SEE PAGE 3
KENTUCKY
Vol. 34 No. 5
MAY 2013
‘BUCKET LIST’ AAA FEATURED VACATIONS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
AAA Member Rewards Visa® Credit Card is Miles Ahead!
MEMBERS SAVE UP T0
$1,200! PER ROOM, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
SOUTHERN AFRICA!
SEE CHART ON PAGE 14!
LANDS DOWN UNDER!
2 thrill-filled dream vacations pack ‘WOW! factor’ sights...and savings
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OUR HEART FLUTTERS. Your jaw drops. Your breath intake deepens. You’re experiencing a travel WOW — an extraordinary, life-affirming, awe-inducing moment of the kind we all revel in, strive to remember and can’t wait to share with the folks back home. Whether WOWs involve wildlife, amazing scenery (natural or manmade) or unique experiences or activities, they’re the hallmarks of unforgettable vacations. Such thrilling moments of goosebumps & giddiness abound on 2 very special AAA Featured Vacations — “Spectacular South Africa” and “Australia & New Zealand.” And, AAA members who book & make a deposit by May 31 will be wowed by savings of up to $1,200 per room (discount tied to your membership level; see savings chart on page 14 for details).
SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
Culture & Harmony in Nature
From the Outback to the Glaciers
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
“Oz-some” perfectly describes this very popuSafari! Swahili for “journey,” this one word lar and awesome AAA adventure April 24–May readily conjures up images of exotic animals, peo14, 2014! It’s a dream-fulfilling exploration of the ples & places. And, with the abundance of “wows” unique and diverse wonders Austraon AAA’s April 24–May 9, 2014, escorted lia & New Zealand offer. Travel down tour, you won’t be disappointed! Each tour under with an experienced AAA Tour Explore wild & wonderful areas comincludes Manager on a 21-day grand tour of citfortably and confidently as a group AAA-exclusive ies & countryside and see more and do with your fellow AAA travelers and an excursions at more than you can on most other tours experienced AAA Tour Manager from no extra cost! — from meeting Aboriginal Australians the moment you arrive in South Africa. to visiting a koala sanctuary to viewing This unique 14-night tour is jama sheep shearing. You’ll even experience unique packed with opportunities to view — and in some dining; among the 30 included meals are dinners cases, meet — wildlife “up close & personal.” Sideep “in the bush” with entertainment under dle up to penguins braying like donkeys, enjoy a star-studded sky, on a cruise around Sydney safaris (from an open-air vehicle and from atop Harbour and with a New Zealand family in their an elephant’s back!) and “capture” lions, leopards home. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! and rhinos with your camera! It all begins at Cairns, tropical gateway to the From Johannesburg to Soweto to Cape Town to Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site. First, Victoria Falls, you’ll meet local people (children glide over & into the rainforest canopy at a township school, adults in a Zimin a cabled gondola, then enjoy a AAAbabwean village) and gain a better unA AAA Tour exclusive inclusion — an evening of derstanding of southern Africa’s diverse Manager is indigenous cuisine, entertainment and cultures, social challenges and unique by your side storytelling. Zip on a high-speed cataways of life. while you’re maran to a pontoon on the reef, where The places you’ll visit! In the wealthithere! you can snorkel or scuba if you wish. est province, cosmopolitan Jo’burg Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Outbustles as a gold & diamond center and back. Tour the base of this huge monolith and, South Africa’s largest city. A visit to the informal as the sun sets, enjoy a Champagne toast watch settlements of the South West Townships (SoweUluru change colors! to) includes lunch with locals continued on page 14 continued on page 14
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY
The AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card is putting a lot of distance between itself and the competition. No other fee free credit card even comes close. In addition to earning rewards on regular purchases the AAA Member Rewards Visa features a lucrative assortment of redemption offers and benefits, including cash, travel perks, gift cards and merchandise. And because you’re a AAA member, the AAA Member Rewards Visa® has no annual fee! Unlike some cards that set complicated rules in order to make it harder to earn rewards, using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card could not be any easier. You earn genuine rewards for the things you have to buy everyday. Card members receive one point for every dollar they spend, double points on gas, grocery and drug store purchases and triple points on AAA and all travel purchases. There’s no maximum on the amount of cash back you can earn, and your rewards will be there for as long as your account remains open. And, you can combine points from multiple AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit cards! Members can redeem points for cash, travel or gift cards. Why wait? Apply for the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card today at AAA.com/creditcard or your nearest AAA Branch. (For more information on the rates, fees and benefits of this card, visit AAA.com/creditcard.)
Prepare to be Wowed by AAA Club Rewards on AAA.com AAA Club Rewards is an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands discounts and savings available to AAA members! This innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com, features deep discounts, limited offers and everyday savings on electronics, home improvement, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including national chains like Kohl’s, Macy’s, Best Buy, Walmart and The Home Depot. In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn reward or WOWPoints on most purchases that you can “burn off” at your favorite participating merchants. Starting with just 200 points, AAA members can redeem their WOWPoints for merchandise on AAA Club Rewards. • WOWPoints are as flexible as cash; • 100 WOWPoints earned = $1.00; • No limit to the points you can earn; • No blackout dates, no restrictions. Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Why wait any longer? Register online at AAA.com/discounts. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, restaurants and retailers.
Set sail for Hawaii aboard NCL Cruises Scattered like pearls around the Pacific, Hawaii is the ideal cruise destination. And there is no better way to experience “the misty seas of the high heavens” than island hopping aboard NCL’s Pride of America, combined with a 2-night AAA land package at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. Pride of America embodies all the attributes of NCL’s innovative Freestyle Cruising, and the 7-night cruises visit all of Hawaii’s main islands, including overnights on Maui and Kauai. Passengers will have more time in port than any other cruise line. Plus, receive special Aloha Gifts from AAA Travel, valued up to $200, when you book and deposit by May 31, 2013. SEE PAGE 9
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AAA TRAVELER
MAY 2013
Make sure your insurance coverage goes with you Protecting your vacation and financial peace of mind
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hether your idea of a summer break is sipping a cocktail by the pool, mountain biking a double black diamond, or touring the capitals of Europe, travel insurance can provide valuable assistance and financial protection. “Emergencies are rare, but everyone should have a contingency plan,” says Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “Unforeseen illnesses and medical emergencies are the number one reason trips are canceled.” If you’re planning an international trip, there are three types of insurance you should consider: trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance.
buying a short-term supplemental policy. Look for a policy that will make payments to hospitals directly.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance covers your financial investment in your trip, should you have to cancel a trip due to sickness, a death in the family, bad weather, delayed luggage or another disaster listed in the policy. In addition, if you or an immediate family member become seriously ill or are injured during the trip some travel insurance policies will reimburse you for the unused portion of the vacation. There may be exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so check your policy carefully. Depending on the policy, trip cancellation insurance might not cover any medical care overseas, so you may need a separate travel health insurance policy.
STAY COVERED — Many travelers do not have appropriate insurance protection.
Travel Health Insurance
If you need medical treatment overseas, you will probably be asked to pay out-of-pocket, which could be very expensive. Even countries with nationalized health care may not cover people who are nonresidents. Before you go, consider your insurance options in case you need care while you’re abroad, especially if you have existing health conditions, will
be away from home for a long time, or will be engaging in adventure activities such as scuba diving or hang gliding. If you have health insurance in the United States, find out if it will cover emergencies that happen abroad. Ask if your policy has any exclusions, such as for preexisting conditions or adventure activities. If your health insurance coverage is not adequate, consider
If you are traveling to a destination where care is not up to U.S. standards, consider buying medical evacuation insurance. This can be purchased separately or as part of your travel health insurance policy. This insurance will pay for emergency transportation from a remote or poor area to a highquality hospital. Make sure that the policy provides a 24-hour physician support center. When deciding whether travel insurance is right for you, compare companies, policy coverage, benefits and prices. Find out what is included and what is excluded and check your current health and homeowners insurance policies to see what coverage you already have. Having the right insurance will help you prepare for the unexpected in the event your trip is canceled, interrupted or delayed. BEFORE YOU GO
If long- or short-term foreign travel is in your plans speak with your AAA travel or insurance representative about travel insurance coverage that you can take with you wherever you go. Call 800.354.8761 or visit AAA.com/Insurance to purchase travel medical insurance online.
Know a good mechanic? We do.
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
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 Dents, Dings & Color 185 Arnold Drive, Hillview (502) 957-5111 St. Matthews Imports (Elizabethtown) 7170 S. Wilson Rd., Elizabethtown (270) 506-1260 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 Dents, Dings & Color 185 Arnold Drive, Hillview (502) 957-5111 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 St. Matthews Imports* 280 N. Hubbards Lane, Louisville (502) 896-0305 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 Certified Express Lube and Auto Service 6540 W. Hwy. 146, Crestwood (502) 241-7166 Carneeds Inc. 3501 Park Avenue, Paducah (270) 575-3496 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.
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
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Teaching your children about traffic safety 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 ................................Roger Boyd 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 Treasurer & CFO: ............................................Michael R. Pratt Secretary: ................................................ Robert H. Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn B. Bachman, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell**, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie, Terrence L. Walton** 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**
Good safety habits will last them a lifetime By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central riving always demands our full attention, but it is especially important at this time of year. After nine, long months of school, children will soon be celebrating the freedom of summer vacation. The warm sunshine beckons them to play ball, ride bikes, or cool off in the sprinkler. Children may be so distracted by the pastimes of summer, they become oblivious to the risks of traffic rolling by. Parents should never forget that children often have very little concept of the speed, weight, and power of a vehicle. They are particularly vulnerable because they are harder for motorists to see and their actions can be unpredictable. Children also tend to think that if they see a driver, the driver also sees them. Young children may not have the cognitive maturity to judge when it’s safe to cross a street and are less likely to understand the consequences of their misjudgments. They may not stop and think before darting between parked cars or chasing a ball into the street. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 300 children 15 and younger are hit and killed each year while walking in what should be their safe haven — their neighborhood. In 2010, the last year that statistics are available, almost one fifth of the children between the ages of age 5 of 9 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
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Richard Hamilton The majority of preschool and elementary-school-age pedestrian injuries and deaths usually occur near the child’s home. Darting out into the street without looking is one of the most common mistakes children make, and one of the most deadly. Parents should never expect too much, too soon. NHTSA research psychologists report that parents’ or caretakers’ unrealistic expectations are a contributing factor in many child pedestrian tragedies. Learn to recognize a child’s limitations. Their peripheral vision for example, is approximately one-third narrower than an adult’s. They may have difficulty judging a vehicle’s speed or believe that a car can stop instantly.
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 ©2013 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.
While children may not have the judgment to cope with traffic by themselves, they can learn safety rules. Teaching children how to cross the street properly is essential. Parents must work with their kids to get them in the habit of always stopping at the edge of the street, looking left, then right, then left again to make sure the road is clear. This is the golden rule of traffic safety and it is essential for children to learn it at an early age. Find places away from streets, driveways, and parking lots for children to play. Fenced yards, parks, and playgrounds are good choices. Children also should be taught to ask an adult to retrieve any toys that roll into the street. Establish where young children can use wheeled toys such as tricycles, bicycles, wagons, or scooters. AAA recommends that parents set age- appropriate limits on where their children can walk or bike safely. As in all parenting, the do-as-I-say method works best when parents set a good example. Children will recognize when you are obeying the speed limits and giving right of way to pedestrians. Chances are, if you obey traffic signals, cross the street properly, and wear a helmet when riding a bike, so will your children. These are good safety habits that will last them a lifetime. Our children need the best protection we can provide. As a motorist you can make a real difference just by staying alert and taking extra care in residential areas or while driving where children are present.
Let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat With exclusive members-only discounts and benefits
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ummer vacation season is nearly here, and travelers will soon be shopping for rental cars for their travel destinations. One of the benefits of AAA membership is the special package of savings available when you rent from Hertz. Members receive up to a 20 percent discount on car rentals, free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, plus an array of money-saving opportunities, including special upgrades, dollars-off coupons, and more. Their Member Satisfaction Guarantee is your assurance that the rate and car class, or a higher car class, will be available as reserved. The key to these exclusive Hertz savings and benefits is the CDP#. Your Hertz CDP number is the same as your club code, which appears on the front of your membership card. It’s your gateway to savings and value. The Hertz system will automatically assign the best rate available within the chosen channel of distribution at the time of reservation.
Exclusive AAA member benefits include free unlimited mileage on most rentals. Families receive free use of one child, infant or booster seat with every rental, and there’s no charge for an additional driver if that driver is a AAA member with a credit card in their own name. Hertz frequently offers AAA members special single and double upgrade coupons in addition to dollars off coupons. These coupon or couponless offers are available from AAA travel offices, in your club publication and on AAA.com. While most leisure and/or promotional weekly rates require that a car be rented over Saturday night, AAA members won’t have to worry. They qualify for low weekly rates without having to keep the vehicle over a Saturday night. And when you return, a Hertz agent will be waiting to give you an Instant Return receipt before you even leave the vehicle. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership is free to AAA members. But
that’s not all. Basic and Plus members receive 600 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points. That’s enough for one free rental day after the first Gold rental. Join at AAA.com/HertzGold. AAA Premier members receive 1,000 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points enough for two free weekend rental days! Join at AAA.com/HertzPremier. Plus, your Hertz Discount Code (CDP#) is automatically included in your reservations. Hertz’ premier frequent renter program entitles you to membership privileges at more than 40 major airports and 1,000 locations around the world. Just get in, show your driver’s license at the exit gate and drive away. There’s no waiting in line, nothing to sign. Your car will be waiting in a weather-protected #1 Club Gold area. AAA demands the best for its members. That’s why Hertz is the only car-rental company endorsed by AAA. The next time you need a rental car let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat.
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AAA TRAVELER
MAY 2013
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
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AAA TRAVELER
MAY 2013
Answering the questions you never thought to ask Why you need a professional insurance agent
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veryone needs insurance and consumers are barraged by a myriad of insurance company offers all claiming they can provide what you need. Many suggest going on line; picking your own coverages and buying insurance. Easy! Quick! Cheap! With an almost unlimited number of choices, why are more people turning to professional agents to do their planning? Time-challenged consumers may be one reason for the shift. If you’re not familiar with the terrain finding the right information can be time consuming and challenging. Why struggle with websites that are convoluted, confusing and filled with vague and unfamiliar terminology? Whether you are a teenager just starting to drive or a multi-millionaire with multiple homes and vehicles it’s very important to purchase insurance to adequately protect your interests. The types of insurance, the coverages, what you need and how much you need are difficult questions to answer without some help. What are your needs for the future? What happens if you’re in an accident? How much insurance do you need to adequately protect yourself? A professional insurance agent can help you answer those questions. Insurance is a highly regulated industry. All professional agents are
you decide on the adequate coverages to protect yourself and your family. During a comprehensive insurance review an agent will take into account your income, your assets, your responsibilities, as well as your plans for the future, to determine what your insurance needs may be. The agent will then review your current coverages to help you evaluate whether it is appropriate for your current situation. An agent will know the questions to ask; be able to answer any of yours and help you decipher insurance jargon. By the time the conversation ends, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about your insurance coverage options. You’ll also know, that every time you have a significant life change, that you can confidently reach out to that agent you trust, to make important decisions regarding your insurance coverage.
TALK TO A PRO — Many people find it easier to deal with an insurance professional rather than do all the work themselves. licensed by the state they work in to sell insurance after taking a comprehensive class and passing a state-issued exam. Insurance professionals also are required to keep up-to-date with the many changes in the industry by taking continuing education classes prior to license renewals. In addition, when an agent is hired by AAA East Central to sell auto and home insurance (or Property and Casualty in insurance
jargon), they are required to take a month-long, in-house training class to become experts on the products they sell. They are taught how to interpret the policy language and how it applies to the person purchasing that coverage. Contrary to what some insurance companies try to tell you in their advertising, purchasing insurance should not be a quick transaction. It takes some time for a good insurance agent to help
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.
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
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Set sail on a repositioning cruise this fall Changes in latitude bring changes in attitude
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ooling fall temperatures can signal some hot cruise deals. Cruise ships, like migratory birds, tend to follow the sun, and in the fall many ships return to the Caribbean from Europe, Alaska, and New England. Since no cruise line wants to sail without passengers, they offer a variety of special off-season and promotional rates, all of which make these repositioning cruises a particularly fine bargain. Many cruise lines also use additional sea days to enhance onboard activities with special themes and out-ofthe-ordinary entertainment. This rare combination of exotic, off the beaten path locales, leisurely days at sea, and incredible value means they often sell out early. If there’s a downside it’s that these cruises begin and end in different ports and that can mean buying two, one-way plane tickets. Celebrity Cruises’ 14-night Spanish Serenade repositioning cruise departs Barcelona onboard Celebrity Equinox October 27. Ports include of Palma De Mallorca; Valencia; and Malaga, Spain; Lanzarote, and Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Often referred to as the Hawaii of the Atlantic the Canary Islands’ seven major islands are all remnants of extinct volcanoes. The French poet André Breton called them “a surreal paradise” where
Save $10 on a new AAA Gift Membership through May 31st
admire the breathtaking scenery along Madeira’s southern coast. The Madeira Islands are famous for their strategic location along the old trade routes between Africa and the Americas, and the wonderful Madeira wine produced here. From the time of Vasco Da Gama, to the age of the steamship, the Madeira Islands served as a supply and fuel stop for countless sea voyagers. George Washington is said to have loved Madeira wine and drank a pint of it daily. Today’s Madeira wine comes in a range of varieties — from young, light and dry, to the rich, honeyed vintages over one hundred years old. Visitors also come to the islands for their remarkable natural beauty, the beaches, golf, hiking, deep-sea fishing, and old world charm.
WISH YOU WERE HERE — Repositioning cruises offer one-of-a-kind ports like Funchal, Madeira. snowcapped mountains loom over lush tropical lagoons. Lanzarote, the northernmost of the Canary Islands, was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993. Arrecife, the island’s capital presides over a smiling crescent of beach with a broad, palm-lined promenade. Mount Teide, a dormant volcano and the tallest mountain in Spain, dominates Tenerife, the largest of the islands. Princess Cruises is sailing 15-night Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale Transatlantic Cruise onboard Ruby
Princess November 29. Ports include featuring Barcelona; Toulon, France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Madeira (Funchal), Portugal. Located 750 miles southwest of Lisbon, about 300 miles from the west coast of Africa, the “Islands of Eternal Spring” are nature’s very own botanical garden overflowing with frangipani, bougainvillea, hibiscus, orchids and azalea. Home to some of the world’s highest volcanic cliffs, from Cabo Girão you can
NO SHAGGY DOG STORY
Contrary to popular belief the Canary Islands’ name has nothing to do with the colorful songbird. The name derives from Latin term Insularia Canaria, or Island of the Dogs, referring to the fierce packs of wild dogs that once roamed Grand Canaria. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see your AAA Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on cruise vacations.
The Perfect Gift! Graduations, Father’s Day, Birthdays, Weddings … Whatever the occasion, it’s the perfect time to give a AAA Gift Membership. With roadside assistance, vacation planning, maps, travel guides, exclusive savings, and much more, you can trust AAA membership to be a perfect fit.
EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? All Other Areas (800) AAA_HELP (800) 222-4357
To purchase a AAA Gift Membership, call or visit your local office or AAA.com.
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AAA TRAVELER
MAY 2013
AAA offers breakdown advice for stranded motorists Responded to 28 million roadside assistance calls in 2012
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ar problems are always an inconvenience, and can sometimes put you in harm’s way. Your first consideration should always be for the safety of yourself and your passengers and knowing how to react is something you should prepare for in advance. In 2012, AAA received more than 28 million roadside assistance calls and while 58 percent of those breakdowns were resolved at the roadside by AAA technicians, nearly 12 million vehicles needed a tow. AAA offers the following guidelines and general suggestions for motorists experiencing a breakdown. While driving, be aware of and know how to respond to warning signs such as brake or steering problems, or steam or smoke billowing from under the hood. If your car is clearly experiencing a problem but can still be driven a short distance, drive to a safe location such as a parking lot. If it’s a flat tire, the first rule is not to panic. Signal, slow down gradually and carefully pull onto the shoulder of the road, avoiding any sudden maneuvers. If you run out of gas or your engine stops, switch on the emergency flashers, carefully steer your vehicle out of traffic. Use the car’s momentum to get you off the road and to a safe place. Avoid applying the brakes until necessary.
• Your location — exact address or nearest intersection or exit number; • A description of your vehicle — color, make, model and year; • License plate number. Android and iPhone users can also download the AAA Mobile app at AAA. com/mobile, which provides easy access to roadside assistance, vehicle battery quotes, and Approved Auto Repair (AAR) locations. AAA roadside technicians can provide fuel, change tires, boost a battery and employ basic roadside problemsolving techniques to get the vehicle going. If the AAA technician is unable to remedy the problem at the roadside, the car will need to be towed to a repair facility.
RIDING TO THE RESCUE — AAA was able to resolve 58% of all breakdowns at the roadside in 2012. If your vehicle cannot get completely off the roadway, switch on the emergency flashers. Occupants should not remain in the vehicle if there is a possibility it may be struck by other traffic. For the same reason, it is generally not a good idea to attempt to push a disabled car off the road. Make sure your vehicle is visible to other motorists especially in inclement weather. In addition to turning on the emergency flashers, drivers can signal
they have a problem by raising the car hood, tying a brightly colored scarf to the antenna or door handle, or setting out flares, warning triangles or emergency beacons to help direct traffic away from your vehicle. Once everyone is in a safe location, request assistance from AAA and have the following information ready: • Your AAA membership number; • The phone number where you can be reached;
APPROVED AUTO REPAIR
Garages that participate in AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program offer qualified technicians, a wide range of professional repair services and guaranteed quality. Repairs, parts, labor, and components are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles under normal operating conditions. Visit www.AAA.com to locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility nearest you. Approved Auto Repair facilities also can be quickly found using the AAA Mobile app, a free download for iPhone and Android at the AAA Mobile solutions page at AAA.com/mobile.
Get More... Out of Your Membership with
AAA Plus!!
A
s a AAA basic member, you enjoy countless valuable benefits — from roadside assistance to travel services, member discounts, and access to financial and insurance services. And there’s more! When you sign up for AAA Plus membership, you’re eligible for all of the benefits of basic membership, plus enhanced and extended services, including:
n Up to 100 miles of free towing n Free emergency fuel n Up to $100 emergency locksmith services n Extended extrication service
Get more out of your membership
Call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call our Member Service Center at 1-800-441-5008
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
AAA + NCL = The very best way to see the most of Hawaii...and get Aloha Gifts!
It all adds up to a 7-night, 4-island cruise plus 2 nights on Waikiki and a Pearl Harbor excursion!
The formula for a fantastic, fun and free-of-hassles Hawaiian vacation is the simple addition of a 2-night AAA land package and a 7-night NCL cruise! What you get is the convenient, comfortable and unforgettable experience of visiting 4 islands of America’s own slice of paradise over 9 nights, minus the annoyance of repeatedly packing & unpacking, flying from island to island, transferring from hotel to hotel. In fact, it couldn’t be easier. Start with 2 nights on Oahu in Waikiki, Honolulu’s beachfront district known for placid waters, spectacular views of Diamond Head and unlimited opportunities for entertainment, dining, nightlife and shopping. Lounge in luxury at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa right in the middle of it all! An included 5-hour excursion to Pearl Harbor includes a moving visit to the USS Arizona Memorial. NCL’s Pride of America is a vibrant US-flagged, Americana-themed “floating resort hotel” full of choices to maximize the enjoyment of your cruise. Its friendly American crew is ready to assist you and make sure your cruise is just that — yours. Freestyle Cruising® starts with a wide DAY
PRE-CRUISE HONOLULU LOCATIONS
range of dining options included in your cruise price and available on your schedule. Freestyle Dining means sitting down to a 4-course meal and a fine wine...or grabbing a burger hot off the grill. Dressing up. Dressing down. Sitting with friends or making new ones. You’ll find more dining options than days of your cruise, and you’re free to enjoy them all on your own schedule. For even more memorable experiences, cover-charge specialty restaurants provide refined choices; experience a Brazilian churrascaria or a Chicago steakhouse (both new in 2013) or dine on expertly prepared sushi, traditional French bistro or Italian trattoria fare — it’s all onboard. And it’s all delicious. The freedom continues with entertainment for all. From Broadway shows to adults-only clubs where you can dance ’til dawn to supervised activities for kids & teens. Pools with slides, WiiTM on 2-story screens, modern fitness centers, expansive spas, fun kids & teens programs, wine tastings, an always exciting casino and more are all waiting for you onboard. When it’s time to recover from the excitement, retreat to accommodations de-
1 .... Arrive Honolulu Airport, transfer to your room at Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa 2 .... Enjoy all of the fun & sun of Waikiki at your leisure; do as much or as little as you like! 3 .... Pearl Harbor excursion, then afternoon transfer to ship at Pier 2, Port of Honolulu
DAY
CRUISE PORT, ISLAND
ARRIVE
DEPART or OVERNIGHT
3 ....Honolulu, Oahu.................7pm 4 ....Kahalui, Maui ........8am ...overnight in port 5 ....Kahalui, Maui ...................6pm 6 ....Hilo, Hawaii ...........8am ...6pm 7 ....Kona, Hawaii .........7am ...5:30pm 8 ....Nawiliwili, Kauai ...8am....overnight in port 9 ....Nawiliwili, Kauai ..............2pm 10 ...Honolulu, Oahu......7am....transfer to airport
signed for the way you cruise. Bring your sweet dreams to a balcony stateroom, a 2-bedroom family suite or a stylish studio for solo travelers (new in 2013!). There’s a large selection of oceanview & inside staterooms; NCL has a higher percentage of balcony rooms than any other line. After settling into your at-sea digs, get set to visit 3 other Hawaiian isles — Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island) and Kauai. A surplus of natural splendor and the genuine hospitality of its people help to make Maui Hawaii’s second most popular island. Explore the fascinating history of Lahaina. Picnic at a plantation, plant yourself on a pristine beach or play one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses. Hilo is like one giant greenhouse with spectacular tropical flowers at every turn. Visit well-preserved historic buildings, dating to the turn of the 20th century and showcasing Hawaii’s unique architecture. Nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home of the active volcano, Kilauea. Kona offers the quintessential Hawaii experience. Sunny, warm weather and crystal-blue waters entice visitors to partake in a variety of surfside fun. Snorkel
BOOK & DEPOSIT BY MAY 31, 2013, AND GET THESE AAA ALOHA GIFTS! BALCONY STATEROOM
$200.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels 2-towel set valued @ $35
OUTSIDE STATEROOM
$100.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels 2-towel set valued @ $35
INSIDE STATEROOM
$50.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels 2-towel set valued @ $35
1 each per new booking — May 1-31, 2013
among a kaleidoscope of tropical marine life, take a surfing lesson, enjoy a kayaking trip or head out for deep-sea fishing. Named after wiliwili trees which once lined its picturesque harbor, Nawiliwili is your gateway to what many believe to be Hawaii’s most beautiful island, Kauai. On the “Garden Island,” nature is truly the star, from the dramatic mountains of Kokee to the cool rain forests of Haena. Looking for the best Hawaiian vacation experience? Just calculate this simple equation: AAA Travel plus NCL equals great times, great value and great gifts!
3 HOT WINTER DEPARTURES IN 2014! JAN 9-18 from $1,705 • JAN 30–FEB 8 from $1,809 FEB 27–MARCH 8 from $1,809
AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include airport/hotel transfers (for flights purchased through NCL), 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial excursion, hotel/pier transfers, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government taxes/fees, port charges and pier/airport transfers (for flights purchased through NCL). Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.
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AAA TRAVELER
MAY 2013
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Skip long admission lines at some of Europe’s must-see sites on “SKIP THE LINE” tours with Pleasant Holidays AAA Travel partner Pleasant Holidays now offers unique “SKIP THE LINE” tours in 3 of Europe’s most popular cities — Rome, Paris and Florence. Choosing these optional tours lets you enjoy priority admission to famous — and often crowded — attractions like the Colosseum in Rome, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Accademia Gallery in Florence. Forget about waiting for hours — sometimes in hot summer temperatures — and wasting precious vacation time. These really “cool” “SKIP THE LINE” tours let you feel like a VIP at places like Versailles in Paris or the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, among others. “SKIP THE LINE” tours are just some of the many optional tours that the Europe activity experts at Pleasant Holidays offer. In London, for instance, you can opt for the intriguing Jack the Ripper Evening Tour or how about Champagne Tea at Harrod’s? And kids will love the private tours of Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studios. When it comes to vacationing in Europe with Pleasant Holidays, the possibilities are endless. Pleasant Holidays can easily arrange all of your transatlantic and inter-Europe flights, hotel accommodations, transfers, car rentals and an extensive array of in-city tours & activities. And during 2013 you can take advantage of a AAA Member Benefit of $50.00 off each booking! Contact AAA for Pleasant Holidays flights, hotels, car rentals, tours & more.
SAMPLE 5-NIGHT EUROPE CITY VACATION PACKAGES ROME • $1,204 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Frascati Wine Tasting: The only tour of its kind in Rome. Visit one of the oldest, most beautiful vineyards in the Frascati region. An expert illustrates local wine-producing methods from antiquity to today. Tour the property and talk about the fascinating history of wine in ancient Rome, followed by a tasting of 3 wines and freshly pressed olive oil. Rome in 1 Day “SKIP THE LINE”: Visit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum with “Skip the Line” access. Take a lunch break (not included) in the historical center of the city before wandering its picturesque streets & piazzas, seeing Piazza Navona and its Bernini fountain. The guide brings sites to life with stories and myths that make Rome unlike any other city.
PARIS • $1,762 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Famous Graves of Paris: A must-see cemetery? Père Lachaise is well worth it; it’s home to 70,000 dead, including some of the world’s most famous artists, writers and musicians. Most know this place for Jim Morrison, but Chopin, Wilde, Piaf and many, many others rest across this magnificent hilltop setting. Meander through the labyrinth of elaborate crypts and overhanging trees. Louvre Museum “SKIP THE LINE”: This all-inclusive small group explores the world-famous collection of paintings, sculpture and architecture with an English-speaking guide. Gaze on some of the world’s most recognizable masterpieces. Seeing all the Louvre has to offer is impossible; this tour makes the most of your time, leading you through the best!
FLORENCE • $2,293 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below Best of Florence “SKIP THE LINE”: This walking tour visits “Porcellino,” Ponte Vecchio, Leather Market and the Duomo. Enjoy artisan gelato. “Skip the Line” at Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s 17-foot “David” and at Uffizi Gallery to see works by Italian Masters; hear stories about artists, architects and patrons. View the city center from a rooftop terrace.
Best of Tuscany in a Day: A guided tour of Siena visits its medieval center, a World Heritage Site, and the Duomo, one of Italy’s most impressive Gothic cathedrals. Visit the estate of Niccolò Machiavelli and the Chianti wine region (lunching in a vineyard). Also tour well-preserved Lucca and take a mini-train in Pisa to the cathedral and the Leaning Tower.
VENICE • $2,037 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Best of Venice: On this tour of 10 people maximum, see the best of Venice from water, land and the St Mark’s Basilica terraces. Start on Grand Canal; the city’s main waterway snakes past 50 palaces, 6 churches, 4 bridges and 2 markets. Visit Bovolo staircase, stop by Marco Polo’s house (outside), see lively Campo San Luca and Campo SS Giovanni & Paolo. View mosaics at St Mark’s. Secret Venice by Night: Start at Rialto Bridge. As you stroll, your guide tells stories, myths & legends, giving you a local’s perspective. Pass Peggy Guggenheim’s museum and hear about the patroness who lost her father to the Titanic but gained the means to build one of the world’s most notable art collections. End with an unforgettable 40-minute gondola ride as the sun sets.
LONDON • $2,212 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Total London: Begin at the Tower of London before it opens to the public. View the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace & take a panoramic drive featuring the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Downing Street and a photo stop at Westminster Abbey. Cruise on the River Thames. Tour St Paul’s Cathedral, including the Whispering Gallery, and take a “flight“ on the London Eye. Stonehenge, Lacock & Bath: Enjoy a sunset viewing of 5,000-year-old Stonehenge, the world’s most popular prehistoric monument. Bath, a World Heritage Site, is a Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces & architecture; tour its Roman Baths. Visit Lacock, a Saxon village where many dramas (Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice“) were filmed. Dine at George Inn, a pub built in 1361. Rates shown are for July 15-20, 2013, and are subject to availability at time of booking. Other dates/rates available. Ask about available add-on airfare.
THE AMERICAN WEST
Where the sun sets and the fun rises! AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated, services of a AAA Tour Manager and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK THESE 2! Southwestern Canyonlands
Best of Northern California
Eroded for eons by wind & water, the colorful canyons of Arizona, Utah & Nevada captivate all who visit. See the stunning Red Rocks of Sedona, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, the backcountry of Monument Valley, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. Enjoy Grand Canyon National Park lodging, guided tour and IMAX Theater. Take an “adventure cruise” through Antelope/ Navajo Canyon. Visit Lake Powell and spend 2 fun nights in Las Vegas. 11 meals.
Explore San Francisco, the redwoods at Muir Woods, Mediterranean-style Sausalito and the wine country of the Sonoma and Napa valleys (and dine on the Napa Valley Wine Train). Ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr to the scenic shores of Lake Tahoe and cruise its crystal-blue waters aboard a paddlewheeler. Venture to Yosemite National Park, then take the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, San Simeon (Hearst Castle), Salinas Valley and Silicon Valley. 14 meals.
June 12-20 • $2,725
July 25–Aug 2 • $2,859
American Majesty
Grand Canyon Adventure
Napa Valley & San Francisco
New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite landmarks. Visit Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone NP (Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower National Monument, Mt Rushmore National Memorial (evening light ceremony), Ft Laramie National Historic Site and Buffalo Bill Historic Center. Float down the Snake River and ride a Jeep safari in the Black Hills. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting). See Crazy Horse Monument. 15 meals, including a chuck wagon dinner.
Luxuriate in Red Rock Country at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Take a Pink Jeep backcountry tour. Ride first class on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to your national park lodging just a quarter-mile from the South Rim. Visit Glen Canyon Recreational Area and a night at Lake Powell Resort. A tour highlight is your guided half-day float trip on the Colorado River! Motorcoach to the Luxor Hotel on the Strip in Las Vegas. Flirt with Lady Luck, relax by the pool or take in a top-notch show on your free full day in Vegas. 9 meals.
So many delights in one tour — from San Francisco’s endless charms to the natural splendor of the Muir Woods redwoods. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy 5 vineyards (participate in a “Blend Your Own Merlot” event) and 3 nights at Tuscan-style Vino Bella Resort in Napa. Savor an exquisite 4-course dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. With your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf as your base, tour San Francisco’s famous landmarks, cruise by ferry across the bay and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. 2 meals.
Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks. Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with llamas! 14 meals.
Aug 31–Sept 8 • $2,735
Oct 4-10 • $2,195
Oct 7-12 • $1,949
Oct 9-15 • $2,309
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
PAGE 11
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Independent travel with AAA Vacations®
On your own but never alone This year, the people of Ireland are hosting an unprecedented year-long celebration of everything that is unique & great about Ireland. It’s called The Gathering. Communities, villages and towns are organizing gatherings, festivals and events to welcome visitors. With the focus on Ireland’s vibrant living culture, heritage and people, it’s a chance to experience Ireland like never before. • Bunratty Folk Park • Medieval banquet in a 15th-century castle • Cliffs of Moher • Flying Boat Museum • Killarney National Park, including Muckross House • Ring of Kerry drive, including the Skellig Experience & Moll’s Gap • Waterford Crystal tour • Russborough House mansion • Dinner & song at a real pub • Dublin: city tour & free time ...AND MUCH MORE!
Oct 13-20 • AAA Member Rate: $1,399
You want to travel to Europe, but you don’t care to be with an organized tour group. And yet you’d like the convenience & value of pre-arranged elements (like hotels, sightseeing, intercity rail/ferry transporation and airport transfers) at lower-than-market rates only a travel industry power-buyer can offer. AAA Vacations® answers the call! If you prefer a flexible vacation with limited structure, pre-packaged Independent Vacations from AAA Vacations® are the perfect solution for you. Choose from more than 20 exciting vacation combinations, all offering a choice of trip and hotel standard. In addition, you’ll have 24/7 access to a local host in each city. These hosts know the “lay of the land” and can provide advice and answer any qestions for you throughout your trip. With guaranteed daily departures, you can travel any day you wish. Your package will include private roundtrip airport/hotel transfers and a choice of 4- or 5-star centrally located hotels in each city, including hotel taxes and service charges. You even get breakfast daily! Also included is rail transportation with reserved seats between each city
(standard class on 4-star-hotel option or first class on 5-star-hotel option). If you travel between islands in the Mediterranean, your ferry transportation is also included. Of course, a city sightseeing tour in your featured city(ies) is included. AAA members enjoy a wide range of helpful services & money-saving benefits, including 24/7 Member Care, a Best Price Guarantee and a $40 per person dining credit redeemable at select restaurants popular with locals. And don’t forget the AAA Member Benefit of $40 per person off packages totaling $2,000 or more per person. Here’s a sample of some 5-day vacations (other day-lengths available): Dublin & Killarney — from $1,109 London & Paris — from $1,275 Rome & Venice — from $944 Barcelona & Madrid — from $1,007 Prague & Budapest — from $835 Self-drive Ireland vacations featuring bed & breakfasts, hotels, castles & manor stays are also available; contact a AAA Travel Agent! Rates are per person double occupancy, land only. Restrictions apply to the AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care and Best Price Guarantee.
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
Edinburgh: welcome drink & dinner • Spean Bridge Woolen Mill • Loch Ness cruise • Scottish Highland evening • Culloden Battlefield • Whisky tasting/tour at Blair Athol Distillery • Edinburgh Castle & city tour • Ferry to Northern Ireland • Belfast: city tour, Titanic Center • Dublin: city tour, Book of Kells, canal dinner cruise with live music • Rock of Cashel • Blarney: Castle & Woolen Mills • Killarney: national park “jaunting car” ride • Ring of Kerry • The Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap • River Shannon ferry • Cliffs of Moher (pictured) • Bunratty Castle medieval banquet • AND MUCH MORE!
Nov 2-12 • AAA Member Rate: $1,698 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 16 meals (including medieval banquet, canal dinner cruise), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
PROGRAMS OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
Since the inaugural race in 1994, this annual 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup points race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become one of NASCAR’s most-attended events and its second highest paying race in dollars (behind the Daytona 500). Don’t miss it!
Reserved paddock seating with views of turns 1 & 4, the pit road & the winner’s circle 2-night accommodations, daily breakfast & tax at Embassy Suites Indianapolis–North A $50.00 gas card AAA Member Rate: $375 per person, double occupancy LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
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AAA TRAVELER
MAY 2013
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
AAA Featured Vacations are specific cruise, motorcoach or air tour vacations created or selected by AAA Travel for their value, amenities and/or inclusions. • Fairbanks: University of Alaska Museum, free time, sternwheeler river cruise, salmon bake dinner at Pioneer Park • 4-hour flying adventure over Brooks Range and across Arctic Circle • Denali National Park: free time, “Welcome to the Subarctic” talk, full-day Tundra Wilderness Tour, overnight in the park • Anchorage: city tour, kennel/home of an Iditarod Sled Dog Race winner, Native Heritage Center • Portage Valley: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center • Scenic Seward Highway to Begich Boggs Visitor Center • Seward: free time • Cooper Landing: 2-hour scenic float on the Kenai River • Girdwood: free time, Alyeska Tram, farewell seafood buffet dinner
July 8-17 • AAA Member Rate: $5,229 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Louisville), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, 9-night accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, 16 meals, in-Alaska local guide, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met), Arctic Circle air adventure (small aircraft; group will be staggered; departure is weather-dependent) & more. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/Alaska for itinerary details.
Look for the AAA Featured Vacations logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings.
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.
PASADENA
ART!
•
FOOD!
•
WINE!
includes 4 nights in a Tuscan villa! The romance of Italy comes to life on this tour. Explore the lakes region your way when you choose between a scenic boat ride on Lake Maggiore or a visit to a local farm for a cheese & wine tasting. Explore the rugged coast and remote fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend 4 relaxing nights in a Tuscan villa. Discover the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Experience medieval life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Visit a winery in the countryside and learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Wander a Florentine food market. Spend 2 wonderful nights in Venice. Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden treasures. Travel by boat to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori. Explore Lucca’s piazzas and medieval streets. These are Italy’s treasures! Special inclusion: A serenaded gondola cruise — with Prosecco! — on Venice’s canals! Experience the benefits of Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides. Enjoy regional wines included with every dinner.
Aug 31–Sept 11 AAA Member Rate: $5,710 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville-Milan, VeniceLouisville), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 17 meals, inItaly tour director, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and vendor travel protection. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for itinerary and more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $50.00 PER PERSON
CALIFORNIA New Yearʼs Getaway including reserved seats for the worldfamous Tournament of Roses Parade!
Dec 29–Jan 3 AAA Member Rate: $3,305 Start in LA, touring historic Farmers Market, glitzy Rodeo Drive and star-studded Hollywood. At the Chinese Theatre (née Grauman’s, then Mann’s), see celebrity signatures immortalized in cement. Follow the bronze medallions studding Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. At Hollywood & Highland, a shopping & entertainment complex housing the new home of Academy Awards extravaganzas, enjoy a great view of the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign from the upper level. Continue to downtown LA if time permits, then relax and get acquainted with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at at a bayfront restaurant in Long Beach. Day 2 takes you to Pasadena to see floats in the final stage of parade preparation; watch volunteers & professionals hand-apply flowers. Tour Burbank’s Warner Brothers Studios for a behind-the-scenes look into making films and TV shows; be alert for star sightings! Return to your hotel to relax poolside or enjoy beachside paths for walking, jogging and biking. Dining on your own allows you to explore Long Beach. On Day 3, drive to Simi Valley’s Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, the nation’s largest and most elaborate; see a full-scale Oval Office replica, Air Force One, a re-created White House state dinner and numerous videos & displays. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through exclusive Malibu to fun & funky Santa Monica; explore its
variety of sights in your free time. Attend an exclusive New Year’s Eve party in Long Beach on the magnificent Queen Mary — a luxurious setting for sophisticated dining, dancing and bidding farewell to 2013 in grand style. Usher in 2014 with a toast from the best seat in Long Beach for a gigantic fireworks display off the ship’s stern! Day 4 finds you in Pasadena, at your reserved seat for the Roses Parade — 60 flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians. Stop at Victory Park to view the floats up close. Enjoy lunch in see-&-be-seen West Hollywood, then drive to your all-suite hotel on San Diego’s waterfront. Explore this unique city on Day 5; see Cabrillo Monument atop Point Loma, with commanding views of the Pacific, the harbor and the city skyline. Drive through Mission Bay, continue to Old Town (California’s birthplace) and La Jolla, a chic beachside hideaway where you’ll have time to explore. Established in 1868, Balboa Park is the country’s oldest and one of its largest city parks. Take a guided tour on a doubledecker bus at San Diego Zoo, then board the luxurious Lord Hornblower, designed to resemble the grand steamships that once plied the harbor; enjoy entertainment, dancing and a sit-down dinner while cruising past glittering harbor lights under radiant stars in the sky before debarking at the Embarcadero. All too soon, fly home on Day 6.
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville– Los Angeles, San Diego–Louisville), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person), 10 meals (including 2 dinner cruises), 2 cocktail parties, reserved parade seat, taxes/gratuities on included items, local tour manager and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met).
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the 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.
Bourbon Country Distillery Tours with Lunch!
Journey with AAA into the heart of Bluegrass Country as we explore the proud and rich history of bourbon distilling. Central Kentucky has been home to bourbon distilling for more than 200 years. The limestone-filtered water, rolling fields and ideal climate are the perfect combination to produce the delectable amber-colored drink known as bourbon. Each tour explores 2 of the region’s premier distilleries and includes a tasting. DATE
DESTINATIONS
AAA MEMBER RATE
May 23 ...... Woodford Reserve & Wild Turkey (lunch at Holly Hill Inn) ....... $95 June 6........ Heaven Hill & Jim Beam (lunch at The Old Talbott Inn) ........... $95 June 27 ......Four Roses & Buffalo Trace (lunch at Addie’s at the Woodford Inn) ....$90 Sept 5 ....... Heaven Hill & Jim Beam (lunch at The Old Talbott Inn) ........... $95 Sept 19 ...... Woodford Reserve & Wild Turkey (lunch at Holly Hill Inn) ....... $98 Oct 3 ..........Four Roses & Buffalo Trace (lunch at Addie’s at the Woodford Inn) ....$90
Renfro Valley Headliner Tours with Dinner! Best known as “Kentucky’s Country Music Capital,” Renfro Valley entertainment began back in 1939 when the first Barn Dance show was held. The tradition of providing top-quality entertainment continues with the wildly popular Headliner Concerts. Travel to beautiful Renfro Valley with AAA, enjoy a delicious boardinghouse dinner and stellar entertainment. Seats are limited. Don’t miss the bus! DATE
ARTIST(S)
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AAA MEMBER RATE
June 1 .......Loretta Lynn in Concert ........................................................... $155 June 14......Oldies Concert: The Platters, The Coasters & The Drifters ....... $140 Aug 9 ........Legends of the Opry: Jim Ed Brown, Jean Sheppard, Stonewall Jackson & Jan Howard ... $140 Oct 12 .......Charlie Daniels Band in Concert ............................................... $125
America’s South: A “Gone with the Wind“ Experience
Sept 16-20
AAA Member Rate: $1,050
Travel with AAA to Atlanta GA, our home-base for 4 nights. Experience the sights & sounds of a region steeped in history, culture, phenomenal cuisine and a gentle character reminiscent of bygone days. Tour CNN and the beautiful Georgia Aquarium. Visit Jonesboro, known as the “Land of Tara” and home of the Road to Tara Museum. Learn more about Margaret Mitchell’s blockbuster book “Gone with the Wind” and the people & places behind its characters. Stroll through the houses & grounds of 5 plantations and antebellum homes in Jonesboro, Roswell and Madison. Explore the unique and engaging Anne Frank Museum. Entwined in this fascinating tour are meals in unforgettable locations such as No Mas! Hacienda & Cantina, Southern Cross Guest Ranch, Woo-Hoo Café and Mary Mac’s Tea Room. 10 meals. STATELY OAKS
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AAA TRAVELER
Southern Africa
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at a shebeen (house tavern). At the Apartheid Museum, take an in-depth look at the nation’s divisive past. Travel through the Drakensburg Mountains to South Africa’s largest game reserve, Kruger National Park. A local expert leads you in search of the Big 5 — elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. Watch carefully from your open-air safari vehicle; you may also see impala, zebra and giraffe. Save enough film or memory to capture the stunning beauty of the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline between mountains and the Indian Ocean on the way to Tsitsikamma Forest, home to hundreds of species of birdlife. At Featherbed Nature Reserve, cruise a lagoon to the Heads, sandstone cliffs near Knysna, culinary capital of oysters and other delectable seafood. Then visit the national ostrich capital; tour a working farm and, if you choose, ride these flightless and largest of living birds. Afterward, a goblet of great wine may be in order. Fortunately, the Cape Winelands region is your next stop! South Africa has produced wine since 1659; visit a wine farm and sample a blend at a winery restaurant among the vines. One of the world’s most multicultural cities, Cape Town hugs a visually stunning harbor with a mountain forming a dramatic backdrop to the City Bowl. With its plateau more than 3,300 feet high, Table Mountain is surrounded
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AAA MEMBER SAVINGS
April 24–May 9, 2014 • AAA Member Rate: $8,699 Rate per person (double occupancy) is before savings, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Louisville-Johannesburg), in-Africa flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, sightseeing per itinerary, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 28 meals, in-Africa guide, cancel-for-any-reason protection and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/ GoAfrica for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Kruger National Park: Safari drive Port Elizabeth: Garden Rte gateway Garden Route: coastal scenery Tsitsikamma Forest: birdlife Knysna: resort town, school visit
Lands Down Under
by near-vertical cliffs, Devil’s Peak and In Alice Springs, meet an Aboriginal Lion’s Head. Ride a thrilling cable car to musical group and dine in the bush its top for breathtaking views. (When a with entertainment under the stars. On thin strip of cloud forms over the mouna special Dreamtime tour, you’ll learn tain, locals call it their “tablecloth.”) about Aboriginal culture, meet individOn Cape Peninsula, visit with penuals and even visit a school. guins at Boulder Beach; explore KirstenOften characterized as Victorian, Melbosch Botanical Gardens. Take an afterbourne is lively and cosmopolitan; tour hours tour of the African Gold Museum its lovely Fitzroy Gardens and then travbefore enjoying a traditional African el to Phillip Island Nature Park, home of dining experience. the world’s largest Not yet wowed colony of Little (or, enough? Fly to as they’re known Book & make a deposit Zimbabwe’s Victorto Aussies, Fairy) by May 31, 2013, to save! ia Falls (its indigpenguins, just 13" enous name means tall, the smallest SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA & NZ “smoke that thunpenguin species. $700 ...... Premier .... $1,200 ders”), where the Watch hundreds of $600 ..... AAA Plus ... $1,100 Zambezi River falls these lovable birds in a single vertical waddle from sea $550 .........Basic ....... $1,050 drop into a chasm to beach burrow, a Savings per room, based on double occupancy. To qualify, you must purchase air through AAA. 5,604 feet wide; the fascinating parade depth of the chasm sure to make you varies from 260 to 354 feet. Stay at the smile and one you’ll never forget! 5-star Victoria Falls Hotel, the “grand Next, you’ll air-hop to the “most Engold lady” built in 1904. Take a leisurely lish city outside of England” — Christcruise on the Zambezi at sunset. Then church, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” enjoy a full day — including a safari on Then ride on the Tranz-Alpine Express the back of an elephant! — at Botswathrough the scenic Southern Alps. Exna’s Chobe National Park, home to an perience Franz Josef Glacier Region’s dyabundance of wildlife and game. namic and spectacular glacial landscape. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime travFor even more wows, you can opt for a el opportunity no lover of wildlife and thrilling flightseeing tour of the region. natural scenic beauty should miss. Visit Later, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, AAA.com/GoAfrica and contact a AAA learn about the endangered kiwi bird. Travel Agent today! “The Lord of the Rings” fans will
SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
Sandton/Johannesburg Soweto: “house tavern” lunch Blyde River Canyon The Three Rondavels Bourke’s Luck Potholes
MAY 2013
Featherbed Nature Reserve Oudtshoorn: ostrich “capital” Stellenbosch/Winelands Cape Town: Table Mtn Gondola Victoria Falls/Zambezi River
AAA-EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU! At Knysna lagoon, enjoy oysters & sparkling wine dockside, a paddle boat ride, an onboard local-specialties cooking demonstration and a delicious 3-course dinner! Enjoy a full-day adventure in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, featuring a river cruise and a memorable wildlife-viewing safari from atop the back of an elephant!
Enjoy an entertaining 30-minute ONLINE PRESENTATION on your computer — the first step of your AAA adventure! Ask real-time questions, learn from travel experts and marvel at incredible images. Register at 1-800-354-8761. South Africa — May 29 @ 7pm Australia & NZ — May 15 @ 7pm
EARN TRIPLE POINTS on your next AAA trip! Book your vacation using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® and earn triple points for each dollar spent on qualifying AAA Travel purchases. That means you could earn enough points to enhance your vacation with an unforgettable beachside horseback ride, amazing snorkeling tour or any of the hundreds of great adventures available. You’ll also get 2,500 bonus points after your first qualifying purchase. Apply at any AAA branch. For more information on the costs and benefits of this card, visit a AAA branch.
absolutely love the voyage to “Middle Earth.” See primeval, mystical landscapes where Tolkien’s powerful trilogy was filmed; vast panoramas of unspoiled wilderness on South Island made it an ideal setting. Trek by 4x4 Range Rovers into the aptly named Remarkable Mountains and across the Arrow River. Visit an 1800s gold rush boomtown, then enjoy a tasting at one of NZ’s famous wineries. Spend ample time exploring the splendor of Mt Cook National Park. Stop at a working farm for a riveting demonstration by a sheep herding dog followed by a sheep shearing. Afterward, sit down to dinner in the home of a friendly local family, getting to know them and their culture. Fly to Sydney for a unique Epicurean tour, savoring each course in a different restaurant. Extensively tour this fun-loving city; see the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, the Botanic Gardens and fashionable Paddington. After a guided tour of the instantly recognizable Sydney Opera House, enjoy time to explore the city’s many other sites. On your final day, wallabies, kangaroos, dingoes and the namesake “stars” of Koala Park will enchant you, as will the gems of the National Opal Collection. End this Oz-some tour with a farewell dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour! An optional 3-night post-tour stay in Fiji is available — a perfect ending to a perfect journey. Contact AAA Travel!
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND April 24–May 14, 2014 • AAA Member Rate: $9,699 Rate per person (double occupancy) is before savings, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Louisville-Sydney, Sydney-Christchurch, ChristchurchLouisville), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 30 meals, professional guide in Australia & New Zealand, cancel-for-any-reason protection and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Cairns Rainforest Cableway Great Barrier Reef Uluru/Ayers Rock Alice Springs Aboriginal Dreamtime tour Melbourne
Little Penguin colony Christchurch Tranz-Alpine Express ride Franz Joseph Glacier Queenstown Milford Sound cruise “Middle Earth” 4x4 trek
Winery tour & tasting Mt Cook National Park Herding/shearing demo Dine with a NZ Family Sydney & Opera House Koala Park & Opal Collection Sydney Harbour dinner cruise
AAA-EXCLUSIVE INCLUSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU! In Cairns, at the beginning of your adventure, embrace Australia’s ancient indigenous culture with an evening of entertainment, discovery, delicious cuisine and storytelling that brings Dreamtime legends to life.
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Discovering the romance of riverside America Big wheel keeps on turning on the American Queen
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rowing up in the 1840s, Mark Twain fell in love with the Mississippi River and the steamboats that were its floating palaces. Today, steamboating and the sheer adventure of what Huck Finn called “lighting out for the Territory” might seem like a time capsule from a bygone era, but you can still experience riverside America the way Twain did — aboard the American Queen. The largest steamboat ever built is rolling on the river again. The whistle blows, a calliope plays, the big wheel keeps on turning in a thrilling blend of Americana, acclaimed cuisine, and showboat-style entertainment. The $65-million showcase of Victorian splendor features six delicately filigreed decks and 222 staterooms and suites. Handsomely appointed public rooms are furnished in polished hardwoods, fine antiques and gleaming brass details. The elegant J.M. White Dining Room features floor to ceiling windows topped with stained glass, and menus designed by culinary superstar Regina Charboneau. A two-story Grand Saloon reflects the opulence of a Gilded Age Opera House with private box seats on the mezzanine. On deck, settle into a rocker on the Front Porch of America and watch a continent go by. From the wild rice marshes of Minnesota to Louisiana bayous,
steep bluffs, wooded islands and hilly, leaf-mottled landscapes. Enjoy daily lectures by a Riverlorian, or shore excursions that offer an in-depth immersion into the history, culture and cuisine of America’s heartland. By any measure, the Ohio is a mighty river coursing nearly 1,000 miles. American Queen brings the Ohio River to life sailing through brawny industrial cities and pastoral towns. American Queen sails between St. Louis and Cincinnati and Cincinnati and Pittsburgh with a pair of cruises that travel between Memphis, Chattanooga and St. Louis. Here too are the great Wilderness Rivers coursing through Bluegrass country, conjuring up tales of Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone.
FIT FOR A QUEEN — American Queen is the largest steamboat in the world. American Queen transits the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. Lower Mississippi itineraries include New Orleans roundtrips and New Orleans to Memphis, where guests will be immersed in the hospitality of the Old South. Here legends gather like driftwood with tales of brawling keelboat men, daring river pilots and wily gamblers. Fertile fields wrap around whitecolumned mansions, and lightning bugs glow in the warm midsummer nights. Special Southern Culture theme cruis-
es will let you soak up the Delta Blues in Helena, Arkansas; learn about the siege of Vicksburg in Vicksburg, Mississippi; visit the beautiful plantation homes in Natchez, and St. Francisville, and sample plenty of Southern cooking. Upper Mississippi cruises travel between Minneapolis/St. Paul and St. Louis, with special theme cruises like Lewis and Clark, and Fall Foliage. Autumn drapes the riverbanks in a coat of crimson, orange and gold. You’ll pass by serene villages perched on
IF YOU GO
American Queen is operated by Great American Steamboat Company, which invested more than $5 million to update the vessel. Amenities include a one-night luxury hotel stay and transfers before or after your voyage, and complimentary wines and beers with dinner. All shore excursions are included in the fare. FOR MORE INFORMATION
See the Departures section or visit the AAA Travel Agency for exclusive offers for AAA members on cruises.
Nation’s infrastructure gets a D+ Grade Point Average AAA agrees with engineers: Roads and bridges needs work
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he American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently issued its 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which is a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s infrastructure across 16 sectors, including roads, bridges and transit systems. Updated every four years, the Report Card uses a simple A to F school report card format to provide a comprehensive assessment of current infrastructure conditions and needs, by assigning grades. This year’s Report Card found that America’s grade for infrastructure rose slightly to a “D+” from a “D” in 2009. Of importance to AAA members, roads saw a slight improvement to a “D” up from a “D-” four years ago, bridges improved to a grade of “C+” from a “C” last time and transit systems remained at a “D.” The Report Card also contains statespecific reports that have individual conditions and needs numbers for each state. Since 1998, the grades have been near failing, averaging only Ds, due to delayed maintenance and under investment across most categories. “The good news for drivers is that the condition of the nation’s roads and bridges has improved slightly since the last report card was issued. The bad news is grades like these aren’t going to get us where we need to go in terms
CROSSING THAT BRIDGE — One in nine of the nation’s bridges is structurally deficient. of safety or mobility,” said Roger Boyd, director of public affairs for AAA East Central. Key trends cited in the report as contributing to the improvements on roads and bridges include: • Renewed efforts in cities and states, to address deficiencies; • Expanded private sector investment in upgrades and adding capacity to the system; • Short-term boosts (since previous
2009 report) like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, Recovery Act or Stimulus Bill). Other findings from the report of interest regarding roads, bridges and transit include: • One third of the nation’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, costing motorists $324 each per year in additional repair costs; • One out of 4 (151,497) of the nation’s
bridges are deficient and one in 9 (66,749) of the nation’s bridges are structurally deficient; • ASCE estimates there is a $112 billion investment gap per year for roads, bridges and transit to keep up with needs; • Average age of bridges is 42 years; • Forty-two percent of major urban highways are congested; congestion costs over $100 billion annually; • There has been a 9.1 percent increase in transit riders over the past decade; • Forty-five percent of Americans lack access to transit and the economy lost $90 billion in 2010 due to deficient transit systems. “AAA encourages Congress to take the lead, work toward a long term funding solution and ensure the American public understands the importance of investing in our transportation system before we fall further behind,” Boyd added. GRADING THE SYSTEM
An Advisory Council of leading civil engineers appointed by ASCE assigns the grades according to the following eight criteria: capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. The Report Card is available online at www.infrastructurereportcard.org.
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Go riding the rails around Colorado Taking the high road in the Centennial State
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ed is the color that gives Colorado its stately splendor. Even the name Colorado comes from the Spanish term for the ruddy tones of the native sandstone. Located just outside Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is home to some of the most uniquely beautiful sandstone rock formations in the country. Set against the backdrop of Pike’s Peak these solemn red giants include the Tower of Babel and the Kissing Camels. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway — the world’s highest cog train — has transported visitors to the rocky pinnacle since 1891. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” in 1893, after being inspired by the scenery, which includes otherworldly rock formations, dense stands of aspen and the peaks of the Continental Divide. Colorado is filled with Rocky Mountain highs. The Royal Gorge Bridge — the world’s highest suspension bridge — hovers 955-feet above the Arkansas River. Just below the bridge America’s steepest incline railway slides 1,500 feet down to the canyon floor. Riding inside tiny cages, big enough for just two people, the incline descends at a seemingly impossible 45-degree angle for the 6-minute trip down to the roaring Arkansas River. Hidden away in a little-known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains
Traveling through the breathtaking canyons of San Juan National Forest the steam train takes 3.5 hours to complete the 45-mile route to the former mining town of Silverton. The National Historic Landmark features a Victorian-era downtown, filled with fine, Italianate-style storefronts, or visitors can go underground at the Old Hundred Gold Mine. The Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Towering multi-hued monoliths erupt from rock layers that are nearly two billion years old. The canyons are etched deep into sandstone, while pinion pines and junipers crown the high desert plateau and enormous rock towers.
THE SCENIC ROUTE — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in continuous operation for nearly 125 years. the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is almost unchanged since the day the first whistle blew back in 1880. An authentic artifact of the Old West the railway remains a spectacular example of mountain railroading. Clinging to the sheer rock faces, the 7-hour, 64-mile journey ascends 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass. The train snakes carefully along a narrow ledge and from here the view is straight down. Later the hills begin to soften and
the grassy hills flatten into a broad plain as the steam locomotive chugs into Antonito, Colorado. Durango’s mountain location may only be matched by its colorful past. Visitors can ride historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in continuous operation for nearly 125-years. Once used to haul gold and silver the open gondola cars now offer vertigo-inducing views along a dizzying series of switchbacks.
RIDING THE RAILS
AAA’s Railing Around Colorado Rail Tour features some of the world’s great rail journeys and the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountain State. The September 14-21, 2013 escorted tour includes chartered motorcoach transportation, 7-night accommodations and services of a AAA Tour Manager. Please ask about add-on airfare from your departure city. FOR MORE INFORMATION
See this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/USA for special values on great adventures in the American West.
MAY 2013
AAA TRAVELER
Teaching A Teen To Drive Watch Out They Don’t Learn Bad Habits
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AAA Offers Free Battery Wellness Clinics
Seven Area Branch Locations Make It Convenient to Find Out If Your Battery Has What It Takes ed report showing the condition and remaining life of your battery. If a replacement is needed, it can be purchased and installed on the spot. AAA branded replacement batteries are competitively priced and AAA members receive a $25 per battery discount with the batteries meeting or exceeding manufacturer’s specifications and are covered by a 72-month warranty, with a 36-month free-replacement warranty – an unmatched level of vehicle battery protection in the industry. The hours for the battery checks are 10 – 3.
Battery Wellness Checks Schedule:
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tudies clearly show that as we gain experience behind the wheel of the car we usually become safer drivers. According to 2011 Kentucky statistics, drivers forty five years and over are involved in collisions at a lower rate than drivers sixteen to forty four, based on the percentage of licensed drivers versus the number of collisions they are involved in. There is no substitute for the experience gained as a driver and the good driving habits that develop over the years. Unfortunately, almost every driver also develops bad habits as well and when it comes time to teach a teen to drive, we often pass those along. Teaching a new driver can be a positive experience when approached with a positive attitude. It can also be very stressful for both the driver and the instructor. According to Jeff Gardner, manager of AAA’s Driver Training Center, dozens of students per year go through AAA’s Novice Driver Program who have learned some good habits from the adults they have watched and learned from. He also sees many who emulate bad, and sometimes dangerous, driving behavior. One of the most serious bad habits that adults with years of experience behind the wheel is that they take the basic and most important of safe driving practices too casually and have not kept abreast of new trends and techniques.
Traffic safety experts recommend and AAA’s Driver Training Center teaches students to put their hands at 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock not the traditional 10 and 2 o’clock that most drivers learned and will pass along to the next generation of drivers. Additionally it often takes a seasoned and professional instructor to know what the new driver is doing before they do it. For instance, a new driver looks at the speedometer more often and for a longer duration than they should. For the new driver who hasn’t logged enough miles to “feel” what speed they are driving this takes their eyes off the road for too long. Similarly, the new driver tends to look just beyond the hood of the car instead of well down the road. Keep in mind that too often the young driver has seen the person teaching them not properly using their turn signals, not coming to a complete stop at stop signs and driving with only one hand on the wheel. These are difficult practices to overcome but it can be a positive experience. As a leader in traffic safety, AAA recommends that the parents and guardians of new drivers consider a State approved driving school with professional, certified instructors. AAA offers the brochure Choosing a Driving School / A Guide for Parents of Beginning Drivers. Call (502) 779-3611 for more information.
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AA’s Mobile Battery is coming to a AAA branch near you to provide free, on the spot battery and electrical system check-ups in May. While most people recognize that slow cranking can mean your battery is about to give up, often batteries offer no warning and fail suddenly and unexpectedly with no warning. Proper diagnosis can be difficult and should be left to trusted professionals like ours at AAA. Our Battery Technicians can check out your battery and electrical system and will provide you with a print-
Louisville: May 7, AAA Hurstbourne 321 Whittington Parkway May 8, AAA Fern Valley 3614 Fern Valley Road May 9, AAA Shively 1805 Rockford Lane Elizabethtown: May 10, AAA Elizabethtown 2914 Ring Road Bowling Green: May 14, AAA Bowling Green 1770 Scottsville Road Owensboro: May 15, AAA Owensboro 1600 Frederica Street Paducah: May 17, AAA Paducah 2909 James Sanders Boulevard
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MAY 2013
Ford/AAA Auto Skills crowns State Champions Lee County Area Technical will represent Kentucky in National Finals
Students from Bullitt County Area Technical Center anxiously inspect their work table before the start of the competition.
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orey Lyins & Bradley Creech, students at Lee County Area Technical Center outpaced the competition in the Ford/ AAA Student Auto Skills Competition and earned the honor of being called Kentucky’s top high school auto technicians. As the winners, the two students were awarded over $12,000 worth of potential scholarships to continue their education in automotive service. Their instructor, John Lucas, will now accompany the two students to Ford Motor Company Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan where they will represent the state in another competition to determine the best in the U.S. with an additional $12 million in
scholarship prizes in the balance. Held in Lexington, Kentucky, the Kentucky State Finals consisted of ten, two person teams competing to see who could repair identically “bugged” vehicles with a focus on accuracy, speed and workmanship. Students and schools had earned the right to compete after taking a comprehensive written test to qualify. Only the top ten scoring schools came to prove their mettle in the head to head competition. The competition was held at Heritage Hall on April 17th with the competitors and their instructors being honored the evening before with a tour and banquet held at the Aviation
Kentucky state finalists enjoyed the evening before the competition. Museum of Kentucky. The event recognized the achievement, dedication and work that the students and their instructors had demonstrated in qualifying for what is often considered the State Champion ship for high school automotive repair. Second place was awarded to Grant County High School and third placed was received by Hughes Jones Harrodsburg Area Technical Center. Other teams that participated in the Kentucky finals included: • Bullitt County Area Technical Center • Eastside Technology Center • Fulton County Area Technical Center • Henderson County High School • Ky Technology Garrard County Area
Technical Center • Monroe County Area Technical Center • Wayne County Area Technical Center The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition is designed to showcase career opportunities in the automotive service sector. Held every year since 1949, the event matches high school students in a side-by-side contest to repair deliberately and identically disabled vehicles. Each year, more than 13,000 students representing more than 950 automotive technology programs in all 50 states compete in this event. Most have logged hundreds of hours of preparation so they can be ready to battle their tech-savvy peers.
aroundtown 27TH ANNUAL BILLY’S BURGER BASH — (May 4) Varanese Restaurant will host the “27th Annual Billy’s Burger Bash” on Saturday, May 4 from 11:00 p.m. to the wee hours of Sunday, May 5. The party is open to anyone who has energy left after several weeks of Derby festivities. There is no cover charge, and a simple, late night menu of appetizers, bar bites, burgers and fries will be served, along with drink specials. Live entertainment from Lamont Gillispie and 100 Proof. For more information, call (502) 899-9904 or log on to www. varanese.com. Admission: Free. Located at 2106 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, KY. 18TH ANNUAL GARDENERS’ FAIR — (May 10-12) Annual event features approximately 80 booths with flowers, herbs and perennial plants as well as artistic and practical gardening accessories. Quality concessions as well, so plan to stay the day! Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, $3 children 6-12. Located at 561 Blankenbaker Ln. Louisville KY,40207 (between Brownsboro Rd & River Rd) For more information, call 502-8979845 or visit lghh@locustgrove.org.
“MYTHIC CREATURES” EXHIBITION — (May 11 through September 15) For thousands of years, humans everywhere — sometimes inspired by living animals or even fossils — have brought mythic creatures to life in stories, songs and artwork. Today, these creatures — from the powerful dragon to the soaring phoenix — continue to thrill, terrify, entertain and inspire us. Coming in May 2013, “Mythic Creatures” will take guests on a fantastic journey to discover the origins of dragons, unicorns, mermaids and other folkloric creatures that have fascinated humans for centuries. This exhibition was produced by the American Museum of Natural History. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission: Visit FrazierMuseum.org for admission prices. Call 502-753-5663 or visit info@fraziermuseum.org for more information. 2ND ANNUAL OLD LOUISVILLE SPRINGFEST — (May 17-18) The 2nd Annual Old Louisville SpringFest will expand to two days this year and feature local art and craft vendors, food and drink, live music, and a dedicated kids’ zone.
Hours: 5 - 10 p.m. Friday, Noon - 10 p.m. Saturday. Located at 1st Street between Oak and Magnolia Streets. ABBEY ROAD ON THE RIVER — (May 23-27) Abbey Road on the River takes place over Memorial Day weekend and features more than 50 bands from around the world and all across the United States who “come together” to perform on 8 indoor and outdoor stages for more than 25,000 fans. Performers include 1960s British invasion sensation Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, and the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell. Additional bands in the line-up for 2013, many of them international, include Grammy winners Peter Asher and Wings lead guitarist Laurence Juber, The Norwegian Beatles, Sweden’s The Repeatles, and England’s Them Beatles, Meet The Beatles and Wingsbanned. Festival goers can browse Beatles inspired artwork, lectures by Fab Four experts, a costume contest & parade, and a Beatles merchandise marketplace. Hours: noon-midnight. Admission: $30 and up. Located at The Belvedere and Galt House Hotel 140 N. 4th Street.
KENTUCKY REGGAE FESTIVAL — (May 25-27) Kick off the season with the flavor of the islands at the Kentucky Reggae Festival- Louisville’s hottest event on Memorial Weekend. Come enjoy a Caribbean atmosphere of live reggae music, ethnic food and the Caribbean vendor market. The Kentucky Reggae Festival, brings a truly Caribbean atmosphere to Louisville’s backyard without the expense of traveling to the islands! Hours: Sat. & Sun. - Gates Open 2pm -12am; Monday - Gates Open 1-7pm. Admission: $10, kids 10 & under free and free parking. Located at The Louisville Water Tower. BOURBON CITY BBQ FESTIVAL — (June 6-8) Great barbecue with competitions for Backyard Cookers, Pro Cookers and Kids. Thursday night cooking class. Corn Hole Tournament Friday and Saturday with payout on Saturday of $1000. BBQ Eating Contest, Beer Pit, Food Court, Retail Booths, Arts & Crafts, Live Music, Kids Area. Lots of family fun activities. Hours are Friday, 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Admission: Free. Location: 3960 Woodlawn Road, Bardstown, KY.
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