Traveling with AAA

There’s something magical about packing your bags, planning out your meals, and loading your friends and family into a van or RV for a road trip. You park and plant yourself in the midst of nature. One day, your front porch is a fiery red sunset overlooking the red rocks of Sedona. Another, it’s a misty seaside morning on the Santa Barbara coast. Road trips have long been an American pastime. It’s only the form they’ve taken that has changed. These days, more Americans are venturing out in fully outfitted vans, living their own variations on #VanLife. Today, Mary Herendeen welcomes Kristen Bor, an outdoor enthusiast who has spent nearly a decade balancing life at home and serious adventures on the open road. In 2014, she left her job and loaded up a van to spend more time outdoors. This eventually led her to #VanLife. Her website, Bearfoot Theory helps road-trippers and #VanLifers equip themselves with the right gear and discover the best van and RV-friendly destinations. Her blog offers helpful advice for anyone planning a road trip or thinking about long-term travel on the road. You’ll hear about her introduction to van life and what she learned about van design as her needs changed with a partner and a growing family. She shares how summers on the road keep her close to nature, and she reveals her favorite U.S. destinations for road trips. What You’ll Learn: ● Why van life has become so popular in recent years (2:31)● Advice for long-term road trippers and prospective van lifers (6:09)● How to shower on the road (9:20)● Connecting with nature in our National Parks (14:11)● Her favorite road trip destination (16:54) Connect with Kristen Bor:Bearfoot Theory Connect with Mary Herendeen:Mary Herendeen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-herendeen-626984174/Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesTraveling with AAA Podcast: https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/information/traveling-with-aaa-podcastPlan your next vacation with AAA: https://aaa.com/travel

The world has opened up again, and we’re packing our bags and taking flight to faraway places. As the summer months approach, popular destinations prepare for the busy upcoming tourist season. It should come as no surprise that Europe tops many travelers’ lists. With so many people planning European summer vacations this year, we thought it would be a good idea to call in an expert. Today, Mary Herendeen welcomes Alyson Long, a full-time world traveler and CEO of World Travel Family. She travels full-time with her husband, Chef, and their 2 sons. Alyson has spent more than 20 years exploring the world, sharing her stories and the adventures of her traveling family on her blog. World Travel Family has become one of the planet’s biggest travel blogs with immense influence and invaluable insight. You’ll hear about Alyson’s life on the road, what it’s like being a full-time traveler, and how she manages her adventures with a family in tow. She shares tips on successfully navigating non-English–speaking destinations, choosing the right accommodation for your needs, and the best way to experience busy places while maximizing your time. You’ll also hear about a few off-the beaten-track places in the UK if you’re looking for a quieter vacation experience. What You’ll Learn: ● The biggest challenges when traveling off the beaten path (4:19)● Deciding on the right kind of accommodation for your trip (15:20)● What details to plan in advance and how to leave room for spontaneity (19:06)● Tips for buying tickets for museums and big attractions (20:49)● What to see if you’re traveling to or through the UK (24:06) Connect with Alyson Long:Website: https://worldtravelfamily.com/Blog: https://worldtravelfamily.com/travel-blog/ Connect with Mary Herendeen:Mary Herendeen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-herendeen-626984174/Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesTraveling with AAA Podcast: https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/information/traveling-with-aaa-podcastPlan your next vacation with AAA: https://www.aaa.com/travel

Writer Jessica Fender talks about Iceland’s easily accessible natural wonders, from glaciers and hot springs to the country’s gorgeous waterfalls. She also offers tips on what to see and do in Reykjavik.Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Susan Van Allen, author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, offers tips on planning the perfect tour of Italy’s food, architecture, and history.Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Kevin Allen of Hawai‘i Magazine discusses new hotels and attractions and offers tips on visiting responsibly.Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

A rare total solar eclipse is coming our way in 2024. Self-confessed eclipse-chaser David Swanson offers tips for travelers making plans to see the unusual solar event.Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Travel enthusiasts Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick discuss the importance of vacationing with your significant other. Romantic getaways, they say, can help couples reconnect through shared experiences and new perspectives.Connect with AAA:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprisesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprisesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Andrea Zelinski and Nicole Edenedo from Travel Weekly discuss younger travelers’ growing interest in cruising and dispel myths that sometimes keep those under 40 from booking a cruise.

Jordan Poblete, creator of the website disneyexaminer.com, talks about Disney’s plans to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the new Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood, and more.

If you’ve resolved to travel more in 2023, you’re in luck. Emily Kaufman, better known as “The Travel Mom” for her website of the same name, gives tips on reaching that goal. She has great advice, not just for families, but for all travelers.

Photographer and podcaster Gary Arndt recommends gadgets, tools, and apps for the traveler in your life.

Travel writers Jim Benning and Elizabeth Harryman discuss the life-changing power of travel—and making up for lost time after pandemic-related travel restrictions lifted over the last year.

Travel writer Jessica Colley Clarke is married to an Irishman and considers the Emerald Isle her second home. She shares tips for travelers to fit in like a local while they experience the island’s charming towns and pubs.

Award-winning travel writer Elizabeth Harryman shares tricks for travel during the holidays.

National Geographic Travel editor-at-large Don George recounts his recent cruise to the Galápagos Islands aboard a small Celebrity ship specially designed for the archipelago and its wildlife. He says it was a life-changing and healing experience.

Travel writers Jim Benning and Elizabeth Harryman discuss Colombia’s emergence as a tourist destination. The South American country is known today more for its hospitality and scenic beauty than drug wars and gangsters, they say. Among the attractions discussed are world-class coffee, a gold museum, and a major bicycle event.

Fran Golden is the co-author of 100 Things to Do in Alaska Before You Die. Fran tells what made her fall in love with the Last Frontier, from majestic scenery to encounters with wildlife. She also narrows down her list to the No. 1 thing every visitor must do.

The crisp air and bright colors of fall inspire travelers to embrace the outdoors. Chez Chesak, executive director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, is an avid skier, biker, and backpacker. He offers tips on making the most of autumn’s cooler days and shares his favorite fall hiking and biking spots.

The Land Down Under offers just about every outdoor adventure venue imaginable, from sandy beaches to bustling cities to the harsh beauty of the outback. Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Jessica Fender tells about her experiences on a Contiki escorted tour aimed at travelers age 18 to 35. Jessica cuddled a koala at an animal sanctuary, took a surfing lesson, and climbed to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Travelers fall for Italy for many reasons, not least the delicious food and wine, the amazing art, and the country’s fascinating history. Author and Italy expert Susan Van Allen shares insights on making the most of any visit. She’s the author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go. Not only that, she appeared in her own one-woman show, portraying 5 characters in an Italian-American family, and she was a staff writer for the Emmy Award–winning TV show, Everybody Loves Raymond.

What’s it like to stay in the new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel in Disney World? What’s new at Disneyland? Jordan Poblete, creator of the blog DisneyExaminer.com, offers tips on visiting the parks and shares his recent live-action role-playing experience as an overnight guest on Galactic Starcruiser.

River cruising in the U.S. is gaining in popularity for good reason. Riverboats are smaller than most ocean-going cruise ships and offer a more intimate experience. Riverboats also put you right into the rich culture of America’s heartland. Is a river cruise right for you? Guests Nick Chabarria and Elizabeth Harryman Lasley share their own experiences cruising U.S. rivers and offer insights for those considering riverboating on the Mississippi or other U.S. waterways. Nick Chabarria is a public affairs specialist for the Automobile Club of Missouri. Travel journalist Elizabeth Harryman Lasley is a former travel editor of Westways magazine and a former cohost of OnTravel, a radio show that aired to a million listeners in 167 countries on the American Forces Network and at OnTravel.com.

RVs offer a comfortable way to see the country and camp in the great outdoors, but they may not be for everyone. Brad Wright, a copy editor at Westways and AAA Explorer, recently rented an RV and explored the Oregon Coast with his wife, Daysi. He shares his experience as an RV newcomer and offers tips to others considering RV travel and exploring Oregon.

The popularity of all-inclusive resorts is soaring. Is an all-inclusive right for you? What’s it like to stay in one? Jack Richards, CEO and president of Pleasant Holidays, discusses the many advantages of a staying in these popular resorts.

The Hawaiian Islands offer something for every type of traveler, but knowing where to begin can be tricky—especially if you’ve never been. Auto Club Enterprises corporate communications manager Doug Shupe, who recently returned from his first visit to the islands, offers insights and tips for first-time visitors.

More than ever, travelers want to focus on their health and well-being, and resorts and other travel providers are racing to meet their needs. Jessica Fender, who writes the Ask the Traveler column in AAA Explorer and Westways, discusses the trend and offers tips to those considering their own wellness-related getaways. Jessica Fender won a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news as a newspaper reporter before trading her press pass for a boarding pass. The New Orleans–based journalist writes often for AAA publications. She also pens guides to her adoptive city and chronicles her adventures in the South and beyond at travelerbroads.com.

Is it time to go back on the water again? We will give you the answers to safely plan your Cruise. Fran Golden is an award-winning journalist and a cruise expert chats with Mary about setting sail.