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Traveling is fun, but the journey itself is not always more fulfilling than the destination. Advancements in air travel technology, however, have made getting from point A to point B a much more tolerable process. Some of the more recent developments have even made riding in a plane an enjoyable prospect.

Check out some of the latest advancements that are sure to improve your flight, be it a connector or a transatlantic.

Food - The longest running joke in air travel, airplane food has come a long way since peanuts and canned tomato juice. Many long-distance flights now offer items for different dietary restrictions, from calorie conscious to kosher. Some first class cabins, such as those found in Singapore Airline's fleet, offer full multi-course meals prepared by world class chefs and noted dietitians.

Entertainment - Passengers were once responsible for providing their own in-flight entertainment and often purchased books or magazines to pass the time. New planes, such as Boeing's Intercontinental jets, feature in-seat Satellite TV systems. Passengers can choose their own channel or movie from a menu, similar to that found on home satellite TV systems, but you probably still won't have access to HD channels. Now when you're at 30,000 feet, you can enjoy satellite TV over Texas the same way you can in your own home.

Music - Just like TV, radio has come a long way when it comes to air travel. Flyers may now listen to available satellite radio stations, from comedy to news to country music. Gone are the days when screaming babies or dead iPod batteries prevented travelers from enjoying a restful, relaxing flight.

Seats - While standard coach seats on most carriers haven't changed much, great strides have been made for those willing to shell out for business travel. British Airways, for example, features seats that fully recline, offering a good-night's sleep to those who otherwise feel cramped in airplane seats. These reclining chairs boast privacy separators and independently adjusting lights, which only add to the at-home feel.

Internet - A few select airlines are now offering Internet use to their passengers for a fee. Now it's possible to check e-mail, stream movies, or even pay bills while in transit. Wireless Internet, though not widely available, is set to be offered by most airlines by the end 2014. Not just great for business travelers, Internet comes as a welcome addition to all the new entertainment options to even the most casual vacationer.

At one time, people dressed up for the occasion of air travel. Although three-piece suits are hard to find nowadays, technological advancements are commonplace, making this form of travel exceptional. Amenities many only dreamed would be offered in the air are now reality, available to be enjoyed by all. It's impossible to know what's coming next as each airline races to outdo the others, but one thing is for sure: Air travel is only going to improve in the coming years, making the journey more a part of the experience than ever.

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(ARA) - Gas is pretty expensive so you certainly don't want to waste it. But millions of U.S. drivers waste gas by the gallon every day by driving on under-inflated tires.

Fewer than 8 percent of vehicles have four properly inflated tires, according to a Rubber Manufacturers Association-sponsored national tire pressure survey. Worse, at least 20 percent of vehicles were found to have at least one tire under-inflated by at least 8 psi.

Driving on under-inflated tires can significantly affect fuel economy and safety. The U.S. Department of Energy says that properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by 3.3 percent and help you save 9 cents per gallon at the pump. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) estimates that under-inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries a year.

To help keep your car and tires road-worthy, make sure you check your tire pressure at least once a month and before every long trip (including the spare). Keep tire pressure at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Under-inflation creates excessive stresses and heat and may lead to tire failure that could result in vehicle damage and serious injury or death.

Another problem to watch out for is tires and wheels that are out of balance or misaligned, which can cause uneven wear or vehicle problems. Have your alignment checked periodically and rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to help get the most miles from your tires.

Be tire smart - play your "P.A.R.T." That stands for pressure, alignment, rotation, and tread, which are the key elements of monthly tire maintenance.

* Pressure: Check tire pressure monthly before you drive with a tire gauge and inflate to vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure.

* Alignment: Misalignment of wheels can cause uneven and rapid tread wear.

* Rotation: Rotate every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to help you achieve more uniform wear.

* Tread: Bald tires are dangerous. Insert a penny, head first, into the tread groove. If you see all of Lincoln's head, it's time for a new tire.

For more information visit RMA's website at www.betiresmart.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The Deep South has a spellbinding allure for many people overseas, but the fascination is just as strong for many Americans. The history of the area seems to still be alive, affecting the culture in ways big and small. There are a number of destinations that capture the stateliness, quirkiness and, above all, charm of the Deep South, but few do it the way Savannah does.

Many Georgia vacations are centered on visiting the capital city of Atlanta. While that metropolis certainly has its attractions, Savannah is a city that stands out as being truly unique. It's romantic, historic, scenic, and its citizens know how to throw a party. Here are a few of the can't-miss sites that will help Savannah leave an indelible impression on you.

* Savannah is famous for its antebellum mansions, and it's a quintessential part of all proper Georgia vacations to visit at least one. The Mercer Williams House might be familiar because of the acclaimed book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." In the film based on the book, actor Kevin Spacey portrayed Jim Williams, the art dealer whose family still lives here -- his sister gives midday tours. Another wonderful house to tour is the Owens-Thomas house, a superb example of Regency architecture and a lovely place to while away an afternoon.

* History isn't always easy to confront, and that's particularly true of the antebellum lifestyle of the South. The King-Tisdell Cottage, an African-American heritage museum, chronicles what life was like during slavery and beyond, from 1750 to 1900, with stories and artifacts from the era. It's an important site to see and one that will stay with you.

* The natural beauty of the Savannah area is a major part of its charm. Wormsloe Historic Site has a lot to offer -- from living history demonstrations to the ruins of Wormsloe, a colonial estate dating from the 18th century -- but perhaps the most affecting part of visiting the site is a stroll down the mile-and-a-half alley, which is almost completely encased by craggy live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. It's a quintessential Southern landscape.

* There is a dark side to the charm of Savannah -- it's widely believed to be a thoroughly haunted city. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, taking a tour of the atmospheric Bonaventure Cemetery is a great idea. The beautiful memorial statuary is the big attraction, but the gardens and setting on a bluff that affords views of miles of surrounding countryside are added bonuses. If you are interested in haunted Savannah, go beyond the cemetery to take one of the spooky tours conducted through town -- one even takes visitors around in a hearse.

To get the best deals on a vacation package to Savannah, head to the Web. Sites like Travelocity.com can help you cut costs by bundling cheap flights, hotels and car rental. Saving money on those items will leave more in your pocket for enjoying all of Savannah's charms.

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Imagine yourself slowly working your way up a mountain, 2,640 feet above sea level, to the summit of Isabel de Torres mountain on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Now visualize stunning views of Puerto Plata, its busy commercial harbor, and in the background, the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean, all laid out in a beautiful landscape image below you.

Visiting Parque Nacional Isabel de Torres is just one of the many popular activities available for people planning Puerto Plata vacations.

If you don't have the time or energy to climb the steep trails, you can also take the popular cable car to the top, and enjoy the scenery along the entire ride. And at the top, botanical gardens brimming with lush, tropical flora are a sight to see.

Puerto Plata vacations don't all have to involve heights - there's plenty to do at sea level as well. One great stop is the Ocean World Adventure Park, where you can play with dolphins, and view sea lions, sharks and stingrays in the water, or echo the calls of exotic and colorful tropical birds on your walk through a tropical forest. Visit www.oceanworldadventurepark.com for more information about this park located just three miles west of Puerto Plata.

A great way to catch a bit of Puerto Plata's history is with a quick tour of Fort San Felipe, which was used in the 16th century by the Spanish to defend against pirates. Later, in the 20th century, the fort was a prison, and today tourists can tour the torture room. Nestled on the edge of the Caribbean, this fort also provides plenty of panoramic scenery.

What's a trip to the Caribbean without some of the area's most famous drink revered by pirates? Take a tour of Puerto Plata's Brugal Rum Distillery and see how the drink is processed from sugarcane into molasses and then eventually bottled in Puerto Plata. The tour also includes free rum samples. Brugal is usually the main ingredient in the popular Dominican Republic drink, mamajuana.

Whether you're flying into Puerto Plata for a week's stay at one of the resorts in the area, or stopping off at the port on one of the many Caribbean cruises, you should make a stop at Museo de Ambar Dominicano as part of your vacation. This museum has what some experts say is the most transparent collection of amber in the world.

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New York vacations can include a lot more than just the bright lights and fast pace of the Big Apple. For a very different kind of vacation, get out of the city and head north. The Hudson River Valley offers some unexpected pleasures: charming river villages, historic estates, artist communities, wineries and dramatic landscapes.

The area, which stretches from Yonkers all the way up to Albany, has been attracting visitors for more than 400 years, ever since English explorer Henry Hudson sailed up the river in 1609. Rich in history, the region was strategically important during the Revolutionary War and since then has been home to presidents, world leaders, artists and prominent members of the American aristocracy.

For New York vacations that incorporate the best of the Hudson River Valley, check out some of these attractions on your way up the river:

Staatsburg State Historic Site: This 1895 gilded age mansion, originally designed for Ruth and Ogden Mills, and within what is now Mills-Norrie State Park, is one of the legendary estates along the Hudson. It is thought by some that the house was the inspiration for Edith Wharton's classic novel "The House of Mirth." The Beaux-Arts mansion of 65 rooms was furnished with elaborately carved and gilded furniture, fine oriental rugs and a collection of European art. The stunningly landscaped grounds can be viewed from the terrace, or visitors can stroll through the property. Located in Staatsburg, New York.

Dia: Beacon: This well-regarded museum on the banks of the Hudson River is home to Dia Art Foundation's renowned collection, with works from the 1960s to the present by such artists as Joseph Beuys, Donald Judd, Richard Serra and Andy Warhol. Be sure to explore nearby Beacon with its charming main street filled with art galleries, antique shops and restaurants. Located in Beacon, New York.

Olana State Historic Site: The Hudson River Valley inspired the first arts movement in the United States, appropriately called the Hudson River School. One of the prominent members of this movement was Frederic Church, who called this estate home and designed the mansion and surrounding grounds. Built between 1870 and 1891, the Persian-style house incorporates design elements Church had admired during his travels in the Middle East. After touring the house, visitors can walk the grounds and see some of the views that inspired the artist. Located in Hudson, New York.

For the best travel deal, check out vacation packages for the Hudson River Valley. On sites like Travelocity.com you can search for the best prices on flights, hotels and car rental, which are often cheaper when bundled together. Then get out your map, and follow the river wherever it takes you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent