Wva by AAA East Central

SEE PAGE 3

Vol. 20 No. 2

OHIO/WEST VIRGINIA • WEST VIRGINIA/STEUBENVILLE REGION

MEMBERS SAVE! Premier ... $350 Plus............ $325 Basic ..........$275

Meet these Celtic ‘Cousins’

New bookings with deposit March 1-31, 2015. Savings are per room, double occupancy.

t one location, a mere 12 miles separates Ireland (home to Ireland and Northern Ireland) from Britain (home to Scotland, England and Wales); the geographic proximity of these 2 islands facilitated the spread of Celtic culture from the Scottish Highlands to Ireland’s Atlantic shores. That shared heritage — and the isles’ spectacularly rugged coastlines, dewy peatlands, emerald-green meadows and heather-carpeted hills — forged the unique temperament of today’s Scots and Irish. A native journalist wryly notes: “We have periods of happiness and contentment, but we count on our deep sense of cynicism and gloom to get us through them.” You’ll no doubt encounter such charmingly selfdeprecating humor, a genuinely inviting hospitality and an effusively friendly welcome on AAA’s Sept 19-30 “Taste of Scotland & Ireland” escorted tour. It’s a comprehensive combination of sights and experiences revealing and embracing the character of 2 destinations very popular with AAA members. Equally popular are the savings members enjoy if they book & deposit by 3/31/15 — as much as $350.00 per room (double occupancy), depending on the level of AAA membership!

Land of Thistle & Haggis Begin in Scotland’s largest metropolis, Glasgow, where 1 of its 3 pro soccer clubs is called Celtic (say Keltic, not Seltic). Enjoy a tour of the city center, which first flourished in Victorian times from shipbuilding and international trade. Drive around George Square and its ornate City Chambers, then visit historic

BLARNEY CASTLE, IRELAND Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest house (1471); originally part of a hospital, it’s been extensively restored. Afterward, share a welcome drink before dinner with your tour director and travel companions. Travel along Loch Lomond, renowned for unsurpassed beauty, into the fabled Highlands and through the deep and narrow valley at Glen Coe, a National Scenic Area notorious for the massacre of the Clan Macdonald by the Clan Campbell in 1692. Continue through Fort William to Spean Bridge Woollen Mill, which offers quality Scottish-made goods. At Fort Augustus, embark on a Loch Ness cruise, keeping eyes open for “Nessie,” the BUNRATTY CASTLE world-famous cryptid (a IRELAND creature or plant whose suggested existence has not been verified by the scientific community). Following this fun & fabled “hunt,” journey to either Inverness or Nairn for the night. At Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry see how whisky (an anglicisation of the Gaelic uisce/uisge, meaning water) is distilled; and — the best part? — is that you get to sample some! Duly fortified, continue to St Andrews, known as the “home of golf” (1754) and for Scotland’s oldest university (~1410); spend some time exploring on your own before heading to Edinburgh and your gracious manor house hotel, set on 1,000 acres with 2 golf courses and spa facilities a few miles from the city. Savor a dinner of excellent Scottish cuisine (definitely not haggis, the national dish — a savory pudding of sheep offal simmered inside the animal’s stomach or, more likely these days, a sausage casing) followed by continued from page 17

MAR./APR. 2015

Monitor and Protect Your Identity with ProtectMyID®

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

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON TRAFFIC FATALITIES

One of the fastest growing crimes in the country, identity theft is an increasingly important concern. AAA now offers identity theft monitoring services to members provided by ProtectMyID®, a part of Experian®. Enrollment in the free ProtectMyID Essential program offers daily monitoring of your Experian credit report, among other valuable resources. Some simple steps members can take to help protect their identity include: passwordprotect everything, and never share your password; keep personal files private and out of easy access; shred preapproved credit card offers or other documents containing personal information; and stay on top of your credit report information. Go the extra step and get peace of mind today by enrolling in ProtectMyID, which helps protect you by detecting signs of fraud and helps you resolve them. To enroll now call 1-877-440-6943 or visit www.AAA.com/idtheft. *Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. Refer to the actual policies for complete terms, conditions and exclusions of coverage.

Auto Pay Saves You Time & Money We understand you’re busy and the last thing you need worry about is being stranded without a valid AAA membership. With AAA East Central’s Auto Pay annual renewal option, you’ll never have to worry about your membership benefits lapsing. Sign up, and your membership renewal will automatically be charged to your credit card or debit card each year. We’ll even send you a reminder before billing your card. And for a limited time, save $10 on next year’s membership renewal when you enroll in Auto Pay at AAA.com/renew, or at any AAA East Central branch office. Auto Pay automatic renewal can be added to your membership at any time, regardless of your membership expiration/renewal date. You’ll rest easy knowing your AAA membership is always there providing uninterrupted service. And, you always have the option of canceling at any time. For more information, visit or call your local AAA East Central Branch office, or call the AAA Member Services Center at 1.800.441.5008 or 412.363.5100 in Pittsburgh.

AAA Mobile Battery Services Passes 1.5 million AAA Mobile Battery Service reached a significant milestone in 2014, making its 1.5 millionth battery replacement last October. AAA serves members’ battery needs with the right equipment, proper full system testing and friendly, informed battery technicians. AAA Battery Service vehicles carry batteries compatible with 90 percent of all cars, SUVs and light trucks on the road. The high-quality AAA branded battery comes with a 72-month warranty, including 36-months free replacement, and members receive a discount. If your vehicle won’t start and you suspect your battery may be the problem, count on AAA to turn battery problems into solutions. AAA Battery Service is available from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7-days a week. To verify AAA Battery Service availability in your area, call our toll-free number: 1.800.222.4357, or visit AAA.com/battery for details.

Celebrity and AAA Travel Are Making Waves in the Caribbean There’s something about the Caribbean that draws us like shells to a beach. And no one knows this sunny stretch of islands better than Celebrity Cruises. Set sail on the ultimate Caribbean Cruise this fall aboard Celebrity Equinox. This November 20-30 sailing calls in at St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Barbados, Dominica and St. Maarten. Book and deposit this Featured Vacation and take advantage of add-on roundtrip airfare to Ft. Lauderdale for just $199! But hurry space is limited. SEE PAGE 7.

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AAA MOTORIST

Pack the card that pays when you travel It’s safe, convenient and very rewarding

assport? Check. Itinerary and flight information? Check. Hotel confirmation? Check. While you’re at it, don’t forget to bring along another important travel “tool” — the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card. It’s a valuepacked credit card that simply makes travel more rewarding — with outstanding earning power on everyday purchases, no annual limits on how many points you can earn, plus plenty of opportunities to earn double, even triple points.

More Ways to Redeem You’ll never run out of ways to redeem your points, either. Turn points into AAA Vouchers you can use at AAA branches for membership renewal, AAA travel agency services, car rentals, airfare, cruises, and attraction tickets, or that new set of luggage. Or, redeem your points for one percent cash back or Gift Cards redeemable at more than 100 national retailers and restaurants — from the Olive Garden and Panera Bread to Bath & Body Works and Best Buy.

Plus, Safety on the Road The new AAA Member Rewards Visa credit card is packed with safety features, too. On the road, enjoy $500,000 in common carrier travel accident

AAA DIRECTORY INTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com AAA MEMBER SERVICES

triptiks, tourbooks, maps, license, address change

412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008 APPROVED AUTO REPAIR 412-365-7411 or 1-800-233-9733 EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE 412-362-1900 or 1-800-222-4357

EXPRESS TRAVEL RESERVATIONS

airline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

412-363-7283 or 1-800-354-8761 INSURANCE SERVICES: PA/WV: 1-800-207-7947 OH: 1-800-589-8308.

MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157

More Ways to Earn TRIPLE points for all of your qualifying AAA and travel purchases (airline tickets, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and more), or any other purchase at AAA; DOUBLE points for gas, grocery, and drug store purchases; ONE point for each dollar on all other retail purchases. Best of all, there are no tiers, no limits on the number of points you can earn*. Plus, you can combine points from multiple AAA Member Rewards Visa accounts!

MARCH 2015

PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6701 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 DRIVER EDUCATION 800-329-2415 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS ATHENS, OH 130 E. State St. ...................740-593-6677 BRIDGEPORT, WV 138 Barnett Run Rd............304-842-2221

A REWARDING EXPERIENCE — A credit card is safer than carrying cash when traveling internationally. insurance. Lose your card? It’s no problem with overnight card replacement. You’ll also have around-the-clock fraud protection and zero liability for fraudulent credit card purchases. To learn more about rates, fees, and other costs and benefits associated with the use of this card, please call 866665-3581or apply online at AAA.com/ CreditCard. * Earn 1 point per dollar of new net retail purchase transactions (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) (“Net Purchases”) charged to the card each billing cycle. Earn 2 points per dollar (consisting of 1 base point and 1 bonus point) for Net Purchases made with the card at any eligible gas, grocery or pharmacy retail merchant categories as

designated by us. Eligible merchants and their associated Merchant Category Codes (“MCC”) are the following: (a) Gas Stations (MCC codes 5541 and 5542); (b) Grocery Stores (MCC codes 5411, 5422, 5441, 5451, 5462, and 5499); and (c) Pharmacy Stores (MCC codes 5122 and 5912). Purchases made at merchants that do not process transactions under these codes will not qualify to receive double points. Earn 3 points per dollar (consisting of 1 base point and 2 bonus points) for Net Purchases made with the card through any participating AAA Club, when AAA is the merchant of record, or at eligible retail travel merchant categories as designated by us. Eligible travel Merchant Category Codes (“MCC”) are the following: (a) Airlines (MCC codes 3000-3299, and 4511); (b) Car Rental Agencies (MCC codes 3351-3441, and 7512); (c) Hotels, Motels, Inns and Resorts (MCC codes 3501-3999, and 7011); (d) Cruise Lines (MCC code 4411); and (e) Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MCC Code 4722). Purchases made at merchants that do not process transactions under these codes will not qualify to receive triple points. Rewards begin at 2,500 points for merchandise, 5,000 points for cash and AAA reward vouchers and 15,000 points for air. Other restrictions apply. Complete details accompany new account materials. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association and are used by the Issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. AAA is a trademark of American Automobile Association, Inc. ©2014 Bank of America Corporation

BUY $50 VISA GIFT CARD FOR JUST $4.95

Now through April 30, when you apply for AAA Member Rewards visa card at any AAA East Central branch office location, you have the opportunity to purchase a $50 Visa gift card for only $4.95! See a store associate for details.

CHILLICOTHE, OH 141 W. Main St. ..................740-702-3838 COLUMBIANA, OH 118 South Main Street.......330-482-3836 EAST LIVERPOOL, OH 516 Broadway ....................330-385-2020 GALLIPOLIS, OH 360 Second Ave. .................740-446-0699 HILLSBORO, OH 125 W. Main St. ..................937-393-3489 HUNTINGTON, WV 1126 Sixth Ave. ..................304-523-6423 IRONTON, OH 624 S. Fourth St..................740-532-3242 JACKSON, OH 126 E. Gay St. .....................740-286-5077 LOGAN, OH 82 W. Main St. ....................740-385-8595 MARTINSBURG, WV 284 Retail Commons Parkway. .............................304-263-4619 MORGANTOWN, WV 482 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive ...... 304-598-7470 PORTSMOUTH, OH 1414 Twelfth St. ................740-354-5614 VIENNA, WV 1100 Ninth St., Unit D........304-295-7101 WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OH 334 E. Court St. ..................740-335-3950 WAVERLY, OH 217 W. Emmitt Ave. ...........740-947-7775 WEIRTON, WV 3126 West St. .....................304-748-1616 WHEELING, WV 846 National Rd. . ..............304-233-1810

MARCH 2015

AAA MOTORIST

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Putting the brakes on traffic fatalities Ohio/West Virginia West Virginia - Steubenville Edition Official publication of AAA East Central Published bi-monthly by AAA East Central 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-5614 USPS 0016-186 ISSN 1074-097X Periodicals Postage Paid at Portsmouth, OH and additional mailing office Postmaster: Send address changes to AAA Motorist South Central Ohio 1414 Twelfth St., Portsmouth OH 45662-0371 Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher.....................................James E. Lehman Managing Editor ..........................Doug O’Neil Ohio Editor ............................Babbette L. Bays Editorial Offices 1414 Twelfth Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4235 5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854

e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com

AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman ................................................ Richard S. Hamilton Vice Chairman.........................................James E. Broome, Jr. Vice Chairman............................................... Gregory E. Grim Vice Chairman..........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman..................................... Martha Hartle Munsch OFFICERS: President ....................................................James E. Lehman Executive Vice President ............................... Thomas J. Ashley Secretary .................................................. Robert H. Compton Treasurer .......................................................Robert S. Collins GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, James E. Broome, Jr., Steve D. Bullock**, Charles O. Casto**, Edward C. Coaxum, Jr., Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Jon E. Denney, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, Pamela C. Fritz, Gregory E. Grim, Richard S. Hamilton, James H. Kanicki, Charles J. Kelly** , Mary Lynn Laughlin, William Duff McCrady, James M. McDonnell, Thomas V. McKernan Jr., Martha Hartle Munsch, Gary K. Munsie** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Neil D. Bassi, Chairman, Robert S. Collins, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, Debra A. Dinnocenzo, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, 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, Jacob N. Skezas, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward *ex officio **emeritus directors Huntington Regional Board of Directors William H. Blenko, Noel P. Copen, Earl W. Heiner Jr., Samuel Kapourales, Charles Lanham, Robert M. Levy, James H. Morgan, William D. Stark, Maurice G. Taylor Jr. Marion County Regional Board of Directors Robert H. Martin Northern West Virginia Regional Board of Directors Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Forest Bowman, Nikki Bowman, James B. Bruhn, Wayne J. Northey, Sharon Sakacsi, Harold J. Shamberger, Thomas Shamberger, Thomas H. Van Landingham, Monte Williams Parkersburg Regional Board of Directors Charles O. Casto, Joe C. Hushion, Art Oliver Jr.

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

Traffic deaths continued to decline in 2013 By Richard Hamilton Chairman, AAA East Central t may not feel like it on your morning commute, but our roadways have never been safer. Newly released statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveal the number of passenger vehicle occupants dying in car crashes in 2013, fell to their lowest number on record. The downside is that 32,719 people still lost their lives on America’s roads, many of them needlessly. Over the past decade, traffic fatalities have plummeted 25 percent and much of the credit goes to better vehicle design, active safety technologies like electronic stability control (ESC), and advances in medical care that have made crash injuries more survivable. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, (IIHS) your chances of dying in a crash in a late-model vehicle have fallen by more than a third in just the last three years. High-tech collision avoidance and mitigation systems may be changing the way we drive, but seatbelts remain the single most effective occupant safety device. Among fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants in 2013, almost half (49 percent) were unrestrained. Thirty-four states experienced reductions in overall traffic fatalities, led by Ohio with 132 fewer fatalities, Kentucky with 108 fewer, and Pennsylvania with 102 fewer. These numbers reflect the longstanding efforts by AAA and a broad coalition of safety-driven individuals and organizations to inform the

Richard Hamilton public, and pass meaningful legislation such as impaired driving countermeasures, full implementation of graduated driver licensing systems and primary seatbelt requirements. Much progress has been made, but it only serves as a reminder of the magnitude of the problem that remains. On average, almost 90 people lose their lives each day — and more than 250 are injured every hour — due to factors like speeding, impaired driving, or not using child restraints. Too many drivers flout traffic and safety laws; the impact of legislation is often limited by specifics; and there remains an urgent need to improve our highway infrastructure and reduce congestion.

Impaired driving — especially by habitual offenders — remains a serious public health issue. While the number alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities decreased by 2.5 percent between 2012 and 2013, they still accounted for a staggering 31 percent of all traffic fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in 2013, 3,154 people lost their lives and another 421,000 were injured in distraction-related crashes. Driver distraction diverts your eyes from the road, takes your hands off the wheel, and reduces your concentration on the task of driving. Text messaging can do all three simultaneously, which is why it’s so deadly. Beyond the terrible human tragedy are the enormous economic losses and emotional costs. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s most recent estimate pegs the annual economic cost of crashes at $277 billion dollars. These include medical, emergency and police services, property damage, lost productivity, and quality of life, among other things. A number of factors, such as state traffic laws, emergency trauma care, weather and topography influence traffic deaths and injuries, but perhaps none is more important than changing driver behavior and altering the current culture of complacency. No one should accept as inevitable, the fact that nearly 33,000 Americans will perish on our highways each year. Even one life lost is one too many.

membersonly

Moving home from college made easy

Penske offers a course in moving 101

illions of students shift their belongings back and forth from colleges and universities each year and many will soon begin their annual trek back home. Moving is never easy but there are things you can do to make it better for everyone involved. Whether you’re a senior or a sophomore, the experts at Penske Truck Rental have a curriculum to help make you or you college-age student make the move home: Don’t wait — Springtime and graduation weeks are peak moving times for both students and families living near or around campus. Reserve a truck before they’re all rented out — at least two weeks prior to your move. For most students, a 12- or 16-foot truck is a perfect fit for contents of a college residence or small off-campus apartment. If you can, try to move on a weekday — weekends are always the busiest moving days. Pack in increments — Start early to avoid the stress of last-minute rush-

ing. It’s OK to leave a box open in case you need something you’ve packed inside it. Pack smart — Bring home only what you need. Before you toss something consider donating any useable items to fellow students or various charities. Load your heaviest items on the truck first to create a sturdy base, then start stacking on top. Boxes, packing tape, bubble pack, moving blankets, and hand trucks are also essential to keeping your belongings safer and making your move easier. Think safety — A moving truck is taller, wider and heavier than cars or SUVs. So, drive a bit slower and take extra care when making turns, driving under overhangs or near low tree branches. Penske offers 24/7/365 emergency roadside assistance in case you have a problem. Make it fun — Keep a positive attitude during the move — play music, spring for pizza after all the work is done and don’t let frustration get to you. Penske moving trucks have CD

players, radios, air conditioning and cell-phone outlet chargers — all the things necessary for a comfortable, enjoyable ride. Go green and save green — Save on expenses and be kinder to the environment by moving together with someone from your area. Check with your residence life office on campus to help find someone to share the load. Pack a go bag — With most belongings packed tightly away, create a travel bag for moving day to keep important paperwork, credit cards, identification, change of clothes, drinks and snacks close at hand. Whether you need a truck for moving across the country or down the street, Penske Truck Rental offers significant savings for AAA members. Save 12 percent on one-way & local truck rentals and 12 percent off moving supplies and accessories. Offer only applicable to daily fixed rate and any mileage charges. Book online and save up to 20 percent on one-way rentals at PenskeTruckRental.com.

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AAA MOTORIST

MARCH 2015

AAA MOTORIST

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AAA MOTORIST

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A crash course in post-collision protocol Stay calm and follow these steps after an accident By Robin Jones ustin Lin’s first auto accident was, fortunately, a minor one. While waiting in line to leave the high school parking lot, Lin inched forward just a bit too far—and bumped the car in front of him. He motioned the other driver to the side of the parking lot, where they examined both cars for damage (they didn’t see any) and exchanged phone numbers. Then Lin handed his insurance card to the other driver, and she drove away with it. “I had no idea what to do,” says Lin, who was 16 at the time. “I just did what I’d heard other people say to do.” Lin’s inexperience may have caused him to skip a few steps in the post-accident protocol recommended by many insurers. But even veteran drivers can get frazzled and forget to record crucial information. Here’s a quick guide on what to do after a collision. 1. Assess the situation Before you do anything else, take a deep breath. Then ask yourself these questions. First: Are you injured? If you or anyone else is hurt, call 911 immediately. Second: Is your car operable? If so, drive to the side of the road or to a safe place so that you don’t block traffic and cause another accident. If your car is so badly damaged that it can’t be moved, turn on your emergency flashers and

KEEP YOUR COOL — Even veteran drivers can forget crucial information. stay in the car until help arrives. Third: Should you call the police? “It’s always a good idea to call 911 following an accident,” says Armando Garcia, community outreach officer for Santa Ana CHP. “However, if there are no injuries, only property damage, the parties involved can agree to just exchange information and leave the scene.” 2. Gather information Once you get to a safe place, and if you feel comfortable doing so, start exchanging information. Get

the names, driver’s license numbers, addresses, and phone numbers of any drivers involved. Record the color, make, model, year, license plate number, and registered owner for each vehicle, and get the names and phone numbers of any passengers or witnesses. Then, get the names and policy numbers of the drivers’ insurance companies. If it is more convenient, take photos on your phone capturing all the necessary information. Lastly, give the same information about yourself to other drivers.

Next, gather information about the accident scene. Sketch out the positions of the vehicles. Note the location, time, and weather and road conditions. Use your cell phone to photograph the scene and the cars involved, even if there’s no apparent damage. If the police come to the scene, write down the officers’ names, badge numbers, and jurisdiction, and ask them how your insurance company can get a copy of the police report, if one is filed. 3. Call your insurance company Determining fault is best left to an insurance professional, so don’t admit fault and call your insurance company as soon as possible, even from the accident scene. When you get home, write a detailed account of the collision and download the photos you took. This information will be useful during the claims process and could help if you end up involved in a court case.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 866.802.8210, or visit AAA.com/insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review.

MARCH 2015

AAA MOTORIST

Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers

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1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel

This “Ultimate Caribbean” cruise on Celebrity Equinox just got better — with add-on roundtrip airfare for just $199!

• $50 per stateroom shipboard credit

• In-stateroom bottle of wine

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• Onboard martini tasting

Add-on roundtrip airfare from Pittsburgh while seats last: $199 per person (limited to 2 passengers per stateroom; other restrictions may apply) D

Modern Luxury

10-night cruise accommodations on Celebrity Equinox roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale to St Thomas, St Kitts, Barbados, Dominica and St Maarten

This year, Thanksgiving may have you feeling extra grateful —for spending this typically cold-weather holiday on a guaranteed-warm-weather Caribbean cruise vacation and for taking advantage of roundtrip airfare to Ft Lauderdale for just $199! While the space lasts, you can book this Nov 20-30 sailing at AAA Travel and save big by adding this extra-special air rate to your getaway. Sail to popular St Thomas and St Maarten, as well as to the lesser visited gems of St Kitts, Barbados and Dominica. And, onboard, you’ll enjoy $50 shipboard credit, martini tasting, an in-stateroom bottle of wine and all the comforts of Modern SM Luxury. Airy spaces with all the right tasteful details. Restaurants where design is just as important as cuisine. Intuitive service with a keen eye for detail. Doing as much (or as little) as you choose. More than you expected? Celebrity Cruises believes every moment of your vacation should be measured by just how far it takes you from ordinary. That’s Modern LuxuSM ry — and you’ll experience it SM on Equinox, which captures the very essence of premium cruising. Even more so after her recent dry dock where she was enhanced with new amenities, some not available on any other

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Nov 20-30 •

ship in the fleet. Enjoy craft beers and comfort food in the new Gastrobar. Or fresh, frozen cocktails on the pool deck at Slush. Shimmering in sophistication from bow to stern, she’ll exceed your expectations as soon as you step aboard. Delight in your choice of 10 exceptional dining venues. Relax in chic and spacious accommodations. Be surprised to feel grass beneath your feet at the Lawn Club as you sail out to sea. With every imaginable comfort, along with Celebrity’s unrivaled guest services, you are bound for an unsurpassed experience no matter your destination. With 1 staff member for nearly every 2 guests, Celebrity’s personal service anticipates your every need. Unobtrusively. Intuitively. Feel restored and relaxed — effortlessly. In your stateroom, out by the pool, in the Canyon Ranch SpaClub,® anywhere at all, at anytime, Celebrity’s onboard family goes the extra mile to ensure every aspect of your cruise turns out just the way you want it.

AAA Member Rate: from $1,745

Balcony rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/pier transfers, 10-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government taxes/fees ($356.62) and $50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Ship’s registry: Malta. Ask about discounted add-on airfare (roundtrip from Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus, Louisville, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh) available for a limited time. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information.

Modern Luxury

Upgrade from a balcony to a Concierge Class stateroom for $100 per person! Personalized concierge service • in-room sparkling wine on arrival • in-room flowers & fruit & evening hors d’oeuvres delivered daily • luxury bedding • pillow menu • personalized stationery • tote bag • umbrella for onboard use • private bar (custom-stocked for a fee) • massage showerhead • plush robes • oversize towels • salon-quality hairdryer • a selection of shampoos/lotions/soaps • express luggage delivery • early embarkation/disembarkation • priority seating in main dining room & specialty restaurants • make-up/turndown service • expanded room service menu (24 hours) • shoeshine valet Balcony enhancements include a table for 2, cushioned chairs and high-power binoculars for onboard use.

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AAA MOTORIST

MARCH 2015

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

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

SAVE $300 PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, WITH DEPOSIT

$599 per person, double occupancy

GLACIER NP

Sept 5-8 •

$705 per person, double occupancy

Pirates vs Cubs in Chicago IL

Sept 25-27 • GLACIER NP SEATTLE

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Avoid potential airport hassles: Motorcoach to & from your cruise! Park for free, then relax on AAA’s convenient “Cruise Express” motorcoach right to your ship!

Grandeur of the Seas — from Baltimore MD

Bahamas ................................... July 10-17 ......................... from $1,272 Bahamas ................................... Aug 21-28 ........................... from $833 Canada/New England ............. Sept 3-11 .......................... from $1,069 Canada/New England ............. Oct 15-24 ............................ from $995 Western Caribbean ................. Nov 1-11........................... from $1,194 Eastern Caribbean ................... Dec 9-19 ........................... from $1,075 AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and taxes, fees and port expenses of up to $382.60 per person. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for details & PA pick-up points.

Be among the first to cruise on the brand-new Anthem of the Seas! Get $25 shipboard credit! These Anthem sailings include a 1-night before-cruise hotel stay near Cape Liberty NJ and a short driving tour of New York City. Jan 14-25, 2016 • from $1,885 San Juan PR • Charlotte Amelie, St Thomas USVI • Philipsburg, St Maarten Basseterre, St Kitts • Plus 5 days at sea

from $2,345

Labadee, Haiti • San Juan PR • Philipsburg, St Maarten • Fort de France, Martinique Bridgetown, Barbados • Basseterre, St Kitts • Plus 5 days at sea AAA MEMBER RATE is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation, 1-night pre-cruise hotel accommodations, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and $25 shipboard credit per stateroom and taxes, fees and port expenses of $524.25 per person. Ship’s registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for details & PA pick-up points.

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$775 per person, double occupancy

or get a HOME GAME seat & more!

• Pirates baseball cap • Autographed baseball • Outfield box seat • Behind-the-scenes PNC Park tour • Pre-game food & drink • Watch batting practice if it takes place

AAA Member Rate: $3,935

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Pirates vs Reds in Cincinnati OH includes 2 nights in Louisville KY

June 19-21 •

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip hotel/train transfers, 2-night train roomette accommodations (Chicago-Seattle), 7-night ATURE hotel accommodations, 17 meals, meal gratuities (except on train), welcome reception, 4 tours & 1 cruise in Glacier National Park, sightseeing per itinerary, hotel baggage handling (1 per person), hotel taxes and services of an Amtrak Vacations® tour escort (Chicago-Seattle). Visit AAA.com/ CA O TI travel for complete itinerary. Ask about available add-on airfare.

April 17-30, 2016 •

These vary by package; visit AAA.com/baseball for complete itinerary and inclusions.

Pirates vs Nationals in Washington DC

Glacier National Park Discovery Aug 1-10 •

Roundtrip motorcoach from Pittsburgh • Hotel Reserved game seat • Touring, activities & amenities

Retrace portions of the Lewis & Clark Trail on Amtrak’s Empire Builder from the “Windy City” to the “Emerald City” and explore the “Crown of the Continent” in between! Begin in Chicago; take a city tour before boarding Empire Builder at magnificent Union Station. Start your rail journey with Mississippi River views and glimpses of the Twin Cities skyline. Enjoy breakfast and lunch onboard as you cross into Montana to Glacier National Park. Tour in a 1930s “jammer” with a canvas roll-top; rebuilt in 2001, these vehicles climb Going-to-the-Sun Road. Cross into Canada to visit Waterton Lakes National Park, part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a World Heritage Site. Enjoy 2 nights at Glacier Park Lodge. Your other in-park home for 2 nights is the Swiss-themed Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake. Reboard the Empire Builder for Seattle. See the city’s many gems, including lively Pike Place Market. Cap it all off with an ascent of the iconic Space Needle for breathtaking views!

Follow the Pirates ON THE ROAD...

CHICAGO to SEATTLE

BOOK BY 3/31/15:

Glacier Discovery

AAA Member Rate $79 per person per game Full payment due at time of booking.

Pirates vs Phillies

Saturday June 13 @ 4:05pm FanJam post-game concert

Pirates vs Indians

Friday July 3 @ 7:05pm

Pirates vs Dodgers

Saturday Aug 8 @ 4:05pm

Pirates vs Reds

Saturday Oct 3 @ 7:05pm FanJam post-game concert

AAA: The Preferred Travel Agency of the Pittsburgh Pirates

MARCH 2015

AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Beijing

INTRO to CHINA AN ESCORTED EXPERIENCE

Walk on the GREAT WALL! Enter the FORBIDDEN CITY! Explore one of the world’s most important capitals and meet BEIJINGERS at home & in school!

SAVE $200! New bo

okings w deposit: March 1-ith 31 PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPAN CY

EXTRA-SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS include... • A traditional PEKING DUCK DINNER in one of Beijing‘s best restaurants renowned for the preparation & presentation of this world-famous delicacy • An up-close & personal FAMILY-HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL in one of Beijing’s ancient and fast-disappearing hutong neighborhoods, with an opportunity to question and interact with your hosts

ATURE

• An entertaining KUNG FU ACADEMY VISIT & DEMONSTRATION by its students — whom you may meet afterward and try your hand at learning a move or two!

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• A traditional, interactive & fun “HOTPOT“ DINNER, where spearing & dipping your meats & veggies in a tabletop “vat“ of broth makes for a very social experience!

Enjoy the comfort & security of an escorted experience — a comprehensive, informative & personal look at this rapidly growing city and an in-depth introduction to its fascinating culture. See landmarks & learn customs for nearly a week; then enjoy an entire day independently exploring & indulging your interests — art, history, cuisine, shopping, photography, parks & zoos — it’s all up to you, with suggestions, advice, directions, etc, from your expert in-China local guide! Marvel at ancient & modern, urban & rural, rich & poor, simple & sophisticated, serene & chaotic. Beijing’s unique combination of seemingly contradictory elements may well change your understanding of this city & nation...and provide moving memories that last a lifetime.

Sept 17-24 •

AAA Member Rate: $3,425

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Beijing), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 12 meals, in-China guide, sightseeing/admissions, baggage handling (1 per person), driver & escort gratuities, AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met) & government taxes/fees. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/GoAsia for itinerary.

4 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES — THE GREAT WALL AT BADALING, THE IMPERIAL PALACE (FORBIDDEN CITY), THE SUMMER PALACE AND THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN TIANANMEN SQUARE • 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS SITE • LAMA BUDDHIST TEMPLE • HUTONG MARKET VISIT, HOME VISIT & HOME-COOKED MEAL • BELL & DRUM TOWERS TEA CEREMONY JADE FACTORY • PEDICAB RIDE • KUNG FU DEMONSTRATION & STUDENT INTERACTION • TRADITIONAL PEKING DUCK & HOTPOT DINNERS • & MORE!

Up to $100 onboard credit on these AAA Vacations sailings! ®

AAA Vacations® Celebrity Cruises sailings entitle you to priority check-in and up to $100 shipboard credit per stateroom. All AAA Vacations cruises feature AAA’s 24 / 7 Member Care Assistance Service and 24-hour Best-Price Guarantee. ®

Be sure to ask a AAA Travel Agent about all available offers and promotions when you choose a AAA Vacations® Celebrity Cruises departure.

AAA VACATIONS® AMENITIES

DATE

6-2-15 6-5-15 6-9-15 6-14-15 6-21-15 7-3-15 7-3-15 7-4-15 7-5-15 7-10-15 7-15-15 7-24-15 7-25-15 7-25-15 7-26-15 7-31-15 8-1-15 8-7-15 8-8-15 8-8-15 8-9-15 8-21-15 8-22-15 9-10-15 9-11-15 9-11-15 9-13-15 9-14-15

NIGHTS

11 7 12 13 7 12 7 7 7 10 12 7 14 7 7 7 13 7 14 14 7 10 12 8 10 11 14 10

SHIP

ITINERARY

Equinox Solstice Silhouette Eclipse Infinity Silhouette Solstice Equinox Infinity Reflection Silhouette Solstice Eclipse Equinox Infinity Solstice Equinox Solstice Eclipse Silhouette Infinity Reflection Silhouette Constellation Reflection Solstice Eclipse Silhouette

Italy & Greek Isles: Barcelona to Piraeus Alaska: Roundtrip from Seattle British Isles: Roundtrip from Amsterdam Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Southampton Alaska: Roundtrip from Vancouver Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Amsterdam Alaska: Roundtrip from Seattle Western Mediterranean: Barcelona to Piraeus Alaska: Roundtrip from Vancouver Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Civitavecchia British Isles: Roundtrip from Amsterdam Alaska: Roundtrip from Seattle Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Southampton Italy & Mediterranean: Civitavecchia to Barcelona Alaska: Roundtrip from Vancouver Alaska: Roundtrip from Seattle Italy & Greek Isles: Roundtrip from Barcelona Alaska: Roundtrip from Seattle Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Southampton British Isles: Roundtrip from Amsterdam Alaska: Roundtrip from Vancouver Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Civitavecchia Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Amsterdam Eastern Roman Empire: Civitavecchia to Istanbul Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Civitavecchia Alaska: Seattle to Vancouver Canaries & Azores: Roundtrip from Southampton Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Civitavecchia

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

PRIORITY CHECK-IN*

ONBOARD CREDIT**

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

$100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $50.00 $50.00 $50.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $50.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00

*does not grant priority boarding **per stateroom

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

Car-free, carefree adventures N

ATURE

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Rates are per person, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from the Pittsburgh area, accommodations (for multiday tours, based on double occupancy), sightseeing/admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (for multiday tours), meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.

LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME! LA CHANCST BOOK T E TO TOUR!HIS

TASTE THE'S BIG APPLES ENDLES VARIETY

ULTIMATE NEW YORK CITY

May 22-25 •

LILAC FESTIVAL: MACKINAC ISLAND MI

AAA Member Rate: $965

June 6-10 •

This Memorial Day weekend getaway features a city tour, including a visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Explore the stores, restaurants, theaters, parks, museums and other attractions of the Big Apple — all just steps from your conveniently located Times Square hotel.

Blooming Pittsburgh – 1 day

May 3 •

AAA Member Rate: $119

Gardeners & nature lovers! Enjoy the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden–The Woodlands, lunch at the Porch at Schenley and the Spring Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory. 1 meal.

Horsin' Around in Kentucky

May 11-15 •

AAA Member Rate: $935

Explore Kentucky's horse farms & distilleries. Visit Lexington & Louisville, including KY Horse Park, the Derby Museum at Churchill Downs, Louisville Slugger Museum, 2 distilleries, a dinner theater, a dinner cruise & much more. 8 meals.

Harborfest : Norfolk VA ®

June 5-8 •

AAA Member Rate: $789

Enjoy waterfront accommodations and explore Norfolk’s annual fun-filled maritime celebration of food, entertainment, water activities and tall ships. Visit the US Naval Base, the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the interactive sea-themed Nauticus science center (home of the Battleship Wisconsin) and take a fireworks dinner cruise. 6 meals.

A Taste of Pittsburgh – 1 day

June 12 •

AAA Member Rate: $109

This culinary walking tour of historic Strip District markets features tasty samples from around the world. Meet vendors & hear their stories. Come hungry!

Explore the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and Edsel Ford estate. Ferry to car-free Mackinac Island; enjoy its Lilac Festival, a buggy tour and the Grand Hotel buffet. Cross Mighty Mac Bridge to German-flavored Frankenmuth, home of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. 8 meals.

Maine Seacoast

June 15-21 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,309

From Portland to Acadia National Park, experience what life along Maine’s Down East coast is really like. Enjoy exploring maritime villages like Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor and Freeport; a whale watching cruise; lighthouses; the Maine State Prison Store and L L Bean. Follow the Loop Road through spectacular Acadia National Park. 12 meals.

Shows & More: Lancaster PA

June 18-20 •

AAA Member Rate: $595

See Sight & Sound Theater’s “Joseph” and a production at the American Music Theatre. Tour Amish country. 5 meals.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Shaw Festival July 7-9 •

AAA Member Rate: $759

This Victorian-flavored Ontario village hosts one of the world’s best-loved theatrical festivals. Enjoy a tasting & lunch at a winery and gold-level seating at Peter & the Starcatcher and Sweet Charity. Visit Niagara Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly Conservancy & Niagara Falls. Prince of Wales Hotel. 4 meals.

Finger Lakes Escape

July 13-16 •

AAA Member Rate: $1,055

AAA Member Rate: $949

See quaint towns, Buttermilk Falls, Cornell University & Plantations, Corning Museum of Glass (Make Your Own Glass workshop), 2 wineries, Sonnenberg Mansion & Gardens and 2 other historical homes. Lakeside

accommodations. 8 meals, including a farmto-table wine dinner and a steamboat dinner cruise.

The Wright Kind of Summer

July 19 •

AAA Member Rate: $149

Explore 2 of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s works in the Laurel Highlands (Duncan House and Fallingwater) and 2 by one of his apprentices. Dine at historic Summit Inn. 2 meals.

Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival Aug 5-7 •

AAA Member Rate: $479

Visit Nappanee in the heart of Indiana's Amish country for all the fun of the 53rd annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival as well as a tour of the 80-acre farmstead on which it's held. Also enjoy an evening of musical theater at Round Barn Theatre. 4 meals.

Girls’ Mystery Getaway

Aug 14-16 •

AAA Member Rate: $605

Can’t reveal our destination, but you and your family members and/or friends will enjoy 2 nights of B&B–style accommodations, outlet shopping, a wine-tasting dinner, a luncheon with a fashion show, a cooking demonstration, a “ladies’ night out” and more. 5 meals.

PA Patriotic Pride – 1 day

Aug 27 •

AAA Member Rate: $119

Honor heroes at a patriotic lunch show. Visit the Flight 93 National Memorial and Flight 93 Memorial Chapel. 1 meal.

MARCH 2015

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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Sizzlin’ Westerns CORRAL A WILD DEAL IN MARCH! AAA MEMBERS SAVE $50.00! SAVINGS PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. NEW BOOKINGS WITH DEPOSIT MARCH 1-31, 2015.

AAA Member Rates for all tours below are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include accommodations, sightseeing admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling (1 bag per person) and meals as indicated. (Select tours below also include roundtrip flights from Pittsburgh and roundtrip airport/hotel transfers. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.) Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details.

BEST OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

So many delights in 1 tour — from the endless charms of San Francisco to the natural JULY 23-31 • $3,699 splendor of the redwoods at Muir Woods to the opulence of Hearst Castle. Cross Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance of Sausalito, sample wines at Napa Valley vineyards, savor lunch aboard the Napa Wine Train. Ride Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr to Lake Tahoe. Visit the ghost town of Virginia City NV. Dine & dance on a riverboat paddlewheeler. Marvel at Yosemite’s wonders. Explore coastal Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey. 14 meals. AIR INCLUDED.

Ascend the Space Needle at Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World’s Fair. Wander through Chihuly Garden & Glass. Enjoy a land-&-water excursion, the Future of Flight Aviation Center JULY 19-25 • $1,815 and a Boeing tour. Explore Pike Place Market. Visit Mt St Helens Visitor Center, the Astoria Column and Ft Clatsop. Enjoy a Tillamook cheese plant, a culinary demonstration, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Sea Lion Caves and an oceanfront dune buggy ride at the National Dunes Recreation Area. Tour Portland and its renowned rose gardens. Marvel at the Columbia Gorge’s Bonneville Dam and Multnomah Falls as well as historic Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood. 9 meals.

AMERICAN MAJESTY

YELLOWSTONE EXPERIENCE

From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite national landmarks. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (choir schedule AUG 29–SEPT 6 • $3,485 permitting). Visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone parks (including Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower, Deadwood, Mt Rushmore (during the day and again in the evening for its inspiring lighting ceremony), Crazy Horse Monument, Custer State Park, Ft Laramie National Historic Site, Cody’s Buffalo Bill Historic Center and Cheyenne. Take a wildlife Jeep® safari through SD’s Black Hills. 15 meals. AIR INCLUDED.

Our first national park’s first explorers were called liars when they described its otherAUG 10-16 • $1,765 worldly geysers & bubbling mudpots and its free-ranging bison, elk, moose, bears & wolves. Begin at Salt Lake City and travel through scenic Idaho to Yellowstone. Enjoy Old Faithful & many other natural landmarks, as well as the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. A Wildlife Safari includes a picnic dinner. Also enjoy Grand Teton National Park, the cowboy town of Jackson, a Jenny Lake cruise, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting) and more! 12 meals.

NEW MEXICO BALLOON FIESTA

COLORADO TRAIN ADVENTURE

Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city, then a 3-night stay in OCT 4-9 • $3,265 charming Santa Fe. Visit historic Chimayo village. Enjoy artsy Taos and the impressive Rio Grande Gorge. Take a fun salsa-making class. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway. At the International Balloon Fiesta,® witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Explore Rte 66, Old Town Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Acoma Pueblo. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” of illuminated balloons & fireworks afterward! 11 meals. AIR INCLUDED.

This Centennial State tour features rides on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Royal Gorge SEPT 12-19 • $2,145 Route RR, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. Tour the US Air Force Academy and marvel at the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. Ride the country’s steepest incline and walk on the world’s highest suspension bridge at Royal Gorge. Visit Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde national parks. See the monoliths of Colorado National Monument. Visit the CO Railroad Museum in Golden. 15 meals.

SAN FRANCISCO & NAPA WINE COUNTRY

GRAND CANYON & ARIZONA ADVENTURE

Here’s a tasty tour from scenic Carmel-bythe-Sea and the Monterey Peninsula to San JUNE 18-24 • $3,495 Francisco and Napa Valley. See landmarks of the City by the Bay — Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, Cliff House, the Presidio and Fisherman’s Wharf. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to visit Mediterranean-flavored Sausalito and the redwoods at Muir Woods; ferry back across San Francisco Bay. Tour & sip samples at 4 wineries (enjoy a chef-prepared picnic lunch at one!), blend your own Merlot and savor an elegant dinner aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. 8 meals. AIR INCLUDED.

Fly to Phoenix and ride to Sedona’s beautiful Poco Diablo Resort. Explore scenic backcounSEPT 20-27 • $2,645 try on an exciting off-road Pink Jeep® tour. Visit the IMAX Theater at Williams, then ride the Grand Canyon Railway (first class) to the canyon’s South Rim. Spend 2 nights there in a national park lodge, then ride the vintage Verde Canyon Railroad. Explore Old Town Scottsdale, marvel at intriguing plants at the Desert Botanical Garden and Western art at the Heard Museum. Enjoy a memorable farewell steakhouse dinner — cowboy-style! 11 meals. AIR INCLUDED.

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

WATCH 1ST ROUND PLAYOFF ACTION PER PERSON

ATURE

LEXUS, CAPTAIN MORGAN & FIRST NIAGARA

AAA member rate $299

• party suite game ticket AND buffet • comfortable leather seating • nonalcoholic beverages • TV monitor with live game feed • complimentary access to 3 clubs

GAME #2

from the comfort of A PRIVATE canadian club party suite AT CONSOL ENERGY CENTER!

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Century III (Pleasant Hills) . . . . . . . . . .412-655-6105 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-338-4305 East Liberty/Shadyside . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-365-7272 Monroeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-858-4640 North Hills (Ross Twp) . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-367-7625 Robinson Township . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412-809-2803 South Hills (Bethel Park) . . . . . . . . . . .412-833-5060 Wexford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-933-3000 White Oak/McKeesport . . . . . . . . . . . .412-675-3404 Rochester PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-728-6230 St Marys PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-781-3003 Uniontown PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-438-8575 Warren PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-723-6660 Washington PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-225-3600 Waynesburg PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-627-3434 Wheeling WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-233-1810 Weirton WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-748-1616 PITTSBURGH PA AREA

Altoona PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-946-1277 Bridgeport WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-842-7676 Butler PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-282-8810 Columbiana OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330-482-3836 Cranberry Township PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-772-1122 East Liverpool OH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330-385-2020 Erie PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-866-0246 Greensburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-834-8300 Harborcreek PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-897-9508 Indiana PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-349-4193 Kittanning PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-543-4244 Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area PA . . .724-339-4440 Martinsburg WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-263-4619 Meadville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .814-724-3157 Morgantown WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-598-7470 New Castle PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .724-658-8551

MARCH 2015

GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/travel. FEATURED VACATIONS are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. FEATURED VACATIONS include services provided by third-party tour destination service companies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.

MARCH 2015

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

AAA MOTORIST

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Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

PAGE 14

AAA MOTORIST

MARCH 2015

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

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers Get up to $100.00 in perks!

NOW’S THE TIME!

Book & make a deposit by MARCH 31 on a 2015 7-night-or-longer air-inclusive Pleasant Holidays vacation to HAWAII or the CARIBBEAN and enjoy:

$50 SAVINGS FROM AAA TRAVEL per room, based on double occupancy • new bookings March 1-31, 2015

PLUS

$50.00 CERTIFICATE*

SIVE THIS EXCLU NEFIT! E MEMBER B

toward purchase of optional sightseeing or activity, per booking

Arenal Volcano • Monteverde Cloud Forest San Jose • Tamarindo Beach • Selvatura Park Cano Negro • Zarcero • Grecia • Doka Coffee Estate

INCLUDED AT NO EXTRA COST: Spa Treatment • Catamaran Sail Cooking Demo • School Visit River Canoe Excursion Oct 12-20 •

BOOK BY 3/31/15:

SAVE $200 PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, WITH DEPOSIT

AAA Rate: $2,754

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh–San Jose), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel acATURE commodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 14 meals, in–Costa Rica tour director and air taxes & fees/surcharges. Visit AAA.com/ GoCostaRica for complete itinerary and more information. Additional airCA O line fee may apply; contact your travel agent for details. TI

An optional 3-night add-on to Tortuguero National Park is available. Visit AAA.com/GoCostaRica for itinerary details and rate.

AAA’s escorted “Tropical Costa Rica” tour features ample opportunities to appreciate Mother Nature’s many marvels.

ATURE D

*At select Caribbean destinations, a $50 discount may apply (instead of a $50 activity voucher).

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This 11-night vacation has everything you’ve always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiple-night stays in Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast and Stresa in the Lakes District. Discover the treasures of Classical and Christian Rome. Walk in the footsteps of ancient Romans in Pompeii. See gems of the Renaissance in Florence’s Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo’s “David.” Visit Locarno, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola dei Pescatori, one of the Borromean Islands. A guided walking tour of Venice illustrates how this city gained its wealth and power. Enjoy the magic of the Italian Lakes District in the captivating resort of Stresa. Stop at a winery & farm in the heart of Tuscany to sample local wines and specialities for an included lunch. Sail to enchanting Capri and explore this island paradise.

Special inclusions: “Rome by Night” tour...Vatican museums & St Peter’s... a family-style Tuscan feast...and a serenaded gondola cruise in Venice! Experience Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides throughout your tour. Enjoy regional wines with every dinner.

Oct 19-31 •

AAA Member Rate: $5,679

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Rome, Milan-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 20 meals, in-Italy tour director and air & hotel taxes (subject to change). Visit AAA.com/Italy for itinerary and more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

MARCH 2015

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per room, double occupancy FE

New bookings with deposit March 1-12

SAVE $400!

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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A TRAVEL CLASSIC

A Tour of 2 Cities

ALASKA BY LAND!

Sept 14-21

AAA Member Rate: $4,299

LONDON!

PARIS!

See the incredible, inspirational interior of the Last Frontier on this 9-night escorted tour — unforgettable experiences not on cruises!

Experience the history and charm of both of these capitals of culture in 1 fabulous tour. Enjoy 3 days discovering the pageantry of London, then ride the EUROSTAR HIGH-SPEED TRAIN beneath the English Channel to the City of Lights for 3 days of Parisian joie de vivre! London Highlights Paris Highlights TM

• Special welcome dinner with your fellow travelers • Panoramic city tour: See Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, “Big Ben,” the London Eye and more!

Special Inclusion

• Visit the British Monarchy’s stately, expansive Windsor Castle. Queen Elizabeth II uses the 1,000room castle as both a private home and as a Royal residence where formal duties of state are performed. Enjoy time for lunch in the village.

Traditional salmon bake & a sternwheeler river cruise in Fairbanks 4-hour adventure flying over the Arctic Circle, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the Yukon River 7-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park, looking for grizzlies, moose & more...with an overnight in the park Meet a 4-time winner of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and his canine crew Visits to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation & Begich Boggs Visitor centers 2-hour river float trip in Kenai Fjords National Park A ride on Girdwood’s Alyeska Tram — from sea level to 2,300 feet! Special welcome & farewell dinners with your fellow travelers

• Dinner at 58 Eiffel inside the Eiffel Tower • Seine River “City of Lights” nighttime cruise • City tour: See the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Place Vendôme and more! • Dinner with wine & show at Paris’ oldest cabaret theater

Special Inclusion

• “An Evening in Paris”: Visit Montparnasse Tower for open-roof terrace views, then dine with wine & music at a traditional Latin Quarter restaurant.

July 8-17 •

Get swept away... by Ireland’s SOUTH

Dublin tour with a local guide Farmhouse tea & scones Sheepdog skills demonstration Horse-drawn “jaunting car” ride in Killarney Storytelling session in Newmarket-on-Fergus Walking tour of Trinity College • Book of Kells Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens Open-top bus tour of Dublin, with a visit & drink at Guiness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery Blarney Castle’s “Stone of Eloquence” Blarney Woolen Mills Dingle Brewing Company Walking tour of Galway King John’s Castle Cliffs of Moher DINGLE

BLARNEY

KILLARNEY DUBLIN

CLIFFS OF MOHER

AAA Member Rate: $1,475

ATURE

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 12 meals and in–country tour director. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for complete itinerary and more information. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Escorted tour operated by CIE Tours International.

Oct 21-29 •

cupancy, on new b oo with dep kings o March 1 sit -31

Best of Ireland South •

AAA MEMBER SAVE $2 S 00 per room , double oc

Spellbinding scenery Rollicking entertainment Fascinating history Comprehensive sightseeing

AAA Member Rate: $5,675

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (PittsburghFairbanks, Anchorage-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, motorcoach sightseeing, accommodations (Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward: 2 each, Girdwood: 1), 17 meals, luggage handling (1 bag/person), gratuities for included features (includes driver, escort), in-Alaska escort and AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-London, Paris-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel and hotel/train transfers, Eurostar train, 6-night ATURE accommodations (London: 3, Paris: 3), 10 meals, sightseeing & admissions per itinerary, hotel baggage handling (1 per person), air taxes & fees/surcharges and services of an in-Europe tour escort. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary. Additional airline fees CA O for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Passport required. TI

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

Member Benefits Exclusive Offers

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An entertaining music-themed journey to 3 of America’s most fascinating tune towns that features an Amtrak train ride from Memphis to New Orleans! Nashville — Music City USA

Stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort, visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and see a live performance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Memphis — Birthplace of Rock n Roll

Tour Sun Studios and visit the Staxx Museum, the Rock n Soul Museum and Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate.

New Orleans — Birthplace of American Jazz

Sept 17-24 •

NEW ZEALAND

Cairns, catamaran ride

Melbourne, Opal Centre

Great Barrier Reef

Phillip Island Little Penguin colony

Winery tour & tasting

Glass-bottom boat ride

Christchurch

Overnight in Mt Cook National Park

Daintree Rainforest/

Tranz-Alpine Express train ride Franz Joseph Glacier Queenstown, gondola to dinner Milford Sound cruise “Middle Earth” touring

Herding/shearing demo

Mossman Gorge, meet Aboriginals Uluru/Ayers Rock, Champagne toast Alice Springs, Aboriginal drummers Dreamtime tour, bush dinner

Steamship cruise, farm life tour

Dine with a NZ Family Sydney & Opera House Koala Park & Opal Collection Sydney Harbour dinner cruise

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

Oct 15–Nov 4 •

AAA Member Rate: from $10,524

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Pittsburgh-Cairns, Sydney-Pittsburgh plus flights in Australia & New Zealand), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 31 meals, professional guide in Australia & New Zealand and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer ATURE service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airCA O line fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. TI

AAA Member Rate: $2,299

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, Amtrak coach service (Memphis–New Orleans), 10 meals, local guide, motorcoach sightseeing, baggage handling (1 per person) and gratuities for restaurant servers & hotel bellmen. Ask about available add-on airfare.

PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, WITH DEPOSIT

PHOTOS: CINDY STAYCHEFF

Amtrak Music Cities of America

AUSTRALIA

SAVE $675

Walk through the French Quarter and the Garden District and visit Bourbon Street and Jackson Square.

from the Outback to the Glaciers!

ATURE D

Musical Heartland of America’s South

PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, WITH DEPOSIT

BOOK BY 3/31/15 &

SAVE $300

Explore Down Under

BOOK BY 3/31/15:

AAA MOTORIST

The Isle of Shamrocks & Leprechauns Drive through Ayrshire and along the coast. From Cairnryan, ferry over to Northern Ireland to visit the Titanic Belfast attraction; learn about the famous liner that was born in the adjacent docks. State-of-the-art displays describe Belfast, its working conditions as well as other aspects of the ship. Drive on to Dublin and your ho-

Taste of Scotland & Ireland •

Sept 19-30 •

Castle dig into a memorable medieval-style feast where lords & ladies serenade you with song and harp. Venture on to Galway for a walking tour around its central core. Visit the monastic Clonmacnoise site, founded in 546AD by St Ciaran to see elaborate Celtic crosses, round towers and ruins of medieval churches. Return to Dublin for a final night of exploration and enjoyment of the city’s delights and a last taste of the Celtic temperament. Log on to AAA.com/Ireland, visit a AAA Travel location or call 1-800-354-8761.

MEMBERS SAVE! Premier.................$350 Plus ......................... $325 Basic .......................$275 New bookings with deposit March 1-31, 2015. Savings are per room, double occupancy.

AAA Member Rate: $2,468 VA

Before-discount rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 17 meals and in–country tour director. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for complete itinerary and more information. Ask about available add-on airfare. Passport required. Escorted tour operated by CIE Tours International.

ATURE

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

tel overlooking the bay. The evening is at leisure for independent dining. On your central Dublin tour, see fashionable shopping areas, view elegant Georgian squares and pause at the Famine Memorial’s evocative figures. Walk Trinity College’s grounds with a student guide and view the illuminated 8th-century Book of Kells; learn how monks created this and other masterpieces. Enjoy a canal dinner cruise with traditional music aboard a former Guinness barge. Traverse Ireland’s midlands, stopping for photos at the hilltop Rock of Cashel. Enjoy tea & scones at a farmhouse and watch skilled dogs herd sheep. At Blarney Castle, kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence,” then stop at Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. In Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes and mountains, relax before din-

ner, then perhaps spend your evening exploring its many “singing pubs.” A relaxing horse-drawn “jaunting car” ride rewards you with views of Ross Castle on Lough Leane. Embark on the Ring of Kerry — a winding route featuring breathtaking vistas of mountains and coastlines. Cross a bridge to Valentia Island for the Skellig Experience, which describes the austere island-bound lives of early Christian monks. Stop in Sneem to admire its brightly painted houses, pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views and return to vibrant central Killarney for a free evening. Ferry across River Shannon to reach the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone reaching 700 feet above the Atlantic. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel; if you wish, visit the nearby Folk Park, sip a drink in 200-year-old Durty Nelly’s Pub or shop at Bunratty Mills. At Bunratty

a lively and entrancing show of songs, stories and traditional dancing. Tour Edinburgh’s sights, driving along bustling Princes Street and through the wide and gracious streets of the 200-year-old Georgian New Town with a local guide. Stroll part of the Royal Mile, where compact medieval houses can reach 11 floors tall. Visit massive Edinburgh Castle, dominating the city and housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone; the balance of the day is free.

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Taste of Scotland & Ireland

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Fall foliage highlight Canada and New England cruises Close to home sailings from Celebrity Cruises

he eastern seaboard’s endless coastline is dotted with quiet inlets and bays. Unspoiled natural beauty, and vibrant port cities provide a memorable introduction to a region unlike any other. And there’s no better time to visit than in autumn, when summer’s soothing mantle of green transforms into a fiery palette of crimson, orange and gold. Celebrity Summit’s 14-night Canada/ New England sailings from Cape Liberty (Bayonne) New Jersey, offer land-locked travelers the opportunity to set sail without air transportation. Just seven miles south of Manhattan, Cape Liberty offers unparalleled views of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. Summit also sails with a new sense of style. The 2,158 passenger ship has been “Solsticized” with some of the hottest features from Celebrity’s newest Solstice-class ships. Ports of call include a new visit to Boston; Portland, and Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, P.E.I.; and a new overnight call in Québec City, Québec. From the weathered saltboxes, to the beached fishing boats at low tide, there’s nothing like the salty tang of New England. Boston is America’s walking city with street patterns reminiscent of 17th-century London. Landmarks include Copley Square, the Boston

OLD IRONSIDES — The USS Constitution with the Bunker Hill Monument in the background. Common and Beacon Hill. Passengers can follow the Freedom Trail to see the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house, Bunker Hill and Old Ironsides. The cruise terminal is located less than two miles from the golden dome of historic Faneuil Hall. Portland’s 360-year-history is evident in the picturesque cobblestone streets lined with Victorian-era buildings. The Portland Head Light was constructed in

1787, and today is the most photographed lighthouse in North America. Bar Harbor is the gateway to the remarkable beauty of Acadia National Park. The rock-bound coast, soaring granite cliffs, majestic mountains have drawn visitors for over 200 years. Known as the “Gateway to the Canadian Atlantic,” Halifax is easy to explore on foot, with a beautiful deepwater harbor and formal Victorian gar-

dens. Visitors will inevitably be drawn to its historic waterfront lined with 19th century buildings known as the Historic Properties. The colonial seaport Sydney is an excellent starting point to explore the magnificent scenery of Cape Breton Island. The Cabot Trail runs along the Gulf of the St Lawrence and Atlantic coastlines and is among the most scenic drives in North America. Charlottetown is where the land and sea meld with a vibrant Acadian culture. Green Gables, Prince Edward Island’s best known attraction, is located in nearby Cavendish, where Lucy Maude Montgomery was inspired to create her beloved tale of a red-haired orphan. Québec City is perched astride a 350-foot cliff overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River. The 400-year-old cradle of French civilization in North America, the style is quintessential New France — thick stonewalls, heavy wooden doors and shutters, and bright tin roofs. A granite and sandstone wall runs in medieval fashion, around the perimeter of the Old City.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/cruises for special values on Celebrity cruise vacations.

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AAA MOTORIST

MARCH 2015

Overseas Highway is an All-American Road “Speedway to Sunshine” runs from Key Largo to Key West

lorida’s Keys are made up of about 30 small islands strung together like pearls in a hundred-mile necklace. The journey begins at Key Largo with a spectacular drive “over the ocean” and ends in the southernmost city in the continental USA. Travelers on the Overseas Highway are presented with an unbroken vista of seascapes fringed by smiling crescents of sand. On one side is the Atlantic Ocean and on the other, the Gulf of Mexico. The Overseas Highway follows a trail originally blazed in 1912, when Standard Oil millionaire Henry Flagler completed the extension of his Florida East Coast Railroad from Miami to Key West. Construction of the highway began after the railroad closed following a 1935 hurricane. Key Largo is just 42 miles from Miami, but light years away in terms of tone and temperament. The area is best known for the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater preserve in the United States, and the adjacent Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. The submerged Statue of Christ of the Abyss is a Key Largo icon. Originally completed in 1938, the Overseas Highway incorporates 42 bridges over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Seven Mile Bridge at Marathon, stretches 6.79 miles over

DRIVING OVER THE OCEAN — The Old Seven Mile Bridge passes over Pigeon Key. open water and is the gateway to the Lower Keys. The Dolphin Research Center on nearby Grassy Key, is where much of the original Flipper movie was shot. Although most of the original bridges including Seven Mile Bridge have been replaced with wider spans, many of the historic bridges still stand.

Key West’s Old Town is an interesting amalgam of Greek Revival, Queen Anne and West Indian architectural styles. Louvered windows, whimsical cupolas and eccentric gingerbread trim carved in the shape of ship’s wheels, and pineapples characterize these meticulously restored 19th cen-

tury wooden homes. President Truman often vacationed in Key West and his Winter White House on Front Street is now a state museum. Guided tours take visitors through the rooms where the Trumans lived, worked and relaxed. His famous “The Buck Stops Here” sign is still at his desk. More Pulitzer Prize winners have resided in Key West than any other city. Famous residents include Ernest Hemingway Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote. Hemingway moved to Key West in 1929 and wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” while living at the exquisite Spanish Colonial-style stone home at 907 Whitehead St. Today visitors can tour the house and grounds and meet the descendants of his six-toed cats. Key West’s Mallory Square Pier is where the nightly ritual of the Sunset Celebration takes place. Throngs of visitors crowd the pier every evening to see the fire-eaters and acrobats, and catch of glimpse of the elusive “green flash” when the sun dips into the sea.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

See this issue’s Departures Guide, or visit AAA.com/travel to learn more Florida vacation ideas from AAA Travel.

Stonewall Resort earns AAA Four Diamond Award Scenic West Virginia resort makes it twelve in a row

odgings that earn the AAA Four Diamond Award are in a class by themselves, and the Stonewall Resort is no exception. One of only two, Four Diamond lodging properties in all of West Virginia, the Stonewall Resort has earned its 12th consecutive Four Diamond award. “Four Diamond properties like the Stonewall Resort provide guests with a personalized experience and attentive service in comfortable, high quality surroundings,” said Jim Lehman, AAA East Central President. “These establishments consistently exceed the expectations of the most discriminating traveler — the AAA inspector. We are proud to have these dedicated businesses in our region.” Situated on 2,000 rolling acres in Roanoke, West Virginia’s only lakeside resort and conference center recalls the golden era of leisure with an Adirondackstyle lodge, a championship 18-hole golf course and charming lakeside cottages. Located near the boyhood home of famed Confederate General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, the resort features a restaurant/lounge, the Mtn. Laurel Spa, a newly renovated indoor/outdoor pool, fitness center and meeting facilities. The 208 guestrooms were recently upgraded with HD TVs with HBO, Nickelodeon and Showtime, and in-room refrigerators.

Palmer as “a spectacle that everyone will enjoy”, the Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course is one of the most enjoyable and challenging resort and public courses in the nation. The course has been named the #1 Public Access Course in West Virginia, as well as one of the “Top 10 Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine. Amenities include a full practice facility, golf shop and dining in Lightburn’s Restaurant. Arnold Palmer himself places the 17th hole on his all-time favorite 18 of the courses he’s created. Golfers will want to play here as much for the scenery as for the challenge. The course is nestled into the natural landscape with gently sloping hills falling into long, lush valleys — perfect for long drives. The front nine not only borders the lake, it incorporates the shoreline into the layout.

A POLISHED STONE — The Stonewall Resort is situated within the 2,000-acre Stonewall Resort State Park. Stonewall Jackson Lake is 26 miles long with 82 miles of shoreline comprised of secluded coves and private fingers, affording boaters and fisherman unmatched access to fishing and days of exploration. Little Sorrel, the resort’s 100-passenger excursion boat, provides regular lake tours. Houseboats and smaller watercraft are available for rental and are the per-

fect way to enjoy the water. Stonewall Resort offers several venues that insure your dining experience will be as exceptional as the scenery. The resort’s heralded culinary program features “New Appalachian Cuisine,” with menus showcasing the finest local ingredients from the forests, farms and waterways of West Virginia. Described by golfing legend Arnold

AWARD WINNING

Travelers can find Diamond Rated establishments and inspector insight in AAA trip planning products: the AAA Mobile® app for tablets and smartphones, the desktop and mobile versions of the TripTik® Travel Planner online mapping and routing tool, searchable Travel Guides on AAA.com and AAA TourBook® guides available to members at AAA offices.

MARCH 2015

AAA MOTORIST

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Oceania Cruises sails the world in 2015 Summer sailings on five ships feature 43 new itineraries

ver the past decade Oceania Cruises has carved out a remarkable niche in the cruise industry by combining affordable luxury, with a casual, country club atmosphere and destination rich itineraries. Their five mid-size ships epitomize quiet grace, worldly destinations and elegant, sophisticated décor. They are large enough to accommodate three decks of balcony cabins, commodious public rooms, and an attentive, European trained staff, yet intimate enough to take travelers where massmarket ships cannot — into secluded ports and quiet, unspoiled islands. Dining with Oceania Cruises means fine food instead of feasts. Master chef Jacques Pepin has adroitly mingled time-honored favorites with ingenious fusion dishes and nouvelle cuisine in four open seating dining rooms. This summer the award-winning fleet of Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, and Riviera will offer a diverse collection of itineraries, with 24 exciting new ports of call on four continents during the 2015 summer season. Among the new ports are Paamiut, Greenland; Trois-Rivières, Québec; Skiathos, Greece; Londonderry, Northern Ireland; Wismar, Germany; and Palamós, Spain. Also new this season is a series of Grand Voyages in Europe, ranging in length from 20

AFFORDABLE LUXURY — Oceania Cruises mid-size ships feature gourmet cuisine and award-winning itineraries. to 70 days. These longer itineraries offer guests multiple opportunities for extended exploration during the summer season. Nautica, Marina, and Riviera will set sail on 43 incredible European itineraries, 40 of which are new. Nautica will spend the majority of the season exploring the majesty of the British

Isles, the Baltic and Scandinavia, sailing as far north as Greenland. Marina will explore Great Britain on the British Isles Medley, sailing roundtrip from Southampton, England, This 12-day voyage departs on July 21, and calls on the new ports of Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland; and the U.K. cities of Liverpool and Newcastle (Tyne).

She will then make her way around the Iberian Peninsula to embark on several cruises in the Western Mediterranean. Featuring all new itineraries, Riviera will call the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Turkey and the Black Sea home for the season. The 8-day Isles & Empires sailing aboard Riviera departs on July 17, and explores some of the world’s oldest ports in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Black Sea, and also includes a new port of call in Zadar, Croatia. Regatta will spend the summer in Alaska, offering the perennial favorite 7- and 10-day itineraries, as well as five all new sailings, including the exciting 12-day Glacial Explorer. Departing on June 25, guests will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Alaska’s magnificent glaciers and unspoiled wilderness, as well as immersing themselves in the native cultures of coastal towns such as Ketchikan and Sitka, among others. In the fall, she will sail for New York City on a new Panama Canal cruise and then showcase the autumn foliage with four cruises throughout New England and Canada.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see your AAA Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on Oceania Cruise vacations.

Nissan is learning how to swim with the fishes Carmaker uses fish behavior to study collision-free vehicles

even small robots could help change the fundamental way we get around forever. They’re called EPOROs, and these little zero emission robot car concepts are pushing ideas of what’s possible onto a new fast track of the future. EPORO is an acronym for “Episode 0 Robot”, meaning zero accidents and zero emissions, and they recently made their American debut at Nissan’s Silicon Valley Research Center. Japanese engineer Susumu Fujita first began working on these robots in 2009 and he says they were designed to travel in a group of like-vehicles, mimicking the behavioral patterns of a school of fish in avoiding obstacles without colliding with each other. Fish demonstrate extraordinary “anticollision” abilities, navigating instinctively and intelligently through challenging terrain by detecting and avoiding obstacles — just as future Nissan safety vehicles may one day have the capability to do. Fish recognize their surroundings based on lateral-line sense and sense of sight. They form schools based on three behaviorial rules: • Collision avoidance — changing direction without colliding with other fish;

BACK TO SCHOOL — Nissan’s EPORO robots use fish-like schooling behavior to avoid collisions. •

Maintaining a certain distance and matching their speed with other fish while traveling side-by-side; • Gaining closer proximity to other fish that are at a distance from them. EPOROs run on electricity and use algorithms to move in harmony and in solitude. In developing the robotic cars, the three rules of fish behavior were applied to their driving control. A laser

range finder is used for lateral-line sense, while an ultra wideband radio lets them communicate with one another and compute the distance between obstacles. They can follow each other in a straight line, group together in school and avoid stationary objects in their way. Each of the one-foot-tall robots operates independently, but with an awareness of the other’s position. If one slows

down or changes direction so does the other This represents the first time an autonomous robot car can travel in a group by sharing their location and information. “The technology in these robots is similar to what will be used to build and perfect an autonomous car. The EPORO can already follow the leader, even if the leader is me,” said Fujita. While a group of vehicles presents a far greater challenge in terms of collision avoidance, Nissan’s ongoing research aims at creating collision-free vehicles based on its “Safety Shield,” safety concept. New technologies used in EPORO may some day improve migration efficiency of a group of vehicles and contribute to an environmentally friendly and traffic jam-free environment. The technology in these robots already helped inspire innovation now seen in the company’s cars. Systems like intelligent brake assist and forward collision warning use technology somewhat similar to what is seen in the robots.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

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AAA MOTORIST

MARCH 2015

Your dreams come true in blue Hawaii Say Aloha to Hawaii with Pleasant Holidays

cattered like pearls around the North Pacific the Hawaiian Islands are gardens of earthly delights. Dense lowlands give way to rolling savanna and mist covered mountains studded with waterfalls. The hypnotic beat of the pahu drum still lingers in the evening air as ancient legends are retold in the seductive sway of the hula. The Hawaiian term is “Pali Uli” meaning a place of perfection — a state of mind that can’t be found on any map. And Pleasant Holidays makes Hawaii accessible to almost anyone. They’ve been customizing Hawaiian vacations with a broad range of value-added options since 1959. Whether you want to luxuriate in a spa, hike up a volcano, or sip a Mai Tai in a Tiki bar, your Hawaiian vacation will be everything you imagined. Pleasant Holidays offers a broad range of hotels and rental condominiums to fit every budget and taste, along with airline and car rental options that offer maximum comfort and convenience at the best possible price. They know which resorts cater to families, with the kinds of activities kids love, and those that offer a romantic Hawaiian getaway. You can also arrange some of Hawaii’s most popular activities and attractions before you leave. “Pleasant

THE GATHERING PLACE —Oahu is famous for the beaches of Waikiki and the extinct volcano at Diamond Head. Activities” range from luaus to helicopter and submarine tours. Take a circle island tour, visit a pineapple plantation, or eat poi — a traditional Hawaiian dish served luau-style. If your interest is surfing, point your board toward the North Shore. Each of the principal islands is unique. Oahu, the “Gathering Place” is home to Honolulu, Diamond Head and the legendary beaches of Waikiki. The rest of the island offers diversions like

the North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center, the Pearl Harbor Memorial and scenic Hanauma Bay. Maui is known for its indescribable sunsets. The “Valley Isle” takes its name from the demigod Maui, who is said to have pulled the Hawaiian chain from the Pacific. Explore the rustic whaling village of Lahaina, or the twisting Hana Highway perched above a steep cliff overlooking the ocean. Dominated by the twin peaks of

Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the Big Island of Hawaii is almost twice the size of all the other islands combined. Once the favored vacation spot of Hawaiian royalty, the windswept Kohala Coast is studded with spectacular white-andblack sand beaches wedged between a crunchy, black blanket of lava. Visitors can witness nature’s raw power first hand aboard a Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour. Molten red magma oozes out of Kilauea’s sizzling caldera amid a surreal moonscape of craters, cinder cones, and congealed lava flows. Kauai is the island Hollywood calls paradise. The Garden Isle’s lush tropical foliage has provided a scenic backdrop for films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park. Visitors can explore the mystical Fern Grotto, or verdant Waimea Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

IF YOU GO

AAA members also receive a $50 per booking activity voucher, valid for a variety of activities in Hawaii. (Some restrictions apply) FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

From the inner city to the great outdoors Carmakers set their sights on subcompact SUVs

hen it comes to SUVs, car buyers are learning that good things really do come in small packages. Compact SUVs combine the cargo space, and all weather capability of a full size SUV, with the ease of handling, fuel efficiency and affordable price of a small sedan. Perhaps that’s why sales of compact SUVs have doubled over the past decade. Two years ago the subcompact SUV segment basically consisted of the Nissan Juke. Now carmakers are introducing a whole new class of subcompact SUVs that blend SUV versatility with small car agility and premium amenities. They offer a clear view of the road, easy of entry, and a driving position that inspires confidence. With curvaceous coupe-like styling and distinctive side contours, the segment busting Honda HR-V crossover made its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show last November. The HR-V, which stands for Hi-rider Revolutionary Vehicle, features Honda’s exclusive Magic Seat, which allows for multiple seating configurations and a second row seat that folds completely flat for added cargo space. All-wheel-drive models incorporate Honda’s Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System for allweather traction and control.

SPORTS CUTE — The 2015 Honda HR-V crossover features a sleek exterior and surprising interior room. The Mazda CX-3, is the fifth model in Mazda’s line-up of next-generation vehicles incorporating their KodoSoul of Motion design language. Seven inches shorter than a Mazda3, CX-3’s stylish proportions make it one of the more attractive vehicles in its class. The Euro-influenced design has drawn comparisons with the Audi A3. Mazdas have a reputation for being fun to drive and the CX-3 is powered by a

155 hp, four-cylinder, 2.0-liter Skyactiv engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel-drive system borrowed from the larger CX-5 will be available as an option. The 2015 Chevy Trax lives up to its SUV heritage with a bold exterior and available all-wheel drive that shifts power to the rear wheels when additional grip is needed. The Trax, which has been available in Canada since

2013, is nearly two feet shorter than the compact Chevy Equinox, yet delivers three quarters of the cargo space — up to 48.4 cubic feet. The front passenger seat folds flat, allowing it to handle objects up to eight feet long. The 2015 Jeep Renegade offers authentic Jeep styling and off road capability in an all-new urban-friendly package. Iconic Jeep design elements include a seven-slot grille and vintage military gas can detailing on the taillights. An available MySky roof-panel system features removable fiberglass panels that stow neatly away in the rear cargo area for expansive open-air views. Buyers will have a choice of two 4x4 driveline systems, two 4-cylinder engines, and an available, nine-speed automatic transmission that helps the smallest Jeep achieve more than 30 miles per gallon on the highway. AAA AUTO BUYING PROGRAM

In the market for a vehicle? The AAA Auto Buying program provides unbiased new and used car pricing information free of charge to AAA members through AAA’s preferred supplier TrueCar. To save money and get the upfront price on your next new car, visit the AAA Auto Buying Program at AAA.com/AutoBuying. Mobile users can download the AAA Auto Buying Tools App at AAA.com/Mobile.

MARCH 2015

AAA MOTORIST

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Traveling Portugal’s River of Gold Viking River Cruises sails the Douro River

iver cruising is riding a wave. One of the fastest growing ways to explore the Continent, Europe’s original highways drift past pastoral valleys, medieval villages and into the heart of cities that grew up around a millennium of river trade. Then there’s practical side — the ease and amenities of traveling aboard a “floating hotel.” Most will also appreciate the value. All-inclusive pricing typically includes accommodations, onboard meals, daily, guided shore excursions and more. River cruising has become so popular that Viking River Cruises — the world’s largest river cruise company — is launching 10 new Viking Longships this year, bringing their total fleet to 64 ships. Viking Longships merge cutting-edge technology with classic Scandinavian design. Three quarters of the staterooms feature a veranda, French balcony with sliding glass doors, or both. The allweather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace reinvents the lounge by bringing the outdoors indoors with retractable floorto-ceiling glass doors. Viking River Cruises travels to the heart of Portugal’s wine growing region on it’s 10-day River of Gold itinerary. The journey begins with two days in Lisbon, filled with the mementos of eight centuries of history. Its emotional

LIQUID GOLD — The Douro Valley was the first demarcated wine region in the world. and geographic center is Castelo de Sao Jorge, a 12th century fortress crowning St. George’s Hill. Belem — where the Tagus River flows into the Atlantic — is Lisbon’s most historic precinct. During the Age of Discovery, Portuguese navigators set sail from here, their great voyages influenced Portugal’s Manueline architectural style. Examples of the Manueline style in Lisbon include the

Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower, constucted in 1519 with details like carved nautical symbols and anchors and ropes. Porto, world famous for its namesake wine, is a centuries old city overlooking the great gorge of the Douro River. Porto’s most iconic image is of the three famous bridges crossing the river. The oldest is the Dona Maria Bridge constructed in 1877 by Gerard

Eiffel, who went on to build the Eiffel Tower. Named River of Gold by the Romans, the Douro winds past terraced vineyards, stately manor homes and quiet towns largely unchanged by time. Casks of port are still carried down river in small boats known as barcos rabelos. Lamego, nestled among the undulating slopes of the Douro Valley, is best known for the 14th century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. The 686 steps of the shrine’s rococo staircase are decorated with exquisite, Moorish influenced tiled friezes. Surrounded by almond trees, Castelo Rodrigo looks down over a plateau stretching eastward to the Spanish frontier. One of Portugal’s 12 historic parishes, narrow streets are lined with 16th-century façades. Régua is the gateway to Vila Real, site of the extraordinary Palacio de Mateus. Familiar from its depiction on Mateus Rosé wine bottles, the stunning Baroque palace features a pinnacled facade, richly appointed interiors filled with priceless art objects, and manicured formal gardens.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see your AAA Travel professional, or log on to AAA.com/cruises for more European river cruise vacations.

“Frozen” coming to Disney Cruise Line this summer You’ll want to build a snowman with Anna, Elsa, Olaf and friends

isney Cruise Line guests can immerse themselves in the animated hit “Frozen” with brand-new experiences inspired by the film, including a spectacular deck party, character meet and greets, and storybook adventures. Debuting this summer, on select Disney Magic and Disney Wonder sailings to Europe and Alaska, guests will be transported to the land of “Frozen.” The ship is transformed into a winter wonderland and a day of frozen fun that culminates with a celebration with friends from the Kingdom of Arendelle. One special morning, passengers will awake to discover a magical freeze has overtaken the atrium lobby. Sparkling icicles adorn the grand staircase, resembling the crystalline mountaintop ice palace of Queen Elsa. Throughout the day there will be icy adventures including memorable moments with Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf. “Anna’s Chase for the Chocolate” is a scavenger hunt for those who share Anna’s sense of adventure, with a special surprise for finishing the quest. Kids take on Elsa’s magical powers to make snow and ice in “Do You Want to Build a Snowman.” “The Maypole Swirl and Twirl” teaches traditional Scandinavian dance, spinning and braiding giant ribbons.

COLD COMFORT — Anna, Olaf, and Elsa welcome guests. There’s also a “Frozen” themed dining experience, including a menu inspired by traditional Nordic fare and special dishes inspired by the film. The evening fun kicks off with “Freezing the Night Away with Anna, Elsa and Friends.” This interactive deck party features Arendelle’s famous royal sisters and their fun-loving companions. By now, the freeze has spread to the ship’s upper decks with giant snowflakes, icicles and snow-covered rocks.

The celebration begins with a highenergy line dance, set to the movie’s ice cutting scene, and the arrival of Princess Anna and Kristoff twirling his ice picks. Sven, the trolls and Olaf, all make virtual appearances at the party, engaging the crowd in reindeer games like “Sven Says” and the “Troll Stroll,” while Olaf leads a sing along to his signature song, “In Summer.” Elsa arrives with a snowy gust of wind, calling on everyone to sing “Let

it Go” as she conjures up a wintry spectacle. In true Disney fashion, Elsa unleashes her magic, by sending a chill through everyone as the powerful Academy Award-winning song echoes around the ship. The evening concludes with more family dancing on the pool deck, followed by fun just for adults in the nightclub featuring dance performances and frozen specialty drinks. Disney Cruise Line guests traveling to Norway aboard the Disney Magic will have the opportunity to join exciting new Port Adventures that bring this fairytale setting to life. Guests will discover the breathtaking natural wonders, and rich Scandinavian culture depicted in the film. Seven and nine-night voyages begin June 6, 2015, sailing through Norwegian fjords and calling on ports including Stavanger, Ålesund, Geiranger, Molde, Olden and Bergen.

IF YOU GO

AAA is an authorized Disney Vacation Planner and is able to assist you with all your Disney vacation needs including Disney theme parks and resorts, and Disney Cruise Lines. Visit your local AAA Travel Agency location or visit AAA.com for more information

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Bavarian Inn a double AAA Four Diamond Award winner West Virginia landmark earns awards for dining & lodging

ong a favored destination for those seeking beautiful scenery, historic charm, premier accommodations and exquisite cuisine, the Bavarian Inn has earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for an unprecedented 32 consecutive years. The Shepherdstown, West Virginia landmark is one of just two West Virginia lodging properties to earn the Four Diamond distinction in 2015. Nestled on 12 secluded acres overlooking the Potomac River Bend, the grounds include an Infinity Pool and bar, tennis court and multiple formal and casual dining options. The elegant, Alpine-themed property has been owned and operated by the Asam family for over three decades. Guests can retire to the serenity of Bavarian Inn’s elegantly appointed chalets, constructed in the authentic Alpine tradition. Rooms are graced with polished antiques and classical furnishing, gas fireplaces and whirlpool baths. River View rooms are located in one of four chalets situated on a bluff overlooking the river. The Garden View rooms located in the Schwarzwald Haus, all feature private balconies and views of the Grey Stone Mansion and the immaculately manicured grounds. The Suites of the Bavarian Inn are a truly Royal and Presidential experience, combining old world elegance and charm with new age comforts by

FOUR DIAMOND WINNER —The historic Greystone Mansion is the focal point of the Bavarian Inn. blending antique furnishings with flat screen televisions and gas fireplaces. Let the romance begin with complimentary champagne, panoramic river views, and double sized Jacuzzi tubs. Located minutes from Harpers Ferry, and Antietam Battlefield, guests can cycle along the scenic Potomac River, C & O Canal Towpath, or relive history in Harpers Ferry. Good white water rafting, and fly-fishing are close by, and golfers can challenge the

renowned Cress Creek Country Club, located just a quarter mile from the hotel. The Locust Hills Golf Course, rated #5 in West Virginia by Golfweek Magazine, is a 20 minute drive from the Inn. The Hollywood Casino, at Charlestown Races, is less than 15 minutes away. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant is the only dining establishment in West Virginia to capture a Four Diamond Award — it’s 15th consecutive honor.

An extensive menu of German and American fare lovingly prepared by master chefs is the hallmark of the Bavarian Inn experience. Housed in the historic Greystone Mansion, the Inn’s restaurant features three unique dining rooms. Memorable views of the gardens are a signature of the Potomac Room. The Hunt Room is an authentic Bavarian hunting lodge with huge stone fireplaces and stag antler chandeliers. The wood paneled Rathskeller is an Old World-style pub with weekend entertainment. Casual dining is also available on the outdoor patio and Infinity 101 Pool and Pool Bar. Executive Chef Wolfgang Vomend has updated and modernized traditional European cuisine with a variety North African flavors and influences. Patrons can sample selections from the Inn’s Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence wine list and the area’s largest selection of German beers.

DIAMOND WORTHY

Four Diamond Awards are given to establishments that create a truly memorable experience for the guests with a high level of service amid luxurious surroundings. Just 5.4 percent of the 28,000 AAA Diamond Rated lodging facilities and 2.3 percent of the nearly 30,000 restaurants were awarded AAA Four Diamond designation for 2015.

Suzhou is known as the Venice of the East Winding waterways define China’s city of canals

hina’s Yangtze River unravels over 3,900 miles from its source in the Tibetan plateau before emptying into the Yellow Sea. A magical landscape of mulberry trees and mist-shrouded mountains, ancient temples cling to bamboo-covered hillsides, while timeless villages are cast like pearls in the fertile river delta. Suzhou is known for its elegant stone bridges, and flowing water. Often called the “Venice of the East,” the cradle of Wu culture is located in the center of the Yangtze River Delta, approximately 70 miles west of Shanghai. One of the oldest cities in the Yangtze Basin, the heart of the city is the old town district, which has remained largely unchanged for over 2,500 years. Like the Great Wall, Suzhou’s Grand Canal is one of ancient China’s great marvels of engineering. The longest man-made waterway in the world runs approximately 1,200 miles from Hangzhou, in the south to the outskirts of Beijing. Although more than 2,000 years old, much of the canal remains in use and a canal boat ride is one of the best ways to experience a passing landscape of arched bridges, pagodas and temples. Visitors can also take in the scenery at one of the many traditional teahouses

NOT SO HUMBLE — The Humble Administrator’s Garden is considered the finest in southern China. overlooking the canal. Suzhou boasts many beautifully manicured classical gardens. The 800-year-old Master of the Nets garden is the smallest of Suzhou’s four UNESCO World Heritage gardens. This oasis of tranquility features a large central pond surrounded by verandas and walkways. The inner garden houses the gracious Dianchun Studio court-

yard, which has been replicated at the Metropolitan Museum of New York and the Pompidou Center in Paris. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is generally considered the finest garden in southern China. It was constructed during the Ming Dyanasty, by digging lotus ponds and building artificial islands. Suzhou’s largest garden is also home to a number of scenic attractions

including Lan xue Tang (Hall of Orchid and Snow), Daoying Lou (Tower of Reflection) and Yuanxiang Tang (Hall of Distant Fragrances). Classic zigzag bridges frame the garden with each area having a story to tell, reflecting the purpose and philosophy behind the structure. Tiger Hill, so named because it resembles a crouching tiger, is home to the Yunyan Temple Pagoda. Constructed in 961, it’s called the “Leaning Tower of China” due to its distinctive tilt. The Hanshan Temple, located just outside the city center, is one of the 10 great temples of China. Here the clamor of the city is replaced by fragrant incense and a respectful hush broken only by the tolling of an iron bell. Visitors can immerse themselves in the history of the Liang and Tang dynasties as they explore the buildings, climb the pagoda and read the ancient inscriptions. Take in the scenery from Maple Bridge, a site made famous by the Tang dynasty poem: A Night Mooring by the Maple Bridge.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please see your AAA Departures Guide or visit AAA.com/travel for more vacation ideas from AAA Travel.

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