Susquehanna 3 16 by AAA East Central

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SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY REGION

Vol. 55 No. 2

MARCH/APRIL 2016 Get Mobile with the AAA Mobile App

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

AAA IS YOUR ONESTOP INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOP

AAA Mobile is beautifully responsive and optimized to look and work great on your IOS or Android device. Use it to access Roadside Assistance, as well as your favorite time and money saving AAA services — all from one integrated app. With Passbook (IOS version only) you can use your digital membership card at AAA discount locations, or when requesting location-based roadside assistance without even opening your wallet. AAA Mobile also offers instant access to AAA TripTik® Guides, member discounts, maps, gas prices, driving directions, and more. Key features include: • Convenient trip planning with interactive maps and turn-by-turn directions; • Exclusive member discounts at over 164,000 locations; • Mobile battery quotes and instant replacement; (where available) • Locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, and AAA branches nearest you no matter where you are; • Research and book AAA Diamond Rated hotels; • Find gas stations and receive the latest price information; • Find electric vehicle (EV) charging stations; • Travel planning tools including Drive Trips and Travel Guides. AAA Mobile delivers the total mobile member experience. For more information or to download the AAA Mobile app, visit the AAA Mobile Solutions page at AAA.com/Mobile.

Modern Luxury, BOGO air and more... Experience the Caribbean on Celebrity! SM

xperiences are at the heart of the very best vacations; more than what you saw, it’s what you did — and the style in which you did it — that’s often most enjoyed and most remembered. Experiences done in style? That’s where Celebrity Cruises distinguishes itself from the competition. As the world’s leading premium cruise line dedicated to the proposition that “Modern Luxury Lives Here,” Celebrity aims to make your cruise experience one you’ll never forget. Elegant accommodations, globally inspired menus crafted by a James Beard–featured chef, amenities and activities to keep you busy (if you like) from morning to night and a level of service that is unsurpassed. A sense that every thing that matters to you also matters to Celebrity sets it apart; that’s modern luxury. And, because Celebrity sails to more than 30 Caribbean destinations, your options for memorable experiences — both on and off the ship — are virtually limitless. And now, only from March 1 to 31, members can couple a Caribbean Celebrity Cruises experience with exclusive

perks from AAA Travel when booking an ocean-view (or

higher) stateroom on select sailings (see page 20). continued on page 20

Extras: always in style at AAA! • BUY 1 AIR, GET 1 FREE!

Roundtrip from Philadelphia to Ft Lauderdale or Miami

• UP TO $100.00 ONBOARD SPENDING MONEY!

Use toward spa treatments, beverages, gift shops, etc. Per person, double occupancy.

• CHOOSE 1 OF 4 AMENITIES: Ask how to get ALL 4!

Classic Beverage Package for 2: All fountain & canned soda, all bottled juices, fresh juices, premium coffees and teas, bottled water, beers up to $6; spirits, liqueurs, cocktails, frozen drinks up to $8; any wine by the glass up to $9. Plus, a 15% discount on all wines by the bottle purchased on board, even the prized Reserve Wine list and Rare Wine list. Unlimited Internet for 2: Yes, you’re miles out at sea, but that doesn’t mean you need to lose touch with friends and family on land. Celebrity ships feature wireless Internet access so you can check your social feeds, upload photos, chat online and access your email. Most ships offer Wi-Fi connectivity throughout. Wireless Internet access is available all hours of the day until the morning of debarkation. Prepaid Gratuities for 2: Relax, knowing that the gratuities for your room steward, maître d’, restaurant servers and others are already taken care of. A value of up to $32.90 per day ($16.45 per person)! An Additional $150.00 Onboard Spending Money: Use this generous credit toward the purchase of gifts or other items from onboard shops and boutiques, personal services (such as spa treatments, hair salons, etc), beverages and more. Per person, double occupancy.

• PRIORITY CHECK-IN & 24 / 7 MEMBER CARE! Extras available on select cruises. Some restrictions apply.

Myrtle Beach Condo Hotel Vacations from AAA Travel You can’t beat the savings and convenience of staying in a Myrtle Beach Condo Hotel. Most have room for 2 to 5 bedrooms, making it a great choice for families, or anyone who needs some extra room. Enjoy well-equipped kitchens, multiple baths, and all the amenities of a luxury resort. See page 2 for more information, and our ad on page 16, for some remarkable Myrtle Beach Condo Hotel vacation deals from AAA Travel.

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

Free Junior Associates — Priceless Protection for Teens If your teen has reached driving age, don’t let them go it alone. AAA members can extend their AAA coverage for dependents age 16 to 18, with a free Junior Associate membership. They’ll carry their very own AAA card, and are entitled to AAA benefits and services including 24/7 roadside assistance. Members can add Junior Associates by calling or visiting their local AAA office or, by clicking on AAA.com/JuniorAssociate. (All Associate Members must reside at the Primary Member’s address, and proof of age may be required).

A GOLDEN OPPORUNITY TO EXPLORE IRELAND The Emerald Isle is like a fine piece of music. Cobblestone lanes, whitewashed cottages and luminous green valleys all seem plucked from the strings of an Irish harp. Discover it for yourself aboard AAA Travel’s October 2-10 “Irish Heritage & Dromoland Castle” escorted tour, featuring Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Waterford and much more. Book and deposit by March 31, 2016, and enjoy member savings of $270 per room, double occupancy. SEE PAGE 9.

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A great vacation — Myrtle Beach in a Condo Hotel Your home away from home offers the best of both worlds

ith sixty miles of beaches, ocean breezes and an endless variety of activities, Myrtle Beach is one of America’s fastest-growing family vacation destinations and it is easy to see why. On the other hand, condo hotels are one of the best-kept secrets in travel and you may not be familiar with them. Condo Hotels combine the spaciousness of condominiums and the amenities of hotels. That means you enjoy the best of both worlds. They are located in high-rise buildings with lobby checkin similar to hotels. Amenities such as maid service, Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, maintenance located on the premises to quickly respond to a guest’s needs provide guests with a hotel environment. They contain two-, three-, four-, and five-bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, full kitchens, washers and dryers, dining areas, common living areas, balconies and numerous TVs. This enables Guests to enjoy the flexibility to have full meals or snacks at anytime and watch a variety of TV shows by different family members in different rooms. You don’t live in one room at home. Why live that way on vacation? That is why we are offering the perfect combination of Condo Hotels in Myrtle Beach. We have selected four beachfront properties. They are perfect for families, multi-generational families (kids, parents and grandparents), friends and neighbors vacationing together.

MARCH 2016

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

airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

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

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

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS

ALL THE AMENITIES — The Towers at North Beach Plantation is a AAA Four Diamond Award property. And here is the best part. AAA offers the best available rates for the “best of both worlds” vacationing when you make your reservations with us. Located about five miles from Myrtle Beach Airport, the Caribbean Resort, features multiple pools, a water park, and a 200-foot lazy river. Amenities include an on-site Starbucks and Ben & Jerry’s, and direct access to Myrtle Beach’s most prestigious golf courses. The Breakers Resort features one-, twoand three-bedroom condos and suites.

Kitchens come equipped with a stove, compact refrigerator, microwave, basic cookware and utensils. An oceanfront pool deck stretches across one of the area’s longest spans of sandy beach. A family favorite, Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort is conveniently located near the heart of Myrtle Beach. Over 530 well-appointed units include one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums overlooking 720 feet of oceanfront. Compass Cove offers a wide array of amenities including wireless Internet, 6 indoor and outdoor pools, and 3 indoor and outdoor lazy rivers. Located on a 7.5 acre island between the Atlantic Ocean and White Point Swash, The Towers at North Beach Plantation feature an unprecedented array of pools, a swim-up pool bar and private cabanas. The AAA Four Diamond Awardwinning property provides a luxurious setting for any vacation with accommodations ranging from one-, two-, and three-bedroom units in the oceanfront Twin Towers, to the nearby North Beach Cottages’ selection of condos, homes and beach houses. Of course, family vacations always involve great food, and the on-site 21 Main Steakhouse and Sushi Bar is one of the premier fine dining establishments on the Grand Strand.

WHEN YOU GO

AAA Travel offers a selection of Three and Four Diamond Award-winning condo hotels in Myrtle Beach. The Caribbean Resort, the Breakers Resort, Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort and The Towers at North Beach Plantation are perfect for couples, families, and friends vacationing together. AAA also offers the best available rates when you make your reservations through AAA Travel. FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com for special values on and vacation ideas from AAA Travel.

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

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State Department urges travelers to renew passports early AAA is your one-stop international travel shop Susquehanna Valley Region Official publication of AAA East Central Published bimonthly by AAA East Central 1001 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801-2403 USPS 530-080 ISSN 0890-7455

Periodicals Postage Paid at Sunbury, PA and at additional entry offices Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist Susquehanna Valley Region P.O. Box 788 1001 Market Street Sunbury, PA 17801-2403 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year. Publisher..................................... James E. Lehman Managing Editor.............................. Douglas ONeil Business Manager ..................... Sherry A. Madison Editorial Office 1001 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801-2403 570.286.4507

e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com

AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman ................................................ Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman.........................................James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman............................................... Gregory E. Grim Vice Chairman..........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman..................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President ....................................................James E. Lehman Executive Vice President ............................... Thomas J. Ashley Secretary .................................................. Robert H. Compton Treasurer .......................................................Robert S. Collins GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn B. Bachman, Neil D. Bassi, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Charles O. Casto**, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie**, Terrence L. Walton** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, Charles W. Groce, Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Jacob N. Skezas, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward **emeritus directors

Regional President ......................................Gregory S. Shaffer Copyright ©2015 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Motorist does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Motorist or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.

By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central he U.S. Department of State is urging travelers who hold passports expiring in 2016 to renew their passports early. Passport renewals typically take four to six weeks; however with the flood of renewals anticipated for 2016, a processing backlog could result so travelers are advised to allow extra time in order to secure the necessary travel documents. This is a result of the number of passports issued in 2006 and 2007 when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was adopted — requiring passports for Americans returning by air from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. A surge of passport renewals is expected in 2016 as these passports are now beginning to expire. All air travel passengers 18 years of age or older must show a valid identification card for domestic air travel. While a driver’s license is the most common identification used for traveling, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept other documentation, which includes: a U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. military ID, trusted traveler cards and Canadian provincial driver’s license. If you are planning an international trip this year, AAA recommends that you visit your local AAA branch office. Passport applications and passport-sized photos are available at most branch offices for a nominal fee. Call ahead for availability and member pricing. AAA Premier members receive one free photo

Richard Hamilton session per member. It’s a good idea to consult with a AAA travel advisor to make sure you have all of the necessary travel documents. Processing routine applications typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the time of application, so make sure you apply far enough in advance. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is another recognizable form of identification that can help you get on your way more quickly. Valid in over 150 countries, the passport-sized permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages. AAA offers IDPs to all holders of a U.S. driver’s license who are least 18 years of age. The cost is $15 plus photos and they are valid for one year. Applications can be downloaded at AAA.com.

If you are a frequent traveler, AAA also recommends that to expedite your travel, you should enroll in trusted traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. In 2005 Congress also passed the REAL ID Act, which sets the standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as a driver’s license. The implementation of REAL ID identification requirements may prompt an additional demand for first-time passport applications this year. TSA recently announced that it will continue to accept driver licenses issued by all states until January 2018 for boarding domestic commercial air flights, but beginning on January 22, 2018, passengers with a driver’s license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight. Within AAA East Central’s territory Ohio and West Virginia are currently compliant with the REAL ID Act. New York, Kentucky and Pennsylvania have received an extension from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until October 10, 2016. A full list of compliant states, or states that have been granted an extension by the DHS is available on the DHS web site. It is important to note that REAL ID is not a national identification card but simply a more secure identification document. The law does not allow the federal government to issue or access a state’s driver license data.

membersonly

here would you go with a Free Week? Hertz is running a special Gold Plus Rewards promotion can help all new and current Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Members, earn up to a free weekly rental. To be eligible, Gold Plus Rewards Members must register at www.HertzFreeWeek.com. Plus, earn 25 bonus points just for registering! Members just need to indicate that their rental awards go to their Gold Plus Rewards account, rather than another rewards account such as airline miles, etc. in their Gold profile. This promotion is open to all Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members and while not exclusive to AAA, it is an easy way for AAA members who are also Gold Plus Rewards members to earn points! Here are the details of the bonus offer: • Complete the following number of rentals to get Gold Plus Rewards bonus points: • 2 rentals = 550 points/Free Weekend Day • 3 rentals = 1,100 points/Two Free

Weekend Days 5 rentals or more = 2,750 points/One Free Weekly Rental • Valid on qualifying rentals occurring 1/14/16 – 3/23/16, at any Gold Plus Rewards point earning country/location Hertz could not have made this process any simpler. Gold Plus Rewards points need to be requested when you place your rental order; however, no promotion code is required, any car class qualifies, and only a minimum of a 2-day rental is required to start earning points! A total of 2,775 Gold Plus Rewards points — the equivalent of a weekly rental — is the maximum number of points awarded during this promotion. Whether you’re a frequent traveler for business or a casual road trip companion, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards saves you time, money and frustration. There’s no waiting at the counter for your rental. Simply present your driver’s license, pick up the keys and go at more than 1,000 locations worldwide, Before you even arrive Mobile Gold •

Alerts will notify you on your cell phone, where your rental car is parked for your convenience. It also allows you to select an upgrade before you reach the rental location. Gold Plus Rewards also gives you the freedom to change your mind. Your reserved rental is guaranteed, but if you decide you would like a different model, use Hertz Gold Choice® to choose one you like better right on the spot. As AAA’s exclusive car rental partner, Hertz offers AAA members a wide variety of money-saving discounts and special offers. Exclusive AAA discounts include free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership; no charge for additional drivers who are also AAA members and meet standard rental qualifications; free use of one child, infant or booster seat; free unlimited mileage on most rentals; discounts off SiriusXM® Satellite Radio rental; and more. AAA members can access exclusive discounts and make reservations at www.AAA.com/Hertz or via the AAA Mobile app.

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It doesn’t pay to commit auto insurance fraud Just don’t do it — It isn’t a victimless crime, because everyone pays By Robin Jones oe is backing up out of a parking space when he hears the sickening crunch of his fender buckling against a pole he didn’t see. His heart sinking, he starts to calculate the costs: not only the deductible he may have to pay when he takes the car in for repairs, but also the surcharge the insurance company may place on his policy because he’s at fault, and the possible increase in his premium. He starts to wonder whether he could get away with reporting it as a hit-and-run to avoid the surcharge and premium increase. He could just tell his insurance agent that someone hit the car while it was parked at the office or in front of his house. It’s a victimless crime, right? Not exactly. Fraud raises rates for everybody. By some industry estimates, between 10 and 15 percent of all claims dollars spent involve suspected fraudulent claims. And statistics indicate auto insurance fraud is on the rise. “We take an aggressive approach when it comes to suspect claims as it affects the premium costs for everyone who has auto insurance,” says Mike Buck, who works in claims with the special investigations unit at AAA. “With forensic tools, we are able to detect and investigate a wide array of fraudulent activity.” Here are two more reasons why no

RESIST THE TEMPTATION — No one should skirt the truth when making an auto insurance claim. one should skirt the truth when making an auto insurance claim: There’s a good chance you’ll get caught. Many insurers will automatically investigate any claim in which the insured says the car was parked or unattended when the damage occurred—and they have numerous ways to verify or disprove the claim. For one, they can use an analysis of the physical damage to

the car, such as the presence, or lack, of paint transfers to determine whether the car was hit by another vehicle or collided with a stationary object. In addition, many auto body shops communicate with the insurance company if there are signs that the driver’s story doesn’t match the damage they see on the vehicle. It can cost you—a lot. Sure, the sur-

charge for an at-fault accident can be high, but the costs are much higher if your auto insurance company determines that you’ve committed fraud. Insurers in many states are required to report fraud to the state fraud bureau, and in many cases these acts of fraud are prosecuted. Auto insurance fraud is a felony, and most often the penalty carries a significant fine, although the sentence can also mean jail time. Even if the D.A. doesn’t pursue the case, your insurance company can refuse to pay for the repairs to your vehicle because you misrepresented the facts on your claim. It can also cause your insurer to cancel or not renew your policy. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) encourages you to report any fraud you’re aware of by texting the word FRAUD and your tip to TIP411 (847411), calling the NICB’s toll-free telephone hotline at 1-800-835-6422, or going to nicb.org. NICB experts review every tip, and you can choose to make your report anonymously. 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 877.222.3974 to speak to an insurance professional.

Breathtaking! This isNiagara Falls! Two nights from $159* CAN PP/DB including meals... 2 full breakfasts, dinner at

Coco’s Steakhouse, and superb dinner high atop Skylon’s Revolving Dining Room overlooking the Falls. Ask about our Niagara Attractions Package... From $129* CAN PP/DB.

Call Now! 1-800-263-9393 holidayinnniagarafalls.com Niagara Falls, Canada *Rates are per person, double occupancy. Prices valid Sun. to Thurs. Holidays, weekends higher. Tax extra. Free parking. Rates valid Oct. 12, 2015 to May12, 2016. Child add-ons, whirlpool suites, gift certificates also available. *Subject to exchange rates. Visit www.holidayinnniagarafalls.com for details.

Two

Coco’s overlo

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Discover what’s new and improved on AAA.com The advice you want and the flexibility you need

AA.com not only has a newlook and feel, it offers innovative new functionality. It seamlessly combines regularly updated content about AAA products and services with a host of additional new tools and features. By incorporating a new “responsive” structure, AAA.com is completely adaptable to any browser, screen resolution and mobile device. Viewing and browsing are seamless across all channels. Connect with any tablet or mobile device and access AAA travel advice and information swiftly and easily, no matter where you are in the world. We’ve also added a variety of cutting-edge new and upgraded features. AAA Discounts & Rewards — This innovative shopping experience on AAA.com features deep discounts, limited-time offers and everyday savings on dining, electronics, home, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from participating merchants nationwide — With over 100,000 places to save, your AAA card could help pay for the cost of your membership. Auto Buying — The AAA Car Buying Service allows you to research vehicles, obtain the average price paid by others, view Estimated Dealer Prices for AAA Members, receive a Guaranteed Savings Certificate (new cars) or Used Vehicle Certificate, and find a dealer in your area

READY WHEN YOU ARE — AAA offers seamless access across all platforms. ready to provide a no-hassle car buying experience. AAA Travel — AAA Travel experts have worked hard to develop cruises and tours that will entice any would-be-traveler. A recent survey found AAA members are more likely to find better room rates at AAA.com/hotels than at other leading online travel sites 72 percent of the time. Secure online booking is available for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, tours, special AAA Vacations, and

attractions like Disney and Universal Orlando. AAA.com also features dozens of exclusive limited-time travel specials on hotels, car rentals, theme park and attraction tickets and more. Approved Auto Repair Facility Locator — Our Approved Auto Repair program refers AAA members to auto repair facilities that meet and maintain high professional standards. And with our new design it’s easier than ever to find the right facility. In addition to

vehicle type, you can search for a facility by promotion, services offered and by amenities. Once you find a facility, you can browse current offers and get directions. AAA Road Service Online — If you lock your keys in your car, have a flat tire, or need a jumpstart, we can help you get on your way. Members can easily access AAA Road Service Online, from their PC or tablet device by clicking on the Road Service Online link at AAA.com. Requests made online go directly to the dispatcher, so the time it takes to request service can be considerably shorter, particularly during severe weather when call volume can be heavy. AAA.com is now more informative, more reader-friendly, and more in-synch with the busy lives of AAA members. It’s an indispensible online companion and a perfect compliment to the brick and mortar AAA locations that you know and trust.

VISIT, CLICK OR CALL

Finding your local AAA office is as easy as logging onto AAA.com and clicking on “AAA Locations” at the top right of the page. Remember to register your account online for additional deals and programs exclusive to AAA members.

Nemacolin Woodlands redefining the guest experience Pennsylvania resort garners multiple AAA Diamond Awards

alling Rock, located at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania has received the coveted 2016 AAA Five Diamond designation. The luxury resort has maintained this prestigious rating consecutively since 2006. Currently, only 118 hotels throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean hold the AAA Five Diamond rating. Hotels at this level are committed to providing every guest with a personalized experience and attentive service in comfortable, high-quality surroundings, according to AAA. They typically offer an extensive array of amenities and guest services. Designed on the architectural principles and style of Frank Lloyd Wright, Falling Rock is more than just a luxury hotel. Falling Rock is the definition of a true escape. The boutique hotel features just 42 rooms, including four suites. Indulge in a 10-option pillow menu, upscale sheets and luxurious bedding. Upgrade to a Serenity Room and enjoy privately designed morning wake-up services, evening wind-down services, and discounts on private in-room options of acupuncture, massage, yoga and more. “AAA is pleased to recognize Falling Rock as a AAA Five Diamond hotel,” says Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “To maintain the exceptional standards required for this rating on a

LIKE A ROCK — Falling Rock was designed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. daily basis is an outstanding achievement. AAA Five Diamond establishments are attentive to guests’ needs and consistently deliver memorable travel experiences.” Set on 2,000 wooded acres in the Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa is the only Pennsylvania resort to garner four, AAA Diamond Awards in 2016: AAA Five Diamond Awards for Falling Rock and Lautrec, located in Nemacolin’s Chateau Lafayette, and AAA Four Diamond

Awards for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Aqueous, Falling Rock’s classic American Steakhouse. Just 64 restaurants have earned the AAA/CAA Five Diamond status in the past 12 months. Lautrec features all the dramatics of Moulin Rouge with six original Toulouse Lautrec lithographs. The prix-fixe format means guests can create their own four-course menu, or dine from the seven and fourteen course Chef’s Tasting menu. The rich atmosphere and exceptional food lend them-

selves to an evening of gastronomical entertainment rather than an evening meal. Inspired by the great hotels of Europe, the palatial Chateau LaFayette features an atrium style lobby, vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers and Palladian windows. Aqueous imparts the aspects that set Wright apart from his peers into a special dining experience. It moves the upscale steakhouse concept to an entirely new dimension thanks to its unusual in-house dry aging and on-site cutting program. AAA offers the only rating system using comprehensive, on-site professional hotel and restaurant evaluations, and in-person property evaluations guided by member priorities. With a far greater inventory than any other rating entity, AAA’s rating system covers the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

WHEN YOU GO

Travelers can find Diamond Rated establishments and inspector insight in AAA’s trip planning products: the AAA Mobile® app, the online TripTik® Travel Planner mapping and routing tool, searchable online Travel Guides and AAA TourBook® Guides available to members at AAA offices.

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MARCH 2016

Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

IRISH

HERITAGE

& DROMOLAND CASTLE

MEMBERS SAVE IN MARCH! Save $270.00 when you book & deposit March 1-31

“You’ll never plough a field if you who lived on the isolated islands only turn it over in your mind”; and, and about the prolific bird life toin keeping with this Irish proverb, day. Pass through Waterville and SAVINGS PER ROOM you’ll never appreciate the actual the attractive village of Sneem and DOUBLE OCCUPANCY beauty, charm and fun of the Emstop at Moll’s Gap for great mounerald Isle if you only dream about it. tain vistas. See more spectacular Let AAA help you bring that views at a nearby sheep farm as well next hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion overlookdream to life on its “Irish Heritage as demonstrations of shearing and ing Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Dine & Dromoland Castle” escorted tour trained dogs herding sheep. Return on Irish specialties at the Merry Ploughboy Pub, fol— and, when you book and deposit to Killarney and in the evening lowed by a lively show of traditional songs and intriduring March 1-31, you’ll enjoy a head to the award-winning Killeen cate step-dancing. SPECIAL INCLUSION discount of $270 per per room (douHouse Restaurant for a warm welTake a morning guided tour of Dublin, originally DROMOLAND ble occupancy) just for members. come and superb cuisine. founded by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago. See CASTLE Your adventure starts when you Depart Killarney and drive to elegant Georgian townhouses with brightly painted meet your tour director at your LimBlarney. Visit the famous castle and doors and cross the River Liffey to view the wide Enjoy a farewell dinner at erick hotel. Depart for a short drive climb to its top to kiss the “Stone thoroughfare of O’Connell Street and the gaunt figthis elegant and luxurious around Limerick and visit the huge of Eloquence” or walk through ures at the Famine Memorial. Tour Glasnevin Mufairytale castle hotel! King John’s Castle, built in the 13th the lovely parklands and gardens. seum, Ireland’s national necropolis, a who’s who of century on the banks of the River Browse through the Blarney Woolmodern Irish history and the final resting place of Shannon to safeguard the city. Join your tour director len Mills for locally made goods. Visit Cobh, last Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins, Charles Stewfor a welcome drink before heading to Knappogue or port of call for RMS Titanic, to tour the Heritage art Parnell, Brendan Behan and other prominent Centre to learn about travel conditions for emigrants Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style banquet. people. The afternoon is free so that you may use on early sailing ships and steam vessels. Follow the Drive through Ennis to see the Cliffs of Moher, your independent open-top bus tour voucher with a coastal route to Waterford and check in to your howhich rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlanvisit to Guinness Storehouse or General Post Office. tel. Take a gentle walk with a local historian who retic surf. Cross the wide River Shannon Estuary by ferLeave Dublin and drive to the Irish National veals Waterford’s Viking and medieval past. ry and travel along the river shore to Foynes. Visit the Stud to see some of Ireland’s finest horses and learn Tour the House of Waterford Crystal to learn Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of about breeding techniques. Take a walk around the about glass blowing and view one-of-a-kind masterair travel, during the 1930s and early ’40s. Learn how St. Fiachra’s Gardens and miniature Japanese Garpieces being created. Drive through the delightful to make a perfect Irish coffee and sip a warming samdens. Travel to the imposing and deluxe Dromoland scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to ple; this was where the drink was first created. Drive Castle Hotel. Relax in the elegant surroundings of Blessington. Take a guided tour around the stately to Killarney, a small town in one of the loveliest lothis wonderful fairytale resort. Then savor a delicious Russborough House, a Palladian mansion filled with cations in Ireland. Drive through Killarney National farewell dinner in the oak-paneled dining room – a interesting treasures as well as noted works of art and Park by traditional jaunting car to view Ross Castle, fitting way to spend the last evening of your Irish early photographic collections. Continue to your set on the shores of Lough Leane with mountains as tour. its backdrop. Check into your hotel and enjoy free time to relax or go shopping before dinner. Embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, Oct 2-10 • AAA Member Rate: $1,938 the Ring of Kerry, for great views of mountains, open Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel ATURE transfers, accommodations, 13 meals (including medieval castle banquet/entertainment, Kileen House in Killarney, MerryPloughboy Pub Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Enjoy plenty of dinner/entertainment, Dromoland Castle farewell dinner, 2 table d'hôte dinners and more), motorcoach sightseeing, hotel service charges breaks to admire the natural beauty and take photos. & luggage handling (1 bag per person) and professional tour director in Ireland. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. CA O Cross to Valentia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig TI Tour operated by CIE International. VIsit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information. Experience and learn about early Christian monks

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Since the inaugural race in 1994, this annual 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup points race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become one of NASCAR’s most-attended events. Don’t miss it!

From the

1 reserved paddock seat with views of turns 1 & 4, pit road & Winner’s Circle 2 nights & 2 breakfasts at Embassy Suites Indianapolis–North ATURE 1 $50.00 gas card per room

Steamship cruise, farm life tour

Great Barrier Reef

Phillip Island Little Penguin colony

Winery tour & tasting

Glass-bottom boat ride

Christchurch

Overnight in Mt Cook National Park

Daintree Rainforest/

Tranz-Alpine Express train ride

Herding/shearing demo

Mossman Gorge, meet Aboriginals

Franz Joseph Glacier

Dine with a NZ Family

Queenstown, gondola to dinner

Sydney & Opera House

Alice Springs, Aboriginal drummers

Milford Sound cruise

Koala Park & Opal Collection

Dreamtime tour, bush dinner

“Middle Earth” touring

Sydney Harbour dinner cruise

AAA Member Rate: from $9,344

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Philadelphia-Cairns, Sydney-Philadelphia, plus flights in Australia & New Zealand), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 31 meals and a professional guide in Australia & New Zealand. AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this deATURE parture. Visit AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage CA O may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required. TI

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. FEATURED VACATIONS are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. FEATURED VACATIONS include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. 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.

SCANDINAVIA!

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Slip away to... NORWAY, DENMARK & SWEDEN HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE... NORWAY: Oslo • Borgund • Briksdal Glacier • Geirangerjord • Bergen DENMARK: Copenhagen • Little Mermaid • Øresund Bridge SWEDEN: Malmö • Stockholm • Old Town • Vasa Museum Free time for exploring on your own too!

AAA Member Rate: from $6,699

Rate is per person, double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Oslo, Stockholm-Philadelphia), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, ATURE accommodations, 20 meals, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary and taxes/gratuities for included features. Visit AAA.com/travel for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage CA O TI may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

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Lewisburg: 530½ N Derr Dr . . . .570-524-2244 Sunbury: 1001 Market St . . . . .570-286-4507

Unique add-on options — including a camel ride, a jet boat ride and a night out in Sydney — are also available. Talk to your AAA Travel Agent for rates and availability.

Aug 19–Sept 1 •

AAA Member Rate: $375 per person, double occupancy

LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

Uluru/Ayers Rock, Champagne toast

Oct 17–Nov 6 •

July 23-25 •

Melbourne, Opal Centre

NEW ZEALAND

Cairns, catamaran ride

GLACIERS

to the

AUSTRALIA

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Fly to Calgary and drive into the spectacular Canadian Rockies to the resort town of Banff, your home for 4 nights. Ride Banff Gondola for panoramic vistas...then enjoy a gentle guided float trip on the Bow River; keep an eye out for wildlife! Cross the Continental Divide on the way to Yoho and Banff national parks. See Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake and Lake Louise (“Jewel of the Rockies”) and ride another gondola. Spot more wildlife along Columbia Icefields Parkway to Athabasca Glacier (ride atop the glacier in a unique Ice Explorer vehicle) and turquoise Peyto Lake. Cap off the week at Calgary’s famous Stampede (afternoon & evening admission), a 10-day celebration of cowboy life, chuckwagon races, rodeos, parades, fireworks and more. Gaze out over the city from atop the Calgary Tower, where dinner will be served at the Sky 360 restaurant.

AAA MEMBER RATE: $3,409

JULY 7-13

Canadian Rockies AND THE

Calgary Stampede © Sascha Burkard / Fotolia.com

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Calgary), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, sightseeing, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person) and services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival in Calgary, if participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required.

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

AAA MOTORIST

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

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Fly to Las Vegas and settle into your centrally located casino hotel. An evening Pink Jeep® tour lets you experience the dazzling excitement of the Strip in a unique way. Enjoy a full day to explore everything Vegas has to offer. Travel on to Lake Powell and your lakeside hotel; enjoy a dinner cruise. Appreciate the spiritual aspect of Navajo territory and the photographic beauty of Antelope Canyon on a guided off-road tour. Enjoy 2 nights in a lodge at the Grand Canyon. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway to Williams. At Sedona, take a Pink Jeep® tour to see majestic red rock formations. 12 meals.

GLACIER NP DISCOVERY: June 19-25 • from $2,939: includes flights

Tour a silver mine in Wallace ID (once “Silver Capital of the World”) and Smokejumpers Aerial Fire Depot. Visit artsy Big Fork MT and enjoy a float trip on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Stay at an Old World–style lodge in Glacier National Park. Cruise on 2 lakes. Travel “Going to the Sun” Road amid snowy peaks and virgin forest. Ride a vintage Red Jammer Touring Car. Cross the Continental Divide. Take America’s longest gondola. Visit Lake Coeur d’Alene. Dine on a paddle boat. 11 meals.

OUT Aug 15-21 • $1,859 YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE: SOLD June 20-26

Our first national park’s first explorers were called liars when they described its otherworldly geysers & bubbling mudpots and its free-ranging bison, elk, moose, bears & wolves to folks back east. Begin at Salt Lake City and travel through scenic Idaho to Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy Old Faithful & many other natural landmarks and visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. A Wildlife Safari includes a picnic dinner. Also enjoy Grand Teton National Park, the cowboy town of Jackson, a Jenny Lake cruise, a Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance (choir schedule permitting) and more! 12 meals.

GRAND CANYON TOP TO BOTTOM: Aug 14-20 • from $3,109: includes flights

Enjoy 2 days in Sedona in the heart of Red Rock country. Explore the area’s unique backcountry on an exciting Pink Jeep® tour. Depart from Williams on a First Class

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excursion aboard Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon. Visit overlooks on a motorcoach tour along the South Rim. Spend 2 nights within the national park and only a quarter-mile from the rim! Enjoy a full day to explore the canyon on your own. Travel via off-road vehicle to the floor of the canyon and enjoy lunch along the Colorado River. End with 2 nights in Las Vegas on the Strip! 10 meals.

SOLD OUT3 Sept 3-10 • $3,239: includes flights AMERICAN MAJESTY: Aug 27–Sept

Celebrate the 100th year of the National Park Service by roaming the home of the buffalo and discovering America’s wide-open spaces and iconic landmarks. Start in Salt Lake City and witness a Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast performance (choir schedule permitting). Travel past Great Salt Lake, through Logan Canyon and beside Bear Lake. At Grand Teton National Park, take a scenic float trip on the Snake River. Visit Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and other Yellowstone National Park sites. Enjoy historic Cody, the Buffalo Bill Center and a chuckwagon-style dinner. Marvel at Devil’s Tower, feel the Old West at Deadwood and enjoy the scenic Black Hills, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument. After a Wildlife Jeep® Safari at Custer State Park to see buffalo (and more), end at the inspirational Mt Rushmore Evening Lighting Ceremony. 13 meals.

“MIGHTY 5 & MORE” CELEBRATION: Oct 11-19 • $3,845: includes flights

Commemorate the NPS centennial on a tour of some of the USA’s most popular parks. After a night in Las Vegas (“Entertainment Capital of the World”), travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, visit Kingman's Route 66 Museum and be enchanted by the Grand Canyon. Enter the Navajo Nation with a stop at a trading post. Continue to Lake Powell and photo-friendly Antelope Canyon. Enjoy a scenic cruise, then a 4WD-vehicle tour of Monument Valley, sacred to Navajos. Experience an evening of Navajo culture, food and entertainment. Time for the “Mighty 5” national parks: See many of the more than 2,000 natural arches in Arches National Park. Dine outside at a dramatically located lodge on the Colorado River. An exciting Jeep® tour of Canyonlands National Park reveals its amazing beauty. Ride a jet boat on the Colorado. See ancient ptetroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park, the fairyland hues and shapes of Bryce Canyon National Park and the 2,000-foot-high stone towers of Zion National Park. 16 meals.

Popular FEATURED VACATIONS to other US West destinations!

COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE July 9-16 or Sept 10-17 • $2,145

This Centennial State tour features rides on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Royal Gorge Route RR, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. Tour the US Air Force Academy and marvel at the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Ride the country’s steepest incline and walk on the world’s

BRIGHT LIGHTS/BIG CANYONS: May 22-30 • from $2,895: includes flights

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip flights from Philadelphia (except YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE, which is a landonly package), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary, taxes/gratuities for included features, services of a AAA Tour Manager (upon arrival at destination, if participation goal is met). Visit AAA.com/USA for more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

ATURE

ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THE AMERICAN WEST! Celebrate 100 years of the National Park Service!

MARCH 2016

highest suspension bridge at Royal Gorge. Visit Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde national parks. See the monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Visit the CO Railroad Museum in Golden. 15 meals.

BEST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA July 21-29 • $4,379: includes flights

So many delights in 1 tour — from the endless charms of San Francisco to the natural splendor of the

redwoods at Muir Woods to the opulence of Hearst Castle. Cross Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance of Sausalito, sample wines at Napa Valley vineyards, savor lunch aboard the Napa Wine Train. Ride Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr to Lake Tahoe. Visit the ghost town of Virginia City NV. Dine & dance on a riverboat paddlewheeler. Marvel at Yosemite’s wonders. Explore coastal Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey. 14 meals.

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person, double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, meals as noted, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), sightseeing per itinerary and taxes/gratuities for included features. Visit AAA.com/USA for more information. “Best of Northern California” includes roundtrip flights from Philadelphia; additional airline fees for baggage may apply.

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LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME! CA

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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MOTORCOACH CRUISES FROM NEW YORK NY from $799 per person

June 30–July 4 ....................Canada ..................................................Carnival Sunshine July 20-28............................Eastern Caribbean .................................Carnival Sunshine Aug 25–Sept 3 ....................Eastern Caribbean .................................Carnival Sunshine Sept 3-10 ............................Canada ..................................................Carnival Sunshine Sept 4-11 ............................Bermuda ........................................Norwegian Breakaway Sept 25–Oct 2 .....................Bermuda ........................................Norwegian Breakaway Oct 1-8 ................................Bermuda ................................................Carnival Sunshine

MOTORCOACH CRUISES FROM BAYONNE NJ from $1,049 per person

May 28–June 2 ...................Bermuda ......................................RCI Anthem of the Seas June 11-16 ..........................Bermuda ......................................RCI Anthem of the Seas June 16-25 ..........................Bermuda & the Caribbean...........RCI Anthem of the Seas Sept 3-8...............................Bermuda ......................................RCI Anthem of the Seas Oct 15-20 ............................Bermuda ......................................RCI Anthem of the Seas Nov 27–Dec 9 .....................Southern Caribbean.....................RCI Anthem of the Seas

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Unforgettable experiences not found on cruises! Traditional salmon bake & a sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks 4-hour adventure flying over the Arctic Circle, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Yukon River 7-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park, looking for grizzlies, moose & more...with an overnight in the park Meet a 4-time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and his canine crew Visits to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation & Begich Boggs Visitor centers 2-hour river float trip in Kenai Fjords National Park A ride on Girdwood’s Alyeska Tram — from sea level to 2,300 feet! Special welcome & farewell dinners with your fellow travelers

July 7-16 •

from $1,099 per person

Sept 18-25 ..........................Bermuda ......................................................Carnival Pride Feb 4-12, 2017....................Southern Caribbean...................RCI Grandeur of the Seas

“CHRISMAN MORNING SHOW” CRUISES July 17-31............................British Isles ....................................PCL Caribbean Princess Sept 29–Oct 8 .....................Canada & New England ..................RCI Jewel of the Seas

MOTORCOACH CRUISES FROM BALTIMORE MD

AAA Member Rate: from $6,155

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Philadelphia-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Philadelphia), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, motorcoach sightseeing, accommodations (Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward: 2 each, Girdwood: 1), 16 meals, luggage handling (1 bag per person), gratuities for included features (includes driver, escort) and in-Alaska escort. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

ESCORTED MOTORCOACH TOURS April 23........................“The Color Purple” with Jennifer Hudson: New York City NY May 11-16 ..................Kentucky: Moonshine, Mountains & Music June 4-10 ....................Mackinac Island & Upper Peninsula MI July 12 .........................“Crooners” at the American Music Theater: Lancaster PA July 13 .........................Casino Magic:: Foxwoods CT Aug 6 ..........................Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty: Liberty State Park NJ Sept 11-17 ..................St Augustine, Amelia Island & Jacksonville FL Sept 14-16 ..................Hudson Valley NY Sept 17 ........................One World Observatory & 9/11 Memorial & Museum: NYC NY Sept 20-23 ..................New Hampshire — Moose, Train & More Oct 16-21 ....................Vermont, New Hampshire & Maine Oct 21-23 ....................Salem Haunted Halloween Tour: Salem MA Nov 13-18 ...................Holiday Festival of Shows: Myrtle Beach SC

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

MARCH 2016

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

AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

$ 50

Who doesn’t like being “carded”? Get a $50.00 Disney Gift Card (per room, double occupancy) from AAA Travel when you book & make a deposit on a 5-night or longer Walt Disney World® Resort vacation package between March 1 & 31.

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AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Get lots of value-added extras on these AAA Vacations sailings! ®

Extras like Priority Check-in,* up to $100.00 in shipboard credit per stateroom and an exclusive wine-tasting experience hosted by a Princess Cruises sommelier. Plus, all AAA Vacations® cruises feature AAA’s 24 / 7 Member Care Assistance Service and 24-hour Best-Price Guarantee. Ask a AAA Travel Agent about all available offers & promotions when you choose a AAA Vacations® Princess Cruises departure. SHIP

DATE

Grand Princess® Coral Princess® Grand Princess® Island Princess® Coral Princess® Diamond Princess® Grand Princess® Caribbean Princess® Crown Princess® Star Princess® Coral Princess® Regal Princess® Grand Princess® Coral Princess® Grand Princess®

5/1 5/10 5/21 7/13 7/23 7/25 9/25 10/2 10/5 10/9 10/19 10/22 10/22 10/29 10/29

NIGHTS

10 4 10 7 7 10 10 10 15 10 10 5 7 10 15

ITINERARY

Mexico: roundtrip from San Francisco US & Canada: Los Angeles to Vancouver Alaska: roundtrip from San Francisco Alaska: Whittier to Vancouver Alaska: Vancouver to Whittier Far East: roundtrip from Yokohama Mexico: roundtrip from San Francisco US & Canada: Québec City to New York City Hawaii: roundtrip from Los Angeles US & Canada: roundtrip from Vancouver Panama Canal: roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale US & Canada: roundtrip from New York City Mexico: roundtrip from San Francisco Panama Canal: roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Hawaii: roundtrip from San Francisco *does not grant priority boarding

Offers available only on AAA Vacations® departures. Combinable with AAA Member Benefits; ask a AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details/restrictions. Ships’ registry: Bermuda.

AMAZING AIRFARE OFFER FOR AAA MEMBERS ONLY! Cruise Europe with AAA Travel and sail away with more in 2016! AAA MEMBER PERKS

FOR OCEAN-VIEW (OR HIGHER) STATEROOMS. 2016 BOOKINGS & DEPOSIT: MARCH 1-31, 2016

$500.00 OFF ROUNDTRIP AIRFARE when booking any of the Europe departures listed at right... Discount per person, 1st & 2nd passengers in first 25 ocean-view (or higher) staterooms. Valid gateways: Buffalo NY, Cleveland OH, Columbus OH, Louisville KY, Philadelphia PA, Pittsburgh PA

PLUS...select 1 of these 4 Celebrity Cruises GO!BIG amenities... • PREPAID GRATUITIES FOR 2 value: up to $230 per stateroom • $100 ONBOARD SPENDING MONEY per stateroom, double occupancy • CLASSIC BEVERAGE PACKAGE FOR 2 beverage gratuities included, value: up to $924 per stateroom • UNLIMITED INTERNET FOR 2 value: up to $299 for 1 internet account

Each cruise also includes these AAA Vacations® member benefits... • VIP PRIORITY CHECK-IN does not grant priority boarding • AAA VACATIONS ® BEST PRICE GUARANTEE PROGRAM • AAA VACATIONS ® 24 x 7 MEMBER CARE

Ask a AAA Travel Agent how you can get ALL of the GREEN PERKS!

ITALY & THE GREEK ISLES Celebrity Reflection — 10 nights Roundtrip from Rome (Civitavechia) to Messina, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Rhodes, Santorini and Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Naples, Italy May 6 • May 27 • June 17 • Aug 19 • Sept 9 • Sept 30

WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN Celebrity Equinox — 7 nights From Rome (Civitavechia) to Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy; Nice (Villefranche) and Ajaccio (Corsica), France; Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain June 25 • July 23 • Aug 6 From Barcelona, Spain, to Provence (Toulon), France; Genoa, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Amalfi Coast (Salerno), Italy; Chania (Souda) and Athens (Piraeus), Greece July 2 • July 30

SCANDINAVIA & RUSSIA Celebrity Silhouette — 12 nights Roundtrip from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Warnemunde, Germany; Muuga (Tallinn), Estonia; St Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark May 14 • July 1 • July 25 • Aug 14 Ships’ registry: Malta and Ecuador

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

MARCH 2016

AAA MOTORIST

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

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Get $100.00 off per room from AAA Travel... between March 1 & 31 on 2016 AAA Vacations Pleasant Holidays Hawaii packages of 7+ nights at 4- or 5-star* hotels...in addition to the year-round AAA Vacations Member Benefit of a $100 voucher toward the purchase of Pleasant Activities like these below); ask a AAA Travel Agent about the many other available activities. ®

OAHU MAUI Afternoon Turtle Snorkel Sail, Waikiki-Kewalo

Sail, snorkel and likely see green sea turtles. During whale season (December-April) you have a great chance to also see whales. Lunch, sail and snorkel. Choice of Hibachi Chicken Wrap, Furikake Mahi Wrap or Veggie Wrap, House Made Potato Chips, Kakaako Kitchen Macaroni Salad. Unlimited nonalcoholic beverages. 2 free bar drink tickets per adult; $1 beer/$2 mixer extras. Add scuba: certified or intro, space limited, $50 upgrade.

Ka’anapali Skyline Adventure

8-zipline adventure near Maui’s popular Kaanapali Resort area just outside historic Lahaina town and the hotel areas of Kaanapali, Kahana and Kapalua. Guests meet up in Kaanapali and are shuttled to the zipline via exciting off-road vehicles. A delicious gourmet snack is served on the edge of a 1,000-foot valley overlook at mid-tour. The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.

ASK A AAA TRAVEL AGENT ABOUT THE WIDE VARIETY OF AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES.

KAUAI

HAWAII

Kauai ECO Adventure

Big Island – Grand Circle Island Tour (Kailua-Kona & Keauhou)

Enjoy an adventure in the state-of-the-art American Eurocopter ECO-Star, offering 23% more interior room, individual Business Class–style seats, 2-way communication with your pilot and expansive glass for sweeping views. Fly to Hanapepe Valley, then on to Mana Waiapuna (“Jurassic Park Falls”). Fly up Olokele Canyon to eye-popping Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The rippled Na Pali Coast gives way to the Bali Hai Cliffs and the pristine blue waters of Hanalei Bay and the Princeville Resort area. Weather permitting, visit Mt Waialeale, Earth’s wettest spot; fly into the crater’s center, with 5,000-foot walls towering above you and 3,000-foot waterfalls surrounding you.

Circumnavigate the island on this amazing 260-mile tour. • Learn about Capt Cook and Kealakekua Bay. • Sample world-famous Kona Coffee. • View the past lava flows of Mauna Loa. • Walk on Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. • Explore Volcanoes National Park on the summit of the world’s most active volcano including Jaggar Museum, Thurston Lava Tube, drive by Steam Vents, Fern Tree Jungle & Kilauea Iki Crater (weather permitting, admissions included). • Enjoy a no-host lunch. • Visit Big Island Candies. • See Rainbow Falls. • Drive through the Parker Ranch lands in Waimea. • Stop at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Farms.

*PLEASANT HOLIDAYS RATING SYSTEM

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AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Taste of Scotland & Ireland

SCOTLAND HIGHLIGHTS

IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS

• Glasgow city tour • Loch Ness scenic cruise • Distillery whiskey tasting • Spean Bridge Woollen Mill • Ferry from Scotland to Ireland • St Andrews: “Home of Golf” • Evening of Scottish cuisine & entertainment • Edinburgh Castle & city tour

• Titanic Belfast • Dublin: Book of Kells at Trinity College, canal dinner cruise • See dogs herd sheep • Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills • Killarney, Ross Castle, Ring of Kerry, Sneem, Moll’s Gap • Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle • Galway, Clonmacnoise

MEMBERS SAVE $270 — BOOK & DEPOSIT MARCH 1-31 PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

Condo space

Hotel amenities

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AAA Member Rate: $2,468

Sept 19-30 •

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 18 meals, sightseeing, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), professional local tour director in Scotland & Ireland. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Tour operated by CIE International. Visit AAA.com/Go Ireland for itinerary & details.

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GAS CARD of up to $100

MYRTLE BEACH

Yours FREE when you book & make a deposit on a stay of 4 nights or longer!

BEACHFRONT CONDOHOTELS

MARCH 1-31 • 1 PER ROOM Offer based on stays between 5/21/16 and 9/10/16. Other restrictions apply.

AAA offers the best available rates for 4 condo-hotels — the “best of both worlds” vacationing! You don’t live in one room at home; why live that way on vacation? Especially at Myrtle Beach! Condo-hotels, among travel’s best-kept secrets, combine the spaciousness of condos and the amenities of hotels. They feature 2 to 5 bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, full kitchens, washers & dryers, dining areas, common living areas, balconies and numerous TVs. Enjoy the flexibility of eating meals or snacks at anytime and watching a variety of TV shows by different family members in different rooms. You get the 24/7 security of high-rise buildings with lobby check-in and amenities such as maid service, Wi-Fi and on-premises maintenance. d Choose from 4 beachfront properties perfect for small or large families, multigenerational families (kids, Limitbeility: a l i D Ava parents and grandparents) and friends/neighbors vacationing together. Summer’s coming — call now! NTEE E A LABL GUAR VAI TH A BESTATES WI R AAA

Enjoy 4 nights or more at 1 of these...

Sample AAA Member Rates (7 nights: Aug 15-22)...

North Beach Plantation  The Caribbean Resort & Villas  Compass Cove® Oceanfront Resort  The Breakers Resort 

• $2,238* for a 2BR ocean-view condo at Compass Cove • $2,393* for a 3BR ocean-view townhome at North Beach Plantation

*includes damage waiver

Call for rates for many other-size units and rental lengths.

AVAILABLE ONLY AT

1-800-354-8761

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

MARCH 2016

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The National Mall is America’s field of dreams Grassy esplanade extends over two miles and 200 years

ometimes known as America’s front yard, the National Mall is a vast green space that runs nearly two miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol in the heart of Washington DC. Visitors will find a broad, pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined boulevard flanked by monuments and memorials, world-famous museums and imposing federal buildings along Constitution Avenue. The Mall, which attracts nearly 29 million visitors a year, has also served as the gathering place for the nation’s most tumultuous events, including the 1963 March on Washington, and the AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1987. Nothing signifies the arrival of spring more than the National Cherry Blossom Festival. More than 1.5 million visitors descend upon Washington DC each year to admire the 3,000-plus Japanese cherry trees gracing the Tidal Basin. This year’s festival will take place from March 20 through April 17. Clustered around this urban national park, visitors will find many of DC’s finest attractions and cultural offerings, many of which are free. The Smithsonian Institution is made up of 19 separate museums most located, around the National Mall, and there’s no charge for any of them. The National Museum of African American History and Culture will be a place where all Americans can learn

AIR TIME — The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum greets more than 8 million visitors a year. about the richness and diversity of the African American experience. The $540 million building, which features a bronze mesh exterior that references West African textiles, is scheduled to open this fall on a five-acre tract adjacent to the Washington Monument. The museum’s collections will represent wide-ranging views of African American creative expression, from

music, literary arts, and religion to language, entertainment and sports. It will include such iconic artifacts as a trumpet that once belonged to Louis Armstrong and a PT-130 Stearman biplane used as a trainer by the Tuskegee Airmen. Another must see is the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial, located between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.

The National Gallery of Art will be marking its 75th anniversary with In Celebration of Paul Mellon. The May 2 to October 8 exhibition is dedicated to the passion and eye of one of the gallery’s foremost benefactors. More than 100 of the finest drawings, pastels, prints, and illustrated books by the likes of Degas, van Gogh, Ingres and Toulouse-Lautrec donated by Mellon will be on display. The National Air & Space Museum is located in a monumental glass and granite building housing the world’s greatest collection of aviation and space technology. This year, the museum celebrates its 40th anniversary with a major renovation of the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, the cavernous exhibition space that greets visitors entering the museum. Slated to open in July, awe-inspiring artifacts like the Spirit of St. Louis and Bell X-1 will be joined by new additions like the Apollo Lunar Module and Starship Enterprise studio model used in all 79 episodes of the original Star Trek TV series.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/USA for special offers on AAA care-free, car-free motorcoach adventures.

Carmakers changing the shape of things to come Concept cars reveal tomorrow’s vehicles today

very year carmakers open their “toy box” to reveal their vision of the car of the future. Manufacturers showcase their latest technology at auto shows in Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York, by rolling out their hottest concept cars. This not only gives them the opportunity to show off their newest designs, it allow manufacturers to gauge public sentiment on next generation and sometimes-unconventional ideas. Originally, these were pure explorations in style and function, but more and more concept cars are making it into production. Models like the Kia Soul and Alfa Romeo 4C rode a wave of enthusiasm on the show circuit right into the showroom. And Ford’s exotic new GT40 supercar is virtually identical to version that debuted at the 2015 North American Auto Show in Detroit. Here is a look at what car designers and manufacturers have in mind for the future with some of the exciting new concepts making the rounds at this year’s shows. The Buick Avista is a sleek, sculptural 2+2 coupe that pushes the brand’s design ethos and rekindles its historic performance roots. Built on the same platform as the new Chevy Camaro, this contemporary grand tourer features a 400 horsepower, twin-turbo V6 driv-

BOLD NEW CONCEPT — The Buick Avista looks like it’s moving even when it’s standing still. ing the rear wheels and a driver-focused cockpit with a floating center console. It travels over 370 miles on one tank of fuel — and its exhaust emits nothing more than a few drops of water. The Audi h-tron quattro uses a powerful, electric drive with a hydrogen fuel cell as its energy source, in combination with a hybrid battery and an additional electric motor in the rear. The h-tron

also offers a glimpse of the piloted driving and parking technologies that will go into production in 2017 with the next generation of the Audi A8 full-size sedan The Kia Niro is the first model to be based on Kia’s new dedicated eco-car platform. The slim character line and rear windows emphasize the car’s sleek profile, while allowing greater room for

the Niro’s muscular wheel arches. Fuel economy is outstanding and emissions are low thanks to its all-new downsized gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. With an emphasis on high-contrast details and the intersection of modern, sheer surfaces and muscular, organic sculpting, the Acura Precision concept communicates Acura’s focus on performance and prestige. Developed by the Acura Design Studio in California it features an ultra-low and wide stance, deeply sculpted surfaces, Jewel Constellation LED headlights and the debut of a new Diamond Pentagon grille. The innovative Hyundai Santa Cruz crossover truck concept provides urban adventurers the expandable utility they need throughout their work week and for a variety of weekend pursuits — without the usual compromises. With compact dimensions, an extendable tailgate, rear-hinged rear doors, allwheel drive, and seating for five, the Santa Cruz combines the benefits of a crossover utility vehicle with the versatility of a truck. FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

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The magical calm of the midnight sun Follow the north star to spectacular Scandinavia

candinavia conjures up images of awe-inspiring fjords, pristine wilderness and timeless towns with the graceful sweep of steeples reaching up to catch the ephemeral Nordic light. Oslo, Norway’s capital city lies in the heart of Scandinavia and at the head of the 61-mile-long Oslo Fjord. Dominating the port is the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle and royal residence built in 1299. The tangled mass of inlets and fjords on Norway’s rugged west coast is one the world’s most remarkable destinations. Waterfalls tumble over slick mountainsides and tiny farmsteads cling precariously to remote slopes. Medieval towns line the quays, with wooden buildings painted in bright primary colors. Flanked by the steepest mountains on the west coast Geirangerfjord is famous for the Seven Sisters and the Suitor waterfalls. Narrow Naerofjord bisects the sheer cliffs rising 5,600 feet straight up from the water. In Aurlandsfjord board the Flåm Scenic Railway — one of the world’s steepest — for a spectacular, vertigo-inducing 12-mile journey past waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms. In Copenhagen, it’s the life-sized things that count. Visitors marvel that the Little Mermaid is so little. Just 4-feet tall the pensive maiden waits on the rocks at Langelinie Harbor on the port

NATURE’S MASTERPIECE — Geirangerfjord is flanked by the steepest mountains on Norway’s west coast. city’s north side. Nyhavn is a picturesque canal that runs down to Copenhagen’s main harbor. Built in 1673, it’s alive with cafes and the aromas of Danish pastries, and marinated herring on rye, washed down with a tumbler of akuavit. Tivoli Gardens is a magical oasis in the heart of town. The fanciful architecture ranges from Moorish, Japanese and Italian, to 19th century European. In

the evenings, the trees are illuminated with tens of thousands of lights. It only takes about twenty minutes to cross between Denmark and Sweden thanks to a new bridge, part of which is actually a tunnel. The $3 billion Oresund Bridge links Copenhagen to Malmö, Sweden’s third-largest city. The Øresundsbron, as it is affectionately nicknamed in a mashup of equally unintelligible Swedish and Danish, has

three main segments. The world’s longest cable-stayed bridge stretches 4.9 miles across the strait then it abruptly descends onto an artificial island and dives into a 2.2-mile-long underwater tunnel. Stockholm is situated on 14 islands where Lake Mälaren empties into the Baltic Sea. The city that “floats on water” offers an incredible range of cultural attractions, including Old Town (Gamla Stan) one of the largest and best-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. With more than 100 museums, Stockholm boasts the world’s highest concentration of museums. Visitors with time to see only a few will not want to miss the Vasa Museum, which houses a warship (the actual ship, not a model) that sank in the harbor on its maiden voyage in 1628. It was brought up from the depths in 1961. Nothing can prepare visitors for the scale of what they will see.

WHEN YOU GO

Experience ”Spectacular Scandinavia“ on AAA Travel’s Aug. 19 - Sept. 1 escorted tour. Highlights include Oslo, Norway’s breathtaking fjords, the Flåm Scenic Railway, Copenhagen, Stockholm and included AAA Member Choice Vacations® Experiences. See your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com for more information.

Black ice is the hidden peril of driving AAA tips for driving and braking on black ice

ce has always been slippery stuff, but black ice can form so quickly and is so difficult to see that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration calls it the deadliest of all driving hazards. Regular ice and slush are formed from snow that falls, melts, and freezes either partially (slush) or completely (ice) on the road. Black ice forms directly on the surface of the road from moisture or airborne exhaust particles when there’s a sudden drop in temperature. It’s very thin, very smooth and transparent, and allows the black road surface to be seen through it. One study found that braking distance on black ice can be up to nine times longer. Black ice is particularly hazardous on asphalt road surfaces, shaded areas and on bridges or overpasses that have cold air freely circulating around them. Intersections can also be dangerous because car exhaust and spinning tires can liquefy and polish the ice which refreezes as an invisible coating. Watch out for sections of pavement that appear slightly darker. Unfortunately, many motorists don’t notice it until their vehicle begins to slide out of control. Slippery, cold, wet or icy road conditions change the way you need to handle your vehicle and it’s easier when you

SLIP SLIDING AWAY — Black ice is more dangerous than regular ice because it’s very thin and almost invisible. understand how your vehicle behaves in these conditions. Accelerate, turn and brake gradually. Adjust your speed to the road conditions and leave yourself ample room to stop. Allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you. Slow down immediately at the sight of brake lights, or emergency flashers ahead. Never use cruise control on

slippery roads. Patches of ice can cause unexpected wheel spin that could lead to a loss of vehicle control. If you’re approaching a stop sign, traffic light or other area where ice often forms, brake early on clear pavement to reduce speed. If you do begin to skid, ease off the gas pedal, and steer in the direction you wish to go. It is important to know whether your

vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, which are designed to prevent locking. Keep your foot firmly on the pedal and apply maximum pressure to your brakes. It’s normal to have noise and vibration coming from the brake pedal. Contrary to popular belief ABS or Four Wheel Drive will not help your vehicle stop any shorter. If you don’t have ABS, you should use the threshold braking technique. Instead of pumping, brake without locking the wheels. If you feel the wheels locking or sliding release the pressure slightly and reapply. Locked wheels will not allow you to change direction if needed. It goes without saying that the faster you are driving, the longer the distance required to bring your vehicle to a full stop. Winter tires can reduce braking distance by up to 25 percent, compared to all-season tires. It is essential to significantly increase your following distance and anticipate braking distance to avoid losing control.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

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Experience the Caribbean in style on Celebrity!

Veranda Staterooms Experience modern luxury in Luxury Staterooms featuring the ultimate in details, from exquisite bedding that lulls you to sleep to 24-hour room service to accommodate every whim.

Veranda Staterooms Veranda Staterooms were created for the discerning traveler, and offer spacious verandas and all the comfort and convenience synonymous

with Celebrity’s modern luxury style. On select ships, you can choose an AquaClass Stateroom, where serenity meets luxury just steps from the Canyon Ranch SpaClub; they offer unlimited complimentary access to may of the SpaClub amenities. Or you can choose a Concierge Class Stateroom, which gives you even more perks and pampering. Enjoy express luggage delivery, personal concierge service, a pillow menu and preferential seating for

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dining...plus a complimentary departure lounge before departing the ship. You’ll find that these seemingly small details make a huge difference!

beer stocked daily, a complimentary Premium Beverage Package including wine and top-shelf spirits throughout the ship). *on select ships

Suites Enjoy exclusive luxuries, a 24/7 personal butler, a dedicated exclusive restaurant, private lounge,* and an impressive list of premium “all-in” benefits* (which include unlimited internet access, complimentary soda/water/

BEST PRICE GUARANTEE: If you make a booking for a qualifying AAA Vacations® cruise and find a valid better rate for the exact itinerary within 24 hours of our booking, AAA Vacations® will match the lower rate and send you a $50 future travel credit certificate. Certain restrictions apply. Visit AAA.com/AAAVacations for details.

7 NIGHTS roundtrip from Miami 11/5 • 12/3 • 12/17 Reflection®: Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee,® Haiti; plus 2 full days at sea 11/12 • 12/10 Reflection®: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St Maarten; Basseterre, St Kitts; plus 3 full days at sea 7 NIGHTS roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale 12/4 Silhouette®: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; Philipsburg, St Maarten; plus 3 full days at sea 12/11 Silhouette®: CocoCay®, Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; Falmouth, Jamaica; 2 full days at sea 8 NIGHTS roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale Silhouette®: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; Philipsburg, St Maarten; Basseterre, St Kitts; 3 full days at sea 12/18

$50 onboard spending money $50 onboard spending money

Buy 1 air, get a FREE second air o n these cruise s! MARCH 1-3

$50 onboard spending money $50 onboard spending money $50 onboard spending money

10 NIGHTS roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale EquinoxSM: Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; Basseterre, St Kitts; Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; Philipsburg, St Maarten; 4 full days at sea 11/18 • 12/9 10/27 Infinity®: Key West FL; Oranjestad, Aruba (2-day & overnight experience); Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curaçao; 4 full days at sea 10 NIGHTS roundtrip from Miami 12/11 Eclipse®: Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; Basseterre, St Kitts; Bridgetown, Barbados; Roseau, Dominica; Philipsburg, St Maarten; 4 full days at sea

$100 onboard spending money $100 onboard spending money $100 onboard spending money

11 NIGHTS roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale EquinoxSM: George Town, Cayman Islands; Cartagena, Colombia; Colón, Panamá; Puerto Limón, Costa Rica; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; 4 full days at sea 11/7 • 11/28

$100 onboard spending money

12 NIGHTS roundtrip from Miami Eclipse®: St John’s, Antigua; Roseau, Dominica; Castries, St Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St Maarten; Basseterre, St Kitts; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas USVI; 4 full days at sea 12/21

$100 onboard spending money

14 NIGHTS roundtrip from Miami Eclipse®: Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; St George’s, Grenada; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St Lucia; St John’s, Antigua; Basseterre, St Kitts; Philipsburg, St Maarten; 5 full days at sea 11/27 11/13 Eclipse®: Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Willemstad, Curaçao; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St Lucia; St John’s, Antigua; Basseterre, St Kitts; Philipsburg, St Maarten; 5 full days at sea 14 NIGHTS roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale 12/19 EquinoxSM: Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St Lucia; Philipsburg, St Maarten; Basseterre, St Kitts; St John’s, Antigua; 5 full days at sea

$100 onboard spending money $100 onboard spending money $100 onboard spending money

VISIT YOUR LOCAL AAA TRAVEL, CALL 1-800-354-8761 OR CLICK ON AAA.COM/CRUISES

Tips to protect your identity during tax season AAA offers enrollment assistance with identity theft monitoring

ax season is a time to be especially cautious of identity theft and fraud risks. Keep your personal documents secure, and don’t give out any information by phone, Internet, or mail unless you initiated contact with the requesting company. Here are more tips to keep you safe. File as early as possible. It is tempting to put off the tax return process, but get it over with as soon as you can. Identity thieves take advantage of tax season by filing other people’s returns and claiming the refunds. Choose your tax preparer with care. It’s critical to only work with a legitimate company and tax preparer. An improperly prepared tax return can mean trouble with the IRS. Also, if your tax preparer is not ethical and honest, they could take advantage of access to your personal information. Safeguard your personal information. Protect the many documents that are part of the tax preparation process; they contain confidential information that make it easy for identify thieves to steal your identity, both during tax season and months or even years afterward. Opt to receive tax forms electronically. If you have to mail information to your tax preparer or to the IRS, take it to the post office yourself instead of dropping it in an outgoing mailbox.

To take advantage of ProtectMyID, you’ll need three things: an active AAA membership, a valid email address, and access to the Internet.

Here’s how it works:

GUARD YOUR ASSETS — Identify thieves often target tax filers with their scams. Beware of tax scams. Be on guard if you get an email or phone call from someone claiming to represent the IRS or another federal agency. The IRS is the only federal agency involved in the tax return process and never contacts taxpayers via email, text message, or phone. AAA has always stressed the importance of safeguarding your identity, but did you know your AAA membership includes free basic identity-theft moni-

toring from ProtectMyID? ProtectMyID is a service provided by Experian, the same company that can provide you with a credit score. We’ve made it easier for you to activate the ProtectMyID service. Simply stop by a local AAA branch office and one of our agents can get you started. If you prefer, you can contact an agent in our Call Center at 1-800-441-5008 to begin enrollment.

The AAA agent will gather basic information such as your membership number, name, address, and email address. This information is recorded on Experian’s secure site and will open a new enrollment session for you. You will receive an email from Experian within 24 hours to complete the final steps for enrollment. These steps include: 1) Selecting which product you want (either AAA’s free ProtectMyID Essential product or the ProtectMyID Deluxe product for just $8.95 a month) 2) Establishing a username and password 3) Answering security questions related to your identity That’s all there is to it!

PROTECT YOURSELF

For more information about AAA’s identity-theft monitoring products, please visit a branch office, call 1-800-441-5008, or go to AAA.com/protectmyid.

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It’s your time to hang loose in Oahu Say Aloha to Hawaii with Pleasant Holidays

ahu is an island of endless green vistas and beaches capped by towering volcanic peaks. Known as “the gathering place,” Hawaii’s major city, Honolulu, is here. So is Waikiki the world’s best known beach. This is where East merges with West in a blend of hula and high-tech, creation myths, Shinto shrines and dance clubs. When the sun touches the mist over the Koolau Mountains, rainbows form a bridge between the earth and the high heavens. How many places offer the opportunity to surf the world’s biggest waves, golf at a dozen championship courses, or hike up a dormant volcano? The extinct caldera at Diamond Head is said to have been the home of Pele, the Fire Goddess. A hiking trail, built in 1908, runs a mile up from the crater floor. And Pleasant Holidays makes Hawaii accessible to almost anyone. They’ve been customizing Hawaiian vacations with a broad range of value-added, options since 1959. Whether you want to luxuriate in a spa, hang loose on the North Shore, or sip a Mai Tai in a Tiki bar, your Hawaiian vacation will be everything you imagined. Pleasant Holidays offers a broad range of hotels and rental condominiums to fit every budget and taste, along with airline and car rental options that offer

THE GATHERING PLACE —Oahu is famous for the beaches of Waikiki and Diamond Head. maximum comfort and convenience at the best possible price. They know which resorts cater to families, with the kinds of activities kids love, and those that offer a romantic Hawaiian getaway. You can also arrange some of Hawaii’s most popular activities and attractions before you leave. “Pleasant Activities” range from luaus to helicopter and submarine tours. Take a circle island tour,

visit a pineapple plantation, or eat poi — a traditional Hawaiian dish served Luau style. If your interest is surfing, point your board toward the North Shore. Oahu has over 125 miles of beaches including Hanauma Bay, a crescentshaped cove formed by two sunken craters. The bay is famous for its breathtaking views and coral gardens filled with

tropical fish. On clear days, you can see the islands of Molokai and Lanai and during the winter and early spring you can spot humpback whales breaching along the coast. Visitors will want to pay their respects at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. A gleaming white shrine straddles the sunken battleship, the final resting place of about 950 crewmen. Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil, had electricity 4 years before the White House. The lavish, Europeanstyle palace was built in 1882 by King David Kalakaua, the “Merry Monarch” who squandered the royal treasury. Perched a thousand feet above the jagged coastline, the Nuuanu Pali Lookout is Oahu’s scenic masterpiece. Just a 5-mile drive northeast of Downtown Honolulu, sweeping views of the lush Windward Coast, and the powerful trade winds will literally blow you away. WHEN YOU GO

AAA members also receive a $100 per booking activity voucher, valid for a variety of activities in Hawaii on select 4- & 5 star properties. (Some restrictions apply) FOR MORE INFORMATION

For sample vacation packages from Pleasant Holidays see your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com.

Drivers need to exercise caution in inclement weather New AAA study finds weather a factor in over 5,000 fatalities a year

eather conditions present some formidable obstacles for drivers, especially those who are caught unprepared. According to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, weather is a factor in over 20 percent of crashes and nearly 16 percent of fatalities every year. The new AAA Foundation research report — Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Weather Conditions — analyzed bad weather and crashes throughout the year. They found that rain; snow, sleet and fog are a factor in more than 1.1 million police-reported crashes, 425,000 injuries and 5,100 traffic deaths per year. Crashes that occurred in adverse weather or on slippery roads were more likely to be single-vehicle crashes than crashes that occurred in clear weather and on dry roads. A larger proportion of crashes that occurred in adverse weather involved younger drivers. The study did uncover some surprising facts. With the major exception of crashes that occurred in fog, crashes in bad weather are generally less severe than crashes taking place in clear weather. For example, crashes that occur on snow-covered roads result in 31 percent fewer injuries per crash and 47 percent fewer fatalities per crash than on dry roads. This may be attributable

STORMY WEATHER — Drivers need to slow down and drive at a speed that suits the conditions. to drivers traveling more slowly and carefully in bad weather and on slippery roads. The greatest proportion of crashes took place in rainy conditions, followed by snow, sleet and fog. Crashes that occurred in fog resulted in significantly more fatalities than any other weather condition. Most crashes (79.3%) occurred on dry roads, 14.2% occurred on wet roads, 3.0% occurred on snow-covered roads,

and 3.5% on roads with ice, and in other conditions. Given the large number and proportion of crashes, injuries, and deaths that occur in adverse weather conditions, more effort is needed to educate motorists regarding safe driving practices in inclement weather and to develop and implement vehicle technologies to improve the safety of driving in inclement weather.

When the weather makes for poor driving conditions, motorists must be prepared to cope at a moment’s notice. The best advice is to avoid driving in bad weather conditions. If that isn’t possible, slow down and drive at a speed that suits the conditions. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Increase your following distance. You will need extra distance to brake safely. Be predictable. Plan ahead, signal your intentions, and don’t surprise anyone. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals and windshield wipers are functioning properly. Whenever daytime visibility is less than perfect, turning on your lights allows you to see, and just as importantly, to be seen by others. Use this rule of thumb: wipers on, lights on. It’s also the law in many states. If you experience a loss of traction, remember to look and steer where you want to go. Avoid slamming on the brakes as this will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to control.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

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Top ten reasons you need travel insurance The perfect companion for your perfect vacation

xperienced travelers know that travel insurance is an important component of vacation planning. Why spend all those hours creating the perfect getaway— not to mention the money spent—only to have those plans dashed by unforeseen circumstances such as illness, bad weather and lost luggage. AAA Members can turn to Allianz Global Assistance, a world leader in travel insurance and assistance services. Allianz Global Assistance helps travelers every year through unanticipated emergencies and delays. Here are 10 reasons to choose from Allianz Global Assistance: 1. Life is unpredictable. Some trips need to be cancelled. With travel insurance, you don’t necessarily have to pay for a trip you’re unable to take. 2. Airlines mishandled over 21 million bags in 2013. Travel insurance can provide coverage to replace needed items if your bags are delayed, damaged or stolen.1 3. Credit card coverage may not provide sufficient coverage for travel. The free coverage that may or may not be included with your credit card will never be as extensive as a separate travel insurance plan.1 4. Sick happens. Nothing can ruin a vacation like getting sick. Travel insurance can provide you with peace of mind—especially when traveling out-

BE SAFE—NOT SORRY — Travel Insurance from Allianz Global Assistance helps travelers through unanticipated emergencies and delays. side the United States, where hospitals can request cash payments in the thousands before treatment can even begin. 5. Health insurance may not go the distance. Many U.S. health insurance policies (including Medicare and Medicaid) don’t cover international travel. And, those that do will likely not cover the costs of medical evacuation back to the U.S. which can cost more than $50,000.2

6. Lost or forgotten medication? Travel insurance can provide assistance to help you locate a pharmacy to purchase a new prescription. 7. Even the most stable of travel suppliers can default quickly. If a cruise line, airline or tour operator ceases operations due to financial hardship or bankruptcy, travel insurance can save you from paying for a trip you’ll never get to take.

8. In the event of an emergency, airlines are not required to refund a ticket. It’s ultimately the airline’s decision whether your situation warrants a full refund of the ticket cost. Most times however, airlines will merely offer a credit voucher (the original purchase price minus a penalty fee) towards future travel. 9. Flight delays can add up. It’s not the airline’s responsibility to cover the expenses you accrue when your flight is delayed or you miss a connection. Travel insurance can reimburse you for asscociated costs, including rebooking fees, meals and accommodations. 10. We all experience tough economic times. The loss of a job or other income might mean a trip planned in advance may have to wait. Travel insurance can put cash back into your pocket when you need it the most. Be safe—not sorry. See a AAA Travel Agent before your next trip. Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company or Jefferson Insurance Company, depending on the insured’s state of residence. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans. Plan(s) may not be available in all states. Non-insurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by AGA Service Company. Contact AGA Service Company at 800284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or customerservice@allianzassistance.com. 1 http://www.wsj.com/articles/baggage-claim-airlines-arewinning-the-war-on-lost-luggage-1401922595 – Wall Street Journal, June 2014. 2 http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/hobica/2014/08/19/credit-card-travel-insurance-policy/14241701/ - USA Today, September 2014.

AAA’s Mobile Battery Service is charging ahead Make sure your battery is in shape for spring and summer

inter driving conditions place a heavy burden on the systems and fluids that are vital to a vehicle’s performance. That’s why vehicles will need extra attention to make sure they are ready for the spring and summer driving season. Whether it’s the first start up in the morning or having the reserve power to run the air conditioning and other accessories, your battery is critical to driving safety. Motorists may be accustomed to no starts and battery failure in the winter, but few realize that summer weather can actually be harder on their battery. Heat accelerates the rate of corrosion on the battery terminals and even healthy batteries won’t provide enough juice through corroded or ill-fitting battery cable connections. Hot weather also evaporates battery fluids and both conditions can leave a motorist stranded without warning. Extremes of heat and cold, parasitic drains from onboard electronics and lack of proper maintenance are the main reasons for poor performance and premature battery death. Multiple computers, sound systems, telematics and displays, all place a heavy load on your car’s electrical system. Unplug your phone and charger when you don’t need them, and any other electrical device before you

CURRENT AFFAIRS — AAA’s Mobile Battery Service can accurately diagnose your battery-related problems at the roadside. shut down the engine. Even leaving the lights on for an extended period of time can reduce your battery’s life expectancy. Automotive batteries typically last between 3-5 years. Slow cranking, corroded terminals, a bulging or cracked case are all signs that a battery has been subject to harsh conditions and getting weaker. But diagnosing batteries can be tricky and they sometimes fail without

warning. If your battery is more than three years old, have it tested to ensure it can survive the summer driving season and/or replace it as a preventative measure. AAA Battery Service offers fast, accurate and convenient mobile battery testing and replacement. State-of-the art diagnostic equipment will confirm whether your battery will hold a charge,

or if the problem lies deeper in the electrical system. Best of all, the service is included with your AAA membership. If a new battery is needed, you can purchase one and have it installed right on the spot. AAA Battery Service vehicles carry batteries compatible with 90 percent of all cars, SUVs and light trucks on the road. And each AAA branded battery is covered by an unprecedented nationwide 72-month warranty, with a 36-month free replacement warranty. Our Instant Quote battery price calculator on AAA.com will give you member and non-member pricing for your vehicle’s battery reflecting your exclusive AAA discount. Over one million AAA members have already enjoyed the convenience of having a AAA Battery delivered and installed on the spot. In addition, AAA will safely dispose and recycle your old battery for free. Count on AAA to turn battery problems into solutions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

AAA Battery Service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7-days a week. To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our toll-free number: 1.800.222.4357.

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Jewel of the Seas is sailing the Mediterranean Receives $30 million makeover ahead of 2016 season

istinguished by their sleek profiles and nearly three acres of exterior glass Royal Caribbean’s Radiance-class vessels have a remarkable sense of openness, connecting guests to the ocean. Jewel of the Seas has so much glass you may never look at the world the same way again. It was designed to bring the sea, sun and coastal scenery indoors with floor-to-ceiling windows in most public areas and glass elevators facing the ocean. The heart and soul of this light-filled ship is an enormous nine deck Centrum overflowing with greenery. Now the 2,112-passenger ship is receiving a bow to stern makeover in preparation for the summer 2016 Mediterranean season. From May through October, Jewel of the Seas will be the only ship in its category sailing round-trip from Rome on an array of Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. With new staterooms, new restaurants, technology upgrades and exciting entertainment, Jewel will be the most contemporary ship sailing from the Eternal City this summer. New additions include 24 new outside and balcony accommodations that showcase the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines. Giovanni’s Table, Vintages and Izumi, three of Royal Caribbean’s most popular dining venues, will join the diverse menu of dining options. The

OLD WORLD, NEW STYLE — Royal Caribbean’s newly refurbished Jewel of the Seas. Chops Grille steakhouse, the spa and retail areas all will be refreshed with a thoroughly contemporary style. A new poolside movie screen will invite guests to nights of animated and classic cinema under the stars. Most exciting for hyper-connected travelers will be addition of VOOM, the fastest wireless Internet at sea throughout the ship. For Royal Caribbean’s typically active

guests, recreational amenities include a rock-climbing wall, jogging track, basketball and volleyball court, golf simulator and nine-hole miniature golf course, as well as a fitness center with treadmills facing the sea. Royal Caribbean will be steering Jewel of the Seas to some of the most coveted ports in the Mediterranean. The 7 and 9 night Greek Isle cruises call in a the

storied islands of Sicily, Mykonos, and Santorini, as well Athens, Naples and Kusadasi Turkey, gateway to ancient ruins of Ephesus. Once the largest city in the Roman Empire the marble paved streets house an impressive patrimony of Roman ruins, including the iconic Library of Celsus, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Athens has been drawing visitors for millennia. The city’s centerpiece is Parthenon at the Acropolis completed in 438 BC. Nearby, the tiny, elegant temple of Nike, sits on a bastion on the southwest side of the rock. The postcard perfect island of Mykonos is filled with dazzling white houses set against a shimmering blue sea. Basket-laden donkeys make their way through a maze of ancient streets designed to frustrate marauding pirates. Santorini may be the quintessential Greek Isle. Home to black sand beaches and beautiful blue-domed Orthodox churches, visitors can ride the donkeys up the 547 steps from the harbor to the picturesque town of Fira.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com for special values on Royal Caribbean International cruise vacations.

Carmakers unraveling the very fabric of your vehicle Sweating the details to make car interiors more durable

hroughout a vehicle’s lifetime, it’s inevitable that the materials inside a car show signs of wear and tear. Drivers spend long hours sitting on car seats, leaning on arm rests, gripping the steering wheel and fiddling with the instruments. Not to mention the environmental damage from UV light, food spills, foul weather and chemicals. So how do carmakers make sure their vehicles are up to the challenge? Ford engineers subject every material used inside their vehicles to a series of meticulous and unrelenting tests where they are stretched, scratched, snagged, sniffed and even splashed with the likes of grease, dirt and hot coffee to see how they will stand up against the test of time. These tests are done to help ensure it takes a lot more than a spilled cup of coffee, a snag or a sharp edge or any accidental scrapes and scuffs to break down the materials. Some of the unusual ordeals Ford materials need to go through include the Five-Finger Scratch test, which is used to scratch samples of different plastics to see how much abuse they can take The Soil and Cleanability test splashes a variety of different substances on seat fabrics to evaluate how well they can be cleaned and to test their overall stain resistance. The Mace Snagging

HITTING A SNAG — Ford’s Mace Snagging test uses a spikey iron ball to test seat fabrics. test spins seat fabrics on rotating rollers roughly 600 times while they’re repeatedly struck by a spikey iron ball to test how strong they are In addition, a team of examiners smell various samples of materials used inside Ford vehicles and rank them to help the engineers achieve interiors that are free of disturbing odors. The General Motors Materials Test

and Engineering group conducts a battery of durability experiments to help ensure a vehicle’s interior is less subject to fading, discoloration or premature wear. These include leather cold-crack testing, seam fraying, tear strength, corrosion, dent and scratch resistance on hard surfaces and hook and loop fastener resistance on fabrics. “Our group tests for durability and

resistance to natural and artificial elements on materials you see and don’t see inside your car,” said Doug Pickett, engineering group manager for the Materials Test and Engineering group. “We test not only for sun exposure or humidity, but commonly spilled things like ketchup and mustard and even stronger substances like sweat, and sunscreen.” Lab engineers at the GM Vehicle Engineering Center in Warren, Michigan, also test for material durability in heat and ultraviolet light. Sweat tests using a synthetic perspiration solution are an important component of material durability. These tests are conducted on areas that have high skin contact, such as steering wheels and control knobs. The meticulous nature of these tests is a testament to automakers’ commitment to delivering quality vehicles that remain at their peak throughout the long cycle of their lives to customers and going the extra mile to ensure standards of comfort and durability are met.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

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Riding the rails around Colorado High plains drifting in the Centennial State

ed is the color that gives Colorado its stately splendor. Even the name Colorado comes from the Spanish term for the ruddy tones of the native sandstone. Located just outside Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is home to some of the most uniquely beautiful sandstone rock formations in the country. These solemn red giants with fanciful names like Tower of Babel and the Kissing Camels are set against the backdrop of Pike’s Peak. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway — the world’s highest cog train — has transported visitors to the rocky pinnacle since 1891. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” in 1893, after taking in the scenery, which includes otherworldly rock formations, dense stands of aspen and the rugged peaks of the Continental Divide. Colorado is filled with Rocky Mountain highs. The Royal Gorge Bridge — the world’s highest suspension bridge — hovers 955-feet above the Arkansas River. Just below the bridge America’s steepest incline railway slides 1,500 feet to the canyon floor. Riders descend inside tiny, two-person cages at a seemingly impossible 45-degree angle for the 6-minute trip down to the roaring Arkansas River. Hidden away in a little-known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is

Traveling through the breathtaking canyons of San Juan National Forest the steam train takes 3.5 hours to complete the 45-mile route to the former mining town of Silverton. The National Historic Landmark features a Victorian-era downtown, filled with fine, Italianate-style storefronts. The Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Towering multi-hued monoliths erupt from rock layers that are nearly two billion years old. The canyons are etched deep into the sandstone, while pinion pines and junipers crown the high desert plateau. Twisty Rim Rock Drive climbs 2,300-feet as it circles sheer-sided canyons and enormous rock towers.

THE SCENIC ROUTE — The Garden of the Gods is home to many beautiful sandstone rock formations almost unchanged since the day the first whistle blew back in 1880. An authentic artifact of the Old West, the railway remains a stunning example of the steam era of mountain railroading. Clinging to the sheer rock faces, the 7-hour, 64-mile journey ascends 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass. The train snakes carefully along a narrow ledge and from here the view is straight down. Later the hills begin to soften and the grassy hills flatten into a broad plain as the steam locomotive chugs

AAA Emergency Road Service limitations

elping motorists stay mobile, safe and protected has been the cornerstone of AAA’s member commitment for over 100 years. AAA responds to over 30 million requests for emergency road service each year, and it’s important to remember there are some non-emergency limitations designed to prevent abuse and maintain and improve our quality standards. These help us to respond to your calls swiftly and intelligently and avoid excessive delays that can negatively impact service provider arrival times for all members. Emergency road service will be limited to that which can be provided with equipment ordinarily used by the independent service provider serving the area. Service will not be provided when the disabled vehicle cannot be safely reached or serviced without damage to the vehicle or servicing equipment. Towing service is only provided for a covered vehicle disablement. Service may not be used as a substitute for regular maintenance necessary to keep a vehicle in good operating condition. AAA cannot render service repeatedly to a vehicle in need of repair. An individual’s AAA membership may not be used by a business or organization to provide roadside assistance service for its customers, employees or vehicles. The following policies apply to the membership benefit:

•

Towing to or from auto dismantlers, salvage yards, repair facility to repair facility or from one storage location to another. • Towing for the purpose of transporting vehicles due to a purchase, sale, auction transaction, car show exhibition, charitable donation, relocation or any other similar situation. • Service to a vehicle that is loaded, altered or constructed in such a way as to cause damage or create a hazard while being serviced. • Charges related to impound or stolen vehicle recovery, towing or storage. • Service in situations where appropriate photo identification in addition to the membership card is requested and not provided to the service driver. • Use of two or more roadside assistance service calls to extend the member tow mileage benefit for the same breakdown. • If specific towing equipment is requested, but not required to safely transport the vehicle, the associated cost will be at your expense. • AAA Plus, AAA Premier, AAA Plus RV and AAA Premier RV emergency road service options become effective 7 calendar days after receipt of your dues. For a complete Guide to AAA Member Services, please visit AAA.com.

into Antonito, Colorado. Durango’s mountain location may only be matched by its colorful past. Visitors can ride historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in continuous operation for nearly 125-years. Once used to haul gold and silver, the open gondola cars now offer vertigo-inducing views along a dizzying series of switchbacks. The narrow gauge 36” wide tracks (standard gauge is 56.5” wide) were easier to install around the sharp curves.

RIDING THE RAILS

AAA’s Colorado Train Adventure features some of the world’s great rail journeys and the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountain State. Highlights of the July 9-16 2016 Featured Vacation include the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and Colorado National Monument. Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/ USA for special values on great adventures in the American West.

Dutch Masterpieces head to sea with Holland America

olland America Line is celebrating its Dutch heritage in a new partnership with Rijksmuseum, the most-visited national museum in the Netherlands, according to the cruise line. Through the collaboration, the “Rijksmuseum at Sea” created by Rijksstudio, will be installed on ms Oosterdam during its scheduled dry dock in April and then move fleetwide over the next several years. Reproductions of some of the museum’s most famous masterpieces will be showcased throughout the ship and a dedicated space onboard will invite guests to explore their own creativity through guided art workshops. Guests will be able to view videos about the museum and its collections on the in-stateroom television, while enrichment programs and presentations by Rijksmuseum staff will be available on select cruises. They also will have the opportunity to purchase special branded Rijksmuseum merchandise in the onboard shops. “Great works of art have always been the centerpiece of our onboard décor, and we’re excited that this partnership with Rijksmuseum will add some spectacular reproductions to our collection of more than 1,300 pieces fleetwide,”

said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Through art, like travel, we see things differently; we open our eyes to the world around us.” Rijksmuseum was founded in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1800 and offers a representation of Dutch art and history, as well as European and Asian art from the Middle Ages to today. The museum moved to Amsterdam in 1808 and was first located in the Royal Palace. It moved to its current location in 1885. In 2003, the main museum was closed for a 10 year renovation and reopened in 2013. Today, it hosts nearly 2.5 million visitors a year. “Both Rijksmuseum and Holland America Line are historic brands with proud Dutch heritage. We’re grateful that through our new partnership, Holland America guests from around the world will be able to experience our impressive collection at the Rijksmuseum at Sea, created by Rijksstudio,” said Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum. Rijksmuseum houses a collection of one million objects dating back to 1200, with 8,000 works currently on display. Guests visiting the museum can see masterpieces by Dutch painters including Rembrandt’s Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid.

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