While rising gas prices have had an impact on vacation travel and while it is increasingly difficult to leave work stress behind, Carolinians still love to get away. Their travel preferences tend toward the mainstays in popular destinations, according to a recent AAA Carolinas membership survey.

For travel in the U.S., New York and San Francisco remain favorite locations, while internationally London and Rome are top destinations. When it comes to honeymoons, look for Carolinas’ newlyweds in Hawaii or Bermuda. For advice on how to leave work at work, one respondent summed it up: “A vacation is just that: being away from it all.”

AAA Carolinas recently included a membership survey in its GO Everywhere membership magazine, asking for comments from AAA members on their favorite destinations. The survey also asked members about how gas prices are affecting their travel and whether they feel safer these days when vacationing.

“The survey shows that Carolinians are relatively traditional in their travel preferences, selecting destinations that have been favorites for many years,” said Tanya Roberson, manager of the Aiken office of AAA Vacations. “On the other hand, our members travel virtually the entire globe and often sample emerging vacation hot spots.”

Below are the key findings of the survey, along with comments from Roberson:

• Favorite U.S. cities – New York, San Francisco, Charleston, Atlanta, Asheville.

“New York and San Francisco have been top U.S. destinations for many years. You really cannot go wrong with a trip to either. Carolinians are fortunate to have terrific drive-to locations close by, such as Charleston, Atlanta and Asheville.”

• Favorite European cities – London, Rome, Copenhagen, Athens, Austria.

“London has always been a favorite city for travelers, and Italy is the No. 1 European destination for the Carolinas.”

• South and North American cities – Santiago, Vancouver.

“Culturally, Santiago, Chile has a European feel to it. It is a city designed for walking, like many of the major cities in Europe. The mountains surrounding it add to its natural beauty. Vancouver is a port city for Alaskan cruises, and many travelers return for a vacation in the city which is an incredibly beautiful coastal region.”

• Caribbean favorites – St. Thomas, St. John, Grand Cayman, Bermuda.

“St. Thomas and St. John are the perfect pairing for a Caribbean vacation. You can visit St. Thomas for the hustle, bustle and shopping, while St. John offers a tranquil, natural environment. You can go back and forth with a relatively short, and fun, water taxi trip.”

• European islands – Ireland, Greece, Sicily.

“Ireland is a favorite among Carolinians primarily because of the Irish cultural heritage that many people in this part of the country share. Greece has grown in popularity as some tourists are turned off by the big city feeling of Athens. The popularity of Sicily is part of an overall trend in which Italy is the top European destination for Carolinians.”

• North American Islands – Hilton Head, Manhattan, Martha’s Vineyard.

“Hilton Head Island is really a special place in the Carolinas, with beaches, golf and much more, all within driving distance. Martha’s Vineyard is a nice contrast to Hilton Head, offering a New England flavor in its architecture, with a cooler climate. It’s a classy location for a family get-away.”

• Cruise lines – Holland America, Royal Caribbean.

“Holland America is a premium cruise line, but still an affordable luxury for many people. If you are looking for a relaxing cruise, we recommend Holland America, but if you enjoy a more active cruise, then look into Royal Caribbean. It’s hard to go wrong with either.”

• Fall/winter travel – New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, Colorado.

“These four choices show the diversity of travel preferences of Carolinas’ travelers – New England for fall leaf watching, the Caribbean for a relatively close tropical get-away, Hawaii when you have additional travel time and Colorado for ski adventures.”

• Family cruises – Carnival, Alaska.

“I was on an Alaskan cruise two years ago and I was surprised by all of the young families with children. Alaska cruises have become very popular for intergenerational travel because there is so much to do in Alaska, from kayaking to bear watching and from exploring glaciers to fishing and even snorkeling. A multi-generational family would find something for everyone to do during the day, which they could share over dinner back aboard ship at night.”

• Travel habits:

“In terms of travel habits, our survey showed that gas prices are a concern, but people are still traveling. As gas prices rise, some people are weighing flying versus driving in terms of cost.

“The average vacation length is still about a week, but some respondents indicated they are extending their travel to as long as 10 days. Getting away from work seems to be increasingly difficult particularly with cell phones and Blackberries. Respondents suggested setting clear boundaries between work and vacation, making sure loose ends are tied up before you leave and just committing to leaving it all behind.

“More travelers are using travel agents these days because they don’t have the time to research all the options and work out the details. They find that agents can find the solid values and manage all the details.”

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