Rhine River cruises are some of the most popular European river cruising options. Winding past scenic sections of Germany, France and the Netherlands, the waterway is graced by sweeping hillsides and majestic castles.

What’s more? Some trips combine the awesome experiences of Rhine cruises with spots on the Moselle River, giving travelers looks at different parts of France, Germany and Luxembourg.

Here are some highlights you might encounter on Rhine cruises that include some time on the Moselle.

Rhine Cruises: Amsterdam, Netherlands

You won’t be hard pressed to enjoy the many charms of Amsterdam, a popular starting or ending point for Rhine cruises.

One of the best ways to discover the city’s historic architecture is with a scenic canal cruise. After that, check out the Museumplein and visit the famed Rijksmuseum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of artwork by the Dutch Masters.

De Hoge Veluwe Nat’l Park, Netherlands

Arnhem is home to the near 16,000-acre De Hoge Veluwe National Park and its many endangered plant and animal species. The inspiring Kröller-Müller Museum is in the midst of this glory. It features works of such luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh, along with a massive sculpture garden.

Cologne, Germany

Cologne is a regular stop on many Rhine riverboat cruises. You’ll want to take a few minutes to gaze over Cologne Cathedral, one of the city’s most breathtaking pieces of architecture, and be sure to visit charming Old Town. If you visit Cologne between late November and the end of December, you’ll be fortunate to enjoy a festive Christmas market with delicious food, sparkling lights and handmade crafts. Such happenings are a big reason for the popularity of Rhine riverboat cruises around the holidays.

Cochem, Germany

You won’t reach Cochem if you cruise stays on the Rhine. To reach this German town, you’ll need a Rhine riverboat cruise that shifts to the Moselle River. Stepping ashore in Cochem is like entering the pages of a medieval fairy tale. Picture-perfect, 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle looks down on Cochem’s quaint market square from above. The area has a centuries-long winemaking tradition, which can be enjoyed at the Schlagkamp Wine Museum.

Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is home to Parliament, the Palace of the Grand Duke and centuries-old battlements that are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial is the resting place of over 5,000 American casualties of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge. Gen. George S. Patton is buried there, too.

Bernkastel, Germany

If you can, check out charming Bernkastel, known as both the “Pearl of the Moselle” and the “international town of vines and wine.” The town is celebrated not only for its wines, but also for its medieval market square surrounded by half-timbered houses.

Trier, Germany

Trier is Germany’s oldest town and it was once a residence for several Roman emperors.  Reminders of that period include a 2nd-century city gate and a basilica built in 310. Explore the town and its Marktplatz, marked by a 16th-century fountain that features images of St. Peter.

Heidelberg, Germany

Heidelberg is home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, and it’s the setting for a famous operetta – The Student Prince. The city has numerous examples of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Be sure to ride the funicular (think cable car meets railway) up the imposing Heidelberger Schloss, perched 300 feet above the city. Cruises will likely head back to Rhine if you’re going from trier to Heidelberg.

Baden, Germany

For many generations, wealthy folks have flocked here Baden to enjoy the town’s famous healing, thermal waters. Baden, in fact, translates to bath. Town treasurers the ruins of Roman baths to ornate, 250-year-old Belle Èpoque casino, the Kurhaus.

Strasbourg, France

Architectural beauty is a big draw of Rhine cruises, and Strasbourg, France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a perfect example of why. It’s renowned for its fairy-tale beauty, including La Petite France is an enchanting corner of Old Town where historic canals, medieval watchtowers, and half-timbered houses are picture-postcard perfect. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg is at the city’s center. Enjoy the 12th- to 14th-century stained glass windows and a dancing astronomical clock.

Basel, Switzerland

Basel, Switzerland, is a beautiful city on the banks of the Rhine River, and, like Amsterdam, it’s a popular starting and finishing point for Rhine cruises. Head to Old Town to see the bright-red Rathaus, Basel’s Town Hall, then visit one of more than three dozen museums in the city.

Looking for Rhine River cruise deals? Contact your local AAA Travel Counselor or visit AAA.com/Vacations.

Are you a young invincible when it comes to your health? It’s easy to ignore health risks for young adults when your age isn’t a worry. What’s to worry about? Your joints don’t ache when it’s damp. You’re not having trouble sleeping. Headlight glare doesn’t make it difficult to drive at night. You’re not winded when you climb three flights of stairs.

You’re too young for all that, right?

The concern for you should be that as you move out on your own, the health-care support you once took for granted may not be there. But ignoring your health care when you’re in your 20s or 30s is a good way to find yourself in bad health for years to come.

Smoking, drinking alcohol and using drugs may not seem like such a big deal when you’re in your prime. Just hit the gym or run it out of your system, just like those hipster actors do in the beer commercials, right?

Wrong. Bad habits have a way of developing into serious medical conditions as you age.

For young adults, health problems often arise out of social issues that spring from no longer having a mom, dad or older adult watching over them. There’s no one there to remind you to eat your vegetables, get a good night’s rest, or ask: Do you really need to drink that third beer? Or that shot of tequila to celebrate your best bud’s 25th birthday?

And what about that burger and fries you had at the bar? High cholesterol doesn’t just “happen.” You help it along by ignoring good eating habits. Even mild blood pressure or cholesterol problems can lead to any number of long-term health care issues.

Even if you’re conscientious about exercising you can run into trouble with your health. There is a cost to beauty that goes beyond the cosmetic. Everyone is susceptible to changes in their skin due to ultraviolet rays – even college kids on spring break or young professionals cashing in those business-trip frequent flyer miles on a vacation to the Caribbean. Skin cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths in women ages 25 to 30. Melanoma is the third-most-common cancer among women ages 20-39 and the second-most-common cancer in men ages 20-39. So, cover up; wear a hat and put on sun screen when you’re going to be out in the sun for extended periods – whether that’s a 5-mile run, a round of golf or an afternoon on the beach.

If you’re wondering why you seem to have regained that “freshman 15,” there are several causes beyond a rainy summer that discouraged you from jogging regularly. That weight won’t lose itself as you get older. Try to keep it in check so that it doesn’t lead to such things as diabetes, hypertension, back pain or cancer. The longer a young adult is obese, the greater the chance of developing heart disease in middle age, a new study reports. The finding hints that preventing or even delaying the onset of obesity might help reduce heart disease in later years.

Attacking the weights to help trim off the fat can lead to back problems, even in young adults. And, you know you’re not going to do those ab workouts just for the fun of it. You’re doing it, at least in part, so other people find you attractive. If you’re going to bed hop, remember that sexually transmitted diseases can lead to infertility, sterility, cancer and death. Be careful out there.

Early adulthood is a period marked by changes and growth physically, mentally and emotionally. It is also during this time that the onset of mental health disorders can occur – illnesses that can severely impact the life of the individual for years to come.

For a young adult, getting help for mental health disorders can prevent a variety of problems from occurring as they age. The consequences of mental health problems can include poor performance in school or at work, lack of friends and social interactions, substance or alcohol abuse, risky sexual behavior and suicide. In fact, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among persons ages 10 to 24 years.

A UCLA Medical Center survey released in 2016 found that people under age 45 often underestimate the symptoms of a stroke and the urgency to seek medical help. The survey asked more than a thousand people across the United States what they would be likely to do within the first three hours of experiencing numbness, weakness, or difficulty speaking or seeing, which are all common symptoms of a stroke.

Only about one in three respondents under age of 45 said they would be very likely to go to the hospital. That delay could prove deadly.

Many younger people assume strokes occur only in the elderly, dismissing the symptoms. While strokes may be more common among the elderly, people of all ages can experience them.

There are many minor ailments or conditions that, if ignored for too long, may develop into serious health care issues as you age. You may be a young invincible today, but how long will you remain so? Paying attention to your health now will help you avoid physical problems later in life.

How do you guard yourself against these and other health risks for young adults? Tell us in the comments below.

Picture it. You’re on a huge cruise ship with your family. It’s the first day of your vacation and you’re all excited to experience your first cruise vacation. You haven’t even been on a boat many times in your life. Then, suddenly, the boat rocks a certain way, you hear the waves slap against the side of the ship and an unexpected but familiar feeling starts creeping up your throat. Oh no, you think.

When you and your family embark on the first of many cruise vacations, what is the worst thing that could happen to you? That’s right. Sea sickness. Or you can call it motion sickness. Either way, that unpleasant, nauseous feeling can overwhelm certain people when they embark on their first sea voyage.

What is motion sickness?

Travel means moving, but when we’re not moving under our own power, about 30 percent of us experience motion sickness.

“Any kind of conveyance makes people sick,” said Millard Reschke, chief of neuroscience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Reschke has been studying the phenomenon for about 40 years, and with good reason: Around 70 percent of crew members on space missions get sick. Motion sickness occurs because of something called retinal slip, which you can see for yourself.

Hold your hand up and move your head back-and-forth, and you’ll see the lines on your palm clearly. Move your hand back-and-forth instead and the lines appear blurry. That’s what happens when we move in a space shuttle, car or on a boat, and that blurring or slipping of the image on the eye’s retina confuses the sensory system in the inner ear and makes (some of) us sick.

Essentially, your eyes are telling you that you’re moving and your inner ear is telling you that you’re not. That difference between expectation and reality seems to be what leads to feeling nauseous. It’s unclear why our bodies decide that nausea is the appropriate reaction, but one theory suggests that our evolutionary mechanisms are the cause.

Charles Darwin, originator of the theory of evolution, wrote about his expeditions on the sea in a letter to his father. “If it was not for sea-sickness, the whole world will be sailors,” he said.

Why do some get it and others don’t? 

The answer to this question is also unclear, but there is evidence that suggests that genetics have something to do with it. Genetic company, 23andMe, found in a study that there are associations between motion sickness and genes involved in balance and eye and ear development.

But this then raises the question: How do people who are prone to motion sickness as children become less prone with time?

Another theory of the cause of motion sickness points to postural stability. On a ship, our bodies’ normal method of balancing is thrown way off course, making our bodies feel unstable. Around puberty, where we carry the most of our weight changes, and our methods of balancing change as well. So, someone who vomits during every long car ride at the age of 6 might start to fare better in his teenage years.

Of course, everyone is built differently; the unlucky few might just be more sensitive to motion than others.

Is there a sea sick remedy?

Our best bet is to try to limit the body’s confusion. “What I do about it is stop moving,” said Reschke. And if that isn’t an option? “I know you don’t want to hear ‘Look at the horizon and eat crackers, but it helps,” he said.

Another trick is a smart one for passengers in a car. The driver of a car is less susceptible to motion sickness because he can anticipate what’s coming. The answer is simple: pretend you’re the driver.

Though it’s harder to pretend you’re the captain of a ship than the driver of a car, trying your best to focus on where the ship is going might help.

A sea sick remedy that works for some is to consume gingery food and drinks. As a general health tip, drinking ginger ale can calm an upset stomach, but has been more so proven to be effective when the nausea is caused by motion sickness. It can also work as a placebo. If junior is complaining of motion sickness, tell him ginger ale is a 100 percent effective cure, and he might just believe you.

The other option requires less effort but much more determination – wait it out. Over time, our bodies get used to the motion. If you can get through the initial discomfort (and potential upchuck), you’ll be golden in time, and ready to enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Don’t get too used to the motion, though. You might find yourself feeling land sick once the cruise is over!

What’s your home remedy for sea sickness? Tell us in the comments below!

Don’t let motion sickness scare you from a cruise vacation of a lifetime! Plan and book your next cruise with AAA. 

A large draw of many river cruise destinations is the excellent chance they provide passengers to learn about various topics, from wine to food to history, in an in-depth fashion. Cruise lines plying the rivers from Europe to Egypt often offer similar itineraries, using local guides as experts to provide insight into the past.

For history buffs, some bucket-list historical river cruises include France, Portugal, Germany and Russia. Below are examples of typical itineraries with specific themes relating to history.

River cruise destinations for those interested in WWII history

Paris to Normandy is hands-down one of the most popular river cruise destinations for those interested in history. Typically, cruises include an excursion to the Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, plus visits to the Point du Hoc monument and the American Cemetery.

A stop in Rouen, best known as the home of Joan of Arc, is also included, where visitors can visit the gothic Rouen Cathedral and other historic sites. Excursions to Giverny, where Claude Monet lived for almost four decades, is another stop. In Les Andelys, situated on a bend of the Seine, options include visiting the historic Parish Church of Le Petit Andely or hiking to the ruins of Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart as a fortress in 1196.

Search for similar river cruises. 

River cruise destinations for those interested in castles

Several river cruise lines offer castle tours through Europe. Itineraries may include a trip from Luxembourg to Nuremberg, with stops in several medieval villages along the way. You may visit Trier, Germany’s oldest city, and learn about its Roman history and tour Trier Cathedral, the Basilica of Constantine and the Porta Nigra gate, which dates back to 179 A.D.

You may visit historic Reichsburg Castle in Cochem. And as you cruise along the river to Rüdesheim, beautiful scenery, including castle ruins, fortresses and the famous Lorelei Rock, keep passengers glued to the deck or their balconies on the river.

Mainz is home to the Gutenberg Museum, which houses two copies of the world’s first printed Bible. And Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest university town. Other nearby highlights include the Residenz Palace and gardens, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Bamberg, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

River cruise destinations for those interested in pyramids and Cleopatra

A cruise down the Nile River, where passengers take in its ancient sites, is like traveling back in time. Your itinerary will most likely include tours of the major sights in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. In Cairo, you’ll visit the excellent Egyptian Museum, where you can view the treasures of King Tut, and of course, pay a visit the Great Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Along the Nile, stops include the Valley of the Kings, where royals were buried for more than 500 years; the Temple of Hatshepsut, built by a female pharaoh; and the tomb of King Tut. Certainly, for anyone fascinated with history, this is a bucket-list river cruise destination.

River cruise destinations for those interested in tsars

From Red Square in Moscow to the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, and all the smaller villages in between, tours include the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theater, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Tretyakov Galler and the Cosmonaut Museum.

St. Petersburg beckons with the Hermitage Museum, the Catherine Palace, (the 18th-century summer residence of the Russian tsars, named for Catherine I), and much more. A traditional Russian ballet performance is another not-to-miss event.

There are, of course, variations on all of these historical cruises depending on which river cruise destination and cruise line you pick.

Of all of the time periods each cruise line features, which one would you most likely choose to explore? Tell us in the comments.

Book a river cruise vacation with AAA. 

Geocaching is the high-tech treasure hunt that has people exploring the outdoors one hidden gem at a time. Millions of caches are tucked away in different locations around the world, like in treetops at the end of long hiking trails or at the side of city streets – even underwater. All you need to do to get involved is sign up for a free account and download the Geocaching app.

For those who already know the excitement of hunting down hidden treasures in the least likely of places, there are plenty of ways in which you can take your adventures to the next level. Many travelers add geocaching to their travel itineraries and, in some cases, even make it the focus of their trip. Read on for our interview with a geocacher whose quest for caches has led him to places near and far.

Geocaching Road Trip

One of the most exciting things about geocaching is the opportunity to explore places you’ve never been before. So if cruising isn’t you thing, don’t worry; there are still ways to enjoy geocaching with your feet (or should we say tires) firmly planted on the ground. Christopher Lund, a real estate attorney in New York, has found caches in more than 20 states and throughout the world.

Q: How did you get started?

A. My girlfriend, Meghan, and I got into geocaching through a friend of mine. He was always talking about finding different caches and it seemed like a lot a fun. So one day we downloaded the Geocaching app and finally gave it a try. On our first day we found seven caches all within walking distance of my apartment. We’ve been hooked since!

Q: Why do you enjoy it?

A. It’s great to be able to spend an afternoon just hiking through quiet, large patches of woods to find classic caches, especially with all the noise and hectic pace of Long Island. Through geocaching, I’ve met new people and made many new friends in the local caching community. It’s also a great way for me and my girlfriend to spend time together. Geocaching has taken us to lots of local spots that I never would have discovered on my own.

Q: Has geocaching ever taken you out of New York? What about the country?

A. Yes! So far I’ve cached in about 20 different states, mostly up and down the East Coast and in the Southeast. Just last week my girlfriend and I went on a Caribbean cruise and we cached outside the U.S. for the first time. We found caches in Haiti, Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. The next  trip on my travel list is Alaska, which I’m hoping to do next summer.

Q: Do you prefer to geocache locally or while traveling?

A. When I first started caching, I preferred doing it locally. It was convenient and despite living on Long Island for most of my life, geocaching still brought me to new places I had never seen before. I was able to explore local history and connect with the small caching community. However, after several years focused on Long Island, I’m starting to get more enjoyment out of caching while traveling.

When I’m traveling out of state (and out of the country), the best caches in the area are still new to me. And due to the rules governing geocache hides, most are hidden by people familiar with the area, making them a great way to discover local spots. So, when you’re not from around an area, geocaching is a cool way to find places off-the-beaten-path. A few weeks ago Meghan and I were staying at a hotel in Miami, so we pulled up our caching app and saw there was a hide about a quarter-mile away. The spot was known by the locals as a manatee hangout, and sure enough when we went looking for the cache, we saw a large manatee swim by. That’s an experience I never would have had if not for geocaching!

Q: Are there any other cool ways to experience geocaching?

A. Absolutely. Hit the road! Last summer Meghan and I took a road trip with our friend Nick to West Virginia. Our main purpose was finding a series of caches that are somewhat famous in the caching community. But other times, we choose a destination first and then look for fun caches in that area. Last winter we did a trip to New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama. Once we were there, we made sure to find plenty of local caches.

And there are a number of tools available to help plan geocaching road trips, like the Trip Planner on the official geocaching website and GSAK. But my personal geocache road trip planning tends to be far less formal. It’s usually a combination of asking other experienced cachers for recommendations and using the advanced filters and search features available on the geocaching site and apps.

Geocaching Road Trip Tips

Barb Kessel has explored both coasts on her geocaching adventures. In fact, pretty soon she’ll be heading to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay with a caching tour group. She hosts occasional classes with tips, like how to plan a road trip around the hobby. Check out a few of her pointers.

Decide how much time you want to spend on the road in advance. A three-hour drive could turn into an eight-hour drive easily once you start geocaching. So include extra time for caching on your route and plan accordingly.

Make sure to weed out caches that are too hard to find or might be missing ahead of time. GSAK can help with this.

And finally, try not to go more than half-mile off of the route (unless there’s a really special cache along the way). It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re geocaching.

Tell us about your geocaching adventures in the comments and let AAA help you with your next geocaching adventure.

Get started at AAA.com/Travel.

On October 15, AAA Northeast announced the creation of the new member benefit Approved Auto Glass, a network of providers that offer quality auto glass services throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. AAA Auto Glass has partnered with JN Phillips Auto Glass to launch the program.

AAA Auto Glass provides high-quality windshield, as well as rear and side window, repair and replacement done by certified technicians. The glass meets original manufacturer standards and comes with a lifetime warranty on workmanship. The program also offers mobile service, meaning the work can be done virtually anywhere.

Currently, AAA Auto Glass serves parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. But the partnership with JN Phillips immediately adds 40 new glass locations in southern New England.

AAA members who require glass service will first be directed to AAA Auto Glass , but the addition of Approved Auto Glass partners expand the club’s abilities to serve members in new markets, including in Connecticut where it has not previously been. This partnership significantly increases AAA Northeast’s service area.

“AAA Northeast is thrilled to partner with JN Phillips,” said Tom Terwilliger, Vice President of AAA Auto Glass. “For more than 100 years we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing excellent products and services to our members. Partnering with JN Phillips broadens that mission, extends our reach, and opens up new opportunities for millions of members throughout our territory.”

Modeled on the very successful AAA Approved Auto Repair program, all approved auto glass facilities must meet strict quality standards and undergo regular inspections and reviews. JN Phillips is registered with the Auto Glass Safety Council, an organization dedicated to ensuring safe auto glass replacement and is also committed to recycling 100 percent of the windshields they replace. With more than 200 vans, JN Phillips also offers convenient mobile service that provides safe auto glass replacement at home or at work.

For more information or to find an AAA Approved Auto Glass facility near you, head to AAA.com/glass.

As staying connected becomes more and more important, cities around the world are changing to accommodate our electronic needs. Cell phone charging stations are on the rise, and more often than not, free Wi-Fi can be found in restaurants, coffee houses and other designated public areas. However, connecting to a free public Wi-Fi network often means risking your personal and financial information.

Finding a secure network is the most effective way to avoid being hacked, and those who need constant internet should invest in portable Wi-Fi devices, which are great for providing private networks.

Portable Wi-Fi devices are exactly like the internet boxes in your home. Except, instead of being attached to a phone cable, these routers use SIM cards. Meaning, the palm-sized devices can be taken anywhere there’s network coverage. But not all of these devices are created equal. With varying internet speeds, prices and features, there’s a lot to choose from.

Portable Wi-Fi gadgets

Locked or unlocked?

When buying portable Wi-Fi, consider whether you want a locked or unlocked device. What’s the difference? Well, if your device is locked to one network, that means you’ll be restricted to using one company for data rates. But an unlocked device will work with any SIM card, meaning you can purchase the best deal in whatever country you’re in. Our suggestion: if life or work has you traveling out of the country often, spring for the unlocked. Check out some of our favorites below.

Huawei E5330 Mobile Hotspot
(Starting at $55)

Topping out at 3G HSPA+, this portable Wi-Fi device doesn’t exactly deliver the fastest internet speeds. But it comes unlocked and will do the trick for on-the-go email and web browsing. It provides 5-6 hours of battery and can support 10 Wi-Fi devices simultaneously. It’s a great option for travelers who just want to check in with friends and family every now and again. Just be aware that this particular model won’t work in the U.S. Check out the HUAWEI E5220s-6 for other options.

Novatel Wireless MiFi Liberate
(Starting at $60)

While this portable Wi-Fi device is usually sold through specific providers like AT&T, you can find unlocked versions on eBay. So, if you don’t mind a little extra leg work, this device’s easy set-up is a nice payoff for the technologically challenged user. It can use 4G, 3G and 2G networks, features a 10-hour battery life, and has an intuitive touch screen. Plus, it supports Windows and Mac OS X and up to 10 devices.

TP-Link M7350
(Starting at $103)

A little pricier (but well worth the money), this portable Wi-Fi device covers all the basics and more. It provides 10 hours of battery life, can operate on 4G/LTE, 3G or 2G networks, supports up to 10 devices and offers download speeds up to 150Mbps. It also provides a duel-band Wi-Fi option (both 2.4GHz or 5GHz) and comes equipped with a micro SD card slot for up to 32GB of optional storage. Plus, the ability to control the device through its app (available for iOS and Android) is an extra nice perk.

Huawei E5786s Wi-Fi Hotspot
(Starting at $210)

This unlocked portable Wi-Fi device is compact, lightweight and top of the line. Available in black or white, it has unbeatable downloading speeds, maxing out at 300Mbps compared to 150Mbps (and sometimes less) in other devices. It also features duel-band LTE (both 2.4GHz and 5GHz) and up to 10 hours of battery on a single charge. And not only can you support up to 10 devices with this personal hotspot, but you can also use it to charge your phone and other electronics in a pinch. However, this device doesn’t support all U.S. LTE networks, so it’s best for traveling abroad.

Whether you’re a professional that needs access to Wi-Fi for answering work e-mails, or a traveler who just wants to stay in touch with friends and family, portable Wi-Fi provides all the convenience of internet without the high risk. As you head off on your adventures, gear up and stay connected!

Do you have any must-have portable tech and gadgets for traveling? Let us know in the comments below.

Because of their proximity to water, Vietnam, China and Japan lend themselves to be explored by ocean and river. An organized Asia cruise tour lets you travel in style without having to plan more than a flight. We’ve made it even easier for you by researching the best cruises through East Asia’s top destinations so that you’ll be hearing “all aboard” in no time.

Take an Asia cruise tour through China 

Experience both modern and ancient China on a luxurious river cruise like Uniworld’s Highlights of China & The Yangtze River cruise, which allows you to explore Beijing and offers excursions to the Forbidden City, Beijing’s Summer Palace and the base of the Great Wall.

Other highlights include the dumplings in Xi’An, China’s first capital and the opportunity to see the legendary Terracotta Army that protects Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in the afterlife.

You’ll fly to Chongqing where you’ll board your ship and begin your cruise along Asia’s longest river – the Yangtze, sailing through picturesque canyons and sheer cliffs past the legendary Three Gorges and Goddess Stream.

Search for savings on river cruises with AAA.

Float through Japan with Celebrity Cruises 

Aboard the Celebrity Millennium guests can dive into Japan’s history and modern culture. You could begin your expedition exploring the sights, flavors and sounds of Tokyo before boarding your ship in the evening. You’ll wake up to iconic views of Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan and one of the country’s most sacred landmarks.

Other experiences on your itinerary may include sampling steak in Kobe, known around the world for the marbled beef it exports; indulging in katsuo no takaki in Kochi, the city’s signature dish made of lightly seasoned, broiled bonito; and checking out the 6,000-year-old Sannai-Maruyama settlement ruins in Aomori,

Search for deals on Celebrity Cruises with AAA.

Sail through Vietnam on a river cruise 

An eight-day voyage like on Ama Waterways’ Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of Mekong Cruise could begin in Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, where vestiges of French colonialism meet vestiges of the Vietnam War.

On day two you’ll take a local boat to Cai Be where you’ll have the option to visit a traditional historic home or local craftsmen in their workshops. You’ll then tour nearby Sa Dec, which was the inspiration for French writer Marguerite Duras’ novel The Lover.

Next, you’ll cruise to Tan Chau where you’ll be able to explore the town by boat or on a xe-loi –a three-wheeled rickshaw. In the evening your ship will cross into Cambodia.

On your first day in Cambodia you’ll visit the Killing Fields where Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge communist party killed and buried more than a million Cambodians during the Cambodian genocide in the 1970s. After a grim morning, you’ll learn about brighter times in Cambodia’s history at the National Museum and Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.

The next morning you’ll explore the Cambodian capital by tuk-tuk before embarking to Koh Chen to visit a silversmith village.

On the sixth day, you’ll explore a Buddhist monastery in Oudong, Cambodia’s royal capital from the 17th until the 19th century.

On the penultimate day of your cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia, you will ride through the floating villages of Kampong-Chhnang and enjoy exotic bird watching. Your Mekong River cruise disembarks in Prek Kdam, Cambodia. You and your travel partners will never forget this Asia cruise tour through French Indochina.

Search for savings on river cruises with AAA.

Explore the best of East Asia with Holland America 

Travelers looking for the ultimate East Asia cruise tour will be able to see China, Japan, Vietnam and much more on cruises like Holland America Line’s 28-Day Taiwan, Japan & Far East Discovery Collector.

The cruise embarks in Shanghai, China — the “Paris of the East.” Spend two days exploring this booming metropolis before reveling in the luxury of the MS Volendam during a day on the sea.

You’ll arrive in the Japanese port city of Fukuoka on day three, where you’ll be able to sample street food favorites from the city’s iconic yatai outdoor food stalls. Other stops along your journey around Japan include Nagasaki, Naha and Ishigaki Island.

On day eight you’ll arrive in Taiwan and will have free time to explore Taipei, the island nation’s booming capital. You’ll see a mix of modern skyscrapers and traditional temples in Kaohsiung the following day.

After a day at sea you’ll spend time exploring the Filipino capital, Manila, where Spanish colonialism meets southeast asian culture.

Next, you’ll have two days in Hong Kong to experience another mashup of cultures – British and Chinese.

After several days in densely-populated cities you’ll yearn for the tropical calm that awaits in Vietnam’s picturesque Ha Long Bay. Other stops in Vietnam include the imperial city of Hue, the resort town of Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh – the city that never sleeps.

After a beach day in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, you’ll be ready for the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Thailand.

Your month-long cruise will end in Singapore, the tropical city-state island where cultures and religions intermingle (Singapore has four official languages) and jaw-dropping architecture is the norm.

Search for deals on Holland American cruises with AAA.

Which cruise sounds most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments below.

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River cruises are relaxing, intimate and offer more opportunities to explore onshore than ocean cruises – and usually appeal to a mature clientele. But as the industry grows, cruise lines are branching out to a different demographic: families.

Take a European river cruise, which is usually cheaper than a river cruise through Asia, Africa or the Americas. Cruising the Danube, Rhine, Seine or Douro rivers will take passengers through countries like France, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland and more. River cruises place passengers right in the heart of each country. Travelers can stop at each port and tour the town or city, go on hikes, visit historic sites and experience authentic culture. It’s one of the best ways to explore multiple countries in Europe within a week’s vacation.

Any parent will tell you that this doesn’t sound like an ideal vacation for young children.

Toddlers may not be suitable for a long walking tour through castle ruins and monasteries. Even the older kids may not appreciate a performance of fado, the traditional music of Portugal, like an adult will. On top of that, river cruise ships have to be smaller than ocean cruise ships in order to travel through the boundaries of a river, so staterooms are smaller and there are fewer amenities like water slides and rock climbing walls on deck.

What’s a kid to do?

To answer this, river cruise lines have created family-driven cruises and added family-friendly itineraries to existing cruises. This includes biking tours in place of walking tours, kid-oriented cooking and baking classes, guided sightseeing paired with storytelling and more to keep kids engaged and active.

But it’s not all games and fun; many family-friendly river cruises balance activities and downtime. There’s time to unwind onboard, as well as family entertainment to keep the kids occupied.

As far as the sleeping situation goes, some family river cruises offer more spacious rooms than a typical river cruise ship, and even family suites. Others may offer adjoining rooms for kids and other family members, like grandparents.

And since picky eaters and unfamiliar foods usually don’t mix, family-friendly cruises typically include casual dining options as well as regional cuisine.

Read on for some river cruises suited for families.

Answers to your top 10 questions about river cruise vacations.

Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways

AmaWaterways, a leader in luxury river cruising, has partnered with Adventures by Disney to provide several opportunities for families to sail down the Danube and Rhine rivers. Once onboard, like a choose-your-own-adventure book, you can choose your itinerary for the day. Activities onshore range from zip lining to guided horseback tours to museum visits. An Adventure Guide will handle all of the details of your trip and, along with local experts, tell the story of your destination. Onboard, activities range from kid-friendly Disney movie nights to adult-friendly wine tastings.

Tauck Bridges Family River Cruises

Tauck Bridges has long been in the family river cruise business. Days on a Tauck Bridges cruise are action-packed, so the kids are never bored. One upfront price covers all shore excursions, unlimited complimentary beverages aboard the ship, gratuities for Tauck staff and local guides, and more. With no surprise expenses, you can relax and enjoy the ride. And where better to relax than in the spacious 300-square-foot suites, each equipped with a sofa bed to accommodate families. Plus, the single supplemental price is waived, making it easier for a solo family member to tag along.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

The river cruises in Uniworld’s Generations Collection may just be the kids’ favorite option. With cooking and dessert-making classes just for kids, child-friendly workshops tailored to the destination, a young travelers’ lounge with a game room and local treats, kids-only movie nights and more, the fun is nonstop. Plus, there are kid-friendly menus on board, and a Young Travelers’ Table, where younger guests can eat and hang out. The onshore excursions appeal to a wide range of travelers, from art lovers to thrill-seekers, while some are geared toward children, tweens and teens. To help offset the cost for families, Uniworld offers discounted prices for travelers ages 4-17.

Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Vantage river cruises are group-focused, whether you’re traveling with family or friends. In addition to guided walking tours, cooking demonstrations and history lectures, there are also more active options for families to engage in. Vantage ships have bicycles on board for use during your free time, giving families the perfect opportunity to grab a road map and explore on their own. When it comes time to unwind, families can return to their spacious triple- and quad-occupancy rooms (on select trips). Vantage also offers group incentives so the whole family can join in on the fun.

CroisiEurope Family Club Cruises

CroisiEurope’s special Family Club river cruises are tailored to multigenerational families, with activities and excursions that kids, parents and grandparents will love. CroisiEurope offers trips that aren’t as commonly offered, like cruises on the Po and Guadalquivir rivers, which run through Italy and Spain, respectively. It’s also one of the more inexpensive cruise lines – children under age 16 travel free on cruises in Portugal, Spain and Italy.

Have you ever been on a family river cruise? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

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Is the park open year-round?

Yes, Redwood National and State Parks is open all year. Some park facilities are closed during the offseason.

Where is the park located?

Redwood National and State Parks is located in coastal northern California.

How big is the park?

The park covers approximately 139,000 acres, with forty miles of coastline and 45 percent of the remaining coastal redwood forests.

How do I get around in the park?

Most visitors drive their own cars and campers into the park.

What activities are available?

Some of the popular activities to plan for a Redwood National Park vacation include:

• Hiking/walking: The park offers more than 200 miles of trails of all levels, from a casual stroll through the misty redwood stands to a more challenging hill climb. Trails are often wet and slippery, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and rain gear.

• Scenic drives: The park is filled with short and long drives that visitors can follow to see the redwoods, the coast, and the wildlife. Note that many of the roads are not suitable for motorhomes and RVs because they are not paved or are very narrow. Consult the park’s website or visitor center for details.

• Go tidepooling: Redwood National and State Parks has easily accessed tidepools at Endert’s Beach, Damnation Creek, and False Klamath Cove. Some of the ocean creatures that visitors can see in these tidepools include sea stars, mussels, crabs, snails, and sea cucumbers.

• Wildlife viewing: Because this park contains both inland areas and seacoast, visitors can discover a wide range of animals, from the herds of elk in the meadows to the gray whales migrating off the Klamath River Overlook. Sea birds are also abundant near the water.

• Bicycling: Unlike in many other national parks, visitors can bicycle on some of the backcountry roads in Redwood National and State Parks. Maps of roads where bicycles are permitted are available at the visitor center. Roads range from flat and easy to steep and challenging.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are permitted in limited areas in the park, including road-accessible beaches, picnic areas, within 100 feet of public roads and parking areas, and all road-accessible campgrounds. They are not allowed on trails or the backcountry.

Is the park accessible?

The facilities in the park, including the visitor center, picnic areas, and campgrounds, are fully accessible. Some trails, such as the Big Tree Wayside, are also accessible.

What accommodations or restaurants are available?

There are no lodging facilities or restaurants within Redwood National Park. Camping is allowed within the park, however, both at developed campgrounds and at backcountry sites. A permit is required to use the backcountry facilities. Accommodations and food can be found in all the nearby communities.

What are the most popular areas of the park?

• Crescent Beach: This popular beach has a grassy picnic area with fire pits and restrooms.

• Coastal Drive: The Coastal Drive weaves through redwoods, along the Klamath River, and follows the coastline. Though the drive was once longer, landslides have closed all but this eight-mile loop. This road is closed to trailers and RVs.

• Fern Canyon: The one-mile, relatively level trail on the canyon floor follows the Home Creek through the forest. A wide variety of ferns sprout from the fifty- to eighty-foot canyon walls, giving the area its name.

• Lady Bird Johnson Grove: This area is one of the park’s more accessible to view the redwood. An easy one-mile trail loops through the forest on an old logging road.

• Newton B. Drury Parkway/Big Tree Wayside: This ten-mile scenic drive takes visitors through old-growth redwoods and areas where herds of Roosevelt elks frequently gather. Along this parkway is Big Tree, a 304-foot-tall redwood with a diameter of twenty-one feet.

Which national park would you like to visit most? Is Redwood National Park on your list? Tell us in the comments.

Plan a national park vacation with AAA. 

Vacations can be stressful, especially sightseeing trips to Europe that involve visiting multiple cities or countries in just a week or two. But they don’t have to be.

The emergence of river cruise vacations over the past two decades has changed the way many travelers think about seeing Europe and several other international destinations. You can now cruise in most major European countries – by far the most popular river cruise destination – as well as in Russia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Egypt and the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon.

If you’re reading this, you must be curious about why there are now hundreds of river vessels cruising the Danube, Rhine, Seine and other legendary waterways. The answer: International cruises offer what could be your favorite vacation ever. Here’s how:

It’s cruising on a more human scale. If you equate today’s largest ocean cruise ships – which accommodate 3,000 to 5,000 passengers – with a Las Vegas casino resort, then river cruise vessels are the equivalent of a boutique hotel. With just 80-190 passengers, Europe’s river cruise boats are designed to feel more personal, and the effect is obvious the moment you step onboard. You’ll see the captain and cruise director multiple times daily, the dining room staff will remember if you prefer coffee or tea after your first meal, and as you return from excursions you’ll be greeted warmly with hand towels and refreshments.

There’s always fascinating scenery passing by. There are no sea days, during which all you have to look at is 360-degrees of blue ocean. On a river cruise vacation, the scenery changes every minute you’re not in port as you pass by hilltop castles in Germany, tulip fields and windmills in Holland, rolling vineyards and centuries old churches in France and imperial palaces and parliament buildings in Austria and Hungary. Most river vessels feature panoramic windows in their forward lounges (and many newer ships extend that to individual cabins) and top decks are lined with loungers that make the perfect perch for enjoying the passing view.

Many river cruise vessels were built over the past decade. There’s something reassuring about surroundings that are sleek and new, and chances are your river cruise will feature contemporary décor (Viking River Cruises pioneered the concept with the modern Scandinavian design on its Longships and several other lines have followed suit). And even if the décor is lavish old-world European (as on Uniworld), the ship itself is modern, having been recently built or refurbished.

There’s more included in the price than on most ocean cruises. When you book a river cruise vacation, you are likely to get much more than just a cabin and three meals a day. The upfront fares for many, if not most, European river cruises include the following: beverages (often wine and beer with lunch and dinner, but some lines feature an open bar as well), organized excursions in most ports, onboard Wi-Fi, and staff gratuities.

You’ll dock within walking distance of many major sights. If you’re not a fan of organized excursions, the logistics of river cruising typically offer easy options for independent exploration as ships are able to dock right within the city (unlike large ocean cruise ships, which often dock miles from downtown and require shuttle buses to ferry passengers to the center).

The focus on local and regional cuisine enhances appreciation of the destination. Critics of international ocean cruising often claim this style of travel (six or eight hours in port, then on to the next destination) forfeits an authentic experience of the place, especially when it comes to food. While river cruise vacations generally keeps to the same schedule – albeit with more overnights in key cities – there’s a concerted effort to seek out local experiences while ashore and to bring local flavors and specialties onboard, both in the à la carte dinner menus and in special midday or late-afternoon presentations. Examples include a tasting with a “beer sommelier” in Belgium, a lunchtime spread of local cheeses in Holland, or fresh oysters and cider in Normandy.

 You’ll overnight in key cities and discover fascinating small towns. As noted above, the shorter distances between ports allows for overnight stays in key cities – such as Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Bordeaux and Porto – allowing for evening excursions to local restaurants, concerts, operas or other cultural events. Who doesn’t want to see the Eiffel Tower or the Hungarian Parliament Building lit up at night? And calling on smaller cities and towns, such as Auvers-sur-Oise outside Paris (where Vincent Van Gogh spent the final months of his life and is buried) and Régua, Portugal (home to the captivating Mateus Palace) allows you to discover new and memorable places you might not have heard of before.

Camaraderie comes naturally. Daily life onboard most river cruise ships includes a cocktail hour in the lounge before dinner, during which all passengers mingle before the cruise director details the next day’s itinerary. And while tables for two are available in the restaurant at lunch and dinner, there are generally more tables for six or eight, allowing guests to chat as they dine. After a week of river cruising, you are apt to know several dozen fellow passengers by name—which isn’t always the case on big cruise ships.

The entertainment is authentic. A harmonious local seamen’s choir in Holland, a soulful Fado singer in Portugal, a classical trio in Vienna – expect to enjoy performances by local musicians in at least half the ports you visit. On other nights, the resident musician (typically European as well) provides after-dinner entertainment.

You won’t end your vacation feeling exhausted. Yes, there’s a port to visit every day, but because many of them are smaller towns, touring typically takes no more than 3-5 hours. The rest of the day can be spent at your leisure, either ashore or onboard, reading, napping or snacking. The overall feeling is one of relaxation and pampering rather than fatigue – except that you’ll probably feel fat (as in “Oops, I gained a few pounds”) when it’s time to head home.

Have you ever been on a river cruise vacation? Share your thoughts on the experience in the comments.

Book your river cruise vacation with AAA. 

Home to 1.3 billion people, India it is a melting pot of languages, religions and cultures that entice visitors from around the world who plan on spending their holidays in Asia. India can induce culture shock, even for seasoned travelers. We’ve rounded up our top tips for traveling to India for the first time in order to make the most of your Asian holidays.

Play it safe on Asian holidays

Tourists can be victims of pickpocketing anywhere, but the overwhelming sites and sounds of India’s cities can distract even experienced travelers. Men, get in the habit of placing wallets in your front pockets instead of back pockets. Ladies, if you opt for a purse, a petite cross-body is safer than a large tote and should be kept in front of your body. The best option for either gender is a travel belt that can be tucked underneath the loose pants you’re wearing to cope with the Indian heat. If you carry a backpack, using a backpack lock is highly advised. This advice will serve you in India and beyond if you extend your Asian holidays to travel elsewhere in the region.

We also recommend studying this list of scams you may encounter in India to avoid them during your trip.

Dress conservatively

Beyond covering up when visiting places of worship, it is advised that tourists dress conservatively while spending time in India. India’s heat might make you want to wear your skimpiest garments, but shorts and short dresses will attract uncomfortable attention. Generally, bare shoulders are acceptable, but visible knees can be considered risqué. Play it safe by choosing loose-fitting, long garments that will keep you cool. Always carry a light scarf with you to keep away the heat and cover up if you feel you’ve missed the mark.

Avoid gastrointestinal issues

Traveler’s diarrhea is an all too common malady that can ruin your Indian vacation. Before you go, consult a travel doctor and make sure you have all the necessary immunizations for visiting India. Getting travel medical insurance is also advisable in case a simple stomach bug turns into something more severe.

Your travel doctor may suggest you purchase over-the-counter probiotics to take regularly during your trip. Probiotics help balance your gut’s bacterial composition and can help thwart traveler’s diarrhea in conjunction with avoiding certain foods.

In general, you should avoid consuming tap water, ice, street food, salad and fruit that you haven’t peeled yourself. Many travelers opt to go vegetarian while in India to avoid stomach ailments caused by spoiled meat, which tend to cause the most egregious of gastrointestinal issues.

Be aware of hygiene customs

In many parts of the world finding a clean toilet that is stocked with toilet paper and has a place to wash your hands is a luxury. While modern shops and restaurants in India’s cities will have these western comforts, you will run into difficulties on the road or in India’s more rural towns.

Outside of India’s major cities you will likely encounter squatter toilets and the local toilet paper alternative – your left hand and a water jug. For this reason, it is considered improper to eat with your left hand. Carry toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you on your travels in India and take take extra precautions by applying hand sanitizer before meals.

Make plans, but be flexible

There is so much to see and do during your Asian holidays in India that going in without a plan can be overwhelming. It is important to be flexible because obstacles are bound to pop up in this exciting-albeit-chaotic country.

You could get stuck in a rickshaw traffic jam, spend an hour haggling with a merchant to get the right price for a souvenir and arrive at your destination just to find that it’s closed due to a religious festival. Things happen, but they’re all part of the magic of India.

Make plans, but be flexible. Going in with this mindset will help you live in the moment and can turn mishaps from your Indian adventure into your most-cherished memories.

AAA can make your Indian holiday and the rest of your Asia travel a breeze with our travel search engine. You can book your flights, hotels and tours all in one place.

Have you already been to India? Share your top tips for first time visitors in the comments below.

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The National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa

The only U.S. national park south of the equator, the National Park of American Samoa encompasses three islands: Tutuila, Ofu and Ta‘ū. Visitors can explore coral reefs, tropical rain forests and Samoan culture.

Biscayne National Park, Florida

This park in the northern Florida Keys offers divers and snorkelers several places to explore along the underwater Maritime Heritage Trail. Though the reefs and islands are accessible only by boat, visitors can walk through the mangrove forests on the shore.

Channel Islands National Park, California

Channel Islands National Park is spread over five islands off the Southern California coast. Activities include hiking, visiting lighthouses, exploring sea caves, and observing wildlife, including the numerous seals that gather on San Miguel Island.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Located in the Cascade Mountains in southern Oregon, this U.S. national park is named after its most famous site, Crater Lake. This body of water was created by the collapse of the now-extinct volcano, Mount Mazama.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park is 68 miles west of Key West, in the Gulf of Mexico. This park offers magnificent diving, with its abundant marine life, coral reefs and shipwrecks. The main attraction on land is Fort Jefferson, an unfinished coastal fortress built in the 19^th century. This park is accessible only by seaplane.

Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

Meaning “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian, this park is found on the island of Maui. The main attraction here is the Haleakalā Crater, with a seven-mile-by-two-mile opening and a depth of nearly 2,600 feet. This park is one of the best places in the United States for stargazing. Hawaiian geese, called nēnē, are native to this area, and though they had initially died out, they were reintroduced in the 1940s and are doing well today.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

One of Hawaii’s most popular tourist sites is Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Located on the “Big Island” of Hawaii, it contains two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Visitors can travel the Crater Rim Drive through fields of steam vents. The more adventurous can explore the Thurston Lava Tube. Another byway, the Chain of Craters Road, leads through lava fields. Check to see if the park is open before heading out: Kilauea’s recent eruption and related earthquakes could lead to closings or reduced hours. Visitors should always keep safety top of mind.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

This U.S. national park in Washington State is best known for its namesake, Mount Rainier, a glacier-capped stratovolcano. One of the glaciers on the mountain, Carbon Glacier, is the largest by volume in the lower forty-eight states, whereas the Emmons Glacier is the largest by area. Visitors can enjoy numerous trails in the park, and many mountaineers attempt to summit Mount Rainier each year.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

This remote wilderness is spread over a group of islands in Lake Superior, near the border between Michigan and Canada. Cars are not allowed, so many visitors use boats to get around. Wildlife includes moose and wolves. Cold-water divers can explore several shipwrecks in the park.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Named for Mount Katmai, a stratovolcano, this U.S. national park in southern Alaska is home to numerous Alaskan brown bears. The 1912 eruption of Novarupta created the forty-square-mile Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a pyroclastic flow that ranges from 100 to 700 feet deep. The park contains eighteen individual volcanoes, nearly half of which have erupted since 1900.

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Located about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, this U.S. national park is accessible only by boat or plane. The terrain varies between mountains and a rain forest–lined coast with sections of alpine tundra, glaciers, major rivers, and two volcanoes, Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. Mount Redoubt is still active, having erupted in 1989 and 2009. Most of Alaska’s major land and sea animal species can be found in the park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

This park in northeast California is named after Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world. The volcano is surrounded by various geothermal sites, such as acres of mud pots in Bumpass Hell and fields of lava rocks in the Devastated Area. Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the only places in the world where visitors can find all four types of volcanoes: shield, cinder cone, plug dome, and strato. Several roads lead through the park, and hikers can enter on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands

This park, which encompasses much of St. John as well as 5,500 acres of ocean, attracts many scuba divers and snorkelers. For land travelers, the park has miles of hiking trails that lead through its tropical rain forest.

What U.S. national parks are on your wish list? Tell us in the comments.

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America’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park attracts four million visitors a year from across the country and all corners of the world. Spread across nearly 3,469 square miles in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, the park offers visitors a glimpse at some of the West’s most famous fauna, such as grizzlies, buffalo and wolves.

Guests also marvel at evidence of the earth’s active geothermal activity with the park’s bubbling hot springs and gushing geysers, and can enjoy the serenity of the wide-open valleys and the sparkling stars in the dark, velvety night sky.

This Yellowstone National Park guide will help you plan the trip to this national treasure that best suits your interests.

Visitors can access Yellowstone National Park through one of its five entrances and learn more about its history, geography and geology, and wildlife at one of the ten visitor centers located throughout the park.

Though the park is open year-round, its busiest season is late spring until early fall. Cold-weather lovers can tour portions of the park in the winter and partake in the activities described later in this Yellowstone National Park guide, but not all roads and sites are accessible, and the majority of services are not open during the coldest months.

Yellowstone National Park’s natural beauty

 Yellowstone’s mountains, lakes and rivers are breathtaking, but what attract the biggest crowds are its geothermal sites. Mammoth Hot Springs, near the North Entrance, entices viewers to walk along boardwalks through multicolored travertine terraces and steam rising from the boiling springs and mud pots.

Other hot springs, many featuring vibrant colors due to the water’s mineral content, are scattered throughout Yellowstone. The largest at 370 feet wide and 125 feet deep is the Grand Prismatic Spring, located in the Midway Geyser Basin in the western portion of the park. For those seeking a more dramatic display of the earth’s power, the geysers are the main attraction. Yellowstone contains around 60 percent of the world’s geysers, with Old Faithful being the best known.

To avoid the crowds at the most popular sites, visitors should explore some of the less-well-known areas of the park, such as the Lamar Valley, where the wide-open spaces attract large herds of buffalo and other animals. We recommend arriving either early or later in the day – before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. is best. Or consider planning a visit in the non-peak seasons of April and September.

What to do: A guide to Yellowstone Park activities

 From late May until October, adventure seekers can hike the park’s numerous trails on multiday treks or shorter day trips, raft on the rivers, fish in the streams and lakes, horseback ride, bicycle both on the roads and on mountain bike trails, and take self-guided or guided tours to view the area’s abundant wildlife.

In the wintertime, intrepid outdoor enthusiasts trade the crowds of summer for a more peaceful experience in Yellowstone. However, many of the park’s roads are not plowed in the winter, so some of the sites are accessible only by snowmobile, skis or dogsled.

The western portion of Yellowstone boasts some of most sought-after snowmobile trails in the West, such as the Continental Divide trail, earning it the nickname of “Snowmobiling Capital of the World.”

For those seeking a quieter method of travel or one that provides more of a workout, cross-country skiing can be enjoyed on all of the park’s roads and miles of trails. Though some trails are groomed, most are not. A popular trail is the Biscuit Basin Trail, which loops through Old Faithful’s basin. When snow blankets the terrain, some of the park’s wildlife hibernate or migrate to warmer lands, but many, such as buffalo, elk and wolves, are still active. Visitors can take guided tours to see these creatures, or they can snowshoe or ski out on self-guided tours.

Where to stay

 When visiting Yellowstone National Park, visitors have several options for where to stay. In keeping with the great outdoors vibe of the park, many people opt to camp, whether in a camper or tent at one of the park’s twelve campgrounds or completely off the grid in one of the 300 backcountry campsites.

The park also has nine lodges for those who want a bit of comfort with their nature experience. Two of the lodges, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, are also open in the winter. Visitors can also stay outside the boundaries of the park in the many resorts, hotels, and motels nearby.

Where to eat

 The park contains many restaurants, from fine dining in the lodges to casual grab-and-go snacks. Many guests bring food for enjoying in one of the park’s many picnic areas. Some have fire grates for cooking, but visitors are advised to bring their own water because not all sites offer potable water.

 Have you ever visited Yellowstone National Park? Would you like to? Tell us in the comments.

Plan a national park vacation with AAA. 

Explore several fantastic national parks on one exciting journey with the National Parks of America vacation package by AAA Vacations.

During this trip, travelers relish in overnight stays in a lodge nestled in the heart of Yellowstone and in a National Historic Landmark inside the Grand Canyon. On this specific tour, travelers enjoy a breakfast cruise on Lake Powell, marvel at the magnitude and color of Zion’s cliffs, and drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and the great Sioux Nations Territory, and see Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument.

Contact a AAA travel advisor today to learn more.

Whether you are booking with AAA Vacations or planning your own national parks of America tour, the following places and experiences are considered tour highlights.

Scottsdale – Tour begins

The first of your national park of America tours begins in Arizona, where you will enjoy a stay in the world-famous resort town of Scottsdale.

Scottsdale – Sedona – Lake Powell

 Begin the day with a visit to the artists’ colony of Sedona, where you will see the amazing rock formations change colors with each turn in the road.

Lake Powell – Grand Canyon

Embark on a delightful breakfast cruise on scenic Lake Powell. Next, travel to Carl Hayden Visitors Center and look out over Glen Canyon dam. Afterward, travel through Marble Canyon before arriving at the spectacular Grand Canyon. Upon arrival, relax at one of the many public seating areas overlooking the immense canyon. Take a moment to reflect or take a short hike to explore the area. Dinner takes place at the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.

Grand Canyon – Bryce Canyon – Zion National Park

Travel to Bryce Canyon National Park, a scenic wonder. The formations within the park, called Hoodoos, are the creation of wind and water erosion over eons of time. Your final destination for the day is the red and white sandstone cliffs of Zion National Park, one of the most awe-inspiring national parks of the United States. Enjoy the view from the floor of the canyon as you ride along on the Zion tram.

 Zion National Park – Salt Lake City

A drive north takes you to Salt Lake City for a two-night stay. Perhaps you will choose to explore Temple Square. This beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City is one of Utah’s most visited attractions.

Salt Lake City

Enjoy a tour of Salt Lake City featuring the Great Salt Lake, the state Capitol and the residential district.

Salt Lake City – Jackson Hole

En route to Wyoming you will see the majestic Bear Lake Summit.

Jackson Hole

The day is yours to enjoy Jackson Hole. Optional activities include shopping, canoeing, hiking and river-rafting trips. From Memorial Day through the last Saturday in September you can experience a fun-filled evening of cowboy entertainment with a traditional chuck wagon dinner.

Jackson Hole – Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks

Pass through Grand Teton National Park. The Teton Range is the youngest range in the Rockies. Towering more than a mile above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Later, arrive at the amazing Yellowstone National Park for an overnight stay. Explore the incredible sights of Yellowstone with a local guide. One of the many highlights is the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser.

Yellowstone – Cody – Sheridan

A day of sightseeing begins with a trip along Lake Yellowstone and over Sylvan Pass. The scenery is simply amazing. As you pass through Cody, a stop will be made at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Before turning in for the night in Sheridan, you drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and journey through the territory of the Great Sioux Nation.

Sheridan – Rapid City

See one of the country’s most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore. Later, visit Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument dedicated to the Native Americans of this great land. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Native American Cultural Center to learn about their culture and customs.  At dinner, you will meet a local Lakota Native American.

National Park of America Tours

AAA Vacations offers vacation options that fit your travel style. Choose guided or independent itineraries, let a local host show you the way or take AAA’s suggestions for ocean and river cruises. Packages include meals, guided tours, nightly accommodations, baggage handling and roundtrip airport transportation. And AAA members save even more.

Learn more about this exciting trip. 

Click here or visit your nearest AAA branch to learn more about AAA Vacations. 

Now that you’re a little older and the kids are out of the house, you’ve got all this time on your hands, right? Well, not exactly. But it’s definitely time to start knocking some items off that European bucket list.

Now more than ever, those looking for European tours for seniors have more options than ever. So many companies, cities and even countries are competing to attract the millions of Baby Boomers entering retirement age. Combine that with an increased focus on handicapped accessibility by the European Union and the result is a recipe for comfortable, authentic travel experiences that you’ll never forget.

Whether it be with self-guided travel, a river cruise or an organized tour, here’s how seniors visiting Europe can get the most out of their trip:

Package tour or not?

The first thing you have to decide, besides where you want to go, is whether you prefer to travel independently or with a tour company. For some people, the idea of being shuttled around on a bus with 40 other seniors sounds like a snooze. But to others, it’s a great way to find like-minded people who can become lifelong friends.

The key to successful package travel is to go with a company that aligns with your interests, which means it’s imperative to shop around for the right itinerary. Companies like Viking and AMA Waterways offer fantastic itineraries on river cruises that provide all meals in a luxurious setting with easily accessible shore excursions.

If you want to stay on land, AAA Exclusive Vacations has plenty of options for European tours for seniors. Exploring imperial Europe by traipsing through Budapest, Vienna and Prague is a must for any senior history buff. Tauck can take travelers on a journey that delves into the Hapsburg Empire and its major urban centers.

Getting around

Major European cities have made their public transit systems a priority for decades, which makes it very easy to get around. But if you decide to travel independently and accessibility is an issue, keep in mind that many subway lines require a lot of walking and climbing stairs, so you could stick to street level and catch a city bus.

Make sure to download Google Maps or the AAA  Mobile app on your phone before you go. Then, once you arrive, plug in the address of your hotel and you’ll always be able to easily get back. Of course, you can always take a taxi, in which case you could just show a non-English speaking cabbie your address on the map.

For people who are comfortable driving a stick, or don’t mind spending a lot on an automatic, consider renting a car for a drive through the countryside. It’s often more cost effective to get a cheap Peugeot versus paying for two or more people on a train, so long as you’re not driving between major cities and paying to park.

Driving is also a great way to get a feel for a country.

Be smart with your smartphone

Before you embark on your journey, taking a few minutes to download a couple things on your phone will help make it unforgettable, particularly if you’re traveling independently.

The first is to search around for free audio guides. Travel guru Rick Steves, for instance, has dozens of informative audio guides that provide walking tours and maps you can follow along on your phone. He even provides concise but detailed explanations of some museums or major sites like the Vatican.

Also make sure to download an app that can read QR codes, those funny black and white squares that are popping up on products nowadays. Many cities and historical sites have incorporated the codes on signs or place markers, which gives you a free source of information while on the go.

And last but not least, make sure to go to the AAA Mobile app and download the cities you will visit. That way you can still get walking, driving and transit directions without an internet connection, meaning you won’t have to pay expensive roaming fees for your data while abroad.

Have you traveled on a European tour for seniors? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Plan and book your next vacation with AAA. 

The river cruise line AmaWaterways has made its reputation on elegant design that reviewers say has elevated the river cruise experience since the fleet’s first ship launched in 2002. Since then, each successive ship christened for Ama river cruises has endeavored to best the last in traveler comfort.

Ama Waterways has focused on in-room amenities, from marble bathrooms to ubiquitous stateroom balconies. Ama cuisine is tailored to emphasize dishes that help the traveler feel connected to the region, and its excursions offer adventurous and creative ways to quickly get to know a new destination.

You can learn a lot about a cruise line from the recent headlines it has generated. Here are a few recent headlines to consider about Ama river cruises:

• 2016 was a very good year for Ama Waterways, as both AAA Travel and the American Society of Travel Agents named the cruise line the River Cruise Company of the Year. Ama also was awarded Best Cruise Line by Cruise Critic that same year.

• Some 82 percent of staterooms on Ama river cruises have French balconies, but apparently that wasn’t enough for Ama Waterways’ designers. Since 2010, they’ve designed most staterooms to include two-seater verandah balconies, as well.

• At a time when some cruise lines are trying to find ways to squeeze in more customers, Ama WaterWays is designing ships that emphasize more individual space. The AmaManga, which is set to launch in 2019, will be twice the width of traditional river cruise vessels, but will only have 194 staterooms. This design will allow more space for travelers, more dining options and more entertainment venues.

• Ama Waterways’ 2017-2018 cruise season featured 95 sailings hosted by North American wine experts. The wine experts helped travelers explore the best local wine offerings during Ama river cruises on Europe’s most important rivers. This is in keeping with Ama’s culinary focus on providing locally sourced cuisine whenever possible.

• One of the biggest selling points of AmaWaterways’ newest ships, AmaStella, is that it features family-friendly accommodations. Twelve of the ship’s staterooms can comfortably sleep three guests each, and six more staterooms have adjoining doors to offer families next-door accommodations.

• Speaking of families, the cruise line has been emphasizing its family-friendliness in recent years. It has even partnered with Adventures by Disney to offer European itineraries that are especially welcoming to young travelers. This includes action-packed excursions filled with hands-on activities.

• In 2017, Ama is trying out having a wellness program on board the AmaLyra, according to Cruise Critic. The personal fitness instructor on board will offer classes like yoga, Zumba and Pilates. There also will be a guided jog on board the ship. If this trial run goes well, then you will likely see more personal fitness programs on other Ama river cruises. This seems to be part of Ama’s goals to offer amenities you might find on bigger ocean cruise lines while still trying to maintain the intimacy of a river cruise.

Here are a few more basic facts to consider about Ama river cruises:

• Ama emphasizes in-room entertainment and communication. Ama Waterways offers free high-speed in-room internet service through its “Infotainment System,” which also offers video on demand, and free WiFi throughout the ship. This internet service is standard on all but the Cambodia and Vietnam river cruises, which offers high-speed internet and WiFi on ship computer lounges.

• Most shore excursions and drinks are included in your base price, which may cause a bit of a sticker shock up front, as Ama cruises don’t come cheap. However, the flip side is that that the nearly all-inclusive price allows travelers to avoid feeling nickled and dimed once on board an Ama river cruise.

• When Ama cruises Europe, its ships carry with them bicycles that travelers can use on guided shore excursions. (No, you can’t ride them on the ship.)

• While Ama cruises Europe in most of its itineraries, it should be noted that the luxury cruise line also offers river cruises in Asia and Africa, as well.

• While some river cruise lines are starting to branch out to include ocean cruise ships, Ama Waterways ruled out such an expansion in 2016. Instead, it is looking to expand to more exotic locales, including India.

• Every river cruise line has its strengths and weaknesses. Work with a AAA travel agent to evaluate what cruise lines and itineraries work best for your needs for your next river cruise vacation.

Have you traveled on Ama river cruises before? What’s been your experience? You can leave your comments below.

Book a river cruise vacation with AAA. 

The Danube River, which spans from Germany to the Black Sea, connects much of Europe in trade and in history. To float down the Danube is to journey back in time to monarchs and empires. Each destination on the best-rated Danube river cruises also pulses with new life and new ideas. We have provided an itinerary, going from west to east, of five great locales to explore on luxury Danube river cruises.

Nuremberg, Germany

If you can only visit one city in Germany, consider Nuremberg. It encapsulates so much of what we come to know of Germany, from its dark beer and gingerbread-style houses to the distinctly German companies headquartered in its city limits. Once the preferred home of kings, Nuremberg is now synonymous with the dark reign of the Nazis, as it was the first hotbed of overt oppression against Jews in Germany and the sight of trials which delivered justice to high-ranking Nazi leaders.

To learn about the city’s World War II history, take in the sobering Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände, a museum built on the grounds where Nazis once rallied. Nuremberg is also home to great examples of gothic architecture, many painstakingly rebuilt after Allied bombing, so be sure to walk Altstadt, the old city center. For something more lighthearted, try the Nuremberg Toy Museum, considered one of the best in the world.

Melk, Austria

This quaint Austrian village has one rather large and majestic claim to fame – its Benedictine Abbey, a wonder that is a must-see attraction on many of the best Danube river cruises. This massive complex of seven courtyards and buildings is a fifth of a mile long and features some of the finest Baroque architecture in the region.

Melk has more charm to offer than the monastery, however. Old Town Melke, which is nicely walkable, features many municipal buildings that date back to the 18th century, for example. Allow time to venture beyond the ancient city walls and take a picturesque bike ride down to the riverside to rendezvous with your luxury Danube river cruise.

 Vienna, Austria

Many stops along the best Danube river cruises were once hubs of vast empires. Vienna is a metropolis that still retains the grandeur of its bygone era as the capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Perhaps this is why the Viennese are so accustomed to being pampered and treated like royalty. With your first bite of chocolate cake after a sumptuous Viennese feast, you will understand why.

While there are many hip corners of Vienna to explore, especially in its fashion district, be sure to take in the majestic sights of the city if on a short stay. Start with the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which houses some of the most important works of art from throughout human history. Next, tour Schonbrunn Palace to view the Baroque summertime surroundings of kings. Fuel up on expertly roasted coffee and finely fried wiener schnitzel whenever possible.

Belgrade, Serbia

Think of Belgrade as what it would be like if Berlin were accessible by a Danube luxury river cruise. The two cities share striking similarities, from the determinedly unpicturesque architecture that reflects the crush of historical eras to the pulsating nightlife and bohemian cafes and bars that serve as a beacon to young artists in Serbia.

If it’s warm when you visit, be sure to try the beaches of the Ada Ciganlija recreational area. Shop your way through Knez Mihailova Street and then fuel up at some of Belgrade’s premium cafes. Take in museums dedicated to the former Yugoslavia and inventor Nikola Tesla, and gape at the ancient beauty of the Belgrade Fortress. Then climb aboard Belgrade’s ubiquitous party floats to dance the night away.

Bucharest, Romania

Once characterized as Little Paris, Bucharest more recently has been shaped, for good or for ill, by the grandiose vision of former dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. While Ceaușescu razed a third of this city to create socialist-style housing, he also presided over the construction of the Palace of the Parliament, which is recognized as the heaviest building in the world and the biggest building in Europe.

Romania’s capital has endured Ceaușescu’s reign and is once again becoming a sought-after destination for the best Danube river cruises. Bucharest’s Old Town is teeming with both life and history, and there is a thriving network of parks to enjoy. Visitors also should make time for tours of castles tangentially related to the legend of Count Dracula, as well as the Stavropoleos Church, an ornate 18th century Greek Orthodox church.

Have you had the pleasure of sailing on one of these best-rated Danube river cruises? What stops would you recommend?

Plan a river cruise vacation with AAA. 

Under the guiding eye of experienced Chinese trip guides, a classic intimate group journey of China like this one through AAA Vacations showcases the country’s most important sites plus the ancient water towns connected to Shanghai. In the congenial company of never more than 16 guests, you can enjoy comprehensive sightseeing and authentic cultural encounters not available to larger groups in other China tours. Savor fine regional cuisine and retreat every night to our 5-star city-central hotels. Here is an example of what  this AAA Vacations itinerary would look like.

China tours with AAA Vacations

Day 1 – Welcome to Beijing

Begin your trip to Asia in Beijing, China. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to your city central accommodations at the luxurious Fairmont Beijing Hotel.

Day 2 – Beijing on your own 

Explore this historic and vibrant city as you wish.

Day 3 – In and Around Beijing

Marvel at the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square and follow in the footsteps of Ming Dynasty emperors as you tour the Forbidden City. Explore by rickshaw through the narrow lanes of a hutong and spend time with a family in the home where they’ve lived for three generations. Enjoy a Peking Duck banquet including local beer and wine for dinner.

Day 4 – The Great Wall and Summer Palace

Journey into the mountains north of the city to explore the Great Wall at Juyong Pass, one of the most historic and scenic sections of this ancient defensive structure, and a staple of Asia travel. Then tour the Summer Palace, erstwhile seasonal retreat of China’s emperors.

Day 5 – Fly To Xian, China’s Ancient Capital

Fly to Xian where you’ll be escorted to the Hilton Hotel, perfectly situated within the ancient city walls. Join an engaging city resident to explore a colorful local market, perusing the wide variety of products and sampling exotic fare from the many vendors. Dinner features savory dumplings – a regional specialty.

Day 6 – The Terra Cotta Warriors

Stand in awe before the thousands of life-sized terra cotta soldiers that comprise the army that was buried to guard the tomb of China’s first emperor. Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, this is China’s greatest archaeological discovery – a testament to the country’s ancient civilizations and long history. Then visit the ancient city walls and return to your hotel.

Day 7 – Hangzhou

Continue your trip to Asia by flying to Hangzhou and transferring to the 5-star JW Marriott. The ancient Chinese saying “Above there is Heaven; below there is Hangzhou” speaks to the beauty of the city and its surrounding region and a leisurely cruise on West Lake is a delightful way to experience this sublime beauty. Then spend time with local tea farmers. From preparing the soil to picking tea leaves, this hands-on experience is a fun way to learn how the region’s fine teas are cultivated.

Day 8 – Wuzhen and the Garden City Of Suzhou

With its tranquil canals and splendidly restored Ming Dynasty homes, the ancient water-town of Wuzhen is a virtual living museum that offers a fascinating look into life during one of China’s most glorious dynasties. Continue on to the garden city of Suzhou.

Day 9 – Discover Suzhou and Travel To Shanghai

The Garden of the Master of the Nets may be one of the smallest of Suzhou’s World Heritage gardens, but many regard it as the best. Laid out nearly 1,000 years ago, it was meticulously designed with ponds, bridges, pavilions and meandering pathways that promise enchanting vistas at every turn. In fact, the central garden was the inspiration for the Ming Hall Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City! After this morning’s guided tour, you’ll learn about Chinese pastimes as you browse the Bird and Flower Market and join residents to fly your own kite at the Panmen City Gate. You’ll also see how silk is made at a local factory before traveling to Shanghai where you check in to the landmark Fairmont Peace Hotel.

Day 10 – Out and About In Shanghai

Your sightseeing begins at the Shanghai Museum, highly regarded for its vast collection showcasing centuries of Chinese history and culture. Then stroll along the elegant waterfront Bund and marvel at the iconic skyscrapers of the vibrant Pudong district. Strolling through Tianzifang, you’ll discover a historic city district where old stone buildings are now home to vibrant galleries, studios and cafes. Tonight’s dinner features fine regional cuisine.

Day 11 – Depart Shanghai

Say goodbye to China and plan your next trip to Asia!

Does this tour appeal to you? Thinking about booking a trip to Asia? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

Learn more about this exciting trip.  

Get in touch with a AAA travel counselor to learn about AAA Vacations and start planning your next getaway today. As a AAA member, you’ll save even more. Not a member? Join now!

You may need to rent a car if yours is in the repair shop. Or maybe you’re going on a long road trip and need a larger vehicle for the journey. You might be on vacation and need a set of wheels to get around. Or maybe you’re just the type who rarely needs a car and prefers using a rental when you do. No matter the circumstances, knowing how to rent a car is handy information to keep in your back pocket.

Save on Hertz rentals with AAA.

Renting a car can be confusing. It’s not something you do every day, and many of the little things we take for granted with our own cars such as paying for gas, insurance and being familiar with the controls are different in a rental car. Plus there are extra services and features, and it’s hard to know what you should pay for versus what you should leave alone.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to rent a car.

Step 1: Before renting a car

Ask yourself what kind of car you need. Do you need a sport-utility vehicle or a midsize vehicle? Do you need a lot of storage space? Check the rental car company’s website to make a reservation beforehand. You’ll be able to pick from a list of cars with details such as how many passengers a car can hold, available features and average mpg, as well as the daily rental rates.

Will you need additional items with your rental, such as a GPS, ski rack or a car seat? Those will cost extra, so you might want to provide your own. Another thing to keep in mind is fees. Typically, car rental companies charge extra for drivers under the age of 25, cars being picked up from the airport, additional drivers or if you’re driving to another state.

A final big question is insurance. Will your insurance cover you if the rental car is damaged in a collision? What if the rental car is stolen? Call your insurance agent and ask before you get behind the wheel.

You can also purchase rental car insurance from the rental agency itself. However, we advise checking your existing insurance. You might have coverage on your current policy or through the credit card you use to book the car. There are a few exceptions, though. For example, you may not be covered if you’re renting a car for business purposes, or driving in another country.

Rental agencies offer a loss damage waiver or collision damage waiver as another form of insurance. This means a rental company won’t hold you responsible for lost profits for every day a rental car is in the shop. Some insurers will cover this cost.

Again, check your current policy before you purchase rental insurance. A quick phone call to your insurer now can save you a lot of money later.

Step 2: Picking up a rental car

Do you need transportation to the rental company? Some places will pick you up and bring you to the car lot. Hertz provides this service for free at all non-airport locations.

You will receive a rental contract, which will have your information, prices and other important details. Before you sign the contract, read it over and ask any questions you might have.

Present your driver’s license and pay with a credit or debit card in your name. We advise using a credit card because companies usually offer insurance benefits to customers who use a credit card to rent a car. Ask your credit card company about rental car insurance coverage.

Inspect the inside and outside of the vehicle before you drive away. If there are dents, scratches or other problems, take a picture and notify the rental company so you’re not charged for the damage.

Familiarize yourself with the lights, turning signals, emergency lights, heat, audio and other controls before you drive away. This way you won’t get distracted on the road later.

And now it’s time to drive! Have fun and enjoy your rental car.

Step 3: Returning a rental car

Before you return the car and bring back the keys, clean the inside and pick up any trash. Look over the seats, glovebox and trunk for any belongings. This is a good rule in all life situations, but it goes extra when you’re returning a car. You don’t want to walk away and then realize you forgot your wallet.

If you didn’t prepay for fuel, fill the gas tank before you return the car. (Confession time: I didn’t know this when I returned a rental car in college. I had to drive back around and go to the nearest gas station, which was extra expensive.)

Return the car on time so you don’t pay late fees. Don’t return it too early either, because some companies charge early fees. If you can’t return the car on time, call the rental company and let them know.

Hertz offers exclusive deals and discounts for AAA members. Hertz will waive the fee for drivers between the ages of 20 and 24, provide a free infant car seat and no additional driver charge for qualified AAA members. AAA members also receive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards for even more savings, quick pick up and free rentals.

What advice would you give someone renting a car for the first time? Tell us in the comments below!

For more information on how to rent a car and the many discounts available for AAA members, visit AAA.com/Hertz