Trip Tips from CAA North & East Ontario to Enjoy Holiday Travels with Ease

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 21, 2011) - For many families, the holiday season provides a chance to spend quality time together with loved ones in other locales. Whether you're travelling abroad to temporarily escape the winter weather, or taking a short road trip to celebrate the season with family and friends, CAA North & East Ontario offers some useful tips to help ensure your travels are enjoyable and stress-free.

• No one likes to have plans interrupted during the holiday season, so before you hit the road, have your vehicle serviced at a CAA Approved Auto Repair Service (AARS) centre to make certain it is in top condition to get you to your destination.

• For safety, plan your route in advance and make sure to travel with a fully charged cell phone. Remember that driving requires your full attention. If a phone call must be made, have a passenger make the call, or wait until you are able to find a safe place to get off the road.

• Take your time. Many highways will be clogged with car-loads of families eager to get to their holiday destination. Give yourself plenty of time for your travels and check the weather forecast before leaving.

• Excited children can be a challenge in the car. Frequent stops and seat switching will turn their attention to something new until the next stop, while also preventing driver fatigue and distraction.

• While your travels on the road are family time, remember that you will also be in tight quarters for the duration of your trip. In order to ensure a stress-free trip and keep arguments at bay, pack a range of games, toys and activities that will cater to everyone's interests.

• Though your passport won't be needed if you are staying in the country, make sure all of your passengers have proper identification in case of an emergency. For those who will be driving through the United States for their vacation, remember that all of your passengers will need to have a valid passport.

• Whether with an adult or alone, all children travelling abroad must have a valid passport. Other documentation may be required to allow the child entry into another country, such as: a birth certificate; any legal forms pertaining to custody agreements; a parental consent letter if a child is travelling with one parent, neither parents or alone.

Looking for some last minute gift ideas for that hard to shop for person on your list? Stop by one of our Travel Stores to browse through some of CAA's great merchandise, including luggage and travel accessories. And while you're there, don't forget to grab a map to help you get to your holiday destination.

For more than 100 years, the Canadian Automobile Association has provided travel, emergency road services, insurance, and advocacy for its Members. CAA North & East Ontario continues to be the leading membership organization by recognizing and promoting its heritage and integrity in the community, while maximizing Members' value.