Road & Travel Magazine's Blog

Alone On the Highway: Tips for Pulling Over Safely

Pulling over in the middle of the night can be scary and risky for a single woman, but sometimes it must be done. If you’re having car trouble and can’t possibly keep driving, here are some tips to have the safest side-of-the-road experience possible.

Try to make it to a brightly lit area such as a gas station before stopping. If you pull over along the side of the road and your car won’t start back up for some reason, you’d be stranded there as opposed to somewhere safer. In the worst case scenario, where you do end up pulled over on the highway, make sure to pull over as far off to the side as possible, and turn on your flashers to avoid being hit by a drowsy or inattentive driver.

 

Being aware of your surroundings is one of the best ways to avoid further trouble on the road – and the best way to stay aware at all times is to use a GPS. A Maestro or Tom-Tom can find the closest gas station, police station, or open business and navigate you directly there, relieving the stress of possibly getting lost and getting that in-the-middle-of-nowhere feeling. The next best piece of technology to a GPS that you probably already own is a cell-phone with either GPS or texting.  In a pinch, simply send a text to Google (the numbers correlate to the word on your keyboard) in the format of a Mapquest request.

 

Ex.

Send to: 466453 text: gas station near city, state

Send to: 466453 text: From Cooley Rd. to (address of gas station)

For more automotive Safety & Security tips from RTM, click here.

Standout Summer Spa Getaways

A spa's a spa, right? If it didn't have incredible customer service along with rejuvenating treatments and a relaxing environment, you couldn't very well call it...a spa. It's not easy to stand out in the crowd, but these spa resorts are really something special.

Grand Hyatt Singapore: This hotel’s lifestyle center, called Damai (“peace”) is designed to restore balance and rejuvenate the mind and soul. Its exotic spa treatments are influenced by Chinese medicine, Malay Jamu healing philosophies,

Indian Ayurvedic medicine, and classic European therapies.

Best for: A Cultural Immersion Detox

 

Sheraton La Caleta Resort & Spa, Casta Edege, Tenerife: Located in Spain’s Canary Islands, the La Caleta is a contemporary, adobe-style beach resort with spa amenities such as Turkish bath, and an ice igloo where guests can cool down after heat therapies.

Best for: A Tropical & Stylish Spa Exploration

 

Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa: Named for the mountain it’s nestled into, this lodge in Lake Placid, New York is a rustic-chic winter playground with spa treatments that takes cues from the local area, using regional ingredients and targeting outdoors enthusiasts.

Best for: Including Men & Low-Key Sports

 

Visit RTM's Spa Reviews Section.

New Car Review: 2009 Mazda6

By Thom Blackett
Photos by Thom Blackett

Not long ago, family sedans were about as exciting as vanilla ice cream. You know, the generic kind with the flavor of skim milk that’s been further diluted and then frozen. Thankfully, those days have just about run their course, and a new generation of sleek models like the 2009 Mazda6 are here to fill the void.

Competing with class leaders such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, designers of the Mazda6 have bestowed their midsize sedan with aggressive styling in an effort to distinguish it from the pack. Look past that revamped bodywork and you’ll find a spacious interior with realistic room for five, a split-folding rear seat that extends the already generous trunk, a smattering of soft surfaces working to offset a plethora of hard plastics, and seats that initially feel flat but prove supportive over the long haul. On the down side, the sporty appearance is due in part to a sloped rear window that can put passengers’ heads in hot, direct sunlight.

Priced close to $29,000, our Mazda6 i Grand Touring model included niceties like adjustable headlights and a blind spot warning system with visual and audible alerts. All 2009 Mazda6 variants are fitted with front-side and side-curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes, as well as traction and stability control systems.

Out on the street, our four-cylinder-powered Mazda6 delivered sufficient pep for most situations, but when considered alongside light steering and brakes that were difficult to modulate, we had a little trouble finding the “zoom zoom” character Mazda prides itself on. That being said, the automatic transmission does feature a manual mode which allows drivers to shift on their own schedule; a V-6 is available for those who want to zip around with a bit more ease. We averaged 23.9 mpg in mixed driving, just under the EPA’s estimate of 24 mpg and on par with the 2009 Honda Accord Sedan.

Specifications
Test Vehicle: 2009 BMW Mazda6 i Grand Touring
Base Price: $19,400
Price as Tested: $28,620
Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway
Road & Travel’s Observed Fuel Economy: 23.9 mpg
NHTSA/IIHS Frontal Crash Ratings: 5 stars / Good
NHTSA/IIHS Side Impact Ratings: 5 stars / Not Rated
Also Consider: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry

For more information see Road & Travel’s Mazda Buyer’s Guide or visit mazdausa.com.

Top Five Over the Top Cool Hotel Pools

From the world's largest in Chile to the most unexpected in New York to the most luxurious in Beverly Hills to the most Hollywood-esque in Barcelona, these pools are a pool-dwellers dream. If the first thing you check out following hotel check-in is the watery oasis that comes with your stay, you've gotta see these:  

 

San Alfonso Del Mar Resort, Chile: The Guiness World Record’s largest pool covers more than 20 acres of transparent ocean water so crystal clear you can see the bottom even in the 115-foot deep end. Hotel guests can even use kayaks and small boats to navigate its waters, which are filtered directly from the bordering Pacific Ocean.

Altitude at SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills: Situated on the sixth floor of the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, these two whimsical pools are an oasis above the busy downtown L.A. scene. The first pool is a reflecting pool with chaise lounges resting in the shallow end, giving guests the look of floating over water.

 

The Pooldeck at The Empire Hotel, Manhattan: A hidden gem above busy Broadway on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, this bi-level Pooldeck is replete with linen curtains, day-beds, ceiling fans, LCD televisions, iPod docking stations, mini refrigerators, telephones and wireless internet access.

 

Angels & Kings Pooldeck, ME Barcelona: This picturesque location's pool has movie projections displayed over the water as well as through the waterfall feature in the center of the pool. During the evenings, the space turns into the city’s hottest nightspot, with a stage for impromptu karaoke battles. 

 

Room Mate Grace, New York: In the heart of Times Square, this hotel has the most unusual and unexpected pool in the city. As guests walk into the lobby of the property, they are greeted by a chic, brightly neon-colored pool with its very own swim up bar.

 

For Luxury Travel information from RTM, click here.

Tropical Girlfriends Getaway in St. Petersburg, Florida

By Sue Mead

Imagine a tropical island experience complete with velvety beaches, towering palms, vivid-hued flowers, delectable dining, winding beach pathways and dunes ... that’s what we found at the TradeWinds Beach Resort & Conference Center in St. Petersburg, Florida on our “Girlfriends Getaway". The Tradewinds pulls out all the stops, with two resorts on the island of St. Pete Beach, in the Gulf of Mexico: the larger Island Grand Resort; and the smaller, more intimate property, the Sandpiper Hotel & Suites.

What sets this resort apart are the elements that combine to let you create exactly what you want for your getaway. Take part in a wide array of day-time activities and nightlife offered at both resorts, or explore places of peaceful and tropical ambience. Explore the Island Grand’s meandering waterway encumbered by exotic natural life, or the The Grand Palm Colonnade, an 8,000-square foot garden atrium.

The Island Grand has pools, whirlpools, beach volleyball, a three-story inflatable slide, banana boats, wave runners, water trykes, and parasailing. Snorkeling, dolphin watch cruises, fishing charters and boat rentals are all available. The property is like a town of paradise, with a fitness facility, mini-golf, life-size chess, tennis courts, a business center, shops, a full-service salon and spa, restaurants, bars, on-the-go eateries, a coin laundry and dry cleaning. Guests also have access to 20 pristine acres of St. Pete Beach, a hub of cultural activities from art festivals to musical events.

A pet-friendly atmosphere is supported by a number of Pet Friendly Suites. Pets enjoy a true resort experience, with an “unleashed” Pet Play Zone, designated dog walk area, and a complimentary Doggie Accessory Center. The TradeWinds Resorts also cater to eco-savvy tourists. The TradeWinds resorts are designated as Two Palm Certified Green Lodges, and St. Pete Beach received the Blue Wave Award.

The resort is about 45 minutes from Tampa International Airport, and 25 minutes from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. For reviews and booking, click here.

For more getaway ideas, go to RTM’s What Women Want section.

What's Wrong With My Car? Warnings to Stop Driving

Imagine yourself in this situation: you're by yourself, driving down the highway at night, far away from home, and you smell, hear or feel something weird. Your suspicion is that something's wrong with your car, but you wouldn't even begin to know what to look for if you stopped. Plus, it could just be paranoia - it'll probably just go away after a while.

So, what should be a concern, and is worth the risk of pulling over?

Pungent smell of burning plastic: Could be an electrical fire.

Steam coming from under hood/temperature gauges increasing: If you keep driving your engine could overheat and die, but it probably just needs coolant.

Can’t see: If the weather is preventing you from seeing clearly, or if your vision is getting blurry, pull over and do whatever you can to feel more comfortable, or wait it out, before getting back on the road.

Clunking of a flat tire: If you keep driving your tire will only get worse, and it may lead to wheel damage. But if it means getting to a safe place, a little extra driving may be worth the damage. Like Dad says, “It’s easier to replace a wheel than it is to replace your life!”

Can’t steer: Depending on how much trouble you’re having, you may need to pull over the first chance you get.

Can’t brake: Put on your flashers, and decelerate until you’re stopped. Call for help.

Notice puddle of oil or coolant after you've been parked: Drive as little as possible until you can get the leak fixed.

Hear a loud "pop": Your oil filter could’ve fallen off if it wasn’t screwed on tightly enough, and this could wreck your engine.

Read about precautions for safe highway driving alone next Monday.

For more Auto Safety and Security Tips from RTM, click here.

Make Your Vacation Even Better: Live Like the Locals

Follow this travel rule to help you enjoy the most fulfilling summer vacation experience possible, for less money:

The Rule of the Locals

The key to finding the absolute best local dining or recreation is simple: look for a line of locals. The places that the locals hang out are bound to be the best, and you can chat them up for more recommendations. Linger in the places that don't contain another tourist - think of how much more interesting "Baby" from Dirty Dancing's family vacation became when she got involved with the workers who lived there. Strive for your own Havana Nights! If you want to be included and immersed in the area you're visiting, do as the locals do: take public transportation or walk from place to place. Avoid anything American-style when it comes to booking your stay - shoot for a hostel or campground where you'll meet lots of diverse people. Try CouchSurfing or HomeExchange if you're feeling adventurous. 

Get even more travel advice from RTM's Travel Advice & Tips Section.

Road Construction: Drive Safely to Protect Officers

As the summer driving and road construction season heats up America, drivers should look out for law enforcement officers and emergency personnel working on roadways.

In 2008, more U.S. law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in traffic-related incidents than were killed by gunfire or any other single cause. Law enforcement officers across the country spend much of their time patrolling our roadways to ensure the safety and protection of other motorists. This is especially true during the summer, when more people are driving more miles, often traveling on congested highways to get to their vacations.

 

"Drive Safely" is a nationwide awareness campaign designed to reduce the number of law enforcement officers killed and injured on America's roadways. It provides 10 safe-driving tips that will help protect peace officers, including the following:

 

Move over. When see you a police or other emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the roadway, slow down and, if possible, safely move one additional lane away from the stopped vehicle. Forty-six states have enacted so-called "Move Over" laws, and violators can be ticketed and fined.

 

Focus on driving. Avoid talking on your cell phone, eating, hunting for items in your vehicle or engaging in other distractions while driving. Even a split-second distraction can spell danger for law enforcement, other drivers and yourself.

 

Never drive on the shoulder of a roadway. As tempting as it may be, this is not only illegal but also dangerous. Police and other emergency vehicles often use the shoulder to get to the scenes of traffic crashes and other incidents.

 

(Source: National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund)

For more driving tips, check out RTM's Auto Safety & Security Section.

Regular Maintenance: Good For Your Car's Health

Today's family automobile is a sophisticated, computer-controlled machine that requires less care and is more dependable than its predecessors. But to keep your car running efficiently, regularly scheduled maintenance is key to reliable performance and can mean savings down the road. Without regular maintenance, you can shorten the life of your vehicle and void its warranty.

NAPA Auto Care Centers recommend a five-point preventive maintenance program to keep your car running smoothly:

Oil Change — Unless your driving is mostly highway miles, today's engines will run better and last longer with clean oil every 3,000 miles or three months, including a filter change.

Brakes — An unusual noise or a gentle tug on the steering wheel when stopping are warning signs that the brakes should be checked. 

Coolant System — Thoroughly flush coolant systems and replace with the appropriate antifreeze at least every two years to minimize metal deterioration and to keep the system flowing.

 

Battery — As part of your car's regular maintenance, ask your technician to make sure the battery cover is in place and the battery is firmly anchored.

 

Check-Engine Light — An illuminated check-engine light on your dashboard could mean something as simple as a loose gas cap or spark plug wire, but could also be a serious forewarning of a mechanical failure.

Continue to read about regular vehicle maintenance from RTM here.

Need A Little Pick-Me-Up? Gorgeous Safaris!

Do you ever realize how much you need a quick pick-me-up, but have no clue what you need or where to start? I bet a rejuvenating, luxurious, all-inclusive getaway with elements of a makeover sounds pretty tempting. Overworked, stretched-too-thin women come to Gorgeous Safaris to get some balance in their lives in one perfectly rejuvenating week. The all-inclusive, women-only safaris take small groups (20 or less) on luxury "safaris" through exotic locations, filled with things women will love.

"Of all my mad ideas, I think this one has been the best," says Gorgeous Safaris creator and owner Maeve O'Meara.

For more women's travel ideas, check out RTM's What Women Want.