With rainforests, otherworldly volcanic terrain, and world-class diving amid coral reefs and geothermal vents, Dominica most definitely lives up to its reputation as the “Nature Island” of the Caribbean. And as such, this sovereign nation offers up wildlife encounters, with opportunities to go whale watching year round, spy rare indigenous birds, and participate in the sea turtle conservation program. Here’s where to embrace the beautiful outdoors in Dominica (pronounced “Doe-men-EE-ca”). ... (continue reading)
Caribbean Soul Food: Eating Your Way Across Dominica (AFAR)
Dominican cooking starts with the advantage of great natural ingredients; a tropical climate and rich volcanic soil enable just about anything (and everything) to grow here. And chefs and restaurateurs certainly make use of that abundance. Case in point: Leonard “Steve” Lewis. For his two restaurants in the capital Roseau’s French Quarter—the Great Old House and Old Stone Bar and Grill—Lewis sources locally caught fish along with island herbs and spices that make it into his crab cakes, smoked jerk pork, and fresh juices.
A mash-up of Creole, Caribbean, and European influences, Dominican cuisine tends to be light and bright with an optional dose of heat; a popular preparation for seafood is a curry sauce with Scotch bonnet peppers, which can be off-the-charts hot. Dominica’s cuisine also tends to be colorful and veggie-forward. Callaloo, the country’s national dish, is a vibrant green soup that gets its color from hearty dasheen leaves from the taro plant. They’re blended with herbs and coconut milk and served with assorted “provisions,” the Dominican catchall phrase for root vegetables like yucca, taro, and sweet potatoes. (continue reading)
A Girl’s Guide to Planning the Ultimate Bachelorette Party in Playa del Carmen, Mexico (Brides)
Every bride, bestie, or maid of honor who’s ever helped plan a bachelorette party weekend knows that getting the entire squad on board with one game plan takes more than a few emails and group texts. Whether you’re planning on four, eight, 10, or more attending, it's inevitable that there’s going to be at least a couple of bridesmaids who would prefer to head for a party destination and others who would rather just chill poolside (or on the beach) somewhere warm and sunny.
So why would you settle for one or the other when you can get the best of both worlds in one location? The laid-back beach town of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, has pretty much perfect temperatures year-round, swanky hotel amenities the ladies are sure to love (hello, rooftop pool and private cabanas!), beaches overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, and a largely car-free, walkable downtown that's great for strolling and souvenir shopping, and wining, dining, and dancing all night long. Oh, and did we mention there's also a beach club that hosts daytime champagne parties? Here are a few reasons why Playa, as the locals call it, really is the ultimate bachelorette party destination... (continue reading)
A Stress-Free Guide to Planning a Memorable (and Meaningful!) Bachelorette Party (Brides)
Ladies, let’s be honest: When it comes to bachelorette-party planning, the struggle is real. Schedules are busy and hardly ever align; budgets are, well, on the leaner side, with so many other expenses in play; and communicating anything to a group of excited friends and family members who may or may not live near each other (or even know each other!) is…never ending.
On top of everything else, you’re expected to plan this magical time-of-your-life night or weekend that is not even realistic—and while deep down inside you know that, you still want that, because you love this incredible woman who is getting married so, so much, and that is the most important thing.
We’ve got you. That’s why we’re here to help. Trust us, there is an easy way to break it all down so that planning this super-special event is actually fun and drama free. (continue reading)
11 Years of White-Hot Bridal Inspiration at the Golden Globes (Brides)
All the looks that have made us swoon — and beauty close-ups, too... (continue reading)
Plum Pretty Sugar Unveils New Collection for Brides and Their Tribes (Brides)
Brides-to-be, we've got a fashion scoop for you.
Plum Pretty Sugar, the Cali-based lifestyle brand, just this week unveiled an oh-so-pretty capsule collection of silk dresses, rompers, and robes in four easy, breezy prints that are perfect for numerous wedding-related events, including the bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, day-of getting ready—even as your bridesmaids' ceremony dresses.
The prints were hand-selected by wedding style experts, including Brides's own editor in chief, Keija Minor, who chose the white, green, purple, and gray print pictured above. "This is the first time we have collaborated with industry experts in bringing a collection to life," says Charlotte Hale, Plum Pretty Sugar's founder and creative director. "We’re thrilled with the collection, especially how each of the prints blend together to create something that is so beautiful and different in so many ways." ... (continue reading)
7 Hidden Gems in the U.S. Virgin Islands (AFAR)
With St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix gearing up for a year of festivities to commemorate the centennial of Transfer Day, the date when the Danish West Indies officially became the U.S. Virgin Islands, there’s no better time to get to know the people, places, and experiences that embody island life in the USVIs. Here are seven places where you can get to know the islands like a local. ... (continue reading)
12 Reasons Why It Rocks to Be a December Bride (Brides)
Festive sounds, delicious eats, pretty twinkling lights — it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. ... (continue reading)
3 Exquisite and Eco-Friendly Caribbean Escapes (AFAR)
These three sustainability-minded resorts tread lightly on their destinations. ... (continue reading)
How to Safari in the Serengeti for the Ultimate Honeymoon Adventure (Brides)
The Serengeti: For anyone who grew up watching National Geographic specials about the Great Migration and animal life in the African savannah, a Serengeti safari is undoubtedly a bucket-list honeymoon destination. Why not check that trip off the to-do list with your hubby for an African honeymoon?
A vast expanse of plains and varying topography that extends from northern Tanzania into Kenya, the Serengeti is home to hundreds of mammal and bird species. The crown jewel of the region is the Serengeti National Park, established in 1951, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its conservation efforts. In addition to the more than two million wildebeests and hundreds of thousands of zebras and gazelles that are perpetually on the move as part of the Great Migration — the largest such migration in the world — on a safari in Serengeti National Park you're going to see buffalo and hippos, as well as elephants, lions, giraffes, baboons and warthogs. More elusive, but very much a possibility, are the park's cheetahs, jaguars, and the endangered black rhino. The animal kingdom is alive and well here; there are baby animals galore. ... (continue reading)
All The Essentials for Planning a Destination Wedding in New York's Finger Lakes Region (Brides)
For East Coast brides dreaming of an idyllic countryside backdrop for your wedding day, look no further than the Finger Lakes region in New York. If the idea of gently rolling hills, vineyards and dramatic lake views makes your heart swoon, the Finger Lakes should definitely be on your short list of destination wedding locations.
Named for its distinctive lakes that were carved by glaciers eons ago, the Finger Lakes are an impressive feat of nature: The two largest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are hundreds of feet deep and measure nearly 40 miles in length. While May through October is prime wedding season here, the ever-present backdrop of these waterways make each season special. ... (continue reading)
What to Do on a Romantic 3 Day Amsterdam Honeymoon (Brides)
Known for its canals, row houses, old-world charm and progressive, bike-centric culture, picturesque Amsterdam is a destination that should be on the list for every bride-to-be considering a romantic European mini-moon that is an eclectic mix of old and new, culture and nightlife, and is readily accessible from the States. ... (continue reading)