Get outta town, girlfriends

February 28, 2010|Currents

The unofficial World’s Largest Girlfriend Getaway, hosted by the newly renovated Loews Miami Beach Hotel in South Beach, features all the ingredients for a perfect trip with your favorite pals: salsa lessons, beach yoga, poolside pedicures, fashion tips, plenty of retail therapy, a visit by bestselling author Marianna Olszewski (“Live It, Love It, Earn It’’), and cooking demonstrations by Michelle Bernstein, CIA graduate and award-winning celebrity chef from the TV series “Check, Please! South Florida.’’ The April 16-18 package runs $399 per person, based on double occupancy, and includes a two-night stay in a deluxe room. 800-235-6397, www.loewshotels.com/sobegirlfriendsgetaway

Crystal’s new Black Sea cruises

Crystal Cruises launches two Black Sea voyages from Venice to Istanbul this year, with maiden stops in Sevastopol, Ukraine. The 12-day cruises depart on July 19 and Aug. 24 and visit ports in Bulgaria, Turkey, and Katakolon, Greece, known as the birthplace of the Olympics. The trips include talks by distinguished speakers on art, architecture, science, world affairs, and culture. The special fares start at $6,470 per person, based on double occupancy, and include $1,000 in shipboard credits per cruise-goer and free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways. 888-799-4625, www.crystalcruises.com

Find an accessible hotel

Hotels.com has launched a new feature that helps travelers with accessibility issues find hotels that suit their needs. The site, which lists more than 85,000 properties worldwide, can filter hotel searches for travelers who need amenities such as wheelchair-accessible pathways, accessible showers, Braille signage, or telephone equipment for the hearing-impaired. Travelers can request a room with one or more accessibility features on the website’s reservation page and then a customer service agent will contact the traveler to confirm the reservation or provide other hotel options. 800-246-8357, www.hotels.com

KARI BODNARCHUK