Whether it’s virtual meetings, virtual classes, online shopping or ordering takeout, it’s likely that at least some of your daily activities are taking place online.

We’ve all pivoted to this new virtual world, which is why AAA has created an easier and faster way for you to request roadside assistance. We know how important it is to get help as quickly as possible when you’re having an issue at the roadside, and our enhanced online system is the fastest way for you to request service.

To request roadside assistance with your laptop, tablet or smartphone:

1. Go to AAA.com/GetMoving
2. Visit AAA.com and select “Roadside Assistance, Request Online”
3. Download our free mobile app to your phone or other device

When you need help, the online request system will pinpoint your precise location and guide you through a simple process to request assistance in less than two minutes. All you need is your membership number, and in a few easy steps you’ll be able to tell us the service you need – a dead battery, flat tire, locked out or out of gas, or even if you’re just stuck – confirm where you are, pick the car that needs help, and then we’ll take it from there. You’ll even be able to track your service provider’s progress, and you’ll be safely back on the road in no time.

Of course, you can still request assistance anytime by calling 800-222-4357. No matter which method you use, AAA Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

No matter what happens, we’re always here for you.

See what else AAA is doing to help members at AAA in the Community.

With centuries upon centuries of history, stunning vistas, mountains and coastlines, and gastronomical goodies galore, Europe is a must-visit on many a traveler’s bucket list. But since much global travel is on hold (for now), we rounded up five U.S. spots that emulate the cultural richness and natural beauty of many of Europe’s most famous locales, no passport required.

1. Lake Maggiore, Italy – Lake Tahoe

Nestled between northern Italy and Switzerland’s southern border, Lake Maggiore is a picturesque al-pine lake blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and a stunning backdrop of the Alps. You’ll find its U.S. counterpart in Lake Tahoe, another alpine lake tucked into the Sierra Nevada range straddling Nevada and California. The four-sea-son playground features a plethora of watersports and beaches, superb ski resorts and charming hamlets. Try your luck at one of the area’s casinos, or visit Vikingsholm, a 38-room Scandinavian-style “summer home” on the shore of Emerald Bay.

Fun Fact: Both lakes are memorialized in works by two of America’s greatest writers: Lake Maggiore makes an appearance in Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms,” while Mark Twain wrote about the beauty of Lake Tahoe in “Roughing It.”

2. France – New Orleans

First founded as a French outpost in 1718, the city of New Orleans is still steeped in its Francophile roots. The sultry city – thanks in part to its blend of French, Spanish and Creole influence – has melded into a thriving epicenter of music, culture, history and Epicurean delights. Jazz fans will find their fix in any manner of clubs dotting famed Bourbon Street, while foodies can get their fill of po’-boys, gumbo, beignets washed down with strong chicory coffee, and jambalaya. Architecture lovers can revel in the staggering amount of building styles, from Creole cottages and stately townhouses to storied cathedrals and above-ground cemeteries.

Fun Fact: The mighty Mississippi River cuts a swath through the heart of the Big Easy, much like the Seine winds its way through the arrondissements of Paris.

3. Dublin – Savannah, Georgia

I know what you’re thinking: “Savannah? Really?” But hear me out.

Waves upon waves of Irish immigrants came to Savannah in the mid-1800s, drawn by the city’s booming economy and the famine sweeping their homeland. So much so that by 1860, Irish-born immigrants made up one in three white households in the city. Residents celebrate their Hibernian heritage every year, with celebrations, festivals and dances, culminating in the grand St. Patrick’s Day parade, second only to New York City’s in size.

Fun Fact: The city’s fountains are dyed green every St. Patrick’s Day.

4. Norwegian Fjords – Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Norway is home to more than 1,000 fjords, dramatic inlets ringed by steep cliffs and carved by glaciers. You can see similar seascapes at Glacier Bay National Park, 3.3 million acres of pristine land and sea tucked into The Last Frontier, untouched by human hands. Here you’ll find fjords dotted with massive glaciers that calve and tumble into the sea, snow-dusted mountains and acres upon acres of forest teeming with wildlife.

Fun Fact: The entire park, deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about the size of Connecticut.

5. French Riviera – Charleston, South Carolina

What do you picture when you think of the French Riviera? Sun-soaked Mediterranean beaches, yachts, celebrities and palm trees? You can get the same vibes – at a fraction of the cost – in Charleston, S.C. Sixty miles of coastline? Check. Five distinct beach towns? Check. Cobblestone-lined historic byways and fresh low country cuisine? Check and check. The Holy City is also home to a thriving arts scene, with galleries sprinkled throughout aptly named Gallery Row, and tasty low-country cuisine.

Fun Fact: Charleston frequently makes the list of top American cities to visit.

Discover even more travel-related content at AAA.com/Travel. 

Reverse mortgages are not something most people think about. After all, you are not eligible to receive this loan until you’ve reached 62. But if you’re coming close to retirement age and want to stay in your home for the rest of your life, it’s an option you might want to consider.

“It’s definitely something to learn about sooner rather than later,” said Steven Vieira, AAA Northeast’s director of mortgage operations and sales. “You don’t want to be in a jam where, at 78 years old, all your savings are gone, you have mounting medical bills, the house needs repairs, but you have no way of accessing the equity of your home anymore because you don’t qualify based on your income and credit situation.”

Here are a few of the benefits a reverse mortgage can provide to ensure you’re enjoying your golden years securely and comfortably.

Reverse Mortgages

A home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) is a mortgage that allows homeowners age 62 and up to gain access to the equity they have built up in their home in the form of tax-free loan proceeds.

Home equity is the difference between the value of the home and any debt owed on it from previous mortgages. For example, if your home is worth $500,000 and you owe $75,000 on the mortgage, you’ll have $425,000 of home equity.

With a traditional mortgage, you make monthly payments to pay down the debt until you no longer owe anything. But a reverse mortgage allows you to receive the equity of your home as payments, which you can choose to receive monthly, as a line of credit or as a lump sum.

A reverse mortgage will not need to be paid back until the homeowner dies or moves out of the home. When the house is sold, the proceeds are used to pay back the loan.

Financial Benefits

If you are on a fixed budget or under financial stress, a reverse mortgage can be a lifeline by ridding you of debt and increasing your monthly cash flow.

A reverse mortgage frees you from the burden of monthly payments. This can give you access to a significant amount of money each month. “Borrowers may be interested in supplementing their monthly income by setting up monthly direct deposits from their reverse mortgage,” says Julia Braun, a Reverse Mortgage Consultant for AAA. “They can customize the amount, term and even have the option of setting up a tenured monthly payment, which is guaranteed for life.”

Staying in Your Home

Many seniors want to remain in their homes for the rest of their lives. However, that’s not always possible and not just because of finances.

Some people with a reverse mortgages choose to spend a portion of the funds on updating their homes, such as renovating the kitchen or adding a patio. However, as you get older you may need to retrofit for your home to ensure you can move around safely.

The most common home improvements for seniors are installing a wheel chair ramp, adding a walk-in tub or shower, stair lift installation, widening entrances and hallways and adding handrails. Each of these jobs can cost thousands of dollars. It’d be very difficult to afford an adequate retrofit of your home on a retirement budget. But reverse mortgages remove the expensive monthly payment of a mortgage and put more funds in your own account. Now, improvements to your home are a much easier expense to pay for.

Regardless of how you may choose to have your reverse mortgage work for you, AAA is here to answer all of your questions.

Are you considering a reverse mortgage? AAA’s dedicated experts are here with trusted, and reliable step-by-step assistance along the way, all from the comfort of your own home. Speak with a AAA reverse mortgage consultant today.

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla announced on Monday that it has purchased $1.5 billion worth of bitcoin. The company stated in the same announcement that it would begin accepting the cryptocurrency has payment for its cars.

The news came via a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. “In January 2021, we updated our investment policy to provide us with more flexibility to further diversify and maximize returns on our cash that is not required to maintain adequate operating liquidity,” Tesla wrote. “Moreover, we expect to begin accepting bitcoin as a form of payment for our products in the near future, subject to applicable laws and initially on a limited basis, which we may or may not liquidate upon receipt.”

The move makes Tesla the first automaker to accept bitcoin as payment and one of the largest companies in any industry to do so.

Bitcoin is the best-known and most popular form of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that are secured through cryptography, or coding, and only exist on the internet. They’re not owned by any central government but rather their price is determined by the supply and demand of their market.

Most cryptocurrencies rely on blockchain technology, an online ledger of all transactions across peer-to-peer networks. Like the US dollar, cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange designed to let you store, send and receive assets without any third parties such as banks or credit card companies.

Get more automotive news. 

Diamond Designation: Four Diamond (Upscale style and amenities with the right touch of service. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.)

Location: One Skytop, Skytop, Pa. 

A stay at the Four Diamond Skytop Lodge can be as jam-packed or as restful as you please. Spread over 5,000 acres in the Pocono Mountains, the scenic luxury retreat is a nearby getaway with something for everyone. Whether dogsledding in winter, golfing in spring, hiking the grounds or indulging in a spa day at The Nest, you are going to get hungry.

Guests and locals alike can dine at one of several restaurants on the Skytop property to enjoy great service and artfully prepared dishes with special touches, like this versatile tomato confit. To confit, or to cook in fat or a sweetened base at a low temperature, is a great way to enhance vegetables. Skytop Executive Chef Chris Chludzinski uses confit tomatoes in fall and winter when peak tomato season is over, pairing them with warm Brussels sprout panzanella salad or as a side for chicken or steak.

Tomato Confit

• 15 to 20 Roma tomatoes (depending on their size)

Light syrup:

• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 2 teaspoons broken star anise
• 1 teaspoon anise seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
• ½ bulb garlic, crushed
• 1½ liters white wine
• 1 cup sugar

To assemble and serve:

• 2 tablespoons poaching liquid
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Butter

Peel the tomatoes by first scoring an “X” on bottom ends, removing the stem cores and submerging into boiling water for 10 to 15 seconds. Shock the tomatoes in an ice bath and remove at once when cool. Working over a bowl, halve the tomatoes from the top to bottom and remove the seeds without damaging the ribs. Strain the resulting tomato juice into a bowl and reserve.

To prepare the light syrup, put the thyme, mustard, star anise, anise seeds, coriander, bay leaves, peppercorns and garlic in a sachet. Put the wine, sugar, reserved tomato juice and sachet in a pot and bring to a boil; simmer for 10 minutes.

Transfer the tomato halves to a large sheet pan and cover with the light syrup and sachet. Cover the pan with foil and poach for 1 hour in a low oven or grill. Remove foil and transfer the contents to a fresh pan to cool. Tomatoes should maintain their shape when finished.

Once cooled, place the tomatoes in a sauté pan with 2 tablespoons poaching liquid. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. Heat the tomatoes through and reduce the liquid to a glaze, adding a small nub of butter to bind the glaze. Use the tomatoes as a component or garnish to a dish.

If there’s a small SUV model that feels like it’s been around forever, it would be the Honda CR-V.

There’s a reason for this compact crossover’s longevity – namely the way it just seems to do everything well. This fifth-generation version now sports a turbocharged 1.5-liter, four-cylinder under the hood, an engine that gives it lively performance. Better still, it does so while delivering above-average Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy numbers.

The nicely tuned suspension does a good job of smoothing out bumps and handling winding roads with grace and composure. The brakes feel strong, although the automatic emergency braking tends to overreact.

Perhaps the CR-V’s strongest suit is its spacious interior, with generous room for four grown-ups and plenty of places to stash odds and ends.

Keeping things fresh is the debut of the CR-V Hybrid – EPA rated at 40 mpg city and 35 mpg highway – making the CR-V at once both novel and familiar.

As the all-new kid on the increasingly crowded crossover SUV block, you might think it’d be hard to stand out. And yet, the Kia Seltos manages to do just that.

Built on the same underpinnings as the funkier Soul, the subcompact Seltos has a notable advantage over its sibling. Namely an available all-wheel-drive system designed mainly for bad weather.

The standard 146 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine should suit most buyers, but those who find it underwhelming can opt for the 175 horsepower, turbocharged 1.6-liter like that propelling the top SX model I tested. On the road it gives the Seltos more than enough acceleration for confident passing and freeway merging.

Inside, the Seltos offers a surprisingly adult-friendly back seat as well as a good-size cargo hold.

Figure in a long list of advanced safety features and the Seltos stands out as an attractive choice in a jam-packed segment.

Looking for a new ride? Check out more car reviews at AAA.com/TestDrive.

At some point in most everyone’s life they get a little tired of the same old thing and find themselves wanting something a little nicer.  This is precisely where the Buick Encore GX comes in.

The reason is simple: This subcompact crossover SUV (not to be confused with the Encore, which is an entirely different vehicle) straddles the gap between commonplace models and those from pricier high-end brands.

Slip into the driver’s seat on an Essence trim level like the version I tested, and you’ll be greeted with a long list of standard features, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

The Encore GX is more engaging than you might expect from a Buick. The available 155-horsepower, 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine can be noisy but produces adequate acceleration and strong Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy estimates.

Ultimately, the Encore GX is a good choice for those who want just a little more out of life.

There are style-conscious people in the world, folks who notice everything from men’s wristwatches to women’s handbags. If you’re one of them, the Lexus UX 200 should make a big impression.

This littlest (and, shush!, least expensive) Lexus offers much of the brand’s upscale goodness, including a handsomely designed interior with quality materials in all the right places. The roster of advanced safety and convenience features is extensive.

One of the car’s most notable shortcomings is a frustrating center console-mounted touchpad that’s used to select items on the 7-inch screen above.

The Luxury trim level front-wheel drive UX 200 I tested delivered perfectly adequate, if somewhat uninspiring, performance from a 169-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

The good news in all this is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to impress the other style-conscious people in your life.

Looking for a new ride? Check out more car reviews at AAA.com/TestDrive.

Some folks are naturally chatty. If you’re one of them and enjoy striking up conversations with complete strangers, it’s a safe bet you’ll like the BMW i3.

The reason is simple: This compact hatchback’s extraterrestrial golf cart styling is unique enough that even people who don’t know anything about cars are likely to comment on it.

BMW has poured some serious cutting-edge technology into it, starting with the body formed out of lightweight carbon fiber. Engine models include a choice between a battery-only powertrain and one with a tiny two-cylinder gasoline engine, referred to as a range-extender, that serves only to recharge the car’s batteries.

On the road, this combination of advanced materials and zippy electric drivetrain make the i3 more entertaining than you might expect.

While the BMW i3 is not a one-size-fits-all transportation solution, it makes a fine way to get around. Not to mention being a great icebreaker.

Ask most people about buying an all-electric car and you’re likely to hear a list of excuses. Well, the Chevrolet Bolt takes those arguments and negates them one-by-one.

First of all, they are not slow. The electric motor propelling this compact hatchback delivers power instantaneously the moment you step on the accelerator. It’s not a stretch to say the Bolt feels quick.

Driving range is another common anxiety. The Environmental Protection Agency lists range on a full charge at 259 miles, which should get most anybody through their day. Recharging takes about nine hours from a normal 240-volt household-style outlet, and a fraction of that time from Level 2 or 3 chargers.

The final hurdle for most people is the price tag. While the Bolt isn’t cheap, dealer incentives and government rebates can bring the price down.

All of which makes the Chevrolet Bolt a lot more attractive than you might have thought.

Looking for a new ride? Check out more car reviews at AAA.com/TestDrive.

Diamond Designation: Approved (Noteworthy by meeting the industry-leading standards of AAA inspections. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.)

Location: Six throughout New York .

Hatched as a mobile concession in 1983, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que grew into a quick-service joint in Syracuse, N.Y., and evolved into the seven-outpost barbecue haven that it is today, with locations in New York and New Jersey.

True to its roots as a biker joint where motorcyclists could fill up their bellies for the road, the tasty pit stop continues to be a welcome respite where anyone can unwind with a plate of comfort food.

Fried green tomatoes are one of Dinosaur’s signature appetizers, leading the way for a lineup of nationally acclaimed barbecue, including pit-smoked brisket, chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs and juicy pulled pork accompanied by great sides and sauces.

Fried Green Tomatoes

• 4 green tomatoes
• Cajun seasoning
• 2 eggs
• Pinch plus 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 4 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ cup vegetable oil, plus more as needed

Pecorino-Romano cheese, grated and ranch dressing, for serving.

Core the tomatoes and cut off the ends. Slice them into ¼ rounds and dry between several layers of paper towels to get rid of the excess moisture. Sprinkle lightly with Cajun seasoning on both sides.

Whisk together the eggs and a pinch of black pepper in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl or plate, combine the panko breadcrumbs, salt, cayenne pepper and the remaining 2 teaspoons of black pepper. Dip the tomato slices in the egg mixture and then in the breadcrumbs, pressing to coat well on both sides and around the edges. Lift the coated pieces onto a rack set over a baking sheet. Pop them in the fridge for a half-hour to set the crumbs.

Grab a heavy 12-inch skillet and heat the oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, slide in a few tomatoes without crowding the pan. They should sizzle and bubble around the edges. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until brown. Take them out of the pan, then add a bit more oil and get it hot before starting a second batch.

Drain the fried tomato slices on paper towels. Arrange them around the outside edge of a plate, sprinkle with grated pecorino Romano cheese and serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

Arctic temperatures and snow push many people inside their homes for the winter season. Not photographers! Many squeal in delight at the sight of a fresh snowfall or a frozen waterfall. While winter photography presents some unique obstacles, they can easily be overcome if you know what you are doing.

Thank You for Participating!

Thanks to all who shared a photo. Despite the freezing cold and short days of winter, the Northeast sure looks pretty dressed in a fresh coat of snow.

Take a look at all of the submissions in the slideshow and don’t forget to check our social media channels, where we will be featuring some of our favorites. You may even see your photo in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine!

Six Tips for Winter Photography

Check Your Exposure

The brightness of snow can sometimes throw your camera’s meter off. You can end up with an image that is too bright or too gray depending on the light that day. Always check the back of your camera to make sure you have the correct exposure. Use your exposure compensation button to increase or decrease the light.

Fresh Is Best

Snow is best captured after a fresh snowfall. Look for snow that hasn’t been trampled by feet or vehicles. This may mean waking up before the rest of the world to capture it in its pristine beauty.

Freeze Motion

If it is snowing outside and you want to capture the snowfall in action make sure you have a fast shutter speed. Anything over 1/300^th of a second will freeze the motion. Use a telephoto lens and set it to your largest aperture value (ie: f/2.8 – f/4), then zoom in on your subject. Doing so will cause compression in your image which will bring the snowfall in the back and front of your image to be closer to the subject resulting in an image that shows more snowfall action.

Learn more about aperture, shutter speed and other camera settings.

Show Motion

Waterfalls are really fun to photograph in the winter especially if you catch them before they completely freeze over or when they have started to melt. To show motion in the water you will need two things a slow shutter speed and a tripod to keep your camera steady. I recommend a shutter speed of 1/6^th  of a second or slower.

Heat It Up

Camera and phone batteries drain fast in cold temperatures. I recommend keeping your spare batteries and phone in an inner pocket of your coat.

Inside Out

Those who are not huge fans of the cold will argue that the ideal winter scene is the warm and cozy confines of their home. If it’s too freezing for you to venture outside, find inspiration around you. Try photographing your winter lifestyle indoors. Take pictures of the view from outside your window or capture the intricate details of frost as it forms on your window.

These days, whether you want to or not, we’ve all had to spend a lot of time indoors. The silver lining is that it’s a great time to begin a photography hobby. Look into getting a new camera, stock up on equipment or play around with taking photos with your phone. We have a bunch of photography tips right here on Your AAA to get you started.

Check out past AAA Photo Sessions and stay tuned for the next one, coming soon.

Beth Mancuso is a professional landscape and travel photographer.

In many ways skiing is the perfect winter activity for COVID-19 safety: It’s a fundamentally solo outdoor sport.

But while skiers and snowboarders will find the same overall experience on the slopes this year, ski areas across the Northeast are implementing a variety of pandemic safety measures that you’ll notice even before you pull into the parking lot.

Here’s what you should know when planning your ski trip.

Advance tickets (mostly) required

To meet social-distancing requirements, for example, guests are being strongly urged to buy tickets online. Some ski areas, like Killington in Vermont, Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Mass., and New Hampshire’s Mount Sunapee and Pats Peak, are only selling tickets by advance reservation.

Killington also has outdoor kiosks for touchless pickup of lift passes.

Selling-out isn’t a problem

The good news for your ski trip is that, despite limits on ticket sales and excellent snow conditions heading into the peak of ski season, resorts report few instances of completely selling out.

Half- and full-day lift tickets remain the norm, but Wachusett Mountain has shifted to four daily sessions: morning, afternoon, early evening and late evening. The change is intended to keep skiers on the slopes and out of the facilities as much as possible, said Tom Meyers, Wachusett’s marketing director.

“If you come for a four-hour session, you’ll probably just ski for four hours and just head out” rather than stopping for food or warming up, he said.

Base lodge access

Probably the biggest changes visitors will notice during their ski trip this COVID winter are restrictions on access to base lodges and new rules for queuing, boarding and riding chairlifts, gondolas and trams to the slopes. Just like your local restaurants, ski areas are operating at reduced capacity indoors and outdoors. Ski areas like Killington in Vermont are operating at 50% of capacity indoors; at Wachusett Mountain, it’s just 25%.

Most resorts are requiring skiers to get dressed in their vehicles and head directly to the lifts; storing belongings in the lodge is generally prohibited.

“Your car is now your base lodge,” Meyers said. Reducing the number of people getting dressed indoors helps maintain social distancing and allows the resort to allocate its precious capacity to those looking to warm up with some hot food or a few minutes in front of the fire between runs, he said.

At Pats Peak, in Henniker, N.H., the layout of the lodge has been reimagined, and close to 50% of the furniture has been removed to allow for more space, said Lori Rowell, director of marketing. The ski area has added more than 30 tables to the outdoor seating area, along with additional heaters and wind blocks.

Guests can order cafeteria food from their smartphones and pick it up at an outdoor window, and a new food truck on-site is serving tacos. And while bathrooms are open in the lodge, there are also heated restrooms outdoors for those who don’t want to go inside.

At Wachusett, guests will find more outdoor warming areas equipped with propane heaters and wind screens – an especially welcome amenity for night skiing.

Also new at larger, busier resorts like Killington are free – but mandatory – parking reservations on weekends, another change aimed at controlling capacity.

On the slopes

While you can still rent equipment or take a ski lesson, you might find the rental operation outdoors, and the size of group lessons reduced (another good argument for making reservations in advance).

Gone for now are friendly chats with strangers on the ski lift. Resorts are not only enforcing social distancing on lift lines – including keeping empty lanes between boarding gates – but also limiting each chair to members of the same party.

Single skiers will ride solo, while more chairs will go up the mountain at less than full capacity. “Because we’re not filling every chair and spacing people out, the lines look longer than they are,” said Courtney DiFiore, public relations and social media manager at Killington. In reality, “You’re not going to see a big difference in wait times because we’re limiting capacity [at the resort overall],” she said.

Apres-ski fun also has taken a hit during the pandemic.Enjoying celebratory drinks at the bar after a day on the slopes will have to wait until at least next season, live music is generally on pause, and even some traditional outdoor gatherings – like tailgating on The Beach at Mount Sunapee – have been discontinued. And most, if not all, resorts have shuttered their daycare operations.

As for masks, even if you didn’t wear one to ski before, you’ll need to now.

“Everyone has to wear a mask unless they’re skiing or riding or sitting and eating,” DiFiore said.

Save on ski resorts nationwide with special AAA member discounts. 

Are you planning a ski trip this year? Have you already been? Tell us about your experience in the comments. 

Take a popular three-row SUV, ditch the way-back seat and give it a raked rear roofline for sportier styling. Those few seemingly minor changes will net you something that looks an awful lot like the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

Based on the popular seven-passenger VW crossover, the midsize Atlas Cross Sport takes everything that’s good about its bigger brother and cuts out the excess. Inside, there’s still plenty of room for four adults.

There’s plenty of technology on offer here, too, including advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Hit the highway and the available 276-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 provides perfectly acceptable performance (base models get a 235-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder). The independent suspension delivers a comfortable ride quality that makes the Cross Sport adept at good old-fashioned road trips.

Proving, once again, that less SUV can be more.

It’s one of the little-acknowledged side benefits of gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains: performance. It’s something the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers in abundance, and in more ways than one.

The hybrid system in this variant of Toyota’s popular compact SUV gives it the kind of shot in the arm you don’t expect in a hybrid, namely lively acceleration. With a 2.0-liter gasoline engine paired with two electric motors, including one that gives it all-wheel-drive capability, its 219-horsepower total output makes it the most powerful non-plug-in RAV4 in the lineup.

The fact that this setup also helps the RAV4 Hybrid return impressive fuel economy numbers is a bonus. The RAV4 Hybrid’s handling is very respectable and the ride quality surprisingly smooth. It also shines in its ability to accommodate the ins-and-outs of daily life with good comfort for four adults.

All things considered, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers the kind of performance you rarely find in hybrids.

If you’re feeling lucky, or just need a rooting interest for Sunday’s big game, Volvo has you covered. The auto manufacturer announced it will be giving away $2 million worth of free cars. There is one catch: In order for the offer to kick in, either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Kansas City Chiefs need to score a safety.

For those unfamiliar, a safety in football occurs when one of two things happen: the offense commits a foul in its own end zone or an offensive player with the ball is tackled in their own end zone. It is not the most common play in football. What are the odds of it happening? In the 2020-21 regular season, there were 24 safeties in 256 games, so roughly 1-in-10.5. However, safeties have been more common in football’s biggest game of the year, occurring nine times in 54 games, roughly 1-in-6.

This is Volvo’s second consecutive Football Safety Sunday Sweepstakes. Last year, the company offered $1 million worth of free cars to celebrate one million lives being saved by the three-point safety belt (which was invented by a Volvo engineer). Now, it’s doubling down on its efforts.

All you need to do to enter is go to Volvo’s website and configure your dream car. If there is a safety scored during Sunday’s game, the company will draw names at random to see who is walking – or driving – away with a brand new car.

Get more automotive news. 

Diamond Designation: Five Diamond (Leading-edge cuisine, ingredients and preparation with extraordinary service and surroundings. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.)

Location: 120 Wauwinet Rd, Nantucket, Mass.

Topper’s is a can’t-miss dining spot overlooking Nantucket Bay. Led by Executive Chef Kyle Zachary, the kitchen makes the most of the local bounty with island favorites like lobster rolls and Retsyo oysters on the half shell, plucked from the water just yards from the dock.

In a review of the property, a AAA inspector describes Topper’s as an “extraordinary gem” inside of The Wauwinet, an elegant beachside hotel. But it is the details – an upscale dining room, impeccable service, memorable prix fixe menu and wine list of 1,550 wines – that have earned it the prestigious AAA Five Diamond designation, reserved for only the best of the best. For a more casual atmosphere, grab a spot on the deck for the views of the bay under a heated awning.

Lobster Rolls

• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
• 1 cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola
• Kosher salt
• 1¼ pound lobster meat
• 4 brioche buns
• 4 leaves Boston bibb lettuce
• Bread and butter pickles

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, mustard and lemon juice. Slowly whisk in the oil. Season with salt. Dress the lobster meat with the mayonnaise.

To assemble, split four brioche buns and butter the cut side. Toast the cut side on a griddle until golden brown. Place a leaf of Boston bibb lettuce on the bottom half of each bun. Top with equal amounts of lobster salad and top with the other half of the bun. Serve with a few bread and butter pickles.

Serves 4.

Diamond Designation: Three Diamond (Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.)

Location: 16 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton, N.J.

Set on the 42-acre Grounds for Sculpture and overlooking a recreation of Claude Monet’s “Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies,” Rat’s boasts one of the most stunning outdoor dining views in the Northeast. Inside, the design of the restaurant pulls inspiration from the French village of Giverny where Monet lived, and its namesake Mr. Rat from Kenneth Grahame’s “Wind in the Willows.”

The menu offers seasonal takes on French cuisine, including the popular Burgundy-braised short ribs. Executive Chef Richard Freedman notes that the success of this dish comes down to patience. The dark, rich flavor is the result of layers of thorough and gentle browning. “If you follow these steps, you will end up with a restaurant-quality short rib that will land at the top of everyone’s list of favorite meals,” he said.

Burgundy-Braised Short Ribs

• 4, 10-ounce pieces of trimmed boneless beef short rib (will shrink to about 6 ounces)
• Salt and fresh black pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil (enough to coat bottom of Dutch oven)
• 1 medium Spanish onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 stalks of celery, leaves removed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ bottle of Burgundy red wine (or suitable substitute)
• 1-2 cups chicken broth, homemade if possible
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves

Preheat Dutch oven over a medium flame. While heating, season short ribs with salt and pepper. When the pan is hot, add the oil and gently place the short ribs in the oil to sear. Leave them to sear until a rich mahogany brown color – this will give you the best flavor. Repeat the sear on all sides.

Remove the beef and set aside. Place all the vegetables in the oil and cook until well-browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and stir constantly, cooking until brown as well. All the browning will add up to intense, rich flavor.

Pour in the wine and stir thoroughly to release caramelization from the bottom of the pot. Reduce by about half. Add chicken broth, then add the seared beef, thyme and bay leaves. Make sure the liquid comes up at least ¾ of the height of the beef.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cover the pan and place in the oven. Check after 2½ hours to see if they are tender. You should be able to cut all the way through with a plastic spoon. Give them a little squeeze with tongs – if they spring back, put back in for another 30 minutes.

When the ribs are done, remove from the liquid. Strain liquid into a wide pan and put over a high flame to reduce. It will become thicker and very rich in flavor. Strain again if necessary, using a fine mesh, if possible. Season the sauce with salt and pepper as needed. Reserve to pour over your finished dish.

Makes 4 servings.

There are cars you start looking at when you get that big promotion at work. Then there are automobiles you buy immediately upon hearing you hit the lottery jackpot. The Lexus LS 500 falls into the latter category.

This full-size luxury sedan’s passenger cabin is notable because of its hushed ambiance. Life was good with my test car, thanks to furnishings covered in soft, quilted leather and genuine wood trim. Front seats adjust 28 ways and offer heating, cooling and massage, so if you can’t get comfortable here, maybe it’s time for a visit to the chiropractor.

There are plenty of other goodies to be had here as well, including an Executive Package that features power-reclining rear seats with shiatsu massage and a pop-up ottoman for Barcalounger-like comfort.

For a car with this level of complexity, everything works surprisingly intuitively. Add solid handling and a supple ride and you have a luxury sedan that says the driver’s ship has come in.

Sometimes you have to wonder what an automaker was thinking when they named a particular model. The BMW 228i xDrive Gran Coupe is a good example.

Not only is it a crazy mouthful of a name, but it is inarguably a fine small sport sedan (i.e.: ignore the fact that “coupe” ordinarily means just two doors).

The version of this subcompact 2-Series I drove was equal parts sporty and luxurious. The first half of that equation is handled by a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder capable of sending 228 horsepower to all four wheels. The car’s athletic nature means a less than cushy ride, though there’s no real harshness. Handling is also extremely good, making the 228i a pleasure to drive on a winding stretch of road.

On the luxury front, my test car came loaded with desirable options. Whether all those were worth the hefty price tag – the total came to $9,700 worth of extras – in an era where that same content can be had in much less expensive sedans is a personal decision.

Looking for a new ride? Check out more car reviews at AAA.com/TestDrive.

Toronto is a multicultural and sophisticated gem, a modern metropolis packed with museums, world-famous attractions, independent eateries and historic sites.

Canada’s most populated city – with more than 2.9 million residents – is also one of the world’s most diverse, boasting enclaves with names like Greektown, Little Italy, Little Portugal, Koreatown and Chinatown.

In short, it’s a city that will appeal to all ages and family dynamics. Let’s explore, shall we?

Note: Due to the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic, please check official websites while planning to check for restrictions or closures.

Play

Start at Yonge-Dundas Square; it’s Toronto’s answer to Times Square, teeming with bright lights, shops and restaurants. For a dose of history and culture, check out the Royal Ontario Museum – there’s a reason it’s Canada’s most-visited museum (with more than 1 million guests annually). Other must-see sights include the CN Tower, The Gay Village (the city’s LGBTQ hub) and the Distillery District, a collection of shops, restaurants and art galleries set in the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery.

Stay

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. With an indoor-outdoor pool, jade-green gardens and even a waterfall, you’ll feel miles away from the city center. Families will feel right at home at the Chelsea Hotel Toronto, which pampers its younger guests with their very own check-in desk and gong they can ring upon checking in, a family-friendly pool (there’s an adults-only one as well), and a kids center and teen lounge. Trend-seekers will adore the sleek vibe of the Bond Place Hotel, with Yonge-Dundas Square located steps from the front door.

Dine

Satisfy your comfort-food cravings at Fran’s Restaurant, a Toronto institution that’s been around since 1940. The menu features homestyle classics and all-day breakfast, as well as burgers and apple pie made in-house daily. For authentic Japanese fare, try Sansotei Ramen, where Tonkotsu pork-broth ramen takes center stage. Don’t miss SOMA Chocolatemaker for small-batch artisan chocolates with flavors like roasted pear and walnut, blackcurrant and mango chili.

Craft your own Toronto adventure! Visit AAA.com/Travel.

A dead car battery means you’re going nowhere until you either replace it or get it jump-started. Jumping a car battery doesn’t have to be a scary process. If you don’t know how, then you can call for roadside assistance, but you can also do it yourself. Here’s how to jump a car battery safely so you can be on your way as soon as possible.

How to Jump a Car Battery – Step by Step

Safety First

Whenever you work on your car, you need to keep safety in mind. For jumping a car battery safely, this includes making sure that other vehicles are at a safe distance and that you’re in a spot that’s out of danger’s way. Even if you already know how to jump a car you should check your owner’s manual to be sure you’re following the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have any doubts, call AAA Roadside Assistance for help with the process.

Tools

All you need are jumper cables. You should have these on-hand, tucked away for that inconvenient moment when your battery fails. They come in anywhere between 10 and 20 feet long with longer cables being easier to use. The extra length means less maneuvering to get the cables to reach from your car to the car providing the jump-start.

There are also jump starters, which are essentially the cables with a built-in battery pack so you don’t need another car to help with the process. These are a bit bulkier and shouldn’t be stored in a hot car.

Positioning the Vehicles

Ideally, you want both cars to face each other head-on about 18 inches apart. Depending on where the breakdown happens, this might not be possible. Do your best to get as close to head-on as possible without letting the vehicles touch. Err on the side of caution. Be careful of car doors if the positioning isn’t ideal. You don’t want to open the door and have the two cars accidentally touch.

Some batteries are located under the back seat or in the trunk; consult the owner’s manual if you have trouble finding it.

Once the cars are positioned, put both cars in park for an automatic transmission or neutral for a manual transmission. Set the parking brakes, turn off the ignition and remove the keys.

Attaching the Jumper Cables

This is the part about jumping a car battery safely that makes people nervous, but there is no need to worry. Start by opening the hoods of both cars and finding the battery terminals. Usually, the terminals on the battery are red or black and you will see a + (red) and – (black) sign on the top. Make sure you can clearly see these signs; if the terminals are dirty, use a rag or brush to knock off any dirt or debris.

Attach the red, positive cable clamp to the red, positive terminal of the dead battery. You want this connection to be secure so wiggle around the clamp to get a tight grip if it feels loose. Next, attach the opposite end of the red, positive cable to the working vehicle’s positive battery terminal.

Attach the black, negative clamp to the working car’s black, negative battery terminal but do not attach the negative clamp to the negative battery terminal of the dead battery. Instead, attach it to an unpainted metal part of the car like a bolt or the engine block. Dead batteries can produce hydrogen gas – if there’s a spark you want it away from the battery.

Starting the Car

Start the engine of the working car and let it run a minute or two before trying to start the dead car. If the car won’t turn over at first, wait a few more minutes and give it another try. Speeding up the idle for a minute or so can sometimes help.

If the car still doesn’t start, then you may need to call for roadside assistance. It could be a number of problems like battery corrosion, fuses or the starter. A professional can diagnose the problem and recommend a repair.

Disconnecting the Jumper Cables

There’s an order to disconnecting the cables, too. Remove the black, negative clamps and do not let them touch while the other cables are attached to the car. Next remove the red, positive clamps. Do not let the red and black cables touch. You can now close the hoods and stow your jumper cables. Once your car is running, take it to a local repair shop to have the battery fully charged and tested.

See, it’s easy to learn how to jump a car battery. With a set of jumper cables and the help of someone with a running car, you can do the job yourself in no time.

Do you have an interesting story about a time you needed a jump-start? Share it with us in the comments below. 

AAA Mobile Battery Service makes buying a new battery easy. Our technicians will even test your current battery and charging system at your home or job. 

Diamond Designation: Three Diamond (Trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.)

Location: 21 1/2 Lois St, Norwalk, Conn.

As described by a AAA inspector, it’s “house-made everything” at Sugar & Olives, a small restaurant dedicated to supporting local famers. From sourdough bagels and co­ffee on the run to hearty suppers, locally grown produce, livestock and meats are always on the menu.

The kale salad is the most popular item, even persuading the pickiest of eaters. “Everyone who tastes it becomes a loyal kale salad eater, even if they swore that they did not like kale before. They learn the recipe and make it at home,” said chef and owner Jennifer Balin.

The dressing keeps in the fridge for up to a month, so double it up if you’d like to use it on all your salads. Even better, the recipe is egg-, wheat- and dairy-free, so it easily accommodates those with food sensitivities.

Kale Ribbons with Miso-Maple Dressing

• ½ small shallot, roughly chopped
• 4 ounces white organic miso paste (non-GMO)
• ¼ cup local maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons sweet Sriracha
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1¼ cups neutral oil of your choice (non-GMO)
• Splash of water
• 1-2 bunches of lacinato (also known as dinosaur) kale

Using a blender, combine the shallots, miso, maple syrup, Sriracha and vinegar, and blend until smooth. Slowly drizzle in the oil while the blender is running. It will form an emulsion and become very thick. With the blender running, add the water to thin out to a pourable consistency.

Kale is always in abundance at farmers markets and is enormous compared to what you’ll find at the grocery store. To prep the kale, wash and dry it. Then, holding the kale one stalk at a time and upside down, grab the leaf and pull downward to rip off the stalk. Once the kale is removed from the stalks, lay it in piles of 6-8 leaves directly on top of each other. Using a sharp knife, slice the kale (the short way) into ¼-inch strips or ribbons.

The kale will stay fresh for several days once cut; just be sure to dry it thoroughly after washing. Toss with the dressing when you are ready to eat.

Diamond Designation: Four Diamond (Upscale style and amenities with the right touch of service. Learn more about AAA Diamonds.)

Location: 77 Mirror Lake Dr, Lake Placid, N.Y.

In the hill country of Peru, N.Y., Curtiss Hemm teaches on the grounds of his 350-acre farm at the Carriage House Cooking School and leads regular cooking demos for both hotel guests and the public at the AAA Four Diamond Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid.

“Tartine,” French for toast, is a staple breakfast in many French homes. Often a simple ‘une tartine’ is a slice of sandwich-style bread, toasted, and topped with either butter, jam or a slice of cheese,” Hemm said. This version showcases local ingredients produced within miles of the cooking school, like Barkeater Buche, a soft goat cheese with a bloomy ash rind from Asgaard Farm in Essex County.

Hemm’s classes are designed for the home cook and celebrate the culinary landscape of the Adirondacks. “No matter where we are in the Northeast, we have access to amazing local bread, cheese and maple syrup,” he said. “This gives each of us a unique opportunity to showcase the terroir of our individual regions.”

Barkeater Tartine with Sourdough, Maple & Walnuts

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 slices Red Oak Food Co. Boule
• 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 4 tablespoons thyme leaves
• 8 ounces Asgaard Farm Barkeater Buche
• 1 tablespoon Woods maple syrup
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper

Heat oven to 450 degrees. (With convection on if your stove has it.)

Drizzle the olive oil across a sheet tray. Take the bread slices and wipe them across the oil, making sure to coat both sides of the bread. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on the sheet. Evenly top each slice with some walnuts, thyme, buche, maple syrup, salt and pepper.

Place the tartines in the oven and bake until the buches begin to bubble and brown and the edges of the tartine are crisp and crunchy with toasted edges and melted cheese. Remove the tartines from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.