Denver, March 19, 2009 - The official start of spring is a day away and it’s time to start making plans for spring and summer travel. Topping the list of Spring Break travel destination is Orlando, home of Disneyworld, followed by Cancun, Santa Ana, San Diego and Phoenix according to hotel and airline bookings through AAA Colorado. Other popular destinations include Las Vegas, Puerto Vallarta, Hawaii, Denver and Anaheim (Disneyland).

AAA Colorado offers the following tips to assure that your vacation is both enjoyable and safe.

Before you go:

Be prepared for new passport requirements. All U.S. citizens traveling outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to re-enter the United States. If traveling by land or sea before June 1, this document can be either a passport, or a birth certificate and driver’s license. Beginning June 1, land and sea re-entries will be treated the same as air travel and a passport or passport card will be necessary.

Pack smart. Know your airline’s charges for first and additional pieces of luggage and pack accordingly. Leave valuables and other irreplaceable items at home.

Make copies of important documents. Pack copies of your passport, birth certificate and driver’s license separate from originals. Also, leave copies with a friend or family member at home.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member. Include approximate arrival and departure times as well as destination information so that people know where to contact you in case of an emergency.

Get a tune up for the car before starting a roadtrip — check tire pressure, fluids and take care of basic engine maintenance. Don’t push it on the driving. Take frequent breaks and switch drivers because drowsy driving can lead to serious accidents. If drivers are tired, they should pull over and rest.

During your stay:

Travel with your group, never alone, and avoid sharing your travel itinerary with people you meet on vacation.

Remember, you are subject to another nation’s laws. When you are in a nation outside of the U.S., you are subject to that nation’s laws and the full consequences of breaking them. In some countries you are guilty until proven innocent.

Drive carefully. Obey the speed limits and other traffic controls, even if other motorists are ignoring them.

AAA Colorado has more than 525,000 in-state members and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides nearly 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.