Have you been searching the internet for cheap flights to San Jose, CA? It is a popular city that has a large international airport (SJC). San Jose is a hot spot for both business and leisure travelers, due to its rich cultural history and convenient Silicon Valley location.

Several airlines around the world fly to / from SJC, including Alaska Airlines, Air China, Fiji Airways, Aeromexico, Al Nippon, American Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and more. With all these national and international airlines coming and going every day, it is not difficult to get affordable airfares. The most popular flights to San Jose are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Aeromexico.

You can usually find some of the cheapest flights from nearby cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Long Beach. However, cheap flights to San Jose can still be found in other cities in the country, namely Chicago and Denver. Don’t just look for deals offered by the biggest airlines, as Spirit, JetBlue and Frontier all offer airfare at really low prices. While it’s almost always best to book in advance, if you’re running low on time and need to be in the Silicon Valley area soon, Southwest is a good airline option for last-minute direct flights to San Jose.

Regardless of when you need to go and which city you plan to leave from, it is best to use a travel website that will allow you to search a large number of airlines and deals to find cheap flights to San Jose.

Add a hotel to cheap flights to San José

Do you need a hotel? Some of these travel sites will offer you the option of booking your hotel in addition to the flight. When the two expenses are combined, there are usually big discounts involved. Whether you’re only planning to stay for a few days or an entire week, it’s probably cheaper to combine airfare with accommodation rather than paying for the two separately.

When should you go? The best time to travel to Northern California is June through September, when temperatures are warm during the day but not overwhelming and cooler at night. It is also the time of year when the Jazz Festival is held, which is full of entertainment and delicious cuisine.

There is no shortage of attractions in Silicon Valley, from Alum Rock Park to the Repertory Theater. You can enjoy more activities with the money you save on cheap flights to San José.

Did you know that by going online, you can search 400+ airlines and 320,000+ hotels to find the best travel deals? Using the search tools is the easiest way to find cheap flights to San Jose, as well as hotel rooms, car rentals, restaurant discounts and more.

Bishop is a gateway city that marks the beginning (or the end depending on your address) of the Eastern Sierras visual extravaganza offered along Highway 395 that runs north-south in California, east of the Sierras, but not quite to Nevada.

If he’s going anywhere on 395, he’s probably going through Bishop. This is a city that marks a change of landscape from a dry and arid desert to the south, to the rich and rugged views of the Sierra to the north. Don’t miss a stop at EriK Schat’s Bakery downtown, the only intersection with a traffic light. You could almost spend a full day here sampling the delicious delicacies at this special bakery. In addition to the usual sweets, there are apparently dozens of different styles of bread. This is a “don’t miss it” when traveling through Bishop

Continuing north, you will find Mammoth Lakes. This haven for Angelenos on the go has turned what used to be a quiet mountain getaway into a viable community. The small town that I met a few years ago is now hidden behind luxury stores, condos, a high school, and a hospital. Getting away from the city to Lake Mary is still very enjoyable and the hike up to the devils poles is popular for dissecting the city center, making it a bit confusing for the first time visitor. Head out into the countryside above the city with the lakes and postpile, it’s wonderful.

Off the beaten track, and away from the hordes that seem to have grown up around Mammoth, is Devil’s Post Pile. We love the scenery and this strange geological attraction is well worth a visit. The hike from Post Pile to Rainbow Falls is also worth it, about 3 miles, lots of downhill and some steep sections.

Leaving Mammoth, one heads north for the quiet hamlet of June Lake, which always seems to be up for a Field and Stream magazine photo with sporting log cabins and plaid shirt fishermen galore. The 14 mile June Lake Loop takes you back along the base of the mountains where you can find a little hill for skiing, a great learning hill for families. Lake Grant, the northernmost lake, is a reservoir lake and while it has fishing, it lacks the usual shoreline that makes the lakes so pretty. The other lakes, Silver and June are natural and Aspen is surrounded by fantastic pictures of fall colors.

The next stop along the way is Lee Vining, a gateway to Yosemite and where Highway 120 intersects Highway 395. A left turn here will soon take you to Yosemite National Park at Tioga Pass. But let’s visit some of the highlights of the Eastern Sierra before heading back here.

Lee Vining has a wonderful interactive visitor and information center that focuses on “lunar-esque” Mono Lake. The lake was, in recent years, the center of attention in terms of water use rights. Almost drained by Los Angeles in the 1980s to meet its massive water needs, locals along with the help of various national agencies rallied and sued to get their water back. Mono Lake is now quite crowded and full of shrimp, birds, and all kinds of little critters. The Lee Vining Visitor Center is a wealth of information, photos, history, and learning opportunities about this unique part of California. Note: the lower water levels in the lake allowed for extreme views of the common rock figures around the lake that are now mostly covered again.

As you drive north, away from the lake, look back and see that it continues much further than you would think from your first view of the lake. You are now heading towards Bodie, watch closely as there is only one sign that is often missed that indicates the Bodie turnoff and it is a right turn then 12 miles. Once on the road to Bodie, civilization quickly fades and the road eventually turns to gravel. Keep an eye out for the hillside Shepard and her dogs in the meadow to the right – very European! Once in Bodie head to the museum. This is where you will collect your passes for the Gold Stamping Mill Tour. Only a few bucks, but worth a mint in history, local color, and interesting information about a bygone era. Tours are at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm every day. If you can’t take a tour, take a moment to check with one of the docent or rangers, they have in-depth knowledge and seem to genuinely enjoy sharing it!

Here we have to decide which way to go after Bodie, back to Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. Once the weather changes and the snow begins to fall, perhaps in late October or early November, the Tioga Pass will close through traffic until late May or early June of the following year. The next closest intersection that clears for the winter is Highway 88, somewhat north of us, but another lovely ride! If you have planned your trip when the pass is closed, after Bodie, stay on 395 towards Tahoe, where you will have several options to continue your explorations, either to the east and Nevada or to the west and California.

If you travel in the summer months with the pass open, we backtrack a bit. After Bodie, return to Highway 395 and south again to Highway 120 at Lee Vining and turn right onto Yosemite. Stop for dinner at the Mobile gas station on your left. This is the Whoa Nelly Deli, marked “Restaurant” and is a wonderful, low-key, quick stop for a full gourmet snack, lunch or dinner … always delicious and very reasonably priced. The Whoa Nelly Deli is only open while the Tioga Pass is open. The preferred seating would be outside at a picnic table overlooking Mono Lake.

Climbing the “hill” you will soon reach the pinnacle, the Tioga Pass. It is highly recommended to stop along the way to see photo shoots, as well as to enjoy a few days in the park. http://www.nps.gov/yose is the official website for Yosemite National Park and can provide the traveler with plenty of trip planning tools.

As you exit the park if you are heading to San Francisco, you will be back on Highway 120, past Crane Flat and exit the Big Oak entrance, or exit in this case. Your next stop should be the town of Groveland, the gold rush. Interesting places here include the museum at the intersection of 120 and Ferretti Road, open daily from 1 to 4 pm. The Iron Door Saloon is a step back in time and Mountain Sage is a destination in its own right, a wonderful stop for coffee, gardens and nursery, hammock garden, arts, crafts, books, and seating nooks. Another place where you can spend the day. They also have wireless connection here if you need an internet connection.

If Groveland is a place to sleep, http://www.StayNearYosemite.com can offer a diverse selection of lodging options in the area and http://www.groveland.org can provide a preview of dining options.

Enjoy!

The Sumter National Forest in South Carolina offers many opportunities for recreational activities. The Enoree District covers a large area in the central part of the state, including sections of Newberry, Laurens, Union, Chester, and Fairfield counties. Activities that visitors can enjoy include hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, picnics, and camping.

A 36-mile section of South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail passes through the Enoree District. The Palmetto Trail will eventually stretch from the mountains in the northern part of the state to the coast. The trail crosses the Enoree River and several streams. It also passes the scenic Sedalia, Macedonia, and Johns Creek Lakes, which are great fishing spots. Another popular trail is the Jew’s Harp Spring Hiking Trail in Union County. The spring once provided water for a 19th century plantation, Orange Hall, now in ruins. The trailhead is at Collins Creek Seasonal Camp. The spring water is not safe to drink.

Buncombe Horse Trail is located in Newberry County. This 31-mile trail winds through hills and valleys, past points of interest such as plantations and ancient cemeteries. Hikers and mountain bikers are also welcome on the trail, which is open year-round. The area offers an excellent opportunity to view wildlife. There is a usage fee of $ 3 per day.

The Enoree Forest District offers a challenging off-road vehicle (OHV) trail for ATVs and dirt bikes. The maximum width of the vehicle is 50 inches. There are 23 miles of trails, but interconnecting loop sections allow cyclists to choose the length of their ride. The OHV route is open from the last Thursday of March of each year until January 1 of the following year. The trail is accessed near the town of Whitmire. There is a daily use fee of $ 5 per OHV.

There are several popular fishing areas in the Sumter National Forest. The National Forest Service maintains four boat ramps on the Broad River. The River Enoree and River Tyger are suitable for canoes and flat-bottomed boats. Lake Sedalia, Lake Johns Creek, and Lake Pittman are good places to fish. Molly’s Rock Picnic Area also has a small pond full of fish. There is a fishing pier, as well as a nature trail and restrooms.

Hunting is allowed in the national forest in season. The abundant wildlife makes this one of the best hunting areas in the state. Target shooting is available from the Fair Forest Rifle Range, Indian Creek Rifle Range, and Philson Crossroads Rifle Range. Collins Creek, Rocky Branch, and Herbert Seasonal Camps are open during hunting season. Sedalia Campground, Brick House Campground, and Woods Ferry Recreation Area are open for camping throughout the year.

Mild weather in central South Carolina for year-round outdoor recreation. Visitors to the Enoree District of the Sumter National Forest have many activities to choose from.

“Around this location, Miles Archer, Sam Spade’s partner, was assassinated by Brigid O’Shaughnessy.” So says a plaque on a building at the corner of Burritt Alley and Bush Street in downtown San Francisco. This is a nice residential block on a cul-de-sac; It is not the ideal location for a murder, but of course this murder only happened in the pages of Dashiell Hammett’s “Maltese Falcon”.

As I’ll discover as I make my way through the Sam Spade neighborhood, San Francisco residents are happy to pretend that Sam and that motley crew of falcon hunters, the mysterious Miss Wonderly, the greasy little Joel Cairo, and the chillingly cool Gutman actually traveled. by the city. blocks around Union Square in pursuit of the shiny black bird.

This claim requires a bit of effort because Dashiell Hammett did not indulge in the elaborate setting of the scene. The more detailed description in The Maltese Falcon consists of one sentence: Spade has received the call that recounts the murder of Miles; Call a yellow taxi company. The taxi drops him “where Bush Street roofed Stockton before it slid down the hill into Chinatown.”

Sam Spade’s San Francisco ignores everything that postcards and that song and travelers, including myself, associate with the city. “Little Cable Cars Don’t Climb Halfway to the Stars” or anywhere else in Sam Spade’s world. There’s hardly a hilly feel that can turn even a walk across the block for breakfast into a calf stretch hike. The “roof” of Bush Street in Stockton only hints at the way this city rises and falls down Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, the three heights that separate Sam Spade from a blue ocean, an orange bridge and a beautiful bay. that he never seems to see.

As I walk through the world of Sam Spade, I realize how small he is. This is dark and bustling San Francisco, the part that turns its back on all the blue sea and sky and all those pastel-painted, gabled Victorian houses clinging so optimistically to those cruel hills. As I ride the Hyde Street cable car from Nob to Russian Hill at that point as it turns down to the Pacific, San Francisco looks to me as if it just came out of the laundry room all fresh, blue and white, hanging to dry in the sun from the sun. morning.

But Hammett’s characters don’t have time to look at such beauty. After all, they are in search of a much more elusive beauty: “the stuff that dreams are made of,” as Bogart said in the movie (but Hammett didn’t in the book): black enamel, solid gold, jewelry inlays. hawk that will consume all your ambition and energy and finally escape from all of them.

Hammett gives his characters very occasional amusement. Joel Cairo attends a show at the Geary Theater. They are currently showing Moliere’s Misanthrope; A Christmas Carol is announced for the holidays. It’s hard to imagine Joel Cairo attending either of them. He wouldn’t have had to walk far from his Hotel Belvedere. In her true incarnation as Bellevue, she was only a block away from Geary and Taylor. These days it has been reborn as the Monaco, an elegant “fantasy” boutique hotel where upturned Vuitton trunks serve as reception and hot air balloons on trompe l’oeil ceilings race through fluffy clouds.

There is an occasional mention of San Francisco’s nighttime fog, “thin, sticky, and penetrating,” but most of the time, Falcon’s characters move through a world of interiors: Sam’s office, his apartment, Sam’s apartment. Brigid and several hotel suites.

Dashiell Hammett worked for a time as a detective in San Francisco. He moved around a lot but lived at 891 Post Street for a while and that’s where he put Sam Spade’s apartment. When I ask a restaurant waiter if it’s a safe area to visit at night, he shrugs and says, “It’s a gay ghetto after dark …”

Hammett gave Spade an office in a splendid 1926 building at 111 Sutter Street. The hall and the marble walls and the beamed ceiling look more like the entrance to a Medici palace. The doorman, the maintenance guy, anyone in the hallway knows this is where “Sam Spade had his office, on the fifth floor.”

In another of Hammett’s short stage instructions, Spade says, “Have him pick me up at John’s, Ellis Street.” And there, the detective asks the waiter to rush his order for “chops, baked potato, and sliced ​​tomatoes.” In 1997, John’s Grill was declared a National Literary Landmark. For $ 29, a visitor can still order those chops. If they do, they should try eating them in the upstairs dining room, where Hammett’s books and a replica of the Maltese Falcon are kept in a glass case at the entrance.

But something is missing. Sam Spade could recognize the look of the place, but probably not the smell. There is no smoke. And the smokers lurking outside his office building in Sutter, sneaking smoking during a short American lunch break, are a reminder that Sam and his mink-clad ladies have been left behind by another century.

Amherst Ohio is a city of approximately 12,000 residents that is located in Northeast Ohio and is part of the greater Cleveland area. The city has the beautiful shores of Lake Erie to the north and historic Oberlin College just minutes to the south. Located in Lorain County, Amherst is close to the larger cities of Elyria and Lorain.

Amherst, a beautiful city that is known for its safe neighborhoods and a hometown feel, prides itself on being a great place to raise a family. There are many local landmarks and historical monuments for visitors to see, and the city is full of unique businesses and tourist attractions.

Amherst was once known as the sandstone capital of the world due to the various sandstone quarries that operated in the area. To this day, visitors can still see many local historic buildings that were built from native sandstone from the Amherst quarries. Amherst City Hall, the Amherst Public Library, and other structures use native Amherst sandstone, as do buildings in the United States and Canada.

A local historical society, bed and breakfasts, antique shops, and a downtown movie theater add to Amherst’s hometown feel. Downtown is well known as a fun, clean and safe nightlife environment, and there are several well-run pubs and restaurants that attract people from all over Lorain County.

Amherst Ohio has one of the lowest crime levels in Northeast Ohio, due in large part to its exemplary police department and city administration dedicated to keeping streets and neighborhoods safe for families. The Amherst Fire Department, with its part-time volunteer firefighting staff, is also an example of efficiency and professionalism.

Many families chose to buy homes in Amherst because of the praised Amherst School District, and city schools are known to provide a world-class education for local children. Local city parks and recreation areas, a Beaver Creek Preserve walking trail, baseball fields, and a local swimming pool add to the list of places for locals and visitors to enjoy the mild weather.

Although winters in Amherst Ohio can bring deep lake effect snow, city services maintain the streets very well. In the summer, Amherst has several fun events and traditions that locals look forward to, including the Memorial Day Parade, the Old Time Jamboree, Dancing On Main Street, and other events.

Anyone who lives in Southern California and who travels up the coast from San Diego to San Francisco has seen the offshore oil rigs along the coast of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Long Beach. Anyone living in any of the other coastal cities such as San Diego, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar , Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, Cambria or San Simeon see something different: pristine beaches without offshore oil rigs.

Amid America’s financial collapse and on the same weekend that Congress organized a $ 700 billion bailout, Congress lifted a 26-year ban on offshore oil drilling to the dismay of environmentalists.

Despite the ban on offshore oil drilling, it is believed that such drilling, at least off the coast of California, is unlikely to occur for many years, if ever. Democrats in Congress are already promising to reinstate the ban when a new Congress takes their seats in four months. And political opposition, marine protection laws, and nearly certain lawsuits from environmental groups in California make offshore oil drilling an unlikely event.

First, there is a widespread belief among Californians, including the Governor, that the California coast is an international treasure, not to mention that it attracts tourists from around the world. Few politicians in the state would dare to jeopardize that treasure.

Second, a law passed by former Gov. Pete Wilson already bans all offshore oil drilling in California three miles offshore.

Third, there are 300 miles of national marine sanctuaries along the California coast that prohibit oil drilling.

Fourth, nearly every coastal county in the state of California has enacted ordinances prohibiting new pipelines, oil terminals, and tanks in the state.

Fifth, environmental groups have already committed to filing lawsuits, and the California Coastal Commission could join them.

While California has about 30 oil rigs off the coast of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Long Beach that were built in the 1950s, no new oil rigs have been built in more than 50 years.

California is estimated to have at least 10.5 billion barrels of offshore oil, about a year and a half of the nation’s annual supply. This is comparable to the oil estimate at the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

But if anything, despite the oil crisis and financial crisis, in light of global warming and calls to invest in alternative energy, Californians are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious. Any politician running on any rig (oil or not) based on offshore drilling at risk for California’s scenic coastline, will have a tough time getting elected.

When Tommy Boone was eight years old, his father installed a pull-up bar at the entrance to the bedroom he shared with his brother. For a full year afterward, Mr. Boone encouraged his sons to develop the ability to do more and more pull-ups. “But after the first year,” Tommy said, “pull-ups became a regular habit for both of us. Every time we went to the bedroom and every time we went out, we did a couple of push-ups and to this day I’m still relatively strong at my age “.

Pull-ups translate into gymnastics and long-term fitness

The chin-up habit that Mr. Boone instilled in his children helped the children develop more and more upper body strength and related sports interests as they grew into adulthood. “In my case,” said Tommy, “the chin-up bar translated into an interest in gymnastics, which in turn led me to Northwestern Louisiana State University, where I competed as a gymnast for four years while majoring in Education. Physical”. To be even more precise, Tommy Boone was an American gymnast in 1966, and the chin-up bar his father installed when he was eight served as a guiding light.

Dad was a lawyer, but …

Occupationally speaking, Boone’s father was a lawyer and state senator who worked with the legendary populist icon Huey (the kingfish) Long, who cast a long shadow on Louisiana politics. “My dad always wanted me to go to law school and follow in his footsteps, so he was a little disappointed when I first announced my intention to study physical education and be a coach,” said Boone.

“On the other hand,” he continued, “my dad was always very aware and sensitive to the importance of physical strength and health, and the chin-up bar at the entrance is a great indicator of that recognition. My studies at Northwestern, Dad He took me aside one day and confessed that he had reconsidered and thought that he might have found something interesting after all. “

From a bachelor’s to a doctorate.

As it turned out, Boone’s speculative vision turned out to be prescient as fitness became a full-blown industry in the 1970s and 1980s. Tommy followed his own dreams of teaching and training, completing his master’s degree at Northwestern, and quickly took a teaching and coach position at Northeast Louisiana State University, in Monroe, LA, in 1968, then acquired a teaching position at the University of Florida. in 1969. He stayed for two years, but despite being encouraged to keep the job, Boone transferred to Florida State University to earn a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology.

Leaping into the future

Jumping into the future, Dr. Tommy Boone has covered a lot of ground since those Florida days. He currently chairs the Department of Exercise Physiology at The St. Scholastica College in Duluth, MN, where he has been from 1993-94. It has also been published so many times (articles, books, websites, blogs, etc.) that, on its own, it could prevent an entire Department from perishing if it really wanted to.

The American Society of Exercise Physiologists

He is also the co-founder and first president of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP), an international group of more than 500 exercise physiologists who are dedicated to rescuing related research from the Ivory Tower and translating it into practical practice to be implemented by real people, in real families, residing on real streets in real neighborhoods around the real world.

Boone cautions against the dangers of groupthink …

In an insightful essay titled Too Much Groupthink Leads to Conformity and Failure, Boone recounted eight deadly sins of groupthink, including mental protection, stereotypes, self-censorship, rationalization, direct pressure, the illusion of unanimity, the illusion of morality and the illusion of invulnerability. ; All of which works against the odds of finding real solutions to real problems (ie childhood obesity) in today’s world. Groupthink can be a major obstacle to creative problem solving when hierarchies, budgets, and people who are paid to think outside of the box, band together and actively avoid stepping out of their respective comfort zones.

No need to apply comfort zones

In Boone’s own words, “ASEP is not an organization for researchers who want to stay in their own comfort zone. Exercise physiology, in our eyes, is about improving the quality of life for people around the world. If we don’t achieve that, we are losing our goal. ” So hands-on practicality is a quality that’s deeply ingrained in Dr. Tommy Boone’s bones, and most likely he was given a leap into the major leagues when his father installed a simple chin-up bar at the entrance and encouraged your children to learn. the practical lessons of value created by regular work over a period of time.

Practical advice for today’s parents

Speaking of taking the research to the street level, we decided to ask Dr. Tommy Boone what kind of advice he could offer to 21st century parents struggling with issues like childhood obesity and fitness in front of television, video games, and the computers. , cars take them everywhere, and the PE curriculum is shrinking faster than you can say. He offered the following advice.

“The most important thing parents can do for children is to model the things you want them to do. Actions always speak louder than words,” Boone said. “If you want your children to eat well, teach them how to do it yourself. If you want them to be physically active, you better be ready to walk … literally. If you want them to avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs, then set the right example If you say one thing and do another, you lose all your credibility. And when parents lack credibility, we all lose. It’s that simple, “he added.

According to a Cincinnati-based digital marketing agency, 54% of marketers today consider case studies, in addition to articles, as their primary and most effective form of marketing, and more than 90% of clients Potentials say that reviews from outsiders will inevitably influence their buying decision.

So what makes case studies so indispensable for a business, particularly SMEs? Let’s find out:

Provide real-life examples of your company’s problem-solving capabilities.

Well, let’s get one thing straight. How long will you keep screaming about who you are and what you do as a company? It has all its products, services and its benefits well presented and described. Penalty fee! But this won’t get you very far. Your potential customers expect to see real life examples of your business, how you have solved the problems of various customers before they finally convince themselves to use your product or hire your service.

Highlight positive customer experiences.

Lately, there has been a growing understanding among a wide range of industries of the importance of conducting case studies in their respective functional areas. These industries view case studies as a reliable tool for collecting and presenting a narrative that involves positive customer experiences. Such stories create a pathway to build business credibility, drive traffic, and achieve conversions by sharing customer feedback and words of recommendation. Ultimately, case studies go a long way toward building trust in your brand.

Important tool amid growing competition

Furthermore, with competition in the business world gaining momentum with each passing day, small and medium-sized companies feel the need to work twice as hard as large companies to keep their heads above water. So things like case studies start to become important. Such personal accounts of challenges overcome and milestones reached with your business as a catalyst, provide a solid reason for customers looking for a reliable product or service to focus on you.

Help showcase success stories about achieving results

Case studies help build credibility by showing your company’s ability to provide answers to the problems your customers bring to the table. Positive and powerful testimonials from new or repeat customers can be used to demonstrate how successfully you have implemented your product and / or service and achieved results on time. In other words, potential customers are more interested in learning how you actually solve problems rather than just hearing you talk about it.

An affordable medium for small businesses

What’s encouraging to know is that case studies are affordable for small businesses and there is more than one way to benefit from using them. They can be placed on a website in the form of a simple but effective video, blog, PDF, newsletter or infographic. What you have at your disposal is an inexpensive way to highlight the challenges you help your customers overcome, as well as the approach you take in different situations, guided by your clearly defined business goals.

Provide space for learning and improvement

In the process, you learn a lot about your business, things that you didn’t know about before. This is because case studies help you look at your business from the customers’ perspective, which in turn is determined by how they view your product or service. From here comes the opportunity to further improve your business by getting better ideas from customers. This, in turn, increases your profitability.

Anna Maria Island, on the west coast of Florida near the mouth of Tampa Bay, has been a popular beach vacation destination for more than 100 years. More than 100,000 visitors annually enjoy the island’s beaches and relish its old Florida corporate free attitude. If you are planning a trip to AMI, or have already been there, you may want to learn a few things that make the island unique.

Here are five little-known facts about Anna Maria Island:

1. The island has quartz beaches: Many first-time visitors are amazed by the fine white sand that covers the beaches of Anna Maria Island. There are two very different ways that white sand can be formed. The first is through crushed seashells that accumulate and wash ashore over hundreds of thousands of years. The second is a rare phenomenon in which quartz rock is eroded by streams in high mountain ranges and washed out to sea. AMI’s sand comes from a combination of erosion in the Appalachian Mountains reaching the Gulf of Mexico and seashells. In addition to the soft white sand, quartz is also a poor conductor of heat, which means that the beaches of Anna Maria Island do not get as hot as other beaches.
2. The beaches stretch 8 miles: Although AMI is about 7 miles long; the beach stretches around the northern and southern edges of the island to create more than 8 miles of uninterrupted beach. Northwest beaches face Tampa Bay, while Southwest beaches face Sarasota Bay.
3. AMI is 3000 years old: It is impossible to predict exactly how old Anna Maria Island is. However, carbon dating and soil samples taken by the University of Florida suggest that the formation of the land mass dates back approximately 3,000 years. AMI is a barrier island formed by sediments carried to the coast of the mainland. The northern portions of Anna Maria Island are the oldest and the island continues to expand to the south. Some parts of the south of the island are less than 200 years old.
4. Bean Point named after settler: The first travelers to the beach of Anna Maria Island arrived in the late 19th century. George Bean settled at the northernmost point of the island. He and his associates used steamboats to transport tourists from St. Petersburg to enjoy the then-secluded island. Bean Point still offers a nearly 270 degree view of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay.
5. Sea turtle nesting area: Millions of green and loggerhead sea turtles made their great journey by the sea on the beaches of Anna Maria Island. In any given year, up to 200 turtles will build nests on AMI’s beaches. A typical nest contains 60 to 100 eggs.

Click here to find even more information about Anna Maria Island, as well as great deals on lodging reservations, shopping, dining, and more.

Few would disagree that summer vacations engender thoughts of pristine beaches, sparkling pools, relaxing spas, and great restaurants for every member of the family except, perhaps, the four-legged. The perfect summer day for Fido or Fluffy would probably include a helping of delicious sandwiches, a relaxing grooming session, and a few hours to search and chew on chew toys before catching some Z’s in a comfortable hotel room. Thanks to pet-friendly packages offered at various pet-friendly hotels in major cities like vibrant New York City, historic New Orleans, and scenic San Francisco, your pet can have an “amazing” experience without forcing it. break the bank. Below are a handful of pet-friendly properties that offer a ton of treats too good for your furry companions to pass up.

1. New York Hotel Pennsylvania: As the host hotel for the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York’s Hotel Pennsylvania is no stranger to four-legged guests. Conveniently within walking distance of the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, and the world-famous Broadway Theater District, the hotel offers a special pet-friendly offer that includes a comfortable room for you and your pet, a gift welcome for pets at check-in. -in, and a copy of Fido-Friendly Magazine. There is a limit of two dogs per room, but the hotel does not impose weight restrictions. Although New York is known as “The City That Never Sleeps,” your pet is likely to do the opposite once they set foot in one of the hotel’s quiet rooms.

two. Affinia Chicago: Affinia’s Jet Set Pets program is designed to help pets feel at home. Services offered include grooming, childcare and lodging, walking / caring for local dogs, dog treats, pet beds, pet psychics, and pet taxis. Guests can take home a city-specific chew toy, a can of organic Robbie Dawg treats or homemade canine treats, and a travel-friendly water bowl. Exotic animals or multiple pets are subject to hotel approval, and pets must remain on a leash or in a carrier while in public areas. Guests must confirm the accommodation of their pets with the hotel one week prior to arrival.

3. Hotel Monteleone New Orleans: If your pet is friendly and sociable, he will be in good company at the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans. Located at the foot of Royal Street in the French Quarter, the historic property features pet-friendly apartments where your pup or feline can mix and play with other visiting pets. The hotel’s Monte Pet Pack includes a mat for your dog to rest comfortably, monogrammed food and water bowls, trash bags, a chew toy, a bag of gourmet treats, and a city brochure. Guests can take these gifts home with them after their stay. If you decide to take your pet for a walk, you are sure to come across several pet-friendly attractions and restaurants that are located just minutes from the hotel. Among them are City Park, The Levy Dog Park, Mickey Markey Playground, Cafe Du Monde, Oak Street Cafe, and La Thai Cuisine.

Four. Ocean Park Resort Myrtle Beach: Certified by the “Pets Can Stay” program, Ocean Park Resort is a pet-friendly facility for small dogs. Accepted year-round, pets must be leashed in all public areas, are not allowed in pool areas, and cannot exceed 20 pounds. Carriers are recommended in case you need to leave your pet (only one allowed per accommodation) unattended in your room. After frolicking with their four-legged friends, the kids (under 18s stay free) can take a dip in one of the hotel’s indoor or outdoor pools.

5. The Powell Hotel San Francisco: The Powell Hotel, located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, combines historic charm with luxurious accommodations for you and your pet at no additional charge. Opened in 1908, the hotel evokes feelings of an earlier era with marble floors, ornate 20-foot ceilings, and wrought-iron railings. While you marvel at the hotel’s beautiful features, your pup can enjoy the welcome treats included in the hotel’s pet-friendly package. The property’s central location puts it minutes from Yerba Buena Gardens, a lovely place for an afternoon stroll with your pet, near the Museum of Modern Art and the Moscone Convention Center.

If you long to get away from him all summer, why not wear the furry ones? These pet-friendly hotels are perfect places for your furry friends to stretch their paws while you kick back and relax in front of the TV or watch the kids play in the pool. And with great service and great amenities waiting for travelers, you can be sure that you and your pets will be well cared for.