AAA travel guides now spotlight kid-friendly activities for many top destinations 

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 5, 2013) – Planning a trip the whole family will enjoy is easier when you let AAA’s travel professionals help point the way with expert recommendations. To select their top picks for key family travel destinations, AAA editors became kids again. With an eye toward finding options for tots to teens, they visited and played at countless attractions touted as kid friendly — many designated as AAA GEMs, offering a Great Experience for Members — along with notable restaurants and events. This family-friendly content is available in AAA’s popular digital and printed travel guides for select destinations.

“The key to a successful family vacation is planning activities that are fun and exciting for every member of your group, recognizing that what’s exciting to a 6-year old can differ from what appeals to teens,” said Bill Wood, executive editor, AAA Travel Publishing. “Recommendations from our editors help make these distinctions, ensuring easier travel planning and memorable vacation experiences.”

AAA’s Top Picks for Kids are currently available for 19 U.S. cities coast to coast, including New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Selections are separated into categories that include options for kids under 13, teens and kids of all ages.

AAA Editors’ Top Picks for Kids can be found in the AAA.com Travel Guides, the downloadable AAA eTourBook^® guides available at AAA.com/ebooks and the printed AAA TourBook^® guides available at AAA/CAA offices.

SAMPLE: AAA Editors’ Top Picks for Kids – Miami

UNDER 13 

Miami Seaquarium: At this AAA GEM attraction, kids enjoy the antics of Salty the sea lion, Flipper the dolphin and Lolita the killer whale. Between-show activities include saltwater exhibits with sea turtles and reef fish. There’s even a pirate ship playground with water guns and a spiral slide.

Monkey Jungle: What could be more fun than a whole park filled with monkeys? A fenced-in path through this subtropical forest keeps humans and monkeys safely separate while allowing visitors to get really close to these wonderful animals.

TEENS

Duck Tours South Beach: If you want to tour South Beach and get a taste of its rich Art Deco legacy without hearing choruses of, “I’m bored,” hop on an amphibious vehicle. The entertaining and educational 90-minute excursion concludes with a big splash into Biscayne Bay.

La Carreta Restaurant: Enjoy a delicious introduction to home-style Cuban cuisine, a big part of the Miami experience, at this local institution, a AAA One Diamond Restaurant, on Little Havana’s Calle Ocho (8^th Street). Sample charbroiled meats and chicken-and-rice dishes, and snap a family photo with the giant metal chicken outside.

ALL AGES

Beaches: You’re in Florida after all. Miami Beach is the obvious choice, particularly if you are staying there. There is also nearby Key Biscayne with its two public beaches: Crandon Park – a 2-mile stretch of sand noted for its calm waters and rental cabanas – and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, with its postcard-worthy historic lighthouse.

Everglades National Park: Drive down to South Florida’s wilderness jewel, a AAA GEM attraction. This endangered “River of Grass” is a haven to birds as well as alligators, snakes, turtles and manatees. Drive the 38 miles from the entrance to the Flamingo Visitor Center and enjoy the views from your car. Trailheads radiate out from the road at several spots, inviting short hikes. A thrilling high-speed way to explore the park is by airboat ride, offered at Everglades Alligator Farm and Everglades Safari Park.

About AAA

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Vacation loyalists still traveling despite rising fuel costs

ORLANDO, Fla., (April 5, 2012) – Large numbers of vacation loyalists are still traveling despite rising fuel costs, according to a recent AAA travel agent survey and travel sales data.  AAA Travel’s lists of top summer vacation destinations include choices popular with American families for generations within the United States and around the world.  Many seasoned vacationers are expanding their travel horizons to exotic faraway lands.  While many Americans head to their computers when planning a summer getaway, planning a vacation can be overwhelming.  AAA Travel has seen a continuation of the number of vacationers seeking expert advice from a travel counselor to help guide their decisions, save countless hours of research and gain insight into popular destination.   AAA has more than 3,000 travel counselors located within more than 1,000 AAA Travel offices across the United States and Canada.

“Many Americans consider travel a mainstay to our way of life and are loyal vacationers,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services. “While some Americans may modify their travel due to rising fuel costs, those who can are still choosing to travel and they are traversing the world.” 

Last year, several airlines made cost-saving adjustments by reducing seating capacity, consolidating routes, and replacing large aircraft with smaller more fuel-efficient airplanes.  Following those capacity reductions and this year’s rising fuel costs, some travel suppliers including tour companies and cruise lines have begun offering price incentives to attract travelers.  Savvy summer vacationers have been taking advantage of those incentives especially for international travel.  Vacationers can visit the nearest AAA Travel office or AAA.com for more price incentive information.

AAA Travel’s Top Summer Vacation Destinations by travel category are:

AAA’s Top Summer Land Vacation Destinations:  

Orlando, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Rome, Italy
London, England
Anaheim, California

Leading the way in popularity for summer travel are vacations to the Orlando area, consistently holding the valedictorian spot in the top destination class year after year.

AAA’s Top Summer Cruise Vacation Destinations:

Caribbean
Alaska
Bahamas
Europe
Bermuda

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forecasts that more than 17 million vacationers will cruise the world’s waterways in 2012, one million more than last year. AAA Travel sales data shows significant increases in cruise bookings for the summer family vacation season and throughout 2012 and into 2013.

AAA’s Top Summer Exotic Vacation Destinations: 

China
Peru
The Galapagos
The Amazon
India

Many seasoned vacation loyalists have been choosing AAA Vacations^® – a collection of customized cruise and land vacation packages designed exclusively for AAA members – to fulfill their exotic travel desires.  AAA Vacations^® destinations include once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a visit to an off-the-beaten-path section of the Great Wall of China.

Travel counselors at AAA receive frequent travel updates and stay abreast of price changes, travel alerts and continuously monitor the overall travel landscape. Their time, personalized service and first-hand destination knowledge enables them to offer valuable destination tips and sightseeing recommendations adding irreplaceable value to the vacation price.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

AAA’s TripTik Mobile app puts room reservations and cost savings at travelers’ fingertips   

ORLANDO, Fla., (April 2, 2012) – As gas prices continue to rise, travelers are seeking additional sources of price information and available savings.  AAA, North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, announces the launch of new capabilities in a trusted travel information resource, the AAA TripTik Mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphone users.  The free AAA TripTik Mobile application uses first of its kind functionality – powered by Travelocity Partner Network – to put hotel room reservations at users’ fingertips via their smartphone or tablet.     

AAA members on the go in need of hotel reservations at the last minute or well in advance can now easily book available rooms, research property amenities and take advantage of AAA member room rates with a simple tap of the book button. Gas station locations, frequently updated gas prices and more than 2,000 publicly available electric vehicle charging stations are other valuable travel budgeting features available with the free AAA TripTik Mobile app. 

“The integration of the new mobile hotel booking engine into our TripTik mobile app provides unmatched convenience and cost savings to AAA members on the go,” said Ted Petty, managing director, AAA Travel Technology. “The addition brings enhanced versatility to an already valuable and trusted travel tool,” added Ramin Kalhor, managing director, AAA Publishing Systems.   

Smartphone users can download the free GPS-based AAA TripTik Mobile app from the iTunes Store, Android Market, or find more information at AAA.com/Mobile.

Additional GPS-based apps include AAA Discounts, which displays nearby member discount locations and AAA Roadside, which enables members who need roadside rescue to send AAA their location, vehicle description and breakdown details. The AAA Insurance app guides users on what to do immediately after a traffic collision, and AAA Auto Buying Tools helps prospective buyers build their ideal car and view pricing, ratings, AAA reviews and more.  

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ORLANDO, Fla., November 2, 2011 –

Expected cuts in airline capacity, American pent-up travel demand fueling European travel price sales and early booking discounts

Airlines are expected to cut seating capacity on international flights to Europe next year between five percent and 10 percent, according to TravCorp USA.  The AAA Preferred Travel Partner expects the percentage of reduction to fluctuate by destination as the region’s economic outlook is evaluated.  Airline seating capacity reductions to Paris, Frankfurt and London are among those currently being studied. Travelers are advised to book now for the best deals.

As airlines contemplate capacity reductions, AAA surveys of intended travelers indicate that travel in general is increasing due primarily to pent-up demand.  Responses to AAA travel surveys conducted throughout the year indicate that Americans have maintained a deep desire to travel throughout the economic downturn and have tired of waiting for the United States economy to improve.  Increasing numbers of AAA Travel customers are moving forward with vacation purchases to Europe.

“Americans need and want to spend time with family creating life-time travel memories and fulfilling their bucket list along the way,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services.  “Current savings and booking incentives on European travel make this the perfect time to plan that dream Europe vacation.”

According to AAA Travel sales data, the top five European destinations for travel during the first half of 2012 are Rome; London; Dublin, Ireland; Amsterdam, Netherlands; and Paris. Current Europe vacation purchases for travel in the first quarter of 2012 are 15 percent higher than in the first quarter of 2011. Sales for Europe travel during the second quarter of 2012 are 21 percent higher than the second quarter of this year.

Most airlines and travel suppliers are responding to the pent-up demand and expected airline capacity cuts by providing immediate savings opportunities on travel to Europe.  Some cruise lines are modifying itineraries to appeal to specific travelers such as wine enthusiasts and moving more cabin capacity to popular destinations like the Mediterranean.

Price reduction offers include sales on travel and cruises during the remainder of 2011 including the holiday season, early booking discounts and price incentives to pay-in-full at the time of booking for travel in 2012, to name a few.  The key to securing a great travel value is knowing when to buy.  For travel to Europe, that time is now.

Planning international travel can be a daunting task. Partnering with a professional travel counselor who specializes in international travel will save vacationers countless hours of research time, and provide access to additional vacation options sold only through travel agencies.

Travel counselors at AAA Travel receive frequent international travel updates and stay abreast of price changes, document requirement changes, travel alerts and continuously monitor the overall international travel landscape. Their time, personalized service, first-hand destination knowledge to offer tips on places to shop, dine and sightsee adds irreplaceable value to the vacation price.

AAA Travel recently launched AAA Vacations® – a collection of escorted, hosted and independent tours and vacation packages to destinations throughout the world.  AAA Vacations® are customized tours and packages designed to deliver unique, engaging and exclusive vacation experiences to AAA members.  Visit your nearest AAA office or AAA.com for more information.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ORLANDO, Fla., May 24, 2011

Nation’s largest motor club encourages all drivers to do three easy maintenance tasks to help avoid becoming stranded, improve their safety and save money on gas
The summer travel season kicks off later this week with the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and AAA estimates it will come to the rescue of 8.7 million stranded motorists between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“More than 30 million Americans are expected to take road trips during the Memorial Day holiday weekend and, unfortunately, many of them will end up stranded by the roadway,” said John Nielsen, AAA Director of Auto Repair, Buying Services and Consumer Information. “However, there are three easy maintenance tasks any driver can perform to reduce their chances of becoming stranded, improve the safety of their road trip and even save a little money.”

Additional Resources

• Gas Prices Not Expected to Keep Americans Home Memorial Day Weekend, AAA says
• AAA’s 2011 Memorial Day Travel Forecast
• AAA Video – When to Replace Tires
• AAA Video – How to Maintain Tires

The three maintenance tasks AAA recommends all motorists to perform before hitting the road for a summer road trip include:

1. Inspect All FIVE Tires

Many motorists may be confused when told to check five tires, however AAA has found one of the most frequently overlooked items on a vehicle is the spare tire. When inspecting tires, it’s important also to make sure the spare is in good condition and ready for use in case it’s needed.

“Roughly 1.2 million drivers will call AAA for help with a flat tire during the summer travel season, and many of those problems could be avoided by inspecting the tires before hitting the road,” said Nielsen. “Tire inspections are simple to perform. The only tools needed are a quarter and a tire pressure gauge.”

Begin every tire inspection with a pressure check. “Eighty-five percent of drivers do not know how to properly inflate their tires, and more than half of all cars on the road have at least one under-inflated tire,” explained Nielsen.

Always check tire pressure when the tires are at ambient temperature and the car has not been driven recently. Use a quality gauge to make sure all five tires are inflated to the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer—which is probably not the maximum pressure molded into the sidewall of the tire. The carmaker’s recommendation can be found on a sticker usually attached to the driver’s door jam, in the owner’s manual and sometimes on the gas cap door. Drivers should be aware that the recommended pressures for front and rear tires may differ, and the spare may require yet another pressure. Most space saver spares require much higher air pressures than normal vehicle tires.

Properly inflated tires also can reduce fuel costs during a trip. The Department of Energy reports that correctly inflating all four tires can improve fuel economy by up to three percent, which is equivalent to as much as to 12 cents per gallon.

After making sure all five tires are properly inflated, drivers should inspect the tread depth and overall condition of the tires. Worn tires in need of replacement are much more likely to suffer punctures and other problems. An industry survey found one out of every 10 cars has at least one bald tire, and 64 percent of drivers do not know how to check their tread depth.

To check tread depth, insert a quarter into a tire tread groove with Washington’s head upside down and facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington’s head. If any area above his head is visible, it might be wise to go tire shopping before you take a long road trip. Be sure to check the tread depth at several points around the tire and across its width, and use the lowest reading.

While checking the tire tread wear, also look for signs of uneven wear or abnormal bulges or other damage on the tire treads and sidewalls. “Taking a few minutes to inspect your tires once a month can help keep you rolling down the roadway instead of being stranded by the roadside,” noted Nielsen.

2. Check and Clean Car Battery

AAA estimates it will assist nearly 1.7 million motorists with dead batteries during the summer driving season—replacing nearly 700,000 batteries at the roadside. Summer heat breaks down car batteries internally and accelerates the rate of corrosion on the vehicle’s battery terminals. Both conditions can lead to insufficient electrical power being available, and leave a motorist stranded without warning.

Check the battery cables and ensure they are securely attached to the terminals. Clean the terminals if there are signs of corrosion. It is not enough to simply remove external corrosion; proper cleaning requires disconnecting the cables to clean the hidden areas where they contact the battery terminals.

Depending on local climate and vehicle usage patterns, most car batteries have a three to five year service life. If a battery is nearing the end of its lifecycle, have it tested at a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop or by the AAA Mobile Battery Service to determine if replacing the battery prior before your road trip might be a good idea.

If it’s time to replace a car’s battery, AAA members can get a quote on a replacement battery while on the go on their phone with the AAA Roadside app, available for iPhone and Android, or on any web-enabled mobile device using AAA Mobile Web at AAA.mobi.

3. Replace Wiper Blades and Refill Washer Fluid

Low or no windshield washer fluid was the number two problem AAA uncovered during its 2010 car care inspections. Rain, insects, grime and other debris on a windshield will compromise the driver’s vision, and safety, if the windshield wipers cannot remove them. A supply of the proper washer fluid, delivered effectively to the glass, helps the wipers remove these contaminants.

Check the windshield washer fluid reservoir monthly or more often if the washers are used frequently. Top it off with a solution formulated to aid in the removal of insects and other debris. Be sure to test the washer spray nozzles for proper operation and aim before leaving on a trip.

While topping off the washer fluid, also check the wiper blades. If blades are worn, cracked or rigid with age, they will not adequately remove rain, grime and other debris that can obscure driver vision. If the wiper blades are sufficiently deteriorated, the metal wiper blade frame could contact and permanently damage the windshield.

Check the wiper blades at every oil change or whenever they fail to wipe the glass clean in a single swipe. The life of a rubber insert is typically six to 12 months depending on its exposure to heat, dirt, sunlight, acid rain and ozone. Streaking and chattering are common clues that the rubber is breaking down and replacement is needed.

“While any driver can perform these three simple maintenance tasks before a summer road trip, they are not the only services your car needs to stay in top notch operating condition. It is also important to have your car serviced regularly according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual,” said Nielsen.

This summer, AAA will remedy three out of five motorists’ car problems at the roadside and get them back on the go. However, an estimated 3.7 million drivers will suffer more significant troubles that will require towing to a place of repair. Regular vehicle maintenance can help a motorist avoid becoming one of the unlucky drivers who end up spending part of their summer vacation hooked to a tow truck.

To help consumers identify quality auto repair shops that can assist in the maintenance and repair of their vehicles, AAA offers the Approved Auto Repair program as a free public service. AAA-approved repair facilities meet and maintain high professional standards for training, equipment, cleanliness and customer service. Motorists can look for the Approved Auto Repair sign at local auto repair facilities, or search for a nearby AAA-approved shop online at AAA.com/Repair.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

Orlando, Fl – 5/6/2011

Release of new edition marks official open for next AAA PetBook Photo Contest

Tails are wagging for the latest edition of Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook^®, just released. The annually updated guidebook contains all the information needed to plan a pet-friendly vacation, from hotel and park listings to pet preparations and safety tips. It also features scenic, smile-provoking photos of traveling pets — a reminder to capture the action from this year’s vacation for the next AAA PetBook Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western, now open for entries.

The key to memorable travels with pets is careful planning. “Be sure your pet is healthy enough to travel, you include activities that appeal to the entire family and you choose places to stay and play that offer pets a warm welcome,” said Bill Wood, executive editor, AAA Publishing. “AAA is pleased to provide the millions of traveling pet owners with complete, reliable vacation planning information.”

Whether you are looking for affordable, comfortable hotels near your favorite recreation spots, or luxurious accommodations that extend the royal treatment for both you and your canine companion, you’ll find it in Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook. The book includes more than 13,000 pet-friendly, AAA Approved and Diamond Rated lodgings in the U.S. and Canada. Listings include fees, permitted pet sizes and conditions of stay for properties across every Diamond Rating level.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the book lists more than 400 AAA Approved pet-friendly campgrounds. Readers will also find useful tips for preparing four-legged travelers for the road or air and handy information about pet etiquette, insurance and emergency animal clinics.

“With more than 1,600 pet-friendly Best Western properties worldwide, we know pets are very much a part of our guests’ families. As such, we want to welcome pets and their owners to our pet-friendly properties,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Best Western. “We are proud to help travelers get this information through The AAA PetBook, an exceptional resource.”

This vacation, be sure to capture some photos of your pet enjoying safe travel. Each year, entries from the AAA PetBook Photo Contest are selected to appear on the back cover and spine of the next edition of The AAA PetBook. In addition to cover fame, the winners also receive cash, pet treats, copies of the book and a Best Western Travel Card usable worldwide. Entries must be received by Nov. 30, 2011. See inside The AAA PetBook for details, or access official contest rules, an entry form and the contest photo gallery at AAA.com/PetBook.

Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook, 13^th edition, is available at many AAA and CAA offices, online at bn.com and at fine bookstores. The cover price is $18.95 U.S.

About AAA

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 52 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

About Best Western International, Inc.

Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD’S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY(SM), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in 90* countries and territories worldwide. Each Best Western-branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Now celebrating 65 years of hospitality, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western has embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world’s biggest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA/CAA, Michael Waltrip Racing™ and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, February 18, 2010

The most memorable of occasions can be even more spectacular by talking to a travel agent before fixing a date and location.

Contemplating future nuptials should talk to a travel agent before the wedding dress is ordered and the band is booked, AAA’s travel experts say. That’s because the complications and expense of a wedding can be better managed by selecting a honeymoon trip first, or even incorporating the wedding into the honeymoon itself.

“Whether you are planning to cruise, tour or just escape to an isolated dream destination, it is important to realize the costs and availability of certain trips can vary by season, trip-provider, the size of the party and even the day of the week,” said Glen MacDonell, director, AAA Travel Services.

“Ideally, couples should make sure their choice of a date and wedding location will be in harmony with their honeymoon vacation plans. By talking to a travel agent first, you increase the odds of being able to leave when you want to, experience everything you had planned, and pay a price that fits within the overall wedding budget,” he said.

Consider making the wedding part of the trip itself by either tying the knot at your dream destination, while cruising or at a port just prior to departure.

“Since many weddings frequently involve travel for invited guests, the betrothed may want to consider holding their wedding at a location that appeals to everyone. This can be a chapel in a themed resort, in the ballroom of a luxury hotel, or on board a cruise ship. With ships sailing from a variety of ports including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, Baltimore, Norfolk, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Galveston, as well as Cocoa Beach (near Orlando), Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa it may be easier than you think to bring the wedding party with you, or arrange an exchange of vows just prior to sailing,” MacDonell said.

AAA, which operates the largest full service leisure travel agency network in North America, is able to provide unmatched access to the travel industry’s leading cruise, tour and lodging companies. Their services are available to everyone, although members are frequently entitled to special services and benefits. Most of AAA’s travel partners cater to newlyweds and honeymooners with special packages and services designed to elevate their experience. “If you’re dream wedding doesn’t include worrying right up to the last minute about flowers, table settings, music, food, beverages and the comfort of your guests, then a conversation with one of our travel agents is definitely in order,” MacDonell said. “Keep in mind, most luxury hotels, some tour companies and nearly all cruise ships have experienced staff dedicated to wedding events. They are there to handle most of the details and will work with you, and the future in-laws if you wish, to make sure there are no surprises.

A few examples of AAA travel partners that can help make dream weddings and honeymoons come true via AAA’s travel agency network include:

• David’s Bridal, specializing in wedding and honeymoon vacations arranged via Travel Impressions, offers travel packages that will appeal to honeymooners in many corners of the globe. Newlyweds can select from dozens of specials on travel to Europe, South America, the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii, and the South Pacific. Fabulous destination weddings can be arranged in affordable and easily-reached locations such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Ask a AAA travel agent about destination weddings at Paradisus Resorts, Breezes or one of their many honeymoon specials.
• Pleasant Holidays, offering honeymoon packages to destinations including Maui, Jamaica, Fiji, Tahiti, Dominican Republic and Mexico. All-inclusive, 3-day trips to Mexico that include air fare cost as little as $359 per person. Five nights in Tahiti, including air, inter-island transportation and daily breakfast cost $1,589 per person. To make planning as easy as possible, ask a AAA Travel Agent about the Pleasant Holidays Weddings Travel Desk.
• The Royal Romance Wedding Coordinators of Royal Caribbean International are ready to assist couples with planning shipboard weddings while in port prior to departure or at many destinations. Weddings can also be performed on shore in some locations. Royal Caribbean can also help non-sailing guests obtain hotel accommodations at some ports. Couples can relax knowing all professional services such as photographers, entertainment, cakes, beverages, and fresh flowers are included.
• Princess Cruises launched its historic seagoing weddings program in 1998. Until then, it had been a common misperception that any ship captain could join couples in matrimony, but in truth no such ceremony had been performed aboard a major cruise ship. Today, Princess’ “Tie the Knot” wedding program offers at-sea ceremonies in special wedding chapels on all of its ships, as well as weddings ashore at select ports of call, including locations in Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe. The program offers the convenience of an all-inclusive wedding and honeymoon in one customizable packaged starting at $1,800 for the ceremony and $450 for registration and license fees.
• Disney is renowned for making dreams come true, and when it comes to weddings and honeymoons, their imagination knows no boundaries. Whether you envision a fairy tale exchange of vows in one of their fabulous gardens or magnificent resort hotels in California or Florida, aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship, or on the beach of Disney’s private island, Disney’s wedding planning experts will guide you every step of the way. To make it easier to pay for a Disney wedding, couples can sign up for the Disney Honeymoon Registry.

Romantic travel doesn’t have to begin with weddings or end with honeymoons. AAA’s travel partners can also help with engagement ceremonies, bachelor and bachelorette parties, vow renewals and special anniversary celebrations. For information on any of these activities, visit your nearest AAA’s travel agency network or go to AAA.com.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, February 3, 2010

Spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment Spring trips sound exciting, but doing your travel homework will help you ace Vacations 101, AAA says

A challenging economy is expected to alter the travel migration patterns for students and families traveling during this year’s Spring Break—typically defined as the week prior to and after Easter Sunday, AAA’s travel experts say.

“The numbers of those traveling during Spring Break are likely to be somewhat less than the numbers seen before the economic downturn. Domestic destinations that are viewed as less-expensive are likely to pull business from some international Spring Break hotspots, making them just as crowded or even more so,” said Glen MacDonell, director of AAA Travel. “Overall, locations that are easy to get to and offer discount pricing or an all-inclusive experience are likely to be the most popular, just as they have been throughout this economic cycle.”

“Because of these factors, doing your travel research and booking early will be essential to getting the spring vacation you really want. Travelers who are willing to look beyond the obvious ‘college beach towns’ may be able to find deals and discounts not normally associated with the Spring Break season. This is because the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean will be competing even harder to lure budget-conscious students away from home this year,” he said.

Consider Spring Break at Walt Disney World where there is something new around every corner

For those looking for something closer to home, but definitely beyond the usual, AAA suggests Spring Breakers consider a vacation at the Walt Disney World_® Resort.

• Thrill-seekers will find new experiences both within and beyond all four Walt Disney World_® Theme Parks—from Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to CyberSpace Mountain at DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park (Downtown Disney_®) and the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
• The world’s two most popular water parks—Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach—are both situated in the heart of the Walt Disney World_® Resort. The nation’s largest, fastest water slide—Summit Plummet—resides at Disney’s Blizzard Beach (with speeds of up to 55 mph); and at Typhoon Lagoon, some of the world’s largest man-made waves are pumped out every 90 seconds in the 2.5 acre wave pool. Springtime temperatures in central Florida should be ideal for this type of experience.
• Staying at a Disney resort can further the experience by adding to the convenience and value; Disney’s Pop Century Resort is fantastic for budget-minded guests looking not to skimp on the Disney resort experience; and with complimentary transportation, extra hours in the parks, bottomless mugs and the Disney Dining Plan, there is no better way to see Walt Disney World_® Resort.
• College Students looking to “see the world” can visit 11 distinct nations spanning the globe—all while leaving their passport at home, thanks to The World Showcase at Epcot®. Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Mexico and more await guests with local fare, drink and atmosphere. And it doesn’t hurt that a walk from, say, Germany to Italy, is a brisk five minutes.
• As for nighttime excursions, Downtown Disney_® West Side and Disney’s BoardWalk feature dozens of entertainment venues, including a tethered-balloon experience, Cirque du Soleil, an ESPN Club and a 24-theater movie complex.

AAA, which operates the largest full-service leisure travel agency network in North America, is able to provide access to unmatched travel values through AAA Vacations® packages to the Walt Disney World_® Resort exclusively available through AAA Travel. Some of the many package benefits include convenient preferred parking spaces at all four Walt Disney World_® Theme Parks, Disney’s Story Time Experience—A special storytelling experience which features a character from a classic Disney animated feature film and a special VIP Viewing location to watch the Magic Kingdom Day Parade.

Other AAA travel partners, such as Contiki Vacations, specialize in package travel for younger adult vacationers to Europe, Asia and the Pacific. AAA partners Pleasant Holidays and Travel Impressions also offer outstanding vacation packages to Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii.

Spring Break is a great time for families to travel too, and cruising is an ideal way to go.

The college crowd won’t be the only ones traveling in large numbers this March and April. Families with children also use the occasion of school vacations to get up and go, although they are typically looking for somewhat tamer pursuits. While AAA’s travel experts still advise family travelers to look into a Florida or California theme park destination, they should also contemplate cruising as an ideal way to keep everyone entertained and on a budget.

“With many cruise ships home-ported around the United States, you can escape to the sea without ever stepping foot on an airplane. Cruise ports like New York City, Baltimore, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Galveston make it convenient for families to drive to a cruise instead of enduring the hassle of flying,” MacDonell said.

“Once onboard, you will be able to relax or start the party as the mood strikes you. And with destinations such as Mexico; the U.S. Virgin Islands and The Bahamas nearby, you can be worlds away from both classes and careers overnight,” he said.

It is important to note that there must be an adult aged 21 or older in each cabin.

AAA has partnerships with many of the major cruise operators, including Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises that provide members special savings and exclusive benefits for AAA members. AAA travel agents can provide up-to-the-minute information on prices, benefits and itineraries.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.