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2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

March 01, 2010 - Olympic Closing Ceremony: From The Scene

These observations of the final day of the Winter Olympics come to us from Gail Screaton, AAA/CAA Account Manager for western Canada.

Well, the games are really over...
 
March 01, 2010 - My Road to the Olympics: Final

Knowing I have to get up at an unconscionable hour invariably means that I'll wake up every hour to check the time.  The night before the Men’s Giant Slalom was no...
 
February 25, 2010 - Snapshots From the Winter Olympics



There’s nothing like the Olympics for sheer excitement. If the
 
February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 6

It was hard to believe that the day had finally arrived.  My Olympic experience was going to begin. The hockey game I was scheduled to attend started at 9 p.m., but I had already...
 
February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 5
I hate to be redundant, but Friday was ANOTHER beautiful day in Seattle.  One of the locals I spoke to said "don't think about moving here . . . it's not usually like this in the...
 
February 19, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 4

Another beautiful day in Seattle!  Typical winter weather means dodging rain drops, but much to my delight it has been uncharacteristically sunny.

My first task of the day...
 
February 18, 2010 - My Road To the Olympics, Part 3

One of the adventures of traveling is that sometimes you're thrown a curve ball and have to punt.  (I suppose sports analogies are appropriate.)  After a long day of traveling,...
 
February 16, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 2
 
Less than 24 hours out from heading west to Seattle, I think I’m just about ready to go.  Since I’ll be away from home for a week, there are a few more details to...
 
February 02, 2010 - My Road to the Olympics
 

It always has been a dream of mine to attend the Winter Olympics, but I’m also relatively frugal when it comes to what I spend on lodging and entertainment when...
 
January 12, 2010 - Vancouver Olympics: Let The Games Begin
 
We’re now one month away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12, to be exact). Vancouver and Whistler will be in the world...

AAA Mobile Navigator

March 17, 2009 - AT&T Promotes AAA Mobile Navigator Treasure Hunt Sweepstakes
     Today, AAA  begins a 10-week “Treasure Hunt” sweepstakes promoting AAA Mobile Navigator. Customers who try AAA’s award winning cell phone navigation...

AAA Today

March 09, 2010 - Disney World Celebration Planner From AAA

For a fun Disney World planning experience, check out the Disney World Celebration Planner at
 
March 02, 2010 - Summer Sales Event Virtual Travel Show

Join us online for the AAA Summer Sales Event Virtual Travel Show Tuesday, March 9, from 6-11 p.m. Eastern time (3-8 p.m. Pacific time). Register at
 
February 25, 2010 - Snapshots From the Winter Olympics



There’s nothing like the Olympics for sheer excitement. If the
 
February 25, 2010 - New PetBook Photo Contest Winners

The results are in for the latest annual AAA PetBook® Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western. Five top dogs from Massachusetts, California and Colorado will enjoy a year of fame as...
 
February 23, 2010 - College Visit Travel Planning
 
From the Q&A mailbox:

Question: Lynn asks, My daughter and I are looking at colleges in northern...
 
February 19, 2010 - Universal Florida: Harry Potter AAA Packages

AAA is now selling vacation packages to Universal Orlando® for travel beginning May 28 to include the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area in the Islands of...
 
February 12, 2010 - Travel Trends

Travel news and observations from around the web . . .

Why a Six-Hour Flight Now Takes Seven
Across the airline industry, carriers have been...
 
January 28, 2010 - Dirty Hotels: We Don’t Approve

‘10 Dirtiest U.S. Hotels’ is an intriguing (or disgusting) list...
 
January 08, 2010 - Disney Virtual Travel Show

Need Magic? If so, join us the evening of January 19 from the comfort of your home for AAA’s Virtual Travel Show. January is Disney Month at AAA Travel...
 
January 08, 2010 - More Great Hotel Deals on AAA.com
 

Warm up with these Hot Deals for hotels on AAA.com -  click on the name to check availability.

Hyatt Winter Your Way - 25% discount plus...
 
December 16, 2009 - AAA Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast
 
Our newly-released travel forecast projects 87.7 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home during the year-end holidays. This is a 3.8 percent increase from...
 
December 15, 2009 - AAA Inspectors Pick 12 Favorite Places to Find Holiday Spirit
 
We polled our inspectors for their favorite places to enjoy holiday festivities and their top 12 picks are:

 
December 08, 2009 - AAA and Garfield Say Be Safe For Holiday Travel

When making your holiday 'traveling with kids' list, put 'recheck safety seats' at the top. After that, a few new DVDs for the trip probably aren't a bad idea either. AAA...
 
November 18, 2009 - Thanksgiving Travel Forecast

AAA projects 38.4 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend; a 1.4 percent increase over last year when 37.8 million...
 
November 09, 2009 - AAA Travel's Best & Biggest Sales Event

Register now to learn more about one of the most...
 
November 06, 2009 - Five Diamond Award Winners Announced

AAA today announced the 2010 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award® winners and sixteen lodgings have been added for a total of 113 hotels and 52 restaurants. See the complete list of
 
November 02, 2009 - I-40 Road Closure Advisory

A portion of I-40 in western North Carolina near the Tennessee state line remains closed due to an October 25th rock slide and officials say it could take several months to clear the debris....
 
October 30, 2009 - Great Hotel Deals On AAA.com

  Get 'em while they're hot....  Check out these Hot Deals for hotels on AAA.com -  click on the name to check availability.

 
October 28, 2009 - Traveling With Your Pet Survey

28% of those who travel with pets indicate they would rather travel with their pet than with their significant other. That's according to a survey released today by AAA and
 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Hideaways: AAA Inspectors' 13 Picks


In anticipation of Halloween, AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite haunted hotels and restaurants, resulting in the following 13 top...
 
October 13, 2009 - AAA Travel Presents the World's Largest Cruise Night

Register now to learn more about one of the most...
 
October 07, 2009 - Hotel Deals On AAA.com!
 

Get 'em while they're hot....  Check out these Hot Deals for hotels on AAA.com -  click on the name to check availability.

 
October 02, 2009 - AAA Identifies 'Green' Hotels in Travel Information

In response to growing member interest in green hotels, AAA has launched a program to highlight AAA Approved lodgings that have been eco-certified through a well-established government or...
 
September 14, 2009 - Exotic Destinations Featured on Virtual Travel Show
 
On Tuesday, September 15, AAA will present the latest in our...
 
September 14, 2009 - Disney Goes to Alaska

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder will sail in Alaska in the summer of 2011. DCL president Karl Holz announced the new itinerary—a first for Disney—during a press...
 
September 14, 2009 - National Child Passenger Safety Week

Though my car seat ownership days are behind me, I still have vivid memories of wrestling the things in and out of vehicles, getting wiggling, resistant children into them and wondering if...
 
September 02, 2009 - Discounts and Benefits From AAA Travel

Examples of deals and discounts available now from AAA Travel include:
• AAA members receive 15 percent or more off the best rates at Sheraton and Four...
 
August 27, 2009 - Labor Day Travel Forecast

AAA projects the number of Americans traveling on vacation Labor Day weekend will be down from last year, impacted by when Labor Day falls on the calendar. Approximately 39.1 million...
 
August 21, 2009 - AAA Roadside iPhone App Available

     AAA's Roadside app for iPhone users is now available on the iTunes App Store. The free app provides AAA members with a way to use their iPhone, and its...
 
August 11, 2009 - Dream Vacations Within Reach With AAA Hot Deals


     Tonight's AAA Virtual Travel Show is about 'Dream Vacations, Now Within Reach' and these deals on AAA.com on Four and Five Diamond Rated luxury...
 
August 07, 2009 - AAA Restaurant Diamond Rating Guidelines Updated


     Over 27,000 restaurants can be found in AAA.com's Travel Guide, searchable...
 
August 04, 2009 - Finding Diesel Fuel Stations

Question:  H. Cole asks:  I'll be driving west on I-90 and I-80 with a diesel car.  I would like to know before I leave where all the diesel fuel stations...
 
July 27, 2009 - AAA Discount iPhone App Hits Half Million Downloads

     AAA’s free Apple iPhone “app,” AAA Discounts, has surpassed one-half-million downloads in only three months. The free, GPS-based app displays Show...
 
July 22, 2009 - Amazing View of the Space Shuttle Endeavor


Michelle Donati, public affairs supervisor with AAA Arizona, was flying back from a Virgin Islands vacation last Wednesday when she had a rare photo op – the space shuttle...
 
June 25, 2009 - On The Road With Amy

     Blogger Amy Graff continues her budget-themed Mississippi Road Trip family vacation equipped with AAA maps and TourBook guides, a TripTik and AAA Road...
 
June 24, 2009 - July 4th Holiday Travel Forecast

     AAA today projected the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Fourth of July holiday weekend will decrease 1.9 percent from 2008 with approximately 37.1...
 
June 23, 2009 - AAA Inspectors Pick Top Historic Hotels

     In the spirit of Independence Day, AAA lodging inspectors were asked to name their favorite historic hotels. A list of
 
June 10, 2009 - Congratulations, Matthew and Megan


Last month, AAATravelViews received a very special question from our Q&A page. Matthew Stovall wrote:I'm traveling to Strasbourg, France in two weeks and plan to...
 
June 08, 2009 - AAA Discounts On Travel and More
 
It's a great time to travel - many great deals are available and the discount benefits of AAA membership has never been better. Here's just some of the travel and...
 
June 05, 2009 - AAA's Band On The Road: TripPlay
 
Ever felt like quitting your job, starting a band and hitting the road? It's the stuff of dreams for many and the theme of four videos we've produced to highlight AAA travel...
 
May 22, 2009 - Memorial Day Travel
If you're preparing to leave town for the Memorial Day long weekend, you're not alone. As AAA President Robert ('Bob') Darbelnet noted this morning on a
 
May 20, 2009 - Make A Summer Road Trip Even Better With TripTik® Travel Planner

     A summer road trip that begins with excitement in anticipation of fun with friends and family can change to frustration if traffic flow stops on congested roadways....
 
May 19, 2009 - Go Retro With AAA and Best Western

     Best Western International and AAA are offering one family the chance to find out how road trips have changed during the last 60 years by giving away a weeklong...
 
May 18, 2009 - AAA Hotel Savings and Specials
AAA Best Western Rewards members who stay two times April 6 -- June 14 will earn a $50 travel card from Best Western. Members also earn 10% bonus points with each qualified stay and save up to 20% at...
 
May 14, 2009 - Passport Requirements Change June 1
   Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea will be required to have a passport, passport card or other travel documents...
 
May 12, 2009 - Virtual Travel Show Tonight: Hot Deals, Cool Vacations and Bloggers
 
Tonight, Tuesday, May 12, AAA will present the latest in our series of virtual travel show, 'Hot Deals, Cool Vacations,' an online travel planning...
 
May 12, 2009 - AAA Memorial Day Travel Forecast

     Going somewhere this Memorial Day weekend? You and over 32 million other travelers in the U.S., according to the our Memorial Day travel forecast released...
 
May 11, 2009 - Virtual Travel Show: Travel With or Without Your Pet
     When pet owners make travel plans, it's not always an easy choice -should Spot stay or go?  Get information on both options at a special presentation at...
 
May 07, 2009 - When Diamond Ratings Are Questioned

Question: Been a member since 1956 and then some. Have had great vacations aided by AAA services. Recent years have made me question the quality of the travel accommodation...
 
May 05, 2009 - Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook New Edition and Photo Contest
Have a beach-loving border collie, socially-active shepherd or lively lab looking for some R & R? Get the new edition of the AAA PetBook foradvice on where to stay and play, travel tips and the...
 
May 04, 2009 - Find AAA Discounts on Your iPhone


Apple iPhone users can now easily find their way to AAA member savings by downloading a new application, AAA Discounts. The free, GPS-based app displays retail locations of AAA Show...
 
April 28, 2009 - Swine Flu Outbreak Raises Travel Concern
We have received some questions here at AAATravelViews concerning the swine flu outbreak situation and travel concerns. We at AAA would like to assist our travel clients in any way we can and advise...
 
April 15, 2009 - Seize Summer Travel Bargains
   Budget-minded consumers should seize this summer’s travel bargains...
 
March 31, 2009 - Fuel Price Site Upgraded


     We've upgraded the look and feel of the heavily-trafficked AAA Fuel Gauge Report® site. Located at
 
March 24, 2009 - Save First, Then Travel
  AAA members who are packing for a spring trip could save by checking out these Show Your Card & Save specials:
  -25% in-store savings at New York & Company...
 
March 20, 2009 - Gains For Travelers During Recession
Michael Petrone, AAA's Director of Tourism Information Development, was a source quoted in the MSNBC.com article "3 Things...
 
March 03, 2009 - Travel To Mexico: Information and Advice
     As a result of drug-cartel related border violence, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Mexico in October and updated it to an
 
February 20, 2009 - Arizona Designated Strict Enforcement Area
     AAA’s National Office has formally designated the state of Arizona as a Strict Enforcement Area under terms of the association’s process for identifying locations...
 
February 06, 2009 - PetBook® Photo Contest Winners

     The results are in for AAA’s 5th annual PetBook® Photo Contest, and two traveling dogs, one from North Carolina and one from South Carolina, will enjoy a...
 
January 29, 2009 - Europe Is Closer Than You Think

     AAA Travel and CAA Travel present — A Virtual Travel Show Experience. There are some great deals out there for travel to Europe in 2009 –...
 
January 28, 2009 - How Green is Your Hotel and How Do You Know?
    You care about the environmental practices of the hotels you stay in, right?

     Our research shows a definite consumer trend of travelers...
 
January 08, 2009 - Disney Virtual Travel Show
Need Magic? If so, join us the evening of January 13 from the comfort of your home for AAA’s Virtual Travel Show. January is Disney Month at AAA Travel and if you’ve never attended an...
 
December 31, 2008 - The 2009 Five Diamond Awards
 
     Each year in November, AAA releases the lists of lodgings and

Adventure Travel

September 10, 2009 - Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River

I had booked a whitewater rafting trip in North Carolina once before, only to cancel upon learning of my first child’s pending arrival status.  That child is now 14, so it took me...
 
August 25, 2009 - Cabo San Lucas for the Adventurous

     Traveling for adventure is a wonderful thing - no matter what your age.  Not everyone can hike the Himalayas or Mt Kilimanjaro, but there are many destinations...

Air Travel

November 17, 2009 - Manners at 30,000 Feet
 

A nine-hour flight to Athens lay ahead. I was settling into my coach seat and starting to doze off when suddenly someone pulled off my blanket. Fearing some calamity, I sat up...
 
June 15, 2009 - Inflight Wireless Connection Tips

This information was provided by the Geek Squad at Best Buy, a AAA Show Your Card & Save partner.

     Many major US airlines have begun...
 
March 09, 2009 - Q&A: Booking Flights for Summer Travel
Question: Beth Imoff asks: For best prices when is the best time to purchase plane tickets for summer travel? Now, or closer to the travel time we want to travel – early July...

Alaska

September 04, 2009 - Alaska Aboard the Sapphire Princess

The Quick Coach shuttle transported our family to Vancouver from Seattle for our Alaskan adventure aboard the...
 
May 07, 2009 - Alaska Road Trip Can Be a 'Wild' Ride
Question: Oreste Magliozzi asks: A group of six senior citizens is going to Alaska this summer and renting an RV in Anchorage. Do you have planning info for a road trip for a week...

Alberta

January 13, 2010 - Dinosaur Hunt in Alberta

Sometimes the highlights of a vacation happen by accident, and that’s how we discovered the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.

We’d...
 
May 09, 2009 - Traveling the Canadian Rockies by Rail or Road
Question: David S. asks: We are planning a trip to Alberta Canada and visiting the Canadian Rockies this August; anything you can tell us about the Rockies would be most helpful....

American History

June 23, 2009 - AAA Inspectors Pick Top Historic Hotels

     In the spirit of Independence Day, AAA lodging inspectors were asked to name their favorite historic hotels. A list of
 
June 22, 2009 - AAA Drive Trips and American History

     Combining American history and travel can be a great experience for the history buff or anyone interested in learning more about this country’s past. ...

Argentina

January 15, 2010 - Casa de Japón: A Curious Find in Argentina

Occasionally when traveling, we are delighted to find something totally unexpected that temporarily throws us off our tracks. One such find for me was in a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina,...

Arizona

September 03, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: The Grand Canyon and Wupatki National Monument

This is the fifth and final in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9...
 
September 01, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater

This is the fourth in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
May 22, 2009 - A Trio of Terrific Arizona Spas
       If you’re feeling an urge to escape from everyday stress, chances are you’re overdue for a trip to the spa.  It sounded good to me, even though in...
 
April 04, 2009 - Drive Trips: Central/Northern Arizona and Pennsylvania Dutch Country

    These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - are a contrast in...
 
March 23, 2009 - Q&A: Life Along the Road to Death Valley
Question: Kathleen Michaelson asks:  I would like to plan a day trip in April with three kids from Las Vegas to Zion or Death Valley. What do you suggest?
 
March 10, 2009 - Q&A: Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
Question: Charles Sotiropoulos asks:  I plan to visit Sedona, Arizona, and would like tips on lodging and the best time of year to visit.  I have many varied interests...
 
February 20, 2009 - Arizona Designated Strict Enforcement Area
     AAA’s National Office has formally designated the state of Arizona as a Strict Enforcement Area under terms of the association’s process for identifying locations...
 
February 16, 2009 - Up, Up and Away
 
     With apologies to the Fifth Dimension and the great song writer Jimmy Webb, would you...
 
January 08, 2009 - Grand Canyon magnificence…complete with Austrians!

       Dropping something into the Grand Canyon is bad enough, but jumping over the wall to retrieve it is just crazy. Apparently, kind Austrian tourists...

Asheville

October 16, 2009 - Asheville, NC Girls' Getaway

Asheville has all the qualities needed for a perfect 'girls getaway':  luxurious hotels and spas; a variety of unique restaurants; great shopping; endless galleries for lovers...

Atlanta

March 10, 2010 - Stone Mountain Climbing

Whether you live in the Atlanta area or you’re just visiting, a trek to Stone Mountain is one of the things you wind up doing. It’s not a Georgia law or anything; you just do it....
 
September 16, 2009 - The Georgia Aquarium: Under The Sea

I’d heard great things about Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium. I recently visited the new, improved California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and was extremely impressed by that...
 
June 25, 2009 - Mary Mac's: Feeding Atlanta for 64 Years

     Ethel Mertz would have loved Mary Mac’s. Lucy Ricardo’s best friend wasn’t a gourmet, but she was a dedicated eater. She approached food with...
 
June 18, 2009 - Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre
 
     Atlanta's Fox Theatre—or more to the point, The Fabulous Fox Theatre—is one of the grand dames of what used to be called the...
 
June 18, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Atlanta To Savannah and Jekyll Island

     If you have Georgia on your mind—as songwriter Hoagy Carmichael wrote—you aren't alone. The state is a popular driving destination, with its contrast...
 
May 19, 2009 - Markers of Another Time: Oakland Cemetery
 
     I’m not a huge fan of walking around cemeteries; I figure that if I’m eventually going to end up planted in one anyway, why tempt fate by showing up...
 
April 12, 2009 - The Varsity Doesn't Quite Make It

“WHAT’LL YA HAVE?” That’s the first thing you hear when you walk into The Varsity. Actually, you’ll hear a chorus of “what’ll ya haves” from a...

Attractions

February 19, 2010 - Universal Florida: Harry Potter AAA Packages

AAA is now selling vacation packages to Universal Orlando® for travel beginning May 28 to include the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area in the Islands of...
 
November 03, 2009 - Indoor Outdoor Beauty in Golden Gate Park

One of Golden Gate Park’s best-known attractions, the Conservatory of Flowers opened to the public way back in 1879....
 
September 16, 2009 - The Georgia Aquarium: Under The Sea

I’d heard great things about Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium. I recently visited the new, improved California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and was extremely impressed by that...
 
September 08, 2009 - The St. Louis Gateway Arch
 
It’s almost a law that if you visit St. Louis, you go to the Arch (or to be more official, “The...

Australia

March 05, 2009 - Q&A: Recommendations for Brisbane, Australia
 Question: Lynne Jackson asks: I'm planning a trip to the Brisbane, Australia area and was wondering what are the "must see" places in that area?
 
December 31, 2008 - Australia - Yes, You Can!
  As a AAA Aussie Specialist travel agent, I know that interest in the beautiful continent of Australia is often tempered with the idea that travel there is a challenge.  “Oh I...

Bahamas

December 31, 2008 - Eurodam to Nassau
 
     The itinerary wasn’t all that thrilling -   a day in Nassau, and an out island experience at the cruise line’s “private...

Baltimore

July 22, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 4: Baltimore
 
    This is fourth in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 22, 2009 - Baltimore: AAA Top Picks
 
     AAA travel editors recommend these Baltimore experiences, excerpted from the

Bangkok

May 20, 2009 - A Royal Hotel Stay on Bangkok's River of Kings
Question: Elle asks: I am planning a trip to Bangkok in July. Any suggestions for a good hotel that is not too expensive? I would also like information on Krabi,...

Beaches

January 20, 2010 - Florida’s Best Beaches: Pass-a-Grille
 
 Where can you spend a lazy, quiet Florida beach weekend that’s conveniently less than two hours from Orlando’s thicket of theme parks and a mere 20-minute drive from...
 
July 10, 2009 - Indiana Dunes On Lake Michigan

     As a native Hoosier (no, I don’t know what the word “Hoosier” actually means), I can honestly say I’ve never been asked to describe Indiana...
 
July 10, 2009 - Michigan's West Coast Beaches
Question: Charlotte Ross asks: We'd like to drive from Kansas City to Lake Michigan.  Any suggestions on where to go that would be about a day's drive (8-12 hours)...
 
June 02, 2009 - Hoppin' the Hawaiian Islands
Question:  David Henning asks:  My wife and I are planning to go to Hawaii in March 2010.  What is a good length of time to stay (7 days, 10 to 14 days)? ...

Bermuda

March 11, 2009 - Q&A: Bermuda's Pink Sand Beaches
Question: Diane Sheahan asks: Where are the best public beaches in Bermuda ? We will be staying at Grotto Bay Beach Club and want to visit other beaches.

Best Western Retro To Now Road Trip

August 12, 2009 - Retro Road Trip: Boston, Niagara Falls, Then Home


     This post, the last in a series, has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family...
 
August 05, 2009 - A Stop In New York City

     This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
August 04, 2009 - Hitting The Road To Gettysburg


    This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
August 03, 2009 - The 'Retro To Now' Road Trip Begins


     This week, we're taking a “Retro to Now Road Trip,” with the Monteith family whose photo (pictured) won a contest sponsored by
 
May 19, 2009 - Go Retro With AAA and Best Western

     Best Western International and AAA are offering one family the chance to find out how road trips have changed during the last 60 years by giving away a weeklong...

Boston

February 10, 2010 - Boston 'Sleeps and Eats'

As a supporter of the Mark Sandman Music Education Project based in Boston, I was invited to a fundraising...
 
January 14, 2010 - Dim Sum Delights
 
Pungent fishy odors and decapitated roasted ducks displayed behind tarnished store windows will forever be associated with my childhood. When my family lived in Massachusetts, my...
 
November 12, 2009 - AAA Insider Tips: Boston Museums

There are many attractions and activities in the Boston area that offer a change of pace for the non-traditional tourist.  Having been to Boston a few times, I was looking for unique...
 
August 12, 2009 - Retro Road Trip: Boston, Niagara Falls, Then Home


     This post, the last in a series, has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family...
 
December 31, 2008 - Boston In A Weekend
  
     Would it be possible to capture the essence of one of America’s most historic cities in a weekend?  I was determined to find out and to share...

Branson

May 29, 2009 - Branson: Music and Nostalgia

     These days Branson’s ever-changing, ever-growing live performance lineup caters to boomers as well as country music fans. I’m talking hitmakers like Bill...
 
May 29, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Grand Ole Music

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available.

British Columbia

January 12, 2010 - Vancouver Olympics: Let The Games Begin
 
We’re now one month away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12, to be exact). Vancouver and Whistler will be in the world...
 
August 31, 2009 - Vancouver Trolley Tour Covers Main Attractions
Question: Patricia R. asks:  We are taking a cruise from Vancouver and have some time before our departure.  Do you recomend the trolley?  We don’t have enough...
 
August 21, 2009 - Vancouver: Sunset Over English Bay
   
     Vancouver has many summertime pleasures. Locally grown blueberries? The fresh markets are full of them. Where to spend the perfect lazy Sunday...
 
August 17, 2009 - Vancouver Cheap Eats: Hon's House of Noodles
 
     A city where approximately one-third of the residents are of Asian descent is bound to have a number of Asian restaurants, and Vancouver is no exception to this...
 
May 18, 2009 - 2009 World Police & Fire Games: Vancouver
   
 
     What’s the largest international sporting event taking place in British Columbia this year? No, it’s not the 2010 Olympic...
 
May 11, 2009 - Vancouver's Stanley Park Seawall
        My first visit to Stanley Park was in 2007, and a good portion of the seawall promenade that encircles the park was still closed to visitors due to damage from...
 
May 01, 2009 - Vancouver Winter Olympics: Countdown to 2010
 
 
The countdown is on! We’re now less than a year away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They signal the start of 17 days of Olympic Games...
 
April 17, 2009 - Drive Trips: The Turquoise Trail and Vancouver-Cascade Mountains
 These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - highlight the Northwest and Southwest. Click on the Drive Trip's...
 
March 12, 2009 - Tootling, Golfing and Dining in Victoria, B.C.

     The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “tootling” as: to drive or move along in a leisurely manner.  This pretty much describes one of my favourite...
 
February 13, 2009 - Catching The Whistler Train
 
     The early morning alarm clock was no match for our anticipation.  We were already awake and we had a train to catch!  At 8 a.m. we boarded the...
 
December 31, 2008 - Tunnels To Love In British Columbia

     You never know what invaluable sightseeing tip a hotel concierge might pass on. I was on a AAA information-gathering road trip through southern British Columbia, en...

Calgary

May 09, 2009 - Traveling the Canadian Rockies by Rail or Road
Question: David S. asks: We are planning a trip to Alberta Canada and visiting the Canadian Rockies this August; anything you can tell us about the Rockies would be most helpful....

California

February 23, 2010 - College Visit Travel Planning
 
From the Q&A mailbox:

Question: Lynn asks, My daughter and I are looking at colleges in northern...
 
February 11, 2010 - Day Trip From San Francisco

Who doesn’t love day trips? They’re fun, they’re manageable and they almost always produce fond memories. But they have a built-in limitation: It always seems like you run...
 
January 21, 2010 - A California Wine Country Find

On a recent vacation to California Wine Country, my husband and I were driving through Alexander Valley, relishing...
 
December 14, 2009 - Doing the San Francisco Taquería Crawl: Part Two
 
 Greetings, Mexican food lovers! I’m back with the second installment of what may well become an ongoing series: San Francisco taquería recommendations. During my...
 
November 03, 2009 - Indoor Outdoor Beauty in Golden Gate Park

One of Golden Gate Park’s best-known attractions, the Conservatory of Flowers opened to the public way back in 1879....
 
November 03, 2009 - Waterfront Dining In San Francisco

Question:  Connie Atwell asks:  Where are the best places on the water to eat in San Francisco?

Answer:  Tonya Powell,...
 
October 13, 2009 - Doing the San Francisco Taquería Crawl


Picking the best taquería in San Francisco is like trying to determine the city’s best view; it’s a near impossibility because there are so many choices. By the...
 
October 01, 2009 - San Francisco: Mission Murals
 
 I would be hard pressed to name my favorite San Francisco neighborhood. North Beach? The Haight? The Castro? Chinatown? Pacific Heights? The Mission District? I like them all, and...
 
October 01, 2009 - California Wine Country: Benziger Family Winery

The rolling hills and lush vineyards of Sonoma Valley are stunningly beautiful. And the first-rate wines produced in this region are nothing short of sublime. I wanted to learn more about...
 
August 10, 2009 - Looking for My Heart in San Francisco

     Nearly 30 years had passed since I last visited San Francisco.  I was enamored by the city back then, and I was looking forward to visiting again. I met my...
 
August 10, 2009 - Route 1 To San Francisco

Question:  My wife and I will visit Santa Barbara, California in October.  After we check out wine country and the beaches, we are thinking of driving up the coast...
 
August 10, 2009 - Sonoma County's Wild Flour Bread

     San Francisco is such an awesome city you might never think of leaving it for the environs. Wrong. The Bay Area, of course, is chock-full of delights that have the...
 
July 08, 2009 - Fly Me Out To The Ball Game

     Baseball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a fan of baseball, but admit that my team loyalties have varied.  In my youth, my...
 
July 06, 2009 - San Francisco's Top Photo Spots

This 'baker's dozen' list was written by Jan Coyne, AAA's Director of Geographic Information Systems and Cartography

     All...
 
July 06, 2009 - Salad Spot in Berkeley

     Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue—along with the adjoining University of California Berkeley campus—is a reminder that a ’60s vibe not only...
 
June 26, 2009 - Yosemite National Park: Trip Planning Advice
 
Question:  Vijay Gupta asks:  We are thinking of going to Yosemite National Park in California.  Can you provide some recommendations to plan this trip?...
 
June 26, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: San Francisco To Yosemite National Park
 
     Northern California is the locale of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of
 
June 17, 2009 - San Francisco's Sutro Baths: Beauty in Ruins

     There’s a place in San Francisco more people have probably heard about, read about or seen from a distance than actually visited. I’m talking about the...
 
June 09, 2009 - Northern California: Trees of Tranquility

     Nestled between Grants Pass, Oregon and Crescent City, California, are the Redwood National and State Parks. Although the road is mostly two lanes, it is well-paved...
 
April 29, 2009 - Day Trip From San Francisco: Muir Woods

     Day trips from San Francisco? There are literally dozens of destinations in the greater Bay area waiting to be discovered. Many of them I’ve yet to experience....
 
February 26, 2009 - It's A New, Small World
 
Whenever my girlfriend insists we ride Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” (one of her favorites), I throw a tantrum like a toddler who needs a nap. Don’t...

Canada

February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 6

It was hard to believe that the day had finally arrived.  My Olympic experience was going to begin. The hockey game I was scheduled to attend started at 9 p.m., but I had already...
 
February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 5
I hate to be redundant, but Friday was ANOTHER beautiful day in Seattle.  One of the locals I spoke to said "don't think about moving here . . . it's not usually like this in the...
 
January 13, 2010 - Dinosaur Hunt in Alberta

Sometimes the highlights of a vacation happen by accident, and that’s how we discovered the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.

We’d...
 
November 16, 2009 - Niagara's Winter Festival of Lights

This winter, why not bundle up the family and make a run for the border, eh? The northern border, that is—to the Winter Festival of...
 
October 15, 2009 - A Tale From The Road: Polar Bear Country

Every traveler collects them, their personal souvenirs. Those unique travel tales, perfect for an impromptu dinner party when one needs to be simultaneously charming and entertaining. As an...
 
August 31, 2009 - Vancouver Trolley Tour Covers Main Attractions
Question: Patricia R. asks:  We are taking a cruise from Vancouver and have some time before our departure.  Do you recomend the trolley?  We don’t have enough...
 
August 31, 2009 - Nova Scotia's Best View of Bay of Fundy Tides
Question:  Bernie Campbell asks:  We are going to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and would like to know the best place to stop overnight and see the Bay of Fundy.  What...
 
May 09, 2009 - Traveling the Canadian Rockies by Rail or Road
Question: David S. asks: We are planning a trip to Alberta Canada and visiting the Canadian Rockies this August; anything you can tell us about the Rockies would be most helpful....
 
May 04, 2009 - From Vancouver to Glacier National Park
Question: Larry Carrier asks:  We have a travel van and AAA insurance.  We plan to leave Ottawa, KS June 21 and have 5 days to get to Seattle, WA.  We will take a...
 
March 25, 2009 - Visiting Montreal, Eh?

Question:  Sally Sholly asks: Do you have any tips for traveling in Canada? Montreal in particular, but all information will be helpful. I'm a little worried about...

Cancun

September 24, 2009 - Tagging Along On A Five Diamond Hotel Inspection

I was on travel assignment in Cancún for several days, checking out the Mexican tourist mecca and the rapidly developing Riviera Maya, the stretch of Caribbean coast between...
 
September 24, 2009 - Cancun Tips From Inspector 37

I inspect and rate Mexican hotels and restaurants for a living, so here’s the inside scoop on Cancún and the Mexican Caribbean! If it’s your first or 50th visit, see more...
 
July 16, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip From Cancun: Ek Balam
 
This is the first in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

I catch a JetBlue...

Cape May

May 08, 2009 - Cape May Beauty Blooms Throughout the Year
Question: Kathleen B asks: I am planning a long weekend at Cape May, New Jersey. Do you have any points of interest to share with me?

Answer: AAA...

Car rental

March 26, 2009 - Q&A: Insurance Coverage on a Rental Car
Question: John Melithoniotes asks: My wife and I frequently fly to Pennsylvania on family visits, where we rent a car for 3-4 days. Adding extra car rental insurance is quite...
 
March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Car Rental in Tampa, Florida
Question: Leon asks: I'm traveling to Tampa, Fla., by plane and need to rent a car. What is available, and what is the cost for eight days?

Charleston

January 19, 2010 - Cru Cafe: Charleston Comfort Food

As you know from some of my previous blogs, Charleston is a dining joy - Lowcountry buffets, waterfront discoveries, coconut cake utopia. As I...
 
June 25, 2009 - Drayton Hall: Historic Preservation

     When I discovered that the Historic Charleston Foundation was hosting an oyster roast and picnic at Drayton Hall—a circa 1738 plantation house on Ashley River...
 
June 11, 2009 - Charleston, SC: A Pleasant Diversion

     On a travel writing assignment covering Charleston, I decided to scoot over the Ravenel Bridge and explore the neighboring town of Mount Pleasant. No pun intended,...
 
May 13, 2009 - Coconut Cake Utopia In Charleston

     Some may find it strange that after a AAA travel writing assignment covering so much of gracious, antebellum Charleston, I find it necessary to pontificate on...

Chicago

March 05, 2010 - In Chicago, It’s Got To Be Lou’s

I’m not a pizza fanatic and generally order pasta or a salad when dining at a pizzeria with family or friends. Maybe it’s a result of too many mediocre pizzas in my youth;...
 
October 09, 2009 - Chicago: Playing in Millennium Park

When I went to Chicago several years ago I got a glimpse of Millennium Park in Chicago from my bus window and it looked intriguing. When I went back last weekend, it was on my must-see list....
 
September 21, 2009 - Da Weekend In Chicago

“Big shots at da Conrad!”  That’s how my good buddy Kyle described my girlfriend and I in his thick Chicago accent when he saw our room at the impressive AAA Four...
 
September 01, 2009 - Chicago Architecture River Cruise

When my husband and I spent the weekend with our son in Chicago a couple of weeks ago we asked him to show us the sights, and he suggested the
 
September 01, 2009 - Wrigleyville Dining

If you have read some of my other blogs you know that my son lives in Chicago near Wrigley Field.  On a recent weekend he showed us around his neighborhood.  It was a game weekend...

Chile

April 20, 2009 - Do You Want Salt With That? The World’s Driest Spot: Chile

     A succession of flights from Kauai to Honolulu and then to San Francisco, New York City, Lima, Santiago,...

Cleveland

December 07, 2009 - Cleveland and A Christmas Story
    

“No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle,” said Ralphie.  “You’ll shoot your...

Cody

September 23, 2009 - Colorado to Cody to Yellowstone

Before my recent trip to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone, I decided to “road trip it” and see a few other things on my way.  One of the places I decided to stop was a little...
 
June 03, 2009 - Yellowstone Road Trip Through Cody, Wyoming
Question: Sue asks: We are planning to drive from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Mount Rushmore and then to Yellowstone. I am finding that hotels at Yellowstone are already booked and...

Colorado

December 28, 2009 - Snowshoeing the Rockies

As a travel writer, I sometimes have to go the extra mile to find the good stuff, even if it is on a pair of snowshoes.  And that’s exactly what happened when I was on assignment...
 
September 23, 2009 - Colorado to Cody to Yellowstone

Before my recent trip to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone, I decided to “road trip it” and see a few other things on my way.  One of the places I decided to stop was a little...
 
April 13, 2009 - Drive Trips: Colorado's Rocky Mountains and Historic Virginia
   

These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - offer the best of east and west. Click on...

Costa Rica

March 02, 2009 - Chasing Frogs in Costa Rica

     “Poor Carl.”
    
     Those two words will forever remind me of Costa Rica. My husband Jon and I...

Cruise

February 24, 2010 - Exploring the Galapagos with National Geographic


The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean have for years been the epitome of ecotourism.  Experiencing this destination with National Geographic...
 
December 08, 2009 - Aboard Holland America's Oosterdam
Where have AAA Member Appreciation Cruises been all my life? Until sailing to the Mexican Riviera aboard Holland America Line’s Oosterdam, I’d never taken one. Now, I’m reluctant...
 
December 04, 2009 - Amigos in Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, we took our own advice. “Try to see a place through the eyes of someone who lives there,” we always tell people. “If you know someone who lives in the...
 
November 23, 2009 - The Carnival Dream Embarks

Carnival’s newest ship the MS Carnival Dream debuted in New York in earlier this month as the largest Carnival ship ever constructed at 130,000 tons and carrying 3,646...
 
October 13, 2009 - AAA Travel Presents the World's Largest Cruise Night

Register now to learn more about one of the most...
 
September 30, 2009 - The Disney Wonder: A First-Timer's Journal

Looking back now, I have to admit that at least initially, I was a little nervous while preparing for my family’s Disney cruise.

Don’t get me wrong, the trip...
 
September 14, 2009 - Disney Goes to Alaska

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder will sail in Alaska in the summer of 2011. DCL president Karl Holz announced the new itinerary—a first for Disney—during a press...
 
September 04, 2009 - Alaska Aboard the Sapphire Princess

The Quick Coach shuttle transported our family to Vancouver from Seattle for our Alaskan adventure aboard the...
 
August 24, 2009 - Celebrity Equinox Cruise, Part 2


     In my first blog from Celebrity Cruises’ new Equinox I talked about the...
 
August 06, 2009 - Royal Viking's Warren Titus: The Father of Luxury Cruising
 For any of us who’ve ever enjoyed or plan to enjoy a luxury cruise, the July passing of Warren...
 
August 06, 2009 - Cruise Dining On the Celebrity Equinox

     I was skeptical at first. After all, how could a ship that carries nearly 3,000 passengers offer really great food and service? The brand new Equinox, Celebrity...
 
April 02, 2009 - Learning Through The Panama Canal

     While the snow was falling recently in Chicago, I was sailing through the Panama Canal on the Pacific Explorer with Cruise West.  What an experience.  Like...
 
March 16, 2009 - Q&A: A Taste of Cruise Line Dining
Question: Dianne asks: A year ago I cruised on Princess Lines through the Panama Canal. Everything was wonderful but I found the food to be average. Which cruise line rates the best...

Cuba

March 19, 2009 - Q&A: New Guidelines For Cuba Travel
 
Question: AAA member asks: When will AAA be starting cruises or land tours into Cuba? Wife was there many years ago during Batista reign. We'd like to see Havana...

Day Trips

August 27, 2009 - Pennsylvania Dutch Country Day Trip
Question:  Pete asks:  We're planning a one-day trip from New Jersey to Lancaster, PA.  We would appreciate any tips and advice regarding places to visit, routes...

Death Valley

March 23, 2009 - Q&A: Life Along the Road to Death Valley
Question: Kathleen Michaelson asks:  I would like to plan a day trip in April with three kids from Las Vegas to Zion or Death Valley. What do you suggest?

Dining

March 05, 2010 - In Chicago, It’s Got To Be Lou’s

I’m not a pizza fanatic and generally order pasta or a salad when dining at a pizzeria with family or friends. Maybe it’s a result of too many mediocre pizzas in my youth;...
 
February 10, 2010 - Boston 'Sleeps and Eats'

As a supporter of the Mark Sandman Music Education Project based in Boston, I was invited to a fundraising...
 
February 04, 2010 - Romantic Hotels and Restaurants From AAA Inspectors
 

We polled our professional inspectors for their favorite places to celebrate Valentine’s Day . . . here's the top 14 picks along with their...
 
January 25, 2010 - Memphis Barbeque: Holy Smoke

In Memphis, barbecue borders on being a religion—a religion with legions of followers. Its disciples are many, and they worship at the multitude of barbecue joints that are the source...
 
January 21, 2010 - A California Wine Country Find

On a recent vacation to California Wine Country, my husband and I were driving through Alexander Valley, relishing...
 
January 19, 2010 - Cru Cafe: Charleston Comfort Food

As you know from some of my previous blogs, Charleston is a dining joy - Lowcountry buffets, waterfront discoveries, coconut cake utopia. As I...
 
January 15, 2010 - Sharing Thoughts About Sharing Plates

As people continue looking for ways to save money in this tight economy, sharing an entrée in restaurants is becoming more common. Splitting or sharing a plate can take on many...
 
January 14, 2010 - Dim Sum Delights
 
Pungent fishy odors and decapitated roasted ducks displayed behind tarnished store windows will forever be associated with my childhood. When my family lived in Massachusetts, my...
 
December 14, 2009 - Doing the San Francisco Taquería Crawl: Part Two
 
 Greetings, Mexican food lovers! I’m back with the second installment of what may well become an ongoing series: San Francisco taquería recommendations. During my...
 
November 30, 2009 - 24-Hour Fun In San Antonio

“A San Antonio institution.” Okay, when a restaurant bills itself that authoritatively, I’ve just got to call their bluff. It was a foregone conclusion I’d be...
 
November 17, 2009 - Glorious Gelato in Philadelphia

It was a beautiful day in Philly. I was on a travel writing assignment and pounding the pavement in Center City looking for some lunch. At the corner of
 
November 11, 2009 - Dining Around Key West

It was a muggy day in Key West, but still I clung to the speed junky like white on rice. While riding aboard a rented motor scooter, my boyfriend and I zipped down narrow streets flanked by...
 
November 03, 2009 - Waterfront Dining In San Francisco

Question:  Connie Atwell asks:  Where are the best places on the water to eat in San Francisco?

Answer:  Tonya Powell,...
 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Hideaways: AAA Inspectors' 13 Picks


In anticipation of Halloween, AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite haunted hotels and restaurants, resulting in the following 13 top...
 
October 21, 2009 - Monk's Belgian Cafe and Beer Emporium

Exploring Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood on a travel writing assignment, I stumbled upon a cozy little pub on the corner of
 
October 21, 2009 - I Didn’t Quite Find My Thrill
 
As St. Louis hangouts go, the Delmar Loop is near the top of the list. The heart of this cultural, entertainment and restaurant district stretches for six blocks along
 
October 19, 2009 - Eat by The Sea at John G's

I’ve found that it’s always a good idea to solicit recommendations about local restaurants before heading out on a trip. First-hand advice is inevitably the best. So, just before...
 
October 14, 2009 - Disney for One, Please

When I told everyone I was headed to Disney World, their first reaction was “You and Greg are going to love it!” “No, no” I said “I’m going alone.”...
 
October 13, 2009 - Doing the San Francisco Taquería Crawl


Picking the best taquería in San Francisco is like trying to determine the city’s best view; it’s a near impossibility because there are so many choices. By the...
 
October 06, 2009 - In Memphis, Please Seat Yourself at Huey's

Everybody I know who is familiar with Memphis says that you’ve got to try the barbecue. You’ll love the barbecue! And I’m sure that’s true—if you like barbecue....
 
September 08, 2009 - Crown Candy Kitchen Takes You Back
 
     I must give a shout-out to AAA Missouri’s Lori Moshkowsky for cluing me in to Crown Candy Kitchen. It was one of several suggestions she gave me for cool,...
 
September 01, 2009 - Wrigleyville Dining

If you have read some of my other blogs you know that my son lives in Chicago near Wrigley Field.  On a recent weekend he showed us around his neighborhood.  It was a game weekend...
 
August 28, 2009 - Summer in St. Louis and It’s Time for Ted’s


I’m devouring a Ted Drewes chocolate concrete at 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday. Why am I doing this? For one thing, it’s a decidedly hot morning in the Gateway to the West....
 
August 17, 2009 - Vancouver Cheap Eats: Hon's House of Noodles
 
     A city where approximately one-third of the residents are of Asian descent is bound to have a number of Asian restaurants, and Vancouver is no exception to this...
 
August 13, 2009 - What Happens In Vegas... Buffets In Vegas

     I have no idea how many tons of all-you-can-eat crab legs, shrimp and prime rib are served in Las Vegas each year. But I do know there are more than 60 hotel buffets...
 
August 07, 2009 - AAA Restaurant Diamond Rating Guidelines Updated


     Over 27,000 restaurants can be found in AAA.com's Travel Guide, searchable...
 
July 16, 2009 - Mexican in Orlando: El Potro

     Greater Orlando seems to be the world capital of chain restaurants, which presents a challenge when you’re in the mood for good Mexican. Don Pablo’s...
 
July 06, 2009 - Salad Spot in Berkeley

     Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue—along with the adjoining University of California Berkeley campus—is a reminder that a ’60s vibe not only...
 
June 25, 2009 - Mary Mac's: Feeding Atlanta for 64 Years

     Ethel Mertz would have loved Mary Mac’s. Lucy Ricardo’s best friend wasn’t a gourmet, but she was a dedicated eater. She approached food with...
 
June 08, 2009 - Dining Dollars: Important or Not?
     
      Greetings, AAATravelViews readers! I thought I would post something different for a change. Instead of telling you about a...
 
June 08, 2009 - Cheap Eats On Maui

     You scored on that dirt cheap Maui vacation package and landed on the “Valley Isle” without withdrawing what’s left of your 401k. Sunbathing,...
 
June 05, 2009 - Florida Seafood In An (Almost) Undisclosed Location

     Did you ever know about one of those restaurants that you just didn’t want to tell others about because you want to keep it just as it is? ...
 
June 01, 2009 - Maine Lobster With A View

Question:  Phyllis asks:  I understand that Maine has the best lobsters.  Is this true?  If yes, where should I go for them if I fly into Portland,...
 
June 01, 2009 - Walt Disney World Dining and IllumiNations
Question: Bruce McIntosh asks: My family and I are traveling to Disney World in August. We have only one day to spend at Epcot. What restaurant would you recommend to dine at and to...
 
April 12, 2009 - The Varsity Doesn't Quite Make It

“WHAT’LL YA HAVE?” That’s the first thing you hear when you walk into The Varsity. Actually, you’ll hear a chorus of “what’ll ya haves” from a...
 
March 20, 2009 - A Trip Down Food Memory Lane

     Food and travel go together like love and marriage; baby and carriage . . . and reading what my blogging compadres wrote about food (
 
March 18, 2009 - Ceviche In Downtown Orlando

     Ceviche (seh-VEE-cheh)—an appetizer of raw fish that is “cooked” in citrus juice (usually lime, but sometimes lemon) and turns the flesh opaque in...
 
March 16, 2009 - Q&A: A Taste of Cruise Line Dining
Question: Dianne asks: A year ago I cruised on Princess Lines through the Panama Canal. Everything was wonderful but I found the food to be average. Which cruise line rates the best...
 
March 06, 2009 - Q&A: Dining Around Amelia Island
 Question: Di asks: We will be traveling to Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, next week - staying in a condo on the property. Any suggestions for nice restaurants in the area?...
 
February 05, 2009 - The Voodoo Doughnut

     It was a sunny Saturday morning (reason enough to celebrate), and I was looking for a fuel stop before hitting the Portland Saturday Market. I literally stumbled...
 
January 22, 2009 - Seattle Taco Truck Stops
 
     Taco trucks seem to be really common on the West Coast. They’re all over Seattle, although not in particularly convenient locations—most of them are...
 
January 14, 2009 - The Brooklyn Diner Is Not In Brooklyn

     On a recent visit to New York City, while sitting with friends in a Brooklyn Diner booth (ours, as the little gold...
 
December 31, 2008 - Eating For A Living
 
     The waitress had just set down my entrée when I saw movement along my peripheral vision. I looked down at the floor and saw a small grey mouse, whiskers...

Disney

March 09, 2010 - Disney World Celebration Planner From AAA

For a fun Disney World planning experience, check out the Disney World Celebration Planner at
 
January 08, 2010 - Disney Virtual Travel Show

Need Magic? If so, join us the evening of January 19 from the comfort of your home for AAA’s Virtual Travel Show. January is Disney Month at AAA Travel...
 
October 14, 2009 - Disney for One, Please

When I told everyone I was headed to Disney World, their first reaction was “You and Greg are going to love it!” “No, no” I said “I’m going alone.”...
 
September 30, 2009 - The Disney Wonder: A First-Timer's Journal

Looking back now, I have to admit that at least initially, I was a little nervous while preparing for my family’s Disney cruise.

Don’t get me wrong, the trip...
 
September 18, 2009 - Disney World Theme Parks – Avoiding the Lines
My first visit to Walt Disney World was in the summer of 1977. My brother and I had dreamt about this vacation for a long time. We grew up watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday...
 
September 14, 2009 - Disney Goes to Alaska

Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder will sail in Alaska in the summer of 2011. DCL president Karl Holz announced the new itinerary—a first for Disney—during a press...
 
June 01, 2009 - Walt Disney World Dining and IllumiNations
Question: Bruce McIntosh asks: My family and I are traveling to Disney World in August. We have only one day to spend at Epcot. What restaurant would you recommend to dine at and to...
 
April 06, 2009 - Disney For The Holidays

     Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re...
 
February 26, 2009 - It's A New, Small World
 
Whenever my girlfriend insists we ride Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” (one of her favorites), I throw a tantrum like a toddler who needs a nap. Don’t...
 
January 12, 2009 - Cool Disney World Tips
     Based on my AAATravelViews blogger photo, you may or may not get the impression that I have a fair amount of interest in Disney. Okay…I’m a...

Disney World

March 09, 2010 - Disney World Celebration Planner From AAA

For a fun Disney World planning experience, check out the Disney World Celebration Planner at
 
September 18, 2009 - Disney World Theme Parks – Avoiding the Lines
My first visit to Walt Disney World was in the summer of 1977. My brother and I had dreamt about this vacation for a long time. We grew up watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday...
 
July 20, 2009 - Disney World Star Wars Weekend

     A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I was initially introduced to a cinematic masterpiece that, unknowingly to me, would ultimately leave an impression that...
 
June 01, 2009 - Walt Disney World Dining and IllumiNations
Question: Bruce McIntosh asks: My family and I are traveling to Disney World in August. We have only one day to spend at Epcot. What restaurant would you recommend to dine at and to...
 
April 06, 2009 - Disney For The Holidays

     Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re...
 
January 12, 2009 - Cool Disney World Tips
     Based on my AAATravelViews blogger photo, you may or may not get the impression that I have a fair amount of interest in Disney. Okay…I’m a...

Drive Trips

July 02, 2009 - AAA Drive Trips: New York's Finger Lakes Wine Country and Niagara Falls

     American Indian folklore holds that the Finger Lakes were formed when the Great Spirit placed his handprint on some of the most beautiful land ever created. The area...
 
July 01, 2009 - Hawaii's Top Ten Drives

     This list has been provided by Chuck Gross, travel and marketing manager with AAA Southern New England, a Hawaii specialist and the veteran of 20 trips...
 
June 28, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Coastal Carolinas

     Sample the Southeast on a leisurely drive through coastal North and South Carolina. The trip starts in Charleston, a quintessentially Southern city with cobblestone...
 
June 26, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: San Francisco To Yosemite National Park
 
     Northern California is the locale of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of
 
June 22, 2009 - AAA Drive Trips and American History

     Combining American history and travel can be a great experience for the history buff or anyone interested in learning more about this country’s past. ...
 
June 18, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Atlanta To Savannah and Jekyll Island

     If you have Georgia on your mind—as songwriter Hoagy Carmichael wrote—you aren't alone. The state is a popular driving destination, with its contrast...
 
June 12, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Miami, The Florida Keys and Everglades National Park

     South Florida is the destination of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over...
 
May 29, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Grand Ole Music

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available.
 
May 09, 2009 - Drive Trips: Mount Rushmore-Badlands and Great Smoky Mountain National Park
  
These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - involve two National Parks, the subject of the...
 
April 21, 2009 - Drive Trips: Cape Cod and Washington State
 

These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - are both in appealing summer destinations. Click on...
 
April 17, 2009 - Drive Trips: The Turquoise Trail and Vancouver-Cascade Mountains
 These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - highlight the Northwest and Southwest. Click on the Drive Trip's...
 
April 13, 2009 - Drive Trips: Colorado's Rocky Mountains and Historic Virginia
   

These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - offer the best of east and west. Click on...
 
April 04, 2009 - Drive Trips: Central/Northern Arizona and Pennsylvania Dutch Country

    These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - are a contrast in...

Ecotourism

February 24, 2010 - Exploring the Galapagos with National Geographic


The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean have for years been the epitome of ecotourism.  Experiencing this destination with National Geographic...

England

September 30, 2009 - Bury St. Edmunds: A British Town Worth Seeing

It has one of England’s smallest pubs, ruins of a thousand-year-old abbey, and the world’s first Internet bench. Those are just a few of the reasons to visit Bury St. Edmunds. I...
 
September 09, 2009 - Beatles-Themed Travel: The Long and Winding Road

It is a truly fab time to be a Beatle fan. The new Rock Band: The Beatles is out this week and is creating a massive amount...
 
July 09, 2009 - A Royal Meeting in London

“I don’t have to curtsy, do I?”  

When VisitBritain, the UK's tourism bureau, invited my husband, Paul Lasley, and me to come to London...
 
July 09, 2009 - Norwich: The Best of the East of England


     “How old is it?” That’s the question I always ask a tour guide when looking at an old structure, and in Europe they usually say something...
 
April 29, 2009 - Travel To London: Top Ideas

Question:  Jason H. asks: I am traveling to London, England this summer. We already booked our flights and made hotel reservations. We are staying in Trafalgar Square....

Europe

March 04, 2010 - Europe On A Budget



It’s about time you finally took a vacation, and your heart is set on Europe. Even though you’re already aware that the dollar is weak and prices on many travel...
 
October 27, 2009 - Southern Finland - The Old and The New

I was in Finland’s second-oldest town, Porvoo, whose Finnish name came from local phonetic attempts to say its...
 
August 27, 2009 - Northern Europe: A GRAND Adventure

My husband and I promised our three grandchildren that we would take each of them on a special GRAND adventure (so named because we are GRANDparents traveling with GRANDkids) when they...
 
July 14, 2009 - Prague, Vienna and Budapest – Eastern Europe Tips
     Having had the good fortune to visit Prague, Vienna and Budapest last month, I can honestly say that these three cities are very similar, yet very different, and each is a...
 
July 09, 2009 - A Royal Meeting in London

“I don’t have to curtsy, do I?”  

When VisitBritain, the UK's tourism bureau, invited my husband, Paul Lasley, and me to come to London...
 
July 09, 2009 - Norwich: The Best of the East of England


     “How old is it?” That’s the question I always ask a tour guide when looking at an old structure, and in Europe they usually say something...
 
April 29, 2009 - Travel To London: Top Ideas

Question:  Jason H. asks: I am traveling to London, England this summer. We already booked our flights and made hotel reservations. We are staying in Trafalgar Square....
 
April 22, 2009 - Ireland: Greener On The Other Side Of The Road

A friend of mine is excited but terrified about her upcoming trip to Ireland. Last year, as I planned a trip to Ireland with my 14-year-old son, I too was anxious and apprehensive about the...
 
February 02, 2009 - Honk If You've Been To Dragør, Denmark

     If you return to a travel destination that you loved the first time around, there’s a risk you may be disappointed the second time. It’s a travel dilemma...
 
February 02, 2009 - Q&A: B&Bs, Phone Service In Ireland?
 Question: Heidi Welch asks AAATravelViews Q&A: Does AAA offer services to provide vouchers for bed & breakfasts in Ireland? I will be visiting in April with a cousin...
 
January 15, 2009 - Confessions of a Cathedral Junkie


     I confess. I’m obsessed with cathedrals—and churches and mosques and temples and just about any houses of worship. Ironically, I am not...

Events

January 19, 2010 - Mardi Gras Parade Advice

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where should I start?  As a New Orleans native, I know Mardi Gras has many traditions associated with it and what it means varies from person to person. The...

Finland

October 27, 2009 - Southern Finland - The Old and The New

I was in Finland’s second-oldest town, Porvoo, whose Finnish name came from local phonetic attempts to say its...

Florida

March 09, 2010 - Disney World Celebration Planner From AAA

For a fun Disney World planning experience, check out the Disney World Celebration Planner at
 
February 19, 2010 - Universal Florida: Harry Potter AAA Packages

AAA is now selling vacation packages to Universal Orlando® for travel beginning May 28 to include the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area in the Islands of...
 
February 09, 2010 - The Florida Keys: On The Overseas Highway

Assigned to write about the Florida Keys for our TourBook and online travel information, I stopped to explore several of the islands in the chain on my way to Key West, my final...
 
February 04, 2010 - Robert Is Here: South of Miami


Robert is Here is the unusual name of a fruit stand specializing in exotic produce not far from the entrance to
 
January 20, 2010 - Florida’s Best Beaches: Pass-a-Grille
 
 Where can you spend a lazy, quiet Florida beach weekend that’s conveniently less than two hours from Orlando’s thicket of theme parks and a mere 20-minute drive from...
 
December 28, 2009 - Cedar Key, Still Old Florida Charm

When I suggested Cedar Key, Florida for our annual Christmas getaway, I wasn’t sure it would measure up to other holiday trips to San Francisco and a cruise to the Bahamas.  But...
 
December 17, 2009 - Miami’s Herald Hunt: Just Don’t Call It Nerdapalooza
 
“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?”

It’s a beautiful late November day in Miami and I’m watching two actors perform the iconic...
 
November 11, 2009 - Dining Around Key West

It was a muggy day in Key West, but still I clung to the speed junky like white on rice. While riding aboard a rented motor scooter, my boyfriend and I zipped down narrow streets flanked by...
 
October 29, 2009 - Fountain of Youth and Old Florida Charm

“In the beginning … ,” the thunderous voice boomed. A big black light-illuminated globe that looked like it was made out of Play-Doh was slowly rotating at the front of...
 
October 19, 2009 - Eat by The Sea at John G's

I’ve found that it’s always a good idea to solicit recommendations about local restaurants before heading out on a trip. First-hand advice is inevitably the best. So, just before...
 
October 19, 2009 - South Florida's Butterfly World

I think there must be a little bit of lepidopterist in everyone. I mean, how can you not be captivated by butterflies? It’s just about impossible not to smile when you see one...
 
October 14, 2009 - Disney for One, Please

When I told everyone I was headed to Disney World, their first reaction was “You and Greg are going to love it!” “No, no” I said “I’m going alone.”...
 
September 30, 2009 - The Disney Wonder: A First-Timer's Journal

Looking back now, I have to admit that at least initially, I was a little nervous while preparing for my family’s Disney cruise.

Don’t get me wrong, the trip...
 
September 18, 2009 - Disney World Theme Parks – Avoiding the Lines
My first visit to Walt Disney World was in the summer of 1977. My brother and I had dreamt about this vacation for a long time. We grew up watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday...
 
August 20, 2009 - Tarpon Springs, Florida: Greek Specialties
     On a recent travel information-gathering trip, I stopped for lunch in Tarpon Springs, Fla., a Gulf Coast destination influenced significantly by its large Greek community....
 
July 22, 2009 - Amazing View of the Space Shuttle Endeavor


Michelle Donati, public affairs supervisor with AAA Arizona, was flying back from a Virgin Islands vacation last Wednesday when she had a rare photo op – the space shuttle...
 
July 20, 2009 - Disney World Star Wars Weekend

     A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I was initially introduced to a cinematic masterpiece that, unknowingly to me, would ultimately leave an impression that...
 
July 16, 2009 - Mexican in Orlando: El Potro

     Greater Orlando seems to be the world capital of chain restaurants, which presents a challenge when you’re in the mood for good Mexican. Don Pablo’s...
 
July 15, 2009 - Anniversary Getaway in Orlando

     Recently my husband and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary and decided to indulge ourselves at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida.  Having...
 
June 30, 2009 - Tips For Visiting Universal Orlando

The following tips were provided by AAA's Sabrina Falcon in our Partnership Programs department.

Summer is here and the kids are out of school.   As...
 
June 19, 2009 - Getaway To Anna Maria Island

     I recently took a weekend trip that supplied me with so many great experiences I don’t even know where to start.  I was in the mood for a little Florida...
 
June 12, 2009 - Islamorada: Dolphins, Pelicans and Kids, Oh My

     Spring Break isn’t what it used to be . . . maturity and two children have taken care of that. But a car trip to the Keys from our home base in Central Florida...
 
June 12, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Miami, The Florida Keys and Everglades National Park

     South Florida is the destination of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over...
 
June 05, 2009 - Florida Seafood In An (Almost) Undisclosed Location

     Did you ever know about one of those restaurants that you just didn’t want to tell others about because you want to keep it just as it is? ...
 
June 01, 2009 - Walt Disney World Dining and IllumiNations
Question: Bruce McIntosh asks: My family and I are traveling to Disney World in August. We have only one day to spend at Epcot. What restaurant would you recommend to dine at and to...
 
May 27, 2009 - Orlando Cool Spot: Wekiwa Springs State Park

     I’ve visited Wekiwa Springs State Park many times since moving to...
 
May 18, 2009 - Florida's Top Beaches: Caladesi Island

     During a two-night stopover in Clearwater Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast, I spent the bulk of my second day in nearby
 
April 20, 2009 - Amazing Gulf Beaches

Question: Jada asks: I want to take my son to the beach this summer.  How are the beaches in the Gulf Shores thru Ft. Walton?  Have they recovered from the...
 
April 06, 2009 - Disney For The Holidays

     Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re...
 
March 31, 2009 - 13 Miles, 18 Armadillos: Bulow Creek State Park
 
     I recently agreed to meet family members in Daytona Beach, Fla., for a mini-reunion during the week prior to the Daytona 500. Neither the time nor...
 
March 30, 2009 - 24 Hours of Hot Cocoa!

     The little oceanside gem of Cocoa Beach, FL is just a quick 50 minute drive from the mega destination of Orlando…but offers a completely different experience...
 
March 27, 2009 - Q&A: Getting To Butterfly World


Question: Ann Johnson asks: We are going to Ft. Lauderdale to stay one night pre-cruise. We arrive at 4:30 pm. We want to stay one night at a hotel. We want to rent...
 
March 18, 2009 - Ceviche In Downtown Orlando

     Ceviche (seh-VEE-cheh)—an appetizer of raw fish that is “cooked” in citrus juice (usually lime, but sometimes lemon) and turns the flesh opaque in...
 
March 06, 2009 - Q&A: Dining Around Amelia Island
 Question: Di asks: We will be traveling to Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, next week - staying in a condo on the property. Any suggestions for nice restaurants in the area?...
 
January 27, 2009 - Liftoff: The Night Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

     One often overlooked perks of living in Central Florida is the ability to watch space launches.  No matter how often I see them (and I see them as often as I...
 
January 12, 2009 - Cool Disney World Tips
     Based on my AAATravelViews blogger photo, you may or may not get the impression that I have a fair amount of interest in Disney. Okay…I’m a...

Florida Keys

February 09, 2010 - The Florida Keys: On The Overseas Highway

Assigned to write about the Florida Keys for our TourBook and online travel information, I stopped to explore several of the islands in the chain on my way to Key West, my final...
 
November 11, 2009 - Dining Around Key West

It was a muggy day in Key West, but still I clung to the speed junky like white on rice. While riding aboard a rented motor scooter, my boyfriend and I zipped down narrow streets flanked by...
 
June 12, 2009 - Islamorada: Dolphins, Pelicans and Kids, Oh My

     Spring Break isn’t what it used to be . . . maturity and two children have taken care of that. But a car trip to the Keys from our home base in Central Florida...
 
June 12, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Miami, The Florida Keys and Everglades National Park

     South Florida is the destination of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over...

General

January 19, 2010 - Cru Cafe: Charleston Comfort Food

As you know from some of my previous blogs, Charleston is a dining joy - Lowcountry buffets, waterfront discoveries, coconut cake utopia. As I...
 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Hideaways: AAA Inspectors' 13 Picks


In anticipation of Halloween, AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite haunted hotels and restaurants, resulting in the following 13 top...
 
August 04, 2009 - Behind the Wheel: A Case of Love or Hate?

     Picture this scenario: It’s your first visit to Mexico City, and you’ve rented a car for sightseeing side trips to Cuernavaca and San Miguel de Allende....
 
July 08, 2009 - Budget Travel To Disney with AAA and GMA
     The LoPilato family was on a mission. The Brookline, N.H., family of four wanted to spend its summer vacation at Disney World in Florida, but also wanted to do it...
 
January 25, 2009 - Test Post
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December 31, 2008 - Boston In A Weekend
  
     Would it be possible to capture the essence of one of America’s most historic cities in a weekend?  I was determined to find out and to share...

Georgia

March 10, 2010 - Stone Mountain Climbing

Whether you live in the Atlanta area or you’re just visiting, a trek to Stone Mountain is one of the things you wind up doing. It’s not a Georgia law or anything; you just do it....
 
September 16, 2009 - The Georgia Aquarium: Under The Sea

I’d heard great things about Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium. I recently visited the new, improved California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and was extremely impressed by that...
 
August 18, 2009 - Savannah: Orb Hunting Ghost Tour

     Bone-chilling winds whistled through the scarcely-populated Historic District streets of Savannah, Georgia as members of our group huddled closely together around a...
 
June 25, 2009 - Mary Mac's: Feeding Atlanta for 64 Years

     Ethel Mertz would have loved Mary Mac’s. Lucy Ricardo’s best friend wasn’t a gourmet, but she was a dedicated eater. She approached food with...
 
June 18, 2009 - Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre
 
     Atlanta's Fox Theatre—or more to the point, The Fabulous Fox Theatre—is one of the grand dames of what used to be called the...
 
June 18, 2009 - Savannah Girl Scout Trip
Guest blogger Haley Mac Donell, 10, shares a recent trip experience:

     If you are looking for a place to go on vacation and have young children that...
 
June 18, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Atlanta To Savannah and Jekyll Island

     If you have Georgia on your mind—as songwriter Hoagy Carmichael wrote—you aren't alone. The state is a popular driving destination, with its contrast...
 
April 24, 2009 - Savannah Recommendations
Question: Jennie Bryant asks:  Any suggestions for visiting Savannah, Georgia? We already have the AAA books and maps.

Answer:
Candy Christman,...
 
April 12, 2009 - The Varsity Doesn't Quite Make It

“WHAT’LL YA HAVE?” That’s the first thing you hear when you walk into The Varsity. Actually, you’ll hear a chorus of “what’ll ya haves” from a...

Golf

March 10, 2009 - Q&A: Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
Question: Charles Sotiropoulos asks:  I plan to visit Sedona, Arizona, and would like tips on lodging and the best time of year to visit.  I have many varied interests...

Grand Canyon

March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Road Trip to the Grand Canyon
Question: Armen Changizian asks: We are taking the kids on a road trip with the Grand Canyon as the final destination. The starting point is from Newberg, Oregon, on March 19 in the...

Grand Cayman

June 03, 2009 - Grand Cayman: Under the Sea

Scuba, scuba and more scuba.

This is the main reason to come to Grand Cayman, an island that initially struck me as rather soulless. The small capital of this small island,...

Great Lakes

July 10, 2009 - Michigan's West Coast Beaches
Question: Charlotte Ross asks: We'd like to drive from Kansas City to Lake Michigan.  Any suggestions on where to go that would be about a day's drive (8-12 hours)...
 
April 28, 2009 - Traveling Lake Superior's North Shore
Question: John Suhumskie asks: We would like to plan a trip along Lake Superior's north shore.  When is the best time to visit, what attractions should we see, and...

Hawaii

September 29, 2009 - Hawai'i: Culture and History

Visiting ancient temples, listening to prayerful chants, learning to weave a ti leaf lei. My favorite part of visiting Hawai‘i is absorbing the Hawaiian culture. Many destinations...
 
July 01, 2009 - Hawaii's Top Ten Drives

     This list has been provided by Chuck Gross, travel and marketing manager with AAA Southern New England, a Hawaii specialist and the veteran of 20 trips...
 
July 01, 2009 - Kauai Drive Details

     This is a magnificent island, as I described in a previous blog, Kauai, Yes We Have...
 
July 01, 2009 - Lahaina Bookstore: Required Reading

    Never fails. I pack a book to read on vacation and finish it in two days. Soon, I’m reduced to reading tourist magazines and the superlative-overloaded tripe...
 
June 08, 2009 - Cheap Eats On Maui

     You scored on that dirt cheap Maui vacation package and landed on the “Valley Isle” without withdrawing what’s left of your 401k. Sunbathing,...
 
June 02, 2009 - Hoppin' the Hawaiian Islands
Question:  David Henning asks:  My wife and I are planning to go to Hawaii in March 2010.  What is a good length of time to stay (7 days, 10 to 14 days)? ...
 
March 10, 2009 - Kauai: Yes, We Have Rain

     The world’s wettest spot generally is agreed to be the range of hills between the Pu‘u o Kila Lookout and Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale on the Hawaiian...
 
March 05, 2009 - Molokai Cliff Hanger

Before I even began researching my trip to Molokai, I knew there was one attraction I couldn’t pass up: the island’s infamous Kalaupapa leprosy colony, now a

Historical Attractions

December 30, 2009 - St. Charles, Missouri Discovered

I’m a history buff. A costume wearing, reference book buying, card carrying history buff. So why wasn’t I excited when friends wanted to take my husband and I to the historic...
 
November 05, 2009 - Gettysburg National Military Park
There is something otherworldly about Gettysburg National Military Park in the early morning - the mist creeping across grassy swales...
 
October 29, 2009 - Fountain of Youth and Old Florida Charm

“In the beginning … ,” the thunderous voice boomed. A big black light-illuminated globe that looked like it was made out of Play-Doh was slowly rotating at the front of...
 
September 29, 2009 - Hawai'i: Culture and History

Visiting ancient temples, listening to prayerful chants, learning to weave a ti leaf lei. My favorite part of visiting Hawai‘i is absorbing the Hawaiian culture. Many destinations...
 
September 08, 2009 - The St. Louis Gateway Arch
 
It’s almost a law that if you visit St. Louis, you go to the Arch (or to be more official, “The...
 
June 04, 2009 - Williamsburg: Whither Doth Thou Goest?

     If you’re planning a driving trip to Williamsburg, Va., be sure to have a good AAA map (or GPS unit) and a lot of patience. For those who haven’t visited...
 
June 04, 2009 - Colonial Williamsburg Attractions Open Year Round
Question: Audrey Putman asks: We are headed to Williamsburg VA Sept. 12-19. What will the weather be like? Attractions and activities still available after Labor Day?

India

March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Warm Places to Ring in the New Year
Question: Jeanette asks: Where is the best warm weather destination for a New Year's Eve trip? Exclude Caribbean. We've been there too many times and want a change ......

Indiana

November 20, 2009 - Indy’s Full-Circle Holiday Celebration

Having lived in Indianapolis for most of my life, I guess I’ve generally taken the festive holiday décor magnificently displayed throughout the Circle City’s downtown area...
 
July 27, 2009 - Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana

     It’s been voted the World’s Friendliest amusement park for 11 years in a row and the World’s Cleanest for 9 straight years. In 2007, Consumers...
 
July 10, 2009 - Indiana Dunes On Lake Michigan

     As a native Hoosier (no, I don’t know what the word “Hoosier” actually means), I can honestly say I’ve never been asked to describe Indiana...
 
March 16, 2009 - Short Trips From Cincinnati
Question:  Terry Houston asks: I'd like to take a car trip within a 150-mile radius of Cincinnati. Any suggestions?

Answer: Mary Ann Bayer,...
 
March 09, 2009 - The Villa:An Indianapolis B&B

     My expectations while staying at virtually any given bed-and-breakfast facility are relatively simple. When I opt for that type of experience, I’m generally...

Inspector Diaries

March 04, 2010 - Mexico's 2010 Celebrations

Happy Birthday Mexico!

Mexico is currently gearing up for the party of a century -- make that two centuries. Preparations are underway to
 
February 04, 2010 - Romantic Hotels and Restaurants From AAA Inspectors
 

We polled our professional inspectors for their favorite places to celebrate Valentine’s Day . . . here's the top 14 picks along with their...
 
December 15, 2009 - AAA Inspectors Pick 12 Favorite Places to Find Holiday Spirit
 
We polled our inspectors for their favorite places to enjoy holiday festivities and their top 12 picks are:

 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Hideaways: AAA Inspectors' 13 Picks


In anticipation of Halloween, AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite haunted hotels and restaurants, resulting in the following 13 top...
 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Inspection Stories

These ghostly tales were written by anonymous AAA inspectors ....

Upon my arrival at the Mason House Inn in Bentonsport, Iowa, I noticed movement out of the...
 
October 15, 2009 - A Tale From The Road: Polar Bear Country

Every traveler collects them, their personal souvenirs. Those unique travel tales, perfect for an impromptu dinner party when one needs to be simultaneously charming and entertaining. As an...
 
October 08, 2009 - A Day In The Life of One AAA Inspector

The following is a representation of a day in the life of one of AAA’s team of professional lodging and restaurant inspectors who, along with the establishments, remain...
 
September 24, 2009 - Tagging Along On A Five Diamond Hotel Inspection

I was on travel assignment in Cancún for several days, checking out the Mexican tourist mecca and the rapidly developing Riviera Maya, the stretch of Caribbean coast between...
 
September 24, 2009 - Cancun Tips From Inspector 37

I inspect and rate Mexican hotels and restaurants for a living, so here’s the inside scoop on Cancún and the Mexican Caribbean! If it’s your first or 50th visit, see more...
 
June 23, 2009 - AAA Inspectors Pick Top Historic Hotels

     In the spirit of Independence Day, AAA lodging inspectors were asked to name their favorite historic hotels. A list of
 
March 10, 2009 - How Do You Get A Job Like That?

     I know it sounds so smarmy but…I’m a professional tourist, there I said it. Have been for over 20 years. That’s right; I get paid to travel. All...
 
December 31, 2008 - Eating For A Living
 
     The waitress had just set down my entrée when I saw movement along my peripheral vision. I looked down at the floor and saw a small grey mouse, whiskers...

International Travel

December 23, 2009 - International Travel Planning

We get a lot of questions on this site about planning for international travel  - documentation, driving, insurance and other issues large and small. To help, AAA has produced a...
 
May 28, 2009 - What to Do With a Free Trip to Italy
Question: Melissa Famiglietti asks: I am a member of AAA who has never used this service to book travel. Recently, I won a trip from a radio station from Boston to Milan, Italy! I...
 
May 20, 2009 - A Royal Hotel Stay on Bangkok's River of Kings
Question: Elle asks: I am planning a trip to Bangkok in July. Any suggestions for a good hotel that is not too expensive? I would also like information on Krabi,...
 
May 07, 2009 - Sample Permission Letter for Traveling Child
Question: Mike M. asks: My daughter is traveling out of the country on vacation with another family. Do you have a sample letter or can you give me an idea of what the letter...

iPhone Apps

August 19, 2009 - AAA Discounts in Best Apps Publication
  AAA Discounts has been noted as one of the best iPhone apps in a recently published paperback titled just that ... “Best iPhone Apps - The Guide for Discriminating...

Ireland

May 15, 2009 - Northern Ireland Heritage: Downpatrick

     With a name like Patrick Magrady, you might suspect Irish roots, but my husband had never visited the land where his grandparents were born. So when he brought up the...
 
April 22, 2009 - Ireland: Greener On The Other Side Of The Road

A friend of mine is excited but terrified about her upcoming trip to Ireland. Last year, as I planned a trip to Ireland with my 14-year-old son, I too was anxious and apprehensive about the...

Israel

December 10, 2009 - The Old City of Jerusalem

Dawn in November comes at 6 a.m. I arrived at 5:55 a.m. two days in a row. Standing immediately outside the Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, I felt a tinge at what I could expect by...

Italian Lakes

May 28, 2009 - What to Do With a Free Trip to Italy
Question: Melissa Famiglietti asks: I am a member of AAA who has never used this service to book travel. Recently, I won a trip from a radio station from Boston to Milan, Italy! I...

Italy

May 28, 2009 - What to Do With a Free Trip to Italy
Question: Melissa Famiglietti asks: I am a member of AAA who has never used this service to book travel. Recently, I won a trip from a radio station from Boston to Milan, Italy! I...
 
March 11, 2009 - Q&A: Italy Sightseeing Recommendations
Question: B.N. asks: I am planning a trip to Italy this summer and I’m looking for interesting cities/sites. We are thinking about seeing Florence, Rome, and the west coast...
 
March 10, 2009 - Q&A: Italy in the "Month of Roses"
 Question: Barb O’Connor asks: Last minute invite to tour Italy with college alumni group this May. Based on temp predictions, what sort of clothing should I pack? Cities...
 
February 10, 2009 - Q&A: Recommendations For Lake Como, Italy
 
 Question: Shawn Murphy writes:  My wife and I are planning a trip to Lake Como area of Italy this summer.  Does anyone have recommendations for places...

Jamaica

March 10, 2009 - A Relaxed Outlook In Jamaica

     My last memories of Jamaica are etched in a remote corner of my brain and are usually recalled when I hear a Bob Marley tune or my daughter yells with glee that...
 
February 27, 2009 - Not Just for the Birds: Central and Southern Jamaica

     I had been told by Jamaicans that there’s practically nowhere in Jamaica where...

Jamestown

June 04, 2009 - Colonial Williamsburg Attractions Open Year Round
Question: Audrey Putman asks: We are headed to Williamsburg VA Sept. 12-19. What will the weather be like? Attractions and activities still available after Labor Day?

Kansas

March 09, 2010 - Kansas City's Jazz Museum

My list of must-see museums in Kansas City during my visit in July included the American Jazz Museum. It’s located in the 18th and Vine historic district, an area of Kansas City noted...
 
February 23, 2010 - Kansas City Shopping at Country Club Plaza

“I’m going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come….”  The 1959 song (sung by Wilbert Harrison), was the first thing that sprang to mind when I found out that I...
 
July 23, 2009 - Kansas City Barbeque and History


I fell in love with Kansas City over an order of burnt ends at Fiorella’s Jack Stack barbecue. But there’s more to the story, so stay with me here and we’ll get...

Kentucky

August 26, 2009 - Cumberland Falls State Park: The Moonbow Connection

Is there a pot of gold at the end of a moonbow?

One afternoon while visiting relatives in Corbin, Kentucky, we decided to have lunch at the Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls...
 
March 16, 2009 - Short Trips From Cincinnati
Question:  Terry Houston asks: I'd like to take a car trip within a 150-mile radius of Cincinnati. Any suggestions?

Answer: Mary Ann Bayer,...

Lake Michigan

July 10, 2009 - Indiana Dunes On Lake Michigan

     As a native Hoosier (no, I don’t know what the word “Hoosier” actually means), I can honestly say I’ve never been asked to describe Indiana...
 
July 10, 2009 - Michigan's West Coast Beaches
Question: Charlotte Ross asks: We'd like to drive from Kansas City to Lake Michigan.  Any suggestions on where to go that would be about a day's drive (8-12 hours)...

Las Vegas

January 29, 2010 - Shots of Las Vegas: Top 10 Location Movies
 

With the grand opening of City Center, Las Vegas , and the...
 
December 10, 2009 - Las Vegas Wise Guide
     
October, 1982. Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal walks out of the Tony Roma’s restaurant on Sahara Avenue carrying an order of take-out ribs. When he...
 
October 07, 2009 - Las Vegas Hotel Tour
 
This post has been contributed by Linda Butler, an auto travel counselor for AAA Tidewater in Virginia.

AMAZING!!  By day three of our week in Las Vegas my...
 
September 09, 2009 - Beatles-Themed Travel: The Long and Winding Road

It is a truly fab time to be a Beatle fan. The new Rock Band: The Beatles is out this week and is creating a massive amount...
 
August 13, 2009 - What Happens In Vegas... Buffets In Vegas

     I have no idea how many tons of all-you-can-eat crab legs, shrimp and prime rib are served in Las Vegas each year. But I do know there are more than 60 hotel buffets...
 
August 13, 2009 - Las Vegas: AAA Top Picks

     AAA travel editors recommend these Las Vegas experiences, excerpted from the AAA Travel Guide: Las Vegas:

- Get the best view of the city...

Los Angeles

July 08, 2009 - Fly Me Out To The Ball Game

     Baseball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a fan of baseball, but admit that my team loyalties have varied.  In my youth, my...

Maine

June 01, 2009 - Maine Lobster With A View

Question:  Phyllis asks:  I understand that Maine has the best lobsters.  Is this true?  If yes, where should I go for them if I fly into Portland,...

Maryland

July 22, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 4: Baltimore
 
    This is fourth in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 22, 2009 - Baltimore: AAA Top Picks
 
     AAA travel editors recommend these Baltimore experiences, excerpted from the

Massachusetts

February 10, 2010 - Boston 'Sleeps and Eats'

As a supporter of the Mark Sandman Music Education Project based in Boston, I was invited to a fundraising...
 
November 12, 2009 - AAA Insider Tips: Boston Museums

There are many attractions and activities in the Boston area that offer a change of pace for the non-traditional tourist.  Having been to Boston a few times, I was looking for unique...
 
April 21, 2009 - Drive Trips: Cape Cod and Washington State
 

These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - are both in appealing summer destinations. Click on...

Memphis

January 25, 2010 - Memphis Barbeque: Holy Smoke

In Memphis, barbecue borders on being a religion—a religion with legions of followers. Its disciples are many, and they worship at the multitude of barbecue joints that are the source...
 
January 18, 2010 - Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum: More Than Planned

Some people can hop on a plane without so much as a guidebook in their carryon bag and actually look forward to exploring a strange place without an itinerary or even knowing much about...
 
October 06, 2009 - In Memphis, Please Seat Yourself at Huey's

Everybody I know who is familiar with Memphis says that you’ve got to try the barbecue. You’ll love the barbecue! And I’m sure that’s true—if you like barbecue....

Mexico

March 04, 2010 - Mexico's 2010 Celebrations

Happy Birthday Mexico!

Mexico is currently gearing up for the party of a century -- make that two centuries. Preparations are underway to
 
December 08, 2009 - Aboard Holland America's Oosterdam
Where have AAA Member Appreciation Cruises been all my life? Until sailing to the Mexican Riviera aboard Holland America Line’s Oosterdam, I’d never taken one. Now, I’m reluctant...
 
December 04, 2009 - Amigos in Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, we took our own advice. “Try to see a place through the eyes of someone who lives there,” we always tell people. “If you know someone who lives in the...
 
December 02, 2009 - Hanging Out in Mazatlán



When we went ashore in Mazatlán, we hadn’t expected to hear Leroy Anderson’s...
 
November 19, 2009 - Tijuana, If You Dare


Tijuana, Mexico:  two-for-one taco specials, tequila shooters, burros painted like zebras, $5 supersized sombreros and an ugly drug war that’s keeping tourists away in...
 
November 09, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip: Hacienda Santa Rosa
 
This is the fourth in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

My Mayan tour...
 
September 24, 2009 - Tagging Along On A Five Diamond Hotel Inspection

I was on travel assignment in Cancún for several days, checking out the Mexican tourist mecca and the rapidly developing Riviera Maya, the stretch of Caribbean coast between...
 
September 24, 2009 - Cancun Tips From Inspector 37

I inspect and rate Mexican hotels and restaurants for a living, so here’s the inside scoop on Cancún and the Mexican Caribbean! If it’s your first or 50th visit, see more...
 
September 24, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip: The Ruins at Ake
This is the third in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

Fortified by my breakfast of huevos...
 
August 25, 2009 - Cabo San Lucas for the Adventurous

     Traveling for adventure is a wonderful thing - no matter what your age.  Not everyone can hike the Himalayas or Mt Kilimanjaro, but there are many destinations...
 
July 17, 2009 - Drive Trip From Cancun: Hacienda San Jose
 
This is the second part of Tony's Mayan Drive Trip series.

     It is late afternoon as I...
 
July 16, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip From Cancun: Ek Balam
 
This is the first in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

I catch a JetBlue...
 
March 03, 2009 - Travel To Mexico: Information and Advice
     As a result of drug-cartel related border violence, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Mexico in October and updated it to an
 
January 09, 2009 - "Almost Free!"

     While telling a friend about my recent trip to Mexico’s Pacific Coast, he said, “Sounds great. I love Puerto Vallarta, but I like the Yucatan peninsula...

Miami

February 04, 2010 - Robert Is Here: South of Miami


Robert is Here is the unusual name of a fruit stand specializing in exotic produce not far from the entrance to
 
December 17, 2009 - Miami’s Herald Hunt: Just Don’t Call It Nerdapalooza
 
“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?”

It’s a beautiful late November day in Miami and I’m watching two actors perform the iconic...

Michigan

July 10, 2009 - Michigan's West Coast Beaches
Question: Charlotte Ross asks: We'd like to drive from Kansas City to Lake Michigan.  Any suggestions on where to go that would be about a day's drive (8-12 hours)...

Milwaukee

May 04, 2009 - Circle Tour of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Question: Renato Schmidt asks:  I'd like to take a car trip within a 100-mile radius of Milwaukee. What are your suggestions?

Answer: Tom...

Minnesota

November 24, 2009 - A Quick Look At Minneapolis

I had the pleasure of visiting Minneapolis for the first time last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by one of the famed Twin Cities. My attendance at a card game convention kept me...

Mississippi

February 08, 2010 - Margaret's Grocery in Vicksburg, Mississippi

As most travelers know, often it is the chance encounters and discoveries that leave the longest-lasting of impressions. Margaret’s Grocery and Market, a.k.a....

Missouri

December 30, 2009 - St. Charles, Missouri Discovered

I’m a history buff. A costume wearing, reference book buying, card carrying history buff. So why wasn’t I excited when friends wanted to take my husband and I to the historic...
 
September 08, 2009 - The St. Louis Gateway Arch
 
It’s almost a law that if you visit St. Louis, you go to the Arch (or to be more official, “The...
 
September 08, 2009 - Crown Candy Kitchen Takes You Back
 
     I must give a shout-out to AAA Missouri’s Lori Moshkowsky for cluing me in to Crown Candy Kitchen. It was one of several suggestions she gave me for cool,...
 
August 28, 2009 - Summer in St. Louis and It’s Time for Ted’s


I’m devouring a Ted Drewes chocolate concrete at 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday. Why am I doing this? For one thing, it’s a decidedly hot morning in the Gateway to the West....
 
May 29, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Grand Ole Music

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available.

Mobile Services

August 19, 2009 - AAA Discounts in Best Apps Publication
  AAA Discounts has been noted as one of the best iPhone apps in a recently published paperback titled just that ... “Best iPhone Apps - The Guide for Discriminating...

Montreal

March 25, 2009 - Visiting Montreal, Eh?

Question:  Sally Sholly asks: Do you have any tips for traveling in Canada? Montreal in particular, but all information will be helpful. I'm a little worried about...

Motorsports Travel

August 04, 2009 - A Week With The #17 Racing Team and Ford/AAA Auto Skills Champs, Part 6: Rained Out

     This entry, the sixth and final in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read...
 
August 01, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 5
          This entry, the fifth in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read...
 
July 31, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 4

          This entry, the fourth in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their...
 
July 30, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs, Part 3: Concord, NC

     This entry, the third in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read all posts
 
July 29, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 2
 
This entry, the second in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read all posts
 
July 28, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 1

     This entry, the first in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip

Museums

January 18, 2010 - Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum: More Than Planned

Some people can hop on a plane without so much as a guidebook in their carryon bag and actually look forward to exploring a strange place without an itinerary or even knowing much about...
 
November 12, 2009 - AAA Insider Tips: Boston Museums

There are many attractions and activities in the Boston area that offer a change of pace for the non-traditional tourist.  Having been to Boston a few times, I was looking for unique...

Nashville

February 26, 2010 - Nashville and Johnny Cash

He had me at “Hello.”

Johnny Cash, that is. I’ve only been in love with his mournful bass-baritone voice for a short time (since 2005, when the biopic...
 
January 07, 2010 - Nashville's Pancake Pantry
I love all kinds of food (I don’t discriminate!), but breakfast fare is by far my favorite. When I travel, I usually try to check out at least a few local eateries with standout morning menus....
 
September 29, 2009 - Nashville's Grand Ole Opry

When I listen to music, I play tracks from hardcore rappers, classical pianists and everyone in between. But, when someone asks me what genres I’m into, I invariably answer:...
 
May 29, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Grand Ole Music

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available.
 
May 13, 2009 - The Other Broadway In Nashville

     Nashville is something of a paradox—it’s both musical and historical, kitschy and refined. I guess what you find is what expectations you bring to the...

National Parks

March 03, 2010 - Four Presidents and Lost Springs, Pop. 1

I’ll never forget the first time I went to the
 
February 18, 2010 - Grand Canyon In The Spring
From our Q&A mailbox:

Question: Do you recommend a road trip to Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon in...
 
December 28, 2009 - Snowshoeing the Rockies

As a travel writer, I sometimes have to go the extra mile to find the good stuff, even if it is on a pair of snowshoes.  And that’s exactly what happened when I was on assignment...
 
November 05, 2009 - Gettysburg National Military Park
There is something otherworldly about Gettysburg National Military Park in the early morning - the mist creeping across grassy swales...
 
October 06, 2009 - Yellowstone: Hot and Cool
 
In the famed Lamar Valley … bison. In the middle of the two-lane road … bison. In the middle of the parking lot??? Yep, bison. Bison, buffalo … bah! Whatever you...
 
September 28, 2009 - PBS 'National Parks' Series Begins

Last night, the first episode of Ken Burns’ epic 12-hour, six-part documentary “The National...
 
September 23, 2009 - Colorado to Cody to Yellowstone

Before my recent trip to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone, I decided to “road trip it” and see a few other things on my way.  One of the places I decided to stop was a little...
 
September 03, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: The Grand Canyon and Wupatki National Monument

This is the fifth and final in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9...
 
September 01, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater

This is the fourth in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
August 28, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Canyonlands and Monument Valley

This is the third in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
August 27, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef

This is the second in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
August 26, 2009 - National Park Road Trip: Zion and Bryce Canyon

This is the first in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.

When...
 
August 04, 2009 - Hitting The Road To Gettysburg


    This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
June 26, 2009 - Yosemite National Park: Trip Planning Advice
 
Question:  Vijay Gupta asks:  We are thinking of going to Yosemite National Park in California.  Can you provide some recommendations to plan this trip?...
 
June 26, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: San Francisco To Yosemite National Park
 
     Northern California is the locale of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of
 
June 03, 2009 - Yellowstone Road Trip Through Cody, Wyoming
Question: Sue asks: We are planning to drive from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Mount Rushmore and then to Yellowstone. I am finding that hotels at Yellowstone are already booked and...
 
May 12, 2009 - Travel Planning For National Parks
     
Our national park system is the envy of many. When Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, it began...
 
May 09, 2009 - Drive Trips: Mount Rushmore-Badlands and Great Smoky Mountain National Park
  
These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - involve two National Parks, the subject of the...
 
May 04, 2009 - Yellowstone National Park: A Starting Point
 
It was difficult for me to come up with a headline for this post because it’s next to impossible to describe my favorite place in just a few attention-getting words. ...
 
May 04, 2009 - From Vancouver to Glacier National Park
Question: Larry Carrier asks:  We have a travel van and AAA insurance.  We plan to leave Ottawa, KS June 21 and have 5 days to get to Seattle, WA.  We will take a...
 
March 30, 2009 - Q&A: Carving Vacation Memories at National Parks and Monuments
Question: Richard Luchtefeld asks: We are planning a fall 2009 trip to South Dakota, Wyoming, and maybe to Montana to see national parks, landmarks, etc.  What ideas to you...
 
March 23, 2009 - Q&A: Life Along the Road to Death Valley
Question: Kathleen Michaelson asks:  I would like to plan a day trip in April with three kids from Las Vegas to Zion or Death Valley. What do you suggest?
 
March 17, 2009 - Q&A: Stops Along the Way to Yellowstone
Question: Mark Cruise asks: I am planning a rented RV trip to Yellowstone in July ’09. Any suggestions so my three kids and I will have fun?
 
March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Road Trip to the Grand Canyon
Question: Armen Changizian asks: We are taking the kids on a road trip with the Grand Canyon as the final destination. The starting point is from Newberg, Oregon, on March 19 in the...
 
January 08, 2009 - Grand Canyon magnificence…complete with Austrians!

       Dropping something into the Grand Canyon is bad enough, but jumping over the wall to retrieve it is just crazy. Apparently, kind Austrian tourists...

Nevada

January 29, 2010 - Shots of Las Vegas: Top 10 Location Movies
 

With the grand opening of City Center, Las Vegas , and the...
 
December 10, 2009 - Las Vegas Wise Guide
     
October, 1982. Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal walks out of the Tony Roma’s restaurant on Sahara Avenue carrying an order of take-out ribs. When he...
 
October 07, 2009 - Las Vegas Hotel Tour
 
This post has been contributed by Linda Butler, an auto travel counselor for AAA Tidewater in Virginia.

AMAZING!!  By day three of our week in Las Vegas my...
 
August 13, 2009 - What Happens In Vegas... Buffets In Vegas

     I have no idea how many tons of all-you-can-eat crab legs, shrimp and prime rib are served in Las Vegas each year. But I do know there are more than 60 hotel buffets...
 
August 13, 2009 - Las Vegas: AAA Top Picks

     AAA travel editors recommend these Las Vegas experiences, excerpted from the AAA Travel Guide: Las Vegas:

- Get the best view of the city...
 
April 14, 2009 - Reno: The Biggest Little City

A Reno local told me of a tradition where jilted wives, post-divorce, toss their wedding rings into the Truckee River. Thank goodness the river runs swiftly through town or there would...
 
March 23, 2009 - Q&A: Life Along the Road to Death Valley
Question: Kathleen Michaelson asks:  I would like to plan a day trip in April with three kids from Las Vegas to Zion or Death Valley. What do you suggest?

New Jersey

July 13, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 1

This is first in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip.

     This summer, I am putting that trite old...
 
May 08, 2009 - Cape May Beauty Blooms Throughout the Year
Question: Kathleen B asks: I am planning a long weekend at Cape May, New Jersey. Do you have any points of interest to share with me?

Answer: AAA...

New Mexico

April 17, 2009 - Drive Trips: The Turquoise Trail and Vancouver-Cascade Mountains
 These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - highlight the Northwest and Southwest. Click on the Drive Trip's...

New Orleans

January 19, 2010 - Mardi Gras Parade Advice

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where should I start?  As a New Orleans native, I know Mardi Gras has many traditions associated with it and what it means varies from person to person. The...

New York

March 03, 2010 - Discount Broadway Tickets

Question:
Darrell asks: I am going to New York and would like to see a Broadway show. I can order tickets online but I have heard that before the show starts there is a...
 
October 28, 2009 - New York City in Two Days

It’s your first trip to New York City, and you’re only staying for 48 hours. What to do? That was our challenge, and we managed to pack a week’s worth of sightseeing into...
 
September 09, 2009 - Beatles-Themed Travel: The Long and Winding Road

It is a truly fab time to be a Beatle fan. The new Rock Band: The Beatles is out this week and is creating a massive amount...
 
August 12, 2009 - Retro Road Trip: Boston, Niagara Falls, Then Home


     This post, the last in a series, has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family...
 
July 27, 2009 - Coney Island For the First Time

     This entry has been written by Meghan Droge, summer web editorial assistant for AAA New York.

     As a Long Island...
 
July 02, 2009 - Q&A: From Vermont to Niagara Falls

Question: Daniel Kinney asks:  We are traveling to East Wallingford, Vermont in July.  I would like to go to Niagara Falls.  What are some good stops for...
 
July 02, 2009 - AAA Drive Trips: New York's Finger Lakes Wine Country and Niagara Falls

     American Indian folklore holds that the Finger Lakes were formed when the Great Spirit placed his handprint on some of the most beautiful land ever created. The area...
 
February 03, 2009 - Winter At The End

     It was like a zombie movie.  The town was all decked out in lights, ribbons and bows- yet there wasn't another human being in sight. This is winter in...

New York City

March 03, 2010 - Discount Broadway Tickets

Question:
Darrell asks: I am going to New York and would like to see a Broadway show. I can order tickets online but I have heard that before the show starts there is a...
 
October 28, 2009 - New York City in Two Days

It’s your first trip to New York City, and you’re only staying for 48 hours. What to do? That was our challenge, and we managed to pack a week’s worth of sightseeing into...
 
August 05, 2009 - Another New York City Visit

     My first visit to New York as a cognizant individual (I had been before when I was 4; and again in my early 20s with a 9-month old in tow) was to take the written...
 
August 05, 2009 - A Stop In New York City

     This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
July 27, 2009 - Coney Island For the First Time

     This entry has been written by Meghan Droge, summer web editorial assistant for AAA New York.

     As a Long Island...
 
July 21, 2009 - New York City With Kids, By Kids

     New York City is an epic vacation destination for kids!  We're 12 and 10 and recently spent 4 days in the “city that never sleeps” and it...
 
July 21, 2009 - New York City: AAA Top Picks

     AAA travel editor Suzanne Lemon recommends these essential New York City experiences, excerpted from the
 
July 15, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 2: New York City

     This is second in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 13, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 1

This is first in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip.

     This summer, I am putting that trite old...
 
April 23, 2009 - Motherless In Manhattan

     It's Take Your Child To Work Day, and today's travel story has been contributed and posted by my daughter Lindsey Peterson, 14, who was asked to write...
 
January 14, 2009 - The Brooklyn Diner Is Not In Brooklyn

     On a recent visit to New York City, while sitting with friends in a Brooklyn Diner booth (ours, as the little gold...
 
December 31, 2008 - Unforgettable

     In a moment of typical year-end reflection I’ve been wondering what creates the most lasting travel memories. Two categories dominate my travels:  (1)...

North Carolina

November 02, 2009 - I-40 Road Closure Advisory

A portion of I-40 in western North Carolina near the Tennessee state line remains closed due to an October 25th rock slide and officials say it could take several months to clear the debris....
 
October 16, 2009 - Asheville, NC Girls' Getaway

Asheville has all the qualities needed for a perfect 'girls getaway':  luxurious hotels and spas; a variety of unique restaurants; great shopping; endless galleries for lovers...
 
September 10, 2009 - Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River

I had booked a whitewater rafting trip in North Carolina once before, only to cancel upon learning of my first child’s pending arrival status.  That child is now 14, so it took me...
 
May 20, 2009 - An Unexpected Jewel – Emerald Isle, North Carolina

     Most travelers have a long list of “must-see” destinations or things to experience.  And it seems that each time you scratch one destination off...
 
April 02, 2009 - Q&A: Furniture Shopping is a High Point Highlight
Question: Robert asks:  I would like to go furniture shopping in North Carolina.  Which city do I stay in? High Point is one I believe.  
 

Nova Scotia

August 31, 2009 - Nova Scotia's Best View of Bay of Fundy Tides
Question:  Bernie Campbell asks:  We are going to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and would like to know the best place to stop overnight and see the Bay of Fundy.  What...

Ohio

December 07, 2009 - Cleveland and A Christmas Story
    

“No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle,” said Ralphie.  “You’ll shoot your...
 
July 02, 2009 - Summer In Marblehead, Ohio
 

     The biggest soft-serve ice cream cone I ever attempted to eat was at Brown’s Dairy Dock in Marblehead, Ohio. Not that I thought I could actually...
 
March 16, 2009 - Short Trips From Cincinnati
Question:  Terry Houston asks: I'd like to take a car trip within a 150-mile radius of Cincinnati. Any suggestions?

Answer: Mary Ann Bayer,...
 
February 19, 2009 - Gridiron Great Experience
 
      Has the end of football season led to withdrawal symptoms? Looking for the perfect experience for that football fanatic in your life? Consider a road...
 
January 23, 2009 - A Roaring Good Time In Mason, Ohio

     Some of my fondest childhood memories involve recreational trips to Mason, Ohio though to this day, I couldn’t tell you a thing about the city itself. To me,...

Oklahoma

December 31, 2008 - Unforgettable

     In a moment of typical year-end reflection I’ve been wondering what creates the most lasting travel memories. Two categories dominate my travels:  (1)...

Oregon

February 23, 2010 - College Visit Travel Planning
 
From the Q&A mailbox:

Question: Lynn asks, My daughter and I are looking at colleges in northern...
 
August 31, 2009 - San Francisco to Vancouver - A Scenic Drive
Question:  Sharam asks:  I plan to drive from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC.  I have choice of Highway 5 & 101.  Which is a better scenic road?  Please...
 
February 05, 2009 - The Voodoo Doughnut

     It was a sunny Saturday morning (reason enough to celebrate), and I was looking for a fuel stop before hitting the Portland Saturday Market. I literally stumbled...
 
February 04, 2009 - Q & A: Coastal Drive in the Northwest
 
 Question: Alex Sands asks:  We are driving from Bellingham, WA  to San Francisco in April.  I'd like to take the coastal route as much as...

Orlando

February 19, 2010 - Universal Florida: Harry Potter AAA Packages

AAA is now selling vacation packages to Universal Orlando® for travel beginning May 28 to include the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter area in the Islands of...
 
October 14, 2009 - Disney for One, Please

When I told everyone I was headed to Disney World, their first reaction was “You and Greg are going to love it!” “No, no” I said “I’m going alone.”...
 
July 20, 2009 - Disney World Star Wars Weekend

     A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I was initially introduced to a cinematic masterpiece that, unknowingly to me, would ultimately leave an impression that...
 
July 16, 2009 - Mexican in Orlando: El Potro

     Greater Orlando seems to be the world capital of chain restaurants, which presents a challenge when you’re in the mood for good Mexican. Don Pablo’s...
 
July 15, 2009 - Anniversary Getaway in Orlando

     Recently my husband and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary and decided to indulge ourselves at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida.  Having...
 
May 27, 2009 - Orlando Cool Spot: Wekiwa Springs State Park

     I’ve visited Wekiwa Springs State Park many times since moving to...
 
March 18, 2009 - Ceviche In Downtown Orlando

     Ceviche (seh-VEE-cheh)—an appetizer of raw fish that is “cooked” in citrus juice (usually lime, but sometimes lemon) and turns the flesh opaque in...

Panama

April 02, 2009 - Learning Through The Panama Canal

     While the snow was falling recently in Chicago, I was sailing through the Panama Canal on the Pacific Explorer with Cruise West.  What an experience.  Like...

Pennsylvania

November 17, 2009 - Glorious Gelato in Philadelphia

It was a beautiful day in Philly. I was on a travel writing assignment and pounding the pavement in Center City looking for some lunch. At the corner of
 
November 05, 2009 - Gettysburg National Military Park
There is something otherworldly about Gettysburg National Military Park in the early morning - the mist creeping across grassy swales...
 
October 21, 2009 - Monk's Belgian Cafe and Beer Emporium

Exploring Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood on a travel writing assignment, I stumbled upon a cozy little pub on the corner of
 
August 27, 2009 - Pennsylvania Dutch Country Day Trip
Question:  Pete asks:  We're planning a one-day trip from New Jersey to Lancaster, PA.  We would appreciate any tips and advice regarding places to visit, routes...
 
August 07, 2009 - Pittsburgh: The South Side and the Strip

     Pittsburghers in the know head to the city’s South Side when they’re in the mood for...
 
August 04, 2009 - Hitting The Road To Gettysburg


    This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
July 20, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 3: Allentown, Pa.

      This is third in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
April 04, 2009 - Drive Trips: Central/Northern Arizona and Pennsylvania Dutch Country

    These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - are a contrast in...

Pet Travel

October 28, 2009 - Traveling With Your Pet Survey

28% of those who travel with pets indicate they would rather travel with their pet than with their significant other. That's according to a survey released today by AAA and
 
May 11, 2009 - Virtual Travel Show: Travel With or Without Your Pet
     When pet owners make travel plans, it's not always an easy choice -should Spot stay or go?  Get information on both options at a special presentation at...
 
May 05, 2009 - Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook New Edition and Photo Contest
Have a beach-loving border collie, socially-active shepherd or lively lab looking for some R & R? Get the new edition of the AAA PetBook foradvice on where to stay and play, travel tips and the...
 
February 06, 2009 - PetBook® Photo Contest Winners

     The results are in for AAA’s 5th annual PetBook® Photo Contest, and two traveling dogs, one from North Carolina and one from South Carolina, will enjoy a...

Philadelphia

November 17, 2009 - Glorious Gelato in Philadelphia

It was a beautiful day in Philly. I was on a travel writing assignment and pounding the pavement in Center City looking for some lunch. At the corner of
 
October 21, 2009 - Monk's Belgian Cafe and Beer Emporium

Exploring Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood on a travel writing assignment, I stumbled upon a cozy little pub on the corner of

Pittsburgh

August 07, 2009 - Pittsburgh: The South Side and the Strip

     Pittsburghers in the know head to the city’s South Side when they’re in the mood for...

Portland

June 01, 2009 - Maine Lobster With A View

Question:  Phyllis asks:  I understand that Maine has the best lobsters.  Is this true?  If yes, where should I go for them if I fly into Portland,...

Portugal

April 29, 2009 - Travel to Portugal: Savor the Sights and Cuisine
Question: Margaret Souza asks: I am planning a trip to Portugal. I would appreciate suggestions for reservations, and for places to stay, see and eat.
 
March 19, 2009 - Q&A: Exploring The Azores

Question:  Mary McLaughlin asks: My husband and I are considering a trip to the Azores in the fall. Any suggestions for places to stay, special activities. etc?

Provincial Parks

May 04, 2009 - From Vancouver to Glacier National Park
Question: Larry Carrier asks:  We have a travel van and AAA insurance.  We plan to leave Ottawa, KS June 21 and have 5 days to get to Seattle, WA.  We will take a...

Q&A with AAA

March 03, 2010 - Discount Broadway Tickets

Question:
Darrell asks: I am going to New York and would like to see a Broadway show. I can order tickets online but I have heard that before the show starts there is a...
 
February 23, 2010 - College Visit Travel Planning
 
From the Q&A mailbox:

Question: Lynn asks, My daughter and I are looking at colleges in northern...
 
February 18, 2010 - Grand Canyon In The Spring
From our Q&A mailbox:

Question: Do you recommend a road trip to Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon in...
 
December 29, 2009 - St. Thomas or St. Croix?

Question:  Doris asks, Would it be best to stay on St. Thomas or St. Croix to take advantage of shopping and sightseeing, along with limited crowds?
 
November 03, 2009 - Waterfront Dining In San Francisco

Question:  Connie Atwell asks:  Where are the best places on the water to eat in San Francisco?

Answer:  Tonya Powell,...
 
August 31, 2009 - Vancouver Trolley Tour Covers Main Attractions
Question: Patricia R. asks:  We are taking a cruise from Vancouver and have some time before our departure.  Do you recomend the trolley?  We don’t have enough...
 
August 31, 2009 - San Francisco to Vancouver - A Scenic Drive
Question:  Sharam asks:  I plan to drive from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC.  I have choice of Highway 5 & 101.  Which is a better scenic road?  Please...
 
August 27, 2009 - Pennsylvania Dutch Country Day Trip
Question:  Pete asks:  We're planning a one-day trip from New Jersey to Lancaster, PA.  We would appreciate any tips and advice regarding places to visit, routes...
 
August 10, 2009 - Route 1 To San Francisco

Question:  My wife and I will visit Santa Barbara, California in October.  After we check out wine country and the beaches, we are thinking of driving up the coast...
 
July 10, 2009 - Michigan's West Coast Beaches
Question: Charlotte Ross asks: We'd like to drive from Kansas City to Lake Michigan.  Any suggestions on where to go that would be about a day's drive (8-12 hours)...
 
July 02, 2009 - Q&A: From Vermont to Niagara Falls

Question: Daniel Kinney asks:  We are traveling to East Wallingford, Vermont in July.  I would like to go to Niagara Falls.  What are some good stops for...
 
June 26, 2009 - Myrtle Beach Entertainment

Question: Kate. R  asks: Taking the family to Myrtle Beach, SC for a week .  Recommendations on what to do in addition to beach time?
 
June 26, 2009 - Yosemite National Park: Trip Planning Advice
 
Question:  Vijay Gupta asks:  We are thinking of going to Yosemite National Park in California.  Can you provide some recommendations to plan this trip?...
 
June 11, 2009 - A Drive Through West Virginia

Question:  I'm flying into Lexington, Kentucky for a couple of days, then driving into Morgantown, West Virginia to visit someone.  I'm taking my time...
 
June 10, 2009 - Congratulations, Matthew and Megan


Last month, AAATravelViews received a very special question from our Q&A page. Matthew Stovall wrote:I'm traveling to Strasbourg, France in two weeks and plan to...
 
June 04, 2009 - Colonial Williamsburg Attractions Open Year Round
Question: Audrey Putman asks: We are headed to Williamsburg VA Sept. 12-19. What will the weather be like? Attractions and activities still available after Labor Day?
 
June 03, 2009 - Yellowstone Road Trip Through Cody, Wyoming
Question: Sue asks: We are planning to drive from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Mount Rushmore and then to Yellowstone. I am finding that hotels at Yellowstone are already booked and...
 
June 02, 2009 - Hoppin' the Hawaiian Islands
Question:  David Henning asks:  My wife and I are planning to go to Hawaii in March 2010.  What is a good length of time to stay (7 days, 10 to 14 days)? ...
 
June 01, 2009 - Maine Lobster With A View

Question:  Phyllis asks:  I understand that Maine has the best lobsters.  Is this true?  If yes, where should I go for them if I fly into Portland,...
 
June 01, 2009 - Walt Disney World Dining and IllumiNations
Question: Bruce McIntosh asks: My family and I are traveling to Disney World in August. We have only one day to spend at Epcot. What restaurant would you recommend to dine at and to...
 
May 28, 2009 - What to Do With a Free Trip to Italy
Question: Melissa Famiglietti asks: I am a member of AAA who has never used this service to book travel. Recently, I won a trip from a radio station from Boston to Milan, Italy! I...
 
May 20, 2009 - A Royal Hotel Stay on Bangkok's River of Kings
Question: Elle asks: I am planning a trip to Bangkok in July. Any suggestions for a good hotel that is not too expensive? I would also like information on Krabi,...
 
May 09, 2009 - Traveling the Canadian Rockies by Rail or Road
Question: David S. asks: We are planning a trip to Alberta Canada and visiting the Canadian Rockies this August; anything you can tell us about the Rockies would be most helpful....
 
May 09, 2009 - AAA Offices Provide Travel Visa Processing Services
Question: Cher G asks: Does AAA have an agent/service in San Francisco that will obtain a visa for travel to China on a member's behalf?

Answer:...
 
May 08, 2009 - Cape May Beauty Blooms Throughout the Year
Question: Kathleen B asks: I am planning a long weekend at Cape May, New Jersey. Do you have any points of interest to share with me?

Answer: AAA...
 
May 07, 2009 - Alaska Road Trip Can Be a 'Wild' Ride
Question: Oreste Magliozzi asks: A group of six senior citizens is going to Alaska this summer and renting an RV in Anchorage. Do you have planning info for a road trip for a week...
 
May 07, 2009 - Sample Permission Letter for Traveling Child
Question: Mike M. asks: My daughter is traveling out of the country on vacation with another family. Do you have a sample letter or can you give me an idea of what the letter...
 
May 04, 2009 - Circle Tour of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Question: Renato Schmidt asks:  I'd like to take a car trip within a 100-mile radius of Milwaukee. What are your suggestions?

Answer: Tom...
 
May 04, 2009 - From Vancouver to Glacier National Park
Question: Larry Carrier asks:  We have a travel van and AAA insurance.  We plan to leave Ottawa, KS June 21 and have 5 days to get to Seattle, WA.  We will take a...
 
April 29, 2009 - Travel to Portugal: Savor the Sights and Cuisine
Question: Margaret Souza asks: I am planning a trip to Portugal. I would appreciate suggestions for reservations, and for places to stay, see and eat.
 
April 29, 2009 - Travel To London: Top Ideas

Question:  Jason H. asks: I am traveling to London, England this summer. We already booked our flights and made hotel reservations. We are staying in Trafalgar Square....
 
April 28, 2009 - Traveling Lake Superior's North Shore
Question: John Suhumskie asks: We would like to plan a trip along Lake Superior's north shore.  When is the best time to visit, what attractions should we see, and...
 
April 24, 2009 - Savannah Recommendations
Question: Jennie Bryant asks:  Any suggestions for visiting Savannah, Georgia? We already have the AAA books and maps.

Answer:
Candy Christman,...
 
April 20, 2009 - Amazing Gulf Beaches

Question: Jada asks: I want to take my son to the beach this summer.  How are the beaches in the Gulf Shores thru Ft. Walton?  Have they recovered from the...
 
April 15, 2009 - A Flatter Route Between Las Vegas and Kanab, Utah?
Question: Anne McKenna asks: I am planning a second trip to Kanab, Utah. On my first trip I flew to Las Vegas and drove from there. The drive east to Kanab was fine, but I did not...
 
April 07, 2009 - Road Trip: One Day In Memphis
 Question: Jodi Strom asks: We'll be taking a road trip in April.  We plan to visit Memphis, Nashville and Louisville, but due to time constraints, we only have one...
 
April 02, 2009 - Q&A: Furniture Shopping is a High Point Highlight
Question: Robert asks:  I would like to go furniture shopping in North Carolina.  Which city do I stay in? High Point is one I believe.  
 
 
March 30, 2009 - Q&A: Carving Vacation Memories at National Parks and Monuments
Question: Richard Luchtefeld asks: We are planning a fall 2009 trip to South Dakota, Wyoming, and maybe to Montana to see national parks, landmarks, etc.  What ideas to you...
 
March 27, 2009 - Q&A: Getting To Butterfly World


Question: Ann Johnson asks: We are going to Ft. Lauderdale to stay one night pre-cruise. We arrive at 4:30 pm. We want to stay one night at a hotel. We want to rent...
 
March 26, 2009 - Q&A: Insurance Coverage on a Rental Car
Question: John Melithoniotes asks: My wife and I frequently fly to Pennsylvania on family visits, where we rent a car for 3-4 days. Adding extra car rental insurance is quite...
 
March 25, 2009 - Visiting Montreal, Eh?

Question:  Sally Sholly asks: Do you have any tips for traveling in Canada? Montreal in particular, but all information will be helpful. I'm a little worried about...
 
March 24, 2009 - I-95 South Around Washington D.C.

Question: In April I'll be driving to Florida again for the 4th year in a row.  I have always used the CAA Trip Tik and they have always sent me down the I-95,...
 
March 23, 2009 - Q&A: Life Along the Road to Death Valley
Question: Kathleen Michaelson asks:  I would like to plan a day trip in April with three kids from Las Vegas to Zion or Death Valley. What do you suggest?
 
March 23, 2009 - Q&A: AAA Travel Services for Vacation Planners
Question: John Raine asks: Does AAA still offer assistance with vacation travel plans?

Answer: Brenda Urias, AAA Travel Marketing Manager answers:...
 
March 19, 2009 - Q&A: Exploring The Azores

Question:  Mary McLaughlin asks: My husband and I are considering a trip to the Azores in the fall. Any suggestions for places to stay, special activities. etc?
 
March 19, 2009 - Q&A: New Guidelines For Cuba Travel
 
Question: AAA member asks: When will AAA be starting cruises or land tours into Cuba? Wife was there many years ago during Batista reign. We'd like to see Havana...
 
March 17, 2009 - Q&A: Travel for Travelers With Disabilities
Question: Betty Sutton asks: What tips do you have for a disabled person who uses a walker but would like to travel?

Answer: AAA travel counselor...
 
March 17, 2009 - Q&A: Documents to Drive in Germany and Austria
Question: Leone Tromper asks:  I will be traveling to Germany and Austria this May, and I'll be renting a car.  Do I need an international driver's license?
 
March 17, 2009 - Q&A: Stops Along the Way to Yellowstone
Question: Mark Cruise asks: I am planning a rented RV trip to Yellowstone in July ’09. Any suggestions so my three kids and I will have fun?
 
March 16, 2009 - Q&A: A Taste of Cruise Line Dining
Question: Dianne asks: A year ago I cruised on Princess Lines through the Panama Canal. Everything was wonderful but I found the food to be average. Which cruise line rates the best...
 
March 16, 2009 - Short Trips From Cincinnati
Question:  Terry Houston asks: I'd like to take a car trip within a 150-mile radius of Cincinnati. Any suggestions?

Answer: Mary Ann Bayer,...
 
March 16, 2009 - Q&A: Suite Stay in Washington, DC
Question: Leona Mattson asks: I am looking for a hotel in Washington, D.C. for a trip in April with two young children. We need a safe neighborhood and prefer a suite with separate...
 
March 13, 2009 - Q&A: Adapting to Foreign Electricity
Question: Douglas Greenburg asks: I am going to Israel this summer and need to buy an electrical adapter and converter. Do you know where I can purchase one, and what type would you...
 
March 13, 2009 - Q&A: Must See in Scotland
Question: V. Heins asks: What are "must see’s" in Scotland in early May? Are there tour and hotel deals?

Answer: R Sastri, who used...
 
March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Car Rental in Tampa, Florida
Question: Leon asks: I'm traveling to Tampa, Fla., by plane and need to rent a car. What is available, and what is the cost for eight days?
 
March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Road Trip to the Grand Canyon
Question: Armen Changizian asks: We are taking the kids on a road trip with the Grand Canyon as the final destination. The starting point is from Newberg, Oregon, on March 19 in the...
 
March 12, 2009 - Q&A: Warm Places to Ring in the New Year
Question: Jeanette asks: Where is the best warm weather destination for a New Year's Eve trip? Exclude Caribbean. We've been there too many times and want a change ......
 
March 11, 2009 - Q&A: Bermuda's Pink Sand Beaches
Question: Diane Sheahan asks: Where are the best public beaches in Bermuda ? We will be staying at Grotto Bay Beach Club and want to visit other beaches.
 
March 11, 2009 - Q&A: Campground Listings and Ratings
Question: Frank Doty asks: Does AAA have information on campgrounds, ratings, comparisons, and amenities?

Answer: Yes, AAA has detailed listings for...
 
March 11, 2009 - Q&A: Italy Sightseeing Recommendations
Question: B.N. asks: I am planning a trip to Italy this summer and I’m looking for interesting cities/sites. We are thinking about seeing Florence, Rome, and the west coast...
 
March 10, 2009 - Q&A: Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona
Question: Charles Sotiropoulos asks:  I plan to visit Sedona, Arizona, and would like tips on lodging and the best time of year to visit.  I have many varied interests...
 
March 10, 2009 - Q&A: Italy in the "Month of Roses"
 Question: Barb O’Connor asks: Last minute invite to tour Italy with college alumni group this May. Based on temp predictions, what sort of clothing should I pack? Cities...
 
March 09, 2009 - Q&A: Best Time to Visit Scotland
 Question: Debra Schein asks: What is the best time to visit Scotland?

  Answer: R Sastri, who lived in Scotland for a while, answers:...
 
March 09, 2009 - Q&A: Booking Flights for Summer Travel
Question: Beth Imoff asks: For best prices when is the best time to purchase plane tickets for summer travel? Now, or closer to the travel time we want to travel – early July...
 
March 06, 2009 - Q&A: Dining Around Amelia Island
 Question: Di asks: We will be traveling to Amelia Island Plantation, Florida, next week - staying in a condo on the property. Any suggestions for nice restaurants in the area?...
 
March 05, 2009 - Q&A: Recommendations for Brisbane, Australia
 Question: Lynne Jackson asks: I'm planning a trip to the Brisbane, Australia area and was wondering what are the "must see" places in that area?
 
February 26, 2009 - Q & A: Resolving Hotel Issue
 Question:  Pat submitted the following to AAATravelViews on 2/24/09: I made a reservation, through AAA.com, at the Quality Inn & Suites in Aiken, SC.  I...
 
February 10, 2009 - Q&A: Recommendations For Lake Como, Italy
 
 Question: Shawn Murphy writes:  My wife and I are planning a trip to Lake Como area of Italy this summer.  Does anyone have recommendations for places...
 
February 04, 2009 - Q & A: Coastal Drive in the Northwest
 
 Question: Alex Sands asks:  We are driving from Bellingham, WA  to San Francisco in April.  I'd like to take the coastal route as much as...
 
February 02, 2009 - Q&A: B&Bs, Phone Service In Ireland?
 Question: Heidi Welch asks AAATravelViews Q&A: Does AAA offer services to provide vouchers for bed & breakfasts in Ireland? I will be visiting in April with a cousin...
 
January 19, 2009 - Q & A: Visa/Passport Requirements for the Ukraine?

Question:  Everett Fiegi of Montana writes:  I am planning a trip to Kiev, Ukraine in August 2009 for about a 20 day stay. I have checked a couple of different...

Readers Favorites

December 10, 2009 - Las Vegas Wise Guide
     
October, 1982. Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal walks out of the Tony Roma’s restaurant on Sahara Avenue carrying an order of take-out ribs. When he...
 
December 07, 2009 - Cleveland and A Christmas Story
    

“No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle,” said Ralphie.  “You’ll shoot your...
 
September 09, 2009 - Beatles-Themed Travel: The Long and Winding Road

It is a truly fab time to be a Beatle fan. The new Rock Band: The Beatles is out this week and is creating a massive amount...
 
August 04, 2009 - Behind the Wheel: A Case of Love or Hate?

     Picture this scenario: It’s your first visit to Mexico City, and you’ve rented a car for sightseeing side trips to Cuernavaca and San Miguel de Allende....
 
July 30, 2009 - Peru Travel Takes Your Breath Away

     We’d never been to South America so when the opportunity came to visit Peru this summer, I was very excited and a bit nervous. We set off in June loaded with a...
 
July 09, 2009 - A Royal Meeting in London

“I don’t have to curtsy, do I?”  

When VisitBritain, the UK's tourism bureau, invited my husband, Paul Lasley, and me to come to London...
 
July 01, 2009 - Hawaii's Top Ten Drives

     This list has been provided by Chuck Gross, travel and marketing manager with AAA Southern New England, a Hawaii specialist and the veteran of 20 trips...
 
June 23, 2009 - AAA Inspectors Pick Top Historic Hotels

     In the spirit of Independence Day, AAA lodging inspectors were asked to name their favorite historic hotels. A list of
 
June 12, 2009 - Islamorada: Dolphins, Pelicans and Kids, Oh My

     Spring Break isn’t what it used to be . . . maturity and two children have taken care of that. But a car trip to the Keys from our home base in Central Florida...
 
June 08, 2009 - Dining Dollars: Important or Not?
     
      Greetings, AAATravelViews readers! I thought I would post something different for a change. Instead of telling you about a...
 
June 03, 2009 - Grand Cayman: Under the Sea

Scuba, scuba and more scuba.

This is the main reason to come to Grand Cayman, an island that initially struck me as rather soulless. The small capital of this small island,...
 
May 22, 2009 - A Trio of Terrific Arizona Spas
       If you’re feeling an urge to escape from everyday stress, chances are you’re overdue for a trip to the spa.  It sounded good to me, even though in...
 
March 02, 2009 - Chasing Frogs in Costa Rica

     “Poor Carl.”
    
     Those two words will forever remind me of Costa Rica. My husband Jon and I...
 
February 05, 2009 - The Voodoo Doughnut

     It was a sunny Saturday morning (reason enough to celebrate), and I was looking for a fuel stop before hitting the Portland Saturday Market. I literally stumbled...
 
December 31, 2008 - Unforgettable

     In a moment of typical year-end reflection I’ve been wondering what creates the most lasting travel memories. Two categories dominate my travels:  (1)...
 
December 31, 2008 - Eating For A Living
 
     The waitress had just set down my entrée when I saw movement along my peripheral vision. I looked down at the floor and saw a small grey mouse, whiskers...

San Antonio

November 30, 2009 - 24-Hour Fun In San Antonio

“A San Antonio institution.” Okay, when a restaurant bills itself that authoritatively, I’ve just got to call their bluff. It was a foregone conclusion I’d be...
 
June 24, 2009 - The Alamo: A Quick Reminder

     I have a number of interests, but history isn’t really one of them. To me it’s textbook stuff, and my eyes tend to start glazing over when I stand in...
 
May 14, 2009 - Walking the (River) Walk in San Antonio

     I wouldn’t be surprised if the River Walk (Paseo del Río in Español) is San Antonio’s most touristy spot. At least it sure seems like San...

San Francisco

February 11, 2010 - Day Trip From San Francisco

Who doesn’t love day trips? They’re fun, they’re manageable and they almost always produce fond memories. But they have a built-in limitation: It always seems like you run...
 
January 04, 2010 - San Francisco's Valencia Street: Hip Hangout


Hip hangouts are one thing San Francisco doesn’t lack. This is a city so diverse, so cosmopolitan and so culturally invigorating that it’s basically hip by default....
 
December 14, 2009 - Doing the San Francisco Taquería Crawl: Part Two
 
 Greetings, Mexican food lovers! I’m back with the second installment of what may well become an ongoing series: San Francisco taquería recommendations. During my...
 
December 04, 2009 - Music Central in San Francisco

San Francisco without a doubt has one of the country’s great music scenes. It was the epicenter of 1967’s Summer of Love. From the Grateful Dead and the Jefferson Airplane to...
 
November 03, 2009 - Indoor Outdoor Beauty in Golden Gate Park

One of Golden Gate Park’s best-known attractions, the Conservatory of Flowers opened to the public way back in 1879....
 
November 03, 2009 - Waterfront Dining In San Francisco

Question:  Connie Atwell asks:  Where are the best places on the water to eat in San Francisco?

Answer:  Tonya Powell,...
 
October 13, 2009 - Doing the San Francisco Taquería Crawl


Picking the best taquería in San Francisco is like trying to determine the city’s best view; it’s a near impossibility because there are so many choices. By the...
 
October 01, 2009 - San Francisco: Mission Murals
 
 I would be hard pressed to name my favorite San Francisco neighborhood. North Beach? The Haight? The Castro? Chinatown? Pacific Heights? The Mission District? I like them all, and...
 
August 31, 2009 - San Francisco to Vancouver - A Scenic Drive
Question:  Sharam asks:  I plan to drive from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC.  I have choice of Highway 5 & 101.  Which is a better scenic road?  Please...
 
August 10, 2009 - Looking for My Heart in San Francisco

     Nearly 30 years had passed since I last visited San Francisco.  I was enamored by the city back then, and I was looking forward to visiting again. I met my...
 
August 10, 2009 - Route 1 To San Francisco

Question:  My wife and I will visit Santa Barbara, California in October.  After we check out wine country and the beaches, we are thinking of driving up the coast...
 
August 10, 2009 - Sonoma County's Wild Flour Bread

     San Francisco is such an awesome city you might never think of leaving it for the environs. Wrong. The Bay Area, of course, is chock-full of delights that have the...
 
July 06, 2009 - San Francisco's Top Photo Spots

This 'baker's dozen' list was written by Jan Coyne, AAA's Director of Geographic Information Systems and Cartography

     All...
 
July 06, 2009 - Salad Spot in Berkeley

     Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue—along with the adjoining University of California Berkeley campus—is a reminder that a ’60s vibe not only...
 
June 17, 2009 - San Francisco's Sutro Baths: Beauty in Ruins

     There’s a place in San Francisco more people have probably heard about, read about or seen from a distance than actually visited. I’m talking about the...
 
April 29, 2009 - Day Trip From San Francisco: Muir Woods

     Day trips from San Francisco? There are literally dozens of destinations in the greater Bay area waiting to be discovered. Many of them I’ve yet to experience....
 
March 13, 2009 - Lovin' The Haight

     Let’s face it; I’m an old hippie at heart. I love the Dead (as in Grateful). Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 psychedelic masterpiece After Bathing at...

Savannah

August 18, 2009 - Savannah: Orb Hunting Ghost Tour

     Bone-chilling winds whistled through the scarcely-populated Historic District streets of Savannah, Georgia as members of our group huddled closely together around a...
 
June 18, 2009 - Savannah Girl Scout Trip
Guest blogger Haley Mac Donell, 10, shares a recent trip experience:

     If you are looking for a place to go on vacation and have young children that...
 
June 18, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Atlanta To Savannah and Jekyll Island

     If you have Georgia on your mind—as songwriter Hoagy Carmichael wrote—you aren't alone. The state is a popular driving destination, with its contrast...

Savings

March 04, 2010 - Europe On A Budget



It’s about time you finally took a vacation, and your heart is set on Europe. Even though you’re already aware that the dollar is weak and prices on many travel...
 
January 08, 2010 - More Great Hotel Deals on AAA.com
 

Warm up with these Hot Deals for hotels on AAA.com -  click on the name to check availability.

Hyatt Winter Your Way - 25% discount plus...
 
October 30, 2009 - Great Hotel Deals On AAA.com

  Get 'em while they're hot....  Check out these Hot Deals for hotels on AAA.com -  click on the name to check availability.

 
October 13, 2009 - AAA Travel Presents the World's Largest Cruise Night

Register now to learn more about one of the most...
 
October 07, 2009 - Hotel Deals On AAA.com!
 

Get 'em while they're hot....  Check out these Hot Deals for hotels on AAA.com -  click on the name to check availability.

 
September 02, 2009 - Discounts and Benefits From AAA Travel

Examples of deals and discounts available now from AAA Travel include:
• AAA members receive 15 percent or more off the best rates at Sheraton and Four...
 
August 19, 2009 - AAA Discounts in Best Apps Publication
  AAA Discounts has been noted as one of the best iPhone apps in a recently published paperback titled just that ... “Best iPhone Apps - The Guide for Discriminating...
 
August 11, 2009 - Dream Vacations Within Reach With AAA Hot Deals


     Tonight's AAA Virtual Travel Show is about 'Dream Vacations, Now Within Reach' and these deals on AAA.com on Four and Five Diamond Rated luxury...
 
June 08, 2009 - AAA Discounts On Travel and More
 
It's a great time to travel - many great deals are available and the discount benefits of AAA membership has never been better. Here's just some of the travel and...
 
May 18, 2009 - AAA Hotel Savings and Specials
AAA Best Western Rewards members who stay two times April 6 -- June 14 will earn a $50 travel card from Best Western. Members also earn 10% bonus points with each qualified stay and save up to 20% at...
 
March 24, 2009 - Save First, Then Travel
  AAA members who are packing for a spring trip could save by checking out these Show Your Card & Save specials:
  -25% in-store savings at New York & Company...

Scenic Byways

August 31, 2009 - San Francisco to Vancouver - A Scenic Drive
Question:  Sharam asks:  I plan to drive from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC.  I have choice of Highway 5 & 101.  Which is a better scenic road?  Please...
 
April 15, 2009 - A Flatter Route Between Las Vegas and Kanab, Utah?
Question: Anne McKenna asks: I am planning a second trip to Kanab, Utah. On my first trip I flew to Las Vegas and drove from there. The drive east to Kanab was fine, but I did not...

Scotland

March 13, 2009 - Q&A: Must See in Scotland
Question: V. Heins asks: What are "must see’s" in Scotland in early May? Are there tour and hotel deals?

Answer: R Sastri, who used...
 
March 09, 2009 - Q&A: Best Time to Visit Scotland
 Question: Debra Schein asks: What is the best time to visit Scotland?

  Answer: R Sastri, who lived in Scotland for a while, answers:...

Seattle

February 19, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 4

Another beautiful day in Seattle!  Typical winter weather means dodging rain drops, but much to my delight it has been uncharacteristically sunny.

My first task of the day...
 
February 18, 2010 - My Road To the Olympics, Part 3

One of the adventures of traveling is that sometimes you're thrown a curve ball and have to punt.  (I suppose sports analogies are appropriate.)  After a long day of traveling,...
 
September 02, 2009 - Seattle With The Family

Myself, husband, and 2 children ages 14 and 12 had a few days in the Seattle this summer en route to Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise and we made the most of it.

A highlight,...
 
February 23, 2009 - Acres of Clams and Curiosities
 
     Lunch? You just said the magic word. I’m always in the mood for lunch. And since I was walking along the downtown waterfront on a day when the sun had...
 
January 22, 2009 - Seattle Taco Truck Stops
 
     Taco trucks seem to be really common on the West Coast. They’re all over Seattle, although not in particularly convenient locations—most of them are...
 
January 20, 2009 - Where I Stay In Seattle

     When I’m in Seattle I always stay at The Mediterranean Inn. Here are several reasons why:

6.  It’s not fancy but comfortable, a good...

South America

February 24, 2010 - Exploring the Galapagos with National Geographic


The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean have for years been the epitome of ecotourism.  Experiencing this destination with National Geographic...
 
January 15, 2010 - Casa de Japón: A Curious Find in Argentina

Occasionally when traveling, we are delighted to find something totally unexpected that temporarily throws us off our tracks. One such find for me was in a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina,...
 
July 30, 2009 - Peru Travel Takes Your Breath Away

     We’d never been to South America so when the opportunity came to visit Peru this summer, I was very excited and a bit nervous. We set off in June loaded with a...

South Carolina

January 19, 2010 - Cru Cafe: Charleston Comfort Food

As you know from some of my previous blogs, Charleston is a dining joy - Lowcountry buffets, waterfront discoveries, coconut cake utopia. As I...
 
June 28, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Coastal Carolinas

     Sample the Southeast on a leisurely drive through coastal North and South Carolina. The trip starts in Charleston, a quintessentially Southern city with cobblestone...
 
June 26, 2009 - Myrtle Beach Entertainment

Question: Kate. R  asks: Taking the family to Myrtle Beach, SC for a week .  Recommendations on what to do in addition to beach time?
 
June 25, 2009 - Drayton Hall: Historic Preservation

     When I discovered that the Historic Charleston Foundation was hosting an oyster roast and picnic at Drayton Hall—a circa 1738 plantation house on Ashley River...
 
June 11, 2009 - Charleston, SC: A Pleasant Diversion

     On a travel writing assignment covering Charleston, I decided to scoot over the Ravenel Bridge and explore the neighboring town of Mount Pleasant. No pun intended,...

South Dakota

March 03, 2010 - Four Presidents and Lost Springs, Pop. 1

I’ll never forget the first time I went to the
 
May 09, 2009 - Drive Trips: Mount Rushmore-Badlands and Great Smoky Mountain National Park
  
These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - involve two National Parks, the subject of the...

Spain

July 24, 2009 - Escorted Tour Tips

     I never considered myself an escorted tour kind of person. Until I took one. Like many Americans, I thought escorted tours were like the one depicted in that old...

Spas

May 22, 2009 - A Trio of Terrific Arizona Spas
       If you’re feeling an urge to escape from everyday stress, chances are you’re overdue for a trip to the spa.  It sounded good to me, even though in...

St. Louis

October 21, 2009 - I Didn’t Quite Find My Thrill
 
As St. Louis hangouts go, the Delmar Loop is near the top of the list. The heart of this cultural, entertainment and restaurant district stretches for six blocks along
 
September 08, 2009 - The St. Louis Gateway Arch
 
It’s almost a law that if you visit St. Louis, you go to the Arch (or to be more official, “The...
 
September 08, 2009 - Crown Candy Kitchen Takes You Back
 
     I must give a shout-out to AAA Missouri’s Lori Moshkowsky for cluing me in to Crown Candy Kitchen. It was one of several suggestions she gave me for cool,...
 
August 28, 2009 - Summer in St. Louis and It’s Time for Ted’s


I’m devouring a Ted Drewes chocolate concrete at 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday. Why am I doing this? For one thing, it’s a decidedly hot morning in the Gateway to the West....
 
May 29, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Grand Ole Music

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available.

State Parks

September 25, 2009 - Fall in the New River Gorge

If you’re looking for a beautiful area to visit in the fall, consider the New River Gorge region of southern West Virginia, an area I’ve previously visited with my brother...
 
August 26, 2009 - Cumberland Falls State Park: The Moonbow Connection

Is there a pot of gold at the end of a moonbow?

One afternoon while visiting relatives in Corbin, Kentucky, we decided to have lunch at the Dupont Lodge at Cumberland Falls...
 
May 27, 2009 - Orlando Cool Spot: Wekiwa Springs State Park

     I’ve visited Wekiwa Springs State Park many times since moving to...
 
March 31, 2009 - 13 Miles, 18 Armadillos: Bulow Creek State Park
 
     I recently agreed to meet family members in Daytona Beach, Fla., for a mini-reunion during the week prior to the Daytona 500. Neither the time nor...

Tampa Bay

January 20, 2010 - Florida’s Best Beaches: Pass-a-Grille
 
 Where can you spend a lazy, quiet Florida beach weekend that’s conveniently less than two hours from Orlando’s thicket of theme parks and a mere 20-minute drive from...

Tennessee

February 26, 2010 - Nashville and Johnny Cash

He had me at “Hello.”

Johnny Cash, that is. I’ve only been in love with his mournful bass-baritone voice for a short time (since 2005, when the biopic...
 
January 25, 2010 - Memphis Barbeque: Holy Smoke

In Memphis, barbecue borders on being a religion—a religion with legions of followers. Its disciples are many, and they worship at the multitude of barbecue joints that are the source...
 
January 18, 2010 - Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum: More Than Planned

Some people can hop on a plane without so much as a guidebook in their carryon bag and actually look forward to exploring a strange place without an itinerary or even knowing much about...
 
January 07, 2010 - Nashville's Pancake Pantry
I love all kinds of food (I don’t discriminate!), but breakfast fare is by far my favorite. When I travel, I usually try to check out at least a few local eateries with standout morning menus....
 
October 06, 2009 - In Memphis, Please Seat Yourself at Huey's

Everybody I know who is familiar with Memphis says that you’ve got to try the barbecue. You’ll love the barbecue! And I’m sure that’s true—if you like barbecue....
 
September 29, 2009 - Nashville's Grand Ole Opry

When I listen to music, I play tracks from hardcore rappers, classical pianists and everyone in between. But, when someone asks me what genres I’m into, I invariably answer:...
 
May 29, 2009 - AAA Drive Trip: Grand Ole Music

     'Grand Ole Music' is the theme of today's featured AAA Drive Trip - just one of over 100 available.
 
May 13, 2009 - The Other Broadway In Nashville

     Nashville is something of a paradox—it’s both musical and historical, kitschy and refined. I guess what you find is what expectations you bring to the...
 
April 07, 2009 - Road Trip: One Day In Memphis
 Question: Jodi Strom asks: We'll be taking a road trip in April.  We plan to visit Memphis, Nashville and Louisville, but due to time constraints, we only have one...

Texas

November 30, 2009 - 24-Hour Fun In San Antonio

“A San Antonio institution.” Okay, when a restaurant bills itself that authoritatively, I’ve just got to call their bluff. It was a foregone conclusion I’d be...
 
June 24, 2009 - The Alamo: A Quick Reminder

     I have a number of interests, but history isn’t really one of them. To me it’s textbook stuff, and my eyes tend to start glazing over when I stand in...
 
May 14, 2009 - Walking the (River) Walk in San Antonio

     I wouldn’t be surprised if the River Walk (Paseo del Río in Español) is San Antonio’s most touristy spot. At least it sure seems like San...

Thailand

May 20, 2009 - A Royal Hotel Stay on Bangkok's River of Kings
Question: Elle asks: I am planning a trip to Bangkok in July. Any suggestions for a good hotel that is not too expensive? I would also like information on Krabi,...

The Netherlands

May 26, 2009 - The Netherlands: Off the Beaten Path

     Visitors rush to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and after they stay there for several days they might even try...

Theme Parks

July 27, 2009 - Coney Island For the First Time

     This entry has been written by Meghan Droge, summer web editorial assistant for AAA New York.

     As a Long Island...
 
July 27, 2009 - Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana

     It’s been voted the World’s Friendliest amusement park for 11 years in a row and the World’s Cleanest for 9 straight years. In 2007, Consumers...
 
June 30, 2009 - Tips For Visiting Universal Orlando

The following tips were provided by AAA's Sabrina Falcon in our Partnership Programs department.

Summer is here and the kids are out of school.   As...
 
June 01, 2009 - Walt Disney World Dining and IllumiNations
Question: Bruce McIntosh asks: My family and I are traveling to Disney World in August. We have only one day to spend at Epcot. What restaurant would you recommend to dine at and to...
 
April 06, 2009 - Disney For The Holidays

     Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re...
 
February 26, 2009 - It's A New, Small World
 
Whenever my girlfriend insists we ride Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” (one of her favorites), I throw a tantrum like a toddler who needs a nap. Don’t...
 
January 23, 2009 - A Roaring Good Time In Mason, Ohio

     Some of my fondest childhood memories involve recreational trips to Mason, Ohio though to this day, I couldn’t tell you a thing about the city itself. To me,...
 
January 12, 2009 - Cool Disney World Tips
     Based on my AAATravelViews blogger photo, you may or may not get the impression that I have a fair amount of interest in Disney. Okay…I’m a...

Tips & Info

March 09, 2010 - Disney World Celebration Planner From AAA

For a fun Disney World planning experience, check out the Disney World Celebration Planner at
 
March 04, 2010 - Europe On A Budget



It’s about time you finally took a vacation, and your heart is set on Europe. Even though you’re already aware that the dollar is weak and prices on many travel...
 
February 25, 2010 - New PetBook Photo Contest Winners

The results are in for the latest annual AAA PetBook® Photo Contest sponsored by Best Western. Five top dogs from Massachusetts, California and Colorado will enjoy a year of fame as...
 
February 17, 2010 - Travel Money Tips

We are frequently asked for information on the best ways of planning for spending while on international trips.  Here are the options and some tips from the travel experts at AAA:
 
February 04, 2010 - Romantic Hotels and Restaurants From AAA Inspectors
 

We polled our professional inspectors for their favorite places to celebrate Valentine’s Day . . . here's the top 14 picks along with their...
 
February 02, 2010 - My Road to the Olympics
 

It always has been a dream of mine to attend the Winter Olympics, but I’m also relatively frugal when it comes to what I spend on lodging and entertainment when...
 
January 26, 2010 - Airport Security: Observe and Enjoy


In the past six weeks, I have traveled from Chicago to Ecuador, and from Chicago to Cabo San Lucas.  Each airport has its own personality, and each airport has its own security...
 
January 26, 2010 - Travel Documents For Children

We are frequently asked for information on what documentation is needed for traveling internationally with children. Although I normally make my husband fill out all the paperwork,...
 
January 19, 2010 - Mardi Gras Parade Advice

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where should I start?  As a New Orleans native, I know Mardi Gras has many traditions associated with it and what it means varies from person to person. The...
 
January 15, 2010 - Sharing Thoughts About Sharing Plates

As people continue looking for ways to save money in this tight economy, sharing an entrée in restaurants is becoming more common. Splitting or sharing a plate can take on many...
 
January 13, 2010 - International Driving Permits From AAA
 
If you're thinking about driving on your next overseas vacation, as our bloggers did in
 
January 12, 2010 - Vancouver Olympics: Let The Games Begin
 
We’re now one month away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12, to be exact). Vancouver and Whistler will be in the world...
 
December 23, 2009 - International Travel Planning

We get a lot of questions on this site about planning for international travel  - documentation, driving, insurance and other issues large and small. To help, AAA has produced a...
 
November 17, 2009 - Manners at 30,000 Feet
 

A nine-hour flight to Athens lay ahead. I was settling into my coach seat and starting to doze off when suddenly someone pulled off my blanket. Fearing some calamity, I sat up...
 
September 28, 2009 - PBS 'National Parks' Series Begins

Last night, the first episode of Ken Burns’ epic 12-hour, six-part documentary “The National...
 
August 19, 2009 - Passport: Your Ticket to the World

     You should always have a current passport because you never know when someone might invite you to Paris for the weekend.

People laugh when I recite...
 
August 14, 2009 - Vacation Time: Where Is It?
 
     The trouble with vacations is—they aren’t long enough. For U.S. workers, anyway. A two-week vacation is still the standard in this country, and in...
 
July 06, 2009 - San Francisco's Top Photo Spots

This 'baker's dozen' list was written by Jan Coyne, AAA's Director of Geographic Information Systems and Cartography

     All...
 
June 30, 2009 - Tips For Visiting Universal Orlando

The following tips were provided by AAA's Sabrina Falcon in our Partnership Programs department.

Summer is here and the kids are out of school.   As...
 
June 30, 2009 - Why Use A Travel Agent?

     Planning a trip to Europe?  A cruise to South America?  Scuba diving in Australia?

You can do that on the internet, savvy or not. ...
 
June 15, 2009 - Inflight Wireless Connection Tips

This information was provided by the Geek Squad at Best Buy, a AAA Show Your Card & Save partner.

     Many major US airlines have begun...
 
June 10, 2009 - 7 Tips for Good Travel Photography

     You don’t need to be a pro to take spectacular photographs. Here are seven tips that will help you take your vacation photo from simple snapshots to stunning...
 
June 08, 2009 - Dining Dollars: Important or Not?
     
      Greetings, AAATravelViews readers! I thought I would post something different for a change. Instead of telling you about a...
 
May 18, 2009 - 2009 World Police & Fire Games: Vancouver
   
 
     What’s the largest international sporting event taking place in British Columbia this year? No, it’s not the 2010 Olympic...
 
May 12, 2009 - Travel Planning For National Parks
     
Our national park system is the envy of many. When Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, it began...
 
May 01, 2009 - Vancouver Winter Olympics: Countdown to 2010
 
 
The countdown is on! We’re now less than a year away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They signal the start of 17 days of Olympic Games...
 
April 06, 2009 - Disney For The Holidays

     Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re...
 
March 03, 2009 - Travel To Mexico: Information and Advice
     As a result of drug-cartel related border violence, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Mexico in October and updated it to an
 
February 09, 2009 - Where the rubber meets the road ... usually.

     Black ice isn’t fair. It doesn’t play by the rules. One minute, you are heading down the road. The next, frigid fingers grab your Goodyears and toss you...
 
January 21, 2009 - What's In Your Glove Compartment?


     Built into your vehicle's dashboard, right over the front-seat passenger's footwell, is an often under-utilized space: the glove compartment. ...
 
January 19, 2009 - Q & A: Visa/Passport Requirements for the Ukraine?

Question:  Everett Fiegi of Montana writes:  I am planning a trip to Kiev, Ukraine in August 2009 for about a 20 day stay. I have checked a couple of different...
 
January 12, 2009 - Cool Disney World Tips
     Based on my AAATravelViews blogger photo, you may or may not get the impression that I have a fair amount of interest in Disney. Okay…I’m a...
 
December 31, 2008 - Australia - Yes, You Can!
  As a AAA Aussie Specialist travel agent, I know that interest in the beautiful continent of Australia is often tempered with the idea that travel there is a challenge.  “Oh I...
 
December 31, 2008 - The Day The Music Died: Car Trip Games
Growing up, my parents never put on the radio in the car when we went on family road trips.  I'm guessing that me punching my little sister in the arm was enough of a driving...

Toronto

February 05, 2010 - Toronto’s CN Tower: Up To You

So, is Toronto’s CN Tower a must or a must-miss tourist trap?

About 2 million visitors take the ride up annually, making the communications and observation tower one of...

Train Tours

May 09, 2009 - Traveling the Canadian Rockies by Rail or Road
Question: David S. asks: We are planning a trip to Alberta Canada and visiting the Canadian Rockies this August; anything you can tell us about the Rockies would be most helpful....

Travel Accessories

March 13, 2009 - Q&A: Adapting to Foreign Electricity
Question: Douglas Greenburg asks: I am going to Israel this summer and need to buy an electrical adapter and converter. Do you know where I can purchase one, and what type would you...

Travel Documents

January 26, 2010 - Travel Documents For Children

We are frequently asked for information on what documentation is needed for traveling internationally with children. Although I normally make my husband fill out all the paperwork,...
 
January 13, 2010 - International Driving Permits From AAA
 
If you're thinking about driving on your next overseas vacation, as our bloggers did in
 
August 19, 2009 - Passport: Your Ticket to the World

     You should always have a current passport because you never know when someone might invite you to Paris for the weekend.

People laugh when I recite...
 
May 14, 2009 - Passport Requirements Change June 1
   Beginning June 1, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda by land or sea will be required to have a passport, passport card or other travel documents...
 
May 09, 2009 - AAA Offices Provide Travel Visa Processing Services
Question: Cher G asks: Does AAA have an agent/service in San Francisco that will obtain a visa for travel to China on a member's behalf?

Answer:...
 
May 07, 2009 - Sample Permission Letter for Traveling Child
Question: Mike M. asks: My daughter is traveling out of the country on vacation with another family. Do you have a sample letter or can you give me an idea of what the letter...
 
March 17, 2009 - Q&A: Documents to Drive in Germany and Austria
Question: Leone Tromper asks:  I will be traveling to Germany and Austria this May, and I'll be renting a car.  Do I need an international driver's license?
 
January 19, 2009 - Q & A: Visa/Passport Requirements for the Ukraine?

Question:  Everett Fiegi of Montana writes:  I am planning a trip to Kiev, Ukraine in August 2009 for about a 20 day stay. I have checked a couple of different...

Travel Guides

September 29, 2009 - Hawai'i: Culture and History

Visiting ancient temples, listening to prayerful chants, learning to weave a ti leaf lei. My favorite part of visiting Hawai‘i is absorbing the Hawaiian culture. Many destinations...
 
August 13, 2009 - Las Vegas: AAA Top Picks

     AAA travel editors recommend these Las Vegas experiences, excerpted from the AAA Travel Guide: Las Vegas:

- Get the best view of the city...
 
July 22, 2009 - Baltimore: AAA Top Picks
 
     AAA travel editors recommend these Baltimore experiences, excerpted from the
 
July 21, 2009 - New York City: AAA Top Picks

     AAA travel editor Suzanne Lemon recommends these essential New York City experiences, excerpted from the

Travel Stories

March 10, 2010 - Stone Mountain Climbing

Whether you live in the Atlanta area or you’re just visiting, a trek to Stone Mountain is one of the things you wind up doing. It’s not a Georgia law or anything; you just do it....
 
March 09, 2010 - Kansas City's Jazz Museum

My list of must-see museums in Kansas City during my visit in July included the American Jazz Museum. It’s located in the 18th and Vine historic district, an area of Kansas City noted...
 
March 05, 2010 - In Chicago, It’s Got To Be Lou’s

I’m not a pizza fanatic and generally order pasta or a salad when dining at a pizzeria with family or friends. Maybe it’s a result of too many mediocre pizzas in my youth;...
 
March 03, 2010 - Four Presidents and Lost Springs, Pop. 1

I’ll never forget the first time I went to the
 
March 01, 2010 - Olympic Closing Ceremony: From The Scene

These observations of the final day of the Winter Olympics come to us from Gail Screaton, AAA/CAA Account Manager for western Canada.

Well, the games are really over...
 
March 01, 2010 - My Road to the Olympics: Final

Knowing I have to get up at an unconscionable hour invariably means that I'll wake up every hour to check the time.  The night before the Men’s Giant Slalom was no...
 
February 26, 2010 - Nashville and Johnny Cash

He had me at “Hello.”

Johnny Cash, that is. I’ve only been in love with his mournful bass-baritone voice for a short time (since 2005, when the biopic...
 
February 24, 2010 - Exploring the Galapagos with National Geographic


The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean have for years been the epitome of ecotourism.  Experiencing this destination with National Geographic...
 
February 23, 2010 - Kansas City Shopping at Country Club Plaza

“I’m going to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come….”  The 1959 song (sung by Wilbert Harrison), was the first thing that sprang to mind when I found out that I...
 
February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 6

It was hard to believe that the day had finally arrived.  My Olympic experience was going to begin. The hockey game I was scheduled to attend started at 9 p.m., but I had already...
 
February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 5
I hate to be redundant, but Friday was ANOTHER beautiful day in Seattle.  One of the locals I spoke to said "don't think about moving here . . . it's not usually like this in the...
 
February 19, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 4

Another beautiful day in Seattle!  Typical winter weather means dodging rain drops, but much to my delight it has been uncharacteristically sunny.

My first task of the day...
 
February 18, 2010 - My Road To the Olympics, Part 3

One of the adventures of traveling is that sometimes you're thrown a curve ball and have to punt.  (I suppose sports analogies are appropriate.)  After a long day of traveling,...
 
February 16, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 2
 
Less than 24 hours out from heading west to Seattle, I think I’m just about ready to go.  Since I’ll be away from home for a week, there are a few more details to...
 
February 11, 2010 - Day Trip From San Francisco

Who doesn’t love day trips? They’re fun, they’re manageable and they almost always produce fond memories. But they have a built-in limitation: It always seems like you run...
 
February 10, 2010 - Boston 'Sleeps and Eats'

As a supporter of the Mark Sandman Music Education Project based in Boston, I was invited to a fundraising...
 
February 09, 2010 - The Florida Keys: On The Overseas Highway

Assigned to write about the Florida Keys for our TourBook and online travel information, I stopped to explore several of the islands in the chain on my way to Key West, my final...
 
February 08, 2010 - Margaret's Grocery in Vicksburg, Mississippi

As most travelers know, often it is the chance encounters and discoveries that leave the longest-lasting of impressions. Margaret’s Grocery and Market, a.k.a....
 
February 05, 2010 - Toronto’s CN Tower: Up To You

So, is Toronto’s CN Tower a must or a must-miss tourist trap?

About 2 million visitors take the ride up annually, making the communications and observation tower one of...
 
February 04, 2010 - Robert Is Here: South of Miami


Robert is Here is the unusual name of a fruit stand specializing in exotic produce not far from the entrance to
 
January 28, 2010 - Washington D.C. Bookstores: Whiling Away a Winter Afternoon
   
Washington is a great city when it comes to independent bookstores. Oh sure, I enjoy wandering around Borders just like everyone else, but most Borders stores are basically...
 
January 25, 2010 - Memphis Barbeque: Holy Smoke

In Memphis, barbecue borders on being a religion—a religion with legions of followers. Its disciples are many, and they worship at the multitude of barbecue joints that are the source...
 
January 21, 2010 - A California Wine Country Find

On a recent vacation to California Wine Country, my husband and I were driving through Alexander Valley, relishing...
 
January 20, 2010 - Florida’s Best Beaches: Pass-a-Grille
 
 Where can you spend a lazy, quiet Florida beach weekend that’s conveniently less than two hours from Orlando’s thicket of theme parks and a mere 20-minute drive from...
 
January 19, 2010 - Cru Cafe: Charleston Comfort Food

As you know from some of my previous blogs, Charleston is a dining joy - Lowcountry buffets, waterfront discoveries, coconut cake utopia. As I...
 
January 18, 2010 - Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum: More Than Planned

Some people can hop on a plane without so much as a guidebook in their carryon bag and actually look forward to exploring a strange place without an itinerary or even knowing much about...
 
January 15, 2010 - Casa de Japón: A Curious Find in Argentina

Occasionally when traveling, we are delighted to find something totally unexpected that temporarily throws us off our tracks. One such find for me was in a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina,...
 
January 13, 2010 - Dinosaur Hunt in Alberta

Sometimes the highlights of a vacation happen by accident, and that’s how we discovered the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta.

We’d...
 
January 06, 2010 - Current Events in D.C.’s Lafayette Square
 
If you’ve ever lived in or near Washington, you know that feeling—a sense that in some small way you’re a part of our nation’s history. There’s something...
 
January 04, 2010 - San Francisco's Valencia Street: Hip Hangout


Hip hangouts are one thing San Francisco doesn’t lack. This is a city so diverse, so cosmopolitan and so culturally invigorating that it’s basically hip by default....
 
December 30, 2009 - St. Charles, Missouri Discovered

I’m a history buff. A costume wearing, reference book buying, card carrying history buff. So why wasn’t I excited when friends wanted to take my husband and I to the historic...
 
December 28, 2009 - Cedar Key, Still Old Florida Charm

When I suggested Cedar Key, Florida for our annual Christmas getaway, I wasn’t sure it would measure up to other holiday trips to San Francisco and a cruise to the Bahamas.  But...
 
December 28, 2009 - Snowshoeing the Rockies

As a travel writer, I sometimes have to go the extra mile to find the good stuff, even if it is on a pair of snowshoes.  And that’s exactly what happened when I was on assignment...
 
December 22, 2009 - Washington D.C. Road Trip, Part Two

On our first morning in our nation’s capital, I quickly figured out that there was no monument or museum that was better (to a couple of Florida kids) than a big slope of fresh...
 
December 20, 2009 - Washington D.C. Road Trip: Into the Snow

I don’t know if I have ever been so glad to hand my car keys to a hotel valet parking guy as I was a few hours ago here in Washington D.C.

The attendant at the
 
December 18, 2009 - American Paradise, Part Four
 
This is the fourth in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second...
 
December 17, 2009 - Miami’s Herald Hunt: Just Don’t Call It Nerdapalooza
 
“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?”

It’s a beautiful late November day in Miami and I’m watching two actors perform the iconic...
 
December 11, 2009 - A Recovering Travel Snob

I admit it. When I saw those goofy fake “hanging off the cliff” photos I wanted one too. So Anne and I took off for Sedona, AZ and jumped on Pink Jeep’s Broken Arrow Tour...
 
December 10, 2009 - The Old City of Jerusalem

Dawn in November comes at 6 a.m. I arrived at 5:55 a.m. two days in a row. Standing immediately outside the Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, I felt a tinge at what I could expect by...
 
December 10, 2009 - Las Vegas Wise Guide
     
October, 1982. Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal walks out of the Tony Roma’s restaurant on Sahara Avenue carrying an order of take-out ribs. When he...
 
December 08, 2009 - Aboard Holland America's Oosterdam
Where have AAA Member Appreciation Cruises been all my life? Until sailing to the Mexican Riviera aboard Holland America Line’s Oosterdam, I’d never taken one. Now, I’m reluctant...
 
December 07, 2009 - Cleveland and A Christmas Story
    

“No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two Hundred Shot Range Model Air Rifle,” said Ralphie.  “You’ll shoot your...
 
December 07, 2009 - American Paradise, Part 3

This is the third in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second home on St. Croix in the U.S....
 
December 04, 2009 - Music Central in San Francisco

San Francisco without a doubt has one of the country’s great music scenes. It was the epicenter of 1967’s Summer of Love. From the Grateful Dead and the Jefferson Airplane to...
 
December 04, 2009 - Amigos in Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, we took our own advice. “Try to see a place through the eyes of someone who lives there,” we always tell people. “If you know someone who lives in the...
 
December 02, 2009 - Hanging Out in Mazatlán



When we went ashore in Mazatlán, we hadn’t expected to hear Leroy Anderson’s...
 
December 01, 2009 - American Paradise, Part Two
 This is the second in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second home on St. Croix in the...
 
November 30, 2009 - 24-Hour Fun In San Antonio

“A San Antonio institution.” Okay, when a restaurant bills itself that authoritatively, I’ve just got to call their bluff. It was a foregone conclusion I’d be...
 
November 25, 2009 - American Paradise

This is the first in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second home on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands where she and her husband...
 
November 24, 2009 - A Quick Look At Minneapolis

I had the pleasure of visiting Minneapolis for the first time last weekend and was pleasantly surprised by one of the famed Twin Cities. My attendance at a card game convention kept me...
 
November 23, 2009 - The Carnival Dream Embarks

Carnival’s newest ship the MS Carnival Dream debuted in New York in earlier this month as the largest Carnival ship ever constructed at 130,000 tons and carrying 3,646...
 
November 20, 2009 - Indy’s Full-Circle Holiday Celebration

Having lived in Indianapolis for most of my life, I guess I’ve generally taken the festive holiday décor magnificently displayed throughout the Circle City’s downtown area...
 
November 19, 2009 - Tijuana, If You Dare


Tijuana, Mexico:  two-for-one taco specials, tequila shooters, burros painted like zebras, $5 supersized sombreros and an ugly drug war that’s keeping tourists away in...
 
November 16, 2009 - Niagara's Winter Festival of Lights

This winter, why not bundle up the family and make a run for the border, eh? The northern border, that is—to the Winter Festival of...
 
November 12, 2009 - AAA Insider Tips: Boston Museums

There are many attractions and activities in the Boston area that offer a change of pace for the non-traditional tourist.  Having been to Boston a few times, I was looking for unique...
 
November 11, 2009 - Dining Around Key West

It was a muggy day in Key West, but still I clung to the speed junky like white on rice. While riding aboard a rented motor scooter, my boyfriend and I zipped down narrow streets flanked by...
 
November 09, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip: Hacienda Santa Rosa
 
This is the fourth in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

My Mayan tour...
 
November 05, 2009 - Gettysburg National Military Park
There is something otherworldly about Gettysburg National Military Park in the early morning - the mist creeping across grassy swales...
 
November 03, 2009 - Indoor Outdoor Beauty in Golden Gate Park

One of Golden Gate Park’s best-known attractions, the Conservatory of Flowers opened to the public way back in 1879....
 
October 29, 2009 - Fountain of Youth and Old Florida Charm

“In the beginning … ,” the thunderous voice boomed. A big black light-illuminated globe that looked like it was made out of Play-Doh was slowly rotating at the front of...
 
October 28, 2009 - New York City in Two Days

It’s your first trip to New York City, and you’re only staying for 48 hours. What to do? That was our challenge, and we managed to pack a week’s worth of sightseeing into...
 
October 27, 2009 - Southern Finland - The Old and The New

I was in Finland’s second-oldest town, Porvoo, whose Finnish name came from local phonetic attempts to say its...
 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Hideaways: AAA Inspectors' 13 Picks


In anticipation of Halloween, AAA polled its professional inspectors for their favorite haunted hotels and restaurants, resulting in the following 13 top...
 
October 23, 2009 - Haunted Inspection Stories

These ghostly tales were written by anonymous AAA inspectors ....

Upon my arrival at the Mason House Inn in Bentonsport, Iowa, I noticed movement out of the...
 
October 21, 2009 - Monk's Belgian Cafe and Beer Emporium

Exploring Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood on a travel writing assignment, I stumbled upon a cozy little pub on the corner of
 
October 21, 2009 - I Didn’t Quite Find My Thrill
 
As St. Louis hangouts go, the Delmar Loop is near the top of the list. The heart of this cultural, entertainment and restaurant district stretches for six blocks along
 
October 19, 2009 - Eat by The Sea at John G's

I’ve found that it’s always a good idea to solicit recommendations about local restaurants before heading out on a trip. First-hand advice is inevitably the best. So, just before...
 
October 19, 2009 - South Florida's Butterfly World

I think there must be a little bit of lepidopterist in everyone. I mean, how can you not be captivated by butterflies? It’s just about impossible not to smile when you see one...
 
October 16, 2009 - Asheville, NC Girls' Getaway

Asheville has all the qualities needed for a perfect 'girls getaway':  luxurious hotels and spas; a variety of unique restaurants; great shopping; endless galleries for lovers...
 
October 15, 2009 - A Tale From The Road: Polar Bear Country

Every traveler collects them, their personal souvenirs. Those unique travel tales, perfect for an impromptu dinner party when one needs to be simultaneously charming and entertaining. As an...
 
October 14, 2009 - Disney for One, Please

When I told everyone I was headed to Disney World, their first reaction was “You and Greg are going to love it!” “No, no” I said “I’m going alone.”...
 
October 09, 2009 - Chicago: Playing in Millennium Park

When I went to Chicago several years ago I got a glimpse of Millennium Park in Chicago from my bus window and it looked intriguing. When I went back last weekend, it was on my must-see list....
 
October 08, 2009 - A Day In The Life of One AAA Inspector

The following is a representation of a day in the life of one of AAA’s team of professional lodging and restaurant inspectors who, along with the establishments, remain...
 
October 07, 2009 - Las Vegas Hotel Tour
 
This post has been contributed by Linda Butler, an auto travel counselor for AAA Tidewater in Virginia.

AMAZING!!  By day three of our week in Las Vegas my...
 
October 06, 2009 - Yellowstone: Hot and Cool
 
In the famed Lamar Valley … bison. In the middle of the two-lane road … bison. In the middle of the parking lot??? Yep, bison. Bison, buffalo … bah! Whatever you...
 
October 06, 2009 - In Memphis, Please Seat Yourself at Huey's

Everybody I know who is familiar with Memphis says that you’ve got to try the barbecue. You’ll love the barbecue! And I’m sure that’s true—if you like barbecue....
 
October 01, 2009 - San Francisco: Mission Murals
 
 I would be hard pressed to name my favorite San Francisco neighborhood. North Beach? The Haight? The Castro? Chinatown? Pacific Heights? The Mission District? I like them all, and...
 
October 01, 2009 - California Wine Country: Benziger Family Winery

The rolling hills and lush vineyards of Sonoma Valley are stunningly beautiful. And the first-rate wines produced in this region are nothing short of sublime. I wanted to learn more about...
 
September 30, 2009 - Bury St. Edmunds: A British Town Worth Seeing

It has one of England’s smallest pubs, ruins of a thousand-year-old abbey, and the world’s first Internet bench. Those are just a few of the reasons to visit Bury St. Edmunds. I...
 
September 29, 2009 - Nashville's Grand Ole Opry

When I listen to music, I play tracks from hardcore rappers, classical pianists and everyone in between. But, when someone asks me what genres I’m into, I invariably answer:...
 
September 25, 2009 - Fall in the New River Gorge

If you’re looking for a beautiful area to visit in the fall, consider the New River Gorge region of southern West Virginia, an area I’ve previously visited with my brother...
 
September 24, 2009 - Tagging Along On A Five Diamond Hotel Inspection

I was on travel assignment in Cancún for several days, checking out the Mexican tourist mecca and the rapidly developing Riviera Maya, the stretch of Caribbean coast between...
 
September 24, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip: The Ruins at Ake
This is the third in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

Fortified by my breakfast of huevos...
 
September 23, 2009 - Colorado to Cody to Yellowstone

Before my recent trip to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone, I decided to “road trip it” and see a few other things on my way.  One of the places I decided to stop was a little...
 
September 21, 2009 - Da Weekend In Chicago

“Big shots at da Conrad!”  That’s how my good buddy Kyle described my girlfriend and I in his thick Chicago accent when he saw our room at the impressive AAA Four...
 
September 17, 2009 - Ny-Ålesund: The World’s Most Northerly Town

In August, I strolled up, after taking my shoes off, to the bar of the Mellageret and ordered a drink, and...
 
September 10, 2009 - Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River

I had booked a whitewater rafting trip in North Carolina once before, only to cancel upon learning of my first child’s pending arrival status.  That child is now 14, so it took me...
 
September 09, 2009 - Beatles-Themed Travel: The Long and Winding Road

It is a truly fab time to be a Beatle fan. The new Rock Band: The Beatles is out this week and is creating a massive amount...
 
September 08, 2009 - The St. Louis Gateway Arch
 
It’s almost a law that if you visit St. Louis, you go to the Arch (or to be more official, “The...
 
September 08, 2009 - Crown Candy Kitchen Takes You Back
 
     I must give a shout-out to AAA Missouri’s Lori Moshkowsky for cluing me in to Crown Candy Kitchen. It was one of several suggestions she gave me for cool,...
 
September 04, 2009 - Alaska Aboard the Sapphire Princess

The Quick Coach shuttle transported our family to Vancouver from Seattle for our Alaskan adventure aboard the...
 
September 03, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: The Grand Canyon and Wupatki National Monument

This is the fifth and final in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9...
 
September 02, 2009 - Seattle With The Family

Myself, husband, and 2 children ages 14 and 12 had a few days in the Seattle this summer en route to Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise and we made the most of it.

A highlight,...
 
September 01, 2009 - Chicago Architecture River Cruise

When my husband and I spent the weekend with our son in Chicago a couple of weeks ago we asked him to show us the sights, and he suggested the
 
September 01, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater

This is the fourth in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
August 27, 2009 - Northern Europe: A GRAND Adventure

My husband and I promised our three grandchildren that we would take each of them on a special GRAND adventure (so named because we are GRANDparents traveling with GRANDkids) when they...
 
August 27, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef

This is the second in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
August 26, 2009 - National Park Road Trip: Zion and Bryce Canyon

This is the first in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.

When...
 
August 25, 2009 - Cabo San Lucas for the Adventurous

     Traveling for adventure is a wonderful thing - no matter what your age.  Not everyone can hike the Himalayas or Mt Kilimanjaro, but there are many destinations...
 
August 24, 2009 - Celebrity Equinox Cruise, Part 2


     In my first blog from Celebrity Cruises’ new Equinox I talked about the...
 
August 21, 2009 - Vancouver: Sunset Over English Bay
   
     Vancouver has many summertime pleasures. Locally grown blueberries? The fresh markets are full of them. Where to spend the perfect lazy Sunday...
 
August 20, 2009 - Tarpon Springs, Florida: Greek Specialties
     On a recent travel information-gathering trip, I stopped for lunch in Tarpon Springs, Fla., a Gulf Coast destination influenced significantly by its large Greek community....
 
August 18, 2009 - Savannah: Orb Hunting Ghost Tour

     Bone-chilling winds whistled through the scarcely-populated Historic District streets of Savannah, Georgia as members of our group huddled closely together around a...
 
August 13, 2009 - What Happens In Vegas... Buffets In Vegas

     I have no idea how many tons of all-you-can-eat crab legs, shrimp and prime rib are served in Las Vegas each year. But I do know there are more than 60 hotel buffets...
 
August 12, 2009 - Retro Road Trip: Boston, Niagara Falls, Then Home


     This post, the last in a series, has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family...
 
August 11, 2009 - Luxury Hotels Need Not Be Intimidating

     Mavis performed her check-in duties beautifully, the epitome of style and professionalism. All the guests who left her presence had a smile on their face. But that...
 
August 10, 2009 - Sonoma County's Wild Flour Bread

     San Francisco is such an awesome city you might never think of leaving it for the environs. Wrong. The Bay Area, of course, is chock-full of delights that have the...
 
August 07, 2009 - Pittsburgh: The South Side and the Strip

     Pittsburghers in the know head to the city’s South Side when they’re in the mood for...
 
August 06, 2009 - Royal Viking's Warren Titus: The Father of Luxury Cruising
 For any of us who’ve ever enjoyed or plan to enjoy a luxury cruise, the July passing of Warren...
 
August 06, 2009 - Cruise Dining On the Celebrity Equinox

     I was skeptical at first. After all, how could a ship that carries nearly 3,000 passengers offer really great food and service? The brand new Equinox, Celebrity...
 
August 05, 2009 - Another New York City Visit

     My first visit to New York as a cognizant individual (I had been before when I was 4; and again in my early 20s with a 9-month old in tow) was to take the written...
 
August 04, 2009 - Hitting The Road To Gettysburg


    This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
August 04, 2009 - A Week With The #17 Racing Team and Ford/AAA Auto Skills Champs, Part 6: Rained Out

     This entry, the sixth and final in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read...
 
August 03, 2009 - The 'Retro To Now' Road Trip Begins


     This week, we're taking a “Retro to Now Road Trip,” with the Monteith family whose photo (pictured) won a contest sponsored by
 
August 01, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 5
          This entry, the fifth in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read...
 
July 31, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 5 - Virginia Beach
 
       This is fifth in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 30, 2009 - Peru Travel Takes Your Breath Away

     We’d never been to South America so when the opportunity came to visit Peru this summer, I was very excited and a bit nervous. We set off in June loaded with a...
 
July 30, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs, Part 3: Concord, NC

     This entry, the third in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read all posts
 
July 29, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 2
 
This entry, the second in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip. Read all posts
 
July 28, 2009 - A Week With the No. 17 Racing Team and the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Champs - Part 1

     This entry, the first in a series, was submitted by AAA’s Christie Hyde who accompanied the winners on their job-shadowing trip
 
July 27, 2009 - Coney Island For the First Time

     This entry has been written by Meghan Droge, summer web editorial assistant for AAA New York.

     As a Long Island...
 
July 24, 2009 - Escorted Tour Tips

     I never considered myself an escorted tour kind of person. Until I took one. Like many Americans, I thought escorted tours were like the one depicted in that old...
 
July 23, 2009 - Kansas City Barbeque and History


I fell in love with Kansas City over an order of burnt ends at Fiorella’s Jack Stack barbecue. But there’s more to the story, so stay with me here and we’ll get...
 
July 22, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 4: Baltimore
 
    This is fourth in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 21, 2009 - New York City With Kids, By Kids

     New York City is an epic vacation destination for kids!  We're 12 and 10 and recently spent 4 days in the “city that never sleeps” and it...
 
July 20, 2009 - Disney World Star Wars Weekend

     A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I was initially introduced to a cinematic masterpiece that, unknowingly to me, would ultimately leave an impression that...
 
July 20, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 3: Allentown, Pa.

      This is third in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 17, 2009 - Drive Trip From Cancun: Hacienda San Jose
 
This is the second part of Tony's Mayan Drive Trip series.

     It is late afternoon as I...
 
July 16, 2009 - Mayan Drive Trip From Cancun: Ek Balam
 
This is the first in a series of posts about Tony's Mayan drive trip.

I catch a JetBlue...
 
July 15, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 2: New York City

     This is second in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
July 15, 2009 - Anniversary Getaway in Orlando

     Recently my husband and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary and decided to indulge ourselves at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida.  Having...
 
July 13, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 1

This is first in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip.

     This summer, I am putting that trite old...
 
July 10, 2009 - Indiana Dunes On Lake Michigan

     As a native Hoosier (no, I don’t know what the word “Hoosier” actually means), I can honestly say I’ve never been asked to describe Indiana...
 
July 09, 2009 - A Royal Meeting in London

“I don’t have to curtsy, do I?”  

When VisitBritain, the UK's tourism bureau, invited my husband, Paul Lasley, and me to come to London...
 
July 09, 2009 - Norwich: The Best of the East of England


     “How old is it?” That’s the question I always ask a tour guide when looking at an old structure, and in Europe they usually say something...
 
July 08, 2009 - Fly Me Out To The Ball Game

     Baseball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a fan of baseball, but admit that my team loyalties have varied.  In my youth, my...
 
July 02, 2009 - Summer In Marblehead, Ohio
 

     The biggest soft-serve ice cream cone I ever attempted to eat was at Brown’s Dairy Dock in Marblehead, Ohio. Not that I thought I could actually...
 
July 01, 2009 - Kauai Drive Details

     This is a magnificent island, as I described in a previous blog, Kauai, Yes We Have...
 
July 01, 2009 - Lahaina Bookstore: Required Reading

    Never fails. I pack a book to read on vacation and finish it in two days. Soon, I’m reduced to reading tourist magazines and the superlative-overloaded tripe...
 
June 25, 2009 - Mary Mac's: Feeding Atlanta for 64 Years

     Ethel Mertz would have loved Mary Mac’s. Lucy Ricardo’s best friend wasn’t a gourmet, but she was a dedicated eater. She approached food with...
 
June 25, 2009 - Drayton Hall: Historic Preservation

     When I discovered that the Historic Charleston Foundation was hosting an oyster roast and picnic at Drayton Hall—a circa 1738 plantation house on Ashley River...
 
June 24, 2009 - The Alamo: A Quick Reminder

     I have a number of interests, but history isn’t really one of them. To me it’s textbook stuff, and my eyes tend to start glazing over when I stand in...
 
June 19, 2009 - Getaway To Anna Maria Island

     I recently took a weekend trip that supplied me with so many great experiences I don’t even know where to start.  I was in the mood for a little Florida...
 
June 18, 2009 - Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre
 
     Atlanta's Fox Theatre—or more to the point, The Fabulous Fox Theatre—is one of the grand dames of what used to be called the...
 
June 18, 2009 - Savannah Girl Scout Trip
Guest blogger Haley Mac Donell, 10, shares a recent trip experience:

     If you are looking for a place to go on vacation and have young children that...
 
June 17, 2009 - San Francisco's Sutro Baths: Beauty in Ruins

     There’s a place in San Francisco more people have probably heard about, read about or seen from a distance than actually visited. I’m talking about the...
 
June 12, 2009 - Islamorada: Dolphins, Pelicans and Kids, Oh My

     Spring Break isn’t what it used to be . . . maturity and two children have taken care of that. But a car trip to the Keys from our home base in Central Florida...
 
June 11, 2009 - Charleston, SC: A Pleasant Diversion

     On a travel writing assignment covering Charleston, I decided to scoot over the Ravenel Bridge and explore the neighboring town of Mount Pleasant. No pun intended,...
 
June 09, 2009 - Northern California: Trees of Tranquility

     Nestled between Grants Pass, Oregon and Crescent City, California, are the Redwood National and State Parks. Although the road is mostly two lanes, it is well-paved...
 
June 08, 2009 - Cheap Eats On Maui

     You scored on that dirt cheap Maui vacation package and landed on the “Valley Isle” without withdrawing what’s left of your 401k. Sunbathing,...
 
June 05, 2009 - Florida Seafood In An (Almost) Undisclosed Location

     Did you ever know about one of those restaurants that you just didn’t want to tell others about because you want to keep it just as it is? ...
 
June 04, 2009 - Williamsburg: Whither Doth Thou Goest?

     If you’re planning a driving trip to Williamsburg, Va., be sure to have a good AAA map (or GPS unit) and a lot of patience. For those who haven’t visited...
 
June 03, 2009 - Grand Cayman: Under the Sea

Scuba, scuba and more scuba.

This is the main reason to come to Grand Cayman, an island that initially struck me as rather soulless. The small capital of this small island,...
 
May 29, 2009 - Branson: Music and Nostalgia

     These days Branson’s ever-changing, ever-growing live performance lineup caters to boomers as well as country music fans. I’m talking hitmakers like Bill...
 
May 26, 2009 - The Netherlands: Off the Beaten Path

     Visitors rush to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and after they stay there for several days they might even try...
 
May 22, 2009 - A Trio of Terrific Arizona Spas
       If you’re feeling an urge to escape from everyday stress, chances are you’re overdue for a trip to the spa.  It sounded good to me, even though in...
 
May 20, 2009 - An Unexpected Jewel – Emerald Isle, North Carolina

     Most travelers have a long list of “must-see” destinations or things to experience.  And it seems that each time you scratch one destination off...
 
May 19, 2009 - Markers of Another Time: Oakland Cemetery
 
     I’m not a huge fan of walking around cemeteries; I figure that if I’m eventually going to end up planted in one anyway, why tempt fate by showing up...
 
May 18, 2009 - Florida's Top Beaches: Caladesi Island

     During a two-night stopover in Clearwater Beach on Florida's Gulf Coast, I spent the bulk of my second day in nearby
 
May 15, 2009 - Northern Ireland Heritage: Downpatrick

     With a name like Patrick Magrady, you might suspect Irish roots, but my husband had never visited the land where his grandparents were born. So when he brought up the...
 
May 14, 2009 - Walking the (River) Walk in San Antonio

     I wouldn’t be surprised if the River Walk (Paseo del Río in Español) is San Antonio’s most touristy spot. At least it sure seems like San...
 
May 13, 2009 - The Other Broadway In Nashville

     Nashville is something of a paradox—it’s both musical and historical, kitschy and refined. I guess what you find is what expectations you bring to the...
 
May 13, 2009 - Coconut Cake Utopia In Charleston

     Some may find it strange that after a AAA travel writing assignment covering so much of gracious, antebellum Charleston, I find it necessary to pontificate on...
 
May 01, 2009 - Istanbul’s Magic Carpet Ride

   “Hello my friend.”

It was my first full day in Istanbul, Turkey, and I was leaving Gülhane Park, near Topkapi Palace, my mind contemplating where...
 
April 29, 2009 - Day Trip From San Francisco: Muir Woods

     Day trips from San Francisco? There are literally dozens of destinations in the greater Bay area waiting to be discovered. Many of them I’ve yet to experience....
 
April 23, 2009 - Motherless In Manhattan

     It's Take Your Child To Work Day, and today's travel story has been contributed and posted by my daughter Lindsey Peterson, 14, who was asked to write...
 
April 22, 2009 - Ireland: Greener On The Other Side Of The Road

A friend of mine is excited but terrified about her upcoming trip to Ireland. Last year, as I planned a trip to Ireland with my 14-year-old son, I too was anxious and apprehensive about the...
 
April 20, 2009 - Do You Want Salt With That? The World’s Driest Spot: Chile

     A succession of flights from Kauai to Honolulu and then to San Francisco, New York City, Lima, Santiago,...
 
April 14, 2009 - Reno: The Biggest Little City

A Reno local told me of a tradition where jilted wives, post-divorce, toss their wedding rings into the Truckee River. Thank goodness the river runs swiftly through town or there would...
 
April 12, 2009 - The Varsity Doesn't Quite Make It

“WHAT’LL YA HAVE?” That’s the first thing you hear when you walk into The Varsity. Actually, you’ll hear a chorus of “what’ll ya haves” from a...
 
April 03, 2009 - Repeat It: American History In D.C.

     You can’t beat the Smithsonian museums in Washington for sheer sightseeing pleasure. Where else can you find such a concentrated assemblage of history, art and...
 
April 02, 2009 - Learning Through The Panama Canal

     While the snow was falling recently in Chicago, I was sailing through the Panama Canal on the Pacific Explorer with Cruise West.  What an experience.  Like...
 
March 31, 2009 - 13 Miles, 18 Armadillos: Bulow Creek State Park
 
     I recently agreed to meet family members in Daytona Beach, Fla., for a mini-reunion during the week prior to the Daytona 500. Neither the time nor...
 
March 30, 2009 - 24 Hours of Hot Cocoa!

     The little oceanside gem of Cocoa Beach, FL is just a quick 50 minute drive from the mega destination of Orlando…but offers a completely different experience...
 
March 20, 2009 - A Trip Down Food Memory Lane

     Food and travel go together like love and marriage; baby and carriage . . . and reading what my blogging compadres wrote about food (
 
March 18, 2009 - Ceviche In Downtown Orlando

     Ceviche (seh-VEE-cheh)—an appetizer of raw fish that is “cooked” in citrus juice (usually lime, but sometimes lemon) and turns the flesh opaque in...
 
March 13, 2009 - Lovin' The Haight

     Let’s face it; I’m an old hippie at heart. I love the Dead (as in Grateful). Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 psychedelic masterpiece After Bathing at...
 
March 12, 2009 - Tootling, Golfing and Dining in Victoria, B.C.

     The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “tootling” as: to drive or move along in a leisurely manner.  This pretty much describes one of my favourite...
 
March 10, 2009 - A Relaxed Outlook In Jamaica

     My last memories of Jamaica are etched in a remote corner of my brain and are usually recalled when I hear a Bob Marley tune or my daughter yells with glee that...
 
March 10, 2009 - How Do You Get A Job Like That?

     I know it sounds so smarmy but…I’m a professional tourist, there I said it. Have been for over 20 years. That’s right; I get paid to travel. All...
 
March 10, 2009 - Kauai: Yes, We Have Rain

     The world’s wettest spot generally is agreed to be the range of hills between the Pu‘u o Kila Lookout and Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale on the Hawaiian...
 
March 09, 2009 - The Villa:An Indianapolis B&B

     My expectations while staying at virtually any given bed-and-breakfast facility are relatively simple. When I opt for that type of experience, I’m generally...
 
March 05, 2009 - Molokai Cliff Hanger

Before I even began researching my trip to Molokai, I knew there was one attraction I couldn’t pass up: the island’s infamous Kalaupapa leprosy colony, now a
 
March 02, 2009 - Chasing Frogs in Costa Rica

     “Poor Carl.”
    
     Those two words will forever remind me of Costa Rica. My husband Jon and I...
 
February 27, 2009 - Not Just for the Birds: Central and Southern Jamaica

     I had been told by Jamaicans that there’s practically nowhere in Jamaica where...
 
February 23, 2009 - Acres of Clams and Curiosities
 
     Lunch? You just said the magic word. I’m always in the mood for lunch. And since I was walking along the downtown waterfront on a day when the sun had...
 
February 19, 2009 - Gridiron Great Experience
 
      Has the end of football season led to withdrawal symptoms? Looking for the perfect experience for that football fanatic in your life? Consider a road...
 
February 16, 2009 - Up, Up and Away
 
     With apologies to the Fifth Dimension and the great song writer Jimmy Webb, would you...
 
February 13, 2009 - Catching The Whistler Train
 
     The early morning alarm clock was no match for our anticipation.  We were already awake and we had a train to catch!  At 8 a.m. we boarded the...
 
February 11, 2009 - Ski Stratton
 
     When my children were young, I thought skiing would be the perfect family activity.  As a single mom, I was certain that I wouldn’t be standing in...
 
February 05, 2009 - The Voodoo Doughnut

     It was a sunny Saturday morning (reason enough to celebrate), and I was looking for a fuel stop before hitting the Portland Saturday Market. I literally stumbled...
 
February 03, 2009 - Winter At The End

     It was like a zombie movie.  The town was all decked out in lights, ribbons and bows- yet there wasn't another human being in sight. This is winter in...
 
February 02, 2009 - Honk If You've Been To Dragør, Denmark

     If you return to a travel destination that you loved the first time around, there’s a risk you may be disappointed the second time. It’s a travel dilemma...
 
January 27, 2009 - Liftoff: The Night Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery

     One often overlooked perks of living in Central Florida is the ability to watch space launches.  No matter how often I see them (and I see them as often as I...
 
January 23, 2009 - A Roaring Good Time In Mason, Ohio

     Some of my fondest childhood memories involve recreational trips to Mason, Ohio though to this day, I couldn’t tell you a thing about the city itself. To me,...
 
January 22, 2009 - Seattle Taco Truck Stops
 
     Taco trucks seem to be really common on the West Coast. They’re all over Seattle, although not in particularly convenient locations—most of them are...
 
January 20, 2009 - Where I Stay In Seattle

     When I’m in Seattle I always stay at The Mediterranean Inn. Here are several reasons why:

6.  It’s not fancy but comfortable, a good...
 
January 15, 2009 - Confessions of a Cathedral Junkie


     I confess. I’m obsessed with cathedrals—and churches and mosques and temples and just about any houses of worship. Ironically, I am not...
 
January 09, 2009 - "Almost Free!"

     While telling a friend about my recent trip to Mexico’s Pacific Coast, he said, “Sounds great. I love Puerto Vallarta, but I like the Yucatan peninsula...
 
January 08, 2009 - Grand Canyon magnificence…complete with Austrians!

       Dropping something into the Grand Canyon is bad enough, but jumping over the wall to retrieve it is just crazy. Apparently, kind Austrian tourists...
 
December 31, 2008 - Tunnels To Love In British Columbia

     You never know what invaluable sightseeing tip a hotel concierge might pass on. I was on a AAA information-gathering road trip through southern British Columbia, en...
 
December 31, 2008 - Unforgettable

     In a moment of typical year-end reflection I’ve been wondering what creates the most lasting travel memories. Two categories dominate my travels:  (1)...
 
December 31, 2008 - Boston In A Weekend
  
     Would it be possible to capture the essence of one of America’s most historic cities in a weekend?  I was determined to find out and to share...
 
December 31, 2008 - Eating For A Living
 
     The waitress had just set down my entrée when I saw movement along my peripheral vision. I looked down at the floor and saw a small grey mouse, whiskers...
 
December 31, 2008 - Eurodam to Nassau
 
     The itinerary wasn’t all that thrilling -   a day in Nassau, and an out island experience at the cruise line’s “private...

Travel With Disabilities

March 17, 2009 - Q&A: Travel for Travelers With Disabilities
Question: Betty Sutton asks: What tips do you have for a disabled person who uses a walker but would like to travel?

Answer: AAA travel counselor...

Travel With Kids

March 09, 2010 - Disney World Celebration Planner From AAA

For a fun Disney World planning experience, check out the Disney World Celebration Planner at
 
January 26, 2010 - Travel Documents For Children

We are frequently asked for information on what documentation is needed for traveling internationally with children. Although I normally make my husband fill out all the paperwork,...
 
December 22, 2009 - Washington D.C. Road Trip, Part Two

On our first morning in our nation’s capital, I quickly figured out that there was no monument or museum that was better (to a couple of Florida kids) than a big slope of fresh...
 
December 20, 2009 - Washington D.C. Road Trip: Into the Snow

I don’t know if I have ever been so glad to hand my car keys to a hotel valet parking guy as I was a few hours ago here in Washington D.C.

The attendant at the
 
December 08, 2009 - AAA and Garfield Say Be Safe For Holiday Travel

When making your holiday 'traveling with kids' list, put 'recheck safety seats' at the top. After that, a few new DVDs for the trip probably aren't a bad idea either. AAA...
 
September 30, 2009 - The Disney Wonder: A First-Timer's Journal

Looking back now, I have to admit that at least initially, I was a little nervous while preparing for my family’s Disney cruise.

Don’t get me wrong, the trip...
 
September 14, 2009 - National Child Passenger Safety Week

Though my car seat ownership days are behind me, I still have vivid memories of wrestling the things in and out of vehicles, getting wiggling, resistant children into them and wondering if...
 
September 10, 2009 - Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River

I had booked a whitewater rafting trip in North Carolina once before, only to cancel upon learning of my first child’s pending arrival status.  That child is now 14, so it took me...
 
September 04, 2009 - Alaska Aboard the Sapphire Princess

The Quick Coach shuttle transported our family to Vancouver from Seattle for our Alaskan adventure aboard the...
 
September 02, 2009 - Seattle With The Family

Myself, husband, and 2 children ages 14 and 12 had a few days in the Seattle this summer en route to Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise and we made the most of it.

A highlight,...
 
August 27, 2009 - Northern Europe: A GRAND Adventure

My husband and I promised our three grandchildren that we would take each of them on a special GRAND adventure (so named because we are GRANDparents traveling with GRANDkids) when they...
 
August 05, 2009 - A Stop In New York City

     This post has been contributed by Vonnette Monteith, whose family won a Best Western 'Retro To Now Road Trip' This week, they'll see...
 
July 27, 2009 - Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana

     It’s been voted the World’s Friendliest amusement park for 11 years in a row and the World’s Cleanest for 9 straight years. In 2007, Consumers...
 
July 21, 2009 - New York City With Kids, By Kids

     New York City is an epic vacation destination for kids!  We're 12 and 10 and recently spent 4 days in the “city that never sleeps” and it...
 
June 18, 2009 - Savannah Girl Scout Trip
Guest blogger Haley Mac Donell, 10, shares a recent trip experience:

     If you are looking for a place to go on vacation and have young children that...
 
June 12, 2009 - Islamorada: Dolphins, Pelicans and Kids, Oh My

     Spring Break isn’t what it used to be . . . maturity and two children have taken care of that. But a car trip to the Keys from our home base in Central Florida...
 
April 23, 2009 - Motherless In Manhattan

     It's Take Your Child To Work Day, and today's travel story has been contributed and posted by my daughter Lindsey Peterson, 14, who was asked to write...
 
April 06, 2009 - Disney For The Holidays

     Yes, I know the next big holiday involves bunnies and colored eggs, but in travel planning time, we’re talking Christmas – especially if you’re...

Trolley Tours

August 31, 2009 - Vancouver Trolley Tour Covers Main Attractions
Question: Patricia R. asks:  We are taking a cruise from Vancouver and have some time before our departure.  Do you recomend the trolley?  We don’t have enough...

Turkey

May 01, 2009 - Istanbul’s Magic Carpet Ride

   “Hello my friend.”

It was my first full day in Istanbul, Turkey, and I was leaving Gülhane Park, near Topkapi Palace, my mind contemplating where...

U.S. Virgin Islands

December 29, 2009 - St. Thomas or St. Croix?

Question:  Doris asks, Would it be best to stay on St. Thomas or St. Croix to take advantage of shopping and sightseeing, along with limited crowds?
 
December 18, 2009 - American Paradise, Part Four
 
This is the fourth in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second...
 
December 07, 2009 - American Paradise, Part 3

This is the third in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second home on St. Croix in the U.S....
 
December 01, 2009 - American Paradise, Part Two
 This is the second in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second home on St. Croix in the...
 
November 25, 2009 - American Paradise

This is the first in a series of posts from Vicki, who will be sharing information and experiences from her second home on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands where she and her husband...

Utah

August 27, 2009 - National Parks Road Trip: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef

This is the second in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.
 
August 26, 2009 - National Park Road Trip: Zion and Bryce Canyon

This is the first in a series of posts about visiting 12 national parks in Utah and Arizona over 9 days.

When...

Vancouver

February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 6

It was hard to believe that the day had finally arrived.  My Olympic experience was going to begin. The hockey game I was scheduled to attend started at 9 p.m., but I had already...
 
February 22, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 5
I hate to be redundant, but Friday was ANOTHER beautiful day in Seattle.  One of the locals I spoke to said "don't think about moving here . . . it's not usually like this in the...
 
February 02, 2010 - My Road to the Olympics
 

It always has been a dream of mine to attend the Winter Olympics, but I’m also relatively frugal when it comes to what I spend on lodging and entertainment when...
 
January 12, 2010 - Vancouver Olympics: Let The Games Begin
 
We’re now one month away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 12, to be exact). Vancouver and Whistler will be in the world...
 
August 31, 2009 - Vancouver Trolley Tour Covers Main Attractions
Question: Patricia R. asks:  We are taking a cruise from Vancouver and have some time before our departure.  Do you recomend the trolley?  We don’t have enough...
 
August 21, 2009 - Vancouver: Sunset Over English Bay
   
     Vancouver has many summertime pleasures. Locally grown blueberries? The fresh markets are full of them. Where to spend the perfect lazy Sunday...
 
August 17, 2009 - Vancouver Cheap Eats: Hon's House of Noodles
 
     A city where approximately one-third of the residents are of Asian descent is bound to have a number of Asian restaurants, and Vancouver is no exception to this...
 
August 11, 2009 - Luxury Hotels Need Not Be Intimidating

     Mavis performed her check-in duties beautifully, the epitome of style and professionalism. All the guests who left her presence had a smile on their face. But that...
 
May 18, 2009 - 2009 World Police & Fire Games: Vancouver
   
 
     What’s the largest international sporting event taking place in British Columbia this year? No, it’s not the 2010 Olympic...
 
May 11, 2009 - Vancouver's Stanley Park Seawall
        My first visit to Stanley Park was in 2007, and a good portion of the seawall promenade that encircles the park was still closed to visitors due to damage from...
 
May 01, 2009 - Vancouver Winter Olympics: Countdown to 2010
 
 
The countdown is on! We’re now less than a year away from the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They signal the start of 17 days of Olympic Games...

Vermont

February 11, 2009 - Ski Stratton
 
     When my children were young, I thought skiing would be the perfect family activity.  As a single mom, I was certain that I wouldn’t be standing in...

Virginia

July 31, 2009 - On The Road With Sally, Part 5 - Virginia Beach
 
       This is fifth in a series of entries from blogger Sally Doran on her summer road trip (find previous
 
June 04, 2009 - Williamsburg: Whither Doth Thou Goest?

     If you’re planning a driving trip to Williamsburg, Va., be sure to have a good AAA map (or GPS unit) and a lot of patience. For those who haven’t visited...
 
June 04, 2009 - Colonial Williamsburg Attractions Open Year Round
Question: Audrey Putman asks: We are headed to Williamsburg VA Sept. 12-19. What will the weather be like? Attractions and activities still available after Labor Day?

Washington DC

January 28, 2010 - Washington D.C. Bookstores: Whiling Away a Winter Afternoon
   
Washington is a great city when it comes to independent bookstores. Oh sure, I enjoy wandering around Borders just like everyone else, but most Borders stores are basically...
 
January 06, 2010 - Current Events in D.C.’s Lafayette Square
 
If you’ve ever lived in or near Washington, you know that feeling—a sense that in some small way you’re a part of our nation’s history. There’s something...
 
December 22, 2009 - Washington D.C. Road Trip, Part Two

On our first morning in our nation’s capital, I quickly figured out that there was no monument or museum that was better (to a couple of Florida kids) than a big slope of fresh...
 
December 20, 2009 - Washington D.C. Road Trip: Into the Snow

I don’t know if I have ever been so glad to hand my car keys to a hotel valet parking guy as I was a few hours ago here in Washington D.C.

The attendant at the
 
April 03, 2009 - Repeat It: American History In D.C.

     You can’t beat the Smithsonian museums in Washington for sheer sightseeing pleasure. Where else can you find such a concentrated assemblage of history, art and...
 
March 24, 2009 - I-95 South Around Washington D.C.

Question: In April I'll be driving to Florida again for the 4th year in a row.  I have always used the CAA Trip Tik and they have always sent me down the I-95,...
 
March 16, 2009 - Q&A: Suite Stay in Washington, DC
Question: Leona Mattson asks: I am looking for a hotel in Washington, D.C. for a trip in April with two young children. We need a safe neighborhood and prefer a suite with separate...

Washington State

February 19, 2010 - My Road To The Olympics, Part 4

Another beautiful day in Seattle!  Typical winter weather means dodging rain drops, but much to my delight it has been uncharacteristically sunny.

My first task of the day...
 
April 21, 2009 - Drive Trips: Cape Cod and Washington State
 

These featured AAA Drive Trips - just two of over 100 available - are both in appealing summer destinations. Click on...
 
February 04, 2009 - Q & A: Coastal Drive in the Northwest
 
 Question: Alex Sands asks:  We are driving from Bellingham, WA  to San Francisco in April.  I'd like to take the coastal route as much as...
 
January 20, 2009 - Where I Stay In Seattle

     When I’m in Seattle I always stay at The Mediterranean Inn. Here are several reasons why:

6.  It’s not fancy but comfortable, a good...

West Virgina

September 25, 2009 - Fall in the New River Gorge

If you’re looking for a beautiful area to visit in the fall, consider the New River Gorge region of southern West Virginia, an area I’ve previously visited with my brother...
 
June 11, 2009 - A Drive Through West Virginia

Question:  I'm flying into Lexington, Kentucky for a couple of days, then driving into Morgantown, West Virginia to visit someone.  I'm taking my time...

Williamsburg

June 04, 2009 - Williamsburg: Whither Doth Thou Goest?

     If you’re planning a driving trip to Williamsburg, Va., be sure to have a good AAA map (or GPS unit) and a lot of patience. For those who haven’t visited...
 
June 04, 2009 - Colonial Williamsburg Attractions Open Year Round
Question: Audrey Putman asks: We are headed to Williamsburg VA Sept. 12-19. What will the weather be like? Attractions and activities still available after Labor Day?

Wyoming

March 03, 2010 - Four Presidents and Lost Springs, Pop. 1

I’ll never forget the first time I went to the
 
October 06, 2009 - Yellowstone: Hot and Cool
 
In the famed Lamar Valley … bison. In the middle of the two-lane road … bison. In the middle of the parking lot??? Yep, bison. Bison, buffalo … bah! Whatever you...
 
September 23, 2009 - Colorado to Cody to Yellowstone

Before my recent trip to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone, I decided to “road trip it” and see a few other things on my way.  One of the places I decided to stop was a little...
 
September 11, 2009 - Cody, Wyoming Shows You The West

Tourists on a loop through Yellowstone and the Black Hills generally treat Cody, Wyoming as a stopover en route to the main course of their trip. Cody is no mere appetizer, however - it...
 
June 03, 2009 - Yellowstone Road Trip Through Cody, Wyoming
Question: Sue asks: We are planning to drive from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Mount Rushmore and then to Yellowstone. I am finding that hotels at Yellowstone are already booked and...

Yellowstone

October 06, 2009 - Yellowstone: Hot and Cool
 
In the famed Lamar Valley … bison. In the middle of the two-lane road … bison. In the middle of the parking lot??? Yep, bison. Bison, buffalo … bah! Whatever you...
 
September 23, 2009 - Colorado to Cody to Yellowstone

Before my recent trip to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone, I decided to “road trip it” and see a few other things on my way.  One of the places I decided to stop was a little...
 
June 03, 2009 - Yellowstone Road Trip Through Cody, Wyoming
Question: Sue asks: We are planning to drive from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Mount Rushmore and then to Yellowstone. I am finding that hotels at Yellowstone are already booked and...