FEATURE/AAA Issues Tips for Happier Holiday Trips

    ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Dec. 11, 2001--The difference between enjoying and enduring the holiday season can be a simple matter of pre-planning. Thoughtful consideration increases the joy of seasonal gift giving and entertaining and also enhances the experience of holiday car trips, AAA says.
    To help holiday travelers prepare for drives to family, friends or resort destinations, the nation's largest motor club offers the following tips:

--	When departing, consider leaving a day earlier. When returning, consider leaving a day later. Avoid "hurrying the holiday" by allowing plenty of travel time. Consider an overnight stay along the way, rather than making the trip an endurance test.
--	Look into alternate routes. Taking a more scenic road, or a route you have not traveled before, can liven up a trip that may have become routine. AAA publishes informative maps, atlases and guidebooks for members and non-members. AAA travel agents can be contacted at more than 1,100 local offices and AAA trip-planning resources are available on-line at http://www.aaa.com.
--	Plan creative stops along the way. Highway rest stops are convenient, but brief visits to nearby parks, landmarks or small towns can make your trip more memorable. Many of these will be specially decorated.
--	Prepare your vehicle in advance of a trip by having the car inspected at a AAA approved repair facility. Have the car "winterized" if you have not done so. Bring a cellular phone in case you need to contact your motor club.
--	Watch the weather report. In snow country, bring warm clothes and a blanket. On long trips, holiday pillows will make passengers more cozy. Leave the wreath at home, however, since mounting objects in front of the radiator can restrict airflow to the vehicle's cooling system.
--	When packing, be careful not to obstruct the driver's view of the road. Gift packages and suitcases are most secure when locked in the trunk. Pack holiday snacks and bring holiday beverages such as hot cider or eggnog. Listening to holiday tapes or compact discs also enhances the trip and helps pass the time.

    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its nearly 45 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.