SEE PAGE 3
Vol. 52 No. 3
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY REGION
MAY/JUNE 2013
‘BUCKET LIST’ AAA FEATURED VACATIONS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
AAA Member Rewards Visa® Credit Card is Miles Ahead!
MEMBERS SAVE UP T0
$1,200! PER ROOM, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
SOUTHERN AFRICA!
SEE CHART ON PAGE 17!
LANDS DOWN UNDER!
2 thrill-filled dream vacations pack ‘WOW! factor’ sights...and savings
Y
OUR HEART FLUTTERS. Your jaw drops. Your breath intake deepens. You’re experiencing a travel WOW — an extraordinary, life-affirming, awe-inducing moment of the kind we all revel in, strive to remember and can’t wait to share with the folks back home. Whether WOWs involve wildlife, amazing scenery (natural or manmade) or unique experiences or activities, they’re the hallmarks of unforgettable vacations. Such thrilling moments of goosebumps & giddiness abound on 2 very special AAA Featured Vacations — “Spectacular South Africa” and “Australia & New Zealand.” And, AAA members who book & make a deposit by May 31 will be wowed by savings of up to $1,200 per room (discount tied to your membership level; see savings chart on page 6 for details).
SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
Culture & Harmony in Nature
From the Outback to the Glaciers
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
“Oz-some” perfectly describes this very popuSafari! Swahili for “journey,” this one word lar and awesome AAA adventure April 24–May readily conjures up images of exotic animals, peo14, 2014! It’s a dream-fulfilling exploration of the ples & places. And, with the abundance of “wows” unique and diverse wonders Austraon AAA’s April 24–May 9, 2014, escorted lia & New Zealand offer. Travel down tour, you won’t be disappointed! Each tour under with an experienced AAA Tour Explore wild & wonderful areas comincludes Manager on a 21-day grand tour of citfortably and confidently as a group AAA-exclusive ies & countryside and see more and do with your fellow AAA travelers and an excursions at more than you can on most other tours experienced AAA Tour Manager from no extra cost! — from meeting Aboriginal Australians the moment you arrive in South Africa. to visiting a koala sanctuary to viewing This unique 14-night tour is jama sheep shearing. You’ll even experience unique packed with opportunities to view — and in some dining; among the 30 included meals are dinners cases, meet — wildlife “up close & personal.” Sideep “in the bush” with entertainment under dle up to penguins braying like donkeys, enjoy a star-studded sky, on a cruise around Sydney safaris (from an open-air vehicle and from atop Harbour and with a New Zealand family in their an elephant’s back!) and “capture” lions, leopards home. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! and rhinos with your camera! It all begins at Cairns, tropical gateway to the From Johannesburg to Soweto to Cape Town to Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage site. First, Victoria Falls, you’ll meet local people (children glide over & into the rainforest canopy at a township school, adults in a Zimin a cabled gondola, then enjoy a AAAbabwean village) and gain a better unA AAA Tour exclusive inclusion — an evening of derstanding of southern Africa’s diverse Manager is indigenous cuisine, entertainment and cultures, social challenges and unique by your side storytelling. Zip on a high-speed cataways of life. while you’re maran to a pontoon on the reef, where The places you’ll visit! In the wealthithere! you can snorkel or scuba if you wish. est province, cosmopolitan Jo’burg Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Outbustles as a gold & diamond center and back. Tour the base of this huge monolith and, South Africa’s largest city. A visit to the informal as the sun sets, enjoy a Champagne toast watch settlements of the South West Townships (SoweUluru change colors! to) includes lunch with locals continued on page 17 continued on page 17
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY
The AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card is putting a lot of distance between itself and the competition. No other fee free credit card even comes close. In addition to earning rewards on regular purchases the AAA Member Rewards Visa features a lucrative assortment of redemption offers and benefits, including cash, travel perks, gift cards and merchandise. And because you’re a AAA member, the AAA Member Rewards Visa® has no annual fee! Unlike some cards that set complicated rules in order to make it harder to earn rewards, using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card could not be any easier. You earn genuine rewards for the things you have to buy everyday. Card members receive one point for every dollar they spend, double points on gas, grocery and drug store purchases and triple points on AAA and all travel purchases. There’s no maximum on the amount of cash back you can earn, and your rewards will be there for as long as your account remains open. And, you can combine points from multiple AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit cards! Members can redeem points for cash, travel or gift cards. Why wait? Apply for the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card today at AAA.com/creditcard or your nearest AAA Branch. (For more information on the rates, fees and benefits of this card, visit AAA.com/creditcard.)
AAA’s Automatic Renewal Option Automatic renewal is a great way to make sure you never get stuck without your AAA membership. Your membership renewal will be charged to your credit card each year, and we’ll even send you a reminder. Just call or visit your local AAA office, or call our 24-hour service center at 1.800.441.5008 (412.363.5100 in Pittsburgh). Sign up for automatic renewal at anytime, regardless of your membership expiration/renewal date. In fact, you can call us right now, to take advantage of this convenient, time-saving option. Then, rest easy knowing your AAA membership will continue providing uninterrupted service and benefits. Plus, you always have the option of canceling at any time. (Automatic renewal is valid for credit cards only; we cannot accept ATM or Debit cards.)
AAA Deposits top $4 billion in member savings Members boosted their investments in AAA partner Discover Bank funds past the $4 billion mark this spring, usually saving at advantageous rates compared to those offered by other institutions. This unprecedented success speaks to the appeal of AAA’s preferred member rates, excellent customer service and FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA CDs and online savings account products. When you invest with AAA and Discover Bank, you can feel confident knowing your hard earned dollars are invested with a trusted financial institution. Discover Bank received Bankrate.com’s Top Tier award for consistently high yields. Discover the AAA difference in high-yield savings accounts. Call 1.888.728.3230 or go online to AAA.com/Deposits for more information.
Set sail for Hawaii aboard NCL Cruises
Scattered like pearls around the Pacific, Hawaii is the ideal cruise destination. And there is no better way to experience “the misty seas of the high heavens” than island hopping aboard NCL’s Pride of America, combined with a 2-night AAA land package at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. Pride of America embodies all the attributes of NCL’s innovative Freestyle Cruising, and the 7-night cruises visit all of Hawaii’s main islands, including overnights on Maui and Kauai. Passengers will have more time in port than any other cruise line. Plus, receive special Aloha Gifts from AAA Travel, valued up to $200, when you book and deposit by May 31, 2013. SEE PAGE 9
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AAA MOTORIST
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Make sure your insurance coverage goes with you
AAA DIRECTORY
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AAA Member Services/Address Change TripTiks, TourBooks, Maps, License & Title, Address Change
Protecting your vacation and financial peace of mind hether your idea of a summer break is sipping a cocktail by the pool, mountain biking a double black diamond, or touring the capitals of Europe, travel insurance can provide valuable assistance and financial protection. “Emergencies are rare, but everyone should have a contingency plan,” says Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “Unforeseen illnesses and medical emergencies are the number one reason trips are canceled.” If you’re planning an international trip, there are three types of insurance you should consider: trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance.
570-286-4507 Approved Auto Repair 1-888-627-9227 Emergency Road Service 1-800-222-4357 Express Travel Reservations Airline Tickets, Tours, Cruises, Rental Cars 570-286-4507 Insurance Services: 877-222-3974 Media Relations: 412-365-7157 Public Affairs: 412-365-7242 AAA Motorist: 412-365-7017 Safety: 412-365-7211
AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS
Trip Cancellation Insurance
Trip cancellation insurance covers your financial investment in your trip, should you have to cancel a trip due to sickness, a death in the family, bad weather, delayed luggage or another disaster listed in the policy. In addition, if you or an immediate family member become seriously ill or are injured during the trip some travel insurance policies will reimburse you for the unused portion of the vacation. There may be exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so check your policy carefully. Depending on the policy, trip cancellation insurance might not cover any medical care overseas, so you may need a separate travel health insurance policy.
STAY COVERED — Many travelers do not carry the appropriate insurance protection.
Travel Health Insurance
If you need medical treatment overseas, you will probably be asked to pay out-of-pocket, which could be very expensive. Even countries with nationalized health care may not cover people who are nonresidents. Before you go, consider your insurance options in case you need care while you’re abroad, especially if you have existing health conditions, will be away
Give Yourself an Upgrade— to the highest level of protection available! Get more from your membership. Upgrade to AAA Premier. With expanded roadside assistance — and a host of other benefits — AAA Premier is a smart choice. To upgrade your membership, call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at
1-800-441-5008
Internet Web Site: www.AAA.com
from home for a long time, or will be engaging in adventure activities such as scuba diving or hang gliding. If you have health insurance in the United States, find out if it will cover emergencies that happen abroad. Ask if your policy has any exclusions, such as for preexisting conditions or adventure activities. If your health insurance coverage is not adequate, consider buying a short-term supplemental policy. Look for a policy that will make payments to hospitals directly.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
If you are traveling to a destination where care is not up to U.S. standards, consider buying medical evacuation insurance. This can be purchased separately or as part of your travel health insurance policy. This insurance will pay for emergency transportation from a remote or poor area to a highquality hospital. Make sure that the policy provides a 24-hour physician support center. When deciding whether travel insurance is right for you, compare companies, policy coverage, benefits and prices. Find out what is included and what is excluded and check your current health and homeowners insurance policies to see what coverage you already have. Having the right insurance will help you prepare for the unexpected in the event your trip is canceled, interrupted or delayed.
BEFORE YOU GO
If long- or short-term foreign travel is in your plans speak with your AAA travel or insurance representative about travel insurance coverage that you can take with you wherever you go. Call 800.354.8761 or visit AAA.com/Insurance to purchase travel medical insurance online.
Altoona 1634 Valley View Blvd. ............................. 814-946-1277 Brookville 288 Main St. ................................................. 814-849-5381 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 102 Sugar Creek Town Center Rd. ........... 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 White Oak/McKeesport Area Oak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............ 412-675-3400
MAY 2013
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Teaching your children about traffic safety 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:....................................... Douglas W. Caldwell Vice Chairman:.........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman:.................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President: ....................................................James E. Lehman Treasurer & CFO: ............................................Michael R. Pratt Secretary: ................................................ Robert H. Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn B. Bachman, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Douglas W. Caldwell, Charles O. Casto, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell**, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie, Terrence L. Walton** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Chairman, Neil D. Bassi, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Charles O. Casto, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, J. Terrence Farrell, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Mona N. Generett, 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, Leonard L. Scheinholtz**, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward *ex officio **emeritus directors Regional President ......................................Gregory S. Shaffer Copyright ©2013 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.
Good safety habits will last them a lifetime By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central riving always demands our full attention, but it is especially important at this time of year. After nine, long months of school, children will soon be celebrating the freedom of summer vacation. The warm sunshine beckons them to play ball, ride bikes, or cool off in the sprinkler. Children may be so distracted by the pastimes of summer, they become oblivious to the risks of traffic rolling by. Parents should never forget that children often have very little concept of the speed, weight, and power of a vehicle. They are particularly vulnerable because they are harder for motorists to see and their actions can be unpredictable. Children also tend to think that if they see a driver, the driver also sees them. Young children may not have the cognitive maturity to judge when it’s safe to cross a street and are less likely to understand the consequences of their misjudgments. They may not stop and think before darting between parked cars or chasing a ball into the street. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 300 children 15 and younger are hit and killed each year while walking in what should be their safe haven — their neighborhood. In 2010, the last year that statistics are available, almost one fifth of the children between the ages of age 5 of 9 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
D
Richard Hamilton The majority of preschool and elementary-school-age pedestrian injuries and deaths usually occur near the child’s home. Darting out into the street without looking is one of the most common mistakes children make, and one of the most deadly. Parents should never expect too much, too soon. NHTSA research psychologists report that parents’ or caretakers’ unrealistic expectations are a contributing factor in many child pedestrian tragedies. Learn to recognize a child’s limitations. Their peripheral vision for example, is approximately one-third narrower than an adult’s. They may have difficulty judging a vehicle’s speed or believe that a car can stop instantly.
While children may not have the judgment to cope with traffic by themselves, they can learn safety rules. Teaching children how to cross the street properly is essential. Parents must work with their kids to get them in the habit of always stopping at the edge of the street, looking left, then right, then left again to make sure the road is clear. This is the golden rule of traffic safety and it is essential for children to learn it at an early age. Find places away from streets, driveways, and parking lots for children to play. Fenced yards, parks, and playgrounds are good choices. Children also should be taught to ask an adult to retrieve any toys that roll into the street. Establish where young children can use wheeled toys such as tricycles, bicycles, wagons, or scooters. AAA recommends that parents set age- appropriate limits on where their children can walk or bike safely. As in all parenting, the do-as-I-say method works best when parents set a good example. Children will recognize when you are obeying the speed limits and giving right of way to pedestrians. Chances are, if you obey traffic signals, cross the street properly, and wear a helmet when riding a bike, so will your children. These are good safety habits that will last them a lifetime. Our children need the best protection we can provide. As a motorist you can make a real difference just by staying alert and taking extra care in residential areas or while driving where children are present.
membersonly
Let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat With exclusive members-only discounts and benefits
S
ummer vacation season is nearly here, and travelers will soon be shopping for rental cars for their travel destinations. One of the benefits of AAA membership is the special package of savings available when you rent from Hertz. Members receive up to a 20 percent discount on car rentals, free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, plus an array of money-saving opportunities, including special upgrades, dollars-off coupons, and more. Their Member Satisfaction Guarantee is your assurance that the rate and car class, or a higher car class, will be available as reserved. The key to these exclusive Hertz savings and benefits is the CDP#. Your Hertz CDP number is the same as your club code, which appears on the front of your membership card. It’s your gateway to savings and value. The Hertz system will automatically assign the best rate available within the chosen channel of distribution at the time of reservation.
Exclusive AAA member benefits include free unlimited mileage on most rentals. Families receive free use of one child, infant or booster seat with every rental, and there’s no charge for an additional driver if that driver is a AAA member with a credit card in their own name. Hertz frequently offers AAA members special single and double upgrade coupons in addition to dollars off coupons. These coupon or couponless offers are available from AAA travel offices, in your club publication and on AAA.com. While most leisure and/or promotional weekly rates require that a car be rented over Saturday night, AAA members won’t have to worry. They qualify for low weekly rates without having to keep the vehicle over a Saturday night. And when you return, a Hertz agent will be waiting to give you an Instant Return receipt before you even leave the vehicle. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership is free to AAA members. But
that’s not all. Basic and Plus members receive 600 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points. That’s enough for one free rental day after the first Gold rental. Join at AAA.com/HertzGold. AAA Premier members receive 1,000 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points enough for two free weekend rental days! Join at AAA.com/HertzPremier. Plus, your Hertz Discount Code (CDP#) is automatically included in your reservations. Hertz’ premier frequent renter program entitles you to membership privileges at more than 40 major airports and 1,000 locations around the world. Just get in, show your driver’s license at the exit gate and drive away. There’s no waiting in line, nothing to sign. Your car will be waiting in a weather-protected #1 Club Gold area. AAA demands the best for its members. That’s why Hertz is the only car-rental company endorsed by AAA. The next time you need a rental car let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat.
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AAA MOTORIST
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Answering the questions you never thought to ask Why you need a professional insurance agent
E
veryone needs insurance and consumers are barraged by a myriad of insurance company offers all claiming they can provide what you need. Many suggest going on line; picking your own coverages and buying insurance. Easy! Quick! Cheap! With an almost unlimited number of choices, why are more people turning to professional agents to do their planning? Time-challenged consumers may be one reason for the shift. If you’re not familiar with the terrain finding the right information can be time consuming and challenging. Why struggle with websites that are convoluted, confusing and filled with vague and unfamiliar terminology? Whether you are a teenager just starting to drive or a multi-millionaire with multiple homes and vehicles it’s very important to purchase insurance to adequately protect your interests. The types of insurance, the coverages, what you need and how much you need are difficult questions to answer without some help. What are your needs for the future? What happens if you’re in an accident? How much insurance do you need to adequately protect yourself? A professional insurance agent can help you answer those questions. Insurance is a highly regulated industry. All professional agents are
TALK TO A PRO — Many people find it easier to deal with an insurance professional rather than do all the work themselves. licensed by the state they work in to sell insurance after taking a comprehensive class and passing a state-issued exam. Insurance professionals also are required to keep up-to-date with the many changes in the industry by taking continuing education classes prior to license renewals. In addition, when an agent is hired by AAA East Central
to sell auto and home insurance (or Property and Casualty in insurance jargon), they are required to take a month-long, in-house training class to become experts on the products they sell. They are taught how to interpret the policy language and how it applies to the person purchasing that coverage. Contrary to what some insurance
companies try to tell you in their advertising, purchasing insurance should not be a quick transaction. It takes some time for a good insurance agent to help you decide on the adequate coverages to protect yourself and your family. During a comprehensive insurance review an agent will take into account your income, your assets, your responsibilities, as well as your plans for the future, to determine what your insurance needs may be. The agent will then review your current coverages to help you evaluate whether it is appropriate for your current situation. An agent will know the questions to ask; be able to answer any of yours and help you decipher insurance jargon. By the time the conversation ends, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about your insurance coverage options. You’ll also know, that every time you have a significant life change, that you can confidently reach out to that agent you trust, to make important decisions regarding your insurance coverage. 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.
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Introducing Club Rewards on AAA.com Prepare to be WOWED by deep discounts and savings
N
ow more than ever, AAA members are looking for ways to save. And the savings are sensational at AAA Club Rewards. It’s an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands discounts and savings available to AAA members! This innovative new shopping experience on AAA.com, features deep discounts, limited offers and everyday savings on electronics, home improvement, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including big time national retailers like Kohl’s, Macy’s, Best Buy, Walmart and The Home Depot. Members can access these new discounts simply by visiting the discounts section of our website at AAA.com. The AAA Club Rewards shopping portal features an intuitive, easy to navigate interface to help you find exactly what you are looking for with just a few simple clicks. Check out the Hot List for local offers, or use the AAA Club Rewards Shopping Engine to select your favorite brands. AAA members can also customize their shopping experience to receive personalized recommendations based on their interests. In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn WOWPoints on most purchases, a unique online currency, that you can “burn off” at your favorite participating
Save $10 on a new AAA Gift Membership through May 31st
the AAA Club Rewards page from www. AAA.com/discounts. Members will be able to browse through offers, however, they must first register at the time of transaction. Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Offers are available online, by phone, and sometimes in-store via a printed coupon and include limitedtime offers, deep discount offers and everyday offers. Members can even buy local restaurant gift certificates and earn WOWPoints at the same time. Why wait any longer? Register online at AAA.com/discounts. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, restaurants and retailers.
DOUBLE UP ON DISCOUNTS — Save serious cash and earn WOW PoInts at the same time when you shop at AAA Club Rewards. merchants. The majority of merchants will give at least one WOWPoint for each dollar spent, with many of them giving two, four, or more times the WOWPoints per dollar spent. One hundred WOWPoints equals $1 and members can start burning their points with as little as $2 or 200 WOWPoints. • WOWPoints are as flexible as cash; • 100 WOWPoints earned = $1.00; • No limit to the points you can earn;
• No blackout dates, no inflated redemption prices and no restrictions; • WOWPoints never expire. They remain valid as long as you are a AAA member; • Double Dip — WOWPoints can be earned on top of your points from your AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card. AAA East Central members can access
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the AAA Discounts program including Show Your Card & Save and AAA Prescription Savings, or to sign up free for AAA Club Rewards visit AAA.com/Discounts.
The Perfect Gift! Graduations, Father’s Day, Birthdays, Weddings … Whatever the occasion, it’s the perfect time to give a AAA Gift Membership. With roadside assistance, vacation planning, maps, travel guides, exclusive savings, and much more, you can trust AAA membership to be a perfect fit.
EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? All Other Areas (800) AAA_HELP (800) 222-4357
To purchase a AAA Gift Membership, call or visit your local office or AAA.com.
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MAY 2013
AAA offers breakdown advice for stranded motorists Responded to 28 million roadside assistance calls in 2012
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ar problems are always an inconvenience, and can sometimes put you in harm’s way. Your first consideration should always be for the safety of yourself and your passengers and knowing how to react is something you should prepare for in advance. In 2012, AAA received more than 28 million roadside assistance calls and while 58 percent of those breakdowns were resolved at the roadside by AAA technicians, nearly 12 million vehicles needed a tow. AAA offers the following guidelines and general suggestions for motorists experiencing a breakdown. While driving, be aware of and know how to respond to warning signs such as brake or steering problems, or steam or smoke billowing from under the hood. If your car is clearly experiencing a problem but can still be driven a short distance, drive to a safe location such as a parking lot. If it’s a flat tire, the first rule is not to panic. Signal, slow down gradually and carefully pull onto the shoulder of the road, avoiding any sudden maneuvers. If you run out of gas or your engine stops, switch on the emergency flashers, carefully steer your vehicle out of traffic. Use the car’s momentum to get you off the road and to a safe place. Avoid applying the brakes until necessary.
• Your location — exact address or nearest intersection or exit number; • A description of your vehicle — color, make, model and year; • License plate number. Android and iPhone users can also download the AAA Mobile app at AAA. com/mobile, which provides easy access to roadside assistance, vehicle battery quotes, and Approved Auto Repair (AAR) locations. AAA roadside technicians can provide fuel, change tires, boost a battery and employ basic roadside problemsolving techniques to get the vehicle going. If the AAA technician is unable to remedy the problem at the roadside, the car will need to be towed to a repair facility.
RIDING TO THE RESCUE — AAA was able to resolve 58% of all breakdowns at the roadside in 2012. If your vehicle cannot get completely off the roadway, switch on the emergency flashers. Occupants should not remain in the vehicle if there is a possibility it may be struck by other traffic. For the same reason, it is generally not a good idea to attempt to push a disabled car off the road. Make sure your vehicle is visible to other motorists especially in inclement weather. In addition to turning on the emergency flashers, drivers can signal
they have a problem by raising the car hood, tying a brightly colored scarf to the antenna or door handle, or setting out flares, warning triangles or emergency beacons to help direct traffic away from your vehicle. Once everyone is in a safe location, request assistance from AAA and have the following information ready: • Your AAA membership number; • The phone number where you can be reached;
APPROVED AUTO REPAIR
Garages that participate in AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program offer qualified technicians, a wide range of professional repair services and guaranteed quality. Repairs, parts, labor, and components are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles under normal operating conditions. Visit www.AAA.com to locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility nearest you. Approved Auto Repair facilities also can be quickly found using the AAA Mobile app, a free download for iPhone and Android at the AAA Mobile solutions page at AAA.com/mobile.
Get More... Out of Your Membership with
AAA Plus!!
A
s a AAA basic member, you enjoy countless valuable benefits — from roadside assistance to travel services, member discounts, and access to financial and insurance services. And there’s more! When you sign up for AAA Plus membership, you’re eligible for all of the benefits of basic membership, plus enhanced and extended services, including:
n Up to 100 miles of free towing n Free emergency fuel n Up to $100 emergency locksmith services n Extended extrication service
Get more out of your membership
Call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call our Member Service Center at 1-800-441-5008
MAY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
AAA + NCL = The very best way to see the most of Hawaii...and get Aloha Gifts!
It all adds up to a 7-night, 4-island cruise plus 2 nights on Waikiki and a Pearl Harbor excursion!
The formula for a fantastic, fun and free-of-hassles Hawaiian vacation is the simple addition of a 2-night AAA land package and a 7-night NCL cruise! What you get is the convenient, comfortable and unforgettable experience of visiting 4 islands of America’s own slice of paradise over 9 nights, minus the annoyance of repeatedly packing & unpacking, flying from island to island, transferring from hotel to hotel. In fact, it couldn’t be easier. Start with 2 nights on Oahu in Waikiki, Honolulu’s beachfront district known for placid waters, spectacular views of Diamond Head and unlimited opportunities for entertainment, dining, nightlife and shopping. Lounge in luxury at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa right in the middle of it all! An included 5-hour excursion to Pearl Harbor includes a moving visit to the USS Arizona Memorial. NCL’s Pride of America is a vibrant US-flagged, Americana-themed “floating resort hotel” full of choices to maximize the enjoyment of your cruise. Its friendly American crew is ready to assist you and make sure your cruise is just that — yours. Freestyle Cruising® starts with a wide DAY
PRE-CRUISE HONOLULU LOCATIONS
range of dining options included in your cruise price and available on your schedule. Freestyle Dining means sitting down to a 4-course meal and a fine wine...or grabbing a burger hot off the grill. Dressing up. Dressing down. Sitting with friends or making new ones. You’ll find more dining options than days of your cruise, and you’re free to enjoy them all on your own schedule. For even more memorable experiences, cover-charge specialty restaurants provide refined choices; experience a Brazilian churrascaria or a Chicago steakhouse (both new in 2013) or dine on expertly prepared sushi, traditional French bistro or Italian trattoria fare — it’s all onboard. And it’s all delicious. The freedom continues with entertainment for all. From Broadway shows to adults-only clubs where you can dance ’til dawn to supervised activities for kids & teens. Pools with slides, WiiTM on 2-story screens, modern fitness centers, expansive spas, fun kids & teens programs, wine tastings, an always exciting casino and more are all waiting for you onboard. When it’s time to recover from the excitement, retreat to accommodations de-
1 .... Arrive Honolulu Airport, transfer to your room at Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa 2 .... Enjoy all of the fun & sun of Waikiki at your leisure; do as much or as little as you like! 3 .... Pearl Harbor excursion, then afternoon transfer to ship at Pier 2, Port of Honolulu
DAY
CRUISE PORT, ISLAND
ARRIVE
DEPART or OVERNIGHT
3 ....Honolulu, Oahu.................7pm 4 ....Kahalui, Maui ........8am ...overnight in port 5 ....Kahalui, Maui ...................6pm 6 ....Hilo, Hawaii ...........8am ...6pm 7 ....Kona, Hawaii .........7am ...5:30pm 8 ....Nawiliwili, Kauai ...8am....overnight in port 9 ....Nawiliwili, Kauai ..............2pm 10 ...Honolulu, Oahu......7am....transfer to airport
signed for the way you cruise. Bring your sweet dreams to a balcony stateroom, a 2-bedroom family suite or a stylish studio for solo travelers (new in 2013!). There’s a large selection of oceanview & inside staterooms; NCL has a higher percentage of balcony rooms than any other line. After settling into your at-sea digs, get set to visit 3 other Hawaiian isles — Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island) and Kauai. A surplus of natural splendor and the genuine hospitality of its people help to make Maui Hawaii’s second most popular island. Explore the fascinating history of Lahaina. Picnic at a plantation, plant yourself on a pristine beach or play one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses. Hilo is like one giant greenhouse with spectacular tropical flowers at every turn. Visit well-preserved historic buildings, dating to the turn of the 20th century and showcasing Hawaii’s unique architecture. Nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home of the active volcano, Kilauea. Kona offers the quintessential Hawaii experience. Sunny, warm weather and crystal-blue waters entice visitors to partake in a variety of surfside fun. Snorkel
BOOK & DEPOSIT BY MAY 31, 2013, AND GET THESE AAA ALOHA GIFTS! BALCONY STATEROOM
$200.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels 2-towel set valued @ $35
OUTSIDE STATEROOM
$100.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels 2-towel set valued @ $35
INSIDE STATEROOM
$50.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels 2-towel set valued @ $35
1 each per new booking — May 1-31, 2013
among a kaleidoscope of tropical marine life, take a surfing lesson, enjoy a kayaking trip or head out for deep-sea fishing. Named after wiliwili trees which once lined its picturesque harbor, Nawiliwili is your gateway to what many believe to be Hawaii’s most beautiful island, Kauai. On the “Garden Island,” nature is truly the star, from the dramatic mountains of Kokee to the cool rain forests of Haena. Looking for the best Hawaiian vacation experience? Just calculate this simple equation: AAA Travel plus NCL equals great times, great value and great gifts!
3 HOT WINTER DEPARTURES IN 2014! JAN 9-18 from $1,705 • JAN 30–FEB 8 from $1,809 FEB 27–MARCH 8 from $1,809
AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include airport/hotel transfers (for flights purchased through NCL), 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial excursion, hotel/pier transfers, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government taxes/fees, port charges and pier/airport transfers (for flights purchased through NCL). Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.
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AAA’s Travel Partner Spotlight: DISNEY Each year, AAA uses its purchasing power as one of the country’s leading travel agencies to negotiate for discounted rates & exclusive member benefits.
AAA MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS
• Disney Magic Moments® Savings — AAA members can save up to 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% off the nondiscounted rate of the room portion on selected packages on selected dates (subject to availability; savings based on the nondiscounted price for the same room at a participating hotel paid by non-AAA members, and is applicable to the room-only portion of the package; limited number of packages available with these savings; guests must be AAA members with a valid AAA membership number when booking; valid membership card must be presented at check-in).
• 200 Disney Dollars — These are included on packages of 7 nights or more at the Walt Disney World® Swan and Walt Disney World® Dolphin Hotel (can be combined with AAA Disney Magic Moments® Savings; voucher required at check-in to receive Disney Dollars).
AAA VACATIONS® BENEFITS
• EXCLUSIVE AAA Vacations® Diamond Savings Card — This special card offers savings of 10%, 15% or 20%, and other values, at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort (one card per package; nonstransferable and void if sold). • EXCLUSIVE AAA Diamond Parking — Conveninet preferred parking spaces at all 4 Walt Disney World® Theme Parks (subject to availability; voucher with Guest name required; block-out dates apply; nontransferable and void if sold). • Preferred Fireworks Viewing Location at Magic Kingdom® Park — When you purchase select AAA Vacations® packages that include a Disney Dining Plan, enjoy a special viewing location for WishesTM nighttime Spectacular, the biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in Magic Kingdom® Park history (advance reservations, reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission required; one viewing per person; space is limited and subject to availability; fireworks schedules vary by season and certain block-out dates apply for this benefit during holiday periods; inclement weather conditions may affect outdoor entertainment).
• EXCLUSIVE Disney’s Story Time Experience — When you purchase select AAA Vacations® packages that include a Disney Dining Plan, enjoy a special storytelling experience that features a character from a classic Disney animated feature film and takes place in Epcot® (advance reservations, reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission required; one viewing per person; seating is limited and subject to availability; operates on select days of the week and certain block-out dates apply; one voucher per room).
These benefits only apply to AAA Vacations® packages purchased at a AAA Travel Office. Ask your AAA Travel professional for more details. Offer subject to change. Valid 1/1/13 through 12/31/13.
MAY 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Even more than a cruise hugging its spectacular shoreline, a comprehensive land journey into the heart of Alaska’s awe-inspiring interior can deepen your understanding and enrich your overall experience of our 49th state. AAA’s July 8-17 Alaska by Land 9-night adventure starts in Fairbanks. An Italian immigrant’s 1902 gold strike coincided with the building of a trading post on the banks of the Chena River — and the Gold Rush to Fairbanks was on! This “Golden Heart City” pulsed once again as a boomtown in the early 1970s during construction of the 800-milelong Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Learn how the Gold Rush affected Alaska’s interior on a tour that includes a visit to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum. Enjoy shopping, walking or dining on your own downtown. Cruise on a sternwheeler to experience the thrill of river travel. Enjoy a salmon bake dinner at Pioneer Park; savor salmon, prime rib and Bering Sea cod and all the fixings. Then fly above it all on an Arctic Circle air adventure! This thrilling 4-hour tour soars over the Brooks Range and crosses the Arctic Circle; the narrated adventure includes a visit to Wiseman and views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Yukon River. Motorcoach to Denali National Park to explore at your leisure or participate in a park service activity. Then enjoy the Denali Education Center’s “Welcome to the Subarctic” talk at Sheldon Center; learn about Denali from the ground up before overnighting in the park and touring it some more the next day. Travel deep into Denali on a full-day Tundra Wilderness Tour, looking for grizzly, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more; get insights into this vast park’s flora & fauna. Travel to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city; tour its historic downtown and visit the kennel & home of a 4-time Iditarod Sled Dog Race winner, and learn about the art of mushing dogs. Visit the Native Heritage Center, a gathering place celebrating, perpetuating and sharing Native cultures. Dine in the center’s Athabascan House. Motorcoach to coastal Seward, keeping an eye out along scenic Turnagain Arm for Dall sheep, moose, bear and eagle. Visit the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Portage Valley to see critters up close. Tour along scenic Seward Highway to Begich Boggs Visitor Center; enjoy an award-winning movie, “Voices from the Ice.” Explore Seward on your own; the coastal town is known for scenic views and as gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Transfer to Cooper Landing for a 2-hour scenic float on the Kenai River. Drift through Chugach National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. At Girdwood, ride the Alyeska Tram from sea level to 2,300 feet. An observation deck provides breathtaking views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers and often an array of wildlife. Descend and explore Girdwood on your own. Enjoy a farewell seafood buffet dinner.
July 8-17 • AAA Member Rate: $5,229 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Philadelphia), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, 9-night accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, 16 meals, in-Alaska local guide, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met), Arctic Circle air adventure (small aircraft; group will be staggered; departure is weather-dependent) & more. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/Alaska for itinerary details.
MAY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
THE AMERICAN WEST
Where the sun sets and the fun rises! AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated, services of a AAA Tour Manager and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK THESE 2! Southwestern Canyonlands
Best of Northern California
Eroded for eons by wind & water, the colorful canyons of Arizona, Utah & Nevada captivate all who visit. See the stunning Red Rocks of Sedona, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, the backcountry of Monument Valley, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. Enjoy Grand Canyon National Park lodging, guided tour and IMAX Theater. Take an “adventure cruise” through Antelope/ Navajo Canyon. Visit Lake Powell and spend 2 fun nights in Las Vegas. 11 meals.
Explore San Francisco, the redwoods at Muir Woods, Mediterranean-style Sausalito and the wine country of the Sonoma and Napa valleys (and dine on the Napa Valley Wine Train). Ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr to the scenic shores of Lake Tahoe and cruise its crystal-blue waters aboard a paddlewheeler. Venture to Yosemite National Park, then take the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, San Simeon (Hearst Castle), Salinas Valley and Silicon Valley. 14 meals.
June 12-20 • $2,725
July 25–Aug 2 • $2,859
American Majesty
Grand Canyon Adventure
Napa Valley & San Francisco
New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite landmarks. Visit Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone NP (Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower National Monument, Mt Rushmore National Memorial (evening light ceremony), Ft Laramie National Historic Site and Buffalo Bill Historic Center. Float down the Snake River and ride a Jeep safari in the Black Hills. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting). See Crazy Horse Monument. 15 meals, including a chuck wagon dinner.
Luxuriate in Red Rock Country at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Take a Pink Jeep backcountry tour. Ride first class on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to your national park lodging just a quarter-mile from the South Rim. Visit Glen Canyon Recreational Area and a night at Lake Powell Resort. A tour highlight is your guided half-day float trip on the Colorado River! Motorcoach to the Luxor Hotel on the Strip in Las Vegas. Flirt with Lady Luck, relax by the pool or take in a top-notch show on your free full day in Vegas. 9 meals.
So many delights in one tour — from San Francisco’s endless charms to the natural splendor of the Muir Woods redwoods. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy 5 vineyards (participate in a “Blend Your Own Merlot” event) and 3 nights at Tuscan-style Vino Bella Resort in Napa. Savor an exquisite 4-course dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. With your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf as your base, tour San Francisco’s famous landmarks, cruise by ferry across the bay and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. 2 meals.
Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks. Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with llamas! 14 meals.
Aug 31–Sept 8 • $2,735
Oct 4-10 • $2,195
Oct 7-12 • $1,949
Oct 9-15 • $2,309
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AAA MOTORIST
MAY 2013
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Skip long admission lines at some of Europe’s must-see sites on “SKIP THE LINE” tours with Pleasant Holidays AAA Travel partner Pleasant Holidays now offers unique “SKIP THE LINE” tours in 3 of Europe’s most popular cities — Rome, Paris and Florence. Choosing these optional tours lets you enjoy priority admission to famous — and often crowded — attractions like the Colosseum in Rome, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Accademia Gallery in Florence. Forget about waiting for hours — sometimes in hot summer temperatures — and wasting precious vacation time. These really “cool” “SKIP THE LINE” tours let you feel like a VIP at places like Versailles in Paris or the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, among others. “SKIP THE LINE” tours are just some of the many optional tours that the Europe activity experts at Pleasant Holidays offer. In London, for instance, you can opt for the intriguing Jack the Ripper Evening Tour or how about Champagne Tea at Harrod’s? And kids will love the private tours of Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studios. When it comes to vacationing in Europe with Pleasant Holidays, the possibilities are endless. Pleasant Holidays can easily arrange all of your transatlantic and inter-Europe flights, hotel accommodations, transfers, car rentals and an extensive array of in-city tours & activities. And during 2013 you can take advantage of a AAA Member Benefit of $50.00 off each booking! Contact AAA for Pleasant Holidays flights, hotels, car rentals, tours & more.
SAMPLE 5-NIGHT EUROPE CITY VACATION PACKAGES ROME • $1,204 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Frascati Wine Tasting: The only tour of its kind in Rome. Visit one of the oldest, most beautiful vineyards in the Frascati region. An expert illustrates local wine-producing methods from antiquity to today. Tour the property and talk about the fascinating history of wine in ancient Rome, followed by a tasting of 3 wines and freshly pressed olive oil. Rome in 1 Day “SKIP THE LINE”: Visit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum with “Skip the Line” access. Take a lunch break (not included) in the historical center of the city before wandering its picturesque streets & piazzas, seeing Piazza Navona and its Bernini fountain. The guide brings sites to life with stories and myths that make Rome unlike any other city.
PARIS • $1,762 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Famous Graves of Paris: A must-see cemetery? Père Lachaise is well worth it; it’s home to 70,000 dead, including some of the world’s most famous artists, writers and musicians. Most know this place for Jim Morrison, but Chopin, Wilde, Piaf and many, many others rest across this magnificent hilltop setting. Meander through the labyrinth of elaborate crypts and overhanging trees. Louvre Museum “SKIP THE LINE”: This all-inclusive small group explores the world-famous collection of paintings, sculpture and architecture with an English-speaking guide. Gaze on some of the world’s most recognizable masterpieces. Seeing all the Louvre has to offer is impossible; this tour makes the most of your time, leading you through the best!
FLORENCE • $2,293 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below Best of Florence “SKIP THE LINE”: This walking tour visits “Porcellino,” Ponte Vecchio, Leather Market and the Duomo. Enjoy artisan gelato. “Skip the Line” at Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s 17-foot “David” and at Uffizi Gallery to see works by Italian Masters; hear stories about artists, architects and patrons. View the city center from a rooftop terrace.
Best of Tuscany in a Day: A guided tour of Siena visits its medieval center, a World Heritage Site, and the Duomo, one of Italy’s most impressive Gothic cathedrals. Visit the estate of Niccolò Machiavelli and the Chianti wine region (lunching in a vineyard). Also tour well-preserved Lucca and take a mini-train in Pisa to the cathedral and the Leaning Tower.
VENICE • $2,037 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Best of Venice: On this tour of 10 people maximum, see the best of Venice from water, land and the St Mark’s Basilica terraces. Start on Grand Canal; the city’s main waterway snakes past 50 palaces, 6 churches, 4 bridges and 2 markets. Visit Bovolo staircase, stop by Marco Polo’s house (outside), see lively Campo San Luca and Campo SS Giovanni & Paolo. View mosaics at St Mark’s. Secret Venice by Night: Start at Rialto Bridge. As you stroll, your guide tells stories, myths & legends, giving you a local’s perspective. Pass Peggy Guggenheim’s museum and hear about the patroness who lost her father to the Titanic but gained the means to build one of the world’s most notable art collections. End with an unforgettable 40-minute gondola ride as the sun sets.
LONDON • $2,212 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below
Total London: Begin at the Tower of London before it opens to the public. View the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace & take a panoramic drive featuring the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Downing Street and a photo stop at Westminster Abbey. Cruise on the River Thames. Tour St Paul’s Cathedral, including the Whispering Gallery, and take a “flight“ on the London Eye. Stonehenge, Lacock & Bath: Enjoy a sunset viewing of 5,000-year-old Stonehenge, the world’s most popular prehistoric monument. Bath, a World Heritage Site, is a Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces & architecture; tour its Roman Baths. Visit Lacock, a Saxon village where many dramas (Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice“) were filmed. Dine at George Inn, a pub built in 1361. Rates shown are for July 15-20, 2013, and are subject to availability at time of booking. Other dates/rates available. Ask about available add-on airfare.
ART!
•
FOOD!
•
WINE!
includes 4 nights in a Tuscan villa! The romance of Italy comes to life on this tour. Explore the lakes region your way when you choose between a scenic boat ride on Lake Maggiore or a visit to a local farm for a cheese & wine tasting. Explore the rugged coast and remote fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend 4 relaxing nights in a Tuscan villa. Discover the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Experience medieval life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Visit a winery in the countryside and learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Wander a Florentine food market. Spend 2 wonderful nights in Venice. Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden treasures. Travel by boat to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori. Explore Lucca’s piazzas and medieval streets. These are Italy’s treasures! Special inclusion: A serenaded gondola cruise — with Prosecco! — on Venice’s canals! Experience the benefits of Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides. Enjoy regional wines included with every dinner.
Aug 31–Sept 11 AAA Member Rate: $5,610 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Milan, VenicePhiladelphia), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 17 meals, inItaly tour director, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and vendor travel protection. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for itinerary and more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $50.00 PER PERSON
MAY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
AAA Featured Vacations are specific cruise, motorcoach or air tour vacations created or selected by AAA Travel for their value, amenities and/or inclusions. Look for the AAA Featured Vacations logo to identify out-of-the-ordinary offerings.
This year, the people of Ireland are hosting an unprecedented year-long celebration of everything that is unique & great about Ireland. It’s called The Gathering. Communities, villages and towns are organizing gatherings, festivals and events to welcome visitors. With the focus on Ireland’s vibrant living culture, heritage and people, it’s a chance to experience Ireland like never before. • Bunratty Folk Park • Medieval banquet in a 15th-century castle • Cliffs of Moher • Flying Boat Museum
LEWISBURG . . . . . . . . . . . .570-524-7455 SUNBURY . . . . . . . . . . . . . .570-286-4507 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. AAA Featured Vacations are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.
Celebrity Cruises & AAA Vacations offer some of the best values at sea & great benefits unavailable elsewhere! ®
Priority Check-in does not grant priority boarding
Up to $100 Onboard Credit per stateroom
DATE
SHIP
ITINERARY
11/7 15
NTS
Infinity
Panama Canal: Miami to San Juan
11/9 7
Summit
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan
11/16 7
Reflection
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami
11/23 7
Reflection
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami
11/30 7
Summit
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan
11/30 14
Eclipse
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
12/7 7
Summit
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan
12/9 11
Equinox
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
12/14 7
Summit
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan
12/15 7
Silhouette
Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
12/20 10
Equinox
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
12/21 7
Reflection
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami
12/22 7
Silhouette
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale
12/28 7
Reflection
Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami
12/28 7
Summit
Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan
New bookings only. Offers listed available only on AAA Vacations departures. Combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions. ®
• Killarney National Park, including Muckross House • Ring of Kerry drive, including the Skellig Experience & Moll’s Gap • Waterford Crystal tour • Russborough House mansion • Dinner & song at a real pub • Dublin: city tour & free time ...AND MUCH MORE!
Oct 13-20 • AAA Member Rate: $1,399 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
Enjoy 2 valuable benefits EXCLUSIVELY for members BEST-PRICE GUARANTEE
If you find a better rate for the exact same cruise itinerary & experience within 24 hours of booking, AAA Vacations ® will match the lower rate...and you’ll receive a $50.00 future-travel credit certificate.
24 / 7 MEMBER CARE
Get peace of mind whenever you need emergency assistance while traveling — a toll-free domestic number and collect-call instructions for international travelers.
A special kind of cruise stands apart from all others — a AAA Vacations ® cruise available only from AAA Travel. It delivers unique features designed to ensure you have the best vacation experience. Compare a AAA Vacations ® cruise against the same cruise offered elsewhere; see how much more your vacation dollar gets you at AAA. Even if you find the same cruise (without AAA Vacations ® benefits, of course!) at a lower price some-where else within 24 hours of booking your AAA Vacations ® cruise, AAA will match that rate and give you a $50.00 future-travel voucher... guaranteed!
Edinburgh: welcome drink & dinner • Spean Bridge Woolen Mill • Loch Ness cruise • Scottish Highland evening • Culloden Battlefield • Whisky tasting/tour at Blair Athol Distillery • Edinburgh Castle & city tour • Ferry to Northern Ireland • Belfast: city tour, Titanic Center • Dublin: city tour, Book of Kells, canal dinner cruise with live music • Rock of Cashel • Blarney: Castle & Woolen Mills • Killarney: national park “jaunting car” ride • Ring of Kerry • The Skellig Experience • Sneem • Moll’s Gap • River Shannon ferry • Cliffs of Moher (pictured) • Bunratty Castle medieval banquet • AND MUCH MORE!
Nov 2-12 • AAA Member Rate: $1,698 Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 16 meals (including medieval banquet, canal dinner cruise), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
PROGRAMS OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL
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AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel PASADENA
MAY 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
CALIFORNIA New Yearʼs Getaway including reserved seats for the worldfamous Tournament of Roses Parade!
Dec 29–Jan 3 AAA Member Rate: $3,305 Start in LA, touring historic Farmers Market, glitzy Rodeo Drive and star-studded Hollywood. At the Chinese Theatre (née Grauman’s, then Mann’s), see celebrity signatures immortalized in cement. Follow the bronze medallions studding Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. At Hollywood & Highland, a shopping & entertainment complex housing the new home of Academy Awards extravaganzas, enjoy a great view of the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign from the upper level. Continue to downtown LA if time permits, then relax and get acquainted with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at at a bayfront restaurant in Long Beach. Day 2 takes you to Pasadena to see floats in the final stage of parade preparation; watch volunteers & professionals hand-apply flowers. Tour Burbank’s Warner Brothers Studios for a behind-the-scenes look into making films and TV shows; be alert for star sightings! Return to your hotel to relax poolside or enjoy beachside paths for walking, jogging and biking. Dining on your own allows you to explore Long Beach. On Day 3, drive to Simi Valley’s Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, the nation’s largest and most elaborate; see a full-scale Oval Office replica, Air Force One, a re-created White House state dinner and numerous videos & displays. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through exclusive Malibu to fun & funky Santa Monica; explore its
variety of sights in your free time. Attend an exclusive New Year’s Eve party in Long Beach on the magnificent Queen Mary — a luxurious setting for sophisticated dining, dancing and bidding farewell to 2013 in grand style. Usher in 2014 with a toast from the best seat in Long Beach for a gigantic fireworks display off the ship’s stern! Day 4 finds you in Pasadena, at your reserved seat for the Roses Parade — 60 flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians. Stop at Victory Park to view the floats up close. Enjoy lunch in see-&-be-seen West Hollywood, then drive to your all-suite hotel on San Diego’s waterfront. Explore this unique city on Day 5; see Cabrillo Monument atop Point Loma, with commanding views of the Pacific, the harbor and the city skyline. Drive through Mission Bay, continue to Old Town (California’s birthplace) and La Jolla, a chic beachside hideaway where you’ll have time to explore. Established in 1868, Balboa Park is the country’s oldest and one of its largest city parks. Take a guided tour on a doubledecker bus at San Diego Zoo, then board the luxurious Lord Hornblower, designed to resemble the grand steamships that once plied the harbor; enjoy entertainment, dancing and a sit-down dinner while cruising past glittering harbor lights under radiant stars in the sky before debarking at the Embarcadero. All too soon, fly home on Day 6.
Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Harrisburg– Los Angeles, San Diego–Harrisburg), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person), 10 meals (including 2 dinner cruises), 2 cocktail parties, reserved parade seat, taxes/gratuities on included items, local tour manager and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met).
Since the inaugural race in 1994, this annual 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup points race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become one of NASCAR’s most-attended events and its second highest paying race in dollars (behind the Daytona 500). Don’t miss it!
Reserved paddock seating with views of turns 1 & 4, the pit road & the winner’s circle 2-night accommodations, daily breakfast & tax at Embassy Suites Indianapolis–North A $50.00 gas card AAA Member Rate: $375 per person, double occupancy LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
MAY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
ATLANTIC ADVENTURE
Hug the rugged shores of — and never venture far from — the Atlantic Ocean on this exciting exploration of coastal Canada & New England. Witness the influence the sea has on life & land in Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. From big cities to tiny villages, experience cultural differences, visit fascinating attractions and taste unique regional cuisines. The combination of spectacular natural beauty, insightful guides and inevitable camaraderie that AAA motorcoach sightseeing tours are known for make this a journey you’ll not soon forget.
July 12-20: Roundtrip from Harrisburg • AAA Member Rate: $2,639 Boston MA • Portland ME • NB: St John, Reversing Falls Rapids, Fundy National Park PEI: Green Gables, PEI National Park • NS: Cabot Trail, Cape Breton, Alexander Graham Bell site, Anne Murray Centre • NB: St Andrews by the Seas, Kingsbrae Gardens • AND MORE! Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (HarrisburgBoston), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, super-deluxe motorcoach (wi-fi, leather seats, video screens, seatback trays, seatbelts), sightseeing/admissions, 17 meals, taxes/gratuities on included items, baggage handling (1 per person), services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
COLORS, COASTS & COVES Experience Canada aboard the elegant, sophisticated ships of Oceania. Its midsize vessels can journey off the beaten path to boutique ports and yet provide all the amenities of larger ships. Overnight stays and late-evening departures FREE FLIGHTS allow you to fully explore each fascinating AND $50.00 IN destination, while exemplary service, gourmet ONBOARD CREDIT cuisine and opulent accommodations ensure your onboard experience is defined by luxury and comfort. Canada & New England ignite in a blaze of color each autumn. A foliage tapestry of fiery reds, brilliant oranges, delicate yellows and exotic purples blankets the land, attracting “leaf peepers.” And the best seat for viewing the drama is on Regatta. Best of all, the backdrop changes daily for the maximum effect of nature’s glory. Opportunities for adventure ashore are as spectacular as the scenery. Tour the Gilded Age mansions in Newport. Ride the funicular to Dufferin Terrace for the best view of Québec City. Marvel at seafaring artifacts in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax and amazing seascapes in Rockland’s Farmsworth Museum. Indoors & out, the show goes on forever.
Sept 12-24: Montréal to New York
Québec City QC • St Lawrence River (cruising) • Corner Brook NF • Charlottetown PE Sydney NS • Halifax NS • St John (Bay of Fundy) NB • Bar Harbor ME Rockland/Camden ME • Gulf of Maine (cruising) • Newport RI
Oct 6-18: New York City to Montréal (reverse itinerary of departure above) AAA Member Rate: from $4,797 (including FREE FLIGHTS!) Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (SEPT: PhiladelphiaMontréal, New York–Philadelphia) (OCT: Philadelphia–New York, Montréal-Philadelphia), roundtrip airport/pier transfers, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government fees/taxes and $50 onboard credit per stateroom. Ship’s registry: Marshall Islands. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Independent travel with AAA Vacations®
On your own but never alone You want to travel to Europe, but you don’t care to be with an organized tour group. And yet you’d like the convenience & value of pre-arranged elements (like hotels, sightseeing, intercity rail/ferry transporation and airport transfers) at lower-than-market rates only a travel industry power-buyer can offer. AAA Vacations® answers the call! If you prefer a flexible vacation with limited structure, pre-packaged Independent Vacations from AAA Vacations® are the perfect solution for you. Choose from more than 20 exciting vacation combinations, all offering a choice of trip and hotel standard. In addition, you’ll have 24/7 access to a local host in each city. These hosts know the “lay of the land” and can provide advice and answer any qestions for you throughout your trip. With guaranteed daily departures, you can travel any day you wish. Your package will include private roundtrip airport/hotel transfers and a choice of 4- or 5-star centrally located hotels in each city, including hotel taxes and service charges. You even get breakfast daily! Also included is rail transportation with reserved seats between each city
(standard class on 4-star-hotel option or first class on 5-star-hotel option). If you travel between islands in the Mediterranean, your ferry transportation is also included. Of course, a city sightseeing tour in your featured city(ies) is included. AAA members enjoy a wide range of helpful services & money-saving benefits, including 24/7 Member Care, a Best Price Guarantee and a $40 per person dining credit redeemable at select restaurants popular with locals. And don’t forget the AAA Member Benefit of $40 per person off packages totaling $2,000 or more per person. Here’s a sample of some 5-day vacations (other day-lengths available): Dublin & Killarney — from $1,109 London & Paris — from $1,275 Rome & Venice — from $944 Barcelona & Madrid — from $1,007 Prague & Budapest — from $835 Self-drive Ireland vacations featuring bed & breakfasts, hotels, castles & manor stays are also available; contact a AAA Travel Agent! Rates are per person double occupancy, land only. Restrictions apply to the AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care and Best Price Guarantee.
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AAAAAA MOTORIST MOTORIST
MAY 2013 MAY 2013
Reserve early for best availability: Call 570-286-4507, email sunbury-trav@aaaec.com or visit 1001 Market St, Sunbury. MOTORCOACH CRUISES FROM NEW YORK NY from $839 per person July 1-6 ............................ Canada & New England ................................. Queen Mary 2 July 14-21 ........................ Bermuda .......................................................... Norwegian Breakaway July 20-28 ........................ Eastern Caribbean .......................................... Carnival Splendor July 29–Aug 3 .................. Canada ............................................................ Carnival Glory Aug 10-15 ........................ Canada ............................................................ Carnival Glory Aug 25–Sept 1 ................. Bermuda .......................................................... Norwegian Breakaway Sept 8-15 ......................... Bermuda .......................................................... Norwegian Breakaway Sept 15-22 ....................... Bermuda .......................................................... Norwegian Breakaway Oct 5-12 ........................... Canada & New England ................................. Carnival Glory Oct 16-24 ......................... Eastern Caribbean .......................................... Carnival Splendor Oct 20-27 ......................... Bahamas & Florida .......................................... Norwegian Breakaway
MOTORCOACH CRUISES FROM BALTIMORE MD from $899 per person Sept 8-15 ................................... Eastern Caribbean ................................ Carnival Pride Sept 19-27 ................................. New England & Canada ....................... Grandeur of the Seas Nov 16-26 .................................. Western Caribbean ............................... Grandeur of the Seas
MOTORCOACH CRUISES FROM BAYONNE NJ from $899 per person July 6-11 .......................... Bermuda .......................................................... Explorer of the Seas Aug 18-25 ........................ Bermuda .......................................................... Celebrity Summit Aug 22-31 ........................ Bermuda & Caribbean .................................... Explorer of the Seas Sept 1-7 ........................... Bermuda .......................................................... Celebrity Summit Sept 7-21 ......................... New England & Canada ................................. Celebrity Summit Oct 5-19 ........................... New England & Canada ................................. Celebrity Summit Oct 13-20 ......................... Bermuda .......................................................... Explorer of the Seas Nov 9-16 .......................... Southern Caribbean ....................................... Celebrity Summit
ESCORTED TOURS
OTHER CRUISES & CRUISETOURS
Aug 5-13 .................Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island
July 1-13 ...............................Alaska Denali Explorer Cruisetour ............ Sapphire Princess
Oct 2-10 ..................Ireland Oct 24-Nov 2 ..........Hawaii Three-island Adventure
with 3 National Parks
July 7-19 ...............................Mediterranean & Greek Isles Cruise ......... Celebrity Silhouette Chrisman Morning Show
July 18-31 .............................Alaska Denali Explorer Cruisetour ............ Coral Princess Aug 2-14 ...............................Alaska Denali Connoisseur Cruisetour...... Coral Princess Aug 12-24 .............................Alaska Denali Explorer Cruisetour ............ Sapphire Princess with 3 National Parks
Aug 18-31 .............................Dawson & Denali Alaska Cruisetour ......... Zuiderdam Sept 6-13 ..............................Alaska Inside Passage Cruise ..................... Radiance of the Seas Sept 6-14 ..............................Paddlewheel Riverboat Cruise .................. American Queen St Louis to Memphis
Sept 27–Oct 6 .......................Hawaiian Islands Cruise ............................. Pride of America Sept 29–Oct 8 .......................Tuscany-to-Provence Cruise ....................... Azamara Journey Oct 18–Nov 2 ........................Panama Canal Cruise ................................. Westerdam Oct 25–Nov 2 ........................Danube Riverboat Cruise........................... Viking Idun (new ship) Germany, Austria & Hungary
Feb 15-23, 2014 ..................Southern Caribbean Cruise ....................... Providence of the Seas Chrisman Morning Show
ESCORTED MOTORCOACH TOURS June 5-11 .................... Mackinac Island & Frankenmuth MI June 29 ....................... “The Phantom of the Opera” Broadway Show: New York City NY July 20......................... “The Lion King” Broadway Show: New York City NY Aug 6-9 ....................... Ride Ohio’s Buckeye Rails Aug 10 ........................ Inner Harbor: Baltimore MD Oct 9 ........................... "Noah" at Sight & Sound Theatre: Lancaster PA Oct 14-18 .................... Cape Cod & Hyannis MA
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Southern Africa
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at a shebeen (house tavern). At the Apartheid Museum, take an in-depth look at the nation’s divisive past. Travel through the Drakensburg Mountains to South Africa’s largest game reserve, Kruger National Park. A local expert leads you in search of the Big 5 — elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. Watch carefully from your open-air safari vehicle; you may also see impala, zebra and giraffe. Save enough film or memory to capture the stunning beauty of the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline between mountains and the Indian Ocean on the way to Tsitsikamma Forest, home to hundreds of species of birdlife. At Featherbed Nature Reserve, cruise a lagoon to the Heads, sandstone cliffs near Knysna, culinary capital of oysters and other delectable seafood. Then visit the national ostrich capital; tour a working farm and, if you choose, ride these flightless and largest of living birds. Afterward, a goblet of great wine may be in order. Fortunately, the Cape Winelands region is your next stop! South Africa has produced wine since 1659; visit a wine farm and sample a blend at a winery restaurant among the vines. One of the world’s most multicultural cities, Cape Town hugs a visually stunning harbor with a mountain forming a dramatic backdrop to the City Bowl. With its plateau more than 3,300 feet high, Table Mountain is surrounded
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AAA MEMBER SAVINGS
April 24–May 9, 2014 • AAA Member Rate: $8,699 Rate per person (double occupancy) is before savings, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Philadelphia-Johannesburg), in-Africa flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, sightseeing per itinerary, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 28 meals, in-Africa guide, cancel-for-any-reason protection and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/ GoAfrica for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Kruger National Park: Safari drive Port Elizabeth: Garden Rte gateway Garden Route: coastal scenery Tsitsikamma Forest: birdlife Knysna: resort town, school visit
Lands Down Under
by near-vertical cliffs, Devil’s Peak and In Alice Springs, meet an Aboriginal Lion’s Head. Ride a thrilling cable car to musical group and dine in the bush its top for breathtaking views. (When a with entertainment under the stars. On thin strip of cloud forms over the mouna special Dreamtime tour, you’ll learn tain, locals call it their “tablecloth.”) about Aboriginal culture, meet individOn Cape Peninsula, visit with penuals and even visit a school. guins at Boulder Beach; explore KirstenOften characterized as Victorian, Melbosch Botanical Gardens. Take an afterbourne is lively and cosmopolitan; tour hours tour of the African Gold Museum its lovely Fitzroy Gardens and then travbefore enjoying a traditional African el to Phillip Island Nature Park, home of dining experience. the world’s largest Not yet wowed colony of Little (or, enough? Fly to as they’re known Book & make a deposit Zimbabwe’s Victorto Aussies, Fairy) by May 31, 2013, to save! ia Falls (its indigpenguins, just 13" enous name means tall, the smallest SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA & NZ “smoke that thunpenguin species. $700 ...... Premier .... $1,200 ders”), where the Watch hundreds of $600 ..... AAA Plus ... $1,100 Zambezi River falls these lovable birds in a single vertical waddle from sea $550 .........Basic ....... $1,050 drop into a chasm to beach burrow, a Savings per room, based on double occupancy. To qualify, you must purchase air through AAA. 5,604 feet wide; the fascinating parade depth of the chasm sure to make you varies from 260 to 354 feet. Stay at the smile and one you’ll never forget! 5-star Victoria Falls Hotel, the “grand Next, you’ll air-hop to the “most Engold lady” built in 1904. Take a leisurely lish city outside of England” — Christcruise on the Zambezi at sunset. Then church, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” enjoy a full day — including a safari on Then ride on the Tranz-Alpine Express the back of an elephant! — at Botswathrough the scenic Southern Alps. Exna’s Chobe National Park, home to an perience Franz Josef Glacier Region’s dyabundance of wildlife and game. namic and spectacular glacial landscape. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime travFor even more wows, you can opt for a el opportunity no lover of wildlife and thrilling flightseeing tour of the region. natural scenic beauty should miss. Visit Later, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, AAA.com/GoAfrica and contact a AAA learn about the endangered kiwi bird. Travel Agent today! “The Lord of the Rings” fans will
SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA
Sandton/Johannesburg Soweto: “house tavern” lunch Blyde River Canyon The Three Rondavels Bourke’s Luck Potholes
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Featherbed Nature Reserve Oudtshoorn: ostrich “capital” Stellenbosch/Winelands Cape Town: Table Mtn Gondola Victoria Falls/Zambezi River
AAA-EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU! At Knysna lagoon, enjoy oysters & sparkling wine dockside, a paddle boat ride, an onboard local-specialties cooking demonstration and a delicious 3-course dinner! Enjoy a full-day adventure in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, featuring a river cruise and a memorable wildlife-viewing safari from atop the back of an elephant!
Enjoy an entertaining 30-minute ONLINE PRESENTATION on your computer — the first step of your AAA adventure! Ask real-time questions, learn from travel experts and marvel at incredible images. Register at 1-800-354-8761. South Africa — May 29 @ 7pm Australia & NZ — May 15 @ 7pm
EARN TRIPLE POINTS on your next AAA trip! Book your vacation using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® and earn triple points for each dollar spent on qualifying AAA Travel purchases. That means you could earn enough points to enhance your vacation with an unforgettable beachside horseback ride, amazing snorkeling tour or any of the hundreds of great adventures available. You’ll also get 2,500 bonus points after your first qualifying purchase. Apply at any AAA branch. For more information on the costs and benefits of this card, visit a AAA branch.
absolutely love the voyage to “Middle Earth.” See primeval, mystical landscapes where Tolkien’s powerful trilogy was filmed; vast panoramas of unspoiled wilderness on South Island made it an ideal setting. Trek by 4x4 Range Rovers into the aptly named Remarkable Mountains and across the Arrow River. Visit an 1800s gold rush boomtown, then enjoy a tasting at one of NZ’s famous wineries. Spend ample time exploring the splendor of Mt Cook National Park. Stop at a working farm for a riveting demonstration by a sheep herding dog followed by a sheep shearing. Afterward, sit down to dinner in the home of a friendly local family, getting to know them and their culture. Fly to Sydney for a unique Epicurean tour, savoring each course in a different restaurant. Extensively tour this fun-loving city; see the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, the Botanic Gardens and fashionable Paddington. After a guided tour of the instantly recognizable Sydney Opera House, enjoy time to explore the city’s many other sites. On your final day, wallabies, kangaroos, dingoes and the namesake “stars” of Koala Park will enchant you, as will the gems of the National Opal Collection. End this Oz-some tour with a farewell dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour! An optional 3-night post-tour stay in Fiji is available — a perfect ending to a perfect journey. Contact AAA Travel!
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND April 24–May 14, 2014 • AAA Member Rate: $9,849 Rate per person (double occupancy) is before savings, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Philadelphia-Sydney, Sydney-Christchurch, ChristchurchPhiladelphia), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 30 meals, professional guide in Australia & New Zealand, cancel-for-any-reason protection and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Cairns Rainforest Cableway Great Barrier Reef Uluru/Ayers Rock Alice Springs Aboriginal Dreamtime tour Melbourne
Little Penguin colony Christchurch Tranz-Alpine Express ride Franz Joseph Glacier Queenstown Milford Sound cruise “Middle Earth” 4x4 trek
Winery tour & tasting Mt Cook National Park Herding/shearing demo Dine with a NZ Family Sydney & Opera House Koala Park & Opal Collection Sydney Harbour dinner cruise
AAA-EXCLUSIVE INCLUSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU! In Cairns, at the beginning of your adventure, embrace Australia’s ancient indigenous culture with an evening of entertainment, discovery, delicious cuisine and storytelling that brings Dreamtime legends to life.
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Discovering the romance of riverside America Big wheel keeps on turning on the American Queen
G
rowing up in the 1840s, Mark Twain fell in love with the Mississippi River and the steamboats that were its floating palaces. Today, steamboating and the sheer adventure of what Huck Finn called “lighting out for the Territory” might seem like a time capsule from a bygone era, but you can still experience riverside America the way Twain did — aboard the American Queen. The largest steamboat ever built is rolling on the river again. The whistle blows, a calliope plays, the big wheel keeps on turning in a thrilling blend of Americana, acclaimed cuisine, and showboat-style entertainment. The $65-million showcase of Victorian splendor features six delicately filigreed decks and 222 staterooms and suites. Handsomely appointed public rooms are furnished in polished hardwoods, fine antiques and gleaming brass details. The elegant J.M. White Dining Room features floor to ceiling windows topped with stained glass, and menus designed by culinary superstar Regina Charboneau. A two-story Grand Saloon reflects the opulence of a Gilded Age Opera House with private box seats on the mezzanine. On deck, settle into a rocker on the Front Porch of America and watch a continent go by. From the wild rice marshes of Minnesota to Louisiana bayous,
bluffs, wooded islands and hilly, leafmottled landscapes. Enjoy daily lectures by a Riverlorian, or shore excursions that offer an in-depth immersion into the history, culture and cuisine of America’s heartland. By any measure, the Ohio is a mighty river coursing nearly 1,000 miles. American Queen brings the Ohio River to life sailing through brawny industrial cities and pastoral towns. American Queen sails between St. Louis and Cincinnati and Cincinnati and Pittsburgh with a pair of cruises that travel between Memphis, Chattanooga and St. Louis. Here too are the great Wilderness Rivers coursing through Bluegrass country, conjuring up tales of Davy Crockett, and Daniel Boone.
FIT FOR A QUEEN — American Queen is the largest steamboat in the world. American Queen transits the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. Lower Mississippi itineraries include New Orleans roundtrips and New Orleans to Memphis, where guests will be immersed in the hospitality of the Old South. Here legends gather like driftwood with tales of brawling keelboat men, daring river pilots and wily gamblers. Fertile fields wrap around whitecolumned mansions, and lightning bugs glow in the warm midsummer nights. Special Southern Culture theme cruis-
es will let you soak up the Delta Blues in Helena, Arkansas; learn about the siege of Vicksburg in Vicksburg, Mississippi; visit the beautiful plantation homes in Natchez, and St. Francisville, and sample plenty of Southern cooking. Upper Mississippi cruises travel between Minneapolis/St. Paul and St. Louis, with special theme cruises like Lewis and Clark, and Fall Foliage. Autumn drapes the riverbanks in a coat of crimson, orange and gold. You’ll pass by serene villages perched on steep
IF YOU GO
American Queen is operated by Great American Steamboat Company, which invested more than $5 million to update the vessel. Amenities include a one-night luxury hotel stay and transfers before or after your voyage, and complimentary wines and beers with dinner. All shore excursions are included in the fare. FOR MORE INFORMATION
See the Departures section or visit the AAA Travel Agency for exclusive offers for AAA members on cruises.
Nation’s infrastructure gets a D+ Grade Point Average AAA agrees with engineers: Roads and bridges needs work
T
he American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently issued its 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which is a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s infrastructure across 16 sectors, including roads, bridges and transit systems. Updated every four years, the Report Card uses a simple A to F school report card format to provide a comprehensive assessment of current infrastructure conditions and needs, by assigning grades. This year’s Report Card found that America’s grade for infrastructure rose slightly to a “D+” from a “D” in 2009. Of importance to AAA members, roads saw a slight improvement to a “D” up from a “D-” four years ago, bridges improved to a grade of “C+” from a “C” last time and transit systems remained at a “D.” The Report Card also contains statespecific reports that have individual conditions and needs numbers for each state. Since 1998, the grades have been near failing, averaging only Ds, due to delayed maintenance and under investment across most categories. “The good news for drivers is that the condition of the nation’s roads and bridges has improved slightly since the last report card was issued. The bad news is grades like these aren’t
CROSSING THAT BRIDGE — One in nine of the nation’s bridges is structurally deficient. going to get us where we need to go in terms of safety or mobility,” said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central. Key trends cited in the report as contributing to the improvements on roads and bridges include: • Renewed efforts in cities and states, to address deficiencies; • Expanded private sector investment in upgrades and adding capacity to the system; • Short-term boosts (since previous
2009 report) like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, Recovery Act or Stimulus Bill). Other findings from the report of interest regarding roads, bridges and transit include: • One third of the nation’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, costing motorists $324 each per year in additional repair costs; • One out of 4 (151,497) of the nation’s bridges are deficient and one in 9
(66,749) of the nation’s bridges are structurally deficient; • ASCE estimates there is a $112 billion investment gap per year for roads, bridges and transit to keep up with needs; • Average age of bridges is 42 years; • Forty-two percent of major urban highways are congested; congestion costs over $100 billion annually; • There has been a 9.1 percent increase in transit riders over the past decade; • Forty-five percent of Americans lack access to transit and the economy lost $90 billion in 2010 due to deficient transit systems. “AAA encourages Congress to take the lead, work toward a long term funding solution and ensure the American public understands the importance of investing in our transportation system before we fall further behind,” Newbacher added. GRADING THE SYSTEM
An Advisory Council of leading civil engineers appointed by ASCE assigns the grades according to the following eight criteria: capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. The Report Card is available online at www.infrastructurereportcard.org.
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PennDOT adds two programs aimed at saving lives Yellow Dot, Emergency Contact Information programs are free, voluntary
P
ennDOT recently launched two voluntary programs aimed at saving the lives of Pennsylvanians in emergency situations — the Yellow Dot and Emergency Contact Information programs. “Both of these programs speak for people when they can’t speak for themselves, so medical concerns can be addressed and contacts can be reached as quickly as possible,” said Governor Tom Corbett. “When someone is in a crash or they find themselves in an emergency situation, it’s critical that emergency responders quickly find out as much as they can about the victim.” The Yellow Dot program began with a few communities in Connecticut. In 2011, the Northeast Alabama Traffic Safety Office took the concept and turned it into a nationally recognized program and to date, the office has provided guidance to help develop “Yellow Dot” programs in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Utah, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Tennessee. They received the 2012 Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award from the Governors Highway Safety Association for their efforts. The program was created to assist citizens in the “golden hour” of emergency care following a traffic accident when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves. Placing a yellow dot in your vehicle’s rear window alerts first responders to check
ON THE DOT — Placing a yellow dot in your vehicle’s rear window alerts first responders. your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need. Participants in the Yellow Dot program fill out the program form with their emergency contact, medical contact and medical information, insert it in the program’s folder and then place it in their vehicle’s glove compartment. Then they place a yellow dot sticker on their vehicle’s rear window.
The decal, which should be placed no higher than 3 inches from the bottom of the windshield, alerts emergency responders to check a vehicle’s glove compartment for the folder, helping emergency responders provide specific care to participants after a crash. The program is a cooperative effort among the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation, Health and Aging, the Pennsylvania State Police, the
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and First Responders and local law enforcement. The Emergency Contact Information program offers Pennsylvania driver’s license and PennDOT-issued ID holders the opportunity to log into a secure database and list two emergency contacts. Customers can update the information as needed, but only law enforcement officials can view their information in the system. In the event of an emergency, law enforcement can use the participant’s ID to find their emergency contact information. While the Yellow Dot program is utilized only in vehicle crashes, the Emergency Contact Information program is usable in other emergencies as well as crashes. “I sincerely hope that people never have to use these programs once they’re signed up, but I’m pleased that Pennsylvania now has these tools available to help people when they’re in dire need,” Corbett said. FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the Yellow Dot program, or to sign up for a free program folder or to find locations where program materials can be picked up, visit www. YellowDot.pa.gov. To sign up for the Emergency Contact Information program, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and click on the program icon.
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2013 AAA Approved Auto Repair Centers ALLEGHENY EAST
ARMSTRONG COUNTY
BLOOMFIELD B&M AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES.....................412-682-7511
ALLEGHENY TWP AMSLER AUTOMOTIVE................................724-845-3146
CHURCHILL TYKES SHELL AUTO SERVICE .....................412-243-2432
EAST BRADY SEYBERT’S AUTO SERVICE .........................724-526-5647 RURAL VALLEY GOLDSTROHM AUTO LLC ...........................724-783-2449
EAST LIBERTY MIKE’S AUTO BODY ....................................412-362-0100 AAMCO TRANSMISSION & COMPLETE CAR CARE ................................412-661-1000 RUDY MOLNAR SERVICE CENTER ..............412-682-5700
BUTLER COUNTY BUTLER DIEHL AUTOMOTIVE CHRYS/DODGE/JEEP ..................................724-282-8898 KERVEN SUBARU .......................................724-287-0734 MIKE KELLY CHEV/CADI/HYUN ...................800-255-3559
LAWRENCEVILLE PITTSBURGH COLLISION ............................412-784-1292 MCKEESPORT MCKEESPORT AUTO BODY .........................412-672-0696 TOM CLARK CHEVROLET ............................412-751-2900
CRANBERRY GILLECE TRANSMISSIONS..........................724-776-2200 CRANBERRY TWP DENNY’S JORDEN SERVICE CTR..............................................724-776-3433
MONROEVILLE # 1 COCHRAN COLLISION CENTER .............412-372-8601 DAY CHEVROLET ........................................412-327-0900 DAY FORD ..................................................412-856-0600 FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE ...........412-856-0500 GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER ...........412-373-3005 IMPORTS BY DAY VW/AUDI ........................724-327-4900
MARS FLEMING TIRE & AUTO SERVICE.................724-625-1577 RENFREW JUDSON AUTO BODY ..................................724-789-1111
NORTH VERSAILLES DARYL FOX AUTO SERVICE.........................412-829-8282
SAVER EKAS AUTOMOTIVE.....................................412-353-2430
OAKLAND BAUM BLVD AUTOMOTIVE ..........................412-682-1866 BELLISARIO’S AUTOMOTIVE .......................412-687-9258
FAYETTE COUNTY
PENN HILLS TWP NICKS COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR & TIRE............................................412-793-1131 PITTSBURGH ARS AUTOMOTIVE ....................................... 412-7954059 BASTONE AUTO SERVICE ...........................412-361-3554 BONURA & SATTLER AUTO BODY SHOP ......412-361-8829 DAVE SMITH AUTO .....................................412-244-1030 GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER ...........412-281-9318 STUCKERT’S AUTO SERVICE.......................412-621-4115 WHITE OAK POZZUTO’S AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE..........412-751-0800
ALLEGHENY NORTH ALLISON PARK FOREIGN TRAFFIC, INC. ..............................724-449-9999 BELLEVUE GOODYEAR TIRE CENTER ...........................412-766-0800 RUSS’S AUTO CARE ...................................412-734-4558
FAYETTE CITY ROBERTS AUTO BODY ................................724-326-5653 RYAN’S AUTO GLASS ..................................412-781-0067 WARRENDALE COMPLETE COLLISION INC.........................724-935-1044 WEXFORD BILLCO MOTORS MAZDA/VW .....................724-940-1000 HERB SCOTT SERVICE................................724-935-3220 KOLLINGER AUTO BODY .............................724-934-4941
ALLEGHENY SOUTH BALDWIN EARNELL MILLER’S CITGO .........................412-885-3030
WEST MIFFLIN LESCHAK AUTOMOTIVE ..............................412-469-3575
BETHEL PARK BETHEL PARK AUTOMOTIVE .......................412-831-0300 GILLECE TRANSMISSIONS..........................412-835-6199 THE GARAGE ..............................................412-831-1363
ALLEGHENY WEST
BRIDGEVILLE HAMLIN’S AUTO .........................................412-221-2100 BROOKLINE MJ AUTO SERVICE......................................412-531-9909
GLENSHAW KREBS AUTO TEAM ....................................412-486-2500
DORMONT DON RUFFING SERVICE, INC.......................412-561-9911
HAMPTON TWP GILLECE TRANSMISSION ............................412-492-1580
ELIZABETH ELIZABETH AUTOCARE ...............................412-384-7700
MCCANDLESS TWP AAMCO TRANSMISSION & COMPLETE CAR CARE ................................412-367-1670 MASCARI AUTO CENTER, INC. ....................412-367-4810
JEFFERSON HILLS PRECISION BODY & SERVICE .....................412-655-7876
PITTSBURGH ELITE COLLISION ........................................412-459-0202 GRACELAND AUTO BODY............................412-322-3566 ROSS TWP CRITCHLOW AUTO BODY ............................412-821-1864 TROUBLE SHOOTERS .................................412-931-0669 SHARPSBURG FERRA AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE ....................412-781-7519
SCOTT TWP. MJ AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER ............412-275-3289 SOUTH HILLS ATLAS TRANSMISSION ...............................412-531-2852 WEST HOMESTEAD ARMY’S TRANSMISSION ............................412-462-5100
CHESWICK OAK’S AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE..................724-274-9011
NATRONA HEIGHTS EXPERT TIRE ...............................................412-224-2664 LIEBERTH & SONS ......................................412-828-0520
BOWSER HYUNDIA SUBARU.......................412-469-2100 KNOLL AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES..................412-655-3398
MUNHALL BAKOTA’S AUTO SERVICE ...........................412-461-3599 OVERBROOK GILLECE TRANSMISSIONS..........................412-885-1233 PITTSBURGH A-AUTOMOTIVE ..........................................412-885-4010 BECKMAN MOTORS....................................412-431-5000 CENTERLINE COLLISION.............................412-531-7751 ROHRICH TOYOTA .......................................412-344-6012 PLEASANT HILLS AAMCO TRANSMISSION & COMPLETE CAR CARE ................................412-881-8588 BOWSER BUICK/GMC .................................412-469-2100
CARNEGIE CARNEGIE MOTORS....................................412-276-3800 MILEY AUTO & RV SERVICE ........................412-279-6200
SMITHFIELD AUTO TECH AUTO SERVICE.........................724-569-9300 UNIONTOWN EQ MUFFLER & AUTO CENTER ...................724-439-3669 EXPERT TIRE ..............................................724-438-7302
INDIANA COUNTY INDIANA HAMMILL’S AUTOMOTIVE ...........................724-349-6996 IMPORT AUTO WORKS ................................724-349-9211 MCGILL’S CAR WORLD ...............................724-349-1108
MERCER COUNTY HERMITAGE MEL GRATA CHEVROLET/TOYOTA ...............724-347-7702 MONTROSE BUICK/CADILLAC/GMC ............724-962-0900 MERCER KRESS AUTO CENTER.................................724-662-2631
CRAFTON THE BODY SHOP @ 60 ...............................412-921-2121 WOLBERT AUTO BODY & REPAIR................412-922-8898
SNYDER COUNTY
MCKEES ROCKS JIM CRIVELLI CHEVROLET ..........................412-331-0120 PINE HOLLOW SERVICES............................412-771-3600
UNION COUNTY
MOON TOWNSHIP THE BODY SHOP @ MOON TOWNSHIP AUTO BODY ...................412-269-2867 NORTH STAR CHEVY ..................................412-264-4607 WEST HILLS NISSAN INC. ..........................412-262-9020
WASHINGTON COUNTY
PITTSBURGH ARLINGTON AUTO CENTER .........................412-563-6000 SCHULER’S SERVICE CTR. .........................412-331-0277 ROBINSON TWP # 1 COCHRAN COLLISION CENTER .............412-788-4444 AAMCO TRANSMISSION & COMPLETE CAR CARE ................................412-922-2250 DICK KERNICK SERVICE CENTER ...............412-922-6181 FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE ...........412-788-9570 FOREIGN FIX ..............................................412-787-5181 SNYDER BROTHERS AUTO INC ...................412-787-9988 THORNBURG AUTOMOTIVE .........................412-922-3700
SELINSGROVE PAUL STINE CHEVROLET….570-374-1151 LEWISBURG E.L. SMELTZ AUTOMOTIVE….570-524-0310 BROWNSVILLE PARTS PLUS ...............................................724-785-7505 CANNONSBURG RUSSO’S AUTO SVC. ..................................724-745-0279 EIGHTY FOUR KILKEARY’S AUTO BODY INC ......................724-941-4940 MONONGAHELA BIG G TIRE CO ............................................724-258-6616 PETERS TWP SUN CHEVROLET ........................................412-344-8000 WASHINGTON AAMCO TRANSMISSION & COMPLETE CAR CARE ............................724-222-2229 BUDD BAER ALL GM MODELS/SUBARU/MAZDA..........................724-222-0700
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AAA MOTORIST
MAY 2013
Go riding the rails around Colorado Taking the high road in the Centennial State
R
ed is the color that gives Colorado its stately splendor. Even the name Colorado comes from the Spanish term for the ruddy tones of the native sandstone. Located just outside Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is home to some of the most uniquely beautiful sandstone rock formations in the country. Set against the backdrop of Pike’s Peak these solemn red giants include the Tower of Babel and the Kissing Camels. The Pikes Peak Cog Railway — the world’s highest cog train — has transported visitors to the rocky pinnacle since 1891. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” in 1893, after being inspired by the scenery, which includes otherworldly rock formations, dense stands of aspen and the peaks of the Continental Divide. Colorado is filled with Rocky Mountain highs. The Royal Gorge Bridge — the world’s highest suspension bridge — hovers 955-feet above the Arkansas River. Just below the bridge America’s steepest incline railway slides 1,500 feet down to the canyon floor. Riding inside tiny cages, big enough for just two people, the incline descends at a seemingly impossible 45-degree angle for the 6-minute trip down to the roaring Arkansas River. Hidden away in a little-known corner of the southern Rocky Mountains
Traveling through the breathtaking canyons of San Juan National Forest the steam train takes 3.5 hours to complete the 45-mile route to the former mining town of Silverton. The National Historic Landmark features a Victorian-era downtown, filled with fine, Italianate-style storefronts, or visitors can go underground at the Old Hundred Gold Mine. The Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Towering multi-hued monoliths erupt from rock layers that are nearly two billion years old. The canyons are etched deep into sandstone, while pinion pines and junipers crown the high desert plateau and enormous rock towers.
THE SCENIC ROUTE — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in continuous operation for nearly 125 years. the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is almost unchanged since the day the first whistle blew back in 1880. An authentic artifact of the Old West the railway remains a spectacular example of mountain railroading. Clinging to the sheer rock faces, the 7-hour, 64-mile journey ascends 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass. The train snakes carefully along a narrow ledge and from here the view is straight down. Later the hills begin to soften and
the grassy hills flatten into a broad plain as the steam locomotive chugs into Antonito, Colorado. Durango’s mountain location may only be matched by its colorful past. Visitors can ride historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in continuous operation for nearly 125-years. Once used to haul gold and silver the open gondola cars now offer vertigo-inducing views along a dizzying series of switchbacks.
RIDING THE RAILS
AAA’s Railing Around Colorado Rail Tour features some of the world’s great rail journeys and the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountain State. The September 14-21, 2013 escorted tour includes chartered motorcoach transportation, 7-night accommodations and services of a AAA Tour Manager. Please ask about add-on airfare from your departure city. FOR MORE INFORMATION
See this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/USA for special values on great adventures in the American West.
MAY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
Play it safe with your children this summer
PAGE 25
Proper restraints can help curb car-related injuries
Y
oung people are our most precious resource and great strides have been made in protecting our most vulnerable population. In 2000 for example, motor vehicle crashes claimed the lives of 2,343 children 14 years of age and under, and injured nearly 300,000 others. By 2009, those numbers had declined by almost fifty percent. Unfortunately, motor vehicle crashes are still responsible for one third of all unintentional child fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) they are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 and 14. The real tragedy is that so many of these deaths and injuries could be prevented. Three out of four child safety seats are improperly used or improperly installed in vehicles. About one third of the children under age 4 who die in crashes are completely unrestrained. Although all fifty states have primary child passenger safety laws they differ widely in age requirements, enforcement standards, and penalties for noncompliance. Caregivers typically view these laws as a guide to their families’ safety habits but it’s apparent they are not always well understood. According to AAA polling, only 39 percent of parents know the specific rules in their states. The American Academy of Pediatrics, recently revised its child restraint
weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their CSS. A seat belt contacts only the shoulders, belly and hips, but car seats with five-point harnesses distribute the energy of a crash over a larger area of the body. Children should remain in child safety or booster seats until they are at least 4’9”, the minimum height for using standard seat belts. A beltpositioning booster seat raises the child up, so an adult seat belt fits properly, providing better protection than a seat belt alone. Don’t forget to check the expiration dates on the child safety seats you’re using, too. Exposure to sun, cold, and heat, as well as general wear and tear, degrade the plastic and foam in the seats, so they begin to lose their effectiveness.
GIVING SAFETY A BOOST — Booster seats can reduce the odds of injury in a crash by 59 percent for children ages 4-7. guidelines to keep pace with the latest research and technology. These guidelines are a useful benchmark for caregivers and are consistent with those of NHTSA. Rear-facing car safety seat (CSS) for kids until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of their CSS. In a crash a rear-facing child
safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body. All kids 2 years or older, or those younger than 2 years who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their CSS, should use a forward-facing CSS with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest
SEATED, SAFE AND SECURE
In 2002, AAA launched Seated, Safe and Secure, a campaign to raise awareness of child passenger safety and strengthen occupant protection laws for everyone under the age of 18. Since then, AAA has lobbied to enact stronger child restraint laws in 47 states and the District of Columbia and promote child passenger safety with local events like our Child Safety Seat Round Up, which collects used and discarded car seats that may no longer be safe to use.
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AAA MOTORIST
MAY 2013
Hoof dreams begin at Warm Springs Ranch Budweiser Clydesdales celebrate 80th anniversary
T
he Budweiser Clydesdales are celebrating a major milestone this year — the 80th anniversary of their association with Anheuser-Busch. The horses have been an integral part of AnheuserBusch’s heritage since 1933, and their strength and majesty symbolize quality and team spirit. They were formally introduced to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition for beer. Warm Springs Ranch, near Booneville Missouri, is home to more than 100 Budweiser Clydesdales including Hope, the star of Budweiser’s award-winning Super Bowl commercial. The state-ofthe-art stud farm sits on 300-plus acres of lush rolling countryside, allowing the Clydesdales plenty of room to roam. It features a 25,000-square-foot breeding barn with a veterinary lab and 10 pastures. The ranch is open for public tours from April 1 to October 31. Scottish farmers living along the banks of the River Clyde first bred Clydesdales in the early 19th century. Jeff Knapper, general manager for Clydesdale operations for AnheuserBusch, said that more than 35 baby Clydesdales will be foaled at the farm this year. This includes Stan, the firstborn foal of 2013, named after all-time baseball great Stan Musial. Those with the proper markings for a Budweiser Clydesdale — a bay coat, a blaze of white on the face, four white stocking feet, and a black mane and tail — have
beer wagon and the luxury tractortrailers that transport 10 horses and the red, white and gold beer wagon to appearances all across the country. John Soto, supervisor of Warm Springs Ranch, has been providing care for the Clydesdales for 33 years. In fact, he was the inspiration for the handler featured in the “Brotherhood” Super Bowl commercial that won USA Today’s AdMeter. “Since the Super Bowl, many people have asked me what it feels like to have been portrayed by an actor on such a large stage,” Soto said. “I tell them I’m humbled and lucky, but that’s really how I feel every day, getting to share my life with and care for these beautiful animals, each of which has their own personality.”
NEW KID IN TOWN — More than 35 baby Clydesdales are expected at Warm Springs Ranch this year. a future spot on one of the traveling hitches. Horses that join the Budweiser hitch must be at least four years old, stand 18 hands or six feet tall, and weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds. Each hitch horse consumes as much as 25 quarts of whole grains, 50 to 60 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water a day. The ranch offers twice-daily tours every day except for Wednesday. The
tour costs $10 per person and lasts one-and-a-half hours. Knapper says the popularity of the Super Bowl spot has certainly piqued the public’s curiosity about the training of Budweiser Clydesdales and how they spend their early years. Guests get to meet and interact with the Clydesdale handlers and get an up close look at the foals, mares and stallions. They’ll also see a 1903 Studebaker
TAKE A AAA DRIVE TRIP
Longing for the freedom of the open road? AAA Drive Trips feature more than 100 flexible, two- to five-day driving itineraries for popular U.S. and Canadian destinations. Each online itinerary includes an overview map, estimated drive time, mileage, photos, sightseeing information and links to information on cities, attractions and events. To start your journey just click on AAA.com/drivetrips and before you know it, the entire continent unfolds across your screen.
Choosing the right tire is as easy as ABC How to read the writing on the sidewall
B
uying new tires can be confusing. There’s a bewildering array of choices and unfamiliar terminology. Fortunately there’s a lot of good information right where you need it — on the tires. All tires have information printed on their sidewalls indicating size, type, load, and speed ratings through a standardized set of numbers and letters like: P215/65R-15 95H. P stands for passenger tire, 215/65 is the width and aspect ratio of the tire, while R designates a radial tire. The number 15 indicates the wheel size, while 95 is the load index and H stands for the speed rating. The higher the load index, the greater the load a tire can support. A 95 load index for example, means the tire can carry approximately 1521 lbs. The speed rating is the speed a tire was designed to be driven over an extended period of time. Ratings range from M — 81 miles per hour, to Y-186 mph although not quite in alphabetical order. An H or 130 mph rating for example is higher than a U or 124 mph rating. Most tire companies do not recommend downgrading the speed rating from your original equipment tires. If a tire is rated for safe performance in mud and snow, it will be noted on the sidewall with an M/S, M+S or M&S symbol.
AS EASY AS ABC — Manufacturers are required to grade tires under the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system (UTQG). In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system (UTQG) and establish ratings for tread wear, traction, and temperature resistance. This grading system provides guide-
lines for making relative comparisons when purchasing new tires. Treadwear grades indicate a tire’s relative wear rate. The higher the number, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. A tire grade of 400 should wear twice as long as a tire grade of 200.
Traction grades rate a tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement and is graded as AA, A, B, and C from best to worst. Most passenger car tires are rated A, while B, and C ratings tend to be found on light truck tires. Temperature grades reflect a tire’s resistance to heat. Sustained high temperatures such as driving long distances in hot weather can cause a tire to deteriorate, leading to blowouts and tread separation. Tires are graded as A, B, or C with an A rating signifying the coolest running tire. That does not mean C rated tires are unsafe. All tires should perform safely and reliably when driven at the speed limit, but higher graded tires will give you a greater margin of safety. Although this rating system can be very helpful when buying new tires, it is no guarantee. Factors such as personal driving style, type of car, road quality and tire maintenance habits all have a significant influence on your tire’s performance and longevity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buying, operating and maintaining a vehicle.
MAY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
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AAA MOTORIST
MAY 2013