Page 18 - AAA Central Penn - AAA Now! Winter 2014
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18
january/february 2014
I
t's taken almost 20 years, but I've done it. I've finally
taken a motorcoach (no, we do not say "bus") tour
and it absolutely exceeded my expectations. A few
months ago my husband Stewart and I took an eight-
night Insight Vacations "Best of California" tour and
we had a blast.
Founded in 1978, Insight Vacations is an award-
winning, premium first-class tour company. (One
of their achievement awards was from
HRH Queen
Elizabeth II.
)
Insight Vacations' claim to fame is a business-
class touring style – meaning no more than 40
guests (plenty of legroom and comfy seats).
Equally as important are the premium and luxury
hotels (we loved the Fairmont Sonoma Mission
Inn, Intercontinental Clement in Monterey and
JW Marriott in L.A.); personalized service (such as
private cars on the Napa Valley Wine Train); desirable
locations (San Francisco, Yosemite, Santa Barbara,
Napa); expert tour guides (acting over and above
the call of duty); priority sightseeing (VIP access at
Hearst Castle and backstage at Kodak Theater); and of
course, the very popular specialty dinners with wine
(we enjoyed fantastic private dinners at Monterey
Aquarium, Chinatown and LA Live). All of this, and so
much more, were included in one price.
We were two of four Americans (most of the
sightseers were from Australia and New Zealand),
many were repeat Insight Vacations guests, and all
were well traveled and loved touring. Because we
rotated seats every day on the motor coach, we had
a chance to meet and get to know fellow passengers.
The days were busy, and by the time we checked
into our hotel the luggage was usually in the room
before us. Relaxing with drinks before dinner, and then
gathering for the group dinners, was so much fun.
Q. What are the rules/laws
regarding pets, specifically
dogs in vehicles?
– L. Kelley, Gettysburg, PA
1. Are small dogs allowed to
sit on the lap of the driver of a
moving vehicle?
2. Do dogs riding in the
passenger seat need to be
restrained by a seatbelt or other
devices specifically for dogs?
A.
Few states have laws pertaining to animals in
vehicles and Pennsylvania is not an exception.
Currently, no laws exist on the matter of having
your dog in your car with you while you are
driving. However, it is important to note that
studies have found having an unrestrained animal
in your vehicle could be as dangerous as texting
and driving due to the distractions it may cause.
It is recommended that your animal be restrained
in a moving vehicle. Options for these restraints
are plenty: seatbelt harnesses, dog car seats, and
crates are all good options. In the event of a crash,
your animal could be killed or seriously injured
just as an unrestrained person would be.
3. Are there any rules governing dogs left
unattended in vehicles while owners are shopping,
visiting, etc.?
A.
There are no rules specifically addressing this,
but please be aware of the weather conditions
if leaving your animal unattended in a vehicle.
Ensure that adequate ventilation is provided.
While no law specifically addresses this, an
individual leaving their animal in a very hot car,
for example, could be charged with Cruelty to
Animals (PA Crimes Code 5511) if the case proves
to be extreme or the animal dies.
Do you have a question for Ask The Trooper?
Send it to:
AAA Central Penn, 2301 Paxton
Church Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or e-mail
Ask the Trooper
A Dog About Town
Let’s TalkTravel with AAA
By Sandy Fenton
Insight Vacations
"The Art of Touring in Style’
Everyone looked forward to eating, talking, laughing
and recalling the day. We were well taken care of,
beginning to end, and while sitting at LAX waiting for
our flight home I kept looking around for Larry (our
tour director) to ask himwhat we were to do next –
and who was going to carry our luggage from now on.
(Yes, we did get a bit spoiled.)
I get a lot of inquires about escorted tours, particularly
motorcoach tours. So when I had Marc Kazlauskas, the
president of Insight Vacations, in theWHP580 "Let's Talk
Travel with AAA" studios withme, I had the chance to
ask him a few questions and get the scoop.
Q. Howwould you describe an Insight Vacations tour
to someone who has never been on an escorted trip?
A. Premium and luxury escorted journeys to some of
the most sought after destinations on the globe. Insight
takes you in award-winning comfort and business-
class style. Our tour directors (we call them traveling
concierges) are friends in a foreign land and with
you all the way. You will stay in first class and deluxe
hotels in the best locations, enjoy signature dining and
experience some of the world's greatest sights.
Q. What is included in the price of an Insight
Vacations tour?
A. Virtually everything. Fantastic hotels, most meals,
wine with dinner, sightseeing, transportation within
the destination, airport transfers, experienced tour
directors, entertainment, and so much more.
Q. How would you describe your guests?
A. Well-traveled, educated baby boomers.
Q. What are your top three most popular itineraries?
A. Best of Italy; Britain & Ireland Explorer; and
America's Park Trails.
Q. When is the best time to book an Insight Vacation?
A. Now. Many of our tours sell out quickly and AAA
will be able to give you the best advice on special
promotions and pricing.
Tune in to "Let's Talk Travel with AAA" every
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on WHP-AM580.
For more information, go to
and
click on the link to "Let's Talk Travel."
DISCOVER YOUR
ADVENTURE
TM
AAA
Now
!
TM
Tpr. Adam Reed,
Coordinator,
Public Information
Office
Marc Kazlauskas, President (left), Phil Cappelli, Vice
President (right) of Insight Vacations, with Sandy Fenton
