cash value.
EUROPE
$400.00 Discount &
FREE Home-to-Airport Sedan Service Per room, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & deposit July 1-31, 2015. Europe 2015 departures of 7+ nights. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
DISNEY CRUISES $25.00 $50.00 Disney Gift Card Shipboard Credit
Per room, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & deposit July 1-31, 2015. On-site Walt Disney World® Resort 2015 vacation packages of 5+ nights. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
Per stateroom, double occupancy. Redeem coupon with new booking & deposit July 1-31, 2015. 2015 departures. Not combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply. Coupon has no cash value.
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AAA MOTORIST
JULY 2015
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
SPECTACULAR
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES!
SOUTH AFRICA
SEE & PHOTOGRAPH... wild animals such as elephants, leopards, rhinos, lions, impala, buffalo, zebra, giraffe • Victoria Falls, 1 of the world’s wonders
RIDE ABOARD...
an elephant • an ostrich an open-air safari vehicle a 4x4 deep into the forest a cable car up Table Mountain
CRUISE ON...
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April 14-30 •
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Kruger National Park • Soweto an ostrich farm • wine country Featherbed Nature Reserve
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AAA Member Rate: $8,379
Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Columbus-Johannesburg), in-Africa flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, sightseeing per itinerary, accommodations, in-Africa guide, 28 meals and taxes & government fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoAfrica for itinerary and important pre-travel information.
LIMITED-TIME GREAT SAVINGS & PERKS !
AAA Member Rate: $2,595 INCLUDED SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES Rome: Gain VIP fast-track entry to the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel with an art expert. Enjoy behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase. Venice: On the Venetian island of Giudecca, visit a traditional-arts center and witness the age-old skills of glassblowers, mask makers and gondola builders. Swiss Mountain: On a thrilling cable car ride, enjoy stunning mountain views followed by a delicious, warming mug of hot chocolate. Lucerne: You are offered a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening.
$40.00 voucher per person toward optional tours Free prepaid gratuities $89 per person Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes accommodations, motorcoach transportation, ATURE sightseeing/admissions, 13 meals, air & hotel taxes and services of in-Europe guides. Passport required. Ask about CA O TI available add-on airfare. VA
Paris: Rendezvous with newfound friends at a Celebration Dinner. Bon Appétit!
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AAA MEMBER SAVINGS
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Tails are wagging for the 2015 AAA PetBook 17th edition features top dogs from across the country
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wo lucky dogs from California and Oregon were selected as winners of the latest AAA PetBook ® Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western, a AAA Preferred Hotel Partner. The winners will appear on the back cover and spine of the 17th edition of Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook, available now. Casey, the first-place winner, is a Maltese dog from California. He is pictured kayaking down the Mokelumne River in Lodi, Calif. “We travel with Casey because he is family and leaving him at home isn’t fun for him or us,” said owner Ruth Clark. The second-place winner, a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Murphy, from Oregon, is shown on an outing near Trillium Lake in Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest. As a special addition to the first- and second-place winners, an exceptional photo held over from last year’s contest is featured on this year’s front cover. Lyric, a travel-loving Australian shepherd from Connecticut, is shown on a scenic trail during a walk at Camp Gone to the Dogs in Stowe, Vermont. In addition to cover fame, the winners and editor’s pick receive pet treats, copies of The AAA PetBook and cash. The back and front cover dogs also receive a Best Western Travel Card that can be used at 4,000 hotels worldwide,
along on vacations. Nearly 15,000 pet-friendly listings throughout the U.S. and Canada include thousands of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels, hundreds of AAA Approved and Diamond Rated restaurants that allow pets in outside dining areas and more than 800 campgrounds. The detailed hotel listings include fees, permitted pet sizes and conditions of stay for properties at every Diamond Rating level, from clean and simple motels, to family-oriented properties, to luxurious resorts. The book also includes information about pet-friendly activities, planning tips, travel etiquette and safety.
READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP
STAR POWER — Casey is featured on the back cover of the 2015 AAA Petbook. including more than 1,600 pet-friendly properties. Another 44 pets, selected as contest runners up, are pictured inside the book. This year’s collection includes two cats, a bird and a variety of dogs in destinations across the continent, from Glacier National Park, to Lake
AAA Auto Buying Program offers TRUECash™
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t’s hard to know how much to pay for a new or used car. What if you’re not getting a good deal? Summer is the traditional car buying season and AAA members can shop with confidence any time of year using the AAA Auto Buying Program. With the AAA Auto Buying Program you can save time and money by seeing what others paid for the car you want. You get up-front dealer pricing information* on new and used cars, negotiation-free Guaranteed Savings* off MSRP on new cars, and access to a nationwide network of over 10,000 Certified Dealers. And for a limited time, you can get an exclusive TRUECash™** incentive on select FIAT® models, which is above and beyond your Certified Dealer savings and factory cash incentives. Picture yourself in a sporty new
Fiat 500 or 500C convertible with their unmistakable Italian style. The AAA Auto Buying program provides unbiased new and used car pricing information free of charge to AAA members through AAA’s preferred supplier TrueCar. Select the make, model and options you’re interested in, compare different vehicles, learn about available incentives, check crash safety ratings and more. View unlimited free TrueCar Price Reports to see the average price paid in your area, factory invoice and MSRP on new cars. Lock in your Guaranteed Savings* and get available incentives with the AAA Auto Buying Program. Visit AAA.com/AutoBuying or call 1-800446-7433 today. * Guaranteed Savings and up-front pricing information not available in all states. ** See site for details.
Superior, to Nova Scotia’s rocky shoreline. For additional bragging rights, the AAA.com/PetBook photo gallery touts the winners, editor’s pick and all the runners up. Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is a valuable resource for those who enjoy bringing their pets
Capture your pet’s most memorable travel moments and enter your ‘best-in-travel’ photograph before November 30, 2015. Winners will be featured in the 18th edition of the AAA PetBook, contest rules, entry forms and valuable pet travel tips can be accessed at AAA.com/PetBook. FOR MORE INFORMATION
The AAA PetBook, cover price $18.95, is available at participating AAA offices, at a specially discounted member price of $9.95. The digital edition, cover price $9.95, is available on iTunes Store, Amazon.com, and bn.com.
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Saying sayonara to the single supplement Pleasant Holidays & Uniworld offer savings for solos
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raveling solo is about selfdiscovery and savoring life’s small pleasures. Doing what you like, when you like, without the constraints or compromises of traveling with a companion. Spend an entire day relaxing on the beach, or indulge a newfound passion for art or fine wine. Swap stories with new friends, or immerse yourself in local customs and culture. But why should you have to pay extra for the privilege with costly single supplements? Now you don’t. Pleasant Holidays has launched a new “Savings For Solos” program where select resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica have waived the traditional Single Supplement with savings of up to 33 percent. It’s an outstanding value for single-minded AAA members with all-inclusive resorts like Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit; Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica; and Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Plus, AAA members also receive a $50 per booking activity voucher valid toward a variety of select activities. Punta Cana is nestled on the island of Hispaniola’s easternmost tip. Blessed with some of the best beaches on the planet, the sea is clear, flat and warm, and fringed with swaying palms and sugary white sand. Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana, is a AAA Four Diamond resort situated on
DO IT YOUR WAY — Take the time and do exactly what you want. an uncrowded stretch of blinding white beach. Enjoy the thoughtful amenities of Dreams Unlimited-Luxury® where nearly everything is included. Every top-shelf spirit at five festive bars and lounges. Every gourmet meal at an international array of specialty restaurants like Bordeaux, featuring fine French cooking, El Patio with authentic Mexican fare, Himitsu with the fla-
vors of Asia, and Italian specialties at Portofino. Enjoy complimentary watersports and theme nights poolside and at the beach; aerobics and dance classes; and a Dominican Tianguis — a weekly market featuring local handicrafts, art and jewelry. Solo travelers can cruise at no additional charge on select Uniworld
Boutique River Cruises. Uniworld has reduced or waived single supplements on a variety of 2016 departures. Book and deposit at time of reservation to take advantage of these savings. Itineraries include Tulips & Windmills, Castles Along the Rhine, Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy, and Paris & Normandy. Paris’ charm is without peer, and the perfect place to begin or end your journey. Stroll along the Seine as evening falls and the lights begin to glimmer on the water. Relax over an apertif in a Latin Quarter cafe while an accordion plays La Vie en Rose. Marvel at Notre Dame’s fantastic gargoyles and chimera, or the endearing white parapets of Sacré-Coeur. Once onboard your ship, simply unpack and relax, letting the serene Seine carry you through the countryside. Breathe in the fragrance of Monet’s garden in Giverny, or walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Auverssur-Oise, the town where he spent his last days. Immerse yourself in a land, rich in legend, history, and art.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide, or log on to AAA.com for special values on vacations from Pleasant Holidays, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and AAA Travel.
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Exploring the wonders of ancient Greece Royal Caribbean cruises the Greek Islands
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reece conjures up images of ancient marble pillars, olive groves and a bleached white landscape glinting against a cerulean blue sea. It’s a place where the past and present engage in a passionate dialogue and an exuberant people ooze passion and joy. Experience these vivid landscapes and rich cultural history firsthand aboard Royal Caribbean’s Splendour of the Seas. The 2076 passenger ship departs from Venice on 7-night Greek Isles itineraries through November, with an array of cruise options and destinations. Sail through the Grand Canal in Venice, or stand in awe of Athens’ famed Acropolis. Retrace the route of Odysseus exploring multiple countries and cultures including Croatia and Turkey. Splendour of the Seas offers an array of impressive new features following a recent, multi-million dollar makeover. Comfortable balcony staterooms feature floor-to-ceiling and sliding glass doors that lead to a private verandah. Take in Broadway-style productions at the 42nd Street Theatre, or dine in style at the Chops Grille or Izumi for Asian cuisine. Aerialists glide through the five-story atrium and a stunning indoor/outdoor pool is housed under a retractable glass dome. With its marble palazzi, gilded mosaics and shimmering liquid
PEARL OF THE AEGEAN— Royal Caribbean sails into Santorini. streets, Venice is the Adriatic’s “Bride of the Sea.” Board a vaporetto for a ride through the canals to the Byzantine Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and St. Marks Square. Dolphins frolic in the wake as you steam in storied ports like Corfu, and Rhodes the largest of the Dodecanese islands. The island’s thickly-walled Old Town is Europe’s largest, active inhab-
ited medieval city. The postcard perfect island of Mykonos is filled with dazzling white houses set against a shimmering blue sea. Basket-laden donkeys make their way through a maze of ancient streets designed to frustrate marauding pirates. Santorini may be the quintessential Greek Isle. Home to black sand beaches
and beautiful blue-domed Orthodox churches, visitors can ride the donkeys up the 547 steps from the harbor to the picturesque town of Fira. Kusadasi, a popular resort town on the Turkish coast, is the gateway to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, once the largest city in the Roman Empire. An impressive patrimony of Roman ruins includes the Fountain of Trajan and the iconic Library of Celsus. The Temple of Artemis is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A living museum on the southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a remarkably preserved thousand-year-old city. Old Town’s labyrinth of walls and fortresses has become familiar as the real life locale for King’s Landing in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones. Athens spreads out over an arid basin bounded by three hills. Known for its golden age monuments like the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the temple of Athena Nike, visitors can stroll up the pine-scented Hill of the Muses for a spectacular view of the Saronic Gulf, Athens’ gateway to the Aegean.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/cruises for special values on Royal Caribbean International cruise vacations.
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Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement
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roper eyewear can protect your eyes from damaging UV rays. When you head outdoors, don’t forget about the importance of protecting your eyes from the sun. Your eyes are in need of protection, and now everyone can enjoy the sun in style whether or not you wear glasses. Unfortunately, many people don’t recognize the harm the sun can have on vision. A survey by Transitions Optical, Inc., showed that only 9 percent of respondents knew that sun exposure can cause vision damage. But the effects are very apparent. Short-term exposure to the sun can burn the surface of the eye, just like a sunburn on the skin. Such burns can even come from reflections off snow or pavement. Over time, UV rays are known to contribute to cataracts, pterygium (an abnormal growth in the corner of the eye that can block vision), age-related macular degeneration and skin cancer around the eyelids. Proper sunglasses can help prevent these conditions. When looking for eye protection, make sure the lenses block 99 – 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound sunglass frames can offer further protection. You can also have a pair of sunglasses made with your prescription to keep you looking “cool” in the summer heat.
To add an Associate to your membership, or to buy a gift membership, visit your local AAA office or call us at 1-800-441-5008. Ask about a special offer for new Associate memberships!
Prescription lenses can be treated with a UV coating, and are also available in photochromic styles that darken when exposed to sunlight. When selecting sunglasses look for lenses that best suit your lifestyle: Green or gray lenses are best for bright sunlight. Brown or blue lenses improve contrast, making them a good choice for sports. Yellow lenses are ideal for early mornings because they make your surroundings appear brighter. A light brown lens is perfect for cloudy days when you still need protection from damaging UV rays. And anytime you’re dealing with glare, polarized lenses are the way to go. People become more sensitive to glare as they age because their eyes take longer to adjust to changing light levels. Polarized lenses work by filtering light waves and absorbing some of the reflected glare, while letting other light waves pass through the lenses. For an unbeatable savings on a selection of the latest eyewear fashion visit a participating LensCrafters location near you. Visit www.AAA.com/LensCrafters for offer details and to find participating location near you. Sources: United States Environmental Protection Agency and American Academy of Ophthalmology
Roadside & Ba t tery Service
1.800.222 .435 7 AAA.com
CLUB CODE
11
Year Member
42 9 215 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 812 CARD EXPIR ATION DATE
DEC 09 15
MA R YAN N W. J O H NS O N
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Visit Italy this fall!
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Great Italian Itineraries • Oct/Nov 2015 Reflections of Italy 10 days/14 meals from $2,699
Rome • Colosseum • Assisi • Perugia • Siena • Florence • Chianti Winery • Venice • Murano Island • Milan
Southern Italy & Sicily 12 days/17 meals from $2,599
Palermo • Monreale • Agrigento • Valley of the Temples • Catania • Mt Etna Volcano Giardini Naxos • Taormina • Matera • Alberobello • Sorrento • Amalfi Coast • Pompeii
Discover Tuscany 10 days/13 meals from $2,049
Rome • Assisi • St Francis Basilica • Montecatini Terme • Lucca • Gothic Line • San Gimignano • Winery Tour • Florence
Rome & the Amalfi Coast 10 days/13 meals from $2,649
Rome • Regional Wines with Dinner • Ravello • Villa Rufolo • Sorrento • Buffalo Milk Mozzarella Factory Amalfi Coast • Paestum • Pompeii • Wine Tasting • Naples • Archaeological Museum
Tuscan & Umbrian Countryside 11 days/16 meals from $3,349
Rome • Orvieto • Spoleto • Cooking Class • Olive Oil Factory • Bevagna • Montefalco • Home-hosted Lunch Assisi • Winery • Florence • Siena • Monteriggioni • Volterra • San Gimignano
Tuscany & the Italian Riviera 8 days/10 meals from $2,099 Tuscan Estate & Winery • Florence • Uffizi Gallery • Siena • Monteriggioni • Lucca • Pisa Italian Riviera • Cinque Terre • Portofino
Italian Intermezzo 9 days/10 meals from $1,875
Milan • Verona • Venice • Tuscany • Pisa • Florence • Wine Sampling • Chianti Country • Assisi • Rome • Vatican City
unrivaled cuisine & wine, spectacular scenery and engaging people. And our travel partners design their Italy tours to encompass those elements, all the while providing the quality and convenience of deluxe accommodations and expert guides. Guided touring offers you seamless itineraries that free you to fully experience and enjoy the places you visit. Instead of worrying about opening & closing times, admission fees, directions, etc, you’re able to immerse yourself in the moment — admiring Florence’s art or architecture, exploring a Neapolitan neighborhood and its charms or relaxing at one of Rome’s outdoor cafes...just like a local. Because the details are taken care of for
you, you don’t have to waste precious vacation time or energy searching for the perfect hotel or restaurant. And an expert professional guide is almost always near at hand to enhance your experience with interesting insights and contextual history. Few countries offer the extensive variety and diversity of Italy — mountains, sparkling coastlines, ancient history and sumptuous cuisine. Whether you’re strolling through the great art cities of Tuscany and Umbria or admiring the rolling hills and ancient forests of Venetia, an Italian holiday will give you a taste of a seductive way of life that will probably leave you wanting more. AAA’s special list (upper-right box)
Best of Italy 11 days/14 meals from $2,395
Rome • Vatican City • Umbria • Assisi • Venice • Tuscany • Pisa • Florence • Pompeii • Sorrento • Capri
GREEN = AAA MEMBER CHOICE VACATIONS® •
RED = INSIGHT VACATIONS®
Before-discount AAA Member Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include accommodations, in-Italy guide, motorcoach sightseeing, meals as indicated and taxes & government fees. Passport required. Ask about available add-on airfare and optional extensions before and/or after tours.
Visit AAA.com/GoItaly or call 1-800-354-8761 includes 8 great Oct/Nov 2015 tours ranging from 8 to 12 days that highlight Italy’s distinct regions (north, central or south, including Sicily) as well as others that provide a more geographically comprehensive overview of the entire country. No matter which appeals to you most, each tour has been designed to engage and inspire, with several including special culinary experi-
ences or hands-on activities — just the thing to create lifelong memories. Traveling with a group also affords you an added opportunity to establish new friendships with your fellow travelers. Act now (pay in full by July 31) to fulfill your vacation dreams: Book an Italian getaway with AAA and take advantage of the special savings, perks and benefits while they’re available!
AAA helps mature drivers find vehicles that fit their needs Nearly half of U.S. drivers are over 50 years of age
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n age wave is coming to America’s roadways. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) people over 50 accounted for nearly half of all U.S. drivers in 2013. Out of 212.2 million licensed drivers, nearly 93.5 million were 50 or older, an increase of 22 percent since 2003. By 2020, the United States will have more than 40 million licensed drivers 65 and older, about one in four drivers on the road. What’s more, drivers 85 and older represent the fastest growing demographic group, which has nearly doubled from 1.76 million in 1998 to 3.48 million in 2013. This “silver tsunami” will greatly impact changes in vehicles and infrastructure design to better accommodate the needs of the 50 plus motorist. Vehicle enhancements such as brighter headlights, crash-avoidance technologies, inflatable seatbelts, and technology to prevent gas and brake pedal misapplication will benefit all drivers, but especially older ones. Likewise, infrastructure improvements such as more visible highway signs and pedestrian countdown signals are also beneficial for seniors. Aging drivers may also provide some impetus to speed the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Self-driving vehicles could provide greater independence
GET THE FACTS — SeniorDriving.AAA.com is designed to help senior drivers on the road for as long as safely possible. Photo by Adam Jones. for older consumers with mobility and vision problems. While our knowledge and experience expand with age, cognitive abilities, range of motion and vision tend to diminish reducing your ability to execute the complex task of driving. These changes are often so gradual that you may not always be aware of them and as a result, we often fail to compensate for these growing limitations. When it comes to selecting a new
vehicle, knowing what features are available to assist with physical limitations — for any age — can make for a safer, more enjoyable ride. That’s one reason why AAA launched “Smart Features for Older Drivers” in partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute for Mobility, Activity and Participation. Smart Features for Older Drivers helps mature drivers and their families minimize their driving discomforts, enhance their abilities and promote a lifetime of
safe driving. Available at SeniorDriving. AAA.com this free resource lists numerous vehicle features that optimize older driver safety and comfort, like autodimming mirrors and larger displays, and notes current vehicles that offer those features Users can explore their individual needs through an interactive online widget and investigate technologies like Reverse Monitoring or Emergency Response systems that offer quick assistance to drivers in the case of a medical emergency or collision. Even minor adjustments like lower door thresholds and leather or vinyl seats can greatly ease vehicle exit and entry. Smart Features for Older Drivers addresses a wide variety of conditions commonly associated with aging, including changes in vision, height, hearing, and fine motor coordination. A variety of adaptive features show you how to help compensate for physical changes, or simply how to make the vehicle you own fit you more comfortably.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information on which vehicles are the right fit for you and to access all the free resources AAA offers to senior drivers, visit SeniorDriving.AAA.com.
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Historic Ryman Auditorium unveils “Soul of Nashville” State-of-the-art tour experience part of $14 million expansion
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ith its roots in the issues of the common man, country music has always been close to the heart of America. And the Ryman Auditorium is its temple. Originally built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892 by Tom G. Ryman, a hard living riverboat captain who “got religion,” this National Historic Landmark is a Nashville icon. This is where Hank Williams sang Honky Tonk Blues six times in a row and where Jim Denny fired Elvis Presley after his first performance, telling him he “ought to go back to drivin’ a truck.” Experts say the Ryman’s acoustics are among the finest in the world, surpassing Carnegie Hall and artists like Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and the Foo Fighters have all graced the stage. Now the “Mother Church of Country Music” has taken the wraps off a $14 million expansion and daytime tour attraction, which begins with a state-ofthe-art theater experience called “Soul of Nashville.” Hosted by a virtual Lula C. Naff — the Ryman’s larger than life promoter and manager from 1904 to 1955 — Soul of Nashville kicks off the re-imagined Ryman tour in a new, custom built, 100-seat theater. It utilizes cutting edge technology to surround the audience with sight and sound with special effects, archival images and rare concert footage. Visitors will continue through
PLAYING YOUR SONG — The revamped Ryman Auditorium.
Photo by Steve
Lowry
five new exhibits: “Workin’ on a Building,” “Showplace of the South,” “Mother Church of Country Music,” “Ryman Stage to Screen” and “Ryman Renaissance.” Visitors will view authentic artifacts, while celebrity video hosts take them through each chapter of the Ryman’s illustrious history.
“Workin’ on a Building” with video host Trisha Yearwood, tells of the fortuitous meeting between Captain Ryman and Rev. Samuel Porter Jones, and the inspiration that led to the Ryman’s construction. The Ryman acquired a new identity when the Grand Ole Opry found itself
in search of a home. The new tenant brought a whole new audience into the pews when WSM began broadcasting their signal coast to coast. “Mother Church of Country Music” offers firsthand accounts with rare performance footage, stage costumes and vintage instruments on display. From “Coal Miner’s Daughter” to television’s “Nashville,” the Ryman has served as an important backdrop for dozens of film and television projects. “Ryman Stage to Screen” hosted by Charles Esten, features clips from concert tapings, TV shows and major motion pictures that have used the Ryman as their locale. “Ryman Renaissance” the last stop on the tour, is dedicated to the ongoing legacy of the Ryman. Video host Robin Roberts shares recent Ryman history and relates the importance of its continued tradition. Today, the Ryman presents 200-250 events annually and people crowd the same wooden pews to see today’s greats breathe new life into the room. The story of this nearly 125-year journey is both powerful and emotional and the “Soul of Nashville Tour Experience” tells it beautifully. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide for or log on to AAA.com for special values on AAA motorcoach vacations.
Collision-avoidance features becoming more common If crashes turn you off, keep your alerts turned on
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afety belts, air bags and strong passenger compartment structures are responsible for saving more lives in crashes than ever. But what if those collisions never happened in the first place? The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has strongly recommended that collision avoidance systems become a standard feature on all new cars. They say these systems could prevent or mitigate more than 80 percent of the rear-end collisions that cause about 1,700 deaths and a half-million injuries annually. Research shows 90 percent of crashes are caused by human error, and Chevrolet’s new available crash-avoidance technologies are designed to help drivers maneuver around rear-end, backup, blind spot and lane-change collisions with systems that send alerts via beeps, flashing icons and even by vibrating the driver’s seat. “For decades, the focus has been protecting people from being injured or killed in a crash,” said General Motors Active Safety Technical Fellow Raymond Kiefer. “While we’re still keenly focused on that, now we have a real opportunity to help prevent those crashes with technologies that warn drivers of potential dangers.” The alerts, however, are only as effective as a driver’s willingness to learn
SECOND SIGHT — GM’s Blind Zone Alert can help avoid collisions. how they function and keep them turned on. Understanding how they operate is a necessary step before driving the vehicle. Improper lane changes account for about 9 percent of crashes reported to police each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Technologies like GM’s Blind Zone Alert, helps drivers avoid striking a vehicle in their blind spot during a lane-change maneuver. The system uses one left and one right short-
range radar – hidden in the rear corners of the vehicle – to monitor up to 11 feet back from the side mirror and one lane over from both sides of the vehicle. An amber lane change alert icon is lit in the left or right side mirror when a moving vehicle is detected in the side blind zone, and it flashes if a turn signal is activated in the direction of the other vehicle. A lit icon means it may be unsafe to change lanes. “Technologies like side blind zone alert provide an extra set of ‘eyes’ to
drivers with limited mobility due to an injury or chronic condition,” said Kiefer. “It’s also helpful to drivers who may find it more difficult to see around head restraints and pillars.” Drivers do still need to check mirrors, glance over their shoulder and use turn signals. Recent testing by the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, found that blind spot monitoring performed effectively in multiple situations, but there were some situations where the systems failed to perform as expected. Pros and cons aside, motorists will encounter advanced driver assistance technology more often as automakers introduce these devices across their vehicle lines. “With nearly three-quarters of new vehicles offering blind-spot detection as options, it’s key that consumers are educated on how to get the best benefit from these systems,” says John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of Automotive Engineering. “AAA’s tests found that these systems are a great asset to drivers, but there is a learning curve.” FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com/auto for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
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Motorists and cyclists can share the road safely Bicycles share the same rules and the same rights
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illions of Americans ride bicycles to exercise, have fun, and get where they need to go. Today’s hightech two-wheelers are not only perfect for fitness and recreation; they reduce road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Cycling can also be hazardous. Bicycles are associated with more childhood injuries than any other form of transportation except the automobile. During the summer, child bicycling deaths increase 45 percent above the monthly average. That’s not to say that bicycle safety is strictly a children’s issue. Statistically, cyclists ages 45–54 suffer the highest fatality rates. Head injuries are the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes and wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce the risk by up to 85 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorists bear a special responsibility to share the road safely with bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal forms of transportation. Many don’t realize that in most states the law treats bicycles like any other vehicle and they should be given the same consideration. AAA recommends that motorists double check before changing lanes
Maintain at least four feet of clearance when passing and when in doubt, yield to the bicyclist. Reduce your speed before passing so you have better chances of avoiding a sudden maneuver. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable, so expect the unexpected.
Rules for cyclists
NOT JUST CHILD’S PLAY — Statistically, cyclists ages 45–54 suffer the highest fatality rates. or making a turn — once for cars and trucks, and once for bicycles and motorcycles. Cutting into the path of a bicyclist while making a right turn is a leading cause of car-bike accidents. Drivers should never tailgate a bicycle. Following too closely may cause a rider’s attention to be distracted from the road and traffic ahead. Don’t honk
your horn. Honking near or behind a bicyclist could startle the rider and cause them to swerve into traffic or lose control. Be careful when opening your vehicle door. Road widths often force bicyclists to ride close to parked vehicles where they may be injured by an opening door.
Because of the hazards inherent in sharing the road with motor vehicles, bicyclists need to ride cautiously and observe the following safety tips: • Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks; • Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals; • Signal all turns; • Wear a bicycle helmet every time and on every ride; • Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and tail lights at night. SHARE THE ROAD
AAA wants you to pedal with more peace of mind. We’ve organized some reliable bicycle safety videos and information at http://ShareTheRoad.AAA.com.
Take five for your tires this summer It’s where the rubber hits the road
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oughly 1.4 million drivers will call AAA for help with a flat tire during the summer travel season, and many of those problems could be avoided by inspecting your tires before you hit the road. Tire inspections are easy to perform and only take about five minutes. The only tools you need are a quarter and a tire pressure gauge. Make sure you check all five tires. That’s right, all five tires. AAA has found one of the most frequently overlooked items on a vehicle is the spare. Begin every tire inspection with a pressure check. Eighty-five percent of drivers do not know how to properly inflate their tires, and more than half of all cars on the road have at least one under-inflated tire. Always check tire pressure when the tires are at ambient temperature and the car has not been driven recently. Use a quality gauge to make sure all five tires are inflated to the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The carmaker’s recommendation can be found on a sticker usually attached to the driver’s door jam, in the owner’s manual and sometimes on the gas cap door. Drivers should be aware that the recommended pressures for front and rear tires may differ, and that most space saver or doughnut spares require
ter into a tire tread groove with Washington’s head upside down and facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If any area above his head is visible, it might be wise to go tire shopping. Be sure to check the tread depth at several points around the tire and across its width, and use the lowest reading. While checking the tire tread wear, also look for signs of uneven wear or abnormal bulges or other damage on the tire treads and sidewalls. Taking a few minutes to inspect your tires once a month can help keep you rolling down the roadway instead of being stranded by the roadside.
APPROVED AUTO REPAIR
FEELING FLAT — Millions of motorists will experience some kind of tire trouble this summer. much higher air pressures than normal vehicle tires. Properly inflated tires also can reduce fuel costs during a trip. The Department of Energy reports that correctly inflating all four tires can improve fuel economy by up to three percent, which is equivalent to as much as to 10 cents per gallon.
After making sure all five tires are properly inflated, inspect the tread depth and condition of the tires. Worn tires in need of replacement are much more likely to suffer punctures and other problems. An industry survey found 64 percent of drivers do not know how to check their tread depth. To check tread depth, insert a quar-
Garages that participate in AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program offer qualified technicians, a wide range of professional repair services and guaranteed quality. These shops meet AAA’s strict quality standards and display AAA’s logo. AAA members also are guaranteed a written estimate, and repairs, parts, labor, and components are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles under normal operating conditions. Visit www.AAA.com to locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility nearest you.
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Battery Service Program powers members back on the road Membership benefits save you time, money on batteries
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on’t let dead batteries leave you stranded, especially during the summer months when heat and intense summer sun can do a number on your 12 volt. “High temperatures can deteriorate the lead plates, thus reducing a battery’s reserve or cold cranking power,” notes Steve Popovich, Managing Director of AAA East Central’s Automotive Services Department. AAA’s Battery Service Program makes battery replacement fast and convenient for members. Certified technicians are available to meet you within their service areas to help get you back on the road quickly. More than 400 battery service technicians cover a five-state area, providing knowledgeable service to make sure you have all the information on your new battery. Your new battery is guaranteed for up to three years, with a full replacement if it fails, and a six-year limited warranty with mobile warranty service available t hroughout the U.S. and Canada. And, with an average savings of about $30, members can be sure they are receiving a fair price with no additional charges for battery installation or disposal. Roadside Assistance is never too far. With the AAA mobile app, you can request Roadside Assistance using your GPS location, receive instant
CURRENT AFFAIRS — AAA’s Mobile Battery Service can accurately diagnose your battery-related problems at the roadside. battery price quotes and even track the responding tow truck using the Truck-Tracker function. IPhone users also have access to a digital membership card, which can be used when requesting roadside assistance or to take advantage of member discounts and savings. When mobile service isn’t an option, you can request the same service by
calling 1-800-AAA-HELP to speak with a AAA representative to request battery service. If your battery is more than four years old, it isn’t a bad idea to have it checked for performance, and AAA technicians also provide that service as part of roadside assistance. The life expectancy of an average battery is about three to four years, and proper
maintenance is key to making a car battery last. Some ways to tell if a battery should be checked for potential failure: • Motor turns over slowly when starting the vehicle; • Clicking noises when turning the key • Interior lights start to dim; • Corrosion on terminals. As the summer heats up, the functionality of your battery can decrease. Higher temperatures and being parked in direct sunlight can increase the temperature of your car’s battery, which can lead to increased corrosion and battery fluid evaporation—a potentially lethal combination for the life of your battery. Also, extra usage of navigation, sound systems and cell phone chargers left plugged in can reduce the battery’s power, as well. AAA’s state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment can determine whether or not your battery simply needs a charge, or if the battery needs to be replaced. More than one million members have used AAA’s Battery Service Program, taking advantage of the simple and quick turnaround. FOR MORE INFORMATION
AAA Battery Service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7-days a week. To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our toll-free number: 1.800.222.4357.
Decoding the mileage mystery — How EPA testing works Understanding fuel-economy labels on new vehicles
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rices at the pump have been climbing lately, causing motorists to pay closer attention to fuel costs. Every new vehicle carries a window sticker with fueleconomy estimates provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This information is designed to help consumers compare vehicles in all classes and make informed driving decisions. A recent AAA survey revealed that one in three Americans do not believe the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new window sticker accurately reflects their actual fuel economy when driving. A clear understanding of how the ratings are established and what you can learn from reading the label may clear up some misconceptions and help decode this mileage mystery. EPA ratings are the outcome of a series of tests on a dynamometer that incorporate various “real-world” conditions. The tests begin with “city” and “highway” driving cycles, which assume an average speed of 21 mph for the city test and 48 mph for the highway test. These cycles are followed by a “highspeed” test with more rapid acceleration and a top speed of 80 mph, an “air conditioning” test performed in a climatecontrolled chamber at 95°F, and a “cold” test run at 20°F. These more accurate tests, based in large part on scientific input from
READ THE LABEL — Buyers can learn a lot from the new EPA mileage labels. the Auto Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, replaced the EPA’s simpler “city” and “highway’ driving cycles in 2008. Most testing is done by the manufacturer who follows the Federal Test Protocol detailed in the Code of Federal Regulations and supplies the results to the EPA. The EPA also conducts its own testing on about 250 vehicles a year. About 75 percent of these are random but they sometimes audit results in response to
consumer reports of discrepancies with the stated ratings. Ford was recently forced to roll back inflated fuel-efficiency claims for six of its 2013 models. Estimated mileage ratings are powerful tools to help motorists make decisions that reduce the cost of vehicle ownership. Redesigned fuel economy labels introduced in model year 2013 now provide important information about the vehicle’s fuel economy, including: • Estimates on how much consumers
will save or spend on fuel over the next five years compared to the average new vehicle. • Comparing energy use and costs between vehicles that use alternative fuels and conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. • An estimate of how much fuel or electricity it takes to drive 100 miles. • A QR Code® that directs you to online information comparing various models on fuel economy and other environmental and energy factors. So why does your mileage vary? AAA’s tests confirm that how and where you drive, traffic conditions, weather and maintenance all impact real world fuel economy. While the EPA’s fuel-economy estimates may not always predict your actual mileage with 100 percent accuracy, they do provide a reliable basis for comparing the relative fuel efficiency of various makes and models.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Does your mileage differ from the Environmental Protection Agency’s estimates? Enter it into the EPA’s database on www.FuelEconomy.gov. AAA members can use the Fuel Cost Calculator on AAA.com to calculate your mileage and fuel cost from Point A to Point B. Visit www.fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com.
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AAA MOTORIST
JULY 2015