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Vol. 18 No. 1 OHIO/WEST VIRGINIA • WEST VIRGINIA/STEUBENVILLE REGION JAN./FEB. 2013
Introducing AAA Club Rewards on AAA.com
AAA has just launched AAA Club Rewards an exciting new online discount program that significantly expands the discounts and savings available to every member! The AAA Club Rewards shopping portal provides members with deep discounts and everyday savings on entertainment, electronics, home improvement, apparel, restaurants, pet care and more. AAA members can choose from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including brands like Macy’s, Best Buy, The Home Depot, and more. In addition to discount offers, members also earn reward points on most purchases you make that you can accumulate and use to purchase products from your favorite participating merchants. Shop online, by phone, and/or in-store (via a printed coupon). Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Visit AAA.com/discounts to sign up and start saving today.
& SAVINGS S T IF G E IV S U L C EX BERS! ...ONLY FOR MEM
DISNEY MONTH at AAA is all about the JOY! AS TO ARTWORK: © DISNEY
AAA Travel’s absolute best month for Disney member values is here!
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t’s time you thought differently about January. Sure, it’s often frigid & dark, but it’s also the very best time of the year for AAA memberonly savings & values on Disney vacations — a great time to lock in a 2013 getaway full of warmth & brightness to dash memories of January bleakness. At AAA, January snow gives
way to Disney “dough” — the exclusive “goodies” only members enjoy by staying at a Walt Disney World® on-site resort. AAA will give 300 members who book & deposit a new 2013 AAA Vacations ® package of 5 or more nights some great extras. Here’s how it works: • DELUXE: Be one of the first 100 to choose a Deluxe resort
AS TO ARTWORK: © DISNEY
More Disney magic feels great!
EXCLUSIVE AAA EAST CENTRAL OFFER!
Up to $50 per room off select Walt Disney World Resort hotel stays of 5+ nights plus a select assortment of gifts (photo albums, event tickets, tote bags) ®
®
Deluxe properties: $50 discount. Moderate: $25 discount. Book & deposit on a 2013 AAA Vacations package by 1/31/13 (travel by 12/31/13). New bookings only. Not combinable with other offers. Per room.
EXCLUSIVE 2013 AAA MEMBER BENEFITS!
WALT DISNEY WORLD® RESORT — select AAA Vacations packages AAA Vacations Diamond Savings Card • AAA Diamond Parking Disney’s Story Time Experience • Preferred Fireworks Viewing Location Hertz Complimentary Child Seat DISNEY CRUISE LINE® Special photo packages for inside & outside staterooms (1 per stateroom) ADVENTURES BY DISNEY® 5% discount off land packages purchased at the nondiscounted regular rate ®
®
®
AND...ENJOY SEVERAL OTHER LIMIT ED-T IME VALUE-ADDED BENEF ITS F ROM DISNEY! SEE DETAILS & RESTRICTIONS ON PAGE 8.
Travel | Insurance/Financial | Automotive | Member Savings | AAA.com
SEAT BELT USE IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH
(Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, for example) and get $50 off regular rates as well as a 50-sheet Disney Photo Album and 2 passes each for Walt Disney World® minigolf, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Cirque du SoTM leil’s “La Nouba” — all in a practical canvas tote bag! • MODERATE: The first 100 opting for a Moderate resort (Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, for example) receive a $25 discount, a photo album and 2 mini-golf passes in a tote. • VALUE: The first 100 to select a Value property (Disney’s Arts of Animation Resort, for example) take home a photo album in a canvas Disney tote. This blizzard of bonuses does not end there; enjoy a pile of exclusive member benefits (see box at left and visit AAA.com/ Disney). Plus there’s a flurry of Disney’s own limited-time offers with Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line® and Adventures by Disney® packages (see page 19 for details/ restrictions). Right now’s the absolute best time to plan & book 2013 Disney vacations at AAA. Hotel, cruise and tour availability for the coming year will never be better. And our expertise continued on page 19
Go with AAA Mobile
If you’re one of the many who celebrated the holiday season with a new SmartPhone, there’s no better traveling companion than AAA Mobile. Available for Apple and Android devices this free mobile app combines the old AAA Discounts, AAA Roadside and AAA TripTik Mobile apps into a single, enhanced platform offering member services and information. Key features include location-based road service requests, map-based displays, member discount locations and more. AAA Mobile also features turn-by-turn narrative directions, and provides voice guidance to your next maneuver. For more information or to download AAA Mobile, visit the AAA Mobile solutions page at AAA.com/mobile.
3rd Day Free at Universal Orlando®
Your 3rd day is free at Universal Orlando when you purchase a 2-day ticket at AAA now through June 16, 2013. Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure are filled with thrills and excitement for every member of the family. Tickets are valid through June 30, 2013. Discount tickets available for purchase only at AAA branch offices or online.
Hot Destinations & Free Tablet Offer
Find your place in the sun with exciting vacations to Hawaii and the Caribbean from AAA Travel and Pleasant Holidays. Cast like stepping-stones across an iridescent blue sea the Caribbean is famous its palm fringed beaches and perpetual sunshine. The Aloha State welcomes travelers with steaming volcanoes, lush tropical foliage and the seductive sway of the hula. AAA members who book an air inclusive, 7-night or longer Hawaiian or Caribbean vacation will receive a free Google Nexus 7 Tablet. With a stunning 7-inch display and all-day battery life, Nexus 7 is the perfect travel companion. (New bookings only for travel by May 31, 2013. Total minimum package value of $3,000). SEE PAGE 7
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Read, plan, go with the 2013 AAA TourBook® guides They’re free, easy and packed with great information
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ith so many handy resources for travelers — from websites and apps, to printed guidebooks — why do members request AAA TourBook guides by the million, year after year? The answer is simple: They’re free, easy and packed with great information! If it has been a while since you last looked at a TourBook you’ll discover a redesigned layout, handy navigation tools and vibrant new content that make travel planning simple. AAA TourBooks are more concise, easier to read — even easier to carry! For more than eight decades, AAA’s annually updated TourBooks have evolved by expanding geographical regions, enriching content and supporting social and technological shifts, such as Internet service, pet acceptance and sustainability issues. Best of all, they’re free for the asking as part of your AAA membership. Easier to use — Kick back and pore through the fascinating destination overviews, followed by pages of hotel, restaurant and attraction listings. Get a fix on the big picture with history and visitor information and references like the Annual Events, GEM Attraction Index and Points of Interest. Or, when time is short, leave the legwork to AAA’s travel experts. Turn to trip planning shortcuts like the Must Do: AAA Editor’s Picks, 1-Day
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 AAA MOTORIST: 412-365-7017 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 PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 216-606-6701 SAFETY: 412-365-7211 DRIVER EDUCATION 800-329-2415 TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144
NEW LOOK BETTER BOOK — The 2013 AAA Tourbooks are available now at AAA offices. Itineraries and Top Picks for Kids, available for many destination cities. We’ll help you make the most of your trip with inspiring photos and informative content you can trust. Easier to carry — Some TourBook guides that previously contained multiple destinations have been split into smaller regions — a better fit with member travel patterns. That means fewer pages to carry, focused just on the places you’re visiting.
Give Yourself an Upgrade— to the highest level of protection available! Get more from your membership. Upgrade to AAA Premier. With expanded roadside assistance — and a host of other benefits — AAA Premier is a smart choice. To upgrade your membership, call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call the Member Service Center at
1-800-441-5008
JANUARY 2013
Easier to navigate — Save yourself the effort of checking multiple resources to get the lay of the land or find your way. Use the hotel, restaurant and attraction location maps throughout the guides for a bird’s-eye view of the places you plan to stay, dine and play in relation to landmarks and one another. Plus, to help you navigate the roadways, we’ve added overview and detail maps from the AAA Road Atlas series for easy route planning — all in one guide. Use the overview map to get the lay of the land, then use the individual maps to plan your route. Easier to plan — We’ve loaded these new guides with firsthand expertise from our professional travel editors and inspectors. Our 1-Day Itineraries and Must Do: AAA Editor’s Picks enhance the destination city sections, while AAA Inspector Notes are highlighted in the restaurant listings. Easier to travel — Now there’s no need to consult multiple travel resources to find your way to and around your destination. The 2013 TourBook guides are like traveling with a friend who is from the area and knows it like the back of their hand! See for yourself — Before your next trip, stop by your local AAA office or visit us on AAA.com to request copies of the 2013 edition TourBook guides — available free, exclusively for members. Then prepare to enjoy your easiest, more enjoyable travel planning experience yet.
AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONS ATHENS, OH 130 E. State St. ...................740-593-6677 BRIDGEPORT, WV 169 Barnett Run Rd............304-842-2221 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 Morgantown Commons 6520 Mall Rd.......................304-983-6480 PORTSMOUTH, OH 1414 Twelfth St. ................740-354-5614 VIENNA, WV 1100 Ninth St., Unit D........304-295-7101
AAA e-TOURBOOKS
AAA’s trusted travel information is now available in portable electronic formats that can be synced with today’s most popular mobile e-reader devices for onthe-go use. AAA now offers over 100 free, eTourBook guides, with content that is refreshed daily to ensure you receive the most up-to-date travel information. They’re available exclusively for AAA members at AAA.com/ebooks.
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
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Saving lives one click at a time 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 J. McGrath 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 412-365-7017
e-mail: motorist@aaaec.com
AAA EAST CENTRAL Chairman:.................................................Richard.S..Hamilton Vice.Chairman:.........................................James.E..Broome,.Jr. Vice.Chairman:........................................ Douglas.W..Caldwell Vice.Chairman:..........................................Mary.Lynn.Laughlin. Vice.Chairman:..................................... Martha.Hartle.Munsch OFFICERS: President:..................................................... James.J..McGrath Executive.Vice.President:...............................James.E..Lehman Treasurer.&.CFO:.............................................Michael.R..Pratt Secretary:.................................................. Robert.H..Compton GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS Glenn.B..Bachman,.James.E..Broome,.Jr.,.Steve.D..Bullock**,. Douglas.W..Caldwell,.Charles.O..Casto,.Edward.C..Coaxum,.Jr.,. Robert.S..Collins,.Robert.H..Compton,.Jon.E..Denney,.Debra.A.. Dinnocenzo,.Floyd.R..Ganassi**,.Richard.S..Hamilton,.James.H.. Kanicki,.Mary.Lynn.Laughlin,..William.Duff.McCrady,.James.M.. McDonnell**,.Thomas.V..McKernan.Jr.,.Martha.Hartle.Munsch,. Gary.K..Munsie,.Terrence.L..Walton** EAST CENTRAL REGION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debra.A..Dinnocenzo,.Chairman,.Neil.D..Bassi,.Vice.Chairman,. Robert.L..Anderson,.George.J..Anetakis,.Carol.Asam,.Christian. Asam,.Jack.A..Barkley,.William.E..Bierer**,.Ellsworth.T..Bowser,. Louise.R..Brown,.Peter.Burton,.Marianne.B..Campbell,.Charles. O.. Casto,. Hans. P.B.. Christensen,. Michael.A.. Cochran,. Daniel. J..Collins.Jr.**,.Robert.S..Collins,.Robert.H..Compton,.Terence. Conner,. James. J.. Dodaro,. James. O.. Doersam,. Jack. G.. Ellis,. J.. Terrence. Farrell,. Floyd. R.. Ganassi**,. Mona. N.. Generett,. Charles.W..Groce.,.Richard.S..Hamilton,.Mark.Henschen,.Luke. Howe,. David. W.. Hunter**,. Richard. Kallenborn,. Herbert. G.. Koenig,. Mark. S.. Mansour,. W.. Duff. McCrady,. Martha. Hartle. Munsch,.W.. Lee. Oswalt,. III,. Michael. Parkes,. John. D.. Petruso,. Louis. Pomerico,. Leonard. L.. Scheinholtz**,. John. L.. Sellstrom,. James.C..Stump,.Jr.,.James.F..Ward *ex.officio **emeritus.directors Central West Virginia Regional Board of Directors Wayne.J..Northey,.William.C..Wymer Huntington Regional Board of Directors William. H.. Blenko,.William. C.. Campbell,. Noel. P.. Copen,. Earl.W.. Heiner. Jr.,. Samuel. Kapourales,. Charles. Lanham,. Robert. M.. Levy,. Thomas. J.. Maxwell,. 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,. James. B.. Bruhn,. Sharon.Sakacsi,.Harold.J..Shamberger,.Thomas.H..Van.Landingham,. Wayne.J..Northey,.Monte.Williams. Parkersburg Regional Board of Directors Charles.O..Casto,.Joe.C..Hushion,.Art.Oliver.Jr. Weirton Regional Board of Directors George. J.. Anetakis,. George. M.. Molnar,. Joyce. C.. Pashke,. James. White
Copyright ©2013 by AAA East Central.
Seat belt use climbs to an all-time high By Wayne Northey President, AAA West Virginia eat belt usage in America reached record levels in 2012, with nearly nine in ten motorists now choosing to buckle up. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) annual National Occupant Protection Use Survey, seat belt use has increased steadily — climbing from 15 percent in 1984 — to 86 percent in 2012. Organizations like AAA have made tremendous strides in raising awareness and passing meaningful legislation, but it only serves to underscore the magnitude of the problem that remains. Fifty-two percent of the 21,253 passenger-vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2011 — the last year that statistics are available — were unrestrained at the time of the crash. The laws of physics can be unforgiving. The rapid deceleration that occurs at the moment of impact increases an occupant’s “crash weight” exponentially. A 60-pound child unbelted in the back seat of a car traveling at 30 miles per hour, will impact the windshield with the same force as a young elephant — about 2,700 pounds — if involved in a sudden collision. Restraints keep people and vehicles moving together, retaining the occupant within the safety structure of the cabin after the initial impact has occurred. Unrestrained occupants will continue to travel until they collide with, or are ejected from the vehicle — something that is almost always deadly.
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Wayne Northey Crashes often involve secondary impacts and rollovers, where the effect on passengers is very much like being in a washing machine during the spin cycle. Seat belts help keep occupants safely strapped inside the vehicle until all of the crash energy has dissipated. Research shows that the risk of fatal injury to front-seat, passenger-car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent when seat belts are worn correctly. According to NHTSA, seat belts save more than 13,000 lives every year. Even in today’s era of active safety systems and crumple zones seat belts remain the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and
injury. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. If you don’t wear a seat belt, you could be thrown into a rapidly deploying frontal air bag, which could injure or even kill you. If your vehicle has a passenger side air bag, it is essential that children 12 and under ride properly restrained in the back seat. It’s also important that seat belts be worn correctly. The lap belt and shoulder belt should be secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body. Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck. Adjust the lap belt across your hips below your stomach. Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm. The NHTSA survey found that seat belt use continues to be higher in states with primary belt laws. These permit law enforcement to issue citations solely on the basis of not using a seat belt, rather than requiring additional violations. Nationwide, 32 states and the District of Columbia have primary laws on the books. AAA believes that uniform state laws, consistent enforcement and educating the public about the proper use of seat belts and restraints are essential to preventing vehicle injuries and deaths. We strongly support primary seat belt laws in all states because they increase usage, save lives and reduce the societal and economic consequences of a crash. Accidents will happen, they just don’t have to become tragedies.
membersonly
Make CDs part of your investment strategy AAA Deposit Program offers a full range of CDs and IRA CDs
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hat’s your investment strategy? Growth? Income? Asset preservation? Any investment strategy should start with a goal — for instance, saving for retirement or funding a child’s education. Your choice of investments to reach this goal will depend upon your time horizon as well as your appetite for risk. For most people, their appetite for risk decreases with their investment time frame. In other words, the nearer you are to your goal, the more you’ll want to reduce risk in your portfolio. And that’s where Certificates of Deposit (CDs) come in. Compared with more volatile investments; CDs offer a combination of access, liquidity, safety, and growth potential that make them an ideal choice for those looking to reduce risk in their portfolios. • Access — You can purchase CDs in a variety of maturities with terms ranging from three months to ten years — making it easy to access funds
when you need them. Keep in mind, however, that there is a penalty for early withdrawal, so you’ll want to plan your timing to match your specific needs. • Liquidity — CDs offer a greater variety of short-term investment horizons, making them an excellent choice for anyone seeking both security and liquidity. • Safety — CDs can be an ideal foil to the volatility of higher-risk assets such as stocks. Prices of bonds and bond mutual funds also react to changes in market interest rates. With a CD, however, you can lock in a rate and not worry about losing your principal. And finding the safest place to save is just as important. Deposits through AAA are FDIC insured up to the maximum allowed by law. • Growth potential — If you need a dependable return on your money, but don’t need your money for a period of time, CDs can be an excellent investment choice. You can also make your savings work harder for you: open
multiple CDs with different maturity dates. It’s called “CD laddering” and it’s a great way to take advantage of the best CD rates for longer terms and ensure you have liquidity and flexibility when you need it, since one or more CDs will always be approaching maturity. So, whether you’re investing for the short-term, or looking to lower risk in a longer-term portfolio as you approach your goal, consider including CDs as part of your investment strategy. The AAA Deposit Program through Discover Bank offers a full range of CDs and IRA CDs with terms from 3 months to 10 years as well as Money Market and Online Savings Accounts. AAA members enjoy preferred rates on 12, 24 and 60-month CDs and IRA CDs. Open an account online in minutes at AAA.com/Deposits or contact us 24/7 at 1.888.728.3230. Legal Disclaimer: The article and information provided herein are for informational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
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Why insurance premiums are increasing Natural disasters, low interest rates important factors
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nsurance premiums are a function of three factors: The perception of future risks, recent catastrophic claims and the return available on investment. Hurricanes (like Sandy) and even the devastating Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2010 affect insurance premiums in the United States. That’s because insurance companies routinely purchase reinsurance coverage from large reinsurance companies who have been increasing their rates. Yes, insurance companies are just like you: They assess the risks they can cover, and then buy their own insurance to protect themselves against very large but unlikely events that would overwhelm their reserves. We saw a similar tightening in 2001, following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The direct costs themselves were significant, but reinsurance companies also increased their rates to cover their own risks and ensure clients were protected in case of acts of war, chemical strikes, etc. Fortunately, their worst fears weren’t realized, but prudent insurers are in business to cover the worst-case scenario, and so they had to plan and set premiums accordingly. Fast forward to today, though, and we have a different phenomenon at work. Reinsurers had just started to climb out of the substantial capital shocks of 2008 and 2009 when they got hit with the Japan tsunami. But as they work to
NEGATIVE RETURN — Low interest rates are having an adverse effect on insurance premiums. replenish their reserves, insurers all over the world have been forced to reckon with a new reality: Low interest rates. Insurance companies make money in two ways: Bringing in premiums, and investing the “float.” Normally, insurers break even or even run a slight loss on premiums. This keeps premiums affordable, but is only possible because they can invest their accumulated reserves at a profit. Ten years ago, an insurance company could get 5 or 6 percent on a portfolio of Treasuries. Now that same
insurer struggles to get 2 or 3 percent on a AA-rated bond portfolio, and U.S. Treasuries — the traditional mainstay of conservatively run insurance companies, may well be generating a negative real return after inflation. Something has to give. That’s what we’re seeing now: Actuaries have no choice but to increase premiums to cover anticipated payouts in light of the new lower interest rate environment. To do otherwise risks insolvency, which does no service to the insured at all, and even defeats the
purpose of insurance. The tightening of the reinsurance market, combined with adjustments to account for the lower returns on assets, is now making its presence felt on Main Street Insurance markets tend to cycle along with other industries. As reinsurance pools of capital get replenished, or as interest rates rise, allowing carriers to generate more revenue from the “float” rate increases tend to moderate, and new carriers spring up to compete for business. So if you are seeing rates increase, it’s more a matter of prudence in the face of risk and low returns on capital, which impacts all carriers everywhere. As a result rates increase to make sure there are enough in reserves to cover future claims. No one is exempt, and it’s a bigger issue than any single insurance agency, carrier, or insurance line.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Trust AAA to steer you right on all your current and future Auto, Home and Life insurance needs. Combining your coverage with one insurance company could make a significant difference in your premium. Call 800.207.7947, or visit AAA. com/ insurance for more information or to schedule a comprehensive Insurance review. AAA – your trusted insurance advisor.
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Member Benefits • Exclusive Offers
1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travel
Add sun & fun — and a FREE Google Nexus 7 — to your winter...
Capturing your dreams. Creating memories.
Enjoy Hawaii or the Caribbean with Pleasant Holidays & AAA!
Give yourself (and your family and/or friends) something fun to look forward to this spring...and earn a fun reward in the process! AAA and Pleasant Holidays will give you a FREE Google Nexus 7 tablet computer when you book & make a deposit on a qualifying vacation to Hawaii or the Caribbean! To qualify, purchase your roundtrip air travel through AAA; travel anytime between now and May 31, 2013; stay 7 nights or longer; and meet the minimum vacation value level of $3,000 (excluding the cost of the flights). With a stunning 7-inch display and allday battery life, the thin & light Google Nexus 7 is the perfect portable travel companion. With up to 32GB of storage and the option to add mobile data, you can take even more of your favorite content with you — to Hawaii or the Caribbean, for example! That tablet sure can come in handy
when you’re on vacation; maybe you’re looking for a restaurant to try, where the best souvenirs can be found, what the weather will be like the next day, how late the ferry runs, what’s happening back home. The possibilities are endless...and
GET A FREE TABLET COMPUTER To get a FREE Nexus 7, book & deposit on a Hawaii or Caribbean Pleasant Holidays vacation by 1/31/13. Package must include roundtrip flights and a hotel stay of 7+ nights; the minimum value of the land-only portion must be $3,000. Travel by 5/31/13. New bookings only. Not combinable with any other offer.
once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it! You could probably say the same about your Hawaiian or Caribbean getaway: Once you luxuriate in the warmth of the sun...or relax in the balmy breezes...or succumb to the laid-back life-style, you may ask yourself how you could have ever hoped to get through spring without escaping to the paradise you’re in! When it comes to Hawaii and the Caribbean, you can trust Pleasant Holidays (PH) to create a vacation custom-made just for you. From 5-star luxury to family-friendly value, PH enhances your vacation with value-added extras such as free nights, complimentary room upgrades, rental car discounts and more. Their size & scope give them unique purchasing power that allows them to pass exceptional savings on to you. PH also offers the ultimate assurance with round-the-clock customer service and a choice of travel protection CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
AAA MEMBER-ONLY VALUES — FIND THEM FAST! Disney ....................................................... pages 1 & 19, 8
Through 1/31/13: Save $50 at select Walt Disney World deluxe-level resorts ($25 at moderatelevel resorts); depending on the resort, they also receive photo albums, admission tickets (minigolf, Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba” ) and a canvas Disney tote bag. AAA members enjoy exclusive benefits at Walt Disney World , on Disney Cruise Line sailings and on Adventures by Disney escorted tours. ®
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®
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Pleasant Holidays ............................................. pages 7-8 ®
Through 1/31/13: Get a FREE Google Nexus 7 tablet computer on air-inclusive, 7-night-or-longer Hawaiian or Caribbean vacations. New bookings only. Minimum value of land-only portion (excluding airfare): $3,000. Travel by 5/31/13. Not combinable with any other offer.
AAA Member Choice Vacations ................pages 9, 10, 13 ®
Through 1/31/13: PAGES 9 & 13 — Save $50 per member. PAGE 10 — Premier members save $650, Plus members save $600 and Basic members save $550. Per room, based on 2 to a room.
AAA Featured Vacations to the American West .... page 12 Through 1/31/13: Save $50 per room.
AAA Vacations Cruises..................................pages 13, 17 ®
Year-round: Best-Price Guarantee. 24/7 Member Care Help Desk. Benefits/experiences vary by cruise line and departure.
Trafalgar ............................................................... page 14
Limited time: Save up to $1,100 per couple to Europe.
Princess Cruises .................................................... page 14 1/15/13–2/15/13: Book a cruise to receive $325 Princess Onboard Value Booklet and $100 per person reduced deposit.
Universal Studios.................................................. page 15 Through 2/28/13: Purchase a 4-night-or-longer on-site vacation package and get a $100 gift card.
PLEASE REFER TO THE APPROPRIATE ARTICLE OR ADVERTISEMENT (BY PAGE NUMBER ABOVE) FOR COMPLETE DETAILS & RESTRICTIONS FOR EACH BENEFIT/OFFER.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
JANUARY 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Add sun & fun — and a FREE Google Nexus 7 — to your winter...
Enjoy Hawaii or the Caribbean with Pleasant Holidays & AAA! CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
plans. Ask a AAA Travel Agent for details on seasonal added values, including resort & spa credits, complimentary room upgrades, kids-stay-free-&-eat offers, complimentary phone calls, Internet and more. Many Caribbean resorts offer all-inclusive vacations; one price covers your meals, drinks, activities, nightly entertainment, nonmotorized water sports, tips and more. Here’s just a sample (Feb 12-19, 2013) of the kinds of properties available to you:
BOLONGO BAY BEACH RESORT
Slip on your flip-flops, relax and have fun at this casual resort tucked in a cove on St Thomas in the US VIrgin Islands (no passport required for US citizens!). This intimate resort with 62 beachfont rooms is a place for good times with great people. Play all day on complimentary nonmotorized water sports. Set sail at sunset on the resort’s 53-foot catamaran. AAA Member Rate: $3,183
WESTIN ST MARTIN
This resort is nestled into a lush hillside on the French side of St Maarten and is embraced by miles of blue hues, acres of tropical colors and white-sand beaches. Its 308 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and 6 suites include a balcony and oversize bath. The resort boasts oceanfront restaurants and the largest freshwater infinity-edge pool on the island (including a swim-up bar & hot tub). Roll the dice or try your luck at the table-games-&-slots casino. AAA Member Rate: $3,209
OUTRIGGER REEF ON THE BEACH
After a $110 million top-to-bottom transformation, this re-invented hotel demonstrates a new vision of hospitality. A distinctive, refined resort on Waikiki, it has a renewed look combining timeless traditions with modern elegance while embracing the spirit of the sea. Guestrooms are warm & welcoming and include free Internet and long-distance calls. AAA Member Rate: $3,220
WESTIN KA’ANAPALI OCEAN VILLAS
On 26 oceanfront acres on North Ka’anapali Beach, this 4 Diamond property offers a unique blend of resort & villa-style living with all the comforts of home and the amenities of a world-class resort. Energize in lagoon-style pools, relax at Spa Helani and enjoy fine restaurants & markets. AAA Member Rate: $3,971
All rates shown are per room based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include accommodations.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
ART!
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
•
FOOD!
•
WINE!
The romance of Italy comes to life on this tour. Explore the lakes region your way when you choose between a scenic boat ride on Lake Maggiore or a visit to a local farm for a cheese & wine tasting. Explore the rugged coast and remote fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend 4 relaxing nights in a Tuscan villa. Discover the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Experience medieval life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Visit a winery in the countryside and learn the secrets of Tuscan cuisine. Wander a Florentine food market. Spend 2 wonderful nights in Venice. Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden treasures. Travel by boat to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori. Explore Lucca’s piazzas and medieval streets. These are Italy’s treasures! Special inclusion: A serenaded gondola cruise — with Prosecco! — on Venice’s canals! Experience the benefits of Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides. Enjoy regional wines included with every dinner.
This 13-day vacation has everything you’ve always wanted in a trip to Italy. Enjoy multiplenight 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 the ancient Romans in Pompeii. See Renaissance gems in Florence’s Academy Gallery, including Michelangelo’s “David.” Visit Locarno, Switzerland, and cruise to Isola dei Pescatori, one of the scenic 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 pasta factory ...a family-style Tuscan feast...and a serenaded gondola cruise in Venice! Experience the benefits of Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides throughout your tour. Enjoy regional Italian wines with every dinner.
Aug 31–Sept 11 AAA Member Rate: $5,610
Oct 12-24 AAA Member Rate: $5,650
Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Milan, Venice-Pittsburgh), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 17 meals, inItaly tour director, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and vendor travel protection. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for itinerary and more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
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, 21 meals, in-Italy tour director, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and vendor travel protection. Visit AAA.com/ GoItaly for itinerary and more information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
includes 4 nights in a Tuscan villa!
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $50.00 PER PERSON
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $50.00 PER PERSON
AIR-INCLUSIVE FLORIDA ISLAND VACATIONS
Anna Maria
APRIL 16-21 • AAA MEMBER RATE: $1,689
Anna Maria is a gem of an island untarnished by crowds that descend upon Florida’s other Gulf Coast jewels. Indulge in 5 nights at Tradewinds, a charmingly cozy Old Florida–feel resort. Its romantic old-fashioned pastel apartment cottages line a private street ending at a palm-fringed pool and a pier jutting into Sarasota Bay. Steps away, a private beach beckons you to the turquoise water you’re coming for. Each cottage has a full kitchen, bedroom and bathroom with tub/shower, a queen sleeper sofa and a private front porch or verandah. Under 8 miles long and about 1 at its widest, Anna Maria is tethered to Bradenton by 3 bridges. What this eye-pleasing islet lacks in size is more than made up for by an unpretentious, relaxing atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to lose yourself — the secret of a truly satisfying vacation. From a setting teeming with windsurfers, kayakers, jet skiers and boaters to a sleepy & quaint Old Florida tableau, Anna Maria appeals to Type A’s seeking to “grab the gusto” and to Type B’s who say “doing nothing is fun.” A special feature of AAA’s package is the opportunity to select 2 activities from 4 options. You may opt for the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota...OR a Segway tour of Coquina Beach & Longboat Key. On another day, the BeachHorses experience (limited space; first come, first serve) starts with a sunset horseback beach ride; then the horses glide into the water and swim...OR choose the Pirates Spring Training Center tour. Of course, there’s always fishing, biking, water sports, golfing and tennis. For a slow-down-fast vacation, dispense with driving, unless you’re talking golf carts or bikes; a free trolley gets you where you need to go. So slip off your shoes for seashore strolling and enjoy swaying palms & pines, shimmering blue-green waters, a rusALL PHOTOS: BRADENTONAREA CVB/TOM SHELBY tic wooden pier and funky beach bars! TM
Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (PittsburghTampa), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, cottage accommodations, 2 special attraction/activity excursions, 1 meal, all taxes/gratuties for included features and a AAA Tour Manager in Florida. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
Amelia
APRIL 15-20 • AAA MEMBER RATE: $1,449
Just off northeast Florida’s coast lies Amelia Island, beckoning visitors to enjoy its warm hospitality and mild climate. With pristine beaches, abundant wildlife and calm waters, Amelia has been a beloved destination for generations. Many celebrities (modern-day entertainers as well as prominent political figures throughout history) have chosen this area as their exclusive getaway. See what makes this little (13 miles long by 4 miles wide)barrier island named for Princess Amelia, daughter of George II of Great Britain, so special. Spend 5 relaxing nights at a beachside boutique-style hotel property with easy access to the beach and historic sites. One morning you’ll enjoy a relaxing and informative cruise. It’s a great way to get an overview of the area and to get to know those traveling with you! Afterward, continue the fun at the included lunch at a popular waterside restaurant. On another day, choose one of these included tours (transportation provided): • Enjoy a 5-mile horseback ride along the beach. Gentle horses & spectacular scenery make for a wonderful way to start the day! • Step aboard a Segway and journey through the subtropical vegetation of Ft George Island, one of the East Coast’s most ecological and historic sites. Hear about the island’s lost tribes, natural resources and coastal critters from eco-guides who show you the “real” Florida.
After a day to enjoy the countless options outside your door (including 7 golf courses), choose one of these included tours (transportation provided): • Marvel at the serene beauty of creeks and wetlands on a guided nature tour by kayak. • Venture out with a seasoned captain to catch some of the sea’s finest fish. Includes instruction/equipment. Impress everyone with your “big fish” story or tale of the one that got away! Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (PittsburghJacksonville), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, 2 special attraction/activity excursions, 6 meals, all taxes/gratuties for included features and a AAA Tour Manager in Florida. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
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AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2013
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Irish Heritage 5 full days of the best of Ireland! Cliffs of Moher Bunratty Castle River Shannon Ferry Flying Boat Museum Ring of Kerry Blarney Castle Waterford Crystal Glendalough Dublin
MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS!
UP TO $650 OFF per room, based on 2 to a room $
650
PREMIER
$
600
PLUS
$
550
BASIC
To get discount, book & deposit by 1/31/13.
ALPINE LAKES & SCENIC TRAINS Switzerland, Italy
Breathtaking vistas paint the canvas of your trip of a lifetime through Switzerland & Italy. Explore dramatic railways and scenic lakes; enjoy cultural experiences in charming villages in the heart of Europe.
CLIFFS OF MOHER
May 12-19 • AAA Member Rate: $1,679 Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (including Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available addon airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.
Save on European Escapes!
DUBLIN’S HAPENNY BRIDGE
Convenient Motorcoach Cruises — from Pittsburgh to the Pier!
Arrive in Zurich for a dinner cruise on Lake Zurich. At Gstaad, board the Golden Pass panoramic train for breathtaking views on the way to Montreux. Continue to Zermatt village at Matterhorn’s base. Ascend Gornergrat Mountain via Europe's highest mountain railway. Ride the worldrenowned narrow-gauge Glacier Express, the world’s most charming express train. Marvel at the beauty of this route through the heart of the Swiss Alps. Explore the splendors of St Moritz during an overnight. Journey through Bernina Pass, traveling one of the world’s most scenic railway lines en route to Tirano, Italy. A ferry ride across Lake Como reveals the stunning beauty of this home to famous Hollywood stars. Drive through scenic hills & villages toward exciting Milan; a local introduces you to this capital of the Lombardy region. Visit the Duomo and the Vittorio Emmanuele II Gallery. Feast your eyes upon frescoes by Leonardo and a sculpture by Michelangelo at Castello Sforzesco. Enter the stunning Scala Opera House. In Lucerne, amble through romantic Old Town and explore the “Swiss Paradise on the Lake.” Ascend Pilatus via the world’s steepest railway (48% gradient); at the top, soak in the magnificent view.
AUG 9-18
AAA MEMBER RATE: $5,329
Rate is per person based on double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-Zurich), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 13 meals, sightseeing per itinerary, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and trip cancellation waiver. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
BRITISH LANDSCAPES England, Scotland, Wales
Avoid potential airport hassles and leave the driving to AAA! Ride our “Cruise Express” motorcoach right to the pier to board your cruise ship. Motorcoach to/from the port of BALTIMORE MD and sail on Enchantment of the Seas! SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN: 12 nights APRIL 1 • AAA Member Rate: from $1,279
Motorcoach to/from the port of BALTIMORE MD and sail on Grandeur of the Seas! BERMUDA: 7 nights MAY 17 • AAA Member Rate: from $1,244 NOV 1 • AAA Member Rate: from $945
CANADA & NEW ENGLAND: 8 nights
SEPT 19 • AAA Member Rate: from $1,115
Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government fees. Ships’ registry: Bahamas. Visit AAA.com/motorcruise for complete itinerary details & pick-up points. VISIT AAA.COM/MOTORCRUISE.
Feel the vibrant energy of England, hear the unique sounds of Scotland and see the rolling countryside of Wales on a trip that combines the exploration of dramatic history and natural wonders. In London, the cosmopolitan and historic capital of Britain, see Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the Changing of the Guard. Enjoy a live theater performance. Visit Oxford, home of the famous university. Overnight in Ruthin Castle in north Wales; enjoy a typical Welsh-style dinner with traditional entertainment. Travel through the picturesque English Lake District to charming Grasmere, home of poet William Wordsworth. Continue to Scotland’s Gretna Green, where generations of runaway couples came to marry. Discover Edinburgh (“Athens of the North”), rich in scenic beauty and culture. Tour its castle, home of the Scottish crown jewels and glimpse what life is like for royals at Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and once the home of Mary, Queen of Scots. Be entertained by Highland pipers & dancers at a banquet of local recipes; a highlight is the Ceremony of the Haggis. Cross Scotland’s rolling Border region back to England and see Hadrian’s Wall, once the northern border of the Roman Empire. Stroll through medieval York; visit its famous Minster. Journey to Stratford-upon-Avon, your home for 2 nights; visit Shakespeare’s birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s thatch-roofed cottage. Tour one of Britain’s most treasured castles with more than 1,000 years of history; conclude your castle visit with a private 3-course dinner. No visit to Britain is complete without seeing Stonehenge. Explore picturesque villages in the idyllic Cotswolds region.
SEPT 26–OCT 5
AAA MEMBER RATE: $4,319
Rate is per person based on double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Pittsburgh-London), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, 15 meals, sightseeing per itinerary, Whisper headsets designed for better communication between you & your guide, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and trip cancellation waiver. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
JANUARY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
PAGE 11
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
LEAVE THE DRIVING TO US!
“Noah” in Lancaster: March 21-22
AAA Member Rate: $299
Travel to PA Dutch country for a live performance of the biblical story of “Noah” at Sight & Sound Theater; visit Kitchen Kettle Village, Central Market, an Amish farm and more. 2 meals. ALSO AUG 27-28: $315.
Maine Seacoast: June 22-28
AAA Member Rate: $1,309
See the rugged beauty of the Pine Tree State’s coastline, as well as the charming seaside towns that hug it from Portland to Boothbay Harbor to Bar Harbor to Freeport. Along the way, visit lighthouses, enjoy a whale watch cruise, tour Acadia National Park and shop at LL Bean and the Maine State Prison Store. 12 meals.
Finger Lakes Escape: July 8-11
AAA Member Rate: $805
Explore the spectacular scenery, quaint towns, wineries and elegant homes of this upstate New York region. Visit the Corning Glass Museum, Cornell University, Buttermilk Falls, Sonnenberg Mansion & Gardens, Mackenzie-Childs Estate and Seward House. Cruise on Lake Seneca and enjoy a steamboat dinner cruise on Canandaigua Lake and lunch at Belhurst Castle. 7 meals.
Vera Bradley Sale: April 10-12
AAA Member Rate: $359
Enjoy a fun getaway with your friends or family members; take advantage of incredible savings of 40% to 75% off Vera Bradley signature handbags, travel items, stationery and accessories. 2 meals.
Brandywine Homes & Gardens: April 25-27
AAA Member Rate: $555
Celebrate spring in this southeast PA valley and in nearby Delaware. Enjoy Chadds Ford Winery, world-renowned Longwood Gardens and Winterthur (former duPont family home and now a decorativearts museum with a 60-acre garden), Hagley Museum of American Enterprise and a dinner theater. 4 meals.
Kentucky Derby: May 2-5
AAA Member Rate: $855
Here’s a rare opportunity to step inside the international embassies and impressive house museums of our nation’s capital...and to enjoy dinner & a show at the Kennedy Center, a brunch cruise on the Potomac River and more. 4 meals.
Preakness Stakes: May 17-19
AAA Member Rate: $605
Trot off to Baltimore to experience the thrills of the “second jewel” of Triple Crown racing from reserved grandstand seating and see some of the other landmarks of Charm City. 4 meals.
Put-in-Bay OH: June 4-6
AAA Member Rate: $599
Relax on Lake Erie, America’s “North Coast”! Enjoy a lake cruise, a stay at a lakefront mainland resort and an overnight on South Bass Island at Put-in-Bay. Tour Sandusky’s Maritime Museum, see the Perry Peace Memorial and browse Put-in-Bay’s quaint shops. 5 meals.
Mackinac Lilac Festival: June 9-13
AAA Member Rate: $119
Enjoy a summer day exploring 4 Frank Lloyd Wright architectural gems (including Fallingwater) in PA’s scenic Laurel Highlands. 1 meal.
Tall Ships Great Lakes: July 24-30
AAA Member Rate: $1,539
Thrill to the spectacle of international Tall Ships on Lake Superior in Duluth MN. Enjoy ship tours and festivities. Visit the Lake Superior Maritime Center. Ride along Superior’s shores on the North Shore Railroad. See Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse. Includes visits to Chicago and the Wisconsin Dells. 11meals.
AAA Member Rate: $3,895
Fancy hats, mint juleps, “My Old Kentucky Home” — tradition plays a central role in the 139th Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Visit a horse farm and a distillery (with a tasting!). Enjoy lunch at historic Glen-Willis House on the Kentucky River and a reception at your hotel. On Derby Day, enjoy in-&-out privileges at a Churchill Downs Private Hospitality Event featuring a full buffet with bar/beverage service (including 2 complimentary drinks) and private betting windows. Then watch the Derby in person from grandstand seating! 4 meals.
Cultural Washington DC: May 10-12
The Wright Kind of Summer: July 16
AAA Member Rate: $1,049
Step back in time on northern Michigan’s enchanting no-cars-allowed Mackinac Island during its annual Lilac Festival. Enjoy the laid-back vibe, the Victorian-style lodging, a horse-drawn carriage ride, lunch & a garden tour at the famous Grand Hotel and more. 8 meals.
QUÉBEC CITY
Best of Montréal & Québec: Aug 4-10
AAA Member Rate: $1,885
Savor the fascinating flavors of French Canada in its 2 largest and most popular cities. The walled Old City section of Québec City enchants visitors with its history and charm. Venture into the countryside for a traditional “sugar shack” (where maple syrup is produced) dinner. Montréal hums with urban vitality & diversity; feel its energy as you see its sights. Also visit Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls. 12 meals.
DC & Marine Corps Parade: Aug 9-10
AAA Member Rate: $345
The US Marine Corps Evening Parade is a popular and moving summer tradition in the nation’s capital. You’ll get goosebumps watching precision drills and listening to patriotic tunes. Take a tour or DC’s landmarks and visit the Smithsonian museums. 3 meals.
Girls’ Spa Getaway: Aug 16-18
AAA Member Rate: $475
Head to Wilkes-Barre’s Woodlands Inn & Resort with friends or family on this fun-filled girls’ weekend for convenient on-site spa treatments (manicure, pedicure, 45-minute massage included), dining venues, hip cocktail lounges, exciting entertainment venues and more! 3 meals.
Chautauqua Wine & Dine: Aug 29-30
AAA Member Rate: $335
Discover the elegance & culture of NY’s Vintage Trail and Chautauqua Institution. Winery visits, mansion tour, lake cruise and more. 5 meals.
Rates are per person double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Pittsburgh, accommodations, admissions, taxes/gratuities for included features, baggage handling, meals as indicated and the services of a AAA Tour Manager. Visit AAA.com/usa for complete itinerary details and pick-up points.
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AAA MOTORIST
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
JANUARY 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
SAVE $50! PER ROOM WHEN YOU BOOK & DEPOSIT BY 1/31/13
Southwestern Canyonlands Eroded for eons by wind and water, the colorful canyons of Arizona, Utah and Nevada captivate all who visit. See the stunning Red Rocks of Sedona, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, the backcountry of Monument Valley, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park. Enjoy Grand Canyon National Park lodging, guided tour and IMAX Theater. Take an “adventure cruise” through Antelope/Navajo Canyon. Visit Lake Powell and spend 2 fun nights in Las Vegas.11 meals.
June 12-20 • AAA Member Rate: $2,725
Pacific Coast Enjoy a stunningly scenic journey exploring America’s majestic northern Pacific coastline and its vibrant cities, including Seattle, Portland, San Francicsco and more! Along the way, take a sunset dinner cruise on Seattle’s lakes, a dune buggy ride at Oregon Dunes National Park and a jet boat ride on the Rogue River! Visit Mt St Helens, Portland’s Rose Gardens, Multnomah Falls, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt Hood & Timberline Lodge, Redwood National Park, Sonoma’s wine country and much more. 17 meals.
June 16-25 • AAA Member Rate: $3,325
THE AMERICAN WEST
Where the sun sets ...and the fun rises! Rates are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated, services of a AAA Tour Manager and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.
Yellowstone Experience America’s first national park’s first explorers were called liars when they described its otherworldly features and wildlife. From Salt Lake City, visit Antelope Island State Park. At Yellowstone, head straight for Old Faithful! Visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. Taking a wildlife safari (with sunset picnic) with opportunities for wildlife sightings. Enjoy the “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,” the Grand Tetons, the cowboy town of Jackson, a Snake River float trip and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting). 12 meals.
Aug 5-11 • AAA Member Rate: $1,835
American Majesty From Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite landmarks in between. Visit Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone NP (Old Faithful & Mammoth Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower National Monument, Mt Rushmore National Memorial (evening light ceremony), Ft Laramie National Historic Site and the Buffalo Bill Historic Center. Float down the Snake River and ride a Jeep safari through the Black Hills. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting). See Crazy Horse Monument. 15 meals, including a chuck wagon dinner.
Grand Canyon Adventure Luxuriate in Red Rock Country at the Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa. Take a Pink Jeep backcountry tour. Ride first class on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to your national park lodging just a quarter-mile from the South Rim. Visit Glen Canyon Recreational Area and a night at Lake Powell Resort. A tour highlight is your guided half-day float trip on the Colorado River! Motorcoach to the Luxor Hotel on the Strip in Las Vegas. Flirt with Lady Luck, relax by the pool or take in a top-notch show on your free full day in Vegas. 9 meals.
Oct 4-10 • AAA Member Rate: $2,195
Napa Valley & San Francisco So many delights in one tour — from San Francisco’s endless charms to the natural splendor of the Muir Woods redwoods. Cross Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy 5 vineyards (participate in a “Blend Your Own Merlot” event) and 3 nights at Tuscan-style Vino Bella Resort in Napa. Savor an exquisite 4-course dinner on the Napa Valley Wine Train. With your hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf as your base, tour San Francisco’s famous landmarks, cruise by ferry across the bay and enjoy free time for shopping and exploring. 2 meals.
Oct 7-12 • AAA Member Rate: $1,949
Aug 31–Sept 8 • AAA Member Rate: 2,735
Best of Northern California
New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
Explore San Francisco, the redwoods at Muir Woods, Mediterranean-style Sausalito and the wine country of the Sonoma and Napa valleys (and dine on the Napa Valley Wine Train). Ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr to the scenic shores of Lake Tahoe and cruise its crystal-blue waters aboard a paddlewheeler. Venture to Yosemite National Park, then take the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterery, Carmelby-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, San Simeon (Hearst Castle), Salinas Valley and Silicon Valley. 14 meals.
Calling all train lovers! Join this multi-train Great American Rail Adventure in the Centennial State. Enjoy unforgettable rides on the Pike’s Peak Cog Railway, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Marvel at the awesome natural rock formations in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, the spectacular landscapes at the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction and the dizzying height of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City. 15 meals.
Explore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks. Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with llamas! 14 meals.
July 25–Aug 2 • AAA Member Rate: $2,859
Sept 14-21 • AAA Member Rate: $2,095
Oct 9-15 • AAA Member Rate: $2,309
Colorado Train Adventure
JANUARY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 13
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Catch the
ALOHA SPIRIT AAA’s 9-night Hawaiian vacation features a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Honolulu, a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial & a 7-night cruise of 4 islands (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii & Kauai). Member Rates SEE MORE HAWAII BY CRUISING! April 11-20 from $1,825 Oct 10-19 from $1,721 Nov 7-16 from $1,774
Steamboating with KDKA Personality Jon Burnett Glide along the Ohio River from Pitsburgh to Cincinnati, with stops in Point Pleasant WV and Maysville KY. The largest steamboat ever built, the grand American Queen is a gracious and elegant triumph of American ingenuity. Although filled with today’s modern amenities, her rooms and accommodations display all the opulence of America’s Victorian era. Glistening woodwork, fresh flowers and antiques adorn her interior spaces. Outside, lacy filigree evokes memories of the many stately river steamers that preceded her and so inspired her designers. The paddlewheel has its own rhythm but so does the music of the river as you float through the myriad melodies of blues, gospel, folk, rockabilly, ragtime, Dixieland jazz and zydeco. Sway to the music of Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton and try your hand at that quintessential river instrument, the calliope. You’ll quickly discover that the river has a rhythm all its own.
Aug 1-5 AAA Member Rate: from $1,798
Pride of America
Rates are per person (double occupancy), are subject to change/availability at time of booking and include hotel/pier transfers, 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, USS Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbor tour, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government taxes/fees. Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.
Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability and includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation (Pittsburgh pick-up points to wharf & Cincinnati to Pittsburgh), cruise accommodations, most onboard meals/entertainment, port charges, services of a AAA Tour Manager, onboard cocktail party, in-stateroom welcome bottle of wine and $50 per stateroom shipboard credit.
Celebrity Cruises and AAA Vacations ® offer some of the best values at sea & great benefits unavailable elsewhere! VIP Priority Check-in does not grant priority boarding
$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom
DATE NTS SHIP
ITINERARY
5/27 11 Reflection
Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Rome
5/29 12 Equinox
Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona
6/1 12 Constellation Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Amsterdam 6/3 11 Infinity
British Isles: Roundtrip from Harwich
6/3 12 Silhouette
Eastern Mediterranean: Rome to Venice
6/7 10 Reflection
Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Rome
6/8 14 Infinity
Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Southampton
6/10 12 Equinox
Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona
7/4 12 Equinox
Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona
7/5 10 Infinity
Norwegian Fjords: Roundtrip from Southampton
7/6 14 Eclipse
Iceland & Fjords: Roundtrip from Southampton
7/7 12 Constellation Scandinavia & Russia: Roundtrip from Amsterdam 7/8 11 Reflection
Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Rome
7/9 10 Silhouette
Eastern Mediterranean: Rome to Venice
7/19 10 Reflection
Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Rome
New bookings only. Offers listed available only on AAA Vacations departures. Combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions. ®
Includes Wildlife Safaris Oct 5-18 Visit AAA.com/Africa for itinerary & information. AAA Member Rate $8,399
Enjoy 2 valuable benefits EXCLUSIVELY for members BEST-PRICE GUARANTEE
If you find a better rate for the exact same cruise itinerary & experience within 24 hours of booking, AAA Vacations ® will match the lower rate...and you’ll receive a $50.00 future-travel credit certificate.
24 / 7 MEMBER CARE
Get peace of mind whenever you need emergency assistance while traveling — a toll-free domestic number and collect-call instructions for international travelers.
A special kind of cruise stands apart from all others — a AAA Vacations cruise available only from AAA Travel. It delivers unique features designed to ensure you have the best vacation experience. Compare a AAA Vacations cruise against the same cruise offered elsewhere; see how much more your vacation dollar gets you at AAA. Even if you find the same cruise (without AAA Vacations benefits, of course!) at a lower price somewhere else within 24 hours of booking your AAA Vacations cruise, AAA will match that rate and give you a $50.00 future-travel voucher... guaranteed! ®
®
®
®
AAA MEMBER BENEFIT SAVE $50.00 PER PERSON
Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (PittsburghNairobi), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided sightseeing, entrance fees, 34 meals, in-Africa tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met), air taxes & fees/surcharges and vendor cancellation waiver & insurance. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
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1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2013
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
JANUARY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 15
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Castles along the Rhine A Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
Photo courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, celebrating the fairytale beauty and romantic spirit of the Rhine River aboard the SS Antoinette. Travel in ultimate style & comfort to UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Amsterdam to Basel Cologne • Koblenz • Boppard • Rüdesheim Castle Vollrads Wine Tasting • Speyer Germersheim • Strasbourg • Breisach Alsatian Wine Road • Colmar • Riquewhir Oct 20-27 • AAA Member Rate: from $3,129 Rate is per person double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/ship transfers, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment/meals (7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners, including Captain’s Welcome Gala & a Farewell Dinner), 9 excursions (including 2 “Choice Is Yours” options with English-speaking local experts), wine/ beer/soft drinks at onboard lunches & dinners, bottled water in stateroom, 24-hour coffee/tea bar, Cruise Manager, English-speaking staff, $50 per person onboard credit, headset system on shore excursions, use of bicycles throughout cruise, onboard local entertainment, “The European City: Middle Ages to the Present” lecture, exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program,™ exclusive Go Active program, all transfers on arrival & departure days. Ask about available add-on airfare.
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AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2013
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
Altoona PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bridgeport WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brookville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Butler PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Columbiana OH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cranberry Township PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . East Liverpool OH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erie PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greensburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harborcreek PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indiana PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kittanning PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lower Burrell/New Kensington Area PA . . Martinsburg WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meadville PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morgantown WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Castle PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
814-946-1277 304-842-7676 814-849-4000 724-282-8810 330-482-3836 724-772-1122 330-385-2020 814-866-0246 724-834-8300 814-897-9508 724-349-4193 724-543-4244 724-339-4440 304-263-4619 814-724-3157 304-983-6480 724-658-8551
Pittsburgh PA area Century III (Pleasant Hills) . . . . . . . . . Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . East Liberty/Shadyside . . . . . . . . . . . . Monroeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Hills Area (Ross Twp) . . . . . . . . Robinson Township . . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Hills (Bethel Park) . . . . . . . . . . White Oak/McKeesport . . . . . . . . . . . Rochester PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St Marys PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Uniontown PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warren PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waynesburg PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wheeling WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weirton WV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
412-655-6105 412-338-4305 412-365-7272 412-858-4640 412-367-7625 412-809-2803 412-833-5060 412-675-3404 724-728-6230 814-781-3003 724-438-8575 814-723-6660 724-225-3600 724-627-3434 304-233-1810 304-748-1616
GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/ offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/travel. AAA FEATURED VACATIONS are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. 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.
AAA MEMBERS GET MORE! FREE MOTORCOACH!
Want to cruise but don’t want to fly? This motorcoach cruise to Canada & New England is for members like you. Avoid airport hassles and waiting for your luggage to be unloaded. Park free at your pickup point. Relax and leave the driving to professionals. Ride in comfort from Pittsburgh to the pier at Cape Liberty NJ and be rested & ready to sail on Celebrity Summit to Portland & Bar Harbor ME, Halifax & Sydney NS, Charlottetown PE, Québec City & Gaspé QC. 5 full days at sea. Includes Martini Tasting (2 per stateroom) and Wine Appreciation (1 bottle per stateroom).
1/6–1/31/13: The roundtrip motorcoach transfer is FREE for members, and members who book & deposit on a balcony stateroom (or higher) may choose 1 OF THE 3 BONUSES below! OCT 5-19 AAA MEMBER RATE: balcony staterooms from $2,638 Rate is per person based on double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip motorcoach, cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government fees/ taxes and a AAA Tour Manager to/from Cape Liberty. Ship’s registry: Malta. Visit AAA.com/travel for itinerary details & pick-up points. Limited motorcoach space.
AAA MEMBER BONUSES $200 SHIPBOARD CREDIT per stateroom PREPAID GRATUITIES
approx $11.50 per guest per cruise day for stateroom & dining room service (Concierge Class, Aquaclass: $12. Suites: $15)
CLASSIC BEVERAGE PACKAGE FOR 2 including alcohol (value: $88/day)
Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Isles
Explore the fascinating history, unique culture and stunning natural beauty of Italy, Malta, Greece and Turkey. Sail on Celebrity Silhouette roundtrip from Rome to Venice, Italy, with visits to Naples, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Mykonos, Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; and Rhodes, Santorini, Athens (Piraeus) & Chania (Souda), Greece. 2 full days at sea. Includes Martini Tasting Voucher (2 per stateroom) and Specialty Dining Restaurant (1 evening, 2 per stateroom).
1/6–1/31/13: Members who book & deposit on a balcony (or higher) stateroom may choose 2 OF THE 3 BONUSES below! OCT 19-31 AAA MEMBER RATE: balcony staterooms from $2,169 Rate is per person based on double occupancy, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals and government fees/taxes. Ship’s registry: Malta. Visit AAA.com/travel for complete itinerary details. Ask about available add-on airfare. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.
JANUARY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 17
1-800-354-8761 AAA.com/travel
Member Benefits Exclusive Offers
An already perfect cruise is even better... when it’s from AAA Vacations® BEST-PRICE GUARANTEE Find a better rate for the exact same cruise itinerary & experience within 24 hours of booking and AAA Vacations ® will match the lower rate; you’ll get a $50.00 future-travel credit certificate!
24/7 MEMBER CARE HELP DESK Get peace of mind when you need emergency assistance while traveling: toll-free domestic number and collect-call instructions for international travelers. AHOY! — AAA’s travel partners offer AAA members enhanced benefits & values on hundreds of AAA Vacations cruises in 2013. ®
Who doesn’t want a cruise with better benefits? AAA Vacations sailings offer best value for the money ®
cruise is the perfect vacation in so many A ways — convenience (unpack just once!) and value for your dollar, for example. And, if your cruise is a AAA Vacations® departure, perfection gets even better! You may already be familiar with our AAA Vacations®–branded Disney packages — the ones where AAA members get special benefits and big savings when you book a Disney vacation with AAA. We took that idea and applied it to cruises. Now you can search a huge inventory of cruises — hundreds & hundreds of them — for the trip that fits your idea of the perfect escape. They’re the same cruise offerings available to everyone, but as a AAA member you get more than the guy in the stateroom next to you (who’s not a member!). AAA Vacations® cruises are available with Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. If you enjoyed cruising with any of these lines in the past, you’re guaranteed a more enjoyable experience in the future. Why? Simply because you’re a AAA member and because we offer the best benefits out there. Every AAA Vacations® cruise comes with
3 things — one or more exclusive member values or experiences, a Best-Price Guarantee and a 24/7 Member Care Help Desk. The exclusive member value or experience may be any or all of the these: priority check-in on the day of boarding, credit to use on the ship, upscale dining, a bottle of Champagne. The Best-Price Guarantee assures you are getting just that — the lowest fare. If you book a AAA Vacations® cruise with us and you find a valid better rate for the exact same itinerary within 24 hours of your booking, AAA Vacations® will match the lower rate. We’ll also send you a $50 Future-Travel Credit Certificate toward a future AAA Vacations® cruise vacation. So, how do you find a AAA Vacations® cruise? It’s a breeze! All of our travel agents have the list and can share the different itineraries with you if you want personalized assistance. Visit your local AAA or call 1-800-354-8761 to speak with someone knowledgeable. If you like to do your own research and/or have access to a computer, start your search at AAA.com/cruises and look for the AAA Travel logo indicating qualified sailings. Simply mouse-over the logo to reveal the special offers!
CELEBRITY CRUISES
VIP Priority Check-in (does not grant priority boarding) $25 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 4- & 5-night cruises) $50 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 6- to 9-night cruises) $100 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 10-night & longer cruises)
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Pinnacle Grill Dinner (1st & 2nd passengers only) Exclusive Savor & Swirl Culinary Event (private session with a chef) Holland America Line Cookbook (1 per stateroom) $25 or $50 Beverage Card (1st & 2nd passengers only; select sailings) Chocolate-covered Strawberries (placed in stateroom; select sailings)
PRINCESS CRUISES
$50 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; cruises up to 11 nights) $75 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 12-night & longer cruises) Exclusive Wine Tasting (1st & 2nd passengers only) Embarkation Day Preferred Check-in (does not grant priority boarding)
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Complimentary Regent Choice Tour Excursion (1st & 2nd passengers only) AAA Vacations® Exclusive Reception
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL VIP Priority Check-in (does not grant priority boarding) $25 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 3- to 5-night cruises) $50 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 6- to 9-night cruises) $100 Onboard Credit (per stateroom; 10-night & longer cruises) Champagne upon arrival (placed in stateroom) Complimentary Dining for 2 at a Specialty Restaurant
(only on Allure of the Seas & Oasis of the Seas sailings booked after 4/15/12)
UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION $50 Shipboard Credit (per person) $100 to $200 AAA Vacations® Discount (per person) $125 to $250 AAA Member Rewards Discount (per person) ®
AAA Vacations amenities are combinable with exclusive AAA Member Benefits; ask a AAA Travel Agent for details. & restrictions. ®
Offers listed here available only on AAA Vacations departures. New bookings only. Visit AAA.com/travel for details & restrictions.
PAGE 18
AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2013
They’re playing your song in Nashville Music City USA will be music to your ears
P
ickers and grinners will have plenty to smile about in Nashville. In New York and LA, all of the waiters are actors. But in Music City USA everyone carries a guitar, or has hand written lyrics stuffed in their back pocket. This is where country met western, added a Tennessee twang and morphed into the Nashville Sound. With its roots in the issues of the common man country music has always been close to America’s heart. Songwriter Harlan Howard described it as “three chords and the truth.” Hundreds of aspiring songwriters and performers still make their way to Nashville every year playing for tips in joints like Robert’s Western World and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, a heliotrope colored Honky Tonk on Lower Broadway. Willie Nelson famously described Tootsie’s as “17 steps from the Ryman and 34 steps back.” Country music cognoscenti will want to make a trek out to the Bluebird Café, housed in a nondescript storefront in a suburban strip mall. This is where Nashville’s best songwriters gather to perform their own songs, which are usually made famous by others. A typical night consists of three or four tunesmiths performing in the round with just their acoustic guitars. There’s 1,354 guitar pickers in Nashville and it’s a good bet you’ll find
NASHVILLE CATS — Little Jimmy Dickens and Brad Paisley performing at the Grand Ole Opry. most of them hanging out at Gruhn Guitars. Located at Fourth Ave. and Broadway, proprietor George Gruhn is considered the nation’s foremost authority on vintage fretted instruments. And upstairs on the second floor is where they keep the really good stuff. Serious players and collectors will salivate over such rarities as Chet Atkins’ personal Gretsch Country Gentleman, and a 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin priced at $180,000. Satisfied customers include Vince Gill and Eric Clapton.
Get More... Out of Your Membership with
AAA Plus!!
A
s a AAA basic member, you enjoy countless valuable benefits — from roadside assistance to travel services, member discounts, and access to financial and insurance services. And there’s more! When you sign up for AAA Plus membership, you’re eligible for all of the benefits of basic membership, plus enhanced and extended services, including:
n Up to 100 miles of free towing n Free emergency fuel n Up to $100 emergency locksmith services n Extended extrication service n Extra Trip Interruption Protection coverage
Get more out of your membership
Call or visit your local AAA office or AAA.com, or call our Member Service Center at 1-800-441-5008
Hatch Show Print just down the street, not only created the handbills and posters for the Grand Ole Opry, but for tent shows, carnivals and products like Peco Gas and Graves Whole Hog Sausage. Today, they are one of the nation’s few remaining letterpress print shops and still cranking out posters for everyone from AC/DC to ZZ Top. A small retail area offers re-strikes of many of their best known vintage prints. The Ryman Auditorium at Museum and Fifth, is known as the “Mother Church of Country Music.” This is where Hank Williams sang Honky Tonk Blues six times in a row and where Jim Denny fired Elvis Presley after his first performance, telling him he “ought to go back to drivin’ a truck.” Now a National Historic Landmark, the one time church and former home of the Grand Ole Opry is open for tours and live performances of rock, gospel, and country. After the show, stop in at Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, one of Nashville’s authentic meat-and-three restaurants (a meat dish served with three sides). A short walk from the Ryman is The Country Music Hall of Fame. This massive, grand piano-shaped facility spans an entire city block and honors music legends like Johnny Cash and Patsy
Cline. Among the thousands of artifacts on display are Hank Williams’ favorite Martin guitar, and Webb Pierce’s 1962 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, customized with a pair of Texas longhorns mounted over the grille, and six shooters for door handles. More than 150 silver dollars are sewn into the hand-tooled leather upholstery. Music Row stretches from 16th Avenue to Belmont, and is lined with music publishers and recording studios. Visitors can tour RCA Studio B, the iconic studio known as Nashville’s “Home of a 1,000 Hits.” The modest block building is where artists like Elvis, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers recorded hits like “Only the Lonely,” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” When the Grand Ole Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium in 1974, it took part of the Ryman with it. A round circle of oak cut from the Ryman stage now sits center stage at the Grand Ole Opry House. The show that made country music famous is performed about nine miles northeast of town in a state of the art 4,400 seat theater. The Opry showcases a mix of legends like 91-year-old Little Jimmy Dickens with contemporary chart-toppers like Jason Aldean, performing country, bluegrass and gospel, all leavened with some corn pone comedy. Visitors can take a backstage tour and walk in the footsteps of the stars while getting a rare look at what happens on the other side of the curtain. From November through January, the Opry moves back to its former home, the Ryman Auditorium.
TEMPLE OF ATHENA
Nashville’s Parthenon is home to sculptor Alan LeQuire’s 1990 startling re-creation of the Athena Parthenos. The massive, 42-foot-tall statue took eight years to complete and is covered with more than eight pounds of gold leaf. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide for or log on to AAA.com/TravelPlanner for special values on AAA motorcoach vacations.
JANUARY 2013
Disney Month at AAA in booking Disney vacations is no hollow claim: AAA East Central has been officially recognized by Disney as Club of the Year for 2011 (the 2012 winner won’t be announced until later this year). That means you can be confident that the assistance and service you’ll get can be trusted to be among the best available. AAA Travel Agents know Disney inside & out and can help you create the vacation you and your family have always dreamed of — and they can enhance it with special member benefits and extras you may not have even expected! The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re getting the best — and the most — value for your hard-earned vacation dollar makes all the difference in the world in how you experience and enjoy your Disney time. Whether at a Walt Disney World® Resort theme park, aboard a ship of the Disney Cruise Line® or on a family-friendly Adventures by Disney® guided domestic or international tour, your vacation is sure to be
AAA MOTORIST
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continued from page 1
one you’ll never, ever forget. Remember: January has only 31 days. Contact AAA now; “there snow way” you want to miss Disney Month!
ONLY IN JANUARY AT AAA!
Walt Disney World ® Resort in Florida Come where elephants fly, teacups spin and fairytales come true – the Walt Disney World® Resort, including New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom® Park and experience Disney storytelling in a magical new way! Your family will create memories that will last happily ever after. During January’s Disney Month, ask your AAA Travel professional about a special Disney Gift Card* offer when you buy a select AAA AS TO ARTWORK: © DISNEY Vacations ® package 1/3/13 through 1/31/13. *The Disney Gift Card can be used at select participating locations at Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Disney Store locations in the US, DisneyStore.com, DisneyPhotoPass.com, Disney Vacation Club®, Adventures by Disney® and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. It is not redeemable for cash, will not be replaced if lost or stolen without required proof of purchase, and it is subject to the terms & conditions of the Disney Gift Card Program. The Disney Gift Card cannot be used toward the purchase of a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club® Resort. The Disney Gift Card is issued by Disney Gift Card Services, Inc. Gift cards may not be used toward the purchase of Disney Dollars or Disney Gift Cards. Other restrictions apply. Use of gift card is acceptance of its terms & conditions. Visit DisneyGiftCard.com for complete terms & conditions and for more information about the Disney Gift Card program.
Disney Cruise Line® Master storytelling, world-class entertainment and legendary Disney hospitality all come together on the Disney Dream, creating experiences designed to delight everyone in the family. From an exhilarating ride on the first water coaster at sea, to dazzling stage shows, themed deck parties and fireworks at sea, this incredible ship will delight all who step aboard. Combine this with a visit to Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise, and it’s a vacation dream come true. AS TO ARTWORK: © DISNEY Sail on Disney Dream and receive a $50 Onboard Credit* when you book a Verandah Stateroom on a 3- or 4-night Bahamian cruise between 1/1/13–1/31/13 for sailings departing 5/2/13–9/26/13. AS TO ARTWORK: © DISNEY
NOTE: For AAA Member Benefits — Advance reservations are required for the preferred fireworks, reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission required. One viewing per person. Entire party must be present for admission. Space is limited and subject to availability. Fireworks schedules vary by season and certain block-out dates apply to this benefit during holiday periods. Inclementweather conditions may affect outdoor entertainment. Disney Story Time — advance reservations required; reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission are also required. Seating is limited and subject to availability. Operates on select days of the week and certain block-out dates apply. One voucher per room. One Diamond Savings Card per package, nontransferable and void if sold. Diamond parking is subject to availability and a voucher is required. Block-out dates apply; nontransferable and void if sold. Photo package: inside stateroom receives two 8"x10" photos and one 6"x8" photo. Outside staterooms receive four 8"x10" photos and three 6"x8" photos. Valid for sailings 1/1/13–12/31/13. Benefits are per stateroom. All benefits are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply. Magic Moments Savings based on the nondiscounted price for the same room at a participating hotel paid by non-AAA members and is applicable to the room-only portion of the package. Limited number of packages available with these savings. Guests must be AAA members with a valid AAA membership card when booking. Valid AAA membership card must be presented at check-in. Gifts (totes, miniature-golf tickets, Cirque du Soleil tickets and water park tickets) are limited to 100 per room based on deposit dates, new bookings only beginning 1/1/2013.
*Applicable to AAA/CAA travel agencies. Must book between 1/1/13 & 1/31/13 and mention booking code ADM at time of booking. Valid for verandah stateroom categories 4A-7A. New bookings only. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers/discounts. One shipboard credit per stateroom. Excludes category with restrictions VGT and concierge/suite stateroom categories. Changes to the vacation date or category may result in loss of offer. Offer for Guests who previously booked, cancelled and then rebooked are not eligible. Shipboard credit is nonrefundable and nontransferable. See Disney Cruise Line® website for cruise details and applicable terms & conditions. This offer can be combined with existing AAA benefits. **Benefits valid only for AAA/CAA members who pre-purchase their vacation package through a AAA/CAAA Travel Agency. Benefits valid for Disney Cruise Line® sailings through 12/31/13. Benefits are per each valid stateroom booked and are nontransferable. All benefits & services are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions & exclusions may apply.
Adventures by Disney® There are literally thousands of adventures out there just waiting to be experienced. Let Adventures by Disney® be your guides, your storytellers, your local experts and your masters of hassle-free guided group travel. They’ll take you where you want to go. Bring you closer to the places you visit. See every last detail. And make sure every moment, for everyone in your family, is a moment you’ll want to remember again and again. AAA members can get $100 off* the land package price of an Adventures by Disney® AS TO ARTWORK: © DISNEY vacation when they book before 1/31/13. *AAA/CAA members who book any available Adventures by Disney® departure between 1/1/13 & 1/31/13 for travel before 3/30/14 will receive $100 off the total land package price per reservation. Land packages are subject to availability. Excludes specialty departures. Valid on new bookings only. Offer valid for AAA/CAA members only, subject to verification. Not transferable or redeemable for cash in whole or in part. Void where prohibited. Offer subject to change without notice. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. This offer is combinable with the AAA member benefit.
PAGE 20
AAA MOTORIST
JANUARY 2013
E15 gasoline could create problems for your car Less than 5 percent of vehicles approved to use new blend
A
AA East Central is urging regulators and the fuel industry to halt the sale of E15 gasoline until there are more protections for motorists. A recent AAA survey found a strong likelihood of consumer confusion, as well as the potential for voided warranties and vehicle damage. An overwhelming 95 percent of consumers surveyed have not heard of E15, and nearly half (44 percent) said they did not know if the fuel was approved for use in their primary vehicle. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved E15 for sale last June, a gasoline blend that contains 15 percent ethanol. “It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair. “Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers.” Consumers will find orange-andblack signs at the pump that state the new fuel blend is approved for use in all flex-fuel vehicles and 2001 model year and newer cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles and SUVs. But AAA polled auto manufacturers and found only about 12 million or less than 5 percent of the more
HIGH FRUCTOSE FUEL — The higher blend of ethanol in E15 could cause engine problems. than 240 million light-duty vehicles on the road today are equipped to use E15. AAA automotive engineering experts believe that sustained use of E15 in both newer and older vehicles could result in significant problems, such as accelerated engine wear and failure, fuel-system damage and false “check engine” lights for any vehicle not intended by its manufacturer to use E15. Unsuspecting consumers could end up with engine problems not covered by
their vehicles warranty. Five manufacturers (BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen) are on record saying their warranties will not cover fuelrelated claims caused by the use of E15. Seven more (Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo) have said that the use of E15 does not comply with the fuel requirements specified in their owner’s manuals and may void warranty coverage. “The sale and use of E15 should be suspended until additional gas pump
labeling and consumer education efforts are implemented to mitigate problems for motorists and their vehicles,” said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central. “Consumers should carefully read pump labels and know their auto manufacturer’s recommendations to help prevent any problems from E15.” AAA thinks fuel producers and regulators can do a better job of educating consumers about the potential risks. This outreach should include a consumer education campaign and more effective pump labels, among other potential safeguards to protect consumers and their vehicles. AAA also recommends additional testing to conclusively determine the impact of E15 use on vehicle engines and fuel system components.
A SHORT LIST
The only vehicles currently certified by automakers to use E15 are flex-fuel models, 2001 model-year and newer Porsches, 2012 model-year and newer GM vehicles and 2013 model-year Fords. These approvals extend only to cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles (SUVs). The use of E15 is expressly prohibited in heavy-duty vehicles, boats, motorcycles, power equipment, lawn mowers and off-road vehicles.
ONLY AAA DELIVERS & INSTALLS
BECAUSE SO MUCH DEPENDS ON YOUR BATTERY
We’ll come to you wherever you are, test your battery and if necessary, install a new one at a special members-only price.We offer a 72-month limited warranty including 36 month FREE replacement throughout North America! No one beats that.
1-800-AAA-HELP
AAAAAA.com/battery
JANUARY 2013
AAA MOTORIST
PAGE 21
Ireland wants you to “come home to visit” This year, the pipes are calling you back to the Emerald Isle
E
veryone it’s been said, has a bit of Irish in them and without a doubt the Emerald Isle’s greatest export has been its people. Now Ireland wants you to “come home to visit.” It’s all part of a year long extravaganza called “The Gathering: Ireland 2013,” and the timing couldn’t be better. The Gathering taps into that yearning in ways generations of Irish descendents should find irresistible. Yes, big and boisterous events like the Great Limerick Run, the Dublin Theatre Festival and the Street Performance World Championships abound. But with the emphasis on grassroots participation odds are you’ll find something of interest wherever you go. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, near Limerick, is a great place to begin. The 25-acre living history museum vividly recreates 19th century Ireland with rural farmhouses, village shops and of course a pub. Towering 700-feet above the coast are the fabled Cliffs of Moher. Those who brave the chill can actually watch the gales sweeping in from the Atlantic. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay. In Foynes, the Flying Boat Museum recalls the early days of air travel, when transatlantic traffic landed here to refuel. It’s also the birthplace of Irish Coffee, invented to warm weary passengers.
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city. This is history you can touch and feel as you explore the creative heart of Ireland’s traditional crafts at Waterford Crystal. Enjoy traditional Irish songs and step dancing at the Merry Ploughboy Pub. From the elegant Georgian townhouses, to the charming Hapenny Bridge over the River Liffey, Dublin is a cosmopolitan city with a quality all its own. Visitors can view the 1,200-yearold Book of Kells at Trinity College, or enjoy a Guinness in an authentic Irish pub. Here the art of conversation finds effortless expression and no one remains a stranger for long. IF YOU GO
ON THE EDGE — Taking in the view on the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. The Ring of Kerry — a 100-mile route that winds around the Iveragh Peninsula — is Ireland’s most popular scenic drive. Here the mountains tumble into the sea in a landscape that’s woven like a fine Irish tweed. Learn about the monks who lived on the isolated, rocky islands or pass through Waterville, where Charlie Chaplin vacationed. Those hoping to find out if they’re descended from Irish gentry, can stop by Moll’s Gap for expansive mountain vistas and to tour the 19th century Muckross House, an
elegant Georgian mansion. Historic Blarney Castle is about 5-miles from the ancient city of Cork. High up in the battlements is the Blarney Stone, believed to be half of the Stone of Scone, and said to bestow the gift of eloquence for a kiss. In the port town of Cobh, visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration to America. Learn about the many hardships of Irish emigrants as they made their way to the New World.
AAA’s 6-night Irish Heritage departs May 12-19, 2013. Highlights include a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Blarney/Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Tour, and Dublin City Tour. This AAA Featured Vacation includes motorcoach transportation, hotel accommodations, 11 meals, admissions, sightseeing and guide as per itinerary, hotel taxes, service charges, and baggage handling. Ask about add on airfare. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/Europe for more European vacation ideas.
How to avoid being blinded by the light Reducing the dangers of driving in the dark
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ith winter’s arrival, most people find themselves spending more time driving in the dark. While you can’t change the fact that there are fewer daylight hours, you don’t have to be hampered by poor visibility. Almost one in three drivers reports difficulty seeing when driving at night. Motorists have to deal with light-pollution from headlamps, street lighting and service stations that play havoc with their night vision. Other contributing factors include more traffic, higher-mounted headlights on trucks and SUVs, and an aging population more susceptible to glare. Poor night vision can also be caused by the sun. The human eye contains photoreceptors, which have pigments that change shape when struck by light. This process is known as “bleaching.” Very bright light — like sunlight — can bleach so many of these pigments in a photoreceptor that it cannot respond to any other visual stimuli for a while, which means your eyes can have trouble adjusting to the dark. The longer your eyes are exposed to the sun, the worse your night vision becomes. There also are things you can to enhance visibility while driving at night: Clean your windshield — Light is
THE LIGHT THAT BLINDS — Your night vision can be temporarily lost with a burst of bright light. refracted through a dirty windshield, which intensifies glare. In addition, a clean windshield will have less reflection. This includes the inside of your windshield since chemicals from the plastic in the interior build up and create a haze. Clean your headlights as well. Even a thin layer of grime can reduce the light headlights emit by as
much as 90%. Adjust your mirrors — Sit in the driver’s seat, and tilt your head until it rests against the window. Adjust the driver’s side outboard mirror until you can see the rear fender at the edge of the glass. Then tilt your head to the right until it’s at the center of the car. Adjust the passenger side outboard mir-
ror until you can see the rear fender at the edge of the glass. Change the rearview mirror to its night setting by flipping a small lever at the bottom of the mirror. These adjustments will reduce blind spots, and prevent the bright spots in trailing cars’ headlights from shining directly into your eyes. Avoid flash blindness — Your night vision can be temporarily lost with a burst of bright light — a phenomena known as “flash blindness.” When oncoming headlights shine into your eyes, look down and to the right. Use the right side of the road for tracking your lane instead of the left side. Avoid looking directly into streetlights or brightly lit areas. Dim your dash lights — The dimmer the light inside the car, the better you can see outside. Your instrument panel should just be bright enough for the instruments to be readable.
HAVE YOUR VISION CHECKED
Age makes eyes more sensitive to glare. The American Optometric Association recommends that everyone under age 40 have a thorough eye exam at least every three years; drivers 41 to 60, every two years; and drivers over age 60, every year.
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Curaçao is like Amsterdam on the beach Tiny Caribbean island is a unique port of call
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spicy gumbo of nationalities and cultures Curaçao is one of the Caribbean’s most sophisticated capitals. Located between Aruba and Bonaire, about 35 miles north of Venezuela, the largest of the Netherlands Antilles is just 38 miles long and 2 to 7.5 miles across. Days are filled with sunshine and the beaches curve like brilliant, white smiles along the coast. Beach lovers can revel in over 35 beaches ranging from tiny Playa Lagun, to Seaquarium Beach lined with plush resorts. Visitors can choose between intimate rocky coves surrounded by massive cliffs, or smooth crescents of powdery sand. Most are scattered along the sheltered southwestern coast, where the turquoise waters are calm and clear. Diving enthusiasts can explore the Mushroom Forest, an underwater jungle of 10-foot, mushroom-shaped star coral. Visitors who would rather remain on dry land can hike or drive in Christoffel Park, filled with kadushi cactus, wild orchids, tamarind and divi-divi trees. There are eight hiking trails, ranging from an easy stroll, to a challenging hike to the top of Mt. Christoffel. Those who stop to feed the iguanas may quickly find themselves surrounded by 50 or more hungry reptiles. The island’s original inhabitants were Caquetios Indians and their 1,500-year-
explore the town’s many historic sites including the Postal Museum, which dates from 1693, and the Mikvé IsraelEmanuel Synagogue, the Caribbean’s oldest continuously operating synagogue. Diners can sample Caribbean and Latin inspired dishes such as stob (lamb or goat stew) cactus soup, fish chowder and a polenta-like favorite called funchi in the many open-air cafes and roadside snèks. Willemstad is divided by Saint Anna Bay and the two sides are connected by the Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge known locally as the “Swinging Old Lady”. When a ship wants to enter the harbor, a siren sounds and the bridge is swung open to let the ship pass.
POSTCARD PERFECT — The 17th century Dutch Colonial buildings along the Handelskade, Willemstad’s waterfront promenade. old drawings can still be seen on the walls of the Hato Caves. The name “Curaçao” is thought to have come from Portuguese sailors who called it Ilha da Curação or Island of Healing. In 1634, the Dutch West Indies Company claimed the island and Peter Stuyvesant was installed as governor. Dutch is still the official language but most residents speak Papiamento among themselves. Spoken only on the so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) Papiamento is an eclectic
mixture of Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch spiced with English, African and Indian idioms. Curaçao’s crown jewel — the capital city of Willemstad — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving some 765 heritage buildings, including Fort Amsterdam, and the Governor’s Palace. The Dutch Colonial buildings along the Handelskade mirror 17th and 18th century Amsterdam, with added Caribbean accents like verandas, fretwork and a bright palette of pastels. Visitors can
IF YOU GO
Curaçao is a popular cruise port and there are about 220 cruise ship calls each year, bringing some 300,000 visitors to the island. Among the lines that call in at the island’s two cruise ports are Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess Cruises, Celebrity, Cunard and Holland America. FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please see your AAA Departures section or visit AAA.com/cruises for special values on Caribbean cruise vacations.
New Martinsburg AAA branch is open for business Ribbon cutting held for new location in The Commons
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AA East Central has been on the move lately. The Martinsburg West Virginia office reopened in December at its new location in The Commons, one of the area’s premier shopping centers. AAA members and customers can take advantage of all the expert services and member benefits they expect from AAA, including auto travel, insurance, and a full-service travel agency, in more convenient and functional surroundings with expanded customer amenities. This is the third change of address for the Martinsburg location. The original office was located on West Martin Street, and moved to North Queen Street in 1985. Located just off Exit 12 of I-81, The Commons is home to such retail giants as Best Buy and Target. AAA opened the office on December 3rd, and held a Grand Opening celebration December 10, with long time AAA East Central Board Member Carol Asam formally cutting the ribbon. “What began over 100 years ago as an idea by a handful of farsighted motorists has grown into a remarkable success story,“ said Asam. “AAA East Central’s 82 branch offices now serve over 1.5 million members annually. Our goal is to provide a truly memorable member
GRAND OPENING — AAA East Central regional board member Carol Asam (third from left) cuts the ribbon to open the new AAA Martinsburg branch office. Joining her at the December 10, 2012 ribbon cutting ceremony are left to right: Wayne Northey, AAA West Virginia Regional President; Jennifer Caskey, AAA Travel Agent; Theodosia Dellinger, AAA Insurance Agent; Tammy Gardner, AAA Auto Touring Counselor; and Carol’s husband Irwin Asam. (photo by John McVey) experience in all of our branch locations. We invite Martinsburg area mem-
bers to come in and see this impressive new facility and take full advantage of
our top notch travel, auto travel, insurance, and financial services.” Martinsburg and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia is the fastest growing region of the state. AAA West Virginia Regional President Wayne Northey said it was time for AAA to enhance its facilities and relocate to meet the needs of a growing membership base, and to reflect a geographic shift in the area’s population. “Our new office is not only more welcoming, it was designed to meet current member service trends,” said Northey. “The updated space provides a better working environment for employees, better street level visibility and offers improved access for members.” “It is bright, it’s airy and it’s new,” said AAA Insurance Agent Theodosia Dellinger. “The new office is quieter with more natural light and more efficient workspaces. Calling it a improvement would be an understatement.” There are currently about 28,000 AAA members in the Martinsburg area and 140,000 members in West Virginia. “This new office is much more than just bricks and mortar,” Northey said. “I see it as an investment in the future of Martinsburg that will benefit members and their families for years to come.”
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