EnCompass banner
   

>>> Return - aaa.com

Table of Contents

About / Contacts

Enter Sweepstakes/
Free Travel Info

Colorado Calendar

Advertise with Us

 

 

 

 

  
 
September | October 2006
Volume 80 Issue 5
    
 

Travel Tips & Trends Fall foliage in Colorado


September is the month for fall foliage trips in Colorado—though the exact dates when colors hit their peak vary from year to year, from the north to south of the state, and from lower to higher altitudes.

Once an area's leaves begin to turn, the show can be over in as little as one week. If you have limited time available, no favorite destination in mind, and want to make the most of a road trip, commit to a travel date first and then go wherever the reported foliage conditions are best that weekend.

Just a few of the many popular destinations among Colorado leaf-peepers are the San Juan Skyway, the Maroon Bells (shuttle buses run regularly from Aspen to the scenic area every weekend in September), Kebler Pass west of Crested Butte and Guanella Pass Scenic & Historic Byway from Georgetown to Grant. Any of Colorado's scenic railroads are also good choices for fall foliage viewing. For more information, call the National Fall Foliage hotline, 800-354-4595, or visit www.parks.state.co.us/fall.

Wildlife on the road

I f you're heading out to enjoy a fall drive, take extra care to remain alert and not be distracted by the scenery. Heavy traffic at popular scenic locations around Colorado coincides with the beginning of seasonal wildlife migrations through the same areas.

October and November are the most dangerous months of the year for animal-vehicle collisions. Be particularly alert at dawn and dusk, when animals are more active, and scan the roadsides as well as the road ahead. At night, watch for shining eyes. Drive cautiously in areas where trees and brush are close to the side of the road; you may not realize an animal is about to step out until it's too late.

There are no legal consequences for hitting a wild animal, unless the motorist was speeding. Even if the collision causes no damage, report it to the State Patrol by calling *CSP—this will help officials to keep accurate records of where and when collisions occur. If you come upon an animal in the road, brake—never swerve. Be prepared to hit the animal. This is still safer than risking a crash off the road or into oncoming traffic.

Disney's magical world of … wine?

It's a little-known fact: Walt Disney World Resort has more sommeliers than any other company in the world. Although Disney is not generally thought of as a wine-lover's destination, the statistic is not surprising for a resort with more than 300 places to dine.

Master sommelier John Blazon and his team start with a base list of 250 wines. Sixty-five percent are New World wines (from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and the rest are Old World (from Spain, France, Germany and Italy).

Some "fine dining" restaurants in both theme parks and resorts have the latitude to expand this list. For instance, Jiko at Disney's Animal Kingdom offers only wines from South Africa, with the largest single-site South African wine list in the United States. Victoria & Albert's Restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has 700 wine selections on the menu and 4,200 bottles in its cellar.

At the 2003 Monterey Wine Festival's America's Best Wine Lists competition, Walt Disney World Resort received the "Special Innovation" award. "This award recognizes restaurant wine programs that cut new territory in the industry and alter the landscape for consumers and competitors," said Doug Frost, director of the awards.

Sept. 29 through Nov. 12 marks Disney's 11th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. The festival will feature more than 100 wineries, 250 chefs, culinary demonstrations and as many as 1,200 wine and beer seminars.

Volunteering in National Parks

America's 390 national parks are great places to spend time with your family and friends. They are also great places to lend a helping hand.

Following the busy summer season, the park system seeks volunteers to keep these bastions of our natural heritage looking their best. There are many opportunities available: Individuals and families can help with brush-clearing, repairing boardwalks, planting trees and much more. The following websites provide information about legitimate volunteer opportunities in National Parks across the country:


If you visit or volunteer regularly, a National Parks Pass may save you money. The $50 pass is valid for a year, gives entry to any national park, and more than 80% of the proceeds go directly back to the parks. AAA members can buy the pass online at www.aaa.com and receive a $2 discount.

Hurricanes and cruising

Hurricane season is here again. While hurricanes may occur as early as June or as late as December, they occur most commonly in the Eastern Caribbean from mid-August to mid-September; in the Western Caribbean, mid-September to early November.

How does this affect your cruise?

Surprisingly, there are advantages to booking a cruise for this time of year. Cruise ships operate throughout the season and have no difficulty in monitoring and avoiding bad weather. At the same time, the chance of last-minute itinerary changes and the general public's wariness of hurricanes mean that discounts are plentiful.

If you are happy with a flexible itinerary, hurricane season can be an excellent and economical time to cruise. Some people even enjoy this added element of mystery. The ship may head for a different and unexpected port to avoid potential rough water; a day on land may become an extra day at sea; a planned Eastern Caribbean itinerary may even be changed to a Western Caribbean one or vice versa. Or perhaps there will be no need for changes at all, and your cruise will proceed exactly as planned. In fact, this is by far the most likely possibility.

When should you not book a cruise during hurricane season? If you have your heart set on visiting a specific port, choose a different time of year. Likewise, if you don't have any wiggle room in your vacation, you probably don't want to risk getting home a day late if a hurricane affects the airport at your disembarkation point—or maybe not being able to get to the ship at all. Always buy travel insurance that covers you for missing the cruise or missing a flight due to weather conditions.

Suitcase secrets

Here are some packing tips you might not have considered—but they really work.
  • The elasticized plastic shower caps provided in many hotel bathrooms are the perfect size and shape to cover a soiled pair of shoes.
  • When traveling with a friend or family member, pack one outfit each in the other person's suitcase, in case one bag is lost or delayed.
  • To check that the weight of a large, awkward item is within airline limits, it's easiest to weigh yourself first. Then weigh yourself again while holding the item. The difference is your luggage's accurate weight.

    Mistaken identity at the airport

    I t's a traveler's nightmare—checking in for a flight, only to learn that you are on the federal government's watch list or no-fly list, for no reason that you can imagine.

    Such cases of mistaken identity are extremely rare. But it's also a comfort to know that if it happens to you, the problem can be fixed so that it does not affect your future travel. Unlike problems arising from deliberate identity theft, a simple case of mistaken identity can be resolved relatively quickly.

    Most commonly, the problem arises when an innocent passenger has the same or a similar name to an individual on the watch list. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) runs a Traveler Identity Verification Program for just such cases, working with the airline and other parties to correct any inaccuracies or errors that may have resulted in misidentification.

    The process involves submitting an identity verification form (provided by TSA) along with a copy of your passport. If you do not have a U.S. passport, copies of three other approved forms of ID can be substituted.

    After reviewing the causes of the error, TSA will respond to you in writing and provide your information to all airlines to avoid similar errors in the future. For more information visit www.tsa.gov/travelers/redress.

    Short cruises are popular

    In today's busy world, many travelers have trouble finding significant blocks of time to enjoy vacations. To accommodate time-strapped voyagers, many cruise lines offer short itineraries that range from one to five nights.

    Short cruises from North American ports visit a variety of destinations including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, the Pacific Northwest, Baja Mexico and California.

    For novices, it's an excellent way to try out your first cruise without committing to a more lengthy or expensive voyage. Surprisingly, short itineraries are also popular with cruise veterans. For more information, contact your AAA Travel professional or go to www.aaa.com and click on "Cruises."

    Flying with a wheelchair

    W heelchair users of all levels of mobility travel for business or pleasure. Here are some tips on how it all works.

    A standard wheelchair will not fit down a plane's aisle. Airlines provide a narrow, straight-backed "aisle chair" to get you to and from your seat while you are on the plane. One person on a website for disabled travelers described the little aisle chair as "a handtruck with a seat on it." While most people find the aisle chair adequate for the few minutes of use required, those with limited upper body control may want to bring an extra strap to help them balance on the chair. It cannot be self-propelled; air crew will assist you.

    When booking tickets, make sure the airline knows your needs. Confirm that the plane carries an aisle chair, and that they can give you an aisle seat in a bulkhead row so you can get in and out (and so other passengers in your row can get around you!). Reconfirm at check-in.

    For a long flight, ask about the accessibility of the restrooms. Large aircraft—those with more than one aisle—will usually have at least one restroom that is accessible with the aisle chair. Single-aisle planes might not.

    Many airports will allow you to use your own wheelchair up to the door of the plane. You will then transfer to the aisle chair and your own chair will be stowed for the duration of the flight. On arrival, it will normally be brought to the door to meet you—reconfirm this with air crew during the flight, so your chair does not end up in a baggage claim area halfway across the airport.

    Tag your chair with your name, contact details and destination airport. Attach a list of instructions for dismantling and reassembling it; this is often necessary, especially for power wheelchairs with acid batteries, which must be removed and stowed according to airline regulations for hazardous materials.

    When booking connecting flights, remember you are likely to be the last off the plane, and you may also need to wait to collect your wheelchair. Allow much more time than you think you'll need—then sit back and enjoy your flight.

    Changes to passport requirements

    If you're planning a trip to Canada, Mexico or other nearby countries next year, you will want to pay attention to passport law changes taking effect on Dec. 31, 2006. As of that date, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals will need to show a valid passport on all air and sea border crossings to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Bermuda and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    The change is part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which has been rolled out in stages over the past few years. The final stage will go into effect in December 2007, when passports will become required for international land border crossings in addition to air and sea. The goal is to strengthen border security while facilitating travel to and from the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors.

    When applying for a passport, you should allow at least six weeks for your application to be processed. Expedited service (about two weeks) is possible for an additional $60 fee plus delivery costs.

    Passports are valid for 10 years. A new passport costs $97; renewing your previous passport costs $67. For information on how to apply, visit the only official website for U.S. passport information, www.travel.state.gov/passport, or call 877-487-2778. Application forms are available at AAA offices.

    The other side of Barbados

    Barbados' west coast attracts tourists with its beaches and resorts, yet visitors frequently return home without experiencing the more rugged eastern side of this Caribbean island.

    Locals (who call themselves Bajans, not Barbadians) recommend the East Coast Road for dramatic scenery. The four-mile route between Belleplaine and Bathsheba can fill a half day, including stops. Barclays Park offers sweeping views of the Atlantic pounding a rocky shore. The spot is a local favorite for weekend picnics, but often deserted midweek. The water is a little rough for swimming, but there are rock pools to explore at low tide.

    Next is the Scotland District, named for its craggy, steep hillsides. At Chalky Mount Potteries you can observe artisans creating various works from the area's red-brown clay.

    Along the East Coast Road you will notice the occasional wooden chattel house (a design originating from plantation homes) perched high on a crest overlooking long stretches of isolated, stone-studded coastline. At Cattlewash, a breezy beach is set amid a splendid rocky landscape. The name comes from the days when villagers herded cattle down to the ocean to bathe.

    The town of Bathsheba is one of the East Coast's most stunning sites. Massive boulders jut majestically from the shore—the remains of ancient reefs. Top surfers challenge powerful waves at the Soup Bowl, while shallow natural coral pools along the shore provide an easier way to escape the heat.

    For more information about Barbados, visit your AAA Travel professional.

    Holiday travel: book early

    With summer barely over and the first signs of fall on the horizon, it can be difficult to think about the end of the year. Unfortunately, most families have at least one tale of trying to book last-minute holiday travel and not succeeding.

    Thanksgiving is the most popular time of the year for air travel, and the rest of the holiday season isn't far behind. Many seats for air travel in November, December and January are gone by September, according to travel agents.

    Particularly popular bookings for winter travel include Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mexico. If you intend to travel this winter, it's time to book now. If you put it off until later, there might not be seats available—and the closer the holidays get, the few remaining seats might command a higher price.

    Flights can be booked online at www.aaa.com, or contact your AAA Travel professional.

    Back to Top


    >>>Return to Table of Contents


    Copyright © 2006 AAA Colorado. All Rights Reserved. Privacy

    •