Jul niagara 2016 by AAA East Central

SEE PAGE 3

Vol. 29 No. 4

NIAGARA/ORLEANS REGION

JULY/AUGUST 2016

Don’t Get Stuck with a Lemon!

Exclusive advantages on select IN-PERSON AAA Travel bookings July 1-30

OackFaFges $u1r &0cr0 uise p

to AAA purchased only inffices Travel Agencycuopancy. oc Per room, double 7+ nights. New bookings of ntral Ce st Ea A AA locations only

An invaluable information source, CARFAX is now available to AAA members at a special discount via AAA.com. Using the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) found on a car’s dashboard and title documents, CARFAX Vehicle History Reports may detect hidden problems in a vehicle’s past that may adversely affect the safety, performance and resale value of a used vehicle. To receive the discount, AAA members should go to AAA.com/CARFAX, enter a VIN and obtain the history of any used car. This discount is only offered through AAA. The CARFAX database contains more than 14 billion vehicle records on cars and light trucks dating back to 1981. The data is collected from numerous independent sources including motor vehicle departments throughout the United States and Canada, emissions inspection stations and auto auctions. A detailed history report can be generated on virtually any registered used vehicle in seconds.

AAA Fuel Gauge Site Revamped, Renamed

Visit AAA Travel in person in July for best service & price advantage echnology’s great, but.... When it comes to planning and arranging your hard-earned vacation, nothing beats a living, breathing human travel expert. Someone who understands your travel needs, answers all of your questions, helps you feel confident about your travel purchase decisions, knows how to secure the best value for your precious vacation dollars and will be there if an issue arises — even while you’re away. AAA Travel Agents attentively listen and assist, diligently answer and solve, thoroughly research and arrange. They deliver their best and most personal service in person, face to face; and to prove it, AAA Travel invites you to visit your nearby AAA Travel office in person in July to book your next vacation getaway. In appreciation of your in-person visit and patronage, between July 1 and 30 we’ll take $100.00 off prepaid tour or cruise vacation packages of 7 nights or longer that you book in a branch office; this exclusive in-person offer is not valid for online or telephone sales! Some may argue that the internet is the absolute answer to everything. But the reality is sometimes the internet is too much of everything. Googling and scanning so many web sites can be overwhelming — too many options, too much information, too many decisions to make without much assistance if you need it — and it definitely takes way too much time to sift through it all. Meeting in person with a AAA travel agent gives you back what you value most — your precious time. He or she can do most or all of the necessary legwork for you. Ask yourself: Do you want to spend more time planning your vacation than enjoying it? AAA agents pride themselves on being more

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

NEW FEATURES ADDED TO AAA MOBILE APP

“Travel agents save consumers an average of $452 per trip plus 4 hours in travel planning... and help them avoid costly mistakes.” Best of Both Worlds: Quantifying How Travel Agents Save Consumers Time & Money (a survey/study by TNS Global market research firm, 2016)

than salespeople; they invest themselves wholeheartedly in providing personal service before, during and after your trip — from the initial quote to deposit to final payment to documentation — and even after you return home. They truly want to know how much you enjoyed your travel experience. And they make themselves accessible to you, whenever the office is open. They get to know you, they listen to you and they want to exceed your expectations. Agents aim to establish a personal connection with you right from the first meeting, by inquiring about your personal travel style, interests, budget, expectations, etc. Armed with this customized information, they can help you make educated decisions in the planning of your trip. That kind of tailored assistance and connection is sorely lacking on the internet. AAA travel agents can take care of all the details for every arrangement aspect of your trip — flights, seat assignments, transfers, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, rail reservations, passport photos. They can do online check-ins and arrange optional items such as day trips, on-shore excursions, transfers, park admissions, etc, and special requests. They can also provide valuable “insider” tips — when to travel for the best values, how to prepare for security lines, airline bag sizes/weights, packing tips, airport parking discounts (if available), etc. continued on page 13

AAA’s Fuel Gauge website has been upgraded with innovative new functionality and renamed AAA Gas Prices. Accessible at www.GasPrices.AAA.com, the enhanced site features: • An updated interface for improved usability on desktop, mobile and tablet devices. • An interactive U.S. map showcasing the current national average price and state averages via mouse-over, along with click-through access to individual state pages offering metro data. • Interactive state/national average comparisons by location and fuel type. • Metro data sortable by highest and lowest current averages. • Enhanced gas-cost calculator featuring additional destination options, milesper-gallon filter for unlisted specialty vehicles and location comparisons to help users achieve fuel savings. • A Top Trends page that enables users to filter averages by timeframe, region, most/least expensive or price change.

AAA News Delivered Right to Your Inbox Learn about the latest AAA specials and get the most value from your membership when you sign up for the monthly AAA e-Update newsletter. Each newsletter includes information about your AAA member benefits, along with savings offers, automotive tips, travel ideas and more. After your first newsletter, you decide which additional e newsletters you’d like to receive. Interested in learning about Travel specials? Get the Travel e-News, with exclusive getaway packages and offers. Or get the Insurance Insight, with information to help you protect your valued possessions. There’s no cost to you, and you can discontinue your AAA e-newsletter subscription at any time. Visit AAA.com/enews to sign up today.

Experience Alaska or Yellowstone in Winter

Photo: NPS/DevDharm Khalsa.

Learn how Alaskans really live on AAA Travel’s Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland Tour, Feb. 23- March 6, 2017. Iconic winter experiences include dog sledding, the Northern Lights, Alyeska Tram Ride, and the famed Iditarod. Or savor the solitude and splendor of a vast winter wilderness aboard AAA Travel’s Jan. 21-26 Yellowstone in Winter escorted tour. Wildlife viewing is at its peak and highlights include a luxury snowcoach excursion to see Old Faithful and Firehole Falls. SEE PAGE 7.

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AAA MOTORIST

Plan your next move with the TripTik® Travel Planner Make a fresh start on your next road trip

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

airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

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

INSURANCE SERVICES: 1-800-207-7947 MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7274 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS

Familiar features

Creating routes Map your destinations with ease. Simply begin typing in your start and end points and, after just a few keystrokes, TTP’s predictive search will display possible matching choices. Even if you don’t know the address, you can quickly create routes to airports, attrac-

AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com

our TripTik® may look a little different from the TripTik® of old, but you can rest assured it still has the same valuable information. It also uses the latest map technology and extensive digital travel information resources available, so you can prepare customized routing packages using the TripTik® Travel Planner (TTP) right from your home computer or your smart phone when you download the AAA Mobile App. With enhanced functionality and added features, TTP is more versatile than ever with information available only through AAA. Data is updated in real time so TTP is consistently working with the most up-to-date mapping information available.

Your custom route includes all the indicators and details you would expect from your traditional TripTik®— color highlighting showing route, scenic byways and construction areas; rest areas, exit numbers and gas, food and lodging indicators; direction arrows; trip time and distance; and step-by-step directions.

JULY 2016

tions, restaurants and more just by entering the name. • One-click access to key functionality: Generate routes, create trip itineraries and access AAA travel information directly from the user interface. • Simpler route point entry: Auto complete fills in addresses, cities, hotels, attractions and other locations after a few keystrokes. • Enter locations without needing an address: Just enter an airport code or name, such as Empire State Building.

Good to know details When applicable, your custom route will include travel advisories — so you know when and where to expect traffic delays — bridge and ferry information, construction zone details and strict speed enforcement area alerts. When a route includes or is in the vicinity of a scenic byway, a camera icon displays on related maps. You’ll find descriptive narrative about what you can expect along the drive on the last page of your TripTik®. • Turn on map layers to display traffic and construction information, and to show highway interchanges with gas, food and lodging options. • Rest areas: Shows the location of rest areas and service plazas. The design of each icon indicates the type of facilities at the rest area. • Professional reviews: AAA property inspectors share first-hand details about AAA Approved hotels and restaurants along the way. • AAA travel information: Access the AAA Travel Guides and AAA Drive Trips directly from the TTP interface. AAA’s content-rich Travel Guides and custom Drive Trips guide you through some of the most attraction-rich roadways across North America, complete with descriptive text, photos and maps detailing each leg of the drive, including must-see and must-do recommendations from AAA travel editors. • Sending routes: With TTP you can share routes with your family and friends via email or social media. Or access and use your saved trips on the go with the AAA Mobile app. MAP YOUR WAY

Technology has allowed us to continue making the AAA products and services even better and more focused on individual needs. Although your TripTik® may look different, the care and personal service behind each custom route remains the same. Get everything you need to plan your next trip at AAA.com/ttp.

Altoona 1634 Valley View Blvd. ............................. 814-946-1277 Butler 138 Clearview Circle .................................... 724-287-2713 Cranberry The Village Shoppes, 20510 Rt. 19 .......... 724-772-1122 Erie 6660 Peach St. Unit #2 .............................. 814-866-0246 Franklin 491 Allegheny Blvd, Suite 200 .................. 814-432-3960 Greensburg Eastgate Shopping Center 5142 Route 30, Suite 135 ......................... 724-834-8300 Grove City 24 Pine Grove Village Dr. .......................... 724-458-8930 Harborcreek 4430 Buffalo Rd. ........................................ 814-897-9508 Hermitage 1749 E. State St.......................................... 724-981-9141 Indiana 1169 Wayne Ave........................................ 724-349-4193 Jamestown (New York) 111 W. Fifth St., Jamestown, N.Y.. ........... 716-488-1981 Kittanning Franklin Village Mall. ............................... 724-543-1924 Lewisburg 530 1/2 North Derr Drive . ....................... 570-524-7455 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area Crossroads Plaza 2503 Leechburg Rd.................................... 724-339-4440 McKean County (Bradford) 587 South Ave. .......................................... 814-368-3113 Meadville 18939 Park Avenue Plaza Unit #7 ............ 814-724-2247 New Castle 40 East St.................................................... 724-658-8551 Niagara-Orleans 7135 Rochester Rd, Lockport, NY. ............ 716-434-2865 Pittsburgh–Century III Area (Pleasant Hills) 9 Clairton Blvd. (Rt. 51). ........................... 412-655-6100 Pittsburgh–Downtown 538 Smithfield St. ...................................... 412-338-4300 Pittsburgh–East Liberty/Shadyside 5900 Baum Blvd. ........................................ 412-365-7196 Pittsburgh–Monroeville 2725 Mosside Blvd. .................................... 412-858-4640 Pittsburgh–North Hills Area (Ross Township) 4790 McKnight Rd. .................................... 412-367-7600 Pittsburgh–Robinson Township Robinson Town Centre 1760 Park Manor Blvd. ............................. 412-809-2800 Pittsburgh–South Hills Area (Bethel Park) 160 Ft. Couch Rd. ...................................... 412-833-5203 Rochester 300 Adams St. ............................................ 724-775-8000 St. Marys 1375 Bucktail Rd. ...................................... 814-834-7838 Somerset 110 N. Center Ave. .................................... 814-443-6526 Sunbury 1001 Market Street. .................................. 570-286-4507 Uniontown 111 W. Main St. ......................................... 724-438-8575 Warren 2285 Market St. ......................................... 814-723-6660 Washington 196 Murtland Ave. .................................... 724-222-3800 Waynesburg 184 Greene Plaza, US 21 & I-79 ................ 724-627-3434 Wexford-Wexford Plaza 10548 Perry Highway ................................ 724-933-3000 White Oak/McKeesport Area Oak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............ 412-675-3400

JULY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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Hot summer weather is no vacation for your car AAA helps give your car the attention it deserves Niagara-Orleans Official publication of Niagara-Orleans Region of AAA East Central Published bi-monthly by AAA East Central 7135 Rochester Road Lockport, NY 14094 USPS: 002-092

ISSN: 1556-2824

Periodicals Postage Paid at Lockport, NY Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist Niagara-Orleans 7135 Rochester Road Lockport, NY 14094 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ............................Douglas O’Neil Editorial Offices 7135 Rochester Road Lockport, NY 14094 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 Glenn B. Bachman, 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, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie**, Terrence L. Walton** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, 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 **emeritus directors

AAA Niagara-Orleans Regional Board of Directors Marion E. Bicker, William R. Eaton, Herbert G. Koenig, Paul N. O’Neill, Robert S. Roberson

Lockport, NY 716-434-2865 7135 Rochester Road

Copyright ©2016 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 he dog days of summer are upon us and high temperatures can take their toll on people, pets and even cars. Extreme heat can push a vehicle past its limits, and drivers can find themselves stranded at the roadside. One way to minimize the hassle and inconvenience of a breakdown is to prepare for hot summer months. Check all fluids. Automobile engines work extra hard in the summer, and just like people fluids are critical for vehicles when things start to heat up. Check your owner’s guide for the proper procedures to verify the following: • Engine oil, including scheduling an oil change if it’s time • Coolant level • Automatic transmission fluid • Brake fluid • Power steering fluid • Windshield washer fluid Check your battery. Few people realize that summer heat is harder on your battery than winter’s cold. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, damaging the delicate internal structure. Hot weather also accelerates the rate of corrosion on the battery terminals and both conditions can leave you stranded without warning. Test batteries if they are three years old or older. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free. Tires are your safety cushion. Driving on under-inflated tires not only affects the handling and braking of a vehicle,

Richard Hamilton it can cause the tires to overheat and increase the likelihood of a blowout. The risk becomes even greater when road temperatures are high. Examine the tread for excessive or uneven wear and deep gouges, and check sidewalls for bulging or cracking. Check and adjust tire pressures using the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, not the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall. Don’t forget to check the condition and inflation pressure of the spare tire. Check the hoses and belts. Inspect hoses and have them replaced when leaking, brittle, cracked, or swollen. Check V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and condition, and have them

replaced when cracked, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Replacing the timing belt at the interval specified in the owner’s manual can avoid a breakdown or serious engine damage. Visibility is key. Most people recognize that good visibility is essential to safe driving but half of all windshield wiper blades on the road are beyond their functional lifespan. Check wiper operation and blade condition, replacing any blades that leave streaks behind, after two or three passes. With a helper, check operation of the brake lights (including the center high-mount brake light), back up lights, headlights (high and low beams), all directional signals and taillights. One final note: If you’re bringing children or a pet along for the ride, never leave them unattended in the vehicle. Even seemingly mild temperatures can rapidly create a lethal environment inside a car — even with the windows cracked open.

AAA Battery Service AAA Battery Service offers fast, accurate and convenient mobile battery testing and replacement. State-of-the art diagnostic equipment will confirm whether your battery will hold a charge and if a new battery is needed, you can purchase one and have it installed on the spot. AAA Battery Service is available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 7-days a week. To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our tollfree number:1-800-222-4357.

membersonly AAA Mobile® app adds some exciting new features Your favorite AAA services in the palm of your hand

AA Mobile® is beautifully responsive and optimized to look and work great on your iOS or Android device. Use it to access Roadside Assistance, AAA trip-planning tools with interactive maps and turn-by-turn directions and more. Book hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights on the go, all from one integrated app. Your digital AAA membership card and proof of AAA insurance are just a few taps away. Recent updates to the iOS and Android versions include a new digital membership card design that incorporates the membership number, a barcode that can be read by smartphone scanners and access to a digital version of the AAA Prescription Savings card. Other new and updated features include: Live Parking — Just arrived somewhere but aren’t sure where to park? Live Parking shows you available lots and what they cost so you can make an informed choice. Here to There — Provides real-time, at-a-glance visuals of traffic conditions

and travel time for your frequent destinations, such as home, work, and school. We’re here to help you plan your drive before you start your trip. Parking Buddy — Ever lost track of your car in a parking lot? With Parking Buddy, remember where you’re parked with the drop of a GPS pin. You can also set a timed reminder for parking meters and other time-limited spaces. AAA App Now on Apple Watch — Apple Watch owners can quickly and easily find the nearest gas station or the cheapest fuel with the AAA app. The app updates prices seven times a day and provides turn-by-turn navigation to the nearest or cheapest station through Apple Maps. Travel Tools — Book hotel rooms, rental cars, and flights on the go, all from one place. Plus, the app’s TripTik® Travel Planner provides interactive maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and guides to points of interests, campgrounds, and more. Find the Cheapest Gas — Save time and money with the Cheapest Gas feature. Gas station details include

updated prices for all available grades of gasoline, and you can sort stations alphabetically or by distance. Maps and Discounts — AAA’s TripTik® Travel Planner provides turnby-turn directions to everyday destinations, points of interests, attractions, AAA offices, campgrounds, and more. Use the app to discover more than 100,000 discount locations for shopping, dining, and hotel accommodations. AAA Mobile delivers the total mobile member experience. Text APP10 to 99000 and you’ll receive a link to download the free AAA Mobile® app, or visit the AAA Mobile Solutions page at AAA.com/Mobile.

Correction The Members Only column in the June 2016 edition incorrectly stated that “The following policies apply to the membership benefit” prior to a listing of services that are in fact, excluded. The correct wording should have been: “The following policies do not apply to the membership benefit.”

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AAA MOTORIST

JULY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

Affinity Celullar ad to Come

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AAA MOTORIST

JULY 2016

It’s time to spill the beans on Boston It’s one if by land, two if by sea in this popular port

ith an unrivaled history, and old New England charm Boston offers a revolutionary experience for any cruise visitor. The Black Falcon Cruise Terminal — the oldest continuously operated port in the Western Hemisphere — is located less than two miles from the gold dome of historic Faneuil Hall, scene of some of the most seminal events leading up to the American Revolution. Faneuil Hall’s golden grasshopper is probably the most famous weathervane in America. Nearby Faneuil Hall Marketplace — housed in a series of restored 19th century buildings —is four great places in one location. Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market are set around a cobblestone promenade. Boston’s Back Bay, which includes trendy Newbury Street and Copley Square shopping districts, is also close by. During the April-to-November cruise season Boston plays host to 114 ship visits with vessels departing for Bermuda, the Caribbean, or visiting Boston on a port-of-call on a New England/ Canada cruise. Four ships are homeporting in Boston this season: Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Dawn; Holland America’s Rotterdam and Veendam; and Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas. Shopping, restaurants, attractions, and museums for every taste and interest all make Boston a great place to

CRADLE OF LIBERTY — Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

Photo courtesy of the Greater

Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

visit on a port-of-call for the day or an extended stay before or after your cruise. Visitors can drive out to the historic battlefields of Lexington and Concord, where the “shot heard round the world’ was fired. Lexington Green is where Paul Revere rode a borrowed horse on his midnight ride. With a collection of over 450,000

pieces The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest museums in the United States, attracting over one million visitors a year. Located on Boston’s “Avenue of the Arts” the museum is famous for its collection of Impressionists and ancient Egyptian artifacts. The nearby Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum displays 2,500 artworks span-

ning 30 centuries including works by Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Degas, and John Singer Sargent. The museum itself is a work of art, styled after a 15th century Venetian Palazzo, with three floors of galleries surrounding a garden courtyard. Anyone named Isabella is admitted free. Most of Boston’s National Historical Park sites are connected by the Freedom Trail, a 3-mile walking tour of 16 historic sites downtown and in Charlestown. Highlights include the Old South Meeting House, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House and Old North Church. In Charlestown, visitors will find the Bunker Hill Monument, the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution, and the USS Constitution. The oldest commissioned warship in the world, she became known as Old Ironsides, during the War of 1812, when cannonballs fired by a British frigate bounced off as if she were made of iron. First launched in 1798, the ship’s copper fastenings were constructed by Paul Revere.

IF YOU GO

Please this month’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com for special member values on Canada/New England and other cruise vacations.

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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

Very “cool” winter vacations are very “hot” at AAA

YELLOWSTONE $50.00 OFF PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY NEW BOOKINGS JULY 1-30

J A N 2126 More wildlife, fewer people than in summer “HOT” aptly describes the popularity of AAA’s Yellowstone in Winter escorted tour...as well as the park’s incredible natural phenomena — geysers, mudpots and vents. You’ve seen them in photographs or on TV, but seeing this national park’s iconic sights in person can be a life-altering and humbling experience. They’re not just as good as you’ve imagined; they’re better...and even more so in winter! It may be the best season to take in Yellowstone’s many natural wonders. Hordes of summer tourists disappear and, except for hibernating bears, wildlife viewing is at its peak. The park’s a magical landscape of frozen waterfalls and grazing bison under an incredible star canopy. Rising steam clouds turn nearby aspens into “ghost trees” shrouded under a veil of frost. Experience the solitude and splendor of this vast winter wilderness for yourself. AAA’s 5-night adventure kicks off in Salt Lake City, where seating has been arranged at Temple Square to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. A scenic drive brings you out of the Wasatch Mountains past Great Salt Lake and Ogden, Utah’s original settlement. Entering Idaho, pass the doomed town of Rexburg, destroyed in 1976 when Teton Dam burst, and the Island Park Region, renowned for its trout fishing. Cross over Targhee Pass into Montana and the park gateway town of West Yellowstone. Since most park roads close in winter, luxury snowcoaches are the way to go. Relax in a warm, comfortable cabin while guides share their knowledge as you glimpse wildlife. “A huge ram,” noted one past passenger, “was lying on a ledge looking straight down; it seemed like he was staring right at us!” You may even get into a “buffalo jam” when a herd decides the snow is too deep and the easiest way to travel is on a plowed road! continued on next page

A L A S K A

$100.00 OFF PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY NEW BOOKINGS JULY 1-30

FEB 23– MARCH 6 Iditarod Race, Northern Lights, Alaska Railroad and much more “Once-in-a-lifetime experience!” “Unexpected spectacles!” “Warm welcomes and hospitality!” “Unparalleled natural beauty!” Superlatives like those are commonplace among those who return home after having enjoyed AAA Travel’s Ultimate Alaska Winter Wonderland tour. Come find out why! This guided tour’s a unique and unforgettable combination of hands-on experiences (opportunities to guide your own dog sled!), exciting world-famous events (watching the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and meeting & dining with mushers!), spectacular natural phenomena (viewing the glowing, swirling Aurora Borealis!), fascinating cultural exposures (visiting a Native American heritage center!), deluxe accommodations (2 nights at Alaska’s only AAA 4 Diamond resort!) and much more. You may be wondering about visiting Alaska in the middle of winter! It’s true: This tour does depart Feb 23, right in the middle of Old Man Winter’s reign. But that’s exactly what makes this trip so special. This is when the true Alaskans reclaim their stunning state from the hordes of summer tourists who descend upon it like so many mosquitoes (also absent in winter!). And it’s also the time of the wondrous phenomenon known as the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Once you experience all of the exhilarating sights, sounds, aromas, textures and flavors of Alaska on this tour, you’ll wonder why you ever gave the winter weather a second thought! The tour’s centerpiece is the annual world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a nearly-1,000-mile competition from Willow to continued on next page

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Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL to... • Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI • Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis Nov 18-28 • Bridgetown, Barbados • Philipsburg, St Maarten NL AAA Member Rate (overnight in port!) from $1,545 4 days at sea balcony stateroom

AAA BONUS!

Dinner for 2 at an onboard specialty restaurant

Add $15 per person per day.

•

The • Perks! • •

Add $45 per person per day.

Classic Beverage Packages for 2 Unlimited Internet for 2 Prepaid Tips for 2 $150 Onboard Spending Money per person ATURE

S N

Rate is per person (balcony stateroom, double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes onboard accommodations, most onboard meals & entertainment and government taxes & port charges of up to $356.34. Ship’s registry: Malta & Ecuador. Ask about available add-on airfare.

THIS OFFER AVAILABLE WITH OCEANVIEW (AND ABOVE) STATEROOMS.

T IO

ATURE

mbrace dazzling natural beauty and distinct experiences during this under-appreciated but oh-so-cool season

se i u r C n a e b b i r Ultimate Ca Equinox! on Celebrity

CANADA’S WINTER WONDERLAND! E VA

Make Thanksgiving 2016 the one everyone remembers:

Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism /Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

T IO

Photo: Banff Lake Louise Tourism /Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Tired of “typical”? Here’s a unique off-season vacation — a getaway to a stunning corner of Canada transformed into a wonderland of white-frosted evergreens and crystal-blue skies. From Edmonton to Calgary, discover the wonders of Alberta — towering snow-clad peaks of the Canadian Rockies, spectacular Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, Icefields Parkway, postcard-perfect Lake Louise and the alpine resort town of Banff. Partake in activities and experiences designed to enlighten and create memories — from dog-sledding to ice-walking or snowshoeing to horse-drawn-sleigh riding. Savor a native peoples– themed dinner to find out what a meal was like centuries ago. Learn about ammolite, a rare opal-like gemstone found only in southern Alberta. Marvel at the Ice Magic Festival, where artisans carve sculptures from huge blocks of ice. Stay comfortable and cozy in style and luxury, including 2 nights at Château Lake Louise and 1 at Banff Springs Resort, both originally built as Canadian Pacific Railway hotels. You’ll also enjoy a night in Edmonton and 2 nights in Jasper.

Jan 9-15 • AAA Member Rate: from $3,214 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Buffalo-Edmonton, Calgary-Buffalo), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person) and 8 meals. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

BRAND-NEW TOUR!

Ice-walk or snowshoe at Maligne Canyon See eye-popping, jaw-dropping sculptures at the Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival Visit with a rare-gem specialist Marvel at snowy scenery along the Bow River Feel like royalty at the Fairmont Banff Springs, the iconic“Castle in the Rockies” Traverse the Icefields Parkway Stay at spectacular Château Lake Louise Enjoy the unforgettable panoramic journey from Edmonton to Jasper Savor an authentic “First Nations” dinner Sip cocoa and roast marshmallows around a blazing fire in Banff Special Inclusion: Ride in a sled drawn by Alaskan Huskies thrilled to be on the trail!

Very “cool” winter vacations are very “hot” at AAA

Feb 23–March 6 •

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers (within limited parameters), motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 9 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person) and services of a local tour guide. Ask about available add-on airfare.

Nome. Get up close and personal with intrepid mushers and their eager-to-run dog teams. Watch the festivity-filled ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage, then head out to Willow the next day for the exciting official re-start across ice-covered Willow Lake. Channel your inner teenager...so you can stay up way past your normal bedtime for opportunities to see the dazzling Northern Lights. That’s just one more exciting highlight of a fun-filled itinerary that also includes... Fairbanks • Trans-Alaska Pipeline • Alaska Railroad • Talkeetna • Anchorage • Seward • Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Alaska Sealife Center • Seward Museum • Girdwood • Alyeska Tram • Alaska Zoo (behind-the scenes tour) • Mushers’ Banquet • Happy Trails Kennel (operated by 4-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser) • Iditarod HQ • Official Ceremonial Start of the ATURE Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race • Alaska Native Heritage Center • Iditarod Re-start CA O Visit AAA.com/travel for a complete itinerary. TI D

AAA Member Rate: $1,450

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Jan 21-26 •

See the Fountain Paint Pots as well as Firehole Falls, a spectacle of color and motion emerging from 800-foot-thick lava flows and sending up clouds of mist to produce dozens of rainbows. Marvel at Old Faithful, the park’s most celebrated geyser, erupting about every 90 minutes, spewing as much as 8,400 gallons of boiling water in a towering plume that can reach 180 feet high. Journey to the Wild West town of Jackson Hole WY at the base of the rugged Teton Mountains of Grand Teton National Park. At the nearby National Elk Refuge, a horse-drawn sleigh brings you into a sprawling valley where thousands of elk gather for their winter range. “They weren’t frightened, and we drove right up to them,” said one guest. This is followed by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, a stunning collection of 2,300 original works. Ride through rugged Snake River Canyon, surrounded ATURE by soaring peaks. In Utah, tour the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, cradled in the Wasatch Mountains. Cap CA O off your tour with a farewell dinner in Salt Lake City. TI

Ultimate Alaska in Winter

continued from previous page

Yellowstone in Winter

AAA Member Rate: $3,999

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Buffalo), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 14 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), Alaska tour escort and services of a AAA tour manager (if minimum participation is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

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

AAA MOTORIST

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

& the Tournament of Roses Parade!

GET YOUR BEACH ON!

4+ nights at any of 4 top-rated luxury properties North Beach Plantation®  The Caribbean Resort & Villas  Compass Cove® Oceanfront Resort  The Breakers Resort 

per room when you book & deposit by July 30!

Reagan Library • Dinner at LA Prime on the 35th floor of your hotel • Rodeo Drive & Hollywood • Views of the iconic Hollywood sign • Celebrity homes in Bel Air & Beverly Hills • Behind-the-scenes Warner Brothers tour • New Year’s Eve party on the Queen Mary • LA: Farmers Market, Disney Concert Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels • Olvera Street, original heart of the Mexican community • Pacific Coast Highway • Reserved seat for Roses parade • Universal Studios CityWalk • San Diego: Cabrillo Monument, Mission Bay, Old Town, La Jolla, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo • USS Midway aircraft carrier • Winery tour & tasting • Sunset dinner cruise on San Diego Bay

AAA Member Rate: $4,545

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo–Los Angeles, San Diego–Buffalo), roundtrip airport/ ATURE hotel transfers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 11 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), taxes/gratuities for included features and services of a AAA Tour Manager in California (if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage CA O TI may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

German Christmas Markets Save $50

Experience fun and flavorful Old World holiday-season traditions!

per room when you book & deposit by July 30!

Enjoy the Christmas markets (and other aspects) of Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Regensburg, Augsburg, Munich

Take a brewery tour and a tasting as well as a farewell dinner at Munich's famous Hofbrauhaus.

AAA Member Rate: $3,695

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Buffalo-Frankfurt, Munich-Buffalo), roundtrip airport/hotel transATURE fers, motorcoach transportation, accommodations, 13 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), taxes/gratuities for included features and services of a AAA Tour Manager in Germany (if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage CA O TI may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required. FE

AAA GUARANTEES THE BEST AVAILABLE RATES! GAS CARD OF UP TO $100.00 AND 2 AAA BEACH TOWELS FREE when you book & make a deposit July 1-30 on a stay of 4 nights or longer

1 card, 2 towels per booking. Based on stays between 5/21/16 — 9/10/16. Restrictions apply.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Condo space AND hotel amenities

You don’t live in one room at home; why live that way on vacation? Condo-hotels, among travel’s best-kept secrets, combine the spaciousness of condos and the amenities of hotels. They feature 2 to 5 bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, full kitchens, washers & dryers, dining areas, common living areas, balconies and numerous TVs. Enjoy the flexibility of eating meals or snacks at anytime and watching a variety of TV shows by different family members in different rooms. You get the 24/7 security of high-rise buildings with lobby checkin and amenities such as maid service, Wi-Fi and on-premises maintenance. Choose from 4 beachfront properties perfect for small or large families, multigenerational families (kids, parents and grandparents) and friends/neighbors vacationing together. Summer’s going by quickly — call now!

LIMITED AVAILABILITY: Call the number below now for rates & dates.

Visit Neuschwanstein, the palace upon which Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle is modeled.

Nov 30–Dec 8 •

MYRTLE BEACH BEACHFRONT CONDO-HOTELS

Save $50

Dec 30–Jan 5 •

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

California New Year' s Getaway

JULY 2016

AVAILABLE ONLY BY CALLING AAA AT 1-800-354-8761

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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.

ATURE

Featured Vacations:

ATURE

FEATURED VACATIONS

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers T IO

Great destinations, great value! SAN FRANCISCO FLEET WEEK

Oct 6-10 • $2,589

Discover the pleasures of the City by the Bay and enjoy excursions to Muir Woods, Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, Treasure Island and the vineyards of Napa Valley. Enjoy ample free time in San Francisco to explore on your own and to participate in the Fleet Week festivities — interact with sailors; tour amphibious carriers, destroyers and cruisers on the waterfront; and visit the festival center on Marina Green. Board a sternwheeler for a luncheon cruise during the Fleet Week Air Show featuring the Blue Angels! Includes services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). 7 meals. © pngstudio / Fotolia.com

JAMESTOWN . . . . . . . . . . .716-488-1981 LOCKPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . .716-434-2865 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. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.

$ 50

Who doesn’t like being “carded”? Get a $50.00 Disney Gift Card (per room, double occupancy) from AAA Travel when you book & make a deposit on a 5-night or longer Walt Disney World® Resort vacation package between July 1 & 30.

Celebrate the National Park Service’s 100-year birthday! “MIGHTY 5 & MORE” Oct 18-26 • $3,845

Tour some of the America’s best parks. From Las Vegas, travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, visit the Rt 66 Museum and marvel at the Grand Canyon. Enter Navajo Nation; stop at a trading post. See Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon. Cruise on Lake Powell and tour Monument Valley by 4WD. Experience Navajo culture. Explore Utah’s “Mighty 5” See natural arches in Arches NP. Dine at a lodge on the Colorado. A Jeep® tour of Canyonlands NP reveals its beauty. Ride a jet boat on the Colorado. See petroglyphs at Capitol Reef NP, the fairyland hues of Bryce Canyon NP and the 2,000-foot-high stone towers of Zion NP. Includes services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). 16 meals.

SAN ANTONIO HOLIDAY

Dec 12-16 • from $1,899

This vibrant and inviting Texas city has been called the American Venice; its lovely River Walk meanders through downtown, glowing with Christmas lights and decorations. Soak up the spirit of the season and experience the Tex-Mex take on the holidays. You’ll also visit the Alamo, Mission San Jose, Bandera (“Cowboy Capital of the World”), the LBJ Ranch, German-flavored Fredericksburg (the heart of Texas Hill Country), Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard (site of your spectacular farewell dinner with local wines) and El Mercado (Mexican-style marketplace). Enjoy a traditional cowboy barbecue at a dude ranch! 6 meals. Ask about other departure dates. AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Buffalo, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary and more. Visit AAA.com/FeaturedVacations for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

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

AAA MOTORIST

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

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Book in person at AAA Travel and save $100 in July! Save $100.00 off prepaid tour or cruise vacation packages booked at AAA East Central locations. New bookings of 7+ nights. Discount is per room, double occupancy. Exclusive in-person offer available July 1-30; not available online.

Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Oct 9-16 • from $878 7 NIGHTS STANDARD ROOM 6-DAY TICKET WITH ADMISSION TO 1 PARK PER DAY

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Oct 9-16 • from $2,169 7 NIGHTS POOL-VIEW ROOM 6-DAY TICKET WITH ADMISSION TO 1 PARK PER DAY

Jamaica: Montego Bay Oct 9-16: 7 nights • $912 RIU MONTEGO BAY Double Room

Western Caribbean: 7 nights

Allure of the Seas • Oct 16-23 • from $923

OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM. Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL to Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico. 3 full days of cruising.

New England & Canada: 7 nights

Hawaii: Maui & Kauai

Serenade of the Seas • Oct 16-23 • from $1,339

Oct 9-17 • from $2,072

BALCONY STATEROOM. Roundtrip from Boston MA to Portland ME, Bar Harbor ME, Saint John NB and Halifax NS. 2 full days at sea.

8 NIGHTS — 4 NIGHTS MAUI & 4 NIGHTS KAUAI WITH HERTZ ECONOMY RENTAL CAR THROUGHOUT

AAA Vacations® amenities for each cruise:

WESTIN MAU RESORT & SPA

Mountain-view Room • Continental Breakfast $20 Daily Resort Credit per room • 15% Spa Discount

VIP Priority Check-in • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant In-cabin Champagne • $50.00 Onboard Credit per stateroom Best Price Guarantee • 24 x 7 Member Care Service

GRAND HYATT KAUAI RESORT & SPA

Pool-view Room • Welcome Lei Greeting • 24-hour Anara Spa Gym • Daily Guided Sunrise Walk

AAA Vacations® amenities for each package: $50.00 certificate per booking toward the purchase of optional sightseeing or activity Best Price Guarantee 24 x 7 Member Care Service

Transatlantic: 13 nights

Celebrity Equinox • Oct 25–Nov 7 • from $1,343 OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM. Barcelona, Spain, to Cartagena, Spain; Agadir, Morocco; Lanzarote & Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain; Ft Lauderdale FL. 8 full days at sea.

Southern Caribbean: 10 nights

Celebrity Infinity • Oct 27–Nov 6 • from $1,696

Italian Vistas guided tour Oct 3-15 • from $1,925

12 NIGHTS • 17 MEALS Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento Coast, Isle of Capri, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Murano Island, Verona, Stresa, Locarno (Switzerland), Isola dei Pescatori

California Coast guided tour Oct 9-17 • from $1,390

8 NIGHTS • 11 MEALS San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Long Beach

AAA Vacations® amenities for each package: © vichie81 / Fotolia.com

JULY 2016

$75 credit per person toward an optional excursion ($100 per person if 2 or more excursions are purchased) $25 Member Benefit savings per person Best Price Guarantee • 24 x 7 Member Care Service Engaging Experiences (ask your agent)

OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM. Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL to Key West FL; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire; and Willemstad, Curacao. 4 full days of cruising.

Irish Classic guided tour Oct 8-19 • from $2,218

11 NIGHTS • 21 MEALS Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Taylor’s Three Rock Pub Dinner/Show in Dublin, Giant’s Causeway, Watch Trained Dogs Herd Sheep, Jaunting Car Ride, Westport House, Ulster Folk Park, St Patrick’s Grave, Titanic Belfast, Derry, Donegal Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, Waterford and more

Taste of Scotland & Ireland guided tour

Oct 9-18 • from $2,078 9 NIGHTS • 17 MEALS Scottish Evening in Edinburgh, Dublin Canal Cruise Dinner, Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Loch Ness Cruise, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney Jaunting Car Ride, Sheepdog Display, Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Whisky Tasting, St Andrews, Edinburgh Castle, Titanic Belfast, Farmhouse Tea, Ring of Kerry, Skellig Experience

AAA Vacations® amenities for each cruise: VIP Priority Check-in • $100.00 Onboard Credit per stateroom Best Price Guarantee • 24 x 7 Member Care Service

Southern Caribbean: 7 nights

Carnival Fascination • Oct 9-16 • from $767 OCEAN-VIEW STATEROOM Roundtrip from San Juan PR to St Thomas USVI; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St Lucia; Basseterre, St Kitts; and Philipsburg, St Maarten. 1 full day at sea.

Exotic Eastern Caribbean: 7 nights Carnival Pride • Oct 9-16 • from $902 INSIDE STATEROOM Roundtrip from Baltimore MD to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; and Half Moon Cay & Freeport, Bahamas. 3 full days at sea.

Sample vacations based on 2016 departures; other departure dates available. Ask about available add-on airfare. Discount offer not restricted to the travel vendors shown here. Before-discount AAA Member rates shown are per person, double occupancy.

Go to AAA.com/travel for hundreds of other tours & cruises, then visit your nearby AAA Travel office in person in July & save $100.00!

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

BOOK NOW & GET A FREE GIFT! NEW BOOKINGS OF 7+ NIGHTS MADE BETWEEN JULY 1 & 30

Portable Beach Headrest with Storage Space

Escape to deluxe

MEXI

AST

all-inclusive resorts like these... Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos Resort & Spa This resort embodies the essence of the destination, with its beautiful beaches, picturesque desert and serene ocean views. Meandering pools, lush gardens and tranquil paths create many private areas to sip a cocktail and enjoy the breezes.

Marquis Los Cabos All-inclusive Resort & Spa

PHOTO CREDIT: GRAND FIESTA AMERICANA LOS CABOS RESORT & SPA PHOTO CREDIT: MARQUIS LOS CABOS ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT & SPA

Nestled between a tranquil desert and the Sea of Cortez, this resort offers the perfect seaside escape for romance. Each spacious suite features deluxe bedding, a jetted tub and a private terrace or balcony. Indulge in an open-air couple’s massage.

Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort

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“You’ll never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind”; and, in keeping with this Irish proverb, you’ll never appreciate the actual beauty, charm and fun of the Emerald Isle if you only dream about it. Let AAA help you bring that dream to life on its “Irish Heritage & Dromoland Castle” escorted tour.

Barceló Puerto Vallarta

Casa Velas Boutique Hotel Puerto Vallarta

ATURE D

& DROMOLAND CASTLE

The resort’s 5 majestic pyramids afford sleek and elegant accommodations reminiscent of an ancient Mayan civilization. Ideally situated in the Hotel Zone, the resort offers an array of dining, shopping and nightlife opportunities.

This all-suite resort is located along the golden sands of Mismaloya Bay, 30 minutes from the activity of downtown PV. Experience spacious accommodations with marble floors, large baths, deluxe amenities and private terraces.

HERITAGE

Paradisus Cancun

IRISH

PHOTO CREDIT: PARADISUS CANCUN

PHOTO CREDIT: SANDOS CANCUN LUXURY RESORT

Awaken your senses at this luxurious beachfront resort. Each elegant residential-style room or suite features a magnificent ocean view, marble bath and designer amenities. Indulge at the Spa del Mar and relax by the 3-tiered infinity-edge pool.

PHOTO CREDIT: BARCELÓ PUERTO VALLARTA PHOTO CREDIT: CASAS VELAS BOUTIQUE HOTEL PUERTO VALLARTA

Surrounded by a golf course and lush gardens punctuated with fish ponds, this boutique hotel's lawns are populated by resident peacocks. Herbs for the restaurant, bar and spa are provided by an on-site organic garden bathed in Pacific sunshine.

Visit AAA.com/Pleasant for more resorts.

SPECIAL INCLUSION

DROMOLAND CASTLE Enjoy a farewell dinner at this elegant and luxurious fairytale castle hotel!

Limerick • Bunratty Castle: medieval banquet • Cliffs of Moher • Foynes Flying Boat Museum • Killarney National Park • Ring of Kerry • Valentia Island: Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap • Blarney: Castle, Woollen Mills • Cobh • Waterford • Wicklow Mountains • Dublin • Irish National Stud • Dromoland Castle

Oct 2-10 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,938

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 13 meals (including medieval castle banquet/entertainment, Kileen House in Killarney, Merry Ploughboy Pub dinner/entertainment, Dromoland Castle farewell dinner, 2 table d'hôte dinners and more), motorcoach sightseeing, hotel service charges & luggage handling (1 bag per person) and professional tour director in Ireland. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Tour operated by CIE International. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.

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

JULY 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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Visit AAA Travel in person in July for the best service and price advantage Agents have to be knowledgeable; they keep up-to-date with current trends and the latest technologies, as well as AAA member benefits and other discounts and promotions. Their expertise is built on years of specialized training & education, on-the-job experience and professional & personal travel experience. They may provide the late-breaking information not available on travel web sites that aren’t always kept current. Staying in touch between purchase and departure is another important area where working with a travel agent beats ordering from the internet. AAA

agents may communicate by phone, email or postcard, keeping you abreast of itinerary updates, reminding you of departure dates, reassuring you that they’re at your service at all times. And after-the-sale service and support are major components of the AAA travel experience. Feel free to contact (or visit) AAA agents again if you have any questions or concerns for which you cannot find answers on your own. They’ll be glad to review your documentation & tickets, explain boarding & other procedures, discuss types & levels of travel insurance, etc. They can even notify you after your purchase if a

Do -it -y ou rs el f ph ot o- ta ki ng is FU N!

Do -it -y ou rs el f tr av el ar ra ng in g is N OT ! Vi si t a A A A tr av el ag en t in pe rs on in Ju ly an d SAVE

$100!

newly announced promotion or other information will affect your vacation; you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone on the internet who does that! While it may sometimes be true that cheap or inexpensive travel deals exist on the internet, who will you turn to if you eventually have any kind of problem with the product or service you’ve purchased online? Our agents are accessible before you leave on your trip... and while you’re on it; they do not abandon you once you’ve made your purchase and have left the AAA office. Purchasing travel online can be confusing because of the multitude of choices, restrictions and optional fees. AAA agents know how to navigate through the information overload, winnowing out only what is important for your specific travel situation and making sure you encounter no surprises (as in additional charges) once you’re at your destination. Another caveat about the internet: Not all web site transactions are fully secured; you may be putting your financial information at risk by dealing with a site whose reliability is not fully known. And the site you visit today may not even be there tomorrow. That’s where a brick-and-mortar establishment like AAA Travel provides advantages; we offer you a long-standing reputation for financial stability and consumer reliability, and our agents stand behind all of our products and services. You can truly travel

continued from page 1

July 1-30

$100 OFF

tour & cruise purchased o packages Travel Agencnly in AAA y offices Per room, do uble occupa New bookin gs of 7+ nighncy. ts. AAA East Ce locations onntral ly

with someone you trust because AAA agents provide not only travel services but also invaluable peace of mind. AAA agents always appreciate you and your business, and that’s reflected in the quality of customer service they provide. And, by visiting your local AAA Travel office in person (instead of using corporate or other travel web sites from who-knows-where), you’re supporting your local economy. By working with a living, breathing travel agent, you can travel confidently, enjoying extra peace of mind away from home, knowing that, if ever an issue should arise, you have a lifeline you can reach out to for assistance. Stop in this month for $100.00 savings on prepaid tour or cruise vacation packages of 7+ nights when you book in person. If you can dream it, a AAA travel agent can make it happen!

Visit AAA.com for the location closest to you.

The digital eye exam that shows you more

ou’ve heard them before. Those repetitive eye exam questions. “Which is better? One or two?” And you think, “This must be important. What if I get it wrong? Wait! Let me see number one again!” Seriously, is this still how we do eye exams today, by trial and error? The answer is, not anymore, thanks to Clarifye — the digital eye exam that shows you more. Clarifye technology maps the “fingerprint” of your eyes with digital precision to pinpoint the prescription you need to see your best. • Precision – No other eye exam is more precise. Clarifye is powered by innovators in precision optics—and features a whole new way to get your eyes checked, digitally. Its initial measurement is so precise it helps reduce the guesswork of “which is better?”* • Information – A more comprehensive eye health assessment. Clarifye gives you a more comprehensive understanding of your eye health and vision. The digitally precise exam measures 5x more optical characteristics about your visual system to address your needs and help you see your best. • Personalization – Dramatic results. Like night and day. Clarifye is so precise, it can even help uncover differences in your day and night vision. Since your eyes dilate more in the evening, there can be slight differences in corrective needs. Addressing those differences •

can mean crisper vision during the day with fewer starbursts and halos around lights at night, helping you feel more confident. Convenience – Now available at a LensCrafters near you. The next time you need your eyes checked, come in and experience the ease and convenience of Clarifye—available only at LensCrafters**. It’s as easy as texting MYEXAM to 242020. * DISCLAIMER: For consumers who are diagnosed with clean visual systems or low levels of higher order aberrations. ** DISCLAIMER: Clarifye is available at LensCrafters in states where LensCrafters employs doctors or at the independent doctor of optometry at or next to LensCrafters who utilize the Clarifye eye exam experience. In California, eye exams are available at LensCrafters locations from licensed optometrist employed by EYEXAM of California, a licensed vision health care service plan. The optometrists are not employed by LensCrafters, which do not provide eye exams.”

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Is your child’s identity vulnerable to theft? ChildSecure™ helps monitor your children’s identity

child’s life is carefree; the last thing on their mind should be credit. In fact, a child shouldn’t have any credit activity at all until the time comes to apply for a college loan. That said, the incidence of child identity theft is rising quickly. The Identity Theft Resource Center reports it almost tripled in 2014. As a responsible parent, you want to keep your kids out of harm’s way, and in these complex times that’s come to mean more than keeping them physically safe. It’s hard to imagine children as victims of identity theft or fraud, but most perpetrators consider children easy targets because of their clean credit histories. Criminals open fraudulent accounts that go unnoticed for years until young adults discover it when applying for their first lines of credit. Richard Power of Carnegie Mellon CyLab recently published a report on child identity theft based on identity protection scans of over 40,000 U.S. children. He found that an alarming 10.2 percent of the children studied had impersonators using their Social Security numbers. In comparison, among adults in the same population, the figure is 0.2 percent. Here are some steps to take, and things to keep in mind, to protect your child from identity theft: Limit the availability of your child’s Social Security number. Be mindful of

by a relative (36 percent), family friend (35 percent), neighbor (9 percent) or ex-spouse (9 percent). Know how and when to check your child’s credit report. If you believe your child has been the victim of ID theft, you can obtain a credit report, but only do so if your child’s identity has been compromised. Contact the three credit reporting agencies – Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — to check if a credit report exists in your child’s Social Security number. If no report exists, that’s probably a good sign.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

YOUNGEST VICTIMS — Children are easy targets for identity theft.

Parents who are AAA members can enroll in the ProtectMyID® Deluxe identity theft monitoring program and enroll their children, too. The program is a benefit for members and just $8.95 a month — a 56 percent savings for AAA members and associates. The ChildSecure™ feature of ProtectMyID® Deluxe helps detect theft of your children’s identities by searching for an Experian credit report, monitoring the report, and alerting you if someone applies for credit or opens credit accounts using your children’s information.

home office filing cabinet, move them now to a home safe or safe deposit box. Keep an eye out for warning signs. If your child starts to receive credit card offers or notices of account defaults, your child’s identity has likely been compromised. Other warning signs might include denial of a government assistance program for your child or family because someone associated with your child’s Social Security number is already getting benefits. You’d think that strangers are the most likely perpetrators but it’s far more common for children to be victimized

those who ask for your child’s Social Security number. You could be asked for his or her Social Security number when signing up for soccer or applying for a library card. Ask how they plan to use it, what steps they will take to protect it, and if there is any other form of identification that would be acceptable. Keep your child’s documents secure. Securing your child’s birth certificate and Social Security card is vital to keeping the identity of your children safe. These documents need to be accessed very infrequently. If you keep their Social Security cards in your wallet or a

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about ProtectMyID® and ChildSafe™, call 1-877-440-6943 or visit AAA.com/idtheft.

Before hitting the road this summer, consider renting a car A challenge for the overworked and undertravelled

iven the demands of work, family and social obligations, finding time to enjoy the open road and local attractions can be difficult. Taking time for yourself and enjoying something new not only helps you to feel more at ease, it also improves your productivity, physical and mental well-being. Before you embark on your summer drive trip, consider renting a vehicle. Avoid adding high vacation miles to your personal or leased vehicle by letting Hertz get you where you want to go. Rent from your local neighborhood Hertz office and enjoy all the benefits Hertz offers AAA Members, including a free child safety seat and a free additional qualified driver. Hertz also offers environmentally friendly vehicles in its Green Collection to help you save fuel and the environment. Hertz offers AAA Members a wide variety of car classes to choose from and has great rates on daily, weekend, weekly and monthly rentals both at home and abroad. Now through September 30, AAA Members will save $5 per day up to $30 on weekend and weekly rentals.

a car…skip the rental counter at 40 of the world’s busiest airports and at 1,000 worldwide locations, simply show your driver’s license, pick up the keys and go!

AAA member exclusive: •

•

ROOM TO MOVE — Think Hertz when you need a larger car or minivan for summer vacation. Igor Yaruta photo courtesy Hertz.

•

When should you rent from Hertz? •

When you want to prevent adding high miles on your personal car or on leased vehicles with mileage caps;

AAA Classic & AAA Plus Members get 675 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points after the first Gold rental — that’s enough for One Free Rental Day! Join at AAA.com/HertzGold. You can join at hertz.com but be sure to include your Hertz AAA Discount Code (CDP#215). AAA Premier Members get 1,100 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus points, after the first Gold rental — enough for Two Free Weekend Rental Days! Join only at AAA.com/HertzPremier.

•

When you need a larger car or minivan for vacation comfort; When you simply want a sporty convertible for fun; When friends or relatives are visiting and need a car to use while they are in town; When you want to test drive a new car model before making a buying decision; When you want a luxury car for a special occasion; (i.e.: wedding, etc.)

•

When your personal car has been in an accident and you need an insurance replacement; • When your personal car is in the repair shop and you need a replacement vehicle. AAA and Hertz set the standard…the gold standard — AAA members can enjoy all the benefits of Hertz Gold service FREE! Enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and earn points toward free rental days and more. It’s the fastest way to rent

HERTZ SUMMER SPECIALS

Save $5/day up to $30 on weekend/weekly rentals on most car classes (excluding Dream Cars). Reference Promotion Code #108566 when making the reservation. Valid for vehicle pickup through 9/30/16. Save $50 on Monthly Rentals (minimum 28 days) of most car classes. Include Promotion Code #307204 when making the reservation. Valid for vehicle pick up through 12/31/16. Book today at AAA.com/hertz or by calling the AAA dedicated number, 1-800-654-3080.

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Christmas markets add magic to the holiday season Wrap up the holidays in style in Germany’s historic cities

he holiday season in Bavaria is a magical time of year. From late November through December, Christmas markets overflow with the sound of music and the aroma of mulled wine, German sausages, gingerbread, and Stollen, the traditional fruitcake. Travelers will find nativity scenes, fancifully decorated Christmas trees, choirs singing yuletide carols and local craftsmen displaying their wares. This centuries-old tradition signals the beginning of Advent and most traditional German handicrafts can be found here — from nutcrackers, carved wooden figurines, and straw stars — to candles, ceramics, cookie tins, glass balls, toys, and tin tree ornaments. Munich’s Christmas market dates back to the 14th century. Located on the Marienplatz in the Old City center, the market surrounds an enormous Christmas tree. Baked apples, roasted almonds, and other Bavarian delicacies are standard fare, as well as Glühwein, the mulled hot spice wine that is a staple at markets throughout Germany. Just behind city hall with its world famous Glockenspiel, artisans sell wooden figurines of wise men, oxen, donkeys, as well as the holy family in the Nativity Market. Bavaria’s Romantic Road winds through pastoral villages and medieval

Nuremberg is known for its culinary delights, such as Lebkuchen, a honeylaced cookie, which was produced in the city as early as 1395. Citizens gather the honey in the woods surrounding the city. “Nürnbergers” the thin brown sausages made by local butchers are another must-taste at the fair. Christmas can be celebrated all year long in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria. Rothenburg’s medieval setting is so postcard perfect visitors occasionally complain it’s too Disney-like. In truth, the walled city has been left largely untouched for hundreds of years. The town boasts some of the most impressive medieval architecture in Europe, and is also home to the German Christmas Museum.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

HAPPY HOLIDAY — Munich’s Christmas market dates back to the 14th century. Joachim Messerschmidt photo courtesy German National Tourist Board. towns, each with its own traditions. Augsburg, just west of Munich, is home to the famous “Angel Play.” The young women portraying the angels must be graceful and — most importantly — not be afraid of heights. Once a week all 24 angels are lowered from the top of the city hall creating a gigantic living Advents calendar.

Nuremberg’s Christmas market attracts two million visitors a year and is probably the best known outside of Germany. Set between the Frauenkirche and the oldest of Nuremberg’s gabled homes, the market is opened each year by the Nuremberg Christkind — a young person chosen to spread the holiday spirit.

Experience Old World holiday traditions during AAA Travel’s German Christmas Markets, Nov. 30–Dec 8, 2016. This 7-night escorted tour features 4 nights in Nuremberg and 3 nights in Munich, with visits to Christmas Markets in Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Regensburg, Augsburg and Munich. Tour Neuschwanstein, Mad King Ludwig’s incredible fairytale castle and more. Please see your AAA travel professional or log on to AAA.com for more information.

Make the most of your AAA membership Get on the Road to Unlimited Rewards with the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card

he AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card puts you in the driver’s seat with points on everyday purchases and an incredible variety of cash, travel, gift card and AAA voucher rewards. There are so many ways to earn rewards points every day: TRIPLE POINTS for qualifying AAA and travel purchases; DOUBLE POINTS for gas, grocery store and drugstore purchases; and a SINGLE POINT PER DOLLAR for all other purchases.ł Plus, if you have multiple AAA Member Rewards cards, you can combine your points! When you are ready to redeem your points, you have multiple redemption options to choose from, but you get the best value for your points when you redeem for a AAA voucher or a AAA Approved Auto Repair voucher. For example: 5,000 points can be redeemed for $50 cash back, a $55 AAA Approved Auto Repair voucher or a $60 AAA voucher that could be applied to a AAA in-branch purchase, including your annual membership dues, your next vacation or your auto or homeowner insurance premium. Want a better way to earn rewards toward your next vacation? Simply make the AAA Member Rewards card your card of choice and watch how quickly the points add up. Before you know it, you’ll be able to request a AAA

voucher that could significantly reduce the price of your next vacation, whether it is a cruise, a tour, or a weekend getaway. It’s like your own personal vacation club account. One of our members paid for their family cruise and earned enough points to redeem them for cash to purchase a new gas grill -- just in time for the summer barbeque season. With no limits on how many points you can earn, the road is wide open with the AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card. Just visit a local AAA branch office to apply. *For information about rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this credit card, or to apply, visit your AAA branch and refer to the disclosures accompanying the application. *To qualify for the 1 FREE Theme Park ticket: you must apply for and be approved for an In-Branch (same day) AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card. Upon approval, you must use your new AAA Member Rewards card to purchase 3 Theme Park tickets and the fourth (4th) Theme Park Ticket, will be FREE. Transaction must be on the same day as the

details. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association and is used by the Issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. AAA is a trademark of American Automobile Association, Inc. ©2016 Bank of America Corporation

SPECIAL INCENTIVE FOR NEW CARD HOLDERS*:

card approval. There are four (4) Theme Parks you can select from (Hersheypark, Cedar Point, Kennywood or Kings Island). This promotion cannot be combined with another offer. This is a limited time offer and may be cancelled at any time without notice. Federal law prohibits students from receiving a premium. ł AAA Member Rewards: Earn 1 point per dollar of new net retail purchase transactions (qualifying purchases less credits, returns and adjustments) charged to the card each billing cycle. Earn 2 points per dollar for purchases made with the card at any eligible gas, grocery store or pharmacy retail merchant categories as designated by Bank of America. Earn 3 points per dollar for purchases made with the card through any participating AAA Club when AAA is the merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant categories as designated by Bank of America. Points expire five (5) years after the month they were earned. Additional restrictions apply. Please refer to disclosures accompanying application for more

From July 1 through August 31, 2016 AAA Members who visit a AAA branch office to apply for the AAA Member Rewards credit card and get approved will have the opportunity to take advantage of our Buy 3 Get 1 FREE attraction ticket offer for Cedar Point, Kennywood, Kings Island or Hersheypark when they use their new AAA Member Rewards credit card to pay for the purchase the same day the account was approved. Students are not eligible. And, by using your new AAA credit card you will automatically earn TRIPLE POINTS on your theme park ticket purchase! Here’s all you need to do: 1. Visit any AAA East Central branch office. 2. Ask a AAA Staff Associate to complete an instant authorization application. 3. Upon approval, you can use the temporary number assigned to purchase three theme park tickets to the participating attractions and get one FREE single-day adult admission ticket.

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Find the lowest online hotel rates at AAA.com AAA has accommodations for every lifestyle and budget

lanning a family trip to Orlando? How about a weekend getaway for two? AAA has a great variety of hotels and resorts to choose from with money-saving deals and hotel packages. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, short-term or longterm, locally or cross-country, AAA has you covered. AAA offers thousands of hotels with rooms of all shapes and sizes, and hotel discounts to help fit within your budget. And we save you time by doing all the legwork, and making the reservation for you. A study by PhoCusWright Inc., an independent market research firm, found that AAA.com consistently offers the lowest average hotel rates and best initial hotel rates when compared with other online providers. “While no hotel or travel company can claim it offers the best rate every time, members are much more likely to find a better rate at AAA.com,” said Jim Lehman, president, AAA East Central. The online audit reviewed rates for stays in a standard double room at AAA Diamond® Rated properties in the top 20 U.S. metro areas for leisure travel. They found AAA was likely to have the best rate a whooping 66% of the time. “This study reconfirms what we have known all along: that AAA consistently offers the best rate and value to travelers,” said Lehman.

system to take the guesswork out of booking a room. Whether you’re looking for a luxury resort or a cozy bed & breakfast, check out our complete list of nearly 58,000 Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants. You’ll be sure to find accommodations that fit your budget and your travel plans from these AAA staff-reviewed and rated accommodations. Each property listed is selected only after a thorough, unannounced evaluation by AAA Inspectors. Since listings are provided free of charge to AAA Approved® establishments, you can be assured that they were selected on the basis of merit alone.

A PERFECT FIT — AAA offers thousands of hotels rooms of all shapes, sizes and budgets. Members who book through AAA.com automatically receive the best rates at Best Western Hotels & Resorts; the Hilton family of brands, including Hampton, Double Tree and Embassy Suites; Hyatt Hotels; the Marriott family of brands, including Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites; Starwood, including Westin, Sheraton and Four Points; and MGM Resorts. Just click on AAA.com; or call toll-free (866) AAA-SAVE (866-222-7283) — and receive the best rate plus a satisfac-

tion guarantee at any of AAA’s lodging partners. Plus no other site can match AAA’s portfolio of trip planning tools like the AAA Mobile® app for tablets and smartphones; the desktop and mobile versions of the TripTik® Travel Planner online mapping and routing tool, searchable Travel Guides on AAA.com and AAA TourBook® guides available free to members at AAA offices. When choosing a hotel, depend on the AAA-approved Diamond Rating

THE DIAMOND RATING DIFFERENCE

♦ Budget-oriented, offering basic comfort and hospitality. ♦♦ Affordable, with modestly enhanced facilities, decor and amenities. ♦♦♦ Distinguished, multifaceted with enhanced physical attributes, amenities and guest comforts. ♦♦♦♦ Refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail. ♦♦♦♦♦ Ultimate luxury, sophistication and comfort with extraordinary physical attributes, meticulous personalized service, extensive amenities and impeccable standards of excellence.

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Make your own music on Nevis, St. Kitts & St. Croix Mix some history with your holiday in this tropical utopia

amilton the musical is the toast of Broadway. This pop culture portrait of the suddenly hip founding father is set to the pulsing cadences of hip-hop. Anyone who knows about the musical also knows just how hard it is to get tickets. You may not have the political muscle to see the show but you can visit the places where the man whose likeness graces the ten-dollar bill grew up. Alexander Hamilton was born in 1755 on the island of Nevis, in the British West Indies. Nevis and neighboring St. Kitts seem to embody a kind of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific. The two-island nation is an artful mélange of sunlight, cooling trade winds and tropical flowers. Just 19 degrees north of the equator, the islands are popular cruise destinations with over half a million passengers expected to arrive during the 2016 Caribbean season. Cruise lines calling here include Celebrity, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. This two-story Georgian style building in Charlestown where Hamilton lived until the age of nine is now a museum. Visitors can learn about the strategic role the island played during colonial-era power struggles.

TOPICAL TROPICS — Nevis is a perfect mixture of nature and history.

Photo

courtesy Nevis Tourism Authority.

Just outside of town are the ruins of the Hamilton Estate, a sugar plantation once owned by members of the Hamilton family. Sightseers can take a guided hike around the property, which offers excellent views of Charlestown and St. Kitts from the hillsides. Hamilton is not the islands’ only connection with the founding fathers. Romney Manor on St. Kitts is a restored

estate house built by Thomas Jefferson’s brother on the slopes of a dormant volcano. The estate’s 9 acre topical garden was planted in the middle of the 19th century. Between 1765 and 1772 Hamilton lived on the island of St. Croix. The family settled in Christiansted, resplendent with restored 17th- and 18th century Danish Creole buildings set against

a backdrop of lush green hills. The Danes constructed Fort Christiansvaern in 1749 to defend the island against pirates and other colonial rivals. Today, the National Park Service maintains the fort as the Christiansted National Historic Site. The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is an intoxicating blend of swaying palms, colonial architecture and spectacular marine habitats. The historic Frederiksted Pier — located on the western side of the island — recently completed a multi-million dollar restoration and cruise lines calling here include Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America. This area is known for having calm waters and easy access to the beach. Nearby Turtle Beach has been voted one of the world’s most beautiful by National Geographic. In August 1772 a hurricane devastated St. Croix and the 17-year-old Hamilton — now orphaned and penniless — set off for America. Five years later he became chief aide to General Washington. FOR MORE INFORMATION

See this issue’s Departures section or visit AAA.com/cruises for special values on Caribbean cruise vacations.

Tails are wagging for the 2016 AAA PetBook 18th edition features top dogs from across the country

tay out of the doghouse when traveling with your furry family members. If you’ve ever arrived where you’re going — tired, hungry and dogs barking — only to discover an unexpected pet policy, you’re not alone. Get the scoop on what to know, before you go, with The AAA PetBook and AAA.com/PetBook website. We help you prepare for the ride, find help in an emergency and choose places to stay, play and eat where the whole gang’s welcome, fur and all! You can also views the winners and runners up from the annual AAA PetBook® Photo Contest on the covers and in a 16-page insert. Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is a valuable resource for those who enjoy bringing their pets 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. “Vacationing with your pets can be a rewarding experience that offers memories to last a lifetime,” said Jim Lehman, president & CEO AAA East Central. “AAA is pleased to provide traveling pet owners with reliable information for planning vacations that include the

STAR POWER — Brie, Bentley and Tyler are among the many traveling dogs featured in the 2016 AAA PetBook. whole family.” The surging trend of pet travel has put more bite into vacation demands, and destinations are listening. 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 attractions that welcome pets or provide on-site kennel service, dog parks and pet-friendly national

public lands. There’s also useful guidance on emergency clinics, U.S./Canada border crossing information and pet travel planning tips, etiquette and safety. Here are some tips to keep them safe on the ride: • Be sure your pet is healthy enough to travel. Cats and dogs will need up-todate vaccinations, a good report from the veterinarian and a supply of regularly taken prescription medications. • Take short practice trips with pets that have never traveled before as well as

pets who get car sick and need time to get used to the motion of the car. • Keep pets safe inside vehicles by restraining them with either a traveling crate or a harness that attaches to the seat belt. • When traveling by car, bring plenty of fresh water plan for twice as many rest stops as you would for a small child. • Make sure your pet is leashed before opening the car door. It should also have an identification tag, and information about your destination should you get separated. • Never leave a pet in a parked car. Even on pleasant days the temperature inside can soar to 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke.

READY FOR YOUR CLOSE UP

Capture your pet’s most memorable travel moments and enter your “best-in-travel” photograph before November 30, 2016. Winners will be featured in the 19th edition of the AAA PetBook, published in May 2017. Photos of winners and finalists, contest rules, entry forms and valuable pet travel tips can be accessed at AAA.com/PetBook. The AAA PetBook, cover price of $18.95 is available at participating AAA offices, select booksellers and online bookstores.

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Are your children ready for summer travel? Top tips to help kids safe in cars this summer

arbecues, fireworks, s’mores and swimming — they’re summer staples. They rarely change because when you know something works, you stick with it. You know what else stands the test of time? Car seat safety tips. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a staggering three out of four car seats are incorrectly installed. Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death among children and about one third the children under age 4 who die in crashes are completely unrestrained. It’s important that parents and caregivers do all they can to make sure their littlest passengers are protected. A properly installed car seat can help dramatically reduce injury and prevent death. That’s why Buckle Up for Life, a national car seat safety program from Cincinnati Children’s and Toyota, is sharing the following tips, just in time for the busy summer road trip season. Always use the “Inch Test” and the “Pinch Test”. Pinch the car seat strap near the child’s shoulder; if you can pinch a wrinkle in the fabric, tighten the strap until it is snug. For the “Inch Test”, grab the car seat from the back and bottom and tug from side to side and front to back. If the seat moves more than an inch in either direction, tighten it. Never add towels or extra layers

and test to ensure plastic or metal buckles are not hot. Once the seat’s temperature has reached a comfortable level, always buckle your child in as usual — even for short trips. Never leave children or pets alone in the car, especially in the summer, when temperatures can escalate dangerously in a matter of minutes. Secure loose items in the car. Make sure all loose items — including summer travel essentials such as beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas and suitcases — are tightly secured in your vehicle. These objects could become projectiles in the event of a crash. Don’t forget to check the expiration dates on the child safety seats you’re using, as well. Exposure to sun, cold, and heat, as well as general wear and tear, degrade the plastic and foam in the seats, so they begin to lose their effectiveness.

PLEASE BE SEATED — Child passenger restraints can dramatically reduce the odds of injury in a crash. Gino Degrandis photo courtesy of Toyota. between the seat and your child. Car seats can get hot in summer weather, but don’t pile up towels in your child’s seat to keep them cool. Extra material could interfere with the seat’s ability to restrain the child in the event of a crash, so it is important to only use accessories and products specifically

approved for use by the seat’s manufacturer. Take time to cool off; then buckle up. If the car seat is hot because of high summer temperatures, take some extra time to cool the car down before placing your child in the seat. Open the windows, turn on the air conditioner,

FOR MORE INFORMATION

SafeSeats4Kids.AAA.com is your go-to resource on child passenger safety. Here you will find helpful tips on proper car seat selection and installation, which are important in keeping kids safe while traveling in vehicles. It features expert advice, recall information, how-to videos, state law information and fun activities for kids.

aroundtown STERLING RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL — (July 2–Aug.14) Watch more than 200 professional stagehands and actors re-create the look and feel of an English Renaissance Village. There will be about 80 stage and street performances. The festival will also feature savory delicacies and artisans and craftsmen. Location: Farden Road, Sterling Contact: 800- 879-4446. ALL SHOOK UP! — (July 7–17) Not a biography but a new musical comedy based on songs made famous by Elvis! Somewhere in Middle America, a young girl meets a mysterious man wearing a leather jacket and playing the guitar. The stranger helps a small town discover the magic of Rock and Roll. This show will feature 24 of Elvis’ songs like Heartbreak Hotel and the title tune. Performance times are: July 7th, 8th, and 9th at 7:30 p.m.; July 10th at 3 p.m. On July 14th, 15th and 16th the times are 7:30; July 17th at 3 p.m. Location: Historic Palace Theatre, 2 East Avenue, Lockport Contact: 716-438-1130. GREASE POLE FESTIVAL — (July 8–10) See teams of five climb to the top of the 35-foot-high greased pole! This 47th annual event is one of the oldest family-oriented local events. Also featured will be rides and games,

dancing and food. Admission is free. Location: Augustin Pucho Olivencia Community Center, 261 Swan Street, Buffalo. Contact: 716-8521648. PIRATE FESTIVAL — (July 8–10) See Pirates walking the street during this festival. Also featured will be musical entertainment, a parade and rides, stage performances, a car show and fireworks! Free admission! Location: Krull Park, Olcott. Contact: 716-778-9252. NEW YORK STATE BLUES FESTIVAL — (July 8–9) One of the biggest blues festivals in the country! This is a community focused event that will feature national and regional workshops and performers. Location: Clinton Square, Syracuse. Contact: 315-470-1910. TASTE OF BUFFALO — (July 9–10) Over 50 restaurants and wineries will be participating in this festival. There will be entertainment on four stages. Location: Delaware Avenue, Buffalo. Contact: 716-656-1214. GENESEO AIR SHOW — (July 9–10) Enjoy a variety of stunning aerial performances at this annual event. Location: Geneseo Airport, Geneseo. Contact: 585-243-2100. CORN HILL ARTS FESTIVAL — (July 9–10) Festival plays host to over 500 of our country’s finest craftspeople

and artists. Visitors can enjoy live music at several locations. Various locations in Rochester Contact: 585262-3142. CYCLE THE ERIE CANAL BIKE TOUR — (July 10–17) This bike tour is mostly along the scenic Erie Canal. There will be beautiful scenery on this 8 day, 400 mile journey. Location: Nichols School, Buffalo. Contact: 518-434-1583. ITALIAN HERITAGE AND FOOD FESTIVAL — (July 14–16) One of the largest Italian festivals in the United States! This family-oriented event features great food, culture, music and entertainment. Free admission! Location: Hertel Avenue, Buffalo. Contact: 716-874-6133. BURGERFEST — (July 16) Come celebrate the birth of the hamburger! Enjoy burger tastings and contests, music, bed races, a classic car show, arts and crafts and children’s activities. Free admission. Location: Downtown Hamburg. Contact: 716648-4167. SANBORN-LEWISTON FARM MUSEUM FESTIVAL — (July 23-24) Seeing antique engines and equipment, plus a classic car cruise, flea market and live entertainment. Free admission. Location: Sanborn-Lewiston Farm Museum. Contact: 716-9906909.

PLYMOUTH FIFE AND DRUM CORPS — (July 23) Don’t miss this Michiganbased fife and drum corp’s performance at Old Fort Niagara. Start time is about 4:30 p.m. Location: Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown. Contact: 716-745-7611. FRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL — (July 21-24) Celebrate the friendship between Canada and the USA with a midway, concerts, crafts and fireworks. Free admission. Location: Riverside Park, Buffalo and various locations in Fort Erie. Contact: 888-333-1987. ORLEANS COUNTY 4-H FAIR — (July 25–30) Enjoy all kinds of hands on activities, animals, amusement rides and exhibits! Location: Orleans County Fair Grounds, Albion. Contact: 585-798-4265. NIAGARA USA WINE FESTIVAL — (July 30–31) Sample vintages from Niagara Wine Trail wineries. Tickets do not include transportation. Designated drivers and non-drinkers are welcome at the wineries at no charge. Tickets are valid for both days and cost $25 per person in advance and $30 the day of the event. Hours are Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Guests will receive 3 wine tastings at each winery and a commemorative festival wine glass. Location: Village of Lewiston. Contact: 716-778-7001.

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Fatal crashes involving marijuana double after legalization Research provides a case study for what other states might experience

arly returns are in when it comes to fatal crashes in a state that has legalized the recreational use of marijuana. And they’re not good. According to new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research, fatal crashes involving drivers who had recently used marijuana doubled in Washington after the state legalized the drug at the end of 2012. In the study, researchers found the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes who had a detectable level of active THC—the main chemical component in marijuana—in their blood at or shortly after the time of the crash more than doubled, from 8 to 17, between 2013 and 2014. Additionally, one in six drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2014 had recently used marijuana. “The significant increase in fatal crashes involving marijuana is alarming,” said foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger. Washington and Colorado were the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana, and the AAA findings raise serious concerns as other states consider changing their marijuana laws. Alaska, Oregon and the District of Columbia also have legalized recreational marijuana use, and 20 other states have legalized it for therapeutic and medicinal purposes.

A Growing Problem Marijuana use behind the wheel

is growing nationwide. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, nearly 13 percent of weekend nighttime drivers had evidence of recent marijuana intake in their systems in 2013, the latest year for which figures are available, up from 9 percent in 2007. Some states have created legal, or “per se,” limits, which specify that having more than a certain concentration of THC in one’s blood while driving is illegal in and of itself, regardless of whether there is additional evidence that the driver is impaired. However, new research shows that marijuana per

History comes to life on the Erie Canal

he Erie Canal was dug by hand in the 1800’s to connect the Hudson River with the Niagara River. Today, the 363-mile canal looks much the same as it did a century ago and it remains a remarkable feat of engineering. Visitors who want to enjoy the canal can take a narrated cruise, or explore some of the natural beauty, manmade artifacts and unique geological formations. Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises depart from a restored 1840s stone warehouse at 210 Market St. off SR 31. The two-hour cruises include “locking through” and being raised the 49 ft. elevation up the Niagara Escarpment. It travels quietly past the original 1800s locks, under an inverted trestle bridge and lift bridges, and alongside the original towpath. Watch water cascade over Lockport’s famous “Flight of Five” 1840’s locks, and travel through the solid walls of the “rock cut” as your captain describes the architecture, sights, and legends along the way. Trips depart daily at 10, 12:30 and 3, mid-June through Labor Day; daily at 12:30 and 3 (also Sat. at 10), early May to mid-June and day after Labor Day to mid-October. Tickets are adults $17.50; $9 (ages 4-10). AAA mem-

bers save $1.50 per adult on regularly scheduled cruises only. Visitors can also experience a unique and mysterious underground boat ride that has been described as both “peaceful and eerie”. The Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride offers and exciting 70-minute guided tour through America’s past. Explore the historic and newly rehabilitated “Flight of Five” Erie Canal Locks 67-71 constructed in 1838. Walk through a 2,100-foot hydraulic tunnel that was blasted out of solid rock. This ingenious tunnel once provided water-power to three industries. View relics of the industrial revolution, along with stalactites, flow stone, stunning geological formations and artifacts left behind by the men who built the tunnel and the Erie Canal. Evening Lantern Light Tours let you explore the canal, tour the cave by the flickering light of a lantern. Tour run from May to the end of October and admission prices are: Adults: $15.00*, Children (5-12): $10.00*, Children 4 and under: $3.00* *Admission prices do not include tax. AAA members receive a 10% discount off Cave Tours. The Underground Boat Ride is included as part of the tour.

se limits are arbitrary and unsupported by science, raising concerns that some unsafe motorists might go free, while others could be wrongfully convicted. AAA Foundation researchers examined lab results of drivers arrested for impaired driving and results suggested: • No science shows drivers reliably become impaired at a specific level of marijuana in the blood. This is different from alcohol, for which the relationship between blood alcohol concentration and impairment is well understood and predictable. • A driver’s THC level may drop from above a legal threshold to below it

in the time between when a driver is stopped by the police or involved in a crash and when a blood test is administered. It can take hours to obtain blood samples, because they typically require warrants and transport to a facility. • Marijuana affects people differently, making it challenging to develop consistent and fair guidelines. “There is understandably a strong desire by lawmakers and the public to create legal limits for marijuana impairment in the same manner as we do with alcohol,” said AAA President and CEO Marshall L. Doney. “In the case of marijuana, this approach is flawed and not supported by scientific research. It’s simply not possible today to determine whether a driver is impaired based solely on the amount of the drug in his or her body.” AAA is urging states where marijuana use is legal to use more comprehensive enforcement measures, including a two-component system that requires a positive test for recent marijuana use, as well as behavioral and physiological evidence obtained by law enforcement, to convict a person of marijuanaimpaired driving. “Marijuana can affect driver safety by impairing vehicle control and judgment,” Doney said. “States need consistent, strong and fair enforcement measures to ensure the increased use of marijuana does not impact road safety.”

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