Research recently conducted by Living Cozy, an internet source for modern homeware and furniture brands, found six out 10 stately homes in the United States are located in the South.
After analyzing Tripadvisor reviews for the words ‘beautiful’, ‘gorgeous’, ‘stunning’,
‘magnificent’, and ‘lovely,’ Living Cozy's findings ranked Biltmore Estate in Asheville,
N.C., at number one, followed by Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami and The
Hemingway House in Key West, Florida, at number three. Thomas Jefferson's
Monticello in Charlottesville, Va., and George Washington Mount Vernon (Va.),
ranked number six and seven, respectively. The Ringling Mansion (Ca' d'Zan) in
Sarasota, Fla., comes in at number nine, rounding out the southern estates.
In another study, Honest Paws released its top 10 dog-friendly national parks with dog-friendly hiking trails in the USA. Southern National Parks that made the ranks include: Virginia's Shenandoah National Park at number two, Arkansas' Hot Springs National Park at number eight and South Carolina's Congaree National Park at number nine.
Iberia Parish, Louisiana's Jefferson Island Rip Van Winkle Gardens was featured in Fox News' list of "Most Romantic Trips to Take in America," And not to be outdone, the parish's the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff secured a spot on CNN's "20 of the World's Best Soups" roundup.
Forbes has placed Dollywood on its list of America’s Best Midsize Employers for the second year-in-a-row. The recognition comes on the heels of Dollywood’s recent inclusion on theTop Workplaces 2022 list.
Dollywood was represented well among the 500 companies on Forbes’ list of the
best midsize employers. The list includes companies across 25 industry sectors,
with only 12 companies on the list in the “Travel & Leisure” category of which
Dollywood was included. Among those companies, Dollywood ranked number 141
on the list and was the only theme park on the midsize list.
Pointing to Dollywood host job satisfaction, the Pigeon Forge park has long been
voted as the friendliest theme park in the world. The park also is the only park to
win the Golden Ticket Award for Best Guest Experience, which factors friendliness
of employees into its criteria. The prestigious Golden Ticket Awards are given
annually by industry publication Amusement Today. This recognition is the gold
standard for theme parks worldwide.
photo courtesy of pixabay, photog Markus Spiske