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NORTHEAST OHIO REGION
Vol. 105 No. 6
BOOK NOW & SAVE UP TO $125 PER ROOM Premier: $125 • AAA Plus: $100 • Basic: $75
REVELING IN REGENSBURG
Bavarian Christkindlmarkts sparkle at heart of popular AAA holiday tour
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DMITTEDLY, CHRISTMAS may not be on your mind at this very moment...but it should be! Especially considering everything AAA’s bigger-and-better German Christmas Markets tour offers Dec. 2-10! For AAA members, one element is a Christmas gift of sorts — a limited-time, many-dollarsoff discount based on your membership level. Premier members booking & depositing by 6/30/13 get $125 off the regular rate per room, based on double occupancy. AAA Plus members save $100, and Basic members save $75. Escape with us to experience the Old World tradition of welcoming the Christmas season at public marketplaces large and small, where walkways lined with rustic stalls hum with holiday strollers and shoppers young & old. Local artisans exhibit traditional handmade decorations, artwork and craft items; purveyors of aromatic seasonal culinary delights tempt passersby with gingerbread cookies and spice-mulled wine; and musicians and performers add a festive note to the ambience. Some markets even sport carnival-type rides and amusements. Most German cities of any significant size present at least 1 Christkindlmarkt; on this get-
in-the-spirit tour in the southeastern state of Bavaria, you get to visit at least 9 (yes, 9!), each unique in size and style — from some of the most famous and popular to some of the most intimate and charming. And, because they’re usually in the heart of the community, they’re ideal bases from which to explore surrounding landmarks like cathedrals and castles, as well as year-round brick-and-mortar shops and restaurants. This unique tour operates on the same principles of convenience and efficiency. Spend 4 nights in Nuremberg and 3 in Munich; you’ll be able
German Christmas Markets
to comfortably “settle in” in those cities, taking short rides each day to the markets and landmarks surrounding them. Forget traipsing from a hotel in one town one day to another hotel the next day to yet another hotel the following day, and so on. Best of all, forget about packing and unpacking each time! With only 2 base hotels, you’ll have more time to see and do (or rest and relax) — whatever your travel style may be. All in all, it makes for a much more pleasant, satisfying experience...and it maximizes your valuable time and energy. And all the while, you and your fellow travelers will enjoy CHRISTMAS MARKETS continues on page 14
MERRIMENT IN MUNICH
ENJOY AT LEAST 9 MARKETS & MORE!
JUNE 2013
AAA Club Rewards on AAA.com
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
MOTORISTS ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR BAD ROADS
AAA Club Rewards is an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands discounts and savings available to AAA members! This innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com, features deep discounts, limited offers and everyday savings on electronics, home improvement, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including national chains like Kohl’s, Macy’s, Best Buy, Walmart and The Home Depot. In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn reward or WOWPoints on most purchases that you can “burn off” at your favorite participating merchants. Starting with just 200 points, AAA members can redeem their WOWPoints for merchandise on AAA Club Rewards. • WOWPoints are as flexible as cash; • 100 WOWPoints earned = $1.00; • No limit to the points you can earn; • No blackout dates, no restrictions. Members can access these new discounts simply by visiting the discounts section of our website at AAA.com. Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. You can even customize your shopping experience to receive personalized recommendations based on your interests. Why wait any longer? Register online at AAA.com/discounts. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, restaurants and retailers.
AAA senior driving site wins industry award AAA’s SeniorDriving.AAA.com senior driver safety website received an award of distinction in a recent competition sponsored by the International Academy of Visual Arts. The academy seeks to promote innovative thinking about the changing nature of media. Members include communications and advertising professionals from organizations such as Condé Nast, Disney, Time Inc. and Lockheed Martin. “Nearly half of senior drivers worry about losing their freedom and mobility,” said AAA East Central President Jim Lehman. “This award reflects AAA’s commitment to be the leading source of information, tools and resources for senior drivers and their families.” As 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, AAA is helping aging drivers cope with the life-changing transitions with expert advice and easy-to-find resources. SeniorDriving.AAA.com provides convenient, online access to a wealth of free interactive material, including AAA Roadwise Review, a computerbased screening tool that allows older drivers to measure changes in their functional abilities scientifically linked to crash risk.
A fall festival of color with AAA Travel New England’s fiery palette of crimson, orange, and yellow is pure magic in the fall. Here the fields are gilded with the gold of Indian Summer and the past lingers like a late afternoon sun. You’ll be captivated by New England’s autumnal splendor aboard AAA Travel’s Colors of New England. This 8-day air & motorcoach tour takes you from the heart of historic Boston, north to the pastoral villages, coastal towns and mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Travel the famed Kancamagus Highway, admire Maine’s dramatic coast and discover the seaside communities of Boothbay Harbor and Kennebunkport. This is New England at its best and AAA members save $100 person when they book and deposit by June 30, 2013. SEE PAGE 7
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AAA MOTORIST
Maximize the value of your AAA membership Custom fit a membership to match your lifestyle
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ust as one type of vehicle doesn’t suit all driving situations, a onesize-fits-all approach to AAA membership won’t be right for everyone. That’s why AAA offers several types of membership. Your benefits will only increase with each level, giving you the freedom to choose the membership option that fits your budget and works best for you. AAA Basic Membership covers 24-hour roadside assistance, free printed and online maps, TourBook® and eTourBook guides, TripTik® Travel Planner on AAA.com, plus all kinds of AAA savings on hotels, online, at retailers, restaurants and attractions. AAA Club Rewards is an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands discounts and savings available to AAA members at approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide! You’ll earn reward or WOWPoints on most purchases that you can use just like cash at your favorite participating merchants. AAA Plus Membership offers all the basic AAA membership benefits, with enhancements like: • Up to 100 miles of extended distance towing; • Free fuel and delivery – to get you to the nearest service station; • Up to $100 in vehicle Lock & Key Services; • Extrication/winching – two trucks and two drivers, if needed;
JUNE 2013
AAA DIRECTORY AAA MEMBER SERVICES
TripTik, TourBooks, Maps, Address Change, AAA Plus
800-441-5008 membersvccntr@aaaec.com APPROVED AUTO REPAIR: 216-606-6332 aar@aaaec.com
AUTO BUYING SERVICE: 800-446-7433 BAIL BOND SERVICE: 216-606-6640, 216-606-6000 (After 5 p.m.) DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS: 216-606-6121 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE: Cuyahoga County: 216-606-6000, ers@aaaec.com Ashland, Ashtabula, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Mahoning, Stark, Trumbull, and Tuscarawas: 800-AAA-HELP
INSURANCE AGENCY: 216-606-6194, 800-343-4851 insuranceservices@aaaec.com
IRA's: 888-728-3230 LEGAL REIMBURSEMENT: 216-606-6864 administration@aaaec.com
MOTORIST, Northeast Ohio Region: 216-606-6704 motorist@aaaec.com
THE CHOICE IS YOURS — Choose the AAA membership option that works best for you. • Reimbursement for pre-approved non-AAA roadside services; • Basic and Plus members also receive Free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership with 600 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points. AAA Plus RV Membership offers all the benefits of AAA Plus, extended to cover eligible RVs like your motor home, boat trailer, pickup truck with camper, and motorcycle.
For the utmost in AAA benefits, services and peace of mind choose AAA Premier Membership. Premier Members enjoy a wealth of added privileges, including: • Emergency towing up to 200 miles;* • Free professional concierge service; • $1,500 Trip Interruption protection; • One day free emergency rental car reimbursement, with tow; • 24-hour emergency assistance; • Dedicated AAA Premier toll-free line; • Up to $500 car return protection; • $25 flight reservation fee waived;* • Member discount plus an extra 15% savings at AAA Travel Store;* • Free worldwide emergency medical assistance; • Notary fees waived on personal documents;* • One free passport photo session per member;* • Free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership with 1,000 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points, second day rental free on a two-day emergency rental (with tow) and discounts on Hertz rentals. * Discounts on select services available only at AAA East Central. For complete details on Premier services, review the AAA Premier Guide to Member Services Remember, membership is a family affair, too! Primary Membership means you are either the first or sole AAA member within your household. Associate Members are for eligible individuals residing in the Primary Member’s household, namely the Primary’s spouse (or one adult age 18 or older) and dependant children ages 16 through 22. Associate members receive the same benefits as Primary members. Add Associate Members, or upgrade your existing AAA Membership to a higher level at any time! For more information, read the AAA Guide to Member Services, contact your local AAA office, visit AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at 1.800.441.5008.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE: 216-606-6194 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6702 PUBLIC RELATIONS: 216-606-6712 SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMS: 216-606-6022 TRAFFIC LAWS & TRAFFIC SAFETY: 216-606-6022 TRAVEL AGENCY: 800-354-8761 www.AAA.com
Northeast Ohio AAA Offices ALLIANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/823-9820 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/821-2323 2322 South Union Ave., 44601 ASHLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/289-8133 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/289-2222 1074 Commerce Parkway, 44805 ASHTABULA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/997-5586 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/998-1008 2835 North Ridge Rd. East 44004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 866/260-7322 INDEPENDENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216/606-6300 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216/606-6080 5700 Brecksville Rd. 44131 LAKE COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/974-0990 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/205-9090 6980 Heisley Rd., Mentor 44060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/964-5253 LYNDHURST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/473-0700 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/473-0747 5356 Mayfield Rd. 44124 MAHONING COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/726-9083 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/726-0622 1275 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Boardman 44512 MASSILLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/833-1084 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/833-1084 1972 Wales Rd, 44646 MIDWAY MALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/324-2090 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/324-3423 1839 Midway Mall, Elyria 44035 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/964-3929 NORWALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/668-1622 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419/668-1622 275 Benedict Ave. Norwalk 44857 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/964-8766 PORTAGE COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/296-3406 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/296-3406 2641 Rte. 59, Ravenna 44266 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800/999-0012 SOLON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/248-9000 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/248-1808 34050 Solon Rd. 44139 STRONGSVILLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/783-3395 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/783-3396 17220 Royalton Rd. 44136, Borders Plaza TRUMBULL COUNTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/652-6466 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/652-6466 937 Youngstown-Warren Rd., Niles 44446 . . . . . . . 800/999-3391 TUSCARAWAS COUNTY TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330/343-4481 1112 Fourth St., New Philadelphia 44663 . . . . . . . 330/343-4481 WESTLAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/788-3102 TRAVEL AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440/788-3103 149 Market St., Crocker Park, Westlake 44145
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AAA TRAVELER
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Motorists are paying the price for bad roads 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** *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.
AAA poll finds two-thirds support increased funding By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central o matter how you get around, our nation’s roadways form an essential part of our transportation infrastructure. Americans understand the need for adequate transportation funding because most of us travel over decaying roads every day. Road congestion robs us of our most valuable commodities — time and money — an estimated $121 billion annually spent stuck in traffic. Sixty-two percent of U.S. motorists believe the federal government should invest more funds in our neglected roadways, according to a recent public opinion poll conducted by AAA. The vast majority (81 percent) think more needs to be done to rehabilitate roads and bridges. Unfortunately, policymakers and transportation advocates are failing to connect with the public on the practical issues that matter most to motorists. Nearly seven out of ten (68 percent) motorists believe the federal government should make “reducing congestion on the roads” a top transportation priority. Congestion is not only detrimental to the environment it negatively influences mood, job performance and physical well-being. A Canadian study reports that for every additional hour in a car, there is a 6 percent increase in the likelihood of obesity. As our aging infrastructure reaches the end of its natural life, the need for investment takes on an even greater urgency. The Federal Highway
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Richard Hamilton Administration estimates that $170 billion in capital investment is needed on an annual basis to significantly improve roadway conditions, nearly double the current amount. One of the unintended consequences of more fuel-efficient vehicles is that the nation’s current gas tax can no longer fund all the necessary maintenance and improvements to our transportation system. AAA believes all funding options must be on the table. According to the survey, motorists who feel that the federal government should increase taxes or fees to improve roadways support a number of options: • Replacing the per-gallon gas tax with a national gasoline sales tax (55 percent);
AAA and Hertz now offering Dollar Thrifty car rentals Hertz, AAA’s exclusive car rental partner, recently acquired the Dollar Thrifty Auto Group and AAA’s partnership agreement has been expanded to include both brands. The addition of the Dollar Thrifty brands to the AAA car rental portfolio provides members with more choice for economy rentals. Dollar Thrifty’s philosophy has always been to provide the public with a combination of the best service available in the industry at the most competitive prices possible. AAA members will now receive a 10% discount on published Dollar retail rates, and an 8% discount at Thrifty Car Rental on all car classes when booked in advance using a AAA CDP Number (your club code - 215). In addition, members can receive a 10% discount on navigation units (GPS). “The addition of Dollar Thrifty marks a new era in the AAA/Hertz partnership,” said Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “This expanded collection of brands, exclusive discounts and unique benefits enhances AAA’s ability to satisfy the needs of a broad cross section of members.”
The addition of Dollar and Thrifty to AAA’s portfolio of car rental providers is a natural evolution of Hertz’s partnership with AAA. Hertz has been AAA’s exclusive car rental partner for 20 years and members enjoy a suite of value added products and services, including guaranteed best rate availability and no charge for additional qualified AAA drivers when renting with Hertz. To make reservations members can contact their local AAA travel agent, or visit www.AAA.com/travel.
• Creating a new national sales tax dedicated to transportation (47 percent); • Expanding the use of tolls to Interstate highways where tolls are not currently collected (47 percent); • Creating a carbon tax on fossil fuels (45 percent); • Replacing the federal gas tax with a per-miles-driven fee (37 percent); • Creating an energy tax on all sources of energy (35 percent); • Increasing the federal per-gallon gas tax (27 percent). Stabile funding solutions should go hand-in-hand with reforms that target waste, mismanagement, and ensure greater transparency and accountability in federal and state transportation programs. Motorists overwhelmingly (83 percent) remain concerned about wasteful government spending. AAA is dedicated to examining all funding options and educating policymakers on the need to fully fund improvements for America’s roads and bridges. We have worked diligently with Congress to implement reforms, such as eliminating earmarks, and streamlining bureaucratic oversight. We will continue to push for reforms that accelerate project development and reduce wasteful spending. Finding workable solutions will entail a host of challenging policy and revenue issues, but these efforts should be viewed as an opportunity to move transportation into the 21st century, bolster economic recovery, and improve our quality of life.
Insta-Quote battery pricing from AAA
If your battery is failing you AAA Battery Service offers an easy solution to your mobility problems. AAA Battery Service provides convenient mobile battery testing on the roadside, using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The diagnostic service confirms whether your battery will hold a charge or if the problem lies deeper in the electrical system. Best of all, the service is free to AAA members. Worried about what size battery you need or how much it will cost? Our Insta-Quote battery price calculator on AAA.com will give you a price for your vehicle’s battery before requesting service. Just select make, model and year of your vehicle and the engine size and click “Request a Quote”. Prices displayed include the $25.00 member discount. And each AAA Battery is covered by an unprecedented nationwide 72-month warranty with a 36-month free replacement warranty on AAA branded batteries. Over one million AAA members have already enjoyed the convenience of having a AAA Battery delivered and installed on the spot.
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Do you need an umbrella? Some things to consider Umbrella insurance coverage begins where other policies end
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tandard insurance policies cover liability a person may have for injuries or property damage suffered by someone else. They are designed to cover accidents for which the insured may owe tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, sometimes the person is responsible for an accident so catastrophic that the damages add up to more than $1 million. To cover financially devastating events insurance companies offer personal umbrella policies, which provide additional protection when an accident exceeds limits provided by the other insurance policies. They also may cover some types of losses these other policies do not cover. Since there isn’t a “standard” umbrella policy it helps to have a checklist of considerations when evaluating a policy. Identify things that could expose you to a catastrophic loss. How many cars do you own? Inexperienced drivers in your household? Items like swimming pools, trampolines, and swing-sets present an exposure to severe losses. Boats can cause serious injuries and damage if the operators are inattentive, intoxicated, or inexperienced. An umbrella may cover things like volunteer activities, statements made online, and certain business activities that a homeowner’s or auto policy might not cover. Identify exposures which might require different coverage. Does your
WATER HAZARD — An umbrella policy applies on top of the limit on items like your boat policy. family participate in social media or online discussion forums? Does anyone coach a youth sports team, belong to the governing board of a non-profit organization, write computer code as a hobby, or give music lessons? These activities present exposures to legal liability. Review your insurance policies. How much will your auto insurance pay for injuries to others? How much will it
pay for property damage? How much will your homeowners policy pay for your personal liability for an accident? Does it cover any business activities? Does it cover family members accused of slander, libel, or defamation of character in online postings? Does it cover you for causing mental anguish to a kid who didn’t get much playing time on a team you coached, or trouble caused by a computer program you wrote? How
much will your boat policy pay for your liability for boating accidents? If your auto policy will pay up to $250,000 for injuries to one person and $500,000 for injuries to multiple people, an umbrella with a $1,000,000 limit will give you insurance equaling $1,500,000 for injuries to two or more people. If your homeowners policy will pay up to $300,000 for your liability, the same umbrella will afford $1,300,000 if someone gets seriously hurt at your home. The umbrella limit of insurance also applies on top of the limit on the boat policy. Normally an insurance company will require you to pay a deductible amount (such as $250 or $500) before it will pay for a loss that one of these other policies does not cover. A professional agent can help you sort out what your current insurance covers and what additional coverages an umbrella will provide.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 866.802.8210, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review.
JUNE 2013
AAA MOTORIST
Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
S R U TO
L L A F ! T S A F FILL
AIR & MOTORCOACH TOUR FROM CLEVELAND
Colors of New England: Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine This is a 7-night ramble through quintessential small-town America amid its autumnal beauty. Picture-perfect covered bridges, tidy villages punctuated by tall steeples, quaint waterfronts abuzz with activity — they’re all here. Plus the Yankee charm of Boston! See Vermont’s 165-foot-deep Quechee Gorge, cider making and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream factory. Cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee. Follow Kancamagus Highway, a favorite of “leaf-peepers.” See lighthouses and harbor seals on a Boothbay Harbor cruise. AAA Vacations® Exclusive: Sail Lake Champlain Book by 6/30/13 with dinner & entertainment onboard! (select dates only).
Sept & Oct dates • AAA Member Rate: $2,199 plus airfare
& save $150.00! PER PERSON
Pre-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotels, There's no motorcoach sightseeing, 11 meals (including welcome dinner in America's oldest oyster house & a lobster dinner), escaping facts: Fall hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. is fabulous. Fall is festive. Above all else, fall is fleeting! No wonder fall tours are so desirable, so in demand: There's no such thing as Sail from Baltimore to New England & Canada ever booking way too early for a fall tour! Avoid potential airport hassles! Park for free, relax and ride our convenient For just a few weeks each year, Nature paints “Cruise Express” motorcoach to Baltimore to board Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur the land with short-lived, sun-glowing hues. of the Seas. This 8-night cruise includes 3 full days cruising at sea, and it visits It fills the crisp air with enough chill to make Portland & Bar Harbor ME, St John NB and Halifax NS. a sweater feel oh-so-comfy. And it offers up Oct 17-25 distinctive scents, sounds and other sights — fresh-carved pumpkins...wood smoke...roasting AAA Member Rate chestnuts...crunching leaves...honking geese... from $1,130 crackling bonfires...haystacks & cornstalks — that make us all want to experience Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking this unique time of year before it gets and includes roundtrip motorcoach away from us all too soon. transportation, cruise accommodations/ entertainment, most onboard meals Contact AAA Travel andgovernment fees. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for NOW! © JOHN KEITH / FOTOLIA.COM itinerary details & pick-up points.
MOTORCOACH CRUISE FROM CLEVELAND
DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE! © ALPHASPIRIT / FOTOLIA.COM
MOTORCOACH TOURS FROM THE CLEVELAND AREA
Mackinac Island & Upper Peninsula Sept 23-27 • AAA Member Rate: $839
Explore the beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, see the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi and visit a charming island where time stands still. Includes ferry to Mackinac Island, carriage tour, Tahquamenon Falls, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Soo Locks cruise, Soaring Eagle Casino, Frankenmuth, 7 meals (including lunch at the famous Grand Hotel) & more.
Music & Railroads of West Virginia Sept 30–Oct 2 • AAA Member Rate: $539
Ride through the “wild & wonderful” Mountain State on the Cheat Mountain Salamander scenic train. Visit the National Radio Astronomy Observatory; see one of the world’s largest telescopes. Attend shows at the American Mountain Theater and the Gandy Dancer Dinner Theatre. Enjoy “Bluegrass with a Twist” dinner show. Includes Blackwater Falls visit, 5 meals, entertainment & more.
French Toast Tour: Montréal & Québec
Oct 7-11 • AAA Member Rate: $1,189
Tour the Canadian province of Québec: Explore the only walled city in North America, visit Notre-Dame Basilica and experience the region’s French culture and cuisine. Includes Thousand Islands cruise, tours of Québec City & Montréal, Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica, Montmorency Falls, Marie’s Bread Oven, Woodcarver’s Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, 9 meals & more. Passport required.
Fallingwater Foliage
Oct 12-13 • AAA Member Rate: $319
Frank Lloyd Wright’s progressive architecture is combined with the spectacular natural beauty of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands on this fall weekend. Includes tours of 2 Frank Lloyd Wright homes (Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob), accommodations, 4 meals & more.
Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Cleveland area, accommodations, sightseeing/admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling, meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
CONVENIENT CRUISING FROM CLEVELAND Avoid potential hassles at the airport. Instead, motorcoach to your cruise! Park for free at a pick-up point, then relax & ride AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach to Baltimore’s pier to board Grandeur of the Seas!
2014 CARIBBEAN March 8-18 • from $1,199 Cozumel, Mexico Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti 5 full days at sea
2013 NEW ENGLAND & CANADA Oct 17-25 • from $1,130
2014 BAHAMAS July 11-18 • from $1,297
Portland & Bar Harbor, Maine Saint John, New Brunswick Halifax, Nova Scotia 3 full days at sea
Port Canaveral, Florida CocoCay, Bahamas Nassau, Bahamas 3 full days at sea
2014 CARIBBEAN Jan 21-31 • from $1,081
San Juan, Puerto Rico Tortola, British Virgin Islands Charlotte Amelie, St Thomas USVI Philipsburg, St Maarten 5 full days at sea AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government fees. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for itinerary details & pick-up points.
2014 BERMUDA Aug 29–Sept 4 • from $1,030 King’s Wharf, Bermuda 2 full days at sea
2014 NEW ENGLAND & CANADA Oct 2-10 • from $1,169 Portland & Bar Harbor, Maine Saint John, New Brunswick Halifax, Nova Scotia 3 full days at sea
PASADENA
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 (Cleveland– Los Angeles, San Diego–Cleveland), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person), 10 meals (including 2 dinner cruises), 2 cocktail parties, reserved parade seat, taxes/gratuities on included items, local tour manager and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met).
JUNE 2013
AAA MOTORIST
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
THE AMERICAN WEST
AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated, services of a AAA Tour Manager and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.
Napa Valley & San Francisco
New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
So many delights in one tour — from San Francisco’s endless charms to the natural splendor of the Muir Woods redwoods. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy 5 vineyards (participate in a “Blend Your Own Merlot” event) and 3 nights at Tuscan-style Vino Bella Resort in Napa. Savor a 4-course dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. With your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf as your base, tour San Francisco’s famous landmarks, cruise by ferry across the bay and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. 2 meals.
Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks. Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with llamas! 14 meals.
Oct 7-12
•
$1,949
Oct 9-15
•
American Majesty
Grand Canyon Adventure 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.
•
$2,735
Oct 4-10
•
THE BEST WAY TO SEE IT ALL...AT YOUR OWN PACE!
AAA’s unique 9-night Hawaiian vacations feature a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Honolulu, an Oahu tour (featuring the USS Arizona Memorial & more) and a 7-night cruise of 4 islands — Oahu, Maui, Hawaii & Kauai. AAA Member Rates Jan 9-18: from $1,705 Jan 30–Feb 8: from $1,809 Feb 27–March 8: from $1,809
$2,309
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.
Aug 31–Sept 8
CRUISING HAWAII
$2,195
© CHAD MCDERMOTT / FOTOLIA.COM
Pride of America
Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to change/availability at time of booking and include hotel/pier transfers, 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor tour, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.
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AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
JUNE 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Independent travel with AAA Vacations®
On your own but never alone 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.
9/17 11 Noordam Mediterranean: Rome IT to Barcelona SP Amenities: Pinnacle Grill Dinner (guests 1 & 2) • Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event • Holland America Cookbook (1 per cabin)
Even more than a cruise hugging its spectacular shoreline, a comprehensive land journey into the heart of Alaska’s awe-inspiring interior can deepen your understanding and enrich your overall experience of our 49th state. AAA’s July 8-17 Alaska by Land 9-night adventure starts in Fairbanks. An Italian immigrant’s 1902 gold strike coincided with the building of a trading post on the banks of the Chena River — and the Gold Rush to Fairbanks was on! This “Golden Heart City” pulsed once again as a boomtown in the early 1970s during construction of the 800-milelong Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Learn how the Gold Rush affected Alaska’s interior on a tour that includes a visit to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum. Enjoy shopping, walking or dining on your own downtown. Cruise on a sternwheeler to experience the thrill of river travel. Enjoy a salmon bake dinner at Pioneer Park; savor salmon, prime rib and Bering Sea cod and all the fixings. Then fly above it all on an Arctic Circle air adventure! This thrilling 4-hour tour soars over the Brooks Range and crosses the Arctic Circle; the narrated adventure includes a visit to Wiseman and views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Yukon River. Motorcoach to Denali National Park to explore at your leisure or participate in a park service activity. Then enjoy the Denali Education Center’s “Welcome to the Subarctic” talk at Sheldon Center; learn about Denali from the ground up before overnighting in the park and touring it some more the next day. Travel deep into Denali on a full-day Tundra Wilderness Tour, looking for grizzly, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more; get insights into this vast park’s flora & fauna. Travel to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city; tour its historic downtown and visit the kennel & home of a 4-time Iditarod Sled Dog Race winner, and learn about the art of mushing dogs. Visit the Native Heritage Center, a gathering place celebrating, perpetuating and sharing Native cultures. Dine in the center’s Athabascan House. Motorcoach to coastal Seward, keeping an eye out along scenic Turnagain Arm for Dall sheep, moose, bear and eagle. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage Valley to see critters up close. Tour along scenic Seward Highway to Begich Boggs Visitor Center; enjoy an award-winning movie, “Voices from the Ice.” Explore Seward on your own; the coastal town is known for scenic views and as gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Transfer to Cooper Landing for a 2-hour scenic float on the Kenai River. Drift through Chugach National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. At Girdwood, ride the Alyeska Tram from sea level to 2,300 feet. An observation deck provides breathtaking views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers and often an array of wildlife. Descend and explore Girdwood on your own. Enjoy a farewell seafood buffet dinner.
10/6 7 Nieuw Amsterdam Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona SP Amenities: Pinnacle Grill Dinner (guests 1 & 2) • Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event • Holland America Cookbook (1 per cabin)
July 8-17, 2013 • AAA Member Rate: $5,399
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.
AAA Vacations ® offers some of the best values at sea & amenities unavailable anywhere else!
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL DATE
NTS
SHIP
ITINERARY
9/1 7 Navigator of the Seas Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Rome IT Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant 9/7 7 Splendor of the Seas Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Venice IT Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant 9/15 7 Liberty of the Seas Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona SP Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom • 1 Dinner for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant 9/30 7 Liberty of the Seas Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Toulon FR Amenities: Priority Check-in • Champagne on Arrival • $50 Onboard Credit per stateroom
PRINCESS CRUISES
DATE
NTS
SHIP
ITINERARY
9/7 7 Diamond Princess Alaska Southbound: Whittier AK to Vancouver BC Amenities: Preferred Check-in on Boarding Day • $50 Shipboard Credit per stateroom • Exclusive Wine Tasting hosted by Sommelier 9/15 12 Royal Princess Mediterranean: Venice IT to Barcelona SP Amenities: Preferred Check-in on Boarding Day • $75 Shipboard Credit per stateroom • Exclusive Wine Tasting hosted by Sommelier 10/12 7 Caribbean Princess Canada & New England: Roundtrip from New York City NY Amenities: Preferred Check-in on Boarding Day • $50 Shipboard Credit per stateroom • Exclusive Wine Tasting hosted by Sommelier
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE DATE
NTS
SHIP
ITINERARY
10/18 10 Zuiderdam Panama Canal: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale FL Amenities: Pinnacle Grill Dinner (guests 1 & 2) • Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event • Holland America Cookbook (1 per cabin) • Chocolate-covered Strawberries
Choose from hundreds of AAA Vacations® cruises at AAA.com/cruises. Look for cruises with the AAA logo:
New bookings only. Offers listed available only on AAA Vacations® departures. Combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions.
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Cleveland-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Cleveland), 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.
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AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
PARE DOWN 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.
YOUR AIR BY
100 DOLLARS 2013 Caribbean sailings of 7 nights or more on
• 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 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 9-19 • AAA Member Rate: $1,699 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 16 meals (including medieval banquet, canal dinner cruise), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
PROGRAMS OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
NOW THROUGH JUNE 28, 2013 AAA Travel will find the lowest available airfare for your cruise AND then deduct an additional $100.00 per person from it! To qualify for the air discount, book & deposit on a balcony or higher stateroom on ANY 2013 Celebrity Cruises Caribbean sailing, including these AAA Vacations® departures.
CREDIT BONUS PRIORITY CHECK-IN and $50 ONBOARD ® per stateroom on these AAA Vacations departures DATE
10/19 11/9 11/16 11/16 11/23 11/30 11/30 12/7 12/7 12/14 12/14 12/15 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/28 12/28 12/29
NTS
7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
SHIP
ITINERARY
Summit Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Summit Reflection Silhouette Reflection Summit Silhouette Reflection Summit Silhouette
Repositioning / Eastern Caribbean: Bayonne to San Juan Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
PRIORITY CHECK-IN and $100 ONBOARD CREDIT BONUS per stateroom on these AAA Vacations® departures DATE
NTS
SHIP
ITINERARY
11/30 12/9 12/20 12/30
14 11 10 11
Eclipse Equinox Equinox Equinox
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
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AAA MOTORIST
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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. Look for the AAA Featured Vacations logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings.
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!
ALLIANCE ........................ 330-821-2323 ASHLAND ........................ 419-289-2222 ASHTABULA ..................... 440-998-1008 BOARDMAN ..................... 330-726-0622 ELYRIA ............................ 440-324-2090 INDEPENDENCE ............... 216-606-6080 LYNDHURST ..................... 440-473-0747 MASSILLON ..................... 330-833-1084
MENTOR .......................... 440-205-9090 NEW PHILADELPHIA......... 330-343-4481 NILES .............................. 330-652-6466 NORWALK........................ 419-668-1622 RAVENNA ........................ 330-296-3406 SOLON ............................ 440-248-1808 STRONGSVILLE ................ 440-783-3396 WESTLAKE ....................... 440-788-3103
____________________________________________________________
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.
Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Cleveland 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.
BOSTON POPS ON CAPE COD Aug 8-13
AAA Member Rate: $1,229
See New England at its best on this excursion to Cape Cod. Hear the fabulous Boston Pops Orchestra, marvel as you watch a humpback whale broaching and take in the beauty of Cape and Martha’s Vineyard. Includes Boston city tour, Cape Cod tour, 1 reserved seat at “Pops by the Sea” concert, Martha’s Vineyard tour (with roundtrip ferry), whale watching cruise, Heritage Plantation, Plymouth waterfront, 9 meals (including traditional lobster bake) & more.
NEW YORK STATE RAIL & SAIL Aug 26-30
AAA Member Rate: $1,069
Enjoy 2 train rides and 3 cruises on this exploration of scenic northern New York. Start in the Thousand Islands/St Lawrence River area, tour the dense woods of the Central Adirondacks and wind up at 32-mile-long Lake George. Includes boat ride to Boldt Castle & Heart Island, Amtrak’s Maple Leaf (train from Syracuse to Albany), “Railroads on Parade” exhibit, North Creek Depot Museum, train through the Central Adirondacks (North Creek to Saratoga), Saratoga Springs tour, Turning Stone Casino, 9 meals (including Thousand Islands dinner cruise and Lake George luncheon cruise) & more.
WASHINGTON DC Sept 5-8
AAA MEMBER RATE
July 6 ............... HARTVILLE HOLIDAY: Hartville OH ..............$70 Hartville Marketplace. Hartville Kitchen. Harry London’s Chocolates.
July 20 .............WRIGHT SUMMER TOUR: Acme PA ............$102 Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House. 2 Wright apprentice-designed homes.
Aug 10........ TARA & GROVE CITY OUTLETS: Clark PA..........$78 Lunch & tour of Tara–A Country Inn. Daffin’s Candies. Premium Outlets.
Aug 16...............3 RIVERS CRUISE: Pittsburgh PA ................$89 Luncheon cruise with musical tribute to Neil Diamond. 3 hours at Rivers Casino.
Aug 24.......GRAND CANYON OF THE EAST: Castile NY ......$117 Letchworth State Park tour. Letchworth Museum. Lunch at Glen Iris Inn.
Sept 7 .............. NIAGARA FALLS: Ontario, Canada.............$119 Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Sightseeing. Passport or passport card required.
Sept 22 ..............COVERED BRIDGES: Geneva OH ................$85 Guided tour of bridges. Grand River Cellars Winery. Robinson’s Apple Barn.
Sept 28 ................OHIO AMISH: Holmes County ..................$83 Buggy ride. Schrock’s Amish Farm. Der Dutchman. Heini’s Cheese. Amish Flea Market.
Oct 19...................THE WILDS: Cumberland OH ...................$95 Safari through wildlife preserve. Carnivore Conservationi Center. Lunch.
Oct 26.................LOAFIN’ AROUND: Mayville NY.................$99
AAA Member Rate: $659
Bring a camera to capture DC’s most memorable sights. A full-day tour features many of the national capital’s most interesting and historic attractions. Includes full-day DC sightseeing, half-day Arlington tour, illuminated monuments tour, Flight 93 Memorial (Shanksville PA), 5 meals & more.
HOLIDAYS IN BRANSON MO Nov 13-18
DATE
AAA Member Rate: $1,099
Enjoy the “Live Music Show Capital of the World” as it puts on its holiday best at 5 included holiday shows (Johnny Mathis, Tony Orlando, Brett Family, Dutton Family, Daniel O’Donnell). Includes performance tickets (1 per show), Titanic exhibit admission, College of the Ozarks, Branson Lights tour, Fantastic Caverns, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 9 meals & more.
Bread & salad making classes. Chef-prepared lunch. Bake sale. Samples. Shopping.
Fantastic Fall Tours: See page 7 for details! MACKINAC ISLAND & THE UPPER PENINSULA MI Sept 23-27 • AAA Member Rate: $839
MUSIC & RAILROADS OF WEST VIRGINIA Sept 30–Oct 2 • AAA Member Rate: $539
FRENCH TOAST TOUR: Montréal & Québec Oct 7-11 • AAA Member Rate: $1,189
FALLINGWATER FOLIAGE
Oct 12-13 • AAA Member Rate: $319
JUNE 2013
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 13
You’ll love Paris when it sizzles It’s summer in the city in the City of Light
P
aris is a city so ingrained in our romantic imaginations that any visit becomes a journey into “la vie sentimentale.” Where the French love of art, philosophy and food overcome all but the passion of young lovers. The most romantic city on earth is also the world‘s most popular, drawing almost 80-million visitors a year. Île de la Cité, the small island in the River Seine is where the story of Paris began. Here you’ll find the Flower Market, the gem-like Saint Chapelle with the largest expanse of 13th century stained glass in the world, and the Gothic spires of Notre Dame. The Pont Neuf, the city’s oldest bridge with its sculpted masks and famous half-moonshaped turrets, has seen the entire history of Paris flow by. The river divides the Paris into its two constituent parts. The Left Bank is older and home to Montparnasse, which, during the 1920s, drew artists and writers from around the world. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is the precinct of grand penseurs like Sartre and Camus, while the stone-cobbled streets of the Latin Quarter were named after the nearby Sorbonne, where Latin served as the language of academia. The Right Bank is more modern, cleared in the 19th century to make way for the grand boulevards. L’Arc de Triomphe straddles the Champs
Those who find the Louvre a bit too intimidating should try the newly renovated Musée d’Orsay, located across the Seine from the Jardins des Tuileries, and with an excellent collection of works by Monet, Cezanne, Degas, and van Gogh. Venice has its gondolas, Montmartre its steps. The cluttered hillside is crowned by the white parapets of the Sacré-Coeur, the second most-visited site in Paris, and surrounded by a labyrinth of extraordinary little streets and raucous Pigalle, home of the Moulin Rouge. The view from the top is stunning. To the left is the Eiffel Tower, and still further, Les Invalides, where Napoleon’s tomb lies under the goldribbed dome.
A FREE MAN IN PARIS — Hôtel des Invalides as seen from the Eiffel Tower. Elysées, where the streets converge in a massive star-shaped pattern. You can take the stairs to the top of the monument for a glorious view of the city — a straight line running from the Louvre, up the Jardins des Tuileries, pinned down by the Obelisque in the Place de la Concorde. Paris’ famed Père Lachaise cemetery is one of the city’s most popular attractions. The unusually large number of notables buried here include
Marcel Proust, Frederic Chopin, Isadora Duncan, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. Napoleon once planned to make the Louvre his private residence. It was here that he married Joséphine, and here where he carted back the spoils of his empire. Today, the collection ranges from Egyptian antiquities dating back to 5000 B.C., to works from the 19-century. Its most celebrated work — the Mona Lisa — once hung over a bathtub at Fontainebleau.
SKIP THE LINE
AAA Travel partner Pleasant Holidays now offers unique “Skip the Line” tours in three of Europe’s most popular cities — Rome, Paris and Florence. The Paris Skip the Line package includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and tours of Père Lachaise cemetery and the Louvre. Take advantage of a $50 AAA Member Benefit off each booking during 2013! FOR MORE INFORMATION
See this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/Europe for more information on planning your European vacation.
Preparing your teen driver for the road ahead Teens benefit from parental involvement and new laws
C
ar crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. A recent analysis of national data conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that in accidents involving drivers under 17, the majority of those killed are not the drivers themselves but are passengers in the cars, people in other vehicles, or pedestrians. Studies have found that teen drivers are tempted to show off when other people are in the car. They can also be easily distracted by conversation or activity in the back seat. The combination of lack of experience and lack of attention to other cars and the road ahead can be catastrophic. Teen overconfidence only exacerbates the problem. Older drivers know that they are better behind the wheel today than they were in their first year or so of driving — and the numbers back them up. “AAA clubs across the country have led a campaign to change the way that teens are licensed in this country,” said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central. “Today, every state has some form of graduated licensing — a system that phases in privileges for new drivers incrementally and restricts their driving in high risk situations like at night and with other
the wheel, parents can dramatically increase the odds their children will adopt safe driving practices,” said Newbacher. “While state laws and educational programs are critical, ultimately, parents are the most critical component to keep their teen drivers safe.” AAA has been committed to teen driver safety for more than half a century — from pioneering driver education in the 1930s to recent advocacy efforts to improve graduated driver licensing laws in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. The ramifications of teen driver crashes affect more people than just teen drivers and their parents. They impact everyone on the road. Let’s work together to make the roads safer for everyone.
SET A GOOD EXAMPLE — Teens often mimic their parents driving behavior. teen passengers,” Newbacher added. In recent years, AAA clubs across the country have committed to improving those laws to make them as effective as possible. As useful as these changes are, however, few things will safeguard young drivers better than attentive parents. Responsibility for setting the parameters for teen drivers rests with parents. Restricting teen driving privileges can be contentious — especially if parents
impose rules that go beyond the current graduated driver licensing (GDL) law. But the stakes are high, and imposing rules about driving other teens, and riding with teen drivers, can be a life-saving decision for everyone on the road. Teens tend to mimic their parents’ driving habits, so be a good role model. The safety and care you take behind the wheel will influence your teen’s behavior. “By setting a good example behind
AAA’S TEEN DRIVING WEBSITE
AAA is writing the next chapter in teen driver safety with Keys2Drive a groundbreaking new website for teens and their parents, Keys2Drive helps parents work with their teens through every important learning-to-drive milestone, from choosing a driver education program, to deciding when it’s time to go solo. Visit the Keys2Drive website at www.teendriving. AAA.com.
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the company and insider knowledge of your professional English-speaking native European guide. From start to finish, you’ll have peace of mind knowing an experienced expert is at your side and at your service to provide practical information and interesting background about all you see and tour. He’ll even be able to offer suggestions about what to do during free time after touring. When you are on your own, you can explore cobblestone streets lined
with festively decorated boutiques and charming squares brimming with high-quality crafts and gifts (toys, wood carvings, jewelry, nutcrackers, fashions and delicate ornaments, among others). Discover Christmas goods that aren’t mass-produced — traditional nativity figurines, puppets, beeswax candles and lambskin shoes. This may be an ideal opportunity to make a dent in your gift shopping list! Few items may be as difficult to resist as the baked apples and Glühwein (“glow-wine,” from hot irons once used to mull this red wine spiced with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, star anise, citrus and sugar). Enjoy them all beneath twinkling lights, evergreen garlands and other holiday decorations. Nuremberg’s Old Quarter market, the world’s most famous, is opened each year by a youngster playing the Christ Child. Kids of all ages love the Kinderweihnacht (children’s Christmas area) and its carousel featuring an upper tier, reindeer and Santa’s sleigh. Nuremberg’s also known for its honey and its thin brown sausages. Rothenburg ob der Tauber (“Red Fortress above the Tauber River”) on the Romantic Road offers, fittingly, one of the most romantic markets. An ancient walled town largely untouched for centuries, it boasts some of Europe’s most impressive medieval architecture. The Schneebälle (“snowballs”) made from deep-fried dough dusted with sugar are a local specialty. Four markets in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Bamberg come in different shapes and sizes — traditional, medieval, Advent and arts & crafts. A “Route of Nativity Scenes” links 40 churches, museums, public buildings and other places via a series of diverse Christmas creches. Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities, has markets sparkling with decorations, Nativity scenes, toys and other very practical presents; the creative people who fashion the objects happily explain their traditional techniques. Other booths invite you to sample
NEUSCHWANSTEIN
ICE CASTLE — Ludwig II built this fairytale castle in order to withdraw from public life; ironically, 1.3 million people now visit here every year!
MEMBERS SAVE 1 OF 3 WAYS Premier ...........$125 Plus ................$100 Basic ................. $75 PER ROOM...NEW BOOKINGS ONLY
BOOK & DEPOSIT THROUGH 6/30/13 gingerbread and Christmas cookies. Dating to the 14th century, Munich’s Marienplatz market offers live Alpine holiday music from Town Hall’s balcony and creative activities for kids. While in town, savor an included traditional dinner featuring Spätzle (dense egg noodles; name means “little sparrow”) and Strudel (“whirlpool” — layered pastry filled with fruit or sweet cheese). Escape on a fun excursion to Mad Ludwig’s Alpine castle, Neuschwanstein. Spectacularly located, the shy king’s palace appears prominently in many movies and inspired Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Füssen holds its market in the festively illuminated monastery courtyard of St Mang in the heart of the town’s historic cobblestone streets. Ettal’s market, in a narrow valley 3,000 feet above sea level, is dominated by a magnificent abbey surrounded by baroque buildings, green pines and snow-covered mountains. Bonfires in carved stumps provide warmth (as does mulled wine). Nearby Oberammergau offers worldfamous wood carvings; see a Holy Family so small they fit in a nutshell! If these markets/treats whet your wanderlust/appetite, visit AAA.com/ GoEurope for more information!
German Christmas Markets
Before-discount AAA Member Rate includes roundtrip flights (Cleveland-Frankfurt, Munich-Cleveland), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach transportation, hotel taxes/service charges, hotel baggage handling, 13 meals, Neuschwanstein tour, services of a AAA tour manager (if participation goal is met) and in-Germany escort.
Dec 2-10
•
AAA Member Rate: $2,959
Call 1-800-354-8761 or visit AAA.com/GoEurope
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AAA Vacations® is your connection to the world Hand-crafted itineraries and exclusive member values
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o see the world is one thing, to experience it is quite another. This is the essence of travel that transcends the ordinary. AAA Vacations® has scoured the globe to uncover the world’s most remarkable journeys. These cruise and land-based vacations are hand-selected by AAA for carefully crafted itineraries that seamlessly mingle the “must sees” with intimate glimpses of other cultures. And they are only available through AAA. AAA Vacations® are an exceptional value because AAA has negotiated great members-only savings and benefits. Every vacation includes the AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee and AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care. You can also rely on the expertise of your AAA Travel Agent in selecting the right vacation for you.
Do it your way
Travel the Canadian Rockies by rail, or watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Savor a glass of Chianti in Tuscany, or explore America’s National Parks. AAA’s land vacation program features over 35 guided and locally hosted programs to the world’s most sought after locales — both exotic and familiar. All are designed to reveal the very heart and soul of the places you’ll see. Travel independently or share the experience with a host and other likeminded nomads. No matter how you go you’ll travel with confidence. AAA
EVERY STONE TELLS A STORY — Come face to face with 4,000 years of civilization on the Greek island of Rhodes. Vacations® 24/7 Member Care delivers peace of mind should you need assistance on you journey. Looking to chill out on a beach or plunge under a waterfall in a tropical lagoon? Choose from more than 100 resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and the South Pacific. You’ll also enjoy premium amenities like complimentary room upgrades, early check in and late check out, resort credits and optional excursion certificates. Disney means sharing special moments with family and nobody
does Disney like AAA Vacations®. Let your AAA travel professional create a package to Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort that will make magical memories. You’ll also receive exclusive AAA Vacations® benefits, plus AAA member benefits on select AAA Vacations® packages
Choose your cruise
Follow a winding river past fairytale castles and charming walled towns, or retrace the voyage of Odysseus while dolphins frolic in an opalized Ionian
Sea. AAA has partnered with some of the industry’s best cruise lines, and with more than 400 departures, you won’t have wait for your ship to come in. Plus, AAA Vacations® offers exclusive bonus amenities like priority checkin on day of boarding, champagne on arrival, onboard spending credits and specialty dining experience, just to a name a few. Look for the AAA Vacations logo located next to the cruise listed on AAA.com/aaavacations, then click on the link that says “Special Offer” to see the added amenities for that particular departure. Engaging, authentic experiences and the pulse quickening thrill of discovery. Values you won’t find anywhere else. The road goes on forever and AAA Vacations® will get you there.
YOUR BEST PRICE GUARANTEE
All AAA Vacations® land based and cruise programs include the AAA Vacations® Best Price Guarantee. Should you find a valid better rate for the exact same itinerary within 24 hours of booking, AAA will match the lower rate. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Pick up your 2013 AAA Vacations® catalog today at any AAA Travel Agency location, or download the new 2013 AAA Vacations® eBrochure at AAA.com/aaavacations.
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Drivers having trouble getting past the gridlock Epic backups exacting a heavy toll on motorists
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raffic jams can occur at any daylight hour, on workdays and on weekends. Travelers are faced with extra or unreliable travel time, increased greenhouse emissions, and billions in lost productivity and additional fuel costs. According to the annual Urban Mobility Report (UMR), published by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), the congestion “invoice” for the cost of extra time and fuel in 498 urban areas in 2011 was $121-billion. The report provides a detailed illustration of traffic problems in a total of 498 U.S. urban areas. Traffic congestion in U.S. cities has remained relatively stable in recent years and continues to underscore the link between traffic and the economy, according to the UMR. Rankings of the nation’s most congested cities vary slightly from year to year, and many of this year’s top 10 are repeat performers. Washington, D.C. tops the list, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland, New York-Newark and Boston. The second five include Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle. Not surprisingly Fridays are the worst days to travel. The combination of work, school, leisure and other trips mean that urban residents earn their weekend after suffering over 20 percent more delay hours than on Mondays. Approximately 37 percent of the total
GETTING YOUR BACK UP — Congestion robs people of their most valuable commodity — time. delays occur outside of the peak hours when travelers expect free-flow travel. Fuel wasted in congested traffic reached a total of 2.9 billion gallons — enough to fill the New Orleans Superdome four times. That’s the same as 2010, but short of the pre recession 3.2 billion gallons wasted in 2005.
The total financial cost of congestion in 2011 was $121 billion, up one billion dollars from the year before and translating to $818 per U.S. commuter. Of that total, about $27 billion worth was wasted time and diesel fuel from trucks moving goods on the system. The 2012 UMR also debuts an esti-
mate of the additional carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions attributed to traffic congestion: 56 billion pounds – about 380 pounds per auto commuter. “Including CO2 emissions into the UMR provides another dimension to the urban congestion problem,” says researcher and co-author David Schrank. “It points to the importance of implementing transportation improvements to reduce congestion.” The 2012 installment is the third prepared in partnership with INRIX, a leading private-sector provider of travel time information for both commuters and shippers. Researchers say that the most effective way to address traffic congestion varies from one urban area to another, but that in all cases, a multi-faceted approach should be used, relying on more efficient traffic management and public transportation in addition to new construction. Travel options such as flexible work hours and telecommuting should also be part of the mix. Getting more productivity out of the existing road and public transportation systems is vital to reducing congestion and improving travel time reliability. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
AAA releases annual ‘Your Driving Costs’ study Reduced depreciation can’t offset higher fuel prices
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ars are expensive but it might surprise you to learn that it costs about 62% more to drive a Hyundai Genesis, than a Ford Focus. Or that it makes more financial sense to own a Chrysler minivan, which costs almost 20% less to operate than a Chevrolet Suburban SUV. These are just some of the findings from AAA’s annual study on driving costs. AAA has published the report every year since 1950, when driving cost just 9 cents per mile, and gasoline sold for 27 cents a gallon. Results from the 2013 edition of ‘Your Driving Costs’ study reveal a 1.96 percent rise in the yearly costs to own and operate a typical sedan. The average costs rose 1.17 cents per mile to 60.8 cents per mile, or $9,122 per year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving. Typical SUV costs climbed to $11,599 yearly, or 77.3 cents per mile. While several vehicles included in the Your Driving Costs study had increases in fuel economy, it was not enough to offset higher maintenance, depreciation and insurance costs. Gas prices were relatively stable compared to the previous year, increasing just 1.93 percent to 14.45 cents per mile on average for sedans. The costs associated with maintaining a vehicle had the single largest
driver, driving habits, issuing company and geographical region. AAA insurance cost estimates are based on a lowrisk driver with an excellent record. For 2012, average insurance costs for sedans rose 2.76 percent to $1029 yearly. Large sedans had less of an increase than small- and medium-size sedans. The cost of tires did not change from 2012 to 2013, remaining at one cent per mile on average for sedan owners. The stable price is attributed to a leveling off of past increased costs for raw materials, energy and transportation from factories to distributors. AAA calculates the average costs of owning and operating five top-selling models in three popular size classes: small, medium and large sedans. Though not part of the AAA composite average, SUV and minivan cost are also included.
READING THE NUMBERS — Stable fuel and tire prices helped keep increases in car costs down this year. percentage increase from 2012 to 2013, growing by 11.26 percent to 4.97 cents per mile on average for sedan owners. AAA’s estimates are based upon the cost to maintain a vehicle and perform needed repairs for five years and 75,000 miles including labor expenses, and replacement part prices and purchase of an extended warranty.
Depreciation costs were up slightly in 2013, increasing .78 percent to $3,571 a year. This change may be a consequence of recovering new vehicle sales, resulting in more used cars available in the marketplace and thus the softening of the resale value of clean older models. Insurance rates vary widely with
HOW MUCH ARE YOU PAYING
AAA’s 2013 Your Driving Costs brochure can be downloaded at AAA.com/ PublicAffairs. To assist members in determining their individual driving costs, the AAA ‘Your Driving Costs’ brochure contains a worksheet that can be filled out and personalized for a specific area, driver and vehicle.
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Close to home cruising puts Bermuda within easy reach Celebrity Summit sails from Cape Liberty, New Jersey this summer
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he great thing about Bermuda us is you don’t have to choose between British civility and Caribbean weather. Warmed by the Gulf Stream and ringed by protective coral reefs, Bermuda lies some six hundred miles due east off the coast of North Carolina. Horse-drawn carriages still meander down Hamilton’s Front Street, and afternoon tea is a time-honored tradition. Pastel colored cottages in subtle shades of pink, green and peach, are framed by neatly manicured gardens. Bermuda’s trademark white coved roofs were adapted from the lapped hulls of wooden ships. Bermuda has no rivers and rainwater is collected from the roofs and collected in underground cisterns. Sailing to this tiny, perfect paradise has never been easier. From now through September, Celebrity is offering six and 7-night Bermuda sailings from Cape Liberty (Bayonne,) New Jersey aboard their newly “Solsticized” Summit. Land-locked residents in the northeast can now sail to Bermuda without air transportation. Another good thing about cruising to Bermuda is that you’ll have the time to really enjoy it. Summit docks King’s Wharf for three days amid the majestic spires of the Royal Dockyard. Constructed by convicts between 1809 and 1849 with thick limestone walls and 100-foot towers, the meticulously restored complex houses shopping,
IN THE PINK — Scooters are a popular way to get around Bermuda. entertainment and Bermuda’s Maritime Museum. Beach lovers will discover that pink is totally your color. Set against a serene turquoise sea, the island’s famous pink sand beaches are concentrated around South Shore Park, a coastal reserve with about a dozen coves linked by trails. Beaches range from tiny inlets like Peel Rock Cove, to the blushing sands of secluded Warwick Long Bay along the
Celebrating sunshine and shiny cars
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ost of us have had enough of the extended winter and cold spring that blanketed much of the country. With warmer temperatures finally here it’s prime time to give family roadsters and hot wheels alike a good wash and wax. Here are some car care tips from the experts at Turtle Wax:
Wash
Park in a cool, shady spot to avoid dried-on spots and streaks. Rinse the car with a garden hose or bucket of water. Then, using a sponge or mitt, wash your car one section at a time, starting from the top and working your way down. Use a detergent designed specifically for car finishes. Use lots of water and a light spray to avoid scratches. Excessive water pressure can blast dirt into the surface. Never use grease-cutting dishwashing liquid and laundry soaps to wash your car. Their high PH content will remove a car’s wax coating and harm its clear-coat finish. Rinse and dry immediately with a soft towel or chamois to bring back that brand new car sheen.
Wax
It’s best to wax your car after you’ve washed it so any abrasive particles or dirt won’t scratch the surface while you wax. Waxing leaves a protective barrier between the car’s paint and dirt, rain,
and the destructive rays of the sun. Waxing also helps prevent water spots and lets the original shine come out. Avoid direct sunlight for best results and spread the wax evenly with a microfiber cloth. Lightly wipe to a brilliant shine.
Wheels & tires
Cut through dirt, oil and brake dust build-up with a cleaner that’s made for the job. Spray it thoroughly on the wheel and tire sidewall and allow 30 to 40 seconds for the cleaner to loosen and penetrate. Wash with a sponge or soft wheel brush and then rinse completely with a strong stream of water. Clean your tires and wheels before you wash your car because you’ll want to rinse after applying. And remember to use a tire shine product last.
Interiors
Over time, the sun can cause your car’s interior to crack and fade. Using a protectant can help screen out harmful UV rays while safely removing dirt, revitalizing interior surfaces and leaving a refreshing scent. Spray onto a cloth or directly on non-porous surfaces like plastic, vinyl and rubber. Let it penetrate for 2 minutes and then wipe it lightly to bring out the original beauty. For leather seats use a conditioner specifically formulated for leather, one that does not contain silicone or alcohol.
eastern edge of the park. Horseshoe Bay is a dazzling crescent of sand ranked among the best beaches in the world. Celebrity Summit now sails with a whole new sense of style. The third member of Millennium Class has undergone a dazzling revitalization including the addition of AquaClass® staterooms and the popular restaurant, Blu, exclusively for AquaClass guests. The Celebrity iLounge is a cool Internet
café with MacBook workstations, where guests can check their e-mail, or try out the latest MacBooks and iPads. Qsine is a uniquely unordinary restaurant with a whimsical approach to the familiar. The menu and wine list are presented on an iPad and dishes are served without traditional courses and are intended to be shared. Performed in a cozy cellar space beneath the legendary “Studio 54,” 54 Below has been dubbed “a throwback to the heyday of authentic New York nightlife,” and “the hot new stage attracting Broadway’s brightest stars.” Now, those stars will light up the stage of Celebrity Summit during its Bermuda vacation season. Among the top-notch talent slated to appear on Celebrity Summit through its new partnership with 54 Below are Tony Award winners Faith Prince and Donna McKechnie; Telly Leung, cast member of the hit TV show Glee; the original “Annie,” Andrea McArdle; and Tom Wopat, star of TV’s The Dukes of Hazzard.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
AAA Travel offers a variety cruise packages to Bermuda that include cruise-only or with motorcoach transportation. Please see the Departures Guide or visit AAA. com/cruises for special member values on Bermuda cruise vacations.
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AAA Editors’ choose ‘Top Picks for Kids’ AAA travel guides now spotlight kid-friendly activities
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lanning a trip the whole family will enjoy is easier when you let AAA’s travel professionals help point the way with expert recommendations. To select their top picks for key family travel destinations, AAA editors became kids again. With an eye toward finding options for tots to teens, they visited and played at countless attractions touted as kid friendly — many designated as AAA GEMs, offering a Great Experience for Members — along with notable restaurants and events. This family-friendly content is available in AAA’s popular digital and printed travel guides for select destinations. “The key to a successful family vacation is planning activities that are fun and engaging for every member of your group. What’s exciting to a 6 year old can be a lot different from what appeals to teens,” said Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central “Expert recommendations like these help make travel planning easier and ensure memorable vacation experiences.” AAA’s Top Picks for Kids are currently available for 19 U.S. cities coast to coast, including New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Selections are separated into categories that include options for kids under 13, teens, and kids of all ages. Here are a few samples: In New York City kids can dance on
READY TO LAUNCH — This Buzz Lightyear figure at Washington’s National Air and Space Museum traveled on the Space Shuttle Discovery. a musical keyboard at FAO Schwartz, create their own Muppet, or gape at life-size stuffed animals. Young ladies will be delighted by the dolls and accessories at American Girl Place. Much more than a store, it’s the place where imaginations can soar. At the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, teens will be fascinated by the vintage cameras and
equipment and artifacts like a genuine Yoda from “Star Wars” and the molds used to build King Kong. Everglades National Park — Florida’s wilderness jewel — is a AAA GEM attraction. Known as the “River of Grass” it’s a haven for wildlife including alligators, turtles and manatees. Driving the 38 miles from the entrance
Company and climbs the company ladder in a matter of days with the assistance of a self-help book! With songs like “Brotherhood of Man” and “The Company Way,” this hilarious musical is a biting satire that has only become more relevant with time. Event location: Rabbit Run Theater, 5648 Chapel Road, Madison. Tickets: $21; $19, seniors and students. Visit www.rabbitrunonline.org or call 440-428-7092. “NO PLACE LIKE HOME” BENEFIT CONCERT — (June 15) Enjoy an evening of live music while helping a good cause at the “No Place Like Home” concert. The show will feature Cleveland’s Breakfast Club, Brent Kirby, Winslow, and Robin Stone. All proceeds go to PAWS Ohio to help in their efforts to rescue companion animals in need. Event location: Cain Park Evans Amphitheater, 4591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18, day of show. Visit www.pawsohio.org or call 1-800-745-3000. OHIO SCOTTISH GAMES — (June 20-22) The Ohio Scottish Games are held at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington each June. The event highlights the traditional dance, music and athletics of the ancient Highland Games.
This event is for the enjoyment of all Scots and friends as well as to introduce Scottish arts and traditions to the community. Come for a fun, family day, full of entertainment for everyone! Visit www.ohioscottishgames.com. SHAKER HEIGHTS ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL — (June 22-23) Shaker Heights Arts and Music Festival, now in its fourth year, continues to get bigger and better. Last year over 10,500 shoppers attended this vibrant community event. Located between Van Aken Shopping Center and the Shaker Heights Country Club, the festival includes a wide range of arts and crafts vendors, live music, diverse food offerings, and free admission. Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.shakerartscouncil. org. ITALIAN AMERICAN SUMMER FESTIVAL — (June 28-30) The Italian American Summer Festival is a three-day celebration of Italian heritage and culture. There will be two stages of live entertainment, featuring acts direct from Italy and Las Vegas, and local favorites. In addition, there will be a children’s section, retail and craft vendors, a pasta-eating contest, a bocce tournament, and more. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164
to the Flamingo Visitor Center, everyone will enjoy the views from your car. Trailheads radiate out from the road in several spots, inviting short hikes. A thrilling way to explore the park is by airboat, offered at Everglades Alligator Farm and Everglades Safari Park. In Washington DC, the National Air and Space Museum takes you from the Wright Brothers’ first flying machine to the futuristic-looking Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia and SpaceShipOne. At the How Things Fly gallery, kids can build paper airplanes, conduct science experiments and climb into the cockpit of a Cessna 150. The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, houses creatures ranging from Komodo dragons and crocodiles, to giant octopuses and displays them in an Indiana Jones-style facility. Children can handle anemones, starfish and more at the tide pool touchtank, while fearsome sharks, graceful rays and hungry barracuda swim in a 1.3-million gallon tank featuring a walk-through tunnel. FOR MORE INFORMATION
AAA Editors’ Top Picks for Kids can be found in the AAA.com Travel Guides, the downloadable AAA eTourBook® guides available at AAA.com/ebooks and the printed AAA TourBook® guides available at AAA/CAA offices.
aroundtown GUYS AND DOLLS — (through June 23) Set in a vivid, mid-20th century New York City and buoyed by a Frank Loesser score, this American classic has been called “the perfect musical comedy.” Featuring an eclectic ensemble of high-rolling gambler “guys,” well-meaning “dolls” and brassy-voiced showgirls, “Guys and Dolls” is a fun and romantic fable about gambling men and the strong-willed women who love them. Event location: Hanna Theatre at PlayhouseSquare, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. Tickets: $10 to $70. Visit www.playhousesquare.org or call 216-241-6000. RIVERFRONT IRISH FESTIVAL — (June 7-9) At the Riverfront Irish Festival, everyone is Irish! This familyfriendly event features three stages of music, the Irish Market Place with traditional Irish and American fare, Irish food court, a 5k and fun run, kids’ activities and traditional Irish dance! Free admission. Event location: Falls River Square, 2085 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls. For a schedule of events, visit www.riverfrontirishfest.com. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING — (June 14-30) Follow the adventures of J. Pierrepont Finch as he joins the mailroom of the Worldwide Wicket
Eastland Road, Berea. Daily admission: $8; free for children 12 and under. Festival hours: Friday, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit www.italianamericansummerfestival.com. OLD GLORY DAY — (July 4) Old Glory Day on Chardon Square provides a wonderful family-friendly event to celebrate the Fourth of July! Bring your children to decorate their bikes, wagons, etc., and join in the Parade around Chardon Square, followed by ice cream treats. Enjoy musical entertainment, children’s games, pie-eating contest, balloon artist and more! Pack a picnic and enjoy the whole day. Event hours: 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 440-286-1912. TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL — (July 4-7) Celebrate Independence Day weekend at the Port of Cleveland’s Tall Ships Festival. Up to a dozen tall ships will be at the event. Visitors can board vessels, meet crew, and experience the heritage these majestic ships symbolize. Event location: Port of Cleveland, Docks 28-30 (behind Cleveland Browns Stadium). Gates open at 9:30 a.m.; ship boarding begins at 11 a.m. For ticket prices and more information, visit www.clevelandtallships.com.
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