Until I started working as an inspector, one place I never considered visiting was the remote and tiny city of Churchill, Manitoba.

But thousands of visitors flood the tiny town in October and November, for the sole reason of seeing polar bears (the town is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”). ... Read More

Indianapolis is buzzing in anticipation of hosting Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012. While final preparations are still being made, it’s important for both local residents and out-of-town guests to understand how standard traffic patterns are going to change for the event, especially around Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and the Super Bowl Village along the downtown area’s Georgia Street.

In fact, the Indianapolis Host Committee has prepared a variety of tips (noted below) to help with navigation into and around the Circle City.... Read More

Here is a selection of recent questions relating to travel documentation, money requirements and the logistics of traveling abroad. Planning ahead is key.

We want to ship our motorcycle to Germany. Where can we purchase a green card for insurance?
You should be able to purchase your green card from the insurer who issued your motorcycle insurance policy. If your insurer is AAA, then please contact your local office. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and Motorcycle Express (which is endorsed by the AMA for shipping motorcycles overseas) may also be useful contacts.... Read More

If you are visiting another country — including Mexico — by yourself with a child under 18, you need more than just the usual travel documents. To help prevent cases of parental abduction, many countries now require proof of your relationship to the child and your legal right to have them accompany you in and out of the country.... Read More

From the Q&A email:
Question:  Raymond writes: My wife and our daughter will be traveling in France for two weeks. Does AAA have have a phone card for calling from France to the U.S. or what do you suggest? ... Read More

We are frequently asked for information on the best ways of planning for spending while on international trips.  Here are the options and some tips from the travel experts at AAA:

Credit cards and prepaid travel cards.  Credit cards and prepaid cards are widely accepted in financially developed countries.  Charges are converted from the local currency at an exchange rate dependent upon the financial institution from which you were issued your card. ... Read More

 
In the past six weeks, I have traveled from Chicago to Ecuador, and from Chicago to Cabo San Lucas.  Each airport has its own personality, and each airport has its own security setup.  Regulation for U.S. air travel are documented at the Transportation Security Administration website  (which also has tips on getting through security efficiently), but the experience can vary widely ... Read More

We are frequently asked for information on what documentation is needed for traveling internationally with children. Although I normally make my husband fill out all the paperwork, here's some additional tips.

First, the required information: All U.S. citizens regardless of age must have their own passport if they are traveling internationally, even to Canada and Mexico.   A Passport Card can be used for auto and ship travel to Canada and Mexico from the U.S. but AAA recommends a passport in the event you have to fly back in.... Read More

 
If you're thinking about driving on your next overseas vacation, as our bloggers did in Ireland and Mexico, you'll want to get an IDP.

What is an International Driving Permit or IDP?
An IDP functions as an official translation of a U.S. driver's license into ten foreign languages

Why would I need one?
If you’re planning to drive overseas, many countries do not recognize U.S. driver's licenses, however, most countries accept and may require an International Driving Permit (IDP) or Inter-American Driving Permit (IADP).... Read More

We get a lot of questions on this site about planning for international travel  - documentation, driving, insurance and other issues large and small. To help, AAA has produced a collection of informative videos available for viewing at MonkeySee.com. Learn more about:   -The documents you need to bring with you.
  -The basics of how to get a passport, which is required for just about all international travel. 
  -How to get an international driving permit if you plan on driving while abroad.    -The importance of travel insurance and when you need it. 
  -The different options available when taking an international vacation such as escorted and independent traveling.
  -The pros and cons of the different types of money available for use when abroad such as traveler’s checks, credit cards and local currency
  -Easy tips you can use on how to save money for your dream vacation abroad
  -How to plan for emergencies while traveling abroad such as medical care
  -What to do if your documents are lost or stolen.
  -Tips on how to pack efficiently for your next trip.
  -The advantages and disadvantages of off-season travel. 
  -How you can stay in touch with family and friends while on an international vacation. We'll be highlighting some of the information presented in the video series here on AAATravelViews.com and you may view them at MonkeySee.com.