tified special-needs travel agentsdoor,” new york real estate agent lorna caridi says excitedly....

1
TAIWAN TOURS Package Price Starting From Din Tai Fung soup dumplings Taipei 101 Sun Moon Lake 1245 West Broadway, Suite 102, Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 1G7 T: (604) 872-8787; F: (604) 873-2823; Toll-free: 1-800-663-1126 100 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 780, Toronto, ON Canada M2N 6N5 T: (416) 979-8993; F: (416) 979-8220; Toll-free: 1-800-387-6622 www.canadacts.com E-mail: [email protected] TICO Registration No.: wholesale – 4212239; retailer – 4212221 Your “One-Stop Shopping Travel Agency” to China for tour, air, visa, hotel, trade show and more… China Travel Service (Canada) Inc. “CTS – Opening China to the World since 1928!” Lakeside Resort Escape From $195* per couple. Includes room or cottage, breakfast, use of facilities and a $25 credit - great for dining or spa! On-site golf, dining, full recreation. Just 50 min. from Toronto www.briars.ca | 1-800-465-2376 * add tax Call Audrey Johnston CTC, IATM Swan Hellenic Specialist 905.815.9804 1.855.837.7888 237 Church St., Oakville, On L6J 1N4 BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE, MEMBER OF Glorious Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show May 13th - 27th, 2016 Discover glorious gardens and medieval treasures on a cruise that visits the Chelsea Flower Show, charming Hornfleur, Monet’s famed gardens at Giverny and gothic Rouen are within reach. The rocky island of Mont San Michel awaits discovery from St. Malo. Visit the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes, the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux, and spend two nights in London visiting the world famous Chelsea Flower Show. Portsmouth, Honfleur, St. Malo, Dourarnenez, Nantes, Guernsey, Rotterdam visiting Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum, London, Portsmouth. COST P.P.D. From $6529.00 U.S. Outside Window Stateroom Cat. “F” Cost Includes: Return economy airfare from Toronto, 14 night cruise, all shore excursions, open sitting dining, all gratuities, all port charges, entertainment, lectures. Swan Hellenic Tico: 50019518 Magda’s All-Inclusive Hot Cruise Deals! M M M M M M M M M M Ma a a a a a a a a a ag g g g g g g g g g gd d d d d d d d d d da a a a a a a a a a as s s s s s s s s s s A A A A A A A A A A Al l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l- - - - - - - - - - -I I I I I I I I I I In n n n n n n n n n nc c c c c c c c c c cl l l l l l l l l l lu u u u u u u u u u us s s s s s s s s s si i i i i i i i i i iv v v v v v v v v v ve e e e e e e e e e e H H H H H H H H H H Ho o o o o o o o o o ot t t t t t t t t t t C C C C C C C C C C Cr r r r r r r r r r ru u u u u u u u u u ui i i i i i i i i i is s s s s s s s s s se e e e e e e e e e e D D D D D D D D D D De e e e e e e e e e ea a a a a a a a a a al l l l l l l l l l ls s s s s s s s s s s! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! contact: Magda Newman 416-733-7620 Toll Free: 1-800-463-1512 Ext. 262 www.magdacruises.com [email protected] c/o NEW WAVE TRAVEL, 1075 Bay St., Toronto, On M5S 2B1 TICO # 50021715 Ont. Reg #1337762 Unforgettable Explorations in Unsurpassed Style: All Inclusive Luxury. Signature Silversea Style 2016 ASIA ALL INCLUSIVE LUXURY - SILVERSEA STYLE on the luxury Silver Shadow ( 28,258 tons with 382 guests) Seeing the Far East has never been easier with Silversea’s convenient, seamless packages that offer an incredible value to you. Your All Inclusive vacations include: Economy Air Included from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver with Special Upgrade to Business Class with all taxes 2 Night Pre-Cruise hotel package with daily breakfast at 5-star Shangri-La hotels in Hong Kong or Singapore with all transfers Free Silver Shore Select Excursions & Free Limited Wi-Fi for Every Guest Vista, Terrace Suites (287 sq.ft.), Veranda Suites (345 sq.ft.) with Butler Service, Gratuities, All Beverages including wine, spirits, soft drinks, stocked in-suite bar, Open Seating Dining options and much more Up to US$ 500 onboard credits per suite depending on voyage 17 Day Jan 02/16 “Singapore/Singapore” with Malaysia, Vietnam & Thailand Vista Suite: US$ 6650 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 7050 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 7950pp 12 Day Jan 25/16 “Hong Kong/Singapore” with Ultimate Vietnam Vista Suite: US$ 5750 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 6050 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 6750 pp 15 Day Feb 10/16 “Singapore/Singapore” with Thailand, Myanmar/Burma & Malaysia Vista Suite: US$ 7750 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 8250 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 9250 pp 19 Day Mar 19/16 “Hong Kong/Singapore” with Vietnam & Thailand Vista Suite: US$ 9350 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 9950 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 11350 pp 19 Day Apr 18/16 “Hong Kong/Tokyo” with Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Korea & Japan Vista Suite: US$ 9850 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 10450 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 11850 pp All fares are per person based on double in US dollars in categories shown; subject to availability at time of booking and they are all inclusive as shown details above. Additional terms & conditions may apply. PLEASE CALL AND BOOK NOW! 416-979-8663 / 1-800-382-9330 JM Vacations Ltd. 850 College St, Toronto ON M6H 1A2 [email protected] / www.jmvacations.ca Includes: Flight Toronto/Lisbon/Toronto, Car rental (class Y), Accommodations 6 nts Quinta do Morgado 1 Bed Apt & 1 nt Hotel Mundial (limited seats available) TICO#2298366 PORTUGAL FALL SUPER DEALS SEP 19 – SEP 27: $845 OCT 03 – OCT 11: $865 SEP 26 – OCT 04: $905 OCT 10 – OCT 18: $925 Plus $477 airport tax PP DBL Occ. Promote your WEB SITE to upscale, leading edge prospects. To advertise in Report on Business Internet Directory phone: 1.866.999.9237 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 1-866-36 GLOBE T4 G THE GLOBE AND MAIL SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2015 GLOBE TRAVEL T he relaunch of the city’s old Seville hotel as the Miami Beach Edition is tectonic for a 100-year-old city that has seen it all. The Edition chain is the off- spring of the unlikely coupling of Ian Schrager (Studio 54 impres- ario, aging poster boy for the hip and creator of the design-driven boutique hotel concept) and the slightly fuddy duddy but always satisfying Marriott gang. In short, Marriott and Schrager mean lots of quiet spaces to lounge, do Sudoku and drink non-alcoholic beverages or, if you are the Biebs on his recent stay at Miami Beach Edition, plenty of sexy late-night opportunities to get in a dust-up with local police. ................................................................ LOCATION, LOCATION ................................................................ Though a bit outside of the party people’s zany zone, the Miami Beach Edition is one of the early outposts in the about-to-boom Mid-Beach neighbourhood. The South Beach frenzy is close enough at hand, but the Edition, set on over a hectare of beach- front, offers so many resort activ- ities you might not want to leave. Culture mavens don’t have to go farther than the Bass Museum with its collection of Old Masters and the quirky Wolfsonian Muse- um full of curious artifacts of the history of industrial design. ................................................................ DESIGN ................................................................ Thanks to the Miami architectu- ral firm NBWW’s respectful design philosophy, the 1955 hotel’s façade, elements of its pool area and grand lobby have been carefully restored. Its Vene- tian plaster walls, white marble floors and mosaic gold columns are the perfect backdrop for the elegantly restrained interior (think elegant beach-house retreat) from Toronto’s Yabu Pushelberg design team. And in the land of over-the-top, this minimalist approach with its white fabrics and pale wood is welcome. ................................................................ EAT IN OR EAT OUT? ................................................................ The hotel is a glittery and pleas- antly weird playground of on- and off-the-beach activities, one of which is to eat (or “fress” as Miami Beach holidaymakers would say in the old days) under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. In the hotel’s Matador Room, sample his Latin-cum-Miami mojo in the tamarind-glazed red snapper, which arrives at my table with flair. “Look under this tiny shrimp,” my server announc- es with the pride of a scientist on the cusp of a Nobel break- through. “This isn’t just any chili pepper, it’s a tepin!” ................................................................ BEST AMENITY ................................................................ It depends on your age, I think. The Edition is crammed with novelty amenities: There’s the dance club, Discobox, with a sometimes Gumby costumed doorman and lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, whose name sparks a frisson of delight in the club set. There’s a bowling-alley lounge with large black-suited bouncers and artist-designed bowling balls. And there’s a skating rink where club kids can slide around under pulsating neon lights. But it’s the heavenly spa menu with the usual and most unusual treat- ments that are jaw-dropping, and I’ll trade DJ Questlove and beach treats like Ping-Pong and paddle- ball for the Oxygen Treatment and Power Nap. ................................................................ IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING ................................................................ Standard rooms start at $359 and oceanfront bungalows start at $1,069, and you want guests to pay extra to use beach umbrel- las? Really? ................................................................ WHOM YOU’LL MEET ................................................................ Daytime brings a high density of floral print or khaki-clad Marriott point chasers with offspring hunting down boogie boards and chicken nuggets at what is happi- ly a very child-friendly hotel. “We’re pretty sure we saw Leon- ardo DiCaprio going out the front door,” New York real estate agent Lorna Caridi says excitedly. Later in the day the lobby traffic skews toward Euro-creatives and Coa- chella types in vintage Reeboks, metallic sandals and cat-eye sun- glasses. Lounging languorously at the pool or on the terrace with full ocean views, they are either waiting for Art Basel 2015 or for night to fall. That’s when Base- ment (the Edition’s lower-level entertainment complex) starts to get live. ................................................................ Miami Beach Edition, 2901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, Fla.; editionho- tels.com/miami-beach; 294 rooms from $359. ................................................................ Special to The Globe and Mail ................................................................ The writer was a guest of the hotel. SLEEPOVER MIAMI BEACH EDITION Low-key getaway in Mid-Beach Miami ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... JUDITH RITTER MIAMI ................................................................ The Miami Beach Edition’s minimalist approach to interior decor is welcome in the land of over-the-top. T rekking into the great unknown is exhilarating for most, but if you are the parent of a child with special needs, the unknown is your biggest obsta- cle, said Meghann Harris, 47, the senior founder of SpecialGlobe- .com, a new travel website for families of children with physical and cognitive challenges. Harris’s daughter, Eliza, 8, has atypical Rett syndrome, a neuro- developmental disorder. Following are edited excerpts from a conversation with Harris. ................................................................ What’s the first step to prepare for a trip with a special-needs child? Planning. That means locating the closest hospitals, pharmacies, equipment rental companies, service organizations that can provide one-to-one assistance if necessary. Really plan out your time well. Be realistic in your goals. Parents want to jam every- thing they can into one trip, but you have to allow your kids downtime. If a parent is charging around, kids will feel that stress. ................................................................ What do you hear parents say is their biggest practical chal- lenge? Air travel is a huge barrier. Space is tight, bathrooms are ridiculous and layovers are either too short or too long. I have to assist Eliza in the bathroom and to get both of us in there, I sometimes have to leave the door open. Inevita- bly, she starts pushing buttons, so then a flight attendant shows up. The sense of privacy and re- spect is gone. ................................................................ How can families ease the pro- cess of flying for their children? I advocate for early boarding. It gives you time to settle your child and get in a calmer place before everyone starts clamber- ing on. And the attendants have time to see Eliza, get to know her a little. ................................................................ Have you found any city to be particularly good at welcoming families with special needs? San Diego does a really good job. They are very aware and wel- coming in general. ................................................................ Where can families find assist- ance with booking trips? SpecialGlobe offers access to cer- tified special-needs travel agents and we have partnerships with booking sites like HomeAway- .com, which is figuring out how to filter for properties with safety features that appeal to special- needs families. And the [Utah- based] National Ability Center is another cool organization that offers travel programs. ................................................................ Why is it vital to you that Eliza be able to travel? She comes back from every trip a step ahead. Her issues involve how her neural pathways con- nect, and I think that with every new place we visit, it’s creating more pathways. It’s assisting her speech. She always comes back with a bigger vocabulary – and this is a kid who was never sup- posed to be able to speak. ................................................................ This interview has been edited and condensed. ................................................................ New York Times News Service Q & A MEGHANN HARRIS Minimizing the unknown when travelling with special-needs children ................................................................ RACHEL LEE HARRIS ................................................................

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Page 1: tified special-needs travel agentsdoor,” New York real estate agent Lorna Caridi says excitedly. Later in the day the lobby traffic skews toward Euro-creatives and Coa-chella types

TAIWAN TOURSPackage Price Starting From

Din Tai Fung soup dumplings

Taipei 101

Sun Moon Lake

1245 West Broadway, Suite 102,Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 1G7

T: (604) 872-8787; F: (604) 873-2823;Toll-free: 1-800-663-1126

100 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 780,Toronto, ON Canada M2N 6N5

T: (416) 979-8993; F: (416) 979-8220;Toll-free: 1-800-387-6622

www.canadacts.comE-mail: [email protected]

TICO Registration No.: wholesale – 4212239; retailer – 4212221

Your “One-StopShopping Travel Agency”

to China for tour, air, visa, hotel,trade show and more…

China Travel Service (Canada) Inc.“CTS – Opening China to the World since 1928!”

Lakeside Resort EscapeFrom $195* per couple. Includes room or cottage, breakfast, use of facilitiesand a $25 credit - great for dining or spa! On-site golf, dining, full recreation.

Just 50 min. from Torontowww.briars.ca | 1-800-465-2376

* add tax

Call Audrey Johnston CTC, IATM Swan Hellenic Specialist

905.815.9804 • 1.855.837.7888237 Church St., Oakville, On L6J 1N4BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE, MEMBER OF

Glorious Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show

May 13th - 27th, 2016Discover glorious gardens and medieval treasures on a cruise that visits the Chelsea Flower Show, charming Hornfleur, Monet’s famed gardens

at Giverny and gothic Rouen are within reach. The rocky island of Mont San Michel awaits discovery from St. Malo. Visit the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes, the Bayeux Tapestry in Bayeux, and spend two nights in London

visiting the world famous Chelsea Flower Show.Portsmouth, Honfleur, St. Malo, Dourarnenez, Nantes, Guernsey, Rotterdam

visiting Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum, London, Portsmouth.COST P.P.D. From $6529.00 U.S. Outside Window Stateroom Cat. “F”

Cost Includes: Return economy airfare from Toronto, 14 night cruise, all shore excursions, open sitting dining, all gratuities, all port charges, entertainment, lectures.

Swan Hellenic

Tico

: 500

1951

8

Magda’s All-InclusiveHot Cruise Deals!oooooooooootttttttttt CCCCCCCCCCC uuuuuuuuuuu ssssssssssseeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa sssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!MMMMMMMMMMMaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggdddddddddddaaaaaaaaaaa’’’’’’’’’’sssssssssss AAAAAAAAAAAllllllllllllllllllllll-----------IIIIIIIIIIInnnnnnnnnnncccccccccccllllllllllluuuuuuuuuuusssssssssssiiiiiiiiiiivvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeHHHHHHHHHHHooooooooooottttttttttt CCCCCCCCCCCrrrrrrrrrrruuuuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssseeeeeeeeeee DDDDDDDDDDDeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllsssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!

contact: Magda Newman416-733-7620 Toll Free: 1-800-463-1512 Ext. 262

www.magdacruises.com [email protected]/o NEW WAVE TRAVEL, 1075 Bay St., Toronto, On M5S 2B1

TICO # 50021715

Ont.

Reg

#133

7762

Unforgettable Explorations in Unsurpassed Style: All Inclusive Luxury. Signature Silversea Style

2016 ASIA ALL INCLUSIVE LUXURY - SILVERSEA STYLEon the luxury Silver Shadow ( 28,258 tons with 382 guests)

Seeing the Far East has never been easier with Silversea’s convenient, seamless packages that offer an incredible value to you. Your All Inclusive vacations include:

• Economy Air Included from Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver with Special Upgrade to Business Class with all taxes

• 2 Night Pre-Cruise hotel package with daily breakfast at 5-star Shangri-La hotels in Hong Kong or Singapore with all transfers

• Free Silver Shore Select Excursions & Free Limited Wi-Fi for Every Guest • Vista, Terrace Suites (287 sq.ft.), Veranda Suites (345 sq.ft.) with Butler Service,

Gratuities, All Beverages including wine, spirits, soft drinks, stocked in-suite bar, Open Seating Dining options and much more

• Up to US$ 500 onboard credits per suite depending on voyage

17 Day Jan 02/16 “Singapore/Singapore” with Malaysia, Vietnam & ThailandVista Suite: US$ 6650 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 7050 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 7950pp12 Day Jan 25/16 “Hong Kong/Singapore” with Ultimate VietnamVista Suite: US$ 5750 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 6050 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 6750 pp15 Day Feb 10/16 “Singapore/Singapore” with Thailand, Myanmar/Burma & MalaysiaVista Suite: US$ 7750 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 8250 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 9250 pp19 Day Mar 19/16 “Hong Kong/Singapore” with Vietnam & ThailandVista Suite: US$ 9350 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 9950 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 11350 pp19 Day Apr 18/16 “Hong Kong/Tokyo” with Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Korea & JapanVista Suite: US$ 9850 pp, Terrace Suite: US$ 10450 pp, Veranda Suite 1: US$ 11850 pp

All fares are per person based on double in US dollars in categories shown; subject to availability at time of booking and they are all inclusive as shown details above. Additional terms & conditions may apply.

PLEASE CALL AND BOOK NOW!

416-979-8663 / 1-800-382-9330JM Vacations Ltd. 850 College St, Toronto ON M6H 1A2

[email protected] / www.jmvacations.ca

Includes: Flight Toronto/Lisbon/Toronto, Car rental (class Y), Accommodations 6 nts Quinta do Morgado 1 Bed Apt & 1 nt Hotel Mundial (limited seats available)

TICO#

2298

366

PORTUGAL FALL SUPER DEALS

SEP 19 – SEP 27: $845 OCT 03 – OCT 11: $865SEP 26 – OCT 04: $905 OCT 10 – OCT 18: $925

Plus $477 airport tax PP DBL Occ.

Promoteyour

WEB SITEto

upscale,leading edge

prospects.

To advertise inReport onBusiness

Internet Directoryphone:

1.866.999.9237

TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 1-866-36 GLOBE

T4 G T H E G LO B E A N D M A I L • S AT U R DAY , J U LY 4 , 2 0 1 5• GLOBE TRAVEL

The relaunch of the city’s oldSeville hotel as the Miami

Beach Edition is tectonic for a100-year-old city that has seen itall. The Edition chain is the off-spring of the unlikely coupling ofIan Schrager (Studio 54 impres-ario, aging poster boy for the hipand creator of the design-drivenboutique hotel concept) and theslightly fuddy duddy but alwayssatisfying Marriott gang. In short,Marriott and Schrager mean lotsof quiet spaces to lounge, doSudoku and drink non-alcoholicbeverages or, if you are the Biebson his recent stay at Miami BeachEdition, plenty of sexy late-nightopportunities to get in a dust-upwith local police.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LOCATION, LOCATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Though a bit outside of the partypeople’s zany zone, the MiamiBeach Edition is one of the earlyoutposts in the about-to-boomMid-Beach neighbourhood. TheSouth Beach frenzy is closeenough at hand, but the Edition,set on over a hectare of beach-front, offers so many resort activ-ities you might not want to leave.Culture mavens don’t have to gofarther than the Bass Museumwith its collection of Old Mastersand the quirky Wolfsonian Muse-um full of curious artifacts of thehistory of industrial design.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DESIGN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thanks to the Miami architectu-ral firm NBWW’s respectfuldesign philosophy, the 1955hotel’s façade, elements of itspool area and grand lobby havebeen carefully restored. Its Vene-tian plaster walls, white marblefloors and mosaic gold columnsare the perfect backdrop for theelegantly restrained interior(think elegant beach-houseretreat) from Toronto’s YabuPushelberg design team. And inthe land of over-the-top, this

minimalist approach with itswhite fabrics and pale wood iswelcome.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EAT IN OR EAT OUT?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The hotel is a glittery and pleas-antly weird playground of on-and off-the-beach activities, oneof which is to eat (or “fress” asMiami Beach holidaymakerswould say in the old days) underthe direction of Michelin-starredchef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.In the hotel’s Matador Room,sample his Latin-cum-Miamimojo in the tamarind-glazed redsnapper, which arrives at mytable with flair. “Look under thistiny shrimp,” my server announc-es with the pride of a scientist onthe cusp of a Nobel break-through. “This isn’t just any chilipepper, it’s a tepin!”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BEST AMENITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It depends on your age, I think.The Edition is crammed withnovelty amenities: There’s the

dance club, Discobox, with asometimes Gumby costumeddoorman and lighting by PatrickWoodroffe, whose name sparks afrisson of delight in the club set.There’s a bowling-alley loungewith large black-suited bouncersand artist-designed bowling balls.And there’s a skating rink whereclub kids can slide around underpulsating neon lights. But it’s theheavenly spa menu with theusual and most unusual treat-ments that are jaw-dropping, andI’ll trade DJ Questlove and beachtreats like Ping-Pong and paddle-ball for the Oxygen Treatmentand Power Nap.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IF I COULD CHANGE ONE THING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Standard rooms start at $359 andoceanfront bungalows start at$1,069, and you want guests topay extra to use beach umbrel-las? Really?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WHOM YOU’LL MEET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Daytime brings a high density of

floral print or khaki-clad Marriottpoint chasers with offspringhunting down boogie boards andchicken nuggets at what is happi-ly a very child-friendly hotel.“We’re pretty sure we saw Leon-ardo DiCaprio going out the frontdoor,” New York real estate agentLorna Caridi says excitedly. Laterin the day the lobby traffic skewstoward Euro-creatives and Coa-chella types in vintage Reeboks,metallic sandals and cat-eye sun-glasses. Lounging languorously atthe pool or on the terrace withfull ocean views, they are eitherwaiting for Art Basel 2015 or fornight to fall. That’s when Base-ment (the Edition’s lower-levelentertainment complex) starts toget live.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Miami Beach Edition, 2901 CollinsAve., Miami Beach, Fla.; editionho-tels.com/miami-beach; 294 roomsfrom $359.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Special to The Globe and Mail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The writer was a guest of the hotel.

SLEEPOVER MIAMI BEACH EDITION

Low-key getaway in Mid-Beach Miami. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

JUDITH RITTER MIAMI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Miami Beach Edition’s minimalist approach to interior decor is welcome in the land of over-the-top.

Trekking into the greatunknown is exhilarating for

most, but if you are the parent ofa child with special needs, theunknown is your biggest obsta-cle, said Meghann Harris, 47, thesenior founder of SpecialGlobe-.com, a new travel website forfamilies of children with physicaland cognitive challenges.

Harris’s daughter, Eliza, 8, hasatypical Rett syndrome, a neuro-developmental disorder.

Following are edited excerptsfrom a conversation with Harris.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What’s the first step to preparefor a trip with a special-needschild?

Planning. That means locatingthe closest hospitals, pharmacies,equipment rental companies,service organizations that canprovide one-to-one assistance ifnecessary. Really plan out yourtime well. Be realistic in yourgoals. Parents want to jam every-thing they can into one trip, butyou have to allow your kidsdowntime. If a parent is chargingaround, kids will feel that stress.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

What do you hear parents say istheir biggest practical chal-lenge?

Air travel is a huge barrier. Spaceis tight, bathrooms are ridiculousand layovers are either too shortor too long. I have to assist Elizain the bathroom and to get bothof us in there, I sometimes haveto leave the door open. Inevita-bly, she starts pushing buttons,so then a flight attendant showsup. The sense of privacy and re-spect is gone.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How can families ease the pro-cess of flying for their children?

I advocate for early boarding. Itgives you time to settle yourchild and get in a calmer placebefore everyone starts clamber-ing on. And the attendants havetime to see Eliza, get to know hera little.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Have you found any city to beparticularly good at welcomingfamilies with special needs?

San Diego does a really good job.They are very aware and wel-coming in general.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Where can families find assist-ance with booking trips?

SpecialGlobe offers access to cer-tified special-needs travel agentsand we have partnerships withbooking sites like HomeAway-.com, which is figuring out howto filter for properties with safetyfeatures that appeal to special-needs families. And the [Utah-based] National Ability Center isanother cool organization thatoffers travel programs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Why is it vital to you that Elizabe able to travel?

She comes back from every trip astep ahead. Her issues involvehow her neural pathways con-nect, and I think that with everynew place we visit, it’s creatingmore pathways. It’s assisting herspeech. She always comes backwith a bigger vocabulary – andthis is a kid who was never sup-posed to be able to speak.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This interview has been edited andcondensed.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New York Times News Service

Q & A MEGHANN HARRIS

Minimizing theunknown whentravelling withspecial-needschildren. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RACHEL LEE HARRIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .