jamestown_may_2013 1

Set sail for Hawaii aboard NCL CruisesScattered like pearls around the Pacific, Hawaii is the ideal cruise destination. And there is no bet-ter way to experience “the misty seas of the high heavens” than island hopping aboard NCL’s Pride of America, combined with a 2-night AAA land package at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. Pride of America embodies all the attributes of NCL’s innovative Freestyle Cruising, and the

7-night cruises visit all of Hawaii’s main islands, including overnights on Maui and Kauai. Passengers will have more time in port than any other cruise line. Plus, receive special Aloha Gifts from AAA Travel, valued up to $200, when you book and deposit by May 31, 2013. SEE PAGE 9

Prepare to be Wowed by AAA Club Rewards on AAA.comAAA Club Rewards is an exciting new online discount program that significantly

expands discounts and savings available to AAA members! This innovative new shop-ping experience on AAA.com, features deep discounts, limited offers and everyday savings on electronics, home improvement, apparel, entertainment, pet care and more, from approximately 30,000 participating merchants nationwide — including national chains like Kohl’s, Macy’s, Best Buy, Walmart and The Home Depot.

In addition to discount offers, you’ll earn reward or WOWPoints on most purchases that you can “burn off” at your favorite partici-pating merchants. Starting with just 200 points, AAA members can redeem their WOWPoints for merchandise on AAA Club Rewards. • WOWPointsareasflexibleascash;• 100WOWPointsearned=$1.00;• Nolimittothepointsyoucanearn;• Noblackoutdates,norestrictions.

Registration is completely free — a valid AAA membership and email address are all you need. Why wait any longer? Register online at AAA.com/discounts. Then shop, save and earn on national and local brands, restaurants and retailers.

TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY

SEE PAGE 3

Vol. 60 No. 5 JAMESTOWN REGION MAY 2013Travel | Insurance/Financial | Autom

otive | Mem

ber Savings | AAA.com

AAA Member Rewards Visa® Credit Card is Miles Ahead!

The AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card is putting a lot of distance between itself and the competition. No other fee free credit card evencomes close.

In addition to earning rewards on regular pur-chases the AAA Member Rewards Visa features a lucrative assortment of redemption offers and benefits, including cash, travel perks, gift cards and merchandise. And because you’re a AAA member, the AAA Member Rewards Visa® has no annual fee!

Unlike some cards that set complicated rules in order to make it harder to earn rewards, using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card could not be any easier. You earn genuine rewards for the things you have to buy everyday. Card members receive one point for every dollar they spend, double points on gas, grocery and drug store purchases and triple points on AAA and all travel purchases. There’s no maximum on the amount of cash back you can earn, and your rewards will be there for as long as your account remains open. And, you can combine points from multiple AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit cards!

Members can redeem points for cash, travel or gift cards. Why wait? Apply for the AAA Member Rewards Visa® credit card today at AAA.com/creditcard or your nearest AAA Branch. (For more information on the rates, fees and benefits of this card, visit AAA.com/creditcard.)

Safari! Swahili for “journey,” this one word readily conjures up images of exotic animals, peo-ples & places. And, with the abundance of “wows” on AAA’s April 24–May 9, 2014, escorted tour, you won’t be disappointed!

Explore wild & wonderful areas com-fortably and confidently as a group with your fellow AAA travelers and an experienced AAA Tour Manager from the moment you arrive in South Africa.

This unique 14-night tour is jam-packed with opportunities to view — and in some cases, meet — wildlife “up close & personal.” Si-dle up to penguins braying like donkeys, enjoy safaris (from an open-air vehicle and from atop an elephant’s back!) and “capture” lions, leopards and rhinos with your camera!

From Johannesburg to Soweto to Cape Town to Victoria Falls, you’ll meet local people (children at a township school, adults in a Zim-babwean village) and gain a better un-derstanding of southern Africa’s diverse cultures, social challenges and unique ways of life.

The places you’ll visit! In the wealthi-est province, cosmopolitan Jo’burg bustles as a gold & diamond center and South Africa’s largest city. A visit to the informal settlements of the South West Townships (Sowe-to) includes lunch with locals

2 thrill-filled dream vacations pack ‘WOW! factor’ sights...and savings

continued on page 8

LANDS DOWN UNDER!

YOUR HEART FLUTTERS. Your jaw drops. Your breath intake deepens. You’re experiencing a travel WOW — an extraordinary, life-affirming, awe-inducing moment of the kind we all revel in, strive to remember and can’t wait to share with the folks back home. Whether WOWs involve wildlife, amazing scenery (natural or manmade) or unique experiences or

activities, they’re the hallmarks of unforgettable vacations. Such thrilling moments of goosebumps & giddiness abound on 2 very special AAA Featured Vacations — “Spectacular South Africa” and “Australia & New Zealand.” And, AAA members who book & make a deposit by May 31 will be wowed by savings of up to $1,200 per room (discount tied to your membership level; see savings chart on page 8 for details).

“Oz-some” perfectly describes this very popu-lar and awesome AAA adventure April 24–May 14, 2014! It’s a dream-fulfilling exploration of the

unique and diverse wonders Austra-lia & New Zealand offer. Travel down under with an experienced AAA Tour Manager on a 21-day grand tour of cit-ies & countryside and see more and do more than you can on most other tours — from meeting Aboriginal Australians to visiting a koala sanctuary to viewing

a sheep shearing. You’ll even experience unique dining; among the 30 included meals are dinners deep “in the bush” with entertainment under a star-studded sky, on a cruise around Sydney Harbour and with a New Zealand family in their home. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

It all begins at Cairns, tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage Site. First,

glide over & into the rainforest canopy in a cabled gondola, then enjoy a AAA-exclusive inclusion — an evening of indigenous cuisine, entertainment and storytelling. Zip on a high-speed cata-maran to a pontoon on the reef, where you can snorkel or scuba if you wish.

Fly to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Out-back. Tour the base of this huge monolith and, as the sun sets, enjoy a Champagne toast watch Uluru change colors!continued on page 8

MEMBERS SAVE UP T0$1,200!PER ROOM, BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

SEE CHART ON PAGE 8!SOUTHERN AFRICA!

SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA

Culture & Harmony in Nature

From the Outback to the Glaciers

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Each tour includes

AAA-exclusive excursions at no extra cost!

A AAA Tour Manager is by your side while you’re

there!

‘BUCKET LIST’ AAA FEATURED VACATIONS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

PAGE 2 AAA MOTORIST MAY 2013

AAA DIRECTORYINTERNET WEB SITE: www.AAA.com

AAA MEMBER SERVICES • ADDRESS CHANGEtriptiks, tourbooks, maps, license

412-363-5100 or 1-800-441-5008

APPROVED AUTO REPAIR412-365-7411 or 1-800-233-9733

EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE412-362-1900 or 1-800-222-4357

EXPRESS TRAVEL RESERVATIONSairline tickets, tours, cruises, rental cars

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

INSURANCE SERVICES: 1-800-207-7947

MEDIA RELATIONS: 412-365-7157

PUBLIC AFFAIRS: 412-365-7242

AAA MOTORIST: 412-365-7017

SAFETY: 412-365-7211

TDD for the hearing-impaired: 412-363-7144

AAA BRANCH OFFICE LOCATIONSAltoona 1634 Valley View Blvd. ............................. 814-946-1277Brookville288 Main St. .................................................814-849-5381Butler138 Clearview Circle ....................................724-287-2713CranberryThe Village Shoppes, 20510 Rt. 19 ..........724-772-1122Erie6660 Peach St. Unit #2 ..............................814-866-0246Franklin102 Sugar Creek Town Center Rd. ...........814-432-3960GreensburgEastgate Shopping Center5142 Route 30, Suite 135 ......................... 724-834-8300Grove City24 Pine Grove Village Dr. ..........................724-458-8930Harborcreek4430 Buffalo Rd. ........................................814-897-9508Hermitage1749 E. State St.. ........................................724-981-9141Indiana1169 Wayne Ave. .......................................724-349-4193Jamestown (New York)111 W. Fifth St., Jamestown, N.Y.. ...........716-488-1981KittanningFranklin Village Mall. ............................... 724-543-1924Lewisburg530 1/2 North Derr Drive . ....................... 570-524-7455Lower Burrell/New Kensington AreaCrossroads Plaza2503 Leechburg Rd....................................724-339-4440McKean County (Bradford)587 South Ave. ..........................................814-368-3113Meadville18939 Park Avenue Plaza Unit #7 ............814-724-2247New Castle40 East St....................................................724-658-8551Niagara-Orleans7135 Rochester Rd, Lockport, NY. ............716-434-2865Pittsburgh–Century III Area (Pleasant Hills)9 Clairton Blvd. (RT 51). ........................... 412-655-6100Pittsburgh–Downtown538 Smithfield St. ......................................412-338-4300Pittsburgh–East Liberty/Shadyside5900 Baum Blvd. ........................................412-365-7196Pittsburgh–Monroeville2725 Mosside Blvd. ....................................412-858-4640Pittsburgh–North Hills Area (Ross Township)4790 McKnight Rd. ....................................412-367-7600Pittsburgh–Robinson TownshipRobinson Town Centre1760 Park Manor Blvd. .............................412-809-2800Pittsburgh–South Hills Area (Bethel Park)160 Ft. Couch Rd. ......................................412-833-5203Rochester300 Adams St. ............................................724-775-8000St. Marys1375 Bucktail Rd. ...................................... 814-834-7838Somerset110 N. Center Ave. ....................................814-443-6526Sunbury1001 Market Street. ..................................570-286-4507Uniontown111 W. Main St. .........................................724-438-8575Warren2285 Market St. .........................................814-723-6660Washington196 Murtland Ave. ....................................724-222-3800Waynesburg184 Greene Plaza, US 21 & I-79 ................724-627-3434White Oak/McKeesport AreaOak Park Mall, 2001 Lincoln Way ............412-675-3400

BEFORE YOU GOIf long- or short-term foreign travel is in your plans speak with your AAA travel or insurance representative about travel insurance coverage that you can take with you wherever you go. Call 800.354.8761 or visit AAA.com/Insurance to purchase travel medical insurance online.

Make sure your insurance coverage goes with you Protecting your vacation and financial peace of mind

Whether your idea of a summer break is sipping a cocktail by the pool, mountain biking a double

black diamond, or touring the capitals of Europe, travel insurance can pro-vide valuable assistance and financial protection. “Emergencies are rare, but everyone should have a contingency plan,” says Jim Lehman, president AAA East Central. “Unforeseen illnesses and medical emergencies are the number one reason trips are canceled.”

If you’re planning an international trip, there are three types of insurance you should consider: trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance, and medical evacuation insurance.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Trip cancellation insurance covers your financial investment in your trip, should you have to cancel a trip due to sickness, a death in the family, bad weather, delayed luggage or another disaster listed in the policy. In addition, if you or an immediate family member become seriously ill or are injured dur-ing the trip some travel insurance poli-cies will reimburse you for the unused portion of the vacation. There may be exclusions for pre-existing condi-tions, so check your policy carefully. Depending on the policy, trip cancel-lation insurance might not cover any medical care overseas, so you may need a separate travel health insurance policy.

Travel Health InsuranceIf you need medical treatment over-

seas, you will probably be asked to pay out-of-pocket, which could be very expensive. Even countries with nation-alized health care may not cover peo-ple who are nonresidents. Before you go, consider your insurance options in case you need care while you’re abroad, especially if you have exist-ing health conditions, will be away

from home for a long time, or will be engaging in adventure activities such as scuba diving or hang gliding.

If you have health insurance in the United States, find out if it will cover emergencies that happen abroad. Ask if your policy has any exclusions, such as for preexisting conditions or adven-ture activities. If your health insurance coverage is not adequate, consider buying a short-term supplemental pol-icy. Look for a policy that will make payments to hospitals directly.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are traveling to a destination where care is not up to U.S. standards, consider buying medical evacuation insurance. This can be purchased sepa-rately or as part of your travel health insurance policy. This insurance will pay for emergency transportation from a remote or poor area to a high-quality hospital. Make sure that the policy provides a 24-hour physician support center.

When deciding whether travel insurance is right for you, compare companies, policy coverage, benefits and prices. Find out what is included and what is excluded and check your current health and homeowners insur-ance policies to see what coverage you already have. Having the right insur-ance will help you prepare for the unexpected in the event your trip is canceled, interrupted or delayed.

STAY COVERED — Many travelers do not carry the appropriate insurance protection.

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

Give Yourself an Upgrade—

MAY 2013 AAA MOTORIST PAGE 3

Jamestown RegionOfficial publication of AAA East CentralPublished monthly (except bimonthly

Aug./Sept., Nov./Dec.) by AAA East Central111 West Fifth St., Jamestown NY 14701-5035

USPS 002-112 ISSN 0898-4158Periodicals Postage Paid at Jamestown NY

Postmaster: Send address changes toAAA Motorist Jamestown Region

c/o AAA, 111 W. Fifth St.,Jamestown NY 14701-5035

Subscription Rate: $1 included in Primary Membership dues. All others: $2/year.

Publisher .....................................James E. LehmanManaging Editor ....................... Doug O’Neil

Editorial Office5900 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206-3854

412-365-7017

e-mail: [email protected]

AAA EAST CENTRALChairman: ................................................Richard S. HamiltonVice Chairman: ....................................... James E. Broome, Jr.Vice Chairman: ....................................... Douglas W. CaldwellVice Chairman: .........................................Mary Lynn Laughlin Vice Chairman: .................................... Martha Hartle Munsch

OFFICERS:President: .................................................. James E. LehmanTreasurer & CFO: ...........................................Michael R. PrattSecretary: ................................................Robert H. Compton

GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORSGlenn 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 DIRECTORSDebra A. Dinnocenzo, Chairman, Neil D. Bassi, Vice Chairman, Carol Asam, Christian Asam, Jack A. Barkley, William E. Bierer**, Ellsworth T. Bowser**, Peter Burton, Marianne B. Campbell, Charles O. Casto, Michael A. Cochran, Daniel J. Collins Jr.**, Robert S. Collins, Robert H. Compton, James J. Dodaro, Jack G. Ellis, J. Terrence Farrell, Floyd R. Ganassi**, Mona N. Generett, Charles W. Groce , Richard S. Hamilton, Mark Henschen, Luke Howe, Richard Kallenborn, Herbert G. Koenig, Mark S. Mansour, W. Duff McCrady, Martha Hartle Munsch, W. Lee Oswalt, III, Michael Parkes, John D. Petruso, Louis Pomerico, Leonard L. Scheinholtz**, James C. Stump, Jr., James F. Ward

*ex officio**emeritus directors

Regional Board of DirectorsSusan V. Abdella, Gordon W. Black, Hans P.B. Christensen, Alison Churchill, Charles Heinz, Bradley E. Long, Dennis H. Lundberg, Samuel P. Price Jr., Philip E. Ruslink, John L. Sellstrom, Beverly Ungerer

Jamestown Office:111 W. Fifth St.

Jamestown NY 14701-5035(716) 488-1981

Notice to AAA Members regarding AAA Insurance Services:

Due to Statutory restrictions, AAA East Central is pro-hibited from offering products and services to AAA members residing in the State of New York.

Copyright ©2013 by AAA East Central. Publication of an advertisement in the AAA Motorist does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by the AAA Motorist or by AAA East Central, except in the case of products and services which are being offered by AAA East Central.

Teaching your children about traffic safetyGood safety habits will last them a lifetimeBy Richard HamiltonChairman, AAA East Central

Driving always demands our full attention, but it is espe-cially important at this time of year. After nine, long

months of school, children will soon be celebrating the freedom of summer vacation. The warm sunshine beckons them to play ball, ride bikes, or cool off in the sprinkler. Children may be so distracted by the pastimes of summer, they become oblivious to the risks of traffic rolling by.

Parents should never forget that chil-dren often have very little concept of the speed, weight, and power of a vehicle. They are particularly vulnerable because they are harder for motorists to see and their actions can be unpredict-able. Children also tend to think that if they see a driver, the driver also sees them.

Young children may not have the cognitive maturity to judge when it’s safe to cross a street and are less likely to understand the consequences of their misjudgments. They may not stop and think before darting between parked cars or chasing a ball into the street.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 300 children 15 and younger are hit and killed each year while walking in what should be their safe haven — their neighborhood. In 2010, the last year that statistics are available, almost one fifth of the children between the ages of age 5 of 9 killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.

The majority of preschool and ele-mentary-school-age pedestrian inju-ries and deaths usually occur near the child’s home. Darting out into the street without looking is one of the most com-mon mistakes children make, and one of the most deadly.

Parents should never expect too much, too soon. NHTSA research psychologists report that parents’ or caretakers’ unrealistic expectations are a contributing factor in many child pedestrian tragedies.

Learn to recognize a child’s limita-tions. Their peripheral vision for exam-ple, is approximately one-third nar-rower than an adult’s. They may have difficulty judging a vehicle’s speed or believe that a car can stop instantly.

While children may not have the judgment to cope with traffic by them-selves, they can learn safety rules. Teaching children how to cross the street properly is essential. Parents must work with their kids to get them in the habit of always stopping at the edge of the street, looking left, then right, then left again to make sure the road is clear. This is the golden rule of traffic safety and it is essential for children to learn it at an early age.

Find places away from streets, drive-ways, and parking lots for children to play. Fenced yards, parks, and play-grounds are good choices. Children also should be taught to ask an adult to retrieve any toys that roll into the street.

Establish where young children can use wheeled toys such as tricycles, bicy-cles, wagons, or scooters.

AAA recommends that parents set age- appropriate limits on where their children can walk or bike safely. As in all parenting, the do-as-I-say method works best when parents set a good example. Children will recognize when you are obeying the speed limits and giving right of way to pedestrians.

Chances are, if you obey traffic sig-nals, cross the street properly, and wear a helmet when riding a bike, so will your children. These are good safety habits that will last them a lifetime.

Our children need the best protec-tion we can provide. As a motorist you can make a real difference just by staying alert and taking extra care in residential areas or while driving where children are present.

Richard Hamilton

membersonly

Summer vacation season is nearly here, and travelers will soon be shopping for rental cars for their travel destina-

tions. One of the benefits of AAA membership is the special package of savings available when you rent from Hertz. Members receive up to a 20 percent discount on car rentals, free Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership, plus an array of money-saving oppor-tunities, including special upgrades, dollars-off coupons, and more. Their Member Satisfaction Guarantee is your assurance that the rate and car class, or a higher car class, will be available as reserved.

The key to these exclusive Hertz savings and benefits is the CDP#. Your Hertz CDP number is the same as your club code, which appears on the front of your membership card. It’s your gateway to savings and value. The Hertz system will automatically assign the best rate available within the chosen channel of distribution at the time of reservation.

Exclusive AAA member benefits include free unlimited mileage on most rentals. Families receive free use of one child, infant or booster seat with every rental, and there’s no charge for an additional driver if that driver is a AAA member with a credit card in their own name.

Hertz frequently offers AAA mem-bers special single and double upgrade coupons in addition to dollars off coupons. These coupon or coupon-less offers are available from AAA travel offices, in your club publication and on AAA.com.

While most leisure and/or promo-tional weekly rates require that a car be rented over Saturday night, AAA members won’t have to worry. They qualify for low weekly rates without having to keep the vehicle over a Saturday night. And when you return, a Hertz agent will be waiting to give you an Instant Return receipt before you even leave the vehicle.

Hertz Gold Plus Rewards member-ship is free to AAA members. But

that’s not all. Basic and Plus members receive 600 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points. That’s enough for one free rental day after the first Gold rental. Join at AAA.com/HertzGold. AAA Premier members receive 1,000 Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Bonus Points enough for two free weekend rental days! Join at AAA.com/HertzPremier. Plus, your Hertz Discount Code (CDP#) is automatically included in your reservations.

Hertz’ premier frequent renter program entitles you to membership privileges at more than 40 major airports and 1,000 locations around the world. Just get in, show your driver’s license at the exit gate and drive away. There’s no waiting in line, nothing to sign. Your car will be wait-ing in a weather-protected #1 Club Gold area.

AAA demands the best for its mem-bers. That’s why Hertz is the only car-rental company endorsed by AAA. The next time you need a rental car let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat.

Let Hertz put you in the driver’s seat With exclusive members-only discounts and benefits




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

Out of Your Membership with

AAA Plus!!

Get More...

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

AAA offers breakdown advice for stranded motoristsResponded to 28 million roadside assistance calls in 2012

Car problems are always an inconvenience, and can sometimes put you in harm’s way. Your first consideration

should always be for the safety of your-self and your passengers and knowing how to react is something you should prepare for in advance.

In 2012, AAA received more than 28 million roadside assistance calls and while 58 percent of those breakdowns were resolved at the roadside by AAA technicians, nearly 12 million vehicles needed a tow.

AAA offers the following guidelines and general suggestions for motorists experiencing a breakdown.

While driving, be aware of and know how to respond to warning signs such as brake or steering problems, or steam or smoke billowing from under the hood. If your car is clearly expe-riencing a problem but can still be driven a short distance, drive to a safe location such as a parking lot.

If it’s a flat tire, the first rule is not to panic. Signal, slow down gradually and carefully pull onto the shoulder of the road, avoiding any sudden maneu-vers.

If you run out of gas or your engine stops, switch on the emergency flash-ers, carefully steer your vehicle out of traffic. Use the car’s momentum to get you off the road and to a safe place. Avoid applying the brakes until neces-sary.

If your vehicle cannot get com-pletely off the roadway, switch on the emergency flashers. Occupants should not remain in the vehicle if there is a possibility it may be struck by other traffic. For the same reason, it is gener-ally not a good idea to attempt to push a disabled car off the road.

Make sure your vehicle is visible to other motorists especially in inclement weather. In addition to turning on the emergency flashers, drivers can signal

they have a problem by raising the car hood, tying a brightly colored scarf to the antenna or door handle, or setting out flares, warning triangles or emer-gency beacons to help direct traffic away from your vehicle.

Once everyone is in a safe location, request assistance from AAA and have the following information ready: • YourAAAmembershipnumber;• The phone number where you can

be reached;

• Your location — exact address ornearest intersection or exit number;

• A description of your vehicle —color, make, model and year;

• Licenseplatenumber.Android and iPhone users can also

download the AAA Mobile app at AAA.com/mobile, which provides easy access to roadside assistance, vehicle battery quotes, and Approved Auto Repair (AAR) locations.

AAA roadside technicians can pro-vide fuel, change tires, boost a battery and employ basic roadside problem-solving techniques to get the vehicle going. If the AAA technician is unable to remedy the problem at the road-side, the car will need to be towed to a repair facility.

APPROVED AUTO REPAIRGarages that participate in AAA’s Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program offer qualified technicians, a wide range of professional repair services and guar-anteed quality. Repairs, parts, labor, and components are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles under normal operating conditions. Visit www.AAA.com to locate the AAA Approved Auto Repair facility nearest you. Approved Auto Repair facili-ties also can be quickly found using the AAA Mobile app, a free download for iPhone and Android at the AAA Mobile solutions page at AAA.com/mobile.

RIDING TO THE RESCUE — AAA was able to resolve 58% of all breakdowns at the roadside in 2012.

AAA was able to resolve 58% of all breakdowns


Graduations, Father’s Day, Birthdays, Weddings …Whatever the occasion, it’s the perfect time to give a AAA Gift Membership. With roadside assistance, vacation planning, maps, travel guides, exclusive savings, and much more, you can trust AAA membership to be a perfect fit.

To purchase a AAA Gift Membership, call or visit your local office or AAA.com.

The Perfect Gift!

EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE????????????????????????????????????

All Other Areas(800) AAA_HELP(800) 222-4357

Save $10 on a new AAA Gift Membership through May 31st

Set sail on a repositioning cruise this fallChanges in latitude bring changes in attitude

Cooling fall temperatures can signal some hot cruise deals. Cruise ships, like migratory birds, tend to follow the sun,

and in the fall many ships return to the Caribbean from Europe, Alaska, and New England.

Since no cruise line wants to sail without passengers, they offer a variety of special off-season and promotional rates, all of which make these reposi-tioning cruises a particularly fine bar-gain.

Many cruise lines also use additional sea days to enhance onboard activi-ties with special themes and out-of-the-ordinary entertainment. This rare combination of exotic, off the beaten path locales, leisurely days at sea, and incredible value means they often sell out early. If there’s a downside it’s that these cruises begin and end in different ports and that can mean buying two, one-way plane tickets.

Celebrity Cruises’ 14-night Spanish Serenade repositioning cruise departs Barcelona onboard Celebrity Equinox October 27. Ports include of Palma De Mallorca; Valencia; and Malaga, Spain; Lanzarote, and Tenerife, Canary Islands; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Often referred to as the Hawaii of the Atlantic the Canary Islands’ seven major islands are all remnants of extinct vol-canoes. The French poet André Breton called them “a surreal paradise” where

snowcapped mountains loom over lush tropical lagoons. Lanzarote, the north-ernmost of the Canary Islands, was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993. Arrecife, the island’s capital presides over a smiling crescent of beach with a broad, palm-lined promenade. Mount Teide, a dormant volcano and the tallest mountain in Spain, domi-nates Tenerife, the largest of the islands.

Princess Cruises is sailing 15-night Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale Transatlantic Cruise onboard Ruby

Princess November 29. Ports include featuring Barcelona; Toulon, France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Madeira (Funchal), Portugal.

Located 750 miles southwest of Lisbon, about 300 miles from the west coast of Africa, the “Islands of Eternal Spring” are nature’s very own botani-cal garden overflowing with frangipani, bougainvillea, hibiscus, orchids and aza-lea. Home to some of the world’s highest volcanic cliffs, from Cabo Girão you can

admire the breathtaking scenery along Madeira’s southern coast.

The Madeira Islands are famous for their strategic location along the old trade routes between Africa and the Americas, and the wonderful Madeira wine produced here. From the time of Vasco Da Gama, to the age of the steam-ship, the Madeira Islands served as a supply and fuel stop for countless sea voyagers. George Washington is said to have loved Madeira wine and drank a pint of it daily.

Today’s Madeira wine comes in a range of varieties — from young, light and dry, to the rich, honeyed vintages over one hundred years old. Visitors also come to the islands for their remarkable natural beauty, the beaches, golf, hiking, deep-sea fishing, and old world charm.

WISH YOU WERE HERE — Repositioning cruises offer one-of-a-kind ports like Funchal, Madeira.

NO SHAGGY DOG STORYContrary to popular belief the Canary Islands’ name has nothing to do with the colorful songbird. The name derives from Latin term Insularia Canaria, or Island of the Dogs, referring to the fierce packs of wild dogs that once roamed Grand Canaria.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONPlease see your AAA Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/cruises for special values on cruise vacations.


Southern Africa continued from page 1

at a shebeen (house tavern). At the Apartheid Museum, take an in-depth look at the nation’s divisive past.

Travel through the Drakensburg Mountains to South Africa’s largest game reserve, Kruger National Park. A local expert leads you in search of the Big 5 — elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. Watch carefully from your open-air safari vehicle; you may also see impala, zebra and giraffe.

Save enough film or memory to cap-ture the stunning beauty of the Garden Route, a scenic stretch of coastline be-tween mountains and the Indian Ocean on the way to Tsitsikamma Forest, home to hundreds of species of birdlife.

At Featherbed Nature Reserve, cruise a lagoon to the Heads, sandstone cliffs near Knysna, culinary capital of oysters and other delectable seafood. Then visit the national ostrich capital; tour a work-ing farm and, if you choose, ride these flightless and largest of living birds.

Afterward, a goblet of great wine may be in order. Fortunately, the Cape Wine-lands region is your next stop! South Africa has produced wine since 1659; visit a wine farm and sample a blend at a winery restaurant among the vines.

One of the world’s most multicultural cities, Cape Town hugs a visually stun-ning harbor with a mountain forming a dramatic backdrop to the City Bowl. With its plateau more than 3,300 feet high, Table Mountain is surrounded

by near-vertical cliffs, Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head. Ride a thrilling cable car to its top for breathtaking views. (When a thin strip of cloud forms over the moun-tain, locals call it their “tablecloth.”)

On Cape Peninsula, visit with pen-guins at Boulder Beach; explore Kirsten-bosch Botanical Gardens. Take an after-hours tour of the African Gold Museum before enjoying a traditional African dining experience.

Not yet wowed enough? Fly to Zimbabwe’s Victor- ia Falls (its indig-enous name means “smoke that thun-ders”), where the Zambezi River falls in a single vertical drop into a chasm 5,604 feet wide; the depth of the chasm varies from 260 to 354 feet. Stay at the 5-star Victoria Falls Hotel, the “grand old lady” built in 1904. Take a leisurely cruise on the Zambezi at sunset. Then enjoy a full day — including a safari on the back of an elephant! — at Botswa-na’s Chobe National Park, home to an abundance of wildlife and game.

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime trav-el opportunity no lover of wildlife and natural scenic beauty should miss. Visit AAA.com/GoAfrica and contact a AAA Travel Agent today!

Lands Down Under continued from page 1

AAA MEMBER SAVINGSBook & make a deposit

by May 31, 2013, to save!SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA & NZ

$700 ...... Premier .... $1,200 $600 ..... AAA Plus ... $1,100 $550 .........Basic ....... $1,050

Savings per room, based on double occupancy.To qualify, you must purchase air through AAA.

SPECTACULAR SOUTH AFRICA

April 24–May 9, 2014 • AAA Member Rate: $8,699Rate per person (double occupancy) is before savings, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Johannesburg), in-Africa flights, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, sightseeing per itinerary, accommodations, hotel lug-gage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included fea-tures, 28 meals, in-Africa guide, cancel-for-any-reason protection and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vaca-tions® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/GoAfrica for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.Sandton/Johannesburg Kruger National Park: Safari drive Featherbed Nature ReserveSoweto: “house tavern” lunch Port Elizabeth: Garden Rte gateway Oudtshoorn: ostrich “capital”Blyde River Canyon Garden Route: coastal scenery Stellenbosch/WinelandsThe Three Rondavels Tsitsikamma Forest: birdlife Cape Town: Table Mtn GondolaBourke’s Luck Potholes Knysna: resort town, school visit Victoria Falls/Zambezi River

AAA-EXCLUSIVE INCLUSIONS AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!At Knysna lagoon, enjoy oysters & sparkling wine dockside, a paddle boat ride, an onboard local-specialties cooking demonstration and a delicious 3-course dinner!

Enjoy a full-day adventure in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, featuring a river cruise and a memorable wildlife-viewing safari from atop the back of an elephant!

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

April 24–May 14, 2014 • AAA Member Rate: $9,849Rate per person (double occupancy) is before savings, is subject to availability at time of booking and includes flights (Buffalo-Sydney, Sydney-Christchurch, Christchurch-Buffalo), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 bag per person), taxes/gratuities/government fees for included features, 30 meals, professional guide in Australia & New Zealand, cancel-for-any-reason protection and the services of a AAA Tour Manager (if minimum-participation goal is met). AAA Member Choice Vacations® door-to-door transfer service is unavailable on this departure. Visit AAA.com/GoAustralia for complete itinerary and important pre-travel information. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

In Alice Springs, meet an Aboriginal musical group and dine in the bush with entertainment under the stars. On a special Dreamtime tour, you’ll learn about Aboriginal culture, meet individ-uals and even visit a school.

Often characterized as Victorian, Mel-bourne is lively and cosmopolitan; tour its lovely Fitzroy Gardens and then trav-el to Phillip Island Nature Park, home of

the world’s largest colony of Little (or, as they’re known to Aussies, Fairy) penguins, just 13" tall, the smallest penguin species. Watch hundreds of these lovable birds waddle from sea to beach burrow, a fascinating parade sure to make you

smile and one you’ll never forget! Next, you’ll air-hop to the “most Eng-

lish city outside of England” — Christ-church, New Zealand’s “Garden City.” Then ride on the Tranz-Alpine Express through the scenic Southern Alps. Ex-perience Franz Josef Glacier Region’s dy-namic and spectacular glacial landscape. For even more wows, you can opt for a thrilling flightseeing tour of the region. Later, at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, learn about the endangered kiwi bird.

“The Lord of the Rings” fans will

absolutely love the voyage to “Middle Earth.” See primeval, mystical land-scapes where Tolkien’s powerful trilogy was filmed; vast panoramas of unspoiled wilderness on South Island made it an ideal setting. Trek by 4x4 Range Rov-ers into the aptly named Remarkable Mountains and across the Arrow River.

Visit an 1800s gold rush boomtown, then enjoy a tasting at one of NZ’s fa-mous wineries. Spend ample time ex-ploring the splendor of Mt Cook Na-tional Park. Stop at a working farm for a riveting demonstration by a sheep herd-ing dog followed by a sheep shearing. Afterward, sit down to dinner in the home of a friendly local family, getting to know them and their culture.

Fly to Sydney for a unique Epicurean tour, savoring each course in a differ-ent restaurant. Extensively tour this fun-loving city; see the Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, the Rocks, the Botanic Gar-dens and fashionable Paddington. After a guided tour of the instantly recogniz-able Sydney Opera House, enjoy time to explore the city’s many other sites.

On your final day, wallabies, kanga-roos, dingoes and the namesake “stars” of Koala Park will enchant you, as will the gems of the National Opal Collec-tion. End this Oz-some tour with a fare-well dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour!

An optional 3-night post-tour stay in Fiji is available — a perfect ending to a perfect journey. Contact AAA Travel!

Enjoy an entertaining 30-minute ONLINE PRESENTATION on your computer — the first step of your AAA adventure! Ask real-time questions, learn from travel experts and marvel

at incredible images. Register at 1-800-354-8761.

South Africa — May 29 @ 7pmAustralia & NZ — May 15 @ 7pm

Book your vacation using the AAA Member Rewards Visa® and earn triple points for each dollar spent on qualifying AAA Travel purchases. That means you could earn enough points to enhance your vacation with an unforgettable beachside horseback ride,

amazing snorkeling tour or any of the hundreds of great adventures available. You’ll also get 2,500 bonus points after your first

qualifying purchase. Apply at any AAA branch. For more informa-tion on the costs and benefits of this card, visit a AAA branch.

EARN TRIPLE POINTSon your next AAA trip!

Cairns Rainforest Cableway Great Barrier ReefUluru/Ayers RockAlice SpringsAboriginal Dreamtime tourMelbourne

Little Penguin colonyChristchurchTranz-Alpine Express rideFranz Joseph GlacierQueenstownMilford Sound cruise“Middle Earth” 4x4 trek

Winery tour & tastingMt Cook National ParkHerding/shearing demoDine with a NZ FamilySydney & Opera HouseKoala Park & Opal CollectionSydney Harbour dinner cruise

AAA-EXCLUSIVE INCLUSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU!In Cairns, at the beginning of your adventure, embrace Australia’s ancient indigenous culture with an evening of entertainment, discovery, delicious

cuisine and storytelling that brings Dreamtime legends to life.

1-800-354-8761 • AAA.com/travelMember Benefits • Exclusive Offers


It all adds up to a 7-night, 4-island cruise plus 2 nights on Waikiki and a Pearl Harbor excursion!

AAA + NCL = The very best way to see the most of Hawaii...and get Aloha Gifts!

The formula for a fantastic, fun and free-of-hassles Hawaiian vacation is the simple addition of a 2-night AAA land package and a 7-night NCL cruise! What you get is the convenient, comfortable and unforgettable experience of visiting 4 islands of America’s own slice of para-dise over 9 nights, minus the annoyance of repeatedly packing & unpacking, flying from island to island, transferring from hotel to hotel. In fact, it couldn’t be easier.

Start with 2 nights on Oahu in Waikiki, Honolulu’s beachfront district known for placid waters, spectacular views of Dia-mond Head and unlimited opportunities for entertainment, dining, nightlife and shopping. Lounge in luxury at the Mar-riott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa right in the middle of it all! An included 5-hour ex-cursion to Pearl Harbor includes a moving visit to the USS Arizona Memorial.

NCL’s Pride of America is a vibrant US-flagged, Americana-themed “floating resort hotel” full of choices to maximize the enjoyment of your cruise. Its friendly American crew is ready to assist you and make sure your cruise is just that — yours.

Freestyle Cruising® starts with a wide

range of dining options included in your cruise price and available on your sched-ule. Freestyle Dining means sitting down to a 4-course meal and a fine wine...or grabbing a burger hot off the grill. Dress-ing up. Dressing down. Sitting with friends or making new ones. You’ll find more din-ing options than days of your cruise, and you’re free to enjoy them all on your own schedule. For even more memorable ex-periences, cover-charge specialty restau-rants provide refined choices; experience a Brazilian churrascaria or a Chicago steakhouse (both new in 2013) or dine on expertly prepared sushi, traditional French bistro or Italian trattoria fare — it’s all onboard. And it’s all delicious.

The freedom continues with entertain-ment for all. From Broadway shows to adults-only clubs where you can dance ’til dawn to supervised activities for kids & teens. Pools with slides, WiiTM on 2-story screens, modern fitness centers, expan-sive spas, fun kids & teens programs, wine tastings, an always exciting casino and more are all waiting for you onboard.

When it’s time to recover from the ex-citement, retreat to accommodations de-

signed for the way you cruise. Bring your sweet dreams to a balcony stateroom, a 2-bedroom family suite or a stylish studio for solo travelers (new in 2013!). There’s a large selection of oceanview & inside staterooms; NCL has a higher percentage of balcony rooms than any other line.

After settling into your at-sea digs, get set to visit 3 other Hawaiian isles — Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island) and Kauai.

A surplus of natural splendor and the genuine hospitality of its people help to make Maui Hawaii’s second most popular island. Explore the fascinating history of Lahaina. Picnic at a plantation, plant your-self on a pristine beach or play one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses.

Hilo is like one giant greenhouse with spectacular tropical flowers at every turn. Visit well-preserved historic buildings, dating to the turn of the 20th century and showcasing Hawaii’s unique architecture. Nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home of the active volcano, Kilauea.

Kona offers the quintessential Hawaii experience. Sunny, warm weather and crystal-blue waters entice visitors to par-take in a variety of surfside fun. Snorkel

among a kaleidoscope of tropical marine life, take a surfing lesson, enjoy a kayaking trip or head out for deep-sea fishing.

Named after wiliwili trees which once lined its picturesque harbor, Nawiliwili is your gateway to what many believe to be Hawaii’s most beautiful island, Kauai. On the “Garden Island,” nature is truly the star, from the dramatic mountains of Ko-kee to the cool rain forests of Haena.

Looking for the best Hawaiian vaca-tion experience? Just calculate this simple equation: AAA Travel plus NCL equals great times, great value and great gifts!

BOOK & DEPOSIT BY MAY 31, 2013, AND GET THESE

AAA ALOHA GIFTS!BALCONY STATEROOM

$200.00 Target Gift Card AAA Travel Beach Towels

2-towel set valued @ $35

OUTSIDE STATEROOM

$100.00 Target Gift CardAAA Travel Beach Towels

2-towel set valued @ $35

INSIDE STATEROOM

$50.00 Target Gift CardAAA Travel Beach Towels

2-towel set valued @ $351 each per new booking — May 1-31, 2013

3 HOT WINTER DEPARTURES IN 2014! JAN 9-18 from $1,705 • JAN 30–FEB 8 from $1,809

FEB 27–MARCH 8 from $1,809AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include airport/hotel transfers (for flights purchased through NCL), 2 nights at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial excursion, hotel/pier transfers, 7-night cruise accommodations/entertainment, most onboard meals, government taxes/fees, port charges and pier/airport transfers (for flights purchased through NCL). Ship’s registry: USA. Ask about available add-on airfare.

DAY PRE-CRUISE HONOLULU LOCATIONS

1 .... Arrive Honolulu Airport, transfer to your room at Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa 2 .... Enjoy all of the fun & sun of Waikiki at your leisure; do as much or as little as you like! 3 .... Pearl Harbor excursion, then afternoon transfer to ship at Pier 2, Port of Honolulu

DAY CRUISE PORT, ISLAND ARRIVE DEPART or OVERNIGHT

3 ....Honolulu, Oahu .................7pm 4 ....Kahalui, Maui ........8am ...overnight in port 5 ....Kahalui, Maui ...................6pm 6 ....Hilo, Hawaii ...........8am ...6pm 7 ....Kona, Hawaii .........7am ...5:30pm 8 ....Nawiliwili, Kauai ...8am ....overnight in port 9 ....Nawiliwili, Kauai ..............2pm 10 ...Honolulu, Oahu ......7am ....transfer to airport

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

Member BenefitsExclusive Offers


A special kind of cruise stands apart from all others — a AAA Vacations ® cruise available only from AAA Travel. It delivers unique features designed to ensure you have the best vacation experience. Compare a AAA Vacations ® cruise against the same cruise offered elsewhere; see how much more your vacation dollar gets you at AAA. Even if you find the same cruise (without AAA Vacations ® benefits, of course!) at a lower price some-where else within 24 hours

of booking your AAA Vacations ® cruise, AAA will match

that rate and give you a $50.00 future-travel voucher...

guaranteed!

Enjoy 2 valuable benefits EXCLUSIVELY for members

BEST-PRICE GUARANTEEIf 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 CAREGet peace of mind whenever you need

emergency assistance while traveling — a toll-free domestic number and collect-call

instructions for international travelers.

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.

Princess Cruises & AAA Vacations® offer some of the best values at sea & great benefits unavailable elsewhere!

Preferred Check-indoes not grant priority boarding

Up to $75 Onboard Creditper stateroom

Wine Tasting

DATE NTS SHIP ITINERARY

7/7 7 Golden Alaska Inside Passage: Roundtrip from Seattle

7/22 7 Island Alaska Northbound: Vancouver to Whittier


8/18 10 Grand Alaska: Roundtrip from San Francisco

8/19 7 Island Alaska Northbound: Vancouver to Whittier

9/7 7 Diamond Alaska Southbound: Whittier to Vancouver


10/24 11 Coral Panama Canal: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

11/10 15 Grand Hawaii: Roundtrip from San Francisco

11/14 15 Island Panama Canal: Los Angeles to Ft Lauderdale

11/19 10 Emerald Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

12/5 15 Star Hawaii: Roundtrip from Los Angeles

12/9 10 Emerald Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

12/15 7 Royal Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

12/15 7 Sapphire Mexico: Roundtrip from Los Angeles




THE AMERICAN WEST

Where the sun sets and the fun rises!

AAA MEMBER RATES are per person (double occupancy), are subject to availability at time of booking and include roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing & admissions as indicated, services of a AAA Tour Manager and more. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/USA for complete itinerary details.

New Mexico Balloon FiestaExplore Albuquerque, the Land of Enchantment’s largest city. At the

International Balloon Fiesta, witness the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons.

Explore landmarks along Route 66, visit Old Town & its Plaza and tour the

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Ride Sandia Peak’s Aerial Tramway and visit

an artisanal winery. See the Balloon Fiesta’s evening “Glowdeo” & fireworks. Explore historic Chimayo village, artistic

Taos and charming Santa Fe. Take a guided desert wilderness hike with

llamas! 14 meals.

Oct 9-15 • $2,309

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK THESE 2!Southwestern Canyonlands

Eroded for eons by wind & water, the colorful canyons of Arizona, Utah & Nevada captivate

all who visit. See the stunning Red Rocks of Sedona, the magnificence of the Grand

Canyon, the backcountry of Monument Valley, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the sandstone cliffs of Zion National

Park. Enjoy Grand Canyon National Park lodging, guided tour and IMAX Theater. Take

an “adventure cruise” through Antelope/Navajo Canyon. Visit Lake Powell and spend 2

fun nights in Las Vegas. 11 meals.

June 12-20 • $2,725

Best of Northern CaliforniaExplore San Francisco, the redwoods at Muir Woods, Mediterranean-style Sausalito and the wine country of the Sonoma and Napa valleys (and dine on the Napa Valley Wine Train). Ride Amtrak’s California Zephyr to

the scenic shores of Lake Tahoe and cruise its crystal-blue waters aboard a paddlewheeler.

Venture to Yosemite National Park, then take the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey,

Carmel-by-the-Sea, 17-Mile Drive, Big Sur, San Simeon (Hearst Castle), Salinas Valley and

Silicon Valley. 14 meals.

July 25–Aug 2 • $2,859

American MajestyFrom Salt Lake City to Denver, take in some of America’s favorite landmarks.

Visit Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone NP (Old Faithful & Mammoth

Hot Springs), Devil’s Tower National Monument, Mt Rushmore National

Memorial (evening light ceremony), Ft Laramie National Historic Site and Buffalo Bill Historic Center. Float down the Snake River and ride a Jeep safari in the Black

Hills. Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (schedule permitting). See Crazy Horse Monument. 15 meals, including a chuck

wagon dinner.

Aug 31–Sept 8 • $2,735

Grand Canyon AdventureLuxuriate 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 • $2,195

Napa Valley & San FranciscoSo 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 • $1,949

AAA Travel partner Pleasant Holidays now offers unique “SKIP THE LINE” tours in 3 of Europe’s most popular cities — Rome, Paris and Florence. Choosing these optional tours lets you enjoy priority admission to famous — and often crowded — attractions like the Colosseum in Rome, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Accademia Gallery in Florence.

Forget about waiting for hours — sometimes in hot summer temperatures — and wasting precious vacation time. These really “cool” “SKIP THE LINE” tours let you feel like a VIP at places like Versailles in Paris or the Uffizi Gal-lery in Florence, among others.

“SKIP THE LINE” tours are just some of the many optional tours that the Europe activity experts at Pleasant Holidays offer. In London, for instance, you can opt for the intriguing Jack the Ripper Evening Tour or how about Champagne Tea at Harrod’s? And kids will love the private tours of Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studios.

When it comes to vacationing in Europe with Pleasant Holidays, the possibilities are end-less. Pleasant Holidays can easily arrange all of your transatlantic and inter-Europe flights, ho-tel accommodations, transfers, car rentals and an extensive array of in-city tours & activities.

And during 2013 you can take advan-tage of a AAA Member Benefit of $50.00 off each booking!

Contact AAA for Pleasant Holidays flights, hotels, car rentals, tours & more.

Skip long admission lines at some of Europe’s must-see siteson “SKIP THE LINE” tours with Pleasant Holidays

SAMPLE 5-NIGHT EUROPE CITY VACATION PACKAGESROME • $1,204 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours belowFrascati Wine Tasting: The only tour of its kind in Rome. Visit one of the oldest, most beautiful vineyards in the Frascati region. An expert illustrates local wine-producing methods from antiquity to today. Tour the property and talk about the fascinating history of wine in ancient Rome, followed by a tasting of 3 wines and freshly pressed olive oil.Rome in 1 Day “SKIP THE LINE”: Visit the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum with “Skip the Line” access. Take a lunch break (not included) in the historical center of the city before wandering its picturesque streets & piazzas, seeing Piazza Navona and its Bernini fountain. The guide brings sites to life with stories and myths that make Rome unlike any other city.

PARIS • $1,762 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below Famous Graves of Paris: A must-see cemetery? Père Lachaise is well worth it; it’s home to 70,000 dead, including some of the world’s most famous artists, writers and musicians. Most know this place for Jim Morrison, but Chopin, Wilde, Piaf and many, many others rest across this magnificent hilltop setting. Meander through the labyrinth of elaborate crypts and overhanging trees.Louvre Museum “SKIP THE LINE”: This all-inclusive small group explores the world-famous collection of paintings, sculpture and architecture with an English-speaking guide. Gaze on some of the world’s most recognizable masterpieces. Seeing all the Louvre has to offer is impossible; this tour makes the most of your time, leading you through the best!

FLORENCE • $2,293 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below Best of Florence “SKIP THE LINE”: This walking tour visits “Porcellino,” Ponte Vecchio, Leather Market and the Duomo. Enjoy artisan gelato. “Skip the Line” at Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s 17-foot “David” and at Uffizi Gallery to see works by Italian Masters; hear stories about artists, architects and patrons. View the city center from a rooftop terrace.

Best of Tuscany in a Day: A guided tour of Siena visits its medieval center, a World Heritage Site, and the Duomo, one of Italy’s most impressive Gothic cathedrals. Visit the estate of Niccolò Machiavelli and the Chianti wine region (lunching in a vineyard). Also tour well-preserved Lucca and take a mini-train in Pisa to the cathedral and the Leaning Tower.

VENICE • $2,037 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours belowBest of Venice: On this tour of 10 people maximum, see the best of Venice from water, land and the St Mark’s Basilica terraces. Start on Grand Canal; the city’s main waterway snakes past 50 palaces, 6 churches, 4 bridges and 2 markets. Visit Bovolo staircase, stop by Marco Polo’s house (outside), see lively Campo San Luca and Campo SS Giovanni & Paolo. View mosaics at St Mark’s.Secret Venice by Night: Start at Rialto Bridge. As you stroll, your guide tells stories, myths & legends, giving you a local’s perspective. Pass Peggy Guggenheim’s museum and hear about the patroness who lost her father to the Titanic but gained the means to build one of the world’s most notable art collections. End with an unforgettable 40-minute gondola ride as the sun sets.

LONDON • $2,212 per couple includes hotel accommodations, daily breakfast & 2 tours below Total London: Begin at the Tower of London before it opens to the public. View the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace & take a panoramic drive featuring the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Downing Street and a photo stop at Westminster Abbey. Cruise on the River Thames. Tour St Paul’s Cathedral, including the Whispering Gallery, and take a “flight“ on the London Eye.Stonehenge, Lacock & Bath: Enjoy a sunset viewing of 5,000-year-old Stonehenge, the world’s most popular prehistoric monument. Bath, a World Heritage Site, is a Georgian city with delightful crescents, terraces & architecture; tour its Roman Baths. Visit Lacock, a Saxon village where many dramas (Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice“) were filmed. Dine at George Inn, a pub built in 1361.

Rates shown are for July 15-20, 2013, and are subject to availability at time of booking. Other dates/rates available. Ask about available add-on airfare.




ART! • FOOD! • WINE!includes 4 nights in a Tuscan villa!

The romance of Italy comes to life on this tour. Explore the lakes region your way when you choose between a scenic boat ride on Lake Maggiore or a visit to a local farm for a cheese & wine tasting. Explore the rugged coast and remote fishing villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend

4 relaxing nights in a Tuscan villa. Discover the hilltop town of San Gimignano. Experience medieval life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Visit a winery in the countryside and learn the secrets

of Tuscan cuisine. Wander a Florentine food market. Spend 2 wonderful nights in Venice. Explore Lake Orta, one of Italy’s hidden treasures. Travel by boat to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori. Explore Lucca’s piazzas and medieval streets. These are Italy’s treasures!

Special inclusion: A serenaded gondola cruise — with Prosecco! — on Venice’s canals!

Experience the benefits of Whisper headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides. Enjoy regional wines included with every dinner.

Aug 31–Sept 11

AAA Member Rate: $5,610

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Milan, Venice- Buffalo), roundtrip airport/ hotel transfers, hotel accom-modations, guided motor-coach sightseeing, entrance fees, 17 meals, in-Italy tour director, air & hotel taxes (subject to change) and vendor travel protection. Visit AAA.com/GoItaly for itinerary and more information. Addi-tional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details.

AAAMEMBERBENEFITSAVE

$50.00PER PERSON

JAMESTOWN . . . . . . . . . . .716-488-1981LOCKPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . .716-434-2865GENERAL TRAVEL DISCLAIMER: AAA Travel Agency makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date prices as of press time and cannot assume responsibility for typographic errors. Rates/offers are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated, and are subject to availability and airline/operator changes. International rates/offers are subject to currency fluctuations and additional tax & security charges. Rates that include airfare include all taxes, government fees and surcharges. Additional restrictions may apply. Rates/offers are available at all AAA East Central travel agency locations. For tour details, contact AAA or visit AAA.com/travel. AAA Featured Vacations are specially priced, unique departures; therefore, tour operators, cruise lines and other travel providers often exclude them from additional discounts or specials they offer. AAA Featured Vacations include services provided by third-party tour destination service com-panies; see your AAA Travel Agent for details. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for more details or visit the air carrier’s website for baggage allowance and fee information.

AAA.com Linking you & your next vacation!

CRUISES • FLIGHTS AAA FEATURED VACATIONS

HOTEL/MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS RENTAL CARS • AAA DRIVE TRIPS

TOURS – DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL LAST-MINUTE SAVINGS

Research & book travel arrangements from the comfort of your home – 24/7.

TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST.®




guaranteed!









Celebrity Cruises & AAA Vacations® offer some of the best values at sea & great benefits unavailable elsewhere!

Priority Check-indoes not grant priority boarding

Up to $100 Onboard Credit

per stateroom


11/7 15 Infinity Panama Canal: Miami to San Juan

11/9 7 Summit Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from San Juan

11/16 7 Reflection Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Miami



11/30 14 Eclipse Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale


12/9 11 Equinox Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale


12/15 7 Silhouette Western Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale

12/20 10 Equinox Southern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale


12/22 7 Silhouette Eastern Caribbean: Roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale






This year, the people of Ireland are hosting an unprecedented year-long celebration of everything that is unique & great about

Ireland. It’s called The Gathering. Communities, villages and towns are organizing gatherings, festivals and events to welcome visitors. With the focus on Ireland’s vibrant living culture, heritage and people, it’s a chance to experience Ireland like never before.

Oct 13-20 • AAA Member Rate: $1,399Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 11 meals (in-cluding Bunratty Castle medieval banquet/entertainment & Merry Ploughboy pub dinner/entertainment), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.

• Bunratty Folk Park

• Medieval banquet in a 15th-century castle

• Cliffs of Moher

• Flying Boat Museum

• Killarney National Park, including Muckross House

• Ring of Kerry drive, including the Skellig Experience & Moll’s Gap

• Waterford Crystal tour

• Russborough House mansion

• Dinner & song at a real pub

• Dublin: city tour & free time

...AND MUCH MORE!

Edinburgh: welcome drink & dinner • Spean Bridge Woolen Mill • Loch Ness cruise • Scottish Highland evening • Culloden Battlefield • Whisky tasting/tour at Blair Athol Distillery • Edinburgh Castle & city tour • Ferry to Northern Ireland • Belfast: city tour, Titanic Center • Dublin: city tour, Book of Kells, canal dinner cruise with live music • Rock of Cashel • Blarney: Castle & Woolen Mills • Killarney: national park “jaunting car” ride • Ring of Kerry • The Skellig Experience •

Sneem • Moll’s Gap • River Shannon ferry • Cliffs of Moher (pictured) • Bunratty Castle medieval banquet • AND MUCH MORE!

Nov 2-12 • AAA Member Rate: $1,698Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, guided motorcoach sightseeing, entrance fees, 16 meals (includ-ing medieval banquet, canal dinner cruise), in-Ireland tour director, hotel luggage handling (1 piece per person), hotel taxes & service charges. Ask about available add-on airfare. Visit AAA.com/GoIreland for itinerary and more information.

PROGRAMS OPERATED BY CIE TOURS INTERNATIONAL

Since the inaugural race in 1994, this annual 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup points race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has become one of NASCAR’s most-attended

events and its second highest paying race in dollars (behind the Daytona 500). Don’t miss it!

Reserved paddock seating with views of turns 1 & 4, the pit road & the winner’s circle

2-night accommodations, daily breakfast & tax at Embassy Suites Indianapolis–North

A $50.00 gas card

AAA Member Rate: $375 per person, double occupancy

LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY! LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

You want to travel to Europe, but you don’t care to be with an organized tour group. And yet you’d like the convenience & value of pre-arranged el-ements (like hotels, sightseeing, inter-city rail/ferry transporation and airport transfers) at lower-than-market rates only a travel industry power-buyer can offer. AAA Vacations® answers the call!

If you prefer a flexible vacation with limited structure, pre-packaged Inde-pendent Vacations from AAA Vaca-tions® are the perfect solution for you. Choose from more than 20 exciting vacation combinations, all offering a choice of trip and hotel standard.

In addition, you’ll have 24/7 access to a local host in each city. These hosts know the “lay of the land” and can provide advice and answer any qestions for you throughout your trip.

With guaranteed daily departures, you can travel any day you wish.

Your package will include private roundtrip airport/hotel transfers and a choice of 4- or 5-star centrally located hotels in each city, including hotel taxes and service charges. You even get breakfast daily!

Also included is rail transportation with reserved seats between each city

(standard class on 4-star-hotel option or first class on 5-star-hotel option). If you travel between islands in the Mediterranean, your ferry transporta-tion is also included.

Of course, a city sightseeing tour in your featured city(ies) is included.

AAA members enjoy a wide range of helpful services & money-saving benefits, including 24/7 Member Care, a Best Price Guarantee and a $40 per person dining credit redeemable at select restaurants popular with locals. And don’t forget the AAA Member Benefit of $40 per person off packages totaling $2,000 or more per person.

Here’s a sample of some 5-day vaca-tions (other day-lengths available):

Dublin & Killarney — from $1,109London & Paris — from $1,275Rome & Venice — from $944Barcelona & Madrid — from $1,007Prague & Budapest — from $835

Self-drive Ireland vacations featur-ing bed & breakfasts, hotels, castles & manor stays are also available; contact a AAA Travel Agent!

Rates are per person double occupancy, land only. Restrictions apply to the AAA Vacations® 24/7 Member Care and Best Price Guarantee.

Independent travel with AAA Vacations®

On your own but never alone







guaranteed!









Royal Caribbean & AAA Vacations® offer some of the best values at sea & great benefits unavailable elsewhere!

Priority Check-in does not grant priority boarding

Champagne on Arrival does not grant priority boarding

$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom


6/8 12 Brilliance Scandinavia: Roundtrip from London

6/12 12 Serenade Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona


6/24 12 Serenade Western Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona




7/30 12 Serenade Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Barcelona





9/9 11 Legend Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Venice

9/20 10 Legend Eastern Mediterranean: Roundtrip from Venice


Start in LA, touring historic Farmers Market, glitzy Rodeo Drive and star-studded Hollywood. At the Chinese Theatre (née Grauman’s, then Mann’s), see celebrity signatures im-mortalized in cement. Follow the bronze medallions stud-ding Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. At Hollywood & Highland, a shopping & entertainment complex hous-ing the new home of Academy Awards extravaganzas, enjoy a great view of the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign from the upper level. Continue to downtown LA if time permits, then relax and get acquainted with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at at a bayfront restaurant in Long Beach.Day 2 takes you to Pasadena to see floats in the final stage

of parade preparation; watch volunteers & professionals hand-apply flowers. Tour Burbank’s Warner Brothers Stu-dios for a behind-the-scenes look into making films and TV shows; be alert for star sightings! Return to your hotel to relax poolside or enjoy beachside paths for walking, jog-ging and biking. Dining on your own allows you to explore Long Beach.

On Day 3, drive to Simi Valley’s Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, the nation’s largest and most elabo-rate; see a full-scale Oval Office replica, Air Force One, a re-created White House state dinner and numerous videos & displays. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway through ex-clusive Malibu to fun & funky Santa Monica; explore its

variety of sights in your free time. Attend an exclusive New Year’s Eve party in Long Beach on the magnificent Queen Mary — a luxurious setting for sophisticated dining, danc-ing and bidding farewell to 2013 in grand style. Usher in 2014 with a toast from the best seat in Long Beach for a gigantic fireworks display off the ship’s stern!

Day 4 finds you in Pasadena, at your reserved seat for the Roses Parade — 60 flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians. Stop at Victory Park to view the floats up close. Enjoy lunch in see-&-be-seen West Hollywood, then drive to your all-suite hotel on San Diego’s waterfront.

Explore this unique city on Day 5; see Cabrillo Monu-ment atop Point Loma, with commanding views of the Pacific, the harbor and the city skyline. Drive through Mission Bay, continue to Old Town (California’s birth-place) and La Jolla, a chic beachside hideaway where you’ll have time to explore. Established in 1868, Balboa Park is the country’s oldest and one of its largest city parks. Take a guided tour on a doubledecker bus at San Diego Zoo, then board the luxurious Lord Hornblower, designed to resemble the grand steamships that once plied the harbor; enjoy entertainment, dancing and a sit-down dinner while cruising past glittering harbor lights under radiant stars in the sky before debarking at the Embarcadero.

All too soon, fly home on Day 6.

CALIFORNIA New Years̓ Getawayincluding reserved seats for the world- famous Tournament of Roses Parade!Dec 29–Jan 3AAA Member Rate: $3,305

PASADENA

Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo– Los Angeles, San Diego–Buffalo), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, accommodations, hotel luggage handling (1 per person),

10 meals (including 2 dinner cruises), 2 cocktail parties, reserved parade seat, taxes/gratuities on included items, local tour manager and services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met).




AAA’s Travel Partner Spotlight: DISNEYEach year, AAA uses its purchasing power as one of the country’s leading travel

agencies to negotiate for discounted rates & exclusive member benefits.

AAA MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS• Disney Magic Moments® Savings — AAA members can save up to 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% off the nondiscounted rate of the room portion on selected packages on selected dates (subject to availability; savings based on the nondiscounted price for the same room at a participating hotel paid by non-AAA members, and is applicable to the room-only portion of the package; limited number of packages available with these savings; guests must be AAA members with a valid AAA membership number when booking; valid membership card must be presented at check-in).

• 200 Disney Dollars — These are included on packages of 7 nights or more at the Walt Disney World® Swan and Walt Disney World® Dolphin Hotel (can be combined with AAADisney Magic Moments® Savings; voucher required at check-in to receive Disney Dollars).

AAA VACATIONS® BENEFITS• EXCLUSIVE AAA Vacations® Diamond Savings Card — This special card offers savings of 10%, 15% or 20%, and other values, at participating locations throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort (one card per package; nonstransferable and void if sold).• EXCLUSIVE AAA Diamond Parking — Conveninet preferred parking spaces at all 4 Walt Disney World® Theme Parks (subject to availability; voucher with Guest name required; block-outdates apply; nontransferable and void if sold).

• Preferred Fireworks Viewing Location at Magic Kingdom® Park — When you purchase select AAA Vacations® packages that include a Disney Dining Plan, enjoy a special viewing location for WishesTM nighttime Spectacular, the biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in Magic Kingdom® Park history (advance reservations, reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission required; one viewing per person; space is limited and subject to availability; fireworks schedules vary by season and certain block-out dates apply for this benefit during holiday periods; inclement weather conditions may affect outdoor entertainment).

• EXCLUSIVE Disney’s Story Time Experience — When you purchase select AAA Vacations® packages that include a Disney Dining Plan, enjoy a special storytelling experience that features a character from a classic Disney animated feature film and takes place in Epcot® (advance reservations, reservation voucher and valid Theme Park admission required; one viewingper person; seating is limited and subject to availability; operates on select days of the week and certain block-out dates apply; one voucher per room).

These benefits only apply to AAA Vacations® packages purchased at a AAA Travel Office. Ask your AAA Travel professional for more details. Offer subject to change. Valid 1/1/13 through 12/31/13.

Even more than a cruise hugging its spectacular shoreline, a compre-hensive land journey into the heart of Alaska’s awe-inspiring interior can deepen your understanding and enrich your overall experience of our 49th state.

AAA’s July 8-17 Alaska by Land 9-night adventure starts in Fair-banks. An Italian immigrant’s 1902 gold strike coincided with the build-ing of a trading post on the banks of the Chena River — and the Gold Rush to Fairbanks was on! This “Golden Heart City” pulsed once again as a boomtown in the early 1970s during construction of the 800-mile-long Trans-Alaska Pipeline.

Learn how the Gold Rush affected Alaska’s interior on a tour that includes a visit to the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum. Enjoy shopping, walking or dining on your own downtown. Cruise on a stern-wheeler to experience the thrill of river travel. Enjoy a salmon bake dinner at Pioneer Park; savor salmon, prime rib and Bering Sea cod and all the fixings.

Then fly above it all on an Arctic Circle air adventure! This thrilling 4-hour tour soars over the Brooks Range and crosses the Arctic Circle; the narrated adventure includes a visit to Wiseman and views of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and Yukon River. Motorcoach to Denali National Park to explore at your leisure or participate in a park service activity. Then enjoy the Denali Education Center’s “Welcome to the Subarctic” talk at Sheldon Center; learn about Denali from the ground up before overnighting in the park and touring it some more the next day.

Travel deep into Denali on a full-day Tundra Wilderness Tour, looking for grizzly, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and more; get insights into this vast park’s flora & fauna. Travel to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city; tour its historic downtown and visit the kennel & home of a 4-time Iditarod Sled Dog Race winner, and learn about the art of mushing dogs. Visit the Native Heritage Center, a gathering place celebrating, perpetuating and sharing Native cultures. Dine in the center’s Athabascan House.

Motorcoach to coastal Seward, keeping an eye out along scenic Turn-again Arm for Dall sheep, moose, bear and eagle. Visit the Alaska Wild-life Conservation Center in Portage Valley to see critters up close. Tour along scenic Seward Highway to Begich Boggs Visitor Center; enjoy an award-winning movie, “Voices from the Ice.” Explore Seward on your own; the coastal town is known for scenic views and as gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park.

Transfer to Cooper Landing for a 2-hour scenic float on the Kenai River. Drift through Chugach National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. At Girdwood, ride the Alyeska Tram from sea level to 2,300 feet. An observation deck provides breathtaking views of majestic mountains, hanging glaciers and often an array of wildlife. Descend and explore Girdwood on your own. Enjoy a farewell seafood buffet dinner.

July 8-17 • AAA Member Rate: $5,449Rate is per person (double occupancy), is subject to availability at time of booking and includes roundtrip flights (Buffalo-Fairbanks, Anchorage-Buffalo), roundtrip air-port/hotel transfers, 9-night accommodations, motorcoach sightseeing, 16 meals, in-Alaska local guide, services of a AAA Tour Manager (if participation goal is met), Arctic Circle air adventure (small aircraft; group will be staggered; departure is weather-dependent) & more. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply; contact your travel agent for details. Visit AAA.com/Alaska for itinerary details.




Go riding the rails around ColoradoTaking the high road in the Centennial State

Red is the color that gives Colorado its stately splen-dor. Even the name Colorado comes from the Spanish term

for the ruddy tones of the native sand-stone.

Located just outside Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods is home to some of the most uniquely beautiful sandstone rock formations in the coun-try. Set against the backdrop of Pike’s Peak these solemn red giants include the Tower of Babel and the Kissing Camels.

The Pikes Peak Cog Railway — the world’s highest cog train — has trans-ported visitors to the rocky pinnacle since 1891. Katherine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to “America the Beautiful” in 1893, after being inspired by the scen-ery, which includes otherworldly rock formations, dense stands of aspen and the peaks of the Continental Divide.

Colorado is filled with Rocky Mountain highs. The Royal Gorge Bridge — the world’s highest suspension bridge — hovers 955-feet above the Arkansas River. Just below the bridge America’s steepest incline railway slides 1,500 feet down to the canyon floor. Riding inside tiny cages, big enough for just two people, the incline descends at a seem-ingly impossible 45-degree angle for the 6-minute trip down to the roaring Arkansas River.

Hidden away in a little-known cor-ner of the southern Rocky Mountains

the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is almost unchanged since the day the first whistle blew back in 1880. An authentic artifact of the Old West the railway remains a spectacular example of mountain railroading.

Clinging to the sheer rock faces, the 7-hour, 64-mile journey ascends 10,015-foot-high Cumbres Pass. The train snakes carefully along a narrow ledge and from here the view is straight down. Later the hills begin to soften and

the grassy hills flatten into a broad plain as the steam locomotive chugs into Antonito, Colorado.

Durango’s mountain location may only be matched by its colorful past. Visitors can ride historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in continuous operation for nearly 125-years. Once used to haul gold and silver the open gondola cars now offer vertigo-inducing views along a dizzying series of switchbacks.

Traveling through the breathtaking can-yons of San Juan National Forest the steam train takes 3.5 hours to complete the 45-mile route to the former mining town of Silverton. The National Historic Landmark features a Victorian-era down-town, filled with fine, Italianate-style storefronts, or visitors can go under-ground at the Old Hundred Gold Mine.

The Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. Towering multi-hued monoliths erupt from rock layers that are nearly two bil-lion years old. The canyons are etched deep into sandstone, while pinion pines and junipers crown the high desert pla-teau and enormous rock towers.

THE SCENIC ROUTE — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has been in continuous operation for nearly 125 years.

RIDING THE RAILS AAA’s Railing Around Colorado Rail Tour features some of the world’s great rail journeys and the spectacular scenery of the Rocky Mountain State. The September 14-21, 2013 escorted tour includes char-tered motorcoach transportation, 7-night accommodations and services of a AAA Tour Manager. Please ask about add-on airfare from your departure city.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONSee this issue’s Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/USA for special values on great adventures in the American West.


Lighter than air in the Land of EnchantmentNew Mexico takes you up, up and away

Talking about New Mexico used to be easy. Sante Fe had its style. Taos had its Hum. Roswell had little green men,

while Albuquerque had balloons. For nine days each October, the skies, which often mirror the native tur-quoise, are festooned with hundreds of hot air and gas balloon lifting off from Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park. The evening Glowdeo® — when all the balloons fire their burners and light up the desert night like giant holiday orna-ments — is one the most spectacular man-made sights on earth.

It’s all due to the high-desert cli-mate and a phenomenon known as the “Albuquerque Box” The “box” is a set of predictable wind patterns that can be exploited to navigate the notori-ously hard-to-steer balloons. A skilled balloonist can use the box to return a balloon to the exact same spot they launched from.

Visitors can learn this and a whole lot more at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Located on the edge of Balloon Fiesta Park, it features interac-tive displays, an expansive collection of memorabilia and historic gondolas like the Breitling Orbiter 3, the first balloon to fly nonstop around the world.

But Albuquerque is much more than just a bunch of hot air. The city sprawls across a desert basin with the Sandia Mountains erupting like a row of drag-on’s teeth across a parched, terracotta plain. The Rio Grande River meanders through town flanked by an oasis-like ribbon of green known as the Bosque.

Some of Old Town’s squat adobes date back to the town’s beginnings in 1706. Dozens of ochre, mud and brick structures fringe a tidy, green plaza anchored by the historic San Felipe de Neri church. Visitors can explore the brick paths and hidden courtyards, browse the galleries, or bargain for Native American jewelry and crafts under the low-slung portals.

For a real peak experience hop onboard the nearby Sandia Peak Tramway. The 15-minute ride ascends 2.7-miles to the top of 10,400-foot Sandia Peak. One of the longest, most spectacular aerial tramways in the world, passengers glide over a lush, green ponderosa forest and steep can-yons that at dusk, glow a deep, rosy pink. Early explorers named them Sandia, Spanish for “watermelon.”

The view from the top affords spec-tacular vistas of Albuquerque and some 11,000 square miles of New Mexican countryside. And when the lights begin to twinkle down below, it seems like the evening is filled with nothing but stars.

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center showcases the history and accomplish-ments of the Pueblo people. Located about a mile northeast of Old Town, the museum is modeled after Pueblo Bonito, a 9th-century ruin in Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Exhibits include displays of handcrafts and tools

and Native American dancers perform on weekends.

There are 19 Pueblos in the region, where Native Americans still pursue a more traditional lifestyle. Wooden Kiva ladders tilt toward the heavens against the adobe structures which reveal expert masonry techniques.

Taos Pueblo is the only living Native American community designated as both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The Pueblo is made entirely of adobe — earth mixed with water and straw, then made into sun-dried bricks. The walls are often several feet thick.

About 40 miles south of Taos is Chimayó, New Mexico’s most visited religious shrine. The El Santuario de Chimayó church is said to have been built on sacred earth and possess mirac-ulous healing powers.

The drive along Highway 76, is called the “High Road to Taos” — a spectacu-lar route through Old Spanish villages and gorgeous Georgia O’Keeffe-style landscapes.

Nestled in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the old store-fronts in historic Taos Plaza have been transformed into galleries, restaurants and boutiques. The Kit Carson Park and Cemetery is the final resting place of the famed frontiersman and other must-sees include the historic San Francisco de Asis Church, and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, towering 650-feet above the river.

Santa Fe is an intoxicating blend of Anglo, Indian and Hispanic cultures that mingle like the scent of piñón wood with the evening air. Dozens of

historic sites transport visitors back to the Spanish Colonial era, and remnants

of the Wild West. A haven for artists, the galleries along Canyon Road show-case an array of Southwestern, and indigenous American art.

The city boasts half a dozen major museums including the recently opened New Mexico History Museum and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, dedicated to the work of the influential American artist. The Palace of the Governors on the Plaza of Santa Fe, is the oldest continu-ously occupied public building in the United States and was constructed in 1610.

HIGH PLAINS DRIFTING — Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta in October may be the most photographed event on earth.

IF YOU GOExperience the best of New Mexico dur-ing AAA’s October 9-15 New Mexico Balloon Fiesta escorted tour. This AAA Featured Vacation features tours of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos, visits to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center; Chimayó; and the Turquoise Museum. Package includes motorcoach transporta-tion; 6-nights accommodation (three in Albuquerque, two in Taos and one in Santa Fe); admissions, taxes and gratuities for included features; baggage handling; 14-meals; and services of a AAA Tour Manager. Ask about additional add-on air transportation from your departure city.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONSee the Departures Guide or log on to AAA.com/USA for great vacation ideas from AAA.


Full Page ad for Danto come

With more than 2,200 events taking place dur-ing the nine-week season, there is no such thing as

a typical day at Chautauqua. According to historian David McCullough: “There is no place like it. No resort. No spa. Not anywhere else in the country, or anywhere in the world.”

Nestled on 750-acres along the serene shores, of Chautauqua Lake, the Chautauqua Institution’s gilded age architecture presides over a dramatic natural setting. It was founded in 1874 on the belief that everyone “has a right to be all that he can be — to know all that he can know.” Today, it welcomes over 170,000 visitors each summer — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village.

The Victorian village remains a time capsule of small-town Americana. Families stroll along winding brick lanes past gingerbread-style cottages and quiet gardens nestled under a can-opy of maples. Visitors describe it as an experience rather than a vacation — a place for renewal. The experience comes in many forms. Minds are stimu-lated, faith restored. The human spirit is rekindled.

The Institution’s 140th annual sea-son, which runs from June 22 through August 25, offers visitors the best in fine and performing arts, education, recreation and religion. Each week’s

lecture series features a theme ranging from domestic and foreign policy to sci-ence and ethics to arts and culture. The 2013 season opens with an exploration into the wonders of the cosmos, and our understanding of space and time. Columbia University theoretical physi-cist Brian Greene, author of The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos, offers a thought provoking introduction to superstring theory and how it shapes our under-standing of the universe.

Join Steve Martin, The Beach Boys, Amy Grant and many other top per-formers in country, bluegrass, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll in Chautauqua’s open-air amphitheater this summer. The Institution’s popular entertainment lineup also features special evening pro-grams with Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion Radio Romance Tour 2013, and a conversation between legendary musician Paul Simon and former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.

Dust off those poodle skirts, bobby

socks and 45 rpm records for Friday, July 26, when Dick Fox’s “Golden Boys” starring Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell take Chautauqua for a walk down memory lane.

The Chautauqua Theater Company opens its 30th anniversary season with Tennessee Williams’ 1955 Pulitzer Prize winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, June 29 through July 7. The com-pany’s two other mainstage produc-tions this summer include the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play Clybourne Park, July 20 through July 28 and Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors Aug. 10 through Aug. 16.

Chautauqua Opera Company and Chautauqua Theater Company join forces with Chautauqua’s other arts programs for the Institution’s produc-tion of The Romeo and Juliet Project on Saturday, July 27, an original retelling of Shakespeare’s timeless love story.


This summer at the Chautauqua Institution 2013 season offers the best in arts and entertainment

LIVE AND LEARN — The Chautauqua Institution’s gilded age architecture presides over a dramatic natural setting.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONGate tickets are your passport to the Chautauqua Experience, entitling you to attend most events on the grounds, including all lectures, religious services, Amphitheater entertainment and perfor-mances by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. There is a reduced rate for youth ages 13-25. Visit Chautauqua Institution’s website at www.ciweb.org or call 716.357.6520.

Nation’s infrastructure gets a D+ Grade Point Average AAA agrees with engineers: Roads and bridges needs work

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently issued its 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure,

which is a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s infrastructure across 16 sectors, including roads, bridges and transit systems.

Updated every four years, the Report Card uses a simple A to F school report card format to provide a comprehen-sive assessment of current infrastruc-ture conditions and needs, by assigning grades. This year’s Report Card found

that America’s grade for infrastructure rose slightly to a “D+” from a “D” in 2009. Of importance to AAA members, roads saw a slight improvement to a “D” up from a “D-” four years ago, bridges improved to a grade of “C+” from a “C” last time and transit systems remained at a “D.”

The Report Card also contains state-specific reports that have individual conditions and needs numbers for each state. Since 1998, the grades have been near failing, averaging only Ds, due to delayed maintenance and under invest-

ment across most categories.“The good news for drivers is that

the condition of the nation’s roads and bridges has improved slightly since the last report card was issued. The bad news is grades like these aren’t going to get us where we need to go in terms of safety or mobility,” said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central.

Key trends cited in the report as con-tributing to the improvements on roads and bridges include:• Renewed efforts in cities and states,

to address deficiencies;• Expanded private sector investment

in upgrades and adding capacity to the system;

• Short-term boosts (since previous2009 report) like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, Recovery Act or Stimulus Bill).

Other findings from the report of inter-est regarding roads, bridges and tran-sit include:

• One third of the nation’s roads arein poor or mediocre condition, cost-ing motorists $324 each per year in additional repair costs;

• Oneoutof4(151,497)ofthenation’sbridges are deficient and one in 9 (66,749) of the nation’s bridges are structurally deficient;

• ASCE estimates there is a $112 bil-lion investment gap per year for roads, bridges and transit to keep up with needs;

• Averageageofbridgesis42years;• Forty-two percent of major urban

highways are congested; congestion costs over $100 billion annually;

• Therehasbeena9.1percentincreasein transit riders over the past decade;

• Forty-fivepercentofAmericans lackaccess to transit and the economy lost $90 billion in 2010 due to defi-cient transit systems.“AAA encourages Congress to take

the lead, work toward a long term fund-ing solution and ensure the American public understands the importance of investing in our transportation sys-tem before we fall further behind,” Newbacher added.

GRADING THE SYSTEMAn Advisory Council of leading civil engineers appointed by ASCE assigns the grades according to the following eight criteria: capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. The Report Card is available online at www.infrastructurereportcard.org.


Low cost hydrogen fuel may be one step closerBreakthrough could revolutionize alternative energy market

In 1874 Jules Verne predicted that hydrogen and oxygen, the two elements that combine to form water, would “one day be an inex-

haustible source of heat and light.” Now a team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered a way to extract large quantities of hydrogen from any plant, a breakthrough that has the potential to bring a low-cost, environmentally friendly fuel source to the world.

“Our new process could help end our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Y.H. Percival Zhang, an associate professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering.

Zhang and his team have succeeded in using xylose, the most abundant simple plant sugar, to produce a large quantity of hydrogen that previously was attainable only in theory.

This new method of producing hydrogen utilizes renewable natural resources, releases almost no green-house gasses, and does not require costly or heavy metals. It can be per-formed using any source of biomass. Previous methods to produce hydrogen are expensive and create greenhouse gases.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that hydrogen fuel has the potential to dramatically reduce reliance of fossil fuels and automobile manufactures are aggressively trying to develop vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel cells. Unlike

gas-powered engines that spew out pol-lutants, the only byproduct of hydro-gen fuel is water. Zhang’s discovery may open the door to an inexpensive, renewable source of hydrogen.

Jonathan R. Mielenz, group lead-er of the bioscience and technology biosciences division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, said this discov-ery has the potential to have a major impact on alternative energy produc-tion.

“The key to this exciting develop-

ment is that Zhang is using a prevalent sugar in plants to produce this hydro-gen,” he said. “This amounts to a sig-nificant additional benefit to hydrogen production and it reduces the overall cost of producing hydrogen from bio-mass.” Mielenz thinks Zhang’s process could find its way to the marketplace as quickly as three years.

“The potential for profit and envi-ronmental benefits are why so many automobile, oil, and energy companies are working on hydrogen fuel cell vehi-

cles as the transportation of the future,” Zhang said. “Many people believe we will enter the hydrogen economy soon, with a market capacity of at least $1 tril-lion in the United States alone.”

The commercial market for hydro-gen gas is now around $100 billion for hydrogen produced from natural gas, which is expensive to manufac-ture and generates a large amount of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Industry most often uses hydrogen to manufacture ammonia for fertilizers and to refine petrochemicals, but an inexpensive, plentiful green hydrogen source can rapidly change that market.

“It really doesn’t make sense to use non-renewable natural resources to pro-duce hydrogen,” Zhang said. “We think this discovery is a game-changer in the world of alternative energy.”

STAR POWER — Actress Jamie Lee Curtis was the second customer for Honda’s FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle.

THE FUEL OF THE FUTUREDaimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Nissan recently signed a unique three-way agreement to accelerate the commer-cialization of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology with a goal of launching the world’s first affordable, mass-market FCEVs as early as 2017.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONVisit AAA.com for information on all things automotive including tips on buy-ing, operating and maintaining a vehicle.

STAR POWER — Actress Jamie Lee Curtis was the second customer for

aroundtownDAVID FRANCEY CONCERT — (May

10) From carpenter to songwriter, Canadian David Francey has become recognized as one of today’s fin-est singer-songwriters. A three-time JUNO Award-winner (Canada’s Grammy), he has been called hands-down the best songwriter working in Canada today by the Victoria Times Colonist. General Admission Tickets: $15. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church Street, Fredonia. For more information, call 716-679-1891 or visit www.fredopera.org.

NATIONAL TRAIN DAY — (May 11) Day-long celebration of trains and the history of railroading at this newly renovated former Erie Railroad Station with rolling stock of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad. There will be train Displays and Exhibits plus work cars, and artwork. Railroad author Kenneth Springirth and Chuck Spinner, author of The Tragedy of the Loomis Street Crossing”, will also be there. The fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jamestown Gateway Train Station, 212-217 W. Second Street, Jamestown. Sponsored by the Western New York Railroad Historical Society. For details, call the Jamestown station at 716-483-3041.

WINE TOURISM DAY — (May 11) Wine Tourism Day is an opportunity to ask questions about vineyards and cold climate wine production in the pic-turesque setting of Johnson Estate’s 115 acres of vineyards. Tour the winery production facilities before enjoying some of the winery’s 30+ wines. (Be safe: Always have a des-ignated driver.) Your tasting will be accompanied by a platter of Yancey Fancy cheeses with Nature’s Own crackers. Tours leave at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person (ages 21 and over). Johnson Estate Winery: 8419 West Main Road (Route 20), Westfield. Call 716-326-2191 or visit www.johnsonwinery.com.

HANDS ON JAMESTOWN — (May 18)Join your friends and neighbors for a day of community wide clean-up. The objective of Hands-On Jamestown is to clean and beautify the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods. Each year Hands On Jamestown attracts hundreds of vol-unteers including students, local res-idents, churches and youth groups, service organization, individuals and families. Volunteers should meet at Tracy Plaza in Downtown Jamestown. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more informa-

tion, visit www.jamestownrenais-sance.org.

PUBLIC DAY AT SOUTHERN TIER BREWING COMPANY — (May 18) Join Southern Tier Brewing Company for its second annual Public Day in honor of craft beer week. There will be more than 25 beers available to sample, along with a barbeque vendor and live music featuring The Bogarts and A Band Named Sue. Must be 21 or over to attend. (Be safe: Always have a des-ignated driver.) The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood. For more information, call 716-763-5479 or visit www.stb-cbeer.com/events.

JAMESTOWN WALKING TOUR — (May 25) Fenton History Center Trustee Tom Greer will lead guests on a walking tour of Jamestown’s Old Northside (the current downtown) at 1 p.m. The tour covers 4th Street to the Chadakoin, and examines the people and businesses that thrived during the early 1800s to the 1950s. The tour will begin and end at the parking lot of Fenton History Center, 67 Washington Street, Jamestown. Cost: $10. To register, call 716-664-6256. For more information, visit www.fentonhistorycenter.org.

CHAUTAUQUA-LAKE ERIE ART TRAIL — (May 25-26, June 1-2) The Fifth Annual Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail is a free, open house and studio tour to see where North Shore art-ists create their work. Photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture and textiles are just some of the media explored in this tour. You’ll meet 18 artists and see their latest creations. For a map of participating galleries and businesses, and for more infor-mation, visit www.chautauquaart-trail.com.

CHAUTAUQUA IN JUNE LEARNING FESTIVAL — (May 31 – June 16) Celebrate farms, food and drink in Chautauqua County during the third annual festival. Join a farm-to-table culinary adventure or wine-maker’s dinner. Go foraging for fungi and learn how to use various types in preparing a meal. Take a lesson in photography using vineyards as your muse or taste local flavors while learning to pair food with wine or beer. The two-week schedule features more than 20 workshops includ-ing experiences in culinary, creative and cultural arts, as well as outdoor recreation. Classes are held in a mul-titude of settings across Chautauqua County. For more information call 716-357-4569.


Make a smooth move with Penske Truck RentalPenske upgrades website ahead of peak moving season

About 20 million American households move every year and you might be surprised at just how much you can save

by doing the job yourself. Whatever the reason for your move, you can make the task more pleasant by planning ahead and taking advantage of resourc-es designed to make moving easier.

Whether you’re moving out of a just-the-basics apartment or a large family home, you’ll probably need a moving truck. Penske Truck Rental has just introduced an enhanced ver-sion of www.pensketruckrental.com to improve the online experience and speed up reservations for its customers.

“We’ve redesigned this site so that our customers can enjoy a better online experience when reserving trucks and purchasing moving supplies,” said Don Mikes, Penske’s Senior Vice President of Rental. “Our mover’s marketplace also provides customers with access to a host of great discounts and vendors ranging from AAA discounts and hotel stays to locating and reserving self-storage facilities.”

The retooled www.pensketruckren-tal.com has streamlined the rental quote price experience and introduces a comparative analysis mechanism so that do-it-yourself movers can better understand what size trucks and sup-plies are required for their DIY move.

Do-it-yourself movers can pick up a free moving guide at any Penske Truck Rental location, which now includes more than 430 Home Depot stores. Or use their online Truck Wizard to quickly and easily find the right truck for your move. They’ve also got a com-plete moving kit to help you manage your move efficiently and effectively, complete with a personal packing tips, check lists, safe driving instructions and supplies you’ll need to make your move as easy as possible. Penske also

rents tow dollies and car carriers and provides all the accessories needed for a self-move, such as pads, boxes, labels and hand trucks.

With more than 40 years experience, the experts at Penske Truck Rental have a few tips to get you started:

Reserve Early — Book your rental truck at least two weeks in advance.

Pack Wisely — Load your heavi-est items first. Avoid injury by always bending your knees and lifting with your legs.

Use Accessories — Boxes, bubble wrap, moving blankets and hand-trucks are essential to protect your items and make your move more enjoyable.

Mark Boxes — Label as you pack. It makes it easier to put the boxes in the right room while unloading.

Penske moving truck rentals come with a locked in low rate even if you change your move date — no deposit required. And only Penske offers free unlimited miles on one-way rentals anywhere in the United States.

Your moving rental will be clean, prepped and ready for pickup. Penske also offers emergency road service for its trucks, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Rent the industry’s new-est fleet of comfortable, fuel-efficient trucks with Penske and move with peace of mind.

MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 20% Whether you need a truck for moving across the country or down the street, Penske Truck Rental offers significant savings for AAA members. Save 12% on one-way & local truck rentals and 12% off moving supplies and accessories. Offer only applicable to daily fixed rate and any mileage charges. Book online and save up to 20% on one-way rentals at PenskeTruckRental.com.

MORE CONVENIENT THAN EVER — Penske Truck Rental locations now include more than 430 Home Depots.

Following the north star to the Baltic rimBaltic cruises offer a magical view of northern Europe

Even experienced travelers sometimes confuse the Baltic with the Balkans. The two regions could not be more

dissimilar. Stretching from southern Denmark to near the Arctic Circle, the Baltic region refers to the area around the Baltic Sea. Countries bound-ing the Baltic Sea and its arms include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany.

A Baltic cruise is characterized by a variety of landscapes — low, rocky islands called skerries along the coasts of Sweden and Finland, Norwegian fjords, lagoons, inlets, and some of the world’s most fabled cities. On the far eastern edge of the Baltic Sea is St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s “window to Europe.” On the western side is Elsinore, home of Kronborg Castle, the setting for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Baltic Sea cruises are typically port-in-tensive. Copenhagen and Stockholm are the region’s primary turnaround ports (where most cruises begin or end) and are conveniently connected to the rest of the world.

Visitors will discover lively cosmo-politan cities like Oslo, and Helsinki. They’ll set foot in lands once inhabited by mad princes, Viking warriors and Tsars. Medieval town walls and ancient cobblestone streets are reminders of a time long ago, while palaces and muse-

ums house a vast patrimony of art and cultural treasures.

During the summer the sun sets in Helsinki for only a few hours each evening. The “Daughter of the Baltic” has been the Finnish capital since 1812, when it was rebuilt by Russian Tsars as a kind of miniature St. Petersburg, a role it has played in many a Cold War movie. Suomenlinna known as the “Gibraltar of the North” was once the greatest sea fortress in the Baltic. Constructed in the mid-1700s, today the sprawling for-tifications and catacombs house trendy

cafes, theaters and museums.Stockholm is situated on 14 islands

and known as “the city that floats on water.” Cruise ships make a spectac-ular 50-mile transit to the city center through archipelago of 24,000 islands, gliding past castles, fortresses and tra-ditional red and green Swedish cottag-es. With more than 100 institutions, Stockholm boasts the world’s highest concentration of museums. Visitors will not want to miss the Vasa Museum, which houses a warship that sank in 1628 and recovered in 1961.

Cruising through the 6,500 islands that make up the Åland archipelago is an awe-inspiring experience. The smooth red granite islets are set in an ice blue sea and seem to shimmer in the midnight sun.

Oslo, Norway’s capital city lies in the heart of Scandinavia and at the head of the 61-mile long Oslo Fjord. Dominating the port is the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle and royal residence built in 1299.

In Copenhagen, it’s the life-sized things that count. Visitors marvel that the Little Mermaid is so little. Just 4-feet tall the pensive maiden waits on the rocks at Langelinie Harbor on the port city’s north side.

DAUGHTER OF THE BALTIC — Helsinki was built as a miniature version of St. Petersburg, Russia.

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALKIn 1154, an Arabian geographer marked Tallinn on the world map. Early settlers came to the region more than 3,500 years ago, and the heart-shaped Old Town in Estonia’s capital is the best-preserved medieval city in northern Europe. St. Olaf’s church, once the tallest building in the world, was used by the KGB to block Finnish TV signals during the Soviet era.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONPlease see your Departures Guide or log on to AAA,com/cruises for special mem-ber values on Baltic Cruise vacations.


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