Page 14 - AAA Northwest Ohio - AAA Now! March/April 2013
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14
MARCH/APRIL 2013
D
omestic travel within the United States has been limited
to the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Big
cities such as NewYork, Chicago and Miami continue to
please, as do sites including Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon
and the monuments of Washington, D.C. As European
river cruising has remained popular, many travelers have
overlooked the proud heritage linked
to river cruising within the United
States. This trend is about to change
as American river cruise companies
improve their offerings by reviving the traditional charm
of Americana.
In April 2012, the Great American Steamboat Company
relaunched its
American Queen
, the largest steamboat ever
built. Out of service since 2008, the ship accommodates
436 passengers in a variety of Victorian-style staterooms
including superior and deluxe suites or budget-friendly
It’s a great big
beautiful world out
there, with much
to see and do.
Little eyes have big visions and
their own ideas about getting from
point A to B. Li’l Lewis explorers
are designed with them in mind.
We’ve taken the essentials for
travel, scaled them down in size
and dressed them up in design to
help outfit kids for the journey, be it
across town or around the world.
Travel Shows & Meetings
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
Call (
419) 843-1236
e-mail
or
visit
Northern National Parks Show
March 12, 2013 @ 6 p.m.
AAA Main Branch, Toledo
Panama Canal Cruise Show
March 14, 2013 @ 6 p.m.
AAA Main Branch, Toledo
Northern National Parks - WEBINAR
March 19, 2013 @ 6 p.m.
Request an E-vite from your AAA travel agent today!
The Azamara Difference featuring the
2014 VP Cruise Spain, Portugal & Gibralter
May 8, 2013 @ 6 p.m.
Location TBD
staterooms. Guest quarters include period-style
bathrooms that offer modern amenities, and most
include a shower and bathtub, though SI-Category Inside
Cabins provide only a shower.
Culinary director, Regina Charboneau, a veteran chef
and Mississippi native designed the dining options
aboard the
American Queen
. By sourcing local, seasonal
ingredients Charboneau is able to cultivate a classic
American experience from her kitchen to enhance the
voyage for her guests.
American Queen
voyages take passengers along the
Mississippi River to towns that capture the essence of
Southern hospitality and traditional Americana. Choosing
American river cruising allows travelers to tap into the
culture that influenced the country’s development.
Journeys on the
American Queen
include ports of call
in popular cities and smaller, hidden American towns.
The ship sails year round, yet the holidays provide an
atmosphere that is incomparable to sailings during
any other season. Prior to sailing, a stay at Nashville’s
Opryland Hotel, where each year they celebrate "A
Country Christmas" by decorating the property with
more than two million lights, horse-drawn carriage rides,
an outdoor nativity display and visits with Santa Claus,
to set the ideal holiday tone. The town of Helena boasts
a strong connection to its heritage as a destination rich
in southern soul, which is
evident in the many locations
that promote the town’s
history, such as Bubba’s Blues
Corner and the Helena Museum. Shop for those unique,
last-minute holiday gifts in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Along
Washington Street, travelers will find many independent
retailers such as Art and Soul, which specializes in original
jewelry and artwork; Peterson’s Art and Antiques; and
Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum.
In large cities, such as Memphis and Baton Rouge,
guests can venture out to experience the values and
pride that allowed these cities to develop the strong
roots of American heritage. Guests will examine the
characteristics of traditional rural life of these regions
and how it affected modern development in the area.
Destinations such as Natchez, St. Francisville, Houmas
House and Oak Alley reveal life in the antebellum
South. Visiting heritage sites including old plantations,
museums and areas of historic importance allows
travelers to understand the components of American
history. Guests can choose to participate in tours of 19th
century American properties and witness reenactments
of early life along the riverside towns of the United States.
The
American Queen
’s final stop in New Orleans is an
exciting end to this Mississippi River adventure. Though
passengers disembark in this city, there is no reason
to end the journey. The historic French Quarter can be
toured with a group or enjoyed by walking through the
neighborhood to see attractions such as Gallier House, Le
Petit Theatre, French market, or learn to create regional
specialties at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
This Christmas, add a bit of Americana to your season.
Join AAA Northwest Ohio for "Holiday Steamboating on
the Mississippi River," December 6-16, 2013!
American Queen
,
The Beautiful
