SEE PAGE 3
KENTUCKY
Vol. 35 No. 3
MARCH 2014
Intimate. Human-scaled. Personal. Docked in the heart of a destination. Perks virtually unimaginable on large-ship ocean cruises!
Receive the Latest AAA News in Your Inbox
SAVE $100.00!
Book select 2014 European river cruises by 3/31/14. PER STATEROOM
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
AAA WANTS A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR CAR DATA
Learn about the latest AAA specials and find more ways to save 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 news and more. Once you receive your first newsletter, select which additional free updates you’d like to receive. Interested in learning about Travel specials? Get the Travel e-News, with getaway packages and offers just for members. 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.
Universal Orlando Offers Free Third Day
The European River Cruising Experience
W
hen is a cruise not just a cruise? When it’s a European river cruise. More and more travelers are discovering — and supremely enjoying — this fastest growing “current” in travel. Today’s river cruise is an exceptional travel experience that takes you to — and into — a destination in a way that no other tour can. It’s simultaneously relaxing, exciting and even educational (but in the most enjoyable way!). AAA Travel now makes European river cruising even more attractive by offering $100.00 per stateroom (double occupancy) for new bookings & deposits by 3/31/14 of a 2014 cruise with these partners: AmaWaterwaysTM, Uniworld® Boutique River Cruise Collection® and Viking River Cruises. And AAA members also enjoy exclusive benefits (box at right). & enjoy
ish bathroom with gleaming fixtures. These floating hotels dock either right in the heart of downtown areas or within easy walking distance; great location and ease of access mean a better cultural experience.
GREAT CITIES, GREAT SIGHTS On an ocean cruise, the ship is often the destination; though luxurious itself, a river cruise vessel is more a means to experience the destination rather than being the destination itself. Throughout the course of human history, great cities grew along waterways — Paris on the Seine, London on the Thames, Budapest on the Danube. Today river cities continue to embrace the arteries along which they sprouted, and their true hearts are revealed on and around their banks. Witness the timeless connection and interaction between city and river these from the water’s perspective – landmarks hugging shorelines, AAA Member Benefits vessels ferrying folks from bank AmaWaterwaysTM to bank, bridges soaring and $100.00 SAVINGS per person arcing overhead, couples snugand a BOTTLE OF WINE per stateroom gling on overlooks.
SAVE $100.00 ADDITIONAL
SUPER VESSELS Low-slung and luxurious river cruise liners glide in style through picturesque valleys peppered with historic castles, verdant vineyards and charmUNIWORLD® CULTURE, HISTORY, PEOPLE ing villages and into inviting Boutique River Cruise Collection® Unlike ocean cruising, river vibrant cities that traditional Up to $250.00 SAVINGS per person, based on cruise duration cruising very often allows you ocean cruises can’t reach. And, more opportunities (and, often, with guest capacities all unVIKING RIVER CRUISES more time) to fully experience der 200, these sleek rivercraft Up to $200.00 ONBOARD CREDIT and get an authentic sense of a never feel crowded, greatly enper person, based on cruise duration place. By docking right in the hancing your onboard experiheart of a city, little time is needed to transence. fer to points of interest. In some places, local Vast open-air top decks allow 360° views of entertainers may even board your vessel to passing scenery. Large windows and French present special cultural performances. Complibalconies permit private viewing from the mentary shore excursions feature local guides, comfort of your stateroom just feet above the VIP access to attractions and like-minded river’s placid and serene waters. guests. Beyond the included daytime sightseeSoak up the never-ending panoply of life uning, some passengers opt to go ashore during folding before and beside you; it’s a mesmerizthe evening to embrace the local nightlife on ing, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable way to their own. For example, instead of a cocktail see the world. Plus, you’ll unpack just once in onboard, they may stroll into a centuries-old your elegantly appointed boutique stateroom tavern for a local libation and entertainment. featuring sumptuous bedding, as well as a stylcontinued on page 15
Through May 9, AAA members purchasing a two-day Universal Orlando ticket will receive free admission for a third day. The resort features two theme parks – Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure – along with the Universal CityWalk nightlife attraction and three AAA Four Diamond hotels. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is the most talked about theme park attraction on the planet. Special member savings are available on advance purchases through AAA.com/universal.
The Polar Bear Capital of the World Every fall, hundreds of polar bears gather on the outskirts of Churchill, Manitoba, on the western shore of Hudson Bay, about 1,000 miles northeast of Winnipeg. Now you can view one of nature’s greatest spectacles on AAA Travel’s Oct. 20-26 Polar Bear Adventure. This AAA Featured Vacation also offers member level discounts of $200-$300 when you book and deposit by Mar. 31, 2014. SEE PAGE 14
Say Aloha With Aloha Days Deals There is never a bad time to visit the Aloha State and AAA Travel and Pleasant Holidays are making Hawaii more affordable than ever with some amazing Aloha Days deals, including a $50 per booking Activity Voucher, plus a free 5-day Hertz car rental, or a $100 Activity Voucher per booking, plus a Hertz car rental upgrade. SEE PAGE 7
Set Your Sails for the Caribbean Set sail on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. AAA members who book a Balcony Stateroom by March 30, 2014 will receive prepaid gratuities (value up to $168), plus a $50 onboard credit per stateroom, plus Specialty Dining. (1 night for 2 guests). SEE PAGE 7
PAGE 2
AAA TRAVELER
MARCH 2014
Reward yourself at AAA Discounts & Rewards Savings that pay for the cost of your membership
A
AA Discounts & Rewards gets you more. More discounts. More rewards. More savings on the items you need from the names you know and the brands you trust. It’s all about getting more value from your AAA membership. This innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com offers deep discounts, limited-time offers and daily deals on dining, electronics, home, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide. Discover great deals from national chains like Kohl’s, Macy’s, Best Buy, The Gap and The Home Depot at unbeatable prices. It’s just one of the many perks of being a AAA member. It’s simple. The more you use your AAA membership card, the quicker the savings pay for the cost of your membership. You might just be surprised at how quickly they all add up. And AAA makes saving on thousands of items easy. The AAA Discounts & Rewards shopping portal at AAA.com/ discounts features an intuitive, easyto-navigate interface to help you find exactly what you are looking for with just a few simple clicks. Check out some of the enticing limited-time offers, or customize your shopping experience to receive weekly Perk Alerts featuring our top offers to help you take advantage of our best deals. Over time Perk Alerts will become
THE WOW FACTOR — Save serious cash and earn WOWPoints at AAA Discounts & Rewards. more targeted and tailored to your needs.
Score some WOWPoints
In addition to discount offers, you’ll
Give Yourself an Upgrade— to the highest level of protection available! Get more from your membership. Upgrade to AAA Premier. With expanded roadside assistance — and a host of other benefits — AAA Premier is a smart choice. To upgrade your membership, call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at
1-800-441-5008
earn reward points to redeem for extra savings. WOWPoints are AAA’s online reward points — just like the loyalty points you get from credit cards or airlines. One hundred WOWPoints always equals $1 and they are yours to keep. Your WOWPoints will never expire as long as you are a AAA member! Redeem them anytime.
The 5 Star Advantage
Look for special offers that earn you 3X, 6X, even 10X the WOWPoints. Earn 5,000 WOWPoints in one calendar year and receive 5 STAR Status. You’ll earn 50% more WOWPoints on each purchase — even when you’re redeeming WOWPoints. Now that’s rewarding!
Save Online and In-store
In addition to saving with over 30,000 online retailers, AAA members can also show their AAA membership card at over 100,000 participating store locations. No clipping coupons or fumbling for lost flyers — all you have to do
is show your AAA membership card and save! And remember to download the free AAA Mobile app for places to save, wherever you go. AAA East Central members can access the AAA Discounts & Rewards page from AAA.com/discounts. Feel free to browse through all the offers, however, you must register at the time of transaction. Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Register online at AAA.com/discounts today. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, movie and attraction tickets, restaurants and retailers. You’ll be surprised at just how much more your AAA membership is worth. FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the AAA Discounts program or to sign up free for AAA Discounts & Rewards visit AAA.com/Discounts.
MARCH 2014
AAA TRAVELER
PAGE 3
AAA wants a consumer bill of rights for car data
Connected cars improve safety, but raise privacy concerns Kentucky Official publication of AAA East Central Published monthly (except bimonthly Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.) by AAA East Central 321 Whittington Parkway, Louisville, Kentucky 40222 USPS 891-900 ISSN 1941-3696 Periodicals Postage Paid at Louisville, Kentucky Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA, Traveler, Kentucky c/o AAA, 321 Whittington Parkway Louisville, KY 40222 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year. Publisher .................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ...........................Douglas O’Neil Editorial Office 321 Whittington Parkway, Louisville, KY 40222 (502) 582-3311 e-mail: ky-aaatraveler@aaaec.com
AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman: ................................................Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman:....................................... James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman:....................................... Douglas W. Caldwell Vice Chairman:.........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman:.................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President: ....................................................James E. Lehman Assistant Treasurer: ........................................ Edith W. Martel Secretary: ................................................ Robert H. Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, Richard D. Linderman**, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** KENTUCKY REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman .............................................Dan Ray Clagett Vice-Chairman .......................................Gary K. Munsie Robert S. Allison**, Kurt Broecker**, James E. Broome, Carolle Jones Clay, Bart Doerhoefer, Elizabeth Hughes, James M. McDonnell, Dennis Newberry**, Bruce J. Roth**, Robert Royer**, Tuck Tinsley, III, Jack Wilson**
By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central ew car technologies are changing the way we drive by making the experience both simpler and safer than ever before. The must-have option for cars in the near future won’t be a sunroof or leather seats—it will be ultra high-bandwidth connectivity. Within a decade the majority of vehicles on the road will be able to identify problems before breakdowns occur, reduce crashes and help drivers save time and money. These vehicles can automatically send real-time data about a crash along with vehicle location to first responders. They are capable of generating prognostic data that can predict a mechanical problem even before the problem occurs. This could prevent the inconvenience of a breakdown and help consumers better manage the timing and expense of vehicle care. Vehicle-to-vehicle or (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications can warn drivers of potential collisions, dangerous road conditions and other impediments to safe travel. In February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it wants V2V technology installed in all new cars and trucks. Research conducted at DOT and NHTSA estimates that V2V has the potential to help drivers avoid or mitigate 70 to 80 percent of vehicle crashes involving unimpaired drivers. This could help prevent thousands of deaths and injuries on our roads every year.
N
Richard Hamilton Location-based services and connected cars offer the promise of a brave new world of driving security, but some of these benefits may come with a price — your privacy. Many of these functions are only made possible through the collection of vast amounts of data. About 1-in-5 new cars sold this year will collect and transmit data outside the vehicle, yet most drivers have no idea about the information they’re sending out. While AAA applauds NHTSA’s recent V2V announcement, we would still like to see better privacy protections in place. Congress needs to pass legislation that prohibits access to this data without permission from the owner, or from a court order, unless the data is used for research purposes and cannot
membersonly
*ex officio **emeritus directors MAIN OFFICE Hurstbourne 321 Whittington Parkway ......................................502-425-7885 BRANCH OFFICES Downtown 445 East Market Street .........................................502-581-0665 Shively 1805 Rockford Lane............................................. 502-449-2529 Fern Valley 3614 Fern Valley Road ......................................... 502-964-3787 Elizabethtown 2914 Ring Road................................................... 270-765-4109 800-813-7284 Owensboro 1600 Frederica Street ...........................................270-683-8034 800-974-1872 Paducah 2909 James Sanders Boulevard ............................270-443-6478 866-764-4666 Bowling Green 1770 Scottsville Road ..........................................270-781-7235 877-506-0057 Emergency Road Service ONLY (Louisville area): 423-8222 Auto Travel Information (Louisville area): 582-2326 Membership Information (Louisville area): 423-5733 Insurance information: 582-3311 or 800-727-2552 Travel Agency information: 800-727-2552 In Kentucky, where no club office is available, call 800-727-2552 or visit AAA.com. For advertising information, contact: Leah Koch • Regional Sales Manager H&A Media Group 402- 592-5000, ext 472 Lkoch@hamediagroup.com Copyright ©2014 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Traveler does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Traveler or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.
be tracked to a single vehicle. Motorists should also retain ownership of any data their vehicles generate. AAA is urging the administration to enshrine the tenets of transparency, choice and security by adopting its “Consumer Rights for Car Data.” Transparency — Consumers have a right to clearly understand what information is being collected from their vehicle and how it is being used. Businesses and the government should be transparent about the collection and use of vehicle data. Choice — Consumers have a right to decide with whom to share their data and for what purpose. This includes ongoing monitoring of vehicle systems, repair and any data of the vehicle owner’s choice. Customers should not be forced to relinquish control as a condition of purchasing or leasing a vehicle, or of receiving a connected-vehicle service. Security — Consumers have a right to expect that connected-vehicle manufacturers and service providers will use reasonable measures to protect vehicle data systems and services against unauthorized access and misuse. As vehicles become more integrated with wireless technology, there will be more avenues through which your personal information can be accessed, harvested and shared with third parties. Without clear disclosures and safeguards in place, there is no guarantee that it will not be misused or exploited, or compromise a driver’s basic right to privacy.
Moving home from college made easy Penske Truck Rental offers tips for moving 101
M
illions of students shift their belongings back and forth from colleges and universities each year and students will soon begin their annual trek back home. Moving is never any fun, but there are things you can do to make it easier for everyone involved. Whether you’re a senior or a sophomore, the experts at Penske Truck Rental have a curriculum to help you, or your college-age student make the move home: Don’t wait — Springtime and graduation weeks are peak moving times for both students and families living near or around campus. Reserve a truck before they’re all rented out — at least two weeks prior to your move. If you can, try to move on a weekday — weekends are always the busiest moving days. Pack in increments — Start early to avoid the stress of last-minute rushing. It’s OK to leave a box open in case you need something you’ve packed inside it.
Pack smart — Bring home only ® what you need. Before you toss something consider donating any usable items to fellow students or various charities. Load your heaviest items on the truck first to create a sturdy base, then start stacking on top. Boxes, packing tape, bubble pack, moving blankets, and hand trucks are also essential to keeping your belongings safer and making your move easier. Think safety — A moving truck is taller, wider and heavier than cars or SUVs. So, drive a bit slower and take extra care when making turns, driving under overhangs or near low tree branches. Penske offers 24/7/365 emergency roadside assistance in case you have a problem. Make it fun — Keep a positive attitude during the move – play music, spring for pizza after all the work is done and don’t let frustration get to you. Penske moving trucks have CD
players, radios, air conditioning and cell-phone outlet chargers — all the things necessary for a comfortable, enjoyable ride. Go green and save green — Save on expenses and be kinder to the environment by moving together with someone from your area. Check with your residence life office on campus to help find someone to share the load. Pack a go bag — With most belongings packed tightly away, create a travel bag for moving day to keep important paperwork, credit cards, identification, change of clothes, drinks and snacks close at hand. Whether you need a truck for moving across the country or down the street, Penske Truck Rental offers significant savings for AAA members. Save 12% on one-way & local truck rentals and 12% off moving supplies and accessories. Offer only applicable to daily fixed rate and any mileage charges. Book online and save up to 20% on one-way rentals at PenskeTruckRental.com.
PAGE 4
AAA TRAVELER
MARCH 2014
MARCH 2014
AAA TRAVELER
PAGE 5
PAGE 6
AAA TRAVELER
MARCH 2014
Ireland is like no other place under heaven The Emerald Isle really is like Irish stew for the soul
I
t’s said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten. Here the landscape has a poetic resonance, and history is something you can touch and feel. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, near Limerick, is a 25-acre living history museum that vividly recreates 19th-century Ireland with rural farmhouses, village shops and of course a pub. The 15th century Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Ireland has over one thousand castles and visitors can explore 800 years of history at King John’s Castle in the heart of medieval Limerick. The 13th century castle stands watch over the banks of the River Shannon and is one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Europe. Towering 700-feet above the coast are the fabled Cliffs of Moher. Those who brave the chill can actually watch the gales sweeping in from the Atlantic. In Foynes, the Flying Boat Museum recalls the early days of air travel, when transatlantic traffic landed here to refuel. Visitors can learn how to make authentic Irish Coffee, invented here to warm weary passengers. The Ring of Kerry — a 100-mile route that winds around the Iveragh Peninsula — is Ireland’s most popular scenic drive. Here the mountains tumble into the sea in a landscape woven like a fine Irish tweed. Green valleys stitched with heather, flecked
From the elegant Georgian townhouses, to the whimsical Hapenny Bridge over the River Liffey, Dublin is a cosmopolitan city with a quality all its own. View the gaunt figures at the Famine Memorial, or trace your family history at the Glasnevin Museum. Ireland’s national necropolis is the final resting place of Michael Collins, Brendan Behan and many more. View the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells at Trinity College, or enjoy a Guinness in an authentic Irish pub. Here the art of conversation finds effortless expression and no one remains a stranger for long.
IF YOU GO
ON THE EDGE — Ireland’s magical landscapes will take your breath away. with wildflowers and wandering sheep. Take in a sheepdog demonstration and learn how these amazing border collies are trained. Stop by Moll’s Gap for expansive mountain vistas and visit the Skellig Experience on Valencia Island, to learn about the medieval monks who worked and prayed on these isolated, rocky islands. Historic Blarney Castle is about five miles from the ancient city of Cork. High up in the battlements is the Blarney Stone, believed to be half of the Stone
of Scone, and said to bestow the gift of eloquence for a kiss. In the port town of Cobh, visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of Irish emigration to America. Waterford is the creative heart of Ireland’s traditional crafts. Learn about glass blowing and cutting at the House of Waterford Crystal. Experience the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Blessington, and stately Russborough House, a Palladian mansion filled with antique treasures.
AAA’s 6-night Irish Heritage departs October 5-12, 2014. Highlights include medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Blarney/ Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Tour, and Dublin City Tour. This AAA Featured Vacation includes motorcoach transportation, 6 nights hotel accommodations, 11 meals, admissions, sightseeing and guide as per itinerary, hotel taxes, service charges, and baggage handling. Ask about add on airfare. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/Europe for more European vacation ideas.
MARCH 2014
PAGE 7
AAA TRAVELER
Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
GETAWAYS FROM THE Now’s the k time to kicth e the cold to lfill fu curb and tion your vaca dreams in 2014!
PREPAID GRATUITIES OF UP TO $168 PREPAID COMPLIMENTARY SPECIALTYDINNER DININGFOR FOR22 $75.00 ONBOARD CREDIT
$50.00 SAVINGS FREE 5-DAY HERTZ RENTAL & $50.00 ACTIVITY VOUCHER FREE HERTZ RENTAL UPGRADE & $100.00 ACTIVITY VOUCHER
Bask in sultry HAWAII with car & activity values and $50.00 savings!
Heat-seeking CARIBBEAN CRUISE on Allure hotter with member perks!
The only real cold you’re likely to experience in Hawaii is an ice-filled tropical drink...a traditional rainbow-hued “shave ice” snowcone treat... or your accommodation’s air conditioning turned on full blast! In addition to an ideal year-round climate and plentiful sunshine, Hawaii offers a warm and inviting Aloha Spirit and promises you an unforgettable vacation experience. Hawaii is hiking sculpted cliffs or diving amid coral reefs in the afternoon and dining to slack-key guitar at sunset. Fresh, floral breezes energize you. Warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking natural beauty renews you. Year-round gentle weather surrounds you on every island. With fiery volcanoes and cavorting whales, the islands are rich with natural wonders. Look around.There’s no place on earth like Hawaii. AAA Travel and Pleasant Holidays can customize the perfect Hawaii vacation for every traveler — from 5-star luxury to family-friendly value. And, when you book your Hawaiian getaway during Aloha Days (now through April 30, 2014), you’ll enjoy added perks to enhance your vacation experience — from $50.00 savings to a free 5-day Hertz car rental or a rental upgrade. And don’t forget your AAA member benefits — a voucher valued at up to $100.00 toward an optional sightseeing tour or activity. See the offer details in the ad on the next page. The size and scope of AAA and Pleasant Holidays give us unique purchasing power to negotiate low accommodation rates — and we pass those savings on to you. We also offer ultimate peace of mind, with round-the-clock customer service and a choice of travel protection plans. The folks at Pleasant Holidays are known as the Hawaii activity experts. Before leaving for the Aloha State, you can choose from hundreds of optional activities that will make your vacation even more enjoyable and more memorable. Whether you enjoy partaking in physically active pastimes or just taking in a special dinner or entertainment (or both!), you’ll find something of interest in Pleasant Holidays’ Hawaii’s activities “menu.” And you can utilize Pleasant Holidays’ exclusive concierge services to set up golf tee times in ad-
Banish the winter blues with a plan to make your dreams of abundant abunsunshine, dant sunshine, bathing-suit bathing-suit temperatures temperatures and adventures and adventures of a lifetime of a lifetime come comethis true true October. this October. That’s That’s when when Royal Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean’s “floating “floating fantasy fantasy reresort,” sort,” Allure Allure ofof the the Seas, Seas, embarks embarks onon a 7-night a x-night fantastic fantastic voyage voyage from from Ft Lauderdale to Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten. Maarten this Oct 26–Nov 2. Book a balcony stateroom (facing the ocean or overlooking the awesome atrium) and enjoy the added benefits of prepaid gratuities (for room stewards, maître maitre d’, ’d, servers) of up to $168.00 for up to 2 people per stateroom, complimentary dinner for 2 one evening and a $75.00 credit valid toward the purchase of onboard products and/or services (beverages, spa treatments, shop items, shore excursions, etc). See the ad on the next page for complete details. And on Allure of the Seas you’ll be able to enjoy a Royal Caribbean exclusive! Meet and have your photo taken with your favorite DreamWorks Animation characters like Madagascar’s Alex & the Penguins, Shrek & Fiona and others. Start the day with a breakfast visit from your favorite character. And from Aqua Shows to colorful parades to ice shows, your favorite characters will wow you with their talents. See the latest DreamWorks films onboard the same day they release on land. Watch them (and others like Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and more) brought to life in the 3D theater or in your stateroom. Visit these fun ports and consider a shore excursion or two in each: • Nassau, Bahamas. An island paradise just miles from Miami known for its Junkanoo celebrations and famous conch chowder. A “must do” is a day at the world-renowned Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island; take a self-guided tour of the ruins of ancient Atlantis in The Dig and enjoy a reserved area of the beach. Slip & slide at Atlantis Aquaventure, complete with waterslides, river rapids, pool and beach. At Predator Lagoon, see sharks, barracudas and many other creatures. • Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI. Make sure to soak up the sun at Magens Bay. This heart-shaped beach is on National Geographic’s top 10
continued on next page
continued on next page
SEE THE ADS ON THE NEXT PAGE FOR COMPLETE OFFER DETAILS & RESTRICTIONS.
PAGE 8
AAA MOTORIST
MARCH 2014
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers GETAWAYS FROM THE
HAWAII ‘Aloha Days’ values
CARIBBEAN CRUISE on Allure
vance, arrange spa treatments, plan a romantic dinner at sunset, order a birthday cake for “the little one” or arrange a gift basket for your room. Recharge your senses with a chocolate macadamia nut scrub, plumeria euphoria bath or lomilomi massage at a deluxe spa. Love golf? Choose from world-class courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr and others.
list. Enjoy great snorkeling on the Turtle Cove Sail & Snorkel tour, with coral formations, fish and turtles, a friendly crew and a fun atmosphere aboard a beautiful boat. On the Beach & Snorkel Tour, travel to Trunk Bay for snorkeling along the underwater trail of reefs, or kick back and bask in the tropical sun. • Philipsburg, St Maarten. Under joint French and Dutch control, the island offers the heritage of both amid endless stretches of beach, beautiful landscapes and great shopping. Back on ship, don’t miss all that jazz and more with the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning Chicago. Or try your luck at Casino Royalesm...or dance the night away in a nightclub...or watch dazzling aerial acrobatic shows. The possibilities are almost endless. Don’t miss the boat!
continued from previous page
Trust the travel experts. Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape for 2 or a spacious family-friendly condo for a multigenerational celebration, Pleasant Holidays offers just what you need for a memorable vacation, including customized itineraries, multi-island vacations, inter-island transportation, added values (including free nights, resort credits and more) and activities, tours and excursions.
continued from previous page
Sail on ALLURE OF THE SEAS for 7 nights to the Eastern Caribbean and enjoy the fun and entertainment of the DreamWorks Experience! Cruise roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; and Philipsburg, St Maarten. 3 days at sea. Member-exclusive AAA Featured Vacation benefits
PREPAID GRATUITIES of up to $168
Total for 2 persons in a stateroom, when you book a balcony stateroom by 3/30/14.
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER for 2 •
$75 ONBOARD CREDIT
Complimentary dining is available only for the first 15 staterooms booked. Credit per stateroom.
PLUS... Get $50 savings from AAA Travel! PER ROOM BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY NEW BOOKINGS ONLY
Oct 26–Nov 2 •
AAA Member Rate: from $1,068
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals & government taxes/fees. Ask about available add-on airfare. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement on all guests if the price of West Texas intermediate fuel exceeds $65 per barrel. The fuel supplement for 1st and 2nd guests would be no more than $10 per guest per day, to a maximum of $140 per cruise; and for additional guests would be no more than $5 per person per day, to a maximum of $70 per cruise.
Get up to $100.00 savings!
AAA MEMBERS ONLY — NOW ’S THE TIME! Book & make a deposit by April 30 on a 2014 7-night-or-longer air-inclusive Pleasant Holidays vacation to the Caribbean, Mexico or Europe and enjoy:
$50.00 SAVINGS FROM AAA TRAVEL (per room, based on double occupancy • new bookings only)
PLUSEXCLUSIVE
S! THESE ER BENEFIT AAA MEMB
EUROPE
$50.00 SAVINGS off package price, per booking
THE CARIBBEAN & MEXICO
$50.00 CERTIFICATE toward purchase of optional sightseeing or activity, per booking
MARCH 2014
PAGE 9
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
s t a s i V n a It ali
LIMITEED! SPAC
This 13-day escorted adventure features visits to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Pisa, Venice and Verona! Enjoy included extra-special “moments” you’d have to research & add on at your own expense & effort:
•
Guided visits to St Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City’s museums, including the Sistine Chapel A 4-course dinner with wine in Rome, with live performances of arias from the best operas After-hours visit to a 14th-century monastery, followed by a family-style feast of Tuscan dishes, with wine! A serenaded gondola cruise on the canals of Venice — one of the world’s most famous travel experiences •
• •
Enjoy relaxing multiple-night stays in Rome (3), Sorrento–Amalfi Coast (2), Florence (2), Venice (2) and Stresa–Lakes District (2).
Oct 18-30 • AAA Member Rate: $5,479 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Louisville-Rome, Milan-Louisville), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations/ taxes/service charges/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 20 meals, air taxes & fees/surcharges, in-Italy tour director. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for details.
ALASKA BY LAND! See the incredible, inspirational interior of the Last Frontier on this 9-night escorted tour — unforgettable experiences not on cruises!
Traditional salmon bake & a sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks 4-hour adventure flying over the Arctic Circle, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Yukon River 7-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park, looking for grizzlies, moose & more... with an overnight in the park Meet a 4-time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and his canine crew Visits to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation & Begich Boggs Visitor centers 2-hour river float trip in Kenai Fjords National Park A ride on Girdwood’s Alyeska Tram — from sea level to 2,300 feet! Special welcome & farewell dinners with your fellow travelers
July 8-17 •
AAA Member Rate: $4,999
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Louisville-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Louisville), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach sightseeing, accommodations (Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward: 2 each, Girdwood: 1), 16 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), gratuities for included features (includes driver, escort), in-Alaska escort and AAA Tour Manager (if minimumparticipation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
Discover the Best of the West with AAA! BEST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
© SCOTT BUFKIN / FOTOLIA.COM
AMERICAN MAJESTY
AUG 30–SEPT 7 • $3,619
JULY 24–AUG 1 • $3,699
So many delights in 1 tour — from the endless charms of San Francisco to the natural splendor of the redwoods at Muir Woods to the opulence of Hearst Castle. Cross Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance of Sausalito, sample wines at Napa Valley vineyards, savor lunch aboard the Napa Wine Train. Ride Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr to Lake Tahoe. Visit the ghost town of Virginia City NV. Dine & dance on a riverboat paddlewheeler. Marvel at Yosemite National Park’s wonders. Explore coastal Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey. 14 meals.
From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite national landmarks. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (choir schedule permitting). Visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks (including Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower, Deadwood, Mt Rushmore (during the day and again in the evening for its inspiring lighting ceremony), Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, Ft Laramie National Historic Site, Cody’s Buffalo Bill Historic Center and Cheyenne. Take a wildlife Jeep® safari through South Dakota’s Black Hills. 15 meals.
GRAND CANYON & ARIZONA ADVENTURE
SEPT 21–28 • $2,559
Fly to Phoenix and ride to the luxurious Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Explore scenic backcountry on an exciting off-road Pink Jeep® tour. Visit the IMAX Theater at Williams, then ride the Grand Canyon Railway (first class) to the canyon’s South Rim. Spend 2 nights there in a national park lodge, then ride the vintage Verde Canyon Railroad. Explore Old Town Scottsdale, marvel at intriguing plants at the Desert Botanical Garden and Western art at the Heard Museum. Enjoy a memorable farewell steakhouse dinner — cowboy-style! 11 meals.
DISCOVER GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE
COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE
CANYON COUNTRY EXPERIENCE
JUNE 22-28 • $3,525
AUG 3-10 • $3,619
AUG 11-17 • $2,645
SEPT 13-20 • $2,839
OCT 8-14 • $2,449
© SNEHIT / FOTOLIA.COM
© ANDREANITA / FOTOLIA.COM
AAA Member Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Louisville, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and meals as indicated. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.
PAGE 10
AAA MOTORIST
MARCH 2014
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Portugal & its Islands It’s hot — and fast becoming Western Europe’s last “undiscovered” destination! Lisbon: Alfama Quarter, Jeronimo’s Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, Tower of Belem • Sintra, summer residence of kings • “Riviera” • Silver Coast villages, vineyards & castles • Fatima Basilica • Batalha Monastery • Azores Islands • Madeira Island
©STEVANZZ/FOTOLIA.COM
Sept 12-24 • AAA Member Rate: $4,769 • Book by 3/31 & save $200! Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville-Lisbon), in-Portugal flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations/taxes/service charges/baggage handling (1 piece per person), 19 meals, air taxes & fees/surcharges and an in-Portugal tour director. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoEurope for details.
BOWLING GREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . 270-781-7235 • 1-877-506-0057 DOWNTOWN (Louisville). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .502-581-0665 ELIZABETHTOWN. . . . . . . . . . . . . 270-765-4109 • 1-800-813-7284 FERN VALLEY (Louisville) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .502-964-3787 HURSTBOURNE (Louisville) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .502-425-7885 OWENSBORO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270-683-8034 • 1-800-974-1872 PADUCAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270-443-6478 • 1-866-764-4666 SHIVELY (Louisville) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .502-449-2529 ____________________________________________________________ GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/ travel. AAA Featured Vacations are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.
Car-free, carefree adventures
Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Louisville area, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/ admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.
Paducah Quilt Show
April 24 •
AAA Member Rate: $130
Come along and join in the fun on a 1-day trip to the famed Paducah Quilt Show! Every April, this quaint river town becomes a Mecca for quilters and quilt enthusiasts. View the many fabulous entries, exhibits and Merchants Mall with more than 400 vendor booths. This is your opportunity to purchase the latest fabric patterns, quilt supplies and gifts. This is truly a quilters paradise! After the show, dine at Patti’s 1880’s Settlement (voted #1 by Southern Living magazine’s Readers’ Choice Award for Best Small-town Restaurant in Southeast US) in Grand Rivers KY! 1 meal.
“Diana, A Celebration”
April 26 •
AAA Member Rate: $120
Direct from Althorp Estate in England, ancestral home of the Spencer family, to the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Station comes a collection of more than 150 personal object celebrating the life & work of Diana, Princess of Wales, including her royal wedding gown, 28 designer dresses & gowns, family heirlooms, personal mementos and rare home movies. Afterward, enjoy an included lunch at the British-flavored Nicholson’s Tavern & Pub and then visit Taft Museum’s “Threads of Heaven: Silken Legacy of China’s Last Dynasty.” View rarely seen Imperial silk robes, hats, fans and wall hangings. 1 meal.
Andy Warhol’s “Flowers” Exhibit June 28 •
AAA Member Rate: $115
This is a great day trip to beautiful Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville TN. Best known for his vibrant pop works, Andy Warhol let his flower imagery reveal a softer, more intimate side of himself. This exhibit highlights include his audacious floral proposal for the Tacoma Dome in Washington State, as well as paintings, studio photographs and almost a dozen screen prints from his vibrant “Flowers” series. Lunch is included at the Pineapple Room on the grounds of Cheekwood. 1 meal.
“Ansel Adams” Exhibit at Eiteljorg Museum July 12 •
AAA Member Rate: $95
Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis IN is known as one of the best Native American and Western art collections in the world. The “Ansel Adams” exhibit has more than 80 photos, including those personally chosen by the iconic photog-
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!
rapher to represent the best of his life’s work. The exhibition includes many of Adams’ most famous and best-loved photographs, including architectural studies, portraits and magnificent landscapes. After an included lunch, tour the museum, which houses works by T C Cannon, N C Wyeth, Georgia O’Keefe, Frederic Remington, Charles Russell and others. 1 meal.
Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival July 31–Aug 2 •
AAA Member Rate: $450
Travel to Nappanee IN to this wonderfully unique arts & crafts festival. Ranked as 1 of the top 100 events nationwide, the show is packed with more than 300 artists, delicious food and great entertainment. Your 2-night visit includes Linton’s Enchanted Gardens, 2 Amish dinners, a vintage-car cruise and a guided house & farm tour at Amish Acres. After dinner, thrill to a live performance in the round barn theater. We’ll also tour the surrounding area and view many of the famous quilt gardens. 5 meals.
A Derby Dinner Matinee & Schimpff’s Candy Sept 17 •
AAA Member Rate: $90
Tour Schimpff’s Confectionery for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at candy making. Founded in 1891, Schimpff’s has long been hailed for its quality, service and oh-so-delicious treats. Then it’s on to Derby Dinner Playhouse for a buffet lunch and a performance of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our Basement” by the Church Basement Ladies. It’d be a sin to miss this hilarious show. 1 meal.
MARCH 2014
PAGE 11
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers ESCORTED TOUR OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
&Folk Tour
Irish Pub
Bunratty Folk Park • Medieval banquet in a castle • Cliffs of Moher • Flying Boat Museum • Killarney National Park • Ring of Kerry • Skellig Experience • Moll’s Gap • Waterford Crystal • Dinner & song at a pub • Dublin: tour & free time ...AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Oct 5-12 • AAA Member Rate: $1,459
Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/ entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and information.
Sláinte!
ESCORTED TOUR OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
Cheers!
$100.00 SAVINGS PLUS AN IRISH-FLAVORED GIFT Book by 3/31/14!
SAVINGS PER PERSON • GIFT PER ROOM
Feel like a local at friendly pubs full of the craic — Ireland’s unique mix of news, gossip, fun, entertainment and enjoyable conversation! Tour Dublin: St Stephen’s Green, Georgian squares, O’Connell Street, Famine Memorial & more. Quaff a pint at the Guinness Storehouse • Meet the owners of a working beef/ sheep/horse farm. • Tour medieval Kilkenny, then explore it on your own. • Visit the House of Waterford; watch craftsmen transform molten glass into elegant tableware. • Kiss the “Stone of Eloquence” at Blarney Castle. • Browse at Blarney Woolen Mills...or visit a pub instead! • Circumnavigate scenic Dingle Peninsula and sample a local brew at Dingle Brewing Company. • Sit down to dinner & traditional entertainment (including step-dancing) in Killarney. • Ferry across the Shannon to view the Cliffs of Moher. • Stop in Galway on the way to Connemara. • Overnight in attractive Westport. • Cross over to Achill Island and see the Deserted Village (stone cottages abandoned around the time of the Famine). • Tour Kilbeggan Distillery and enjoy an Irish coffee. • Enjoy storytelling at Dublin’s oldest pub. • Spend a day on your own in Dublin, using included vouchers for an open-top bus tour and a visit to Old Jameson Distillery.
Catch the
ALOHA SPIRIT AAA’s special 9-night Hawaiian vacation features a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Honolulu, a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial and a 7-night Pride of America cruise featuring 4 islands (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii & Kauai).
Oct 2-11: from $1,965
May 12-21, 2015 •
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotel/pier transfers, 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor tour, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.
AAA Member Rate: $1,899
Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, itinerary attraction admissions, local taxes, hotel service charges & baggage handling (1 bag per person), walking-tour audio headsets, 15 meals (including Kate Kearney’s Cottage Irish Night, “Food, Folk & Fairies” dinner show at Brazen Head Pub and 3 table d’hote dinners) and in-Ireland professional guide & driver. Ask about available add-on airfare.
EXCITING ITINERARIES •
AAA Vacations
ENGAGING EXPERIENCES •
INCLUDED VALUES
DESIGNED FOR AAA MEMBERS
®
Every AAA Vacations® journey is specially designed to give AAA Members a richer, more engaging and authentic travel experience. Explore the world’s best destinations. AAA Vacations® always include 24/7 Member Care if an emergency arises, plus our Best Price Guarantee helps you get a great vacation at a great price. Get great rates, exclusive member benefits and peace of mind, too. That’s our commitment to you. AAA Travel: You can count on our people. AAA Travel Agents want to give you the best vacation experience possible. They’re seasoned experts who can guide you to the perfect tour, just for you. Rest assured that they’ll be there for you every step of the way. Travel in confidence; travel with someone you trust!®
More new tour partners in the 2014 AAA Vacations® program means more opportunities for members to save! AAA Member Choice Vacations®
General Tours
Guided Vacations in the USA, Europe and Exotic Destinations AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $25 per person discount; AAA complimentary inclusion & complimentary limousine (home to airport within 50 miles); engaging experiences
Exotic Guided Vacations • Italy & Exotic Destinations • Small Groups • Escorted & Private Tours AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $115 per person off; engaging experiences
African Travel Inc
NEW!
Insight Vacations
NEW!
“Best of Kenya & Tanzania” • “South Africa Splendor” AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $100 per person savings; AAA complimentary inclusion
4 European guided itineraries • Iceland • “Spectacular Fall Foliage” AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $25 per person optional excursion voucher; AAA complimentary inclusion
Brendan Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
NEW!
• Self-drive Ireland AAA MEMBER BENEFIT: Complimentary Neverlost® GPS with Hertz rental car • Independent Travel in Europe, Central & Eastern Europe and Ireland Guaranteed daily departures • Private roundtrip airport/hotel transfers • Choice of 4or 5-star centrally located hotels, including hotel taxes & service charges • Breakfast daily • Rail transportation with reserved seats between cities • Ferry transportation between islands & in the Mediterranean • City sightseeing tour in featured city AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $40 per person discount on packages $2,000 or more per person; $40 per person dining credit redeemable at pre-selected restaurants popular with locals
Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Tahiti, Fiji, South Pacific AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $50 per booking optional activities/tours/excursions certificate for Hawaii, Mexico & Caribbean; $40 per person discount toward packages in Tahiti, Fiji & South Pacific (restrictions apply); complimentary room upgrades, early check-in & late check-out and special VIP status (subject to availability); additional amenities (vary by hotel)
Trafalgar Guided Vacations in Italy & Europe AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: $25 per person optional excursion credit to use during your guided vacation; AAA complimentary inclusion; engaging experiences
Disneyland Resort® & Walt Disney World® Resort
AAA MEMBER BENEFITS: Magic Moments savings up to 20% on nondiscounted rooms on select package accommodations based on availability. Diamond Savings Card features saving of 10% to 20% off select dining and merchandise locations throughout the resort (1 per package). Many more Magical extras and exclusive AAA Vacations® benefits. Ask about Dining Plan details. Restrictions apply.
All AAA Vacations® benefits and rates are subject to changes and availability. Offers on select sailings and tours, restrictions apply. Airfare, taxes, surcharges, gratuities, transfers, port charges, excursions and other optional activities are additional unless otherwise indicated. Fuel surcharges, government taxes, other surcharges, deposit, payment and cancellation terms/ conditions are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply to the AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care and Best Price Guarantee. Should you find a valid better rate for exactly the same itinerary within 24 hours of booking, AAA will match the lower rate and send you a $50 AAA Vacations® future travel credit certificate. See your AAA Travel Agent for complete terms and conditions or visit AAA.com/aaavacations.
PAGE 12
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
AAA MOTORIST
MARCH 2014
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
MARCH 2014
PAGE 13
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Beijing
INTRO to CHINA AN ESCORTED EXPERIENCE
Walk on the GREAT WALL! Enter the FORBIDDEN CITY! And so much more!
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Escort & driver s gratuitie ! included
• PEKING DUCK & “HOTPOT“ DINNERS • FAMILY-HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • KUNG FU ACADEMY VISIT & DEMONSTRATION
Enjoy the comfort & security of an escorted experience — a comprehensive, informative & personal look at this rapidly growing city and an in-depth introduction to its fascinating culture. See landmarks & learn customs for nearly a week; then enjoy an entire day independently exploring & indulging your interests — art, history, cuisine, shopping, photography, parks & zoos — it’s all up to you, with suggestions, advice, directions, etc, from your expert guide! Marvel at ancient & modern, urban & rural, rich & poor, simple & sophisticated, serene & chaotic. Beijing’s unique combination of seemingly contradictory elements may well change your understanding of this city & nation...and provide moving memories that last a lifetime.
Sept 11-18 • AAA Member Rate: $3,349 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville-Beijing), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, in-China guide, sightseeing/admissions, baggage handling (1 per person), driver/escort gratuities, AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met) & government taxes/fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoAsia for the complete itinerary! 4 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES — THE GREAT WALL AT BADALING, THE IMPERIAL PALACE (FORBIDDEN CITY), THE SUMMER PALACE AND THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN • TIANANMEN SQUARE • 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS SITE • LAMA BUDDHIST TEMPLE • HUTONG MARKET VISIT, HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • BELL & DRUM TOWERS TEA CEREMONY JADE FACTORY • PEDICAB RIDE • KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION & STUDENT INTERACTION • TRADITIONAL PEKING DUCK & HOTPOT DINNERS • & MORE!
PAGE 14
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
MARCH 2014
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
One-of-a-kind Polar Bear Adventure! Tour also features Winnipeg, dog sledding, Eskimo Museum
Come with AAA to Canada’s “Polar Bear Capital of the World” — Churchill, Manitoba. Spend 2 full days tracking, sighting and capturing (by camera) polar bears on the tundra! Each October and early November, the massive bears (adult males weigh around 770 to 1,540 pounds and females about half that) wait near Churchill for Hudson Bay to freeze so they can hunt their primary food, ringed seals. Ride aboard the Tundra Buggy® Adventure’s specially designed all-terrain vehicles into and throughout the Churchill Wildlife Management Area on established trails that minimize impact on the tundra. Safely get right to the best locations with a high probability of wildlife sightings; viewing and photographing wildlife in its natural environment are thrills you’ll never forget! The interpretive drivers are experienced tour leaders and passionate adventurers knowledgeable about the tundra ecosystem and skilled at positioning the vehicle for optimal photography opportunities and wildlife viewing. The Tundra Buggy® Adventure’s long-standing relationship with Polar Bears International (PBI), the world’s leading polar bear conservation group, affords you an opportunity to spend time on the tundra with PBI Field Ambassadors and to learn about these incredible carnivores and their icy environment. Polar bears are surely the focus, but this getaway’s also packed with other great elements. Enjoy an excursion hosted by a local dog-sledding expert; learn about sledding’s historical significance and then enjoy an exhilarating ride behind a strong team of huskies on a custom-made sled. You’ll also visit Port Merry, the Port of Churchill, the Eskimo Museum, the Parks Canada Interpretive Center and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (weather
Glacier NP Discovery CHICAGO to SEATTLE
COOL MEMBER SAVINGS! Premier............... $300.00 Plus ..................... $250.00 Basic.................... $200.00
Book & make a deposit by 3/31/14. savings per room, double occupancy
permitting). In Winnipeg, Canada’s seventh largest city, enjoy a stay at the centrally located and stylish Inn at the Forks. After a half-day tour that includes downtown, the historic Exchange District, St Boniface and the French Quarter, you’ll visit Assiniboine Park Zoo’s “Journey to Churchill” exhibit, which addresses issues related to climate change, polar bears and other northern species. Its Gateway to the Arctic zone is a viewing point for polar bears and ringed seals; from inside a 10-foot-wide acrylic tunnel, you can watch these creatures below the water surface of a swimming area where they often frolic between ice chunks. With only a clear wall bisecting the 2 habitats, the bears and seals see and smell each other, creating a dynamic and enriching environment.
Oct 20-26 • AAA Member Rate: $6,455 Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville-Winnipeg, Winnipeg-Churchill), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, luggage handling (1 piece per person), 17 meals, taxes/gratuities on included items and services of a AAA tour manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/travel for details. Passport required.
Jazz, Blues & Rock ’n’ Roll
NEW ORLEANS
CHICAGO – MEMPHIS – NEW ORLEANS
Ride Amtrak’s Empire Builder from the Windy City to the Emerald City and explore the Crown of the Continent in between! Begin with a reception at Palmer House, a worldclass hotel steps from Chicago’s best attractions. Enjoy a city tour and a cruise on the Chicago River. Start your rail journey with Mississippi River views and glimpses of the Twin Cities skyline. Awaken in your private sleeping accommodations to cross North Dakota’s plains and traverse Gassman Coulee Trestle. Cross into Montana’s Big Sky Country to Glacier National Park; this vast ice-carved terrain of ridges, peaks, waterfalls, hanging valleys, glaciers, forests and more than 200 lakes is one of the world’s most pristine natural environments. Deer are among the most commonly spotted wildlife, but elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolves and bears are seen. Tour in a 1930s red “jammer”; rebuilt in 2001, they ply the park’s primary route — Going-to-the-Sun Road. Cross into Canada to visit Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park. Enjoy 2 nights at Glacier Park Lodge; its massive fireplace invites fireside chats, and there’s an outdoor pool, a golf course, a pitch-n-putt and a day spa on site. Your other in-park home for 2 nights is the Swiss-themed Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake. Reboard the Empire Builder for Seattle. See the city’s many gems, including lively Pike Place Market. Then ascend the iconic Space Needle for breathtaking views and then, all too soon, it’s time to fly home!
The metronomic rhythm of your Amtrak® train will set you in the right frame of mind on this north-to-south music-inspired sojourn. Visit 3 fascinating cities where 3 authentically American music genres were born and continue to flourish. Train by night and day; be soothingly rocked to sleep on the overnight Chicago-to-Memphis leg (after enjoying an evening meal in the Dining car) and observe landscapes passing by your window on the Memphis–to–New Orleans portion. In the Windy City, settle into the luxurious Palmer House in the heart of the Loop. Tour the city’s landmarks, browse the Magnificent Mile and enjoy a Chicago River cruise to observe the city’s renowned architecture. Overnight on the train on the way to Beale Street, official “Home of the Blues.” Clubs and restaurants are just steps away. Tour Graceland, the home of Elvis; then, with musicians aboard (audience participation welcomed!), tour other sites of this city on the Mississippi named after the ancient Egyptian capital on the Nile. See Sun Studios, the Staxx Museum and the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum. Enjoy the relaxing journey to the Big Easy. Be welcomed into New Orleans by a jazz brunch in the French Quarter. Take a tour of the Crescent City, including the Garden District. Top it all off aboard a paddlewheel steamboat for a grand finale dinner cruise!
Glacier National Park Discovery: Chicago-Seattle
Jazz, Blues & Rock ’n’ Roll: Chicago–Memphis–New Orleans
GLACIER NP
Aug 9-18 •
AAA Member Rate: $4,979
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Louisville-Chicago, Seattle-Louisville), train (Chicago-Seattle), roundtrip airport/hotel, 7-night hotel accommodations, 2-night train roomette accommodations, 17 meals, meal gratuities (except on train), welcome reception, 4 tours & 1 cruise in Glacier National Park, sightseeing per itinerary, hotel baggage handling (1 per person), air & hotel taxes and services of an Amtrak Vacations® escort (Chicago-Seattle). Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
Sept 26–Oct 4 •
AAA Member Rate: $4,489
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Louisville-Chicago, New Orleans–Louisville), train (Chicago–New Orleans), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, 7-night hotel accommodations, 1-night train roomette accommodations, 14 meals, meal gratuities (except on train), welcome reception, Chicago river cruise & evening activity, motorcoach tours (Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans), hotel baggage handling (1 per person), air & hotel taxes and services of an Amtrak Vacations® tour escort (Chicago–New Orleans). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
MARCH 2014
European River Cruising
AAA TRAVELER continued from page 1 ____________________________________________________________________________
lers are available on some vessels. Enjoy locally inspired world-class meals (often with locally procured ingredients) and complimentary wines; open seating allows you to dine where (inside or out) and with whomever you wish. Some boats feature alternative fine-dining restaurants, culinary demonstrations and wine/cuisine-focused shore experiences.
River cruising can be as active as you choose to make it. Some lines provide bikes onboard for guest use, and onboard facilities can range from small fitness rooms to walking tracks and even pools on some ships. INTIMATE & WORLD-CLASS Since European river ships average fewer than 200 guests (compared with ocean liners hosting thousands), expect a quiet and intimate onboard atmosphere, with more space per person. Plus, there’s no need to wait in long lines. And personalized, intuitive, gracious service from crew and staff enhances your experience; but-
VALUE FOR YOUR TRAVEL DOLLAR For all that they offer, river cruise vacations are great values. Their allinclusive pricing provides a carefree approach to a vacation. You pay once and eliminate surprise charges, fees
and add-ons. The best values are offered further out from the departure date. The best deals are typically early bookings, when the choice of accommodations is optimum. Picture yourself in a chair looking out your stateroom window, sitting in the main dining room enjoying a savory meal while peering at gorgeous scenery or simply relaxing in the ship’s lounge. The romance of Europe — combined with the comfort and convenience of being right there in the destination locales — is yours to enjoy when you partake in the unique charms of river cruising!
PAGE 15
MOST SHORE EXCURSIONS/ACTIVITIES INCLUDED!
EVER CHANGING SCENERY AS YOU RELAX!
!
AmaWaterways is waiving the single supplement on nearly 70 European cruises in 2014.
Explore & experience the world in a uniquely different way on an intimate, luxurious, value-packed river cruise. JEWELS OF FRANCE: 21 DAYS 2 nights in Paris. 7-night Seine cruise. Highspeed train to Lyon for a 7-night Lyon-Arles cruise. 3 nights in Barcelona.
RHINE
ENCHANTING DANUBE: 8 DAYS Budapest to Vienna, then through Austria’s Wachau Valley to Melk and Linz (with option of full-day Salzburg or tour of Linz and the countryside) and on to Passau.
BOOK & DEPOSIT BY MARCH 31 AND GET $100.00 SAVINGS PLUS THE AAA MEMBER BENEFITS ON PAGE 1.
RHINE GETAWAY: 8 DAYS Amsterdam to Basel. Germany’s Marksburg Castle, Heidelberg Castle, Cologne, Black Forest region, Rüdesheim. Holland’s windmills and waterworks. France’s multicultural Strasbourg.
DANUBE
For these and scores of other European river cruises, visit your local AAA Travel office or AAA.com/cruises.
Drip Drip Drip
How to handle a water damage loss—and avoid one in the first place By Robin Jones huck and Peggy Ruedebusch got a rude welcome upon arriving home from a twoweek vacation in Russia. While the couple was away, their refrigerator ice maker had leaked, ruining a large portion of the kitchen’s hardwood floors. While the Ruedebusches were happy to learn their homeowners insurance policy covered the loss, they suffered a big inconvenience. Due to extensive damage, their kitchen as well as the washer and dryer were out of commission for two weeks. “We were lucky that it was a slow leak. It could have been a lot worse,” Chuck says. “We now know it’s a good idea to shut off the water supply to all of our home fixtures when we go on vacation.” Of all homeowners insurance claims nationwide, water damage losses are the second-most common (behind wind and hail claims). Many people often don’t consider the risks in their own homes until it’s too late. If you follow a few basic steps, you may be able to avoid many hazards that can cause water damage claims. And if you do have to file a claim, you’ll be much better off if you adhere to a few simple guidelines.
C
To avert water damage:
•
•
•
•
•
Check for leaks. Periodically inspect the area around the refrigerator, washer, dishwasher, water heater, sinks, and toilets for drips, puddles, and flooring that’s discolored, warped, or soft. Warm spots on the floor may indicate a leak underneath. Pay attention to your water bill. Fluctuations from month to month could indicate a leak. Use steel-braided hoses for your washing machine instead of rubber ones. The stainless steel-reinforced hoses can cost about double, but are much more resistant to bursting. Periodically check your water pressure. Water losses often occur due to excessive water pressure. Pick up an inexpensive water pressure gauge at a home center and hook it up to a hose bib. The water pressure should be between 45 and 65 PSI. If it’s too high, you may want to consider installing a water pressure regulator. If you’re going on vacation, take protective measures. If the temperatures in your area could dip below freezing, make sure any exposed pipes are insulated. Also, turn off the water supply to individual fixtures such as the washing machine, ice maker, toilets, sinks, and so
forth. Finally, leave your home furnace heat on low to ensure the pipes stay warm enough to avoid bursting.
•
•
•
•
If you experience water damage:
Stop the source of the water as best you can. Do what’s necessary to keep the damage from getting worse. That likely means turning off the water main. Call your insurance company. Most insurers have staff available 24/7 to help you set up appointments with prescreened, licensed, and bonded general contractors who can dry out your house. Your insurer can also make sure an adjuster visits your residence to assess the damage as soon as possible. Don’t start any major repair efforts until the adjuster has been to your home. If your possessions are sitting in a puddle of water, you should take reasonable measures to salvage them. If it’s safe to do so, fish them out and put them in a place where they can start to dry. But be careful how you store damaged material (e.g. don’t place wet items on a wood floor) so you don’t cause additional damage to other items. Determine what was lost and document it. Even if things were ruined,
don’t throw them away. Keep pieces of the damaged floor or ceiling, along with any valuable personal property, such as electronics or furniture. At the very least, take photos or video of the damage.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 800.727.2552, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review. AAA – your trusted insurance advisor.
PAGE 16
AAA TRAVELER
MARCH 2014
American Empress retraces the route of Lewis & Clark American Queen’s new sibling follows the road less traveled
J
ust as the American Queen brought luxury and grandeur to river cruising America’s heartland, the American Empress will do the same for the Pacific Northwest. The 360-foot riverboat features five towering decks and accommodates 223 guests in seven stateroom categories. All staterooms feature a balcony or picture window with dramatic views of the scenery unfolding along the shoreline. Dozens of skilled craftsmen and engineers have been hard at work prepping the American Empress for her April, 2014 debut on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Whether you travel east from Portland or west from Clarkston, this extraordinary nine-day journey immerses you in the splendor of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Ports include some of the Pacific Northwest’s most storied places like Astoria, Oregon; Stevenson, Washington; The Dalles, Oregon; and Sacajawea State Park, Washington. From the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge — carved by the great floods — to the golden coulees and scablands, and the great black pinnacles of basalt that guided early explorers, much of the terrain looks just as it did to Lewis & Clark in 1805 — majestic, mythic and unimaginably glorious. In Portland, the volcanic forces of the coast are apparent in snow-capped
STEAMBOATING — American Empress reflects the elegance of the great 19th-century paddlewheelers. mountains and the evergreen forests coating the Cascade Range. Witness the raw power of nature firsthand in the collapsed caldera of Mount St. Helens. At Multnomah Falls, snowmelt streams plunge over 600 feet in two tiered cascades, down a sheer cliff face, while bald eagles traces lazy circles in an impossible blue sky. Deeper than the Grand Canyon, Idaho’s Hell’s Canyon is a dramatic
Membership for Them.
Peace of Mind for You. You always want the best for them. So give them the benefits of AAA membership. With roadside assistance, vacation planning, maps, travel guides, exclusive savings, and much more, they can rely on AAA almost as much as they rely on you. To add an associate to your membership, or to buy a gift membership, call or visit your local AAA office, or AAA.com.
crack in the earth with raging waters best explored on a thrilling jet boat ride. With the American Empress serving as a floating boutique hotel for your journey, travel into the heart of Washington’s wine country. The many acclaimed wineries overlooking the Columbia River have made their mark among wine connoisseurs, earning the celebrated Walla Walla Wine Trail its
nickname, the Napa of the North. Tour a millionaire’s Victorian home in Astoria, Oregon or marvel at the engineering achievement of the Bonneville Dam. Breathe in the scenery from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge, or climb the Astoria Column to view the restless Pacific. That doesn’t mean you’ll be roughing it. American Empress reflects the refined elegance of the great 19th-century paddlewheelers, with dark mahogany accents, rich upholstery and soft lighting. In the Romanov Dining Room, enjoy the best of Pacific Northwest cuisine. Complimentary wine and beer are served with dinner, as are cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. Attend daily lectures by a Riverlorian, an onboard history and culture expert. Complimentary shore excursions in every port include the cultural and historical landmarks. Travelers with specific interests are encouraged to enjoy the variety of Premium Experience Excursions such as the Walla Walla Wine Trail, or the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on cruise vacations.
Reach for the sky with AAA Plus ®
Upgrade your membership to AAA Plus® and experience a higher level of benefits! Extend your benefits for even more driving security Benefit
Basic Membership
AAA Plus® Membership
Towing
Back to the AAA station that comes to your rescue or Anywhere up to 100 miles. up to 3 miles to a destination of your choice.
Emergency Road Service When Out of Gas
Free delivery of emergency gas. Member will be charged for fuel at current pump price.
Free delivery of emergency gas. Fuel is free.
One service vehicle and one driver.
Two service vehicles and two drivers (if needed) at no extra charge.
Off-Road Rescue Service Lock & Key Service
Free service call (to gain entry) and up to $60 for Free service call (to gain entry) and up to $100 for locksmith charge. Towing benefit applies if necessary. locksmith charge. AAA Plus towing benefits applies if necessary.
When AAA Emergency Road Service is not Available
Reimbursement according to published limits
Get more out of your membership! Visit your local AAA office, AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at 1-800-441-5008
Full amount reimbursed for covered AAA services (as long as costs are based on commercial rates.)
DEC 14
MARCH 2014
AAA TRAVELER
PAGE 17
It’s time to put your car on a low-salt diet Undoing the damage done by a harsh winter
D
riving is a challenge on slick snowy roads. Fortunately, deicing and anti-icing chemicals applied to the roadway help improve traction and speed snow removal. What’s more, studies show that treating roads with these materials helps reduce crashes and saves lives. Unfortunately, some of the newer solutions used to melt ice and snow can also increase vehicle corrosion. Today, rock salt may be supplemented or replaced with de-icing and antiicing solutions that contain chemicals such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride that are more effective in keeping roads clear. These new chemicals are applied as liquids, which are then thrown up by tires in a fine mist that adheres to the car body and undercarriage, and can penetrate into cracks and crevices where rock salt particles could not. Even more problematic is that the new de-icing and anti-icing chemicals are hygroscopic — they attract moisture and are often used as desiccants. This means that even after a vehicle is dry, deposits that contain these materials will pull moisture out of the air and contribute to ongoing corrosion. The cost of corrosion-related vehicle repairs can be very high. For example, replacing a set of rusted under car brake lines can cost over $1,000 in parts and labor, and auto body rust and corrosion repairs are often even more expensive.
repaired in a timely manner to prevent rust and corrosion, and regular vehicle waxing adds an effective layer of protection. Professional rustproofing, including asphalt undercoating and oil/wax body cavity sprays, may be helpful, but generally only if applied when the vehicle is new. Routine vehicle maintenance checks should include inspections of safetyrelated under car components such as brake and fuel lines, whose failure could result in a crash or fire. Modern cars are far more corrosion resistant than earlier models, but for maximum vehicle life there is no substitute for proper car care. Following the simple steps outlined above will help keep a vehicle looking like new, and contribute to safer and more troublefree driving.
THE COLD TRUTH — Dirt, grime, salt and slush all take their toll on your car’s finish. So how can motorists protect their cars from corrosion? Here are some practical maintenance tips that can make a difference: Regular car washes, including the undercarriage, are critical. De-icing chemical deposits left over from winter can continue to cause corrosion yearround unless removed. When the worst of winter is over, thoroughly wash the underside to eliminate the corrosive road salt. Add three
tablespoons of baking soda to neutralize the salt. Even powerful pressure washers can leave behind corrosive deposits, and too much pressure may actually drive chemicals further into vehicle cracks and crevices. Low pH detergents can help break up and neutralize corrosive deposits. Many automatic car washes now offer low pH pre-rinse cycles. Body scratches and chips should be
Oscar-winning movie Ghost in a Broadway musical. Ghost: The Musical breathes glorious new life into a timeless love story. The musical’s tale of everlasting love is thrilling entertainment for audiences of all ages. Ghost: The Musical follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death. Part of the PNC Broadway in Louisville series. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Tickets start at $25. Location: Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall, 501 West Main Street, Louisville. Visit www.kentuckycenter.org. PHILLY SOUL — (March 15) The late 60s and 70s brought the Philadelphia Sound, a style of soul music characterized by lush orchestra arrangements, featuring sweeping strings and piercing brass. The Rewinders and Retro Singers present the music of groups like the O’Jays, the Delfonics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Spinners and more! Part of Orchestra Kentucky’s Retro Series. Tickets start at $15. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Studio Theater, 601 College Street, Bowling Green. Visit www.theskypac.com.
LOUISVILLE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE — (March 15) The theme of the 2014 Louisville St. Patrick’s Day Parade is “It’s a Great Day for the Irish!” The parade route begins at the corner of Baxter Avenue and Broadway, and continues down Bardstown Road. The parade ends at Mid-City Mall. Free admission. Visit www.louisvilleirish.com. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST — (March 27-April 6) In Oscar Wilde’s comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, dashing menabout-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities— not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen’s formidable mother. Tickets start at $12. Location: Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, Studio Theater, 601 College Street, Bowling Green. Visit www.theskypac.com. KENTUCKY MUSEUM CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS EXHIBITION — (March 1-April 5) Experience the beautiful creativity of local artists at U.S. Bank’s Celebration of the Arts. Works of art designed
SALTING THE WOUNDS
According to the American Salt Institute, an average of 10-million tons of salt are distributed over slippery U.S. roads every winter. About 3.5 pounds of that ends up on your car. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
aroundtown OWENSBORO HOME & GARDEN SHOW — (March 7-9) Shake off the cold of winter and start planning your spring and summer home projects at the Owensboro Home & Garden Show. This is the first year the show will be held in the new Owensboro Convention Center, featuring more than 30,000 square feet of displays, vendors and ideas. Location: Owensboro Convention Center, 501 West 2nd Street, Owensboro. Call 270-687-8800 or visit www.owensborocenter.com. LOUISVILLE KIDS FAIR — (March 8-9) The Louisville Kids Fair is the largest indoor kids fair in the nation. This year’s fair will be twice the size of last year’s event, with nearly 150,000 square feet of excitement. Attractions include a carnival, mini golf course, petting zoo, costumed character meet-and-greet, obstacle course and more. Admission (cash only): $10; $8 ages 2-12; free for children under 2. Location: Kentucky International Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2C and D, 221 South 4th Street, Louisville. Visit www.louisvillekidsfair.com. GHOST: THE MUSICAL — (March 11-16) Relive the iconic and magical moments from the
and created by Kentucky residents — both professional and amateur artists alike — will be on display. Museum hours are: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission: $10; $5, ages 6-16 and seniors; free for children under 6. Location: Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University, 1444 Kentucky Street, Bowling Green. Visit www.wku.edu/kentuckymuseum. IMPRESSIONS: ART OF THE RACE — (Through May 31) The Kentucky Derby Museum’s newest exhibit, Impressions: Art of the Race, features Louisville based visual artists commissioned by the museum to interpret the history and heritage of the Kentucky Derby. Exhibiting artists include printmakers Nick Baute and Robert Ronk of Hound Dog Press, multimedia artist Susanna Crum, and painter and illustrator Douglas Miller. Museum admission: $14; $13, seniors; $11, ages 13-18; $6, ages 5-12; free for children under 5. AAA member discount available. Location: Kentucky Derby Museum, Pollard Gallery, 704 Central Avenue, Louisville. Visit www.derbymuseum.org.
PAGE 18
AAA TRAVELER
MARCH 2014
AAA Four & Five Diamond Award winners for 2014 Louisville area properties offer a high level of hospitality and service
T
en hotels and restaurants in Louisville were recognized with 2014 AAA Four and Five Diamond awards. The Oakroom, located in The Seelbach Hilton on 500 South Fourth Street, Louisville, earned the highest accolade that AAA offers to the hospitality industry — a Five Diamond Award. It was the only Kentucky property to win the award. Set in what was once the Seelbach Hotel’s billiards parlor, today the Oakroom offers meals combining a variety of cooking styles, resulting in imaginative, colorful and tasty dishes. The restaurant has earned the AAA Five Diamond award annually since 1998. The Louisville area also boasts nine AAA Four Diamond recipients: five hotels and four restaurants. Hotels rated Four or Five Diamond are stylish and refined with upscale physical attributes. Guests receive personalized attention from an experienced staff and extensive amenities in a luxurious setting. Area hotels receiving the AAA Four Diamond Rating include: 21c Museum Hotel, 700 West Main Street, Louisville, a Four Diamond hotel since 2008; The Brown Hotel, 335 West Broadway, Louisville, a Four Diamond hotel since 1993; Louisville Marriott Downtown, 280 West Jefferson Street, Louisville, a
FIVE DIAMONDS — The Oakroom, located in the Seelbach Hilton, earned AAA’s highest accolade. Four Diamond hotel since 2005; Marriott Louisville East, 1903 Embassy Square Boulevard, Jeffersontown, a Four Diamond hotel since 2013; The Seelbach Hilton Louisville, 500 South Fourth Street, Louisville, a Four Diamond hotel since 1982. Restaurants at the Four or Five Diamond level offer a distinctive fine dining experience. Creative chefs, imaginative menus, fresh top-quality ingredients and knowledgeable staff distinguish these establishments. Area
Know a good mechanic? We do. BODY SHOPS Conns Body Shop 2247 Bardstown Road, Louisville (502) 458-7360 Conns Body Shop II 9903 Taylorsville Road, Louisville (502) 267-8680 Kavanaughs Paint and Body 1376 Belmar Drive, Louisville (502) 459-7302 SMI Collision 11400 Westport Road, Louisville (502) 426-0226 SMI Collision 4164 Westport Road, Louisville (502) 896-3340 Fred Meador Body Shop 7100 Russellville Road, Bowling Green (270) 781-2563 Lambright’s Body Shop 9070 Highway 44 East, Mt. Washington (502) 955-8990 Facilities in red are Show Your Card & Save Partners. * These facilities are pre-purchase inspection sites. SERVICE CENTERS Atwood Automotive* 10710 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville (502) 493-8989 Bill Etscorn & Sons Auto Service 3935 Bardstown Road, Louisville (502) 499-8245 Harlan Automotive 408 North 4th Street Murray (270) 767-0101 John Overley Automotive 3800 Fern Valley Rd., Louisville (502) 964-8459 Medley’s Auto Care 4601 Shelbyville Road, Louisville (502) 893-7293 Medley’s Auto & Truck Alignment Service 3913 Shepherdsville Rd., Louisville (502) 459-5740 Shuffitts Automotive* 2313 S. Preston Street, Louisville (502) 636-3076 Harrods Creek Auto Service 9705 LaGrange Rd., Louisville (502) 425-2717 S&S Transmission 4163 Bardstown Rd., Louisville (502) 499-0830 Barr Automotive, Inc. 3340 Bypass Rd., Brandenburg (270) 422-7442 K&G Oil and Tire Center 4306 W. Hwy. 146, Buckner (502) 222-2683 Gillie Hyde Auto Mall 610 Happy Valley Road, Glasgow (270) 651-2125 Lee Myles Transmission & Auto Care 945 US 31W Bypass, Bowling Green (270) 781-9339 McCarty Auto 927 Crabtree Avenue, Owensboro (270) 683-1118 Probilt Automotive 4106 Preston Highway Louisville (502)363-2327 AAA’s Approved Auto Repair Program takes the guess work out of finding quality auto repair. AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities meet AAA’s standards for customer service and provide a12-month/12,000 mile repair warranty.
Just look for the sign.
restaurants receiving the AAA Four Diamond Rating include: Corbett’s – An American Place, 5050 Norton Healthcare Boulevard, Louisville, a Four Diamond restaurant since 2009; English Grill, located in the Brown Hotel, 335 West Broadway, Louisville, a Four Diamond restaurant since 1994; Vincenzo’s Restaurant, 150 South Fifth Street, Louisville, a Four Diamond restaurant since 2007; Z’s Oyster Bar & Steakhouse, 101 Whittington Parkway, Louisville,
a Four Diamond restaurant since 2004. Establishments at the Four and Five Diamond rating levels make up just 3.9 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, of the 59,000 AAA/CAA Approved hotels and restaurants. Across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, these select properties represent the upper echelon of the hospitality industry. For 78 years AAA has used professional inspectors to conduct in-person property inspections. AAA offers the only rating system using comprehensive, on-site professional hotel and restaurant evaluations guided by member priorities. With a far greater inventory than any other rating entity, AAA operates the only rating system covering the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. AAA offers the only ratings based on professional, on-site evaluations using published guidelines weighted by member priorities.
AWARD WINNING
AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotel and restaurant listings can be found in the eTourBook® guides and AAA Mobile® app for tablets and smartphones, the TripTik® Travel Planner and Travel Guides on AAA. com and AAA TourBook® guides available at AAA offices. Travelers can access information about AAA inspections and Diamond Ratings at AAA.com/Diamonds.
The difference between summerand winter-blend gasoline
I
t happens every spring. Gas prices seem to jump to the highest levels of the year. We often hear experts say that many of the refineries are “down for maintenance while transitioning from winter-blend to summerblend gasoline,” but what exactly does this mean? The difference between summer- and winter-blend gasoline involves the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) of the fuel. RVP is a measure of how easily the fuel evaporates at a given temperature. The more volatile a gasoline (higher RVP), the faster it evaporates. Winter-blend fuel has a higher RVP because the fuel must be able to evaporate at low temperatures for the engine to operate properly, especially when the engine is cold. If the RVP is too low on a frigid day, the vehicle will be hard to start and run rough. Refineries raise the RVP by adding butane, which is relatively inexpensive and produces less energy. That’s one reason why winter blend gasoline is cheaper and why you get fewer miles per gallon. Studies typically report a reduction of 2 to 8 percent. Summer-blend gasoline has a lower RVP to prevent excessive evaporation when outside temperatures rise. Depending on where you live, the EPA mandates an RVP below 9.0 psi (pounds
per square inch), or 7.8 psi for summergrade fuel. Reducing the volatility of summer gas decreases emissions that can contribute to unhealthy ozone and smog levels. A lower RVP also helps prevent drivability problems such as vapor lock on hot days, especially in older vehicles. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says conventional summer-blend gasoline contains 1.7 percent more energy than winter-blend gas, which is one reason why your gas mileage improves in the summer. However, summer-blend is also more expensive to produce, and that cost is passed on to you, the consumer. Other price increases may be related to external factors such as world oil prices and higher demand during summer travel season. The switch between the two fuels happens twice a year, once in the fall (to winter-blend) and again in the spring (to summer-blend). The changeover requires significant work at refineries, so oil companies schedule their maintenance for those times when they will already be “down” for the blend switches. The main thing to keep in mind is that there are valid reasons for the switch from winter- to summer-blend fuel. Even though it costs more, the extra pain at the pump is usually offset because you’re burning less of it.
MARCH 2014
AAA TRAVELER
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
AAA TRAVELER
MARCH 2014