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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Love is in the air in February, when Valentine’s Day shouts its presence. But you can indulge at other times of year at these accommodations in out-of-the-ordinary destinations that promise sunshine, crashing waves and a feeling of getting away from the rest of the world.

The Seychelles

Getting away was certainly part of the plan when Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymooned in the Seychelles, an archipelago of more than 100 islands about 1,000 miles east of Kenya in the Indian Ocean.

A tropical paradise, the Seychelles were uninhabited until the 1700s, when pirates, explorers and other sailors stumbled upon them. The French were the first settlers, arriving in 1770 to a place some viewed as the real Garden of Eden. Mahe and Praslin are the two largest­ islands, and the area has a tropical microclimate with year-round temperatures between 74 and 90 degrees.

The Raffles Praslin hotel (raffles.com/praslin) is an over-the-top luxury escape where the 86 villas and suites have private outdoor pavilions and plunge pools with amazing Indian Ocean views. Guests are assigned a butler to help with any planning or room needs. The hotel’s spa is open air and provides couples’ services, naturally.

Rates begin at about $500 per night, but some packages give a fourth night free when you spend three nights.

If you visit Praslin, there are a few things you shouldn’t miss.

Anse Lazio, a short walk from the hotel, is regularly noted as one of the world’s best beaches. With impossibly soft sand, the crescent-shaped beach is backed by jungle and fronted with warm crystalline waters that glitter under amazing sunsets.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vallee de Mai in the Praslin National Park is a primeval palm forest that is home to the coca de mer tree, which produces the largest nut in the plant kingdom, weighing as much as 18 pounds.

In the Raffles garden, the resort can arrange for lovebirds to plant two trees in one spot so the trees wrap around one another as they grow. Photos are sent to couples on their anniversaries.

Curacao

Once part of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao is an island in the southern Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. It has terrific beaches, predictably hot temperatures and a mix of histories and cultures.

Curacao became a distinct country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010 and retains much of its Dutch flavor. Dutch and English are official languages, but the most widely spoken is Papiamentu, a Portuguese creole. Partly European and partly African, people from more than 50 nationalities live on this 170-square-mile island. This mix of cultures is seen in the food and architecture, with Willemstad’s pastel buildings an iconic and familiar image in the capital.

With a tropical savanna climate and a dry season that lasts nine months of the year, it’s easy to see why Curacao is a popular destination for scuba divers and beach lovers.

A big event each year in Curacao is the North Sea Jazz Festival, an offshoot of the same-named event in Rotterdam, over Labor Day weekend. Undoubtedly, hotels will be harder to book and probably more expensive, but if you’re a music fan who loves hot weather, this is a great place to be.

Try the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort (855-590-2266, santabarbararesortcuracao.com) if you want to be away from it all. About a 40-minute drive from Willemstad, this 27-acre resort features a Pete Dye golf course, a spa, pool, sand beach and plenty of outdoor lounging areas. Rates in March are about $300 per night.

Closer to town and more upscale is Baoase, which says its philosophy is barefoot elegance (888-409-3506, baoase.com). On a white sand beach amid botanical gardens, Baoase offers rooms, suites or villas, some with private pools, starting at $475 per night in March.

The 60-year-old luxury Avila Hotel (800-747-8162, avilahotel.com) has two beaches in its downtown location, with March rates beginning at $272. Don’t miss the Restaurant & Cafe Gouverneur de Rouville (de-gouverneur.com) on the Otrobanda waterfront in Willemstad’s historic old town for traditional food and terrific views.

Dominican Republic

Sharing the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti, the Dominican Republic has a long colonial history; the capital of Santo Domingo was founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus — yes, a Columbus brother. Santo Domingo is a large city, but for a more remote and romantic destination, visit the Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge (800-961-5133, casabonitadr.com) in the unspoiled southwestern region of the country.

Atop a jungled hill, Casa Bonita and its 13 guest rooms have stunning sea views. Just outside the check-in area are an open-air restaurant and an infinity pool edged by palm trees overlooking the water.

There’s not a whole lot to do off the property, but on site you can go zip-lining and visit the Casa Bonita spa, which offers one of the most unusual massages I’ve ever experienced. The massage table is set up in the Riosito River, and the therapist stands barefoot in the water to give you the treatment. At first it seemed odd, but after I turned onto my back, the sounds of the water passing over river rocks while butterflies floated overhead made for a memorable experience.

Room rates for most of the year begin at $220 per night. Meal plans cost extra.

Mexico

A small Mexican town south of Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa isn’t an island but might as well be, because you can get there only by boat. No roads to get you there, no cars in town, it’s definitely an out-of-the-way place for romance.

A longtime hippie haven, it still has the feel of the lost generation, with frequent sightings of gray-haired ponytails on both genders. Out of the way and off the beaten path, it will definitely make you feel like you’ve left the world behind. Especially if you stay at Casa Pericos (805-308-2209, yelapacasa.com), a very unusual and very small boutique hotel.

A four-story structure built into the side of a mountain and just steps from the crashing ocean waves, it has three units open to the ocean and sky with just waist-high concrete posts and wires lining the edge.

After we arrived — hopping off the boat into the surf at nearby Playa Isabel before heading right to the third building — it was difficult to leave Casa Pericos and our 35-foot-wide perch overlooking the ocean. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are provided and can be enjoyed just outside the door. You might be lucky enough to see whales or dolphins from your sitting area. A 10-minute walk into town takes you along rutted stone paths, through a small stream, past a tiny grocery store and to some surprisingly good restaurants (one with a French-trained chef) for such a remote location.

The second-level unit at Casa Pericos is Vista Romantica, a 1,000-square-foot space with a large bathroom built around the stone mountain wall and a jungle strangler fig tree growing through the floor to the next level. The beds all have Moroccan-style canopy mosquito nets, and multicolored glass hearts line the back wall. High-season rates for Vista Romantic are $180 a night.

Casa Pericos is perfect for alone time with your lover. But there’s one thing: You are so close to the water that earplugs are helpful for blocking the sounds of crashing waves at night. Couples will need to decide for themselves whether earplugs are helpful to their relationships.

If you go

To get to the Seychelles you must first travel to Africa for a connecting flight, so it’s obviously a long haul, especially from North America.

There are few direct flights from the U.S. to Curacao (curacao.com/en), but it’s slightly more than three hours from Miami, so it’s easy enough to get a connecting flight.

Many U.S. cities have direct flights to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic (godominicanrepublic.com/rd), but it’s another three hours by car to get to Casa Bonita, which can arrange your ride.

The only way to get to Yelapa is by boat from Puerto Vallarta. The ride is about 40 minutes, and the round-trip fare is about $25. Casa Pericos sends detailed instructions on arranging the water taxi when you book.

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Anthony Raymond Hird and Dr. John Reed Caldwell are to affirm their partnership Sunday with a commitment ceremony at Las Caletas Hideaway Beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Andrew A. Hopping, a Universal Life minister and a friend of the couple, is to lead the event.

Mr. Hird, 34, is a vice president for legal and compliance in the New York office of Barclays, the British bank. He graduated from the University of Illinois and received a law degree from Seton Hall.

He is the son of Christine M. Hird and Mark A. Hird of Roselle, Ill. His mother retired as the owner of Chris’s Hallmark, a greeting card store in Schaumburg, Ill. His father is a senior product manager at Elkay Manufacturing, makers of stainless-steel sinks and other products in Oak Brook, Ill.

Dr. Caldwell, 33, is known as Reed. He is a specialist in emergency medicine at Longmont United Hospital in Longmont, Colo. He is also a medical director for the city’s fire department. He graduated from the University of Colorado and received a medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada.

He is a son of Kathleen Brotzman Caldwell of Longmont.

A version of this article appears in print on February 15, 2015, on page ST23 of the New York edition with the headline: Anthony Hird, Reed Caldwell. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Which destinations are travelers flocking to this Valentine’s Day? According to Allianz Global Assistance, the big winners are New York City and Cancun, with New York scoring the highest for domestic travelers and Cancun for those internationally.

The company’s rankings were determined by a review of 21,000 trips planned by its customers from Feb. 13 to 16.

Coming in at No. 2 and 3 domestically were Las Vegas and Chicago. Internationally, Toronto took the No. 2 spot, while a second Mexican destination – Los Cabos – was tied with Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas for No. 3

Rounding out the top 10 for domestic destinations were, respectively, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington, Dallas, Atlanta and Portland.

On the international front, San Juan, Vancouver, Mexico City, Montreal, Puerto Vallarta, Montego Bay and Punta Cana made the cut into the top 10.

Allianz Global Assistance sells travel insurance through most major U.S. airlines, travel agents, online travel agencies and consumers.

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APTOPIX Fish Pedicures

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned people about the dangers of the ill-conceived “fish pedicure” beauty treatment that is popping up in popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Mexico.

Fish pedicures are already banned in 10 states in the U.S. due to health risks to humans and cruelty to the fish. Studies have linked the species of fish most commonly used in these procedures, Garra rufa, to a host of bacteria that can cause infections to anyone with open sores or skin cuts, an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, or an immune system compromised by AIDS, cancer, or advanced age.

When fish are present in pedicure tubs, the tubs can’t be sufficiently sanitized between customers, and the fish themselves cannot be disinfected. The water is also a fertile breeding ground for bacteria, as noted in a report by the U.K.'s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, which investigated the types of bacteria associated with Garra rufa. The report also stated that when exposed to bacteria thriving on fish scales or waste, even the tiniest cut can quickly become infected.

Additionally, the fish must be starved in order to make them eat dead skin for sustenance. PETA urges everyone, for their own health and to prevent cruelty to animals, to opt for beauty treatments performed by willing human technicians.

Alicia Woempner
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
2154 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
323-312-9038

2015 New Sayings fix

If saying “I love you” on Valentine’s Day is too saccharine, how about mixing it up with “te amo?”

Necco, maker of the iconic Valentine’s candy called Sweethearts, added the Spanish expression of love to their conversational hearts this year.

“People get excited to see not just ‘I love you’ – obviously [classic phrases] like those are still special – but having these different ways to say and express their feelings, they gravitate toward it,” Mary Lane, Necco’s social media specialist, told Fox News Latino.

The brand also added the French “je t’aime,” along with other new symbols and phrases, including a mustache and “bff.” Some hearts are printed with “143,” a text code referring to the number of letters used in “I love you.”

Every year, the team at Necco reviews the messages printed on their candy hearts and swaps out the dated ones for something fresh, drawing inspiration from things like social media and customer feedback. Lane thinks that though “te amo” may have been used before in their English line, the time was right to bring it back.

“We saw a hole where we definitely wanted to have a way to express love in every language,” said Lane, who added that there is great interest in expanding the languages used and adding more Spanish phrases in the future.

In addition to the English line of candy, the brand also sells a Spanish version that has proved popular not only among Latino consumers but among Spanish teachers. That line contains phrases such as “ámame,” “besos,” “vamos,” “mi joyita,” and, of course, “te amo.”

National demographic changes inspired other companies dabbling in mushy messages to include offerings appealing to Spanish speakers. Brachs also sells a Spanish line of conversational hearts (and, of course, an English version) with the phrases "todo bien," "que tal?" and "amiga" and Hallmark has a line of Spanish greeting cards.

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Boxer puppy fawn portrai

For those who live part of full-time in the area of the Bay of Banderas or for those who visit, sad animal sights are almost impossible to avoid.

Unwanted animals are born to suffer. They are hit by vehicles, starve, become diseased, are poisoned, abused and abandoned.

And they continue to breed. Neighborhoods are cleaner, quieter and safer with less animals on the streets and wildlife is less at risk for decimation in open spaces and wild places.

Sterilization programs do the greatest good for the greatest number of animals and are the only solution to reducing animal suffering caused by overpopulation. PEACE has spayed and neutered over 4,000 animals annually for the past few years.

Our clinics cost approximately $1,800 US every clinic week.

All donations made to PEACEAnimals in the U.S. and Canada are deductible. For information on how to donate:
peacemexico.org/donate/other_ways_to_donate.

P.S. Adopting a dog or cat and taking it back to the U.S. or Canada is simple. Donations of anything a vet, cat or dog can use are needed. Please contact me for further information. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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There are now 11 communities benefitting from the commendable community work of more than 500 citizens, who on this occasion demonstrated their love for Mother Nature on Valentine’s Day.

Sayulita, the hippie chic town also known as the Surf Capital of the Riviera Nayarit, has joined the Beach Cleanup Network for its ninth event, which will take place on Valentine’s Day this Saturday, February 14th.

There are now 11 communities receiving the more than 500 citizens that work together on the second Saturday of every month to not only clean up the beaches, but also to generate environmental awareness and create a better tourism destination.

Starting at 9 a.m. the communities of Sayulita, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Platanitos, Isla de Mexcaltitán and Punta de Mita await anyone who wants to join in and lend a hand in this praiseworthy endeavor.

The beaches of Huanacaxtle, San Pancho, Guayabitos, La Peñita de Jaltemba and Los Ayala will begin their own cleanup around 5 p.m. Exact times may vary depending on the location.

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau calls upon the community at large to not throw trash in the streets, rivers, streambeds or beaches so as to avoid its reaching the sea. This simple act will contribute to the survival of species crucial to the environment such as the sea turtle, among others.

For more information and comments, if you’re interested in more details about the project including the hours and meeting places or would like to propose your community join the Riviera Nayarit Beach Cleanup Network, please call 2 97 25 16 ext. 108, and someone from the Riviera Nayarit CVB will be happy to help you.

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In a wave of Snowden-primed paranoia, the Internet has erupted about the possibility that TVs are being used to spy on their owners.

This particular story started with someone taking the time to actually read the privacy policy associated with Samsung’s Internet connected Smart TVs. The furore about the policy concerned the statement that Samsung might send the voices recorded for analysis to a third party. Reports about this story quickly escalated on the Internet, with all of them implying that the TVs were somehow pervasively recording everything that was said in the devices presence.

Headlines like It’s not just your TV listening in to your conversation and Samsung’s ‘Orwellian’ TV set may be ‘listening’ to your conversations were typical of the reaction to the initial report. The ABC implied that this feature could be activated without people being aware that it was recording what was going on in a room without people present knowing.

The UK’s Independent joined the fray repeating the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Parker Higgins’ comparison of Samsung’s TVs and the telescreens used in George Orwell’s 1984. They quoted:

“Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by [the screen], moreover, so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard.

“There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment. How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork.”

Sadly however, as is common with social and mainstream media-fuelled conspiracies, the truth turns out to be far more prosaic.

To activate the voice commands on the Samsung TV, a customer has to, and always has had to, press a button on the remote. A large icon then appears on the screen prompting the customer to say something like “Change the channel” or “Switch off”. Anyone who has tried this feature would have realised the first time they tried it that it is far quicker to click the remote directly than try and get the TV to; [a] understand what has been said, and [b] action the command.

Samsung notes that if people are not comfortable with the feature, they can disconnect the TV from the Internet or simply disable that particular feature. Fortunately, very few people actually bother to connect their Smart TVs to the Internet in the first place, with 15% of owners using an Internet TV to surf the Internet or access online content.

It is a testament to how far Samsung’s marketing crown has slipped that this story ever got the coverage it did. Very few reports actually questioned the basis for the story. Contrast it with the adulation that similar voice-activated systems like Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google’s “Ok Google”.

The fact that all of these systems require data to be sent for analysis seems to have escaped those suggesting that what Samsung is doing is any different. And yes, all of these companies will be analysing the data and using that information to tell them how people use the service and how they can improve on it.

We are in the “silly season” for technology-related news. Nothing is currently being announced and so technological sensations are being almost manufactured to fill web sites.

Samsung’s voice activation feature has been available for some time, I am not sure what people imagined happened to the data that it collected but they can be reassured that nobody will be interested in whatever is being said in front of the TV. In fact, the news would be that anything was being said at all.

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IntensityMap

Did you feel it? This morning at 9:51 we had a little EARTHQUAKE with a short but strong jolt and swaying motion in Puerto Vallarta originating offshore the Jalisco Coast.

 

  1. Magnitude mb 5.2
  2. Region OFFSHORE JALISCO, MEXICO
  3. Date time 2015-02-12 15:50:59.3 UTC
  4. Location 19.31 N ; 105.72 W
  5. Depth 30 km
  6. Distances 291 km SW of Guadalajara, Mexico / pop: 1,640,589 / local time: 09:50:59.3 2015-02-12 
  7. 211 km W of Colima, Mexico / pop: 127,235 / local time: 09:50:59.3 2015-02-12 
  8. 85 km SW of Tomatlán, Mexico / pop: 8,360 / local time: 09:50:59.3 2015-02-12

Source parameters not yet reviewed by a seismologist

If you felt it, you can report your experience to EMSC-CSEM.

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HVAt a time when emotions are expressed through social networks, where it is most likely to receive a love message via Whatsup than via air mail, and when the picture of a perfect romantic man is Christian Grey instead of Jorge Negrete, it is important to find an ‘updated’ love and friendship gift, without leaving aside the romantic aspect of it.

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The highly anticipated spring break is quickly approaching and those planning on embarking on a one-week trip should keep a few things in mind before they go. Do you know the popular places to visit? How can you protect yourself and those you’re traveling with?

There are many popular spring break destinations, and they vary from site to site.

Studentcity.com ranked Cancun, Mexico as the # 1 international destination and Panama City Beach, Florida as the #1 U.S. destination. Their other popular destinations? Nassau, Bahamas; Freeport the Bahamas Party Cruise; South Padre Island, Texas; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Travel Channel has a top 12 list of spring break destinations. Which includes:

  1. Las Vegas
  2. Bahamas
  3. Dominican Republic
  4. Miami
  5. Puerto Vallarta
  6. Daytona Beach
  7. South Padre Island
  8. Panama City Beach
  9. Jamaica
  10. Cancun
  11. Cabo San Lucas
  12. Acapulco 

ABC News has their own top 10 spring break places:

 
  1. Cancun
  2. Panama City
  3. Las Vegas
  4. Jamaica
  5. Miami
  6. Dominican Republic
  7. South Padre Island
  8. Puerto Vallarta
  9. Bahamas
  10. Puerto Rico

Business Insider gives a top 50 list. Want to check it out? Click here.

Do you agree or disagree with their lists?

Do you know when the best time to book your vacation is? An article written by Jeanette Pavini for Market Watch sheds insight into this topic.

Here is a quick summary of her thoughts:

 
  • – Spring break is considered a peak travel time, which increases rates.
  • – Do not wait until the last minute
  • – Tuesdays around 4:30 Eastern time is the best time to book your flight.
  • – The best deals for flights are usually on the earliest/latest flights of the day.
  • – Be mindful that if you book a late flight you are more likely to have layovers.
  • – The best days to travel are on Mondays because you’ll save money.
       Friday departure adds 22% and Saturday departure adds 18%.
  • – Book early! 4-14 days before trip: increases 29%, 3 days or less: trips increase by 62%.

Here are some more helpful travel tips to keep in mind.

Roadtripping? Buckle up, take turns driving, stay awake when driving shotgun to keep your driver company. Make sure your license and registration is valid!

Staying in a hotel? Reserve a room above the first floor but below the 6th floor. Why? First floor is common for break ins and fire truck ladders may not be able reach above the 6th floor in case of emergency. Know where the fire exits are and the stairwells in case of evacuation. Use the safes if they’re provided.

Quick trick to the ATM? Go in groups, go during the daylight, do a 360 degree scan, cover the keypad with the hand not being used to type your PIN. Sounds extreme? Better safe than sorry.

Going to the beach? Drinking and the sun can equal a bad hangover. Take it slow, hydrate with water, wear at least SPF 15, sunglasses, and hats, cute hats!

Drinking? Party smart. Be responsible. Pace yourself. Know the country’s liquor laws. Do NOT drink and drive.

Going on a cruise? Stick with your friends and watch your pockets. (To find out more about safe crusing, please visit http://cruiseknowledge.com/beforeyourcruise/)

Leaving the country? Is a passport required? A Visa? File your application at least 6 months prior. Don’t bring flashy valuables, dress conservatively to avoid sticking out, and know the laws of the country.

Want more helpful hints? Please visit safespringbreak.org
Fitchburg State’s Spring Break begins after 4:30pm on March 6 and ends the 15.

Have an awesome vacation if you are traveling somewhere fun and exotic with your best friends. If you’re stuck at home working, don’t despair! At least you are making money to spend when the time is right.

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More than 100 hospitals and medical organizations to benefit in 2015

DALLAS, Feb. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines LUV, -0.32% announced today that 75 nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations from across the nation will benefit from the Southwest Airlines 2015 Medical Transportation Grant Program, with the total impact reaching 101 facilities. Through the program, participating nonprofit hospitals and medical programs provide complimentary, roundtrip airline tickets to families who need to travel for specialized medical care. Receiving world class medical attention is more attainable when the cost of travel is not an issue. In 2015, Southwest will provide more than $3.2 million in free transportation to caregivers and patients seeking medical treatment, a 14 percent increase from the 2014 program. For a full list of 2015 participants, please visit www.southwest.com/medicalgrant.

"We care about the communities we serve and are honored to partner with like-minded hospitals and medical transportation organizations," said Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines' Vice President of Communication and Outreach. "We are proud to help fill the gap between where patients live and where the doctors they need practice so patients can receive the treatment that best supports them."

Since the Southwest Airlines Medical Transportation Grant Program's inception eight years ago, more than $16.4 million in free transportation has been distributed to organizations in 26 states, making a positive impact on the lives of more than 41,000 individuals. Andy Furmann and his family are just one example of those impacted by the program. In 2013, Andy was in a life-changing ski accident that left him partially paralyzed from a spinal cord injury. Andy traveled from his home in Massachusetts to Atlanta so he could receive treatment at Shepherd Center, a hospital, research facility, and rehabilitation center specifically for people with spinal cord or brain injuries. Through the Southwest Airlines Medical Transportation Grant Program, Andy's father was able to balance work at home while also visiting Andy in Atlanta. According to Andy, his father's presence during his treatment was just as important as his physical therapy and medical treatment. Visit the NUTS About Southwest blog to read Andy's story and learn more about the positive impact of the Medical Transportation Grant Program.

"As one can imagine, when you have a catastrophic injury, finances become tight," said Anna Elmers, M.D., a staff physiatrist at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. "Southwest Airlines' Medical Transportation Grant Program has been a wonderful way of allowing family members to see their loved ones who are undergoing rehabilitation at Shepherd Center. Having loved ones near provides the patient with important emotional support during their recovery. We are so thankful for our partnership with Southwest!"

To learn about qualifications for travel assistance through the designated organizations, please contact the Social Work, Travel/Concierge Service, or Patient Assistance Department directly at each location, as each has unique guidelines for the administration of tickets.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines LUV, -0.32% continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 46,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Southwest operates more than 3,400 flights a day, serving 93 destinations across the United States and five additional countries. Subject to government approvals, Southwest service to San Jose, Costa Rica, begins in March 2015; service to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, begins in June 2015; and service to Belize City, Belize begins in October 2015.

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation's most recent data, Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The Company operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world, the majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi providing gate-to-gate connectivity while over the United States. That connectivity enables Customers to use their personal devices to access streaming music provided by Beats Music or to view video on-demand movies and television shows, as well as nearly 20 channels of free, live TV compliments of our valued Partners. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer Bags Fly Free® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are never change fees, although fare differences might apply. In 2014, the airline proudly unveiled a bold new look: Heart. The new aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo, showcase the dedication of Southwest Employees to connect Customers with what's important in their lives.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With 42 consecutive years of profitability, Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-connects-patients-to-critical-medical-care-with-more-than-32-million-in-free-flights-through-medical-transportation-grant-program-300033674.html

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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