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SEAPORT HOTEL DEBUTS
Another new Boston hotel, Element Boston Seaport, debuts on Feb. 1. Located — where else? — in the Seaport District, across from the Boston Convention Center, this extended stay-hotel features 180 oversized rooms that are each equipped with a kitchenette, energy-efficient appliances, and modular furniture for working remotely or relaxing after a day of sightseeing. The hotel’s nature-inspired design includes light-filled indoor spaces, lounge, patio, indoor heated pool, and fitness center. Take advantage of the grand opening offer and book a staycation that includes $20 food credit to Restore (24/7 gourmet pantry); healthy breakfast buffet at Rise; and complimentary Wi-Fi. (Rates from $149). When the weather cooperates, borrow a free bike and helmet. 877-782-0151, www.elementbostonseaport.com
FOOD AND MUSIC
EXTRAVAGANZA
Calling all foodies and music lovers: Eat Your Heart Out Boston returns for its sixth installment at The Sinclair in Harvard Square (Feb. 28). Enjoy a selection of delectable culinary treats prepared by award-winning local chefs before tapping your toes to the R&B sounds of headlining band Bad Rabbits. Participating chefs include Keenan Langlois, The Sinclair; Matt Jennings, Townsman; Michael Scelfo, Alden & Harlow; and more. To tie into the musical theme, each chef’s dish is inspired by his or her favorite band or genre (i.e., “A Tribute to KISS: Beef Tongue’’ and “An ode to Elvis Presley: Ain’t Nothin Butter Hound Dog’’). Ticket sales benefit local charities Future Chefs and Girls Rock Band Campaign. VIP ticket holders receive early access to select chefs, a gift bag, and other perks ($75, 5 p.m.); General admission ($50, 6 p.m.). www.eatyourheartout boston.com
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NIGHT SKY BIKE AND RAFT TRIPS
Seen the Milky Way lately? Holiday River Expeditions — in cooperation with Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium — is launching new mountain biking and whitewater rafting programs that set their sights on the stars. Beginning in early May and running through early October, tours in the Dark Sky Stargazing Trip Series feature a day of exploring and adventure, followed by nightly camping with a focus on, among others, Saturn, the Milky Way, Whirlpool and Sombrero galaxies, Hercules Globular Cluster, iridium flares, and Earth-born satellites. An astro-wiz from the Planetarium accompanies every trip, scheduled during the new moon phase for the darkest sky. Destinations include either Canyonlands National Park, recently certified a “Dark Sky Park,’’ or Dinosaur National Monument, recognized as a “Sanctuary of Natural Darkness.’’ Up to 6-day trips, rates from $750-$1,175. 800-624-6323, www.bikeraft.com/dark-sky-stargazing-trip-series
ROME JUBILEE TOUR
Tour Rome and Vatican City while celebrating Pope Francis I’s designation of the year through Nov. 20 as a special “Holy Year of Mercy’’ on Perillo’s Rome Jubilee Tour. Special experiences include a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls — built over the burial place of St. Paul — lunch in Jewish Ghetto, tour of the Roman catacombs, semi-private tours of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Papal gardens, and the chance for a Papal Audience, availability permitting. Includes centrally located first-class and deluxe hotels, state-of-the-art motorcoaches, airport transfers and baggage handling, English-speaking tour guides, daily buffet breakfast and select meals. International airfare not included. Rates from $1,995 per person, double occupancy. Departures run Mar. 18-Oct. 21. 800-431-1515, www.perillotours.com/italy/ escorted-tours/8-day-rome- jubilee-tour-2016
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TRAVEL SIZE FACIAL SERUM
Travel can wreak havoc on your skin. Facial dryness, redness, and inflammation, associated with winter months and outdoor sports, are exacerbated by air quality and altitude issues when flying. BLOOM, an organic, non-GMO skin care brand, has created NOURISH, a series of essential face serums for all skin types. Loaded with Vitamins A, E, and C as well as essential fatty acids and minerals, the serums are designed to regenerate and restore sensitive skin while providing a relaxing dose of aromatherapy. One-ounce drop bottles easily tuck into a carry-on bag and are TSA-friendly. $48. www.bloomskinessentials.com
OYSTER DISCOVERY APP
Say you’re sitting in Dallas or Seattle and are craving some Wellfleet or Duxbury oysters. What to do? Oyster
aficionados will be thrilled to discover Pearl, an innovative app that allows users to discover what varieties of oysters are on the menu each day at nearby restaurants. Simply sign in by location, or search by oyster variety and — voila! — you’ll see the phone number and address of where to find your beloved bivalves, as well as what else is available on the raw bar menu. The app also lists flavor profiles and species of each oyster. You can make reservations and check in at restaurants, track oysters you’ve eaten, and share experiences with other users. Pearl has grown from restaurants in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago to launches in Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Kansas City, Charleston, Las Vegas, and more. Pearl is partnered with the Billion Oyster Project, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to restoring the New York Harbor. Free. www.pearlapp.co
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