Year-End Holiday Trips Can Be More Than 'Get There, Gobble and Go,' AAA Says

AAA offers tips for making the most of holiday vacation opportunities.

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans who will be
traveling during their Thanksgiving and year-end holidays can spice up their
"get there, gobble and go" family customs with a little imagination and help
from a travel agent, AAA experts say.

"While many of us treasure the experience of visiting family and friends for
the holidays, we can invigorate the season with creative thinking and travel
help from AAA," said Amy Nicholas, managing director, AAA Travel Agency
Services.

AAA operates the largest leisure-travel agency network in North America and
has unique relationships with the world's most trusted travel providers. AAA
offers exclusive vacation deals and benefits not available from any other
travel agency. AAA services are available to members and non-members, but
members enjoy access to special incentives and benefits.

Tips for Celebrating Away from Home

Consider celebrating the holidays with a winter holiday cruise, a Thanksgiving
tour or a New Year's vacation. "Families and friends can gather for the
holidays by combining their travel plans and going as a group. Taking a
holiday cruise together, going on a tour or visiting a city associated with
the season can make lasting memories," Nicholas said. If you are interested in
celebrating away from home as a group, consider the following:

-- Select three or four different trip options that involve various
locations, lengths of stay and prices and then choose as a group the
one
that is most attractive.
-- Work with a travel agent to make sure all reservations are booked and
confirmed, and everyone has a common contact they can turn to for trip
information.
-- Most resorts, cruise ships and holiday destinations have special
meals,
parties or activities for guests. Often these can be some of the most
elaborate and fun activities of the year. Make reservations for your
favorites.
-- If gift-giving is part of the celebration, consider making the trip
your
present to each other.
-- Investigate what special treats or activities may be available for
children. A visit from Santa Claus on a cruise ship, finding a New
Year's party for teens, or just playing and watching the traditional
football games may help to keep everyone in the holiday spirit.

-- If seniors are included, make sure they know the group is considerate
of
any special needs they may have including adopting a somewhat slower
pace, ensuring dietary needs are met or accommodating accessibility or
medical issues. By proactively investigating these issues either with
a
travel agent, or directly with a tour or cruise operator you may
increase the odds the entire family will be able to travel together.

Stays with Family and Friends Can be Combined with Other Travel

In some circumstances, you may want to continue your family tradition and have
everyone gather at grandma's home for the holidays. This doesn't mean getting
there and journeying home can't be half the fun. According to Nicholas,
"Planning a side trip as part of your seasonal itinerary makes a lot of
sense." Things to consider are:

-- If you can compress the time spent celebrating in one place, you may
have a night or two left over to spend at a comfortable
bed-and-breakfast or a nice hotel.
-- Go to AAA.com and use the AAA TripTik Travel Planner to see what
cities,
towns or special destinations may be along your travel route or a
convenient distance from where you will be. You can book hotel rooms,
arrange car rentals and get information on attractions and other
destinations using AAA's feature-packed travel planning tool. All
online
visitors have access to many of its features, although AAA members are
entitled to special benefits and discounts.
-- Remember that some attractions, parks and businesses close during the
holidays, so ask about holiday schedules before you go. Others have
special seasonal activities and events.
-- Consider the weather, but don't let it scare you away. If you are
going
to be in snow country, holing up in a cozy cabin or lodge might be
appealing, or make skiing and snowboarding part of your trip. If you
are
heading south where the weather may be balmy, bring clothes that will
be
appropriate for the warmer temperatures.

-- If you have a bit more time before or after the holiday, a three-day
cruise or a quick trip to a favorite city for shopping, dining and
nightlife may be an option. New Year's Eve in any big city is sure to
feature a great variety of opportunities for fine dining, dancing and
music.

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

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Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Geoff Sundstrom
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=75026

SOURCE AAA

Geoff Sundstrom of AAA, +1-407-444-8000, gsundstrom@national.aaa.com