The global phenom that is glamorous camping, aka “glamping”, has inspired a whole new generation of wildly creative lodging options, the latest iteration being bubble-shaped tents and other spherical structures that let the outdoors in through transparent portals and domes. (Sometimes, the entire structure is transparent.) For a nature-filled getaway with unparalleled views — and plenty of Instagram appeal — a bubble hotel just might be the adventure you’ve been looking for. … (continue reading)
4 Essential Decisions the Bride and Her Bridesmaids Need to Make About the Bachelorette Party (Martha Stewart Weddings)
The bachelorette party is one of the great rites of passage you'll experience in the months leading up to your wedding. The possibilities for this celebratory event are practically endless. Before getting lost in internet searches for super cute group ensembles and airfare deals to potential bachelorette destinations, make sure everyone's on the same page about where you'll go, what you'll do, and the budget. … (continue reading)
Harry and Meghan's Rural County Makes Wines to Rival Champagne (NY Post)
There’s something afizz in southern England, and it’s delicious and bubbly. With the requisite chalky soil and a climate that’s increasingly similar to France’s Champagne region, vintners have begun to produce sparkling wines of such a caliber that even the French have been caught off guard.
In a blind tasting in Paris in 2016, a Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine made in Sussex bested a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs produced in Champagne. Such venerable Champagne houses as Taittinger and Pommery have invested in acreage on English soil in recent years. A preliminary protected designation of origin status has been awarded to Sussex, which, pending final approval by the European Union, will recognize Sussex wines as a global category, a la Chianti, Rioja and Champagne. … (continue reading)
What You Need to Know Before Planning an Airbnb Wedding (Martha Stewart Weddings)
Airbnb has made it easier than ever to explore new destinations, so it should come as little surprise that couples are turning to the popular home sharing site for their weddings. Whether you're interested in hosting your nuptials at a gated Malibu estate, a villa in Italy, or a farm retreat in Taos, there's no denying that there are some wedding-worthy options on Airbnb. But before you book the property of your dreams and send out the wedding invites, there are a few things you need to consider. … (continue reading)
The 10 Best Things to Do in Minnesota (Time Out Group)
Known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and also where the mighty Mississippi River begins, Minnesota is a playground of outdoor recreation and leisure pursuits during summer. Before heading up north, spend a few days in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, which anchor the state’s creative and cultural scenes. Prince’s legacy looms large – the iconic artist was a lifelong Minnesotan – and there are local treasures worth discovering. Whether it’s a pint of craft beer, delicious eats at the Minnesota State Fair, or a gooey, cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy burger, everything you order here is indeed served with a smile and a side of that famous ‘Minnesota nice’. … (continue reading)
The Ins and Outs of Getting Married Aboard a Cruise Ship (Martha Stewart Weddings)
Thinking about getting married on a cruise? Exchanging vows on the open seas comes with many perks, starting with the fact that a cruise ceremony is basically a destination wedding and honeymoon in one. But, like all destination nuptials, there's some fine print that comes along with the territory—notably, where and when the ceremony can be held so that the wedding (and the all-important marriage license) are legally recognized. … (continue reading)
The Pros and Cons of Waiting to Honeymoon (Martha Stewart Weddings)
For couples eyeing honeymoon destinations in places they've never previously explored—whether in the Caribbean, Europe, South Africa, or somewhere else far-flung—deciding whether or not to take your post-nuptial trip immediately following your wedding can feel daunting. On one hand, there's something so romantic about jetting off mere hours or days after you've said "I do." On the other hand, there are plenty of uncertainties and very good reasons why it may be worth holding off for a few weeks, a few months, or even longer. … (continue reading)
What Should You Do If You and Your Fiancé Can't Agree on a Honeymoon Destination? (Martha Stewart Weddings)
You're dreaming of a tropical honeymoon in paradise, but your fiancé has his sights set on trekking Machu Picchu. When the whole world's on the table, it's not really that surprising that two people might have vastly different ideas about what a dream honeymoon would look like. So what happens when you and your future husband or wife just can't agree on where to go after the wedding? Here are a few ideas to get your newlywed vacation planning back on track. … (continue reading)
Make the Most of a Dubai Stopover on Your Honeymoon (Brides)
If you’re thinking about heading for some of the world’s more exotic honeymoon destinations in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean—places like Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles—there’s a good possibility that you’ll be connecting through the major airline hubs of the Middle East to reach these far-flung locales. So why not break up the travel and make the journey part of the adventure?
After a 12- to 15-hour flight from the states, even the most frequent fliers can use a stretch break. Back-to-back long-haul flights can be tough, even if you’ve splurged on Emirate’s business class, which comes with such perks as a private onboard lounge. (Hello, champagne toast at 40,000 feet!) … (continue reading)
These Ice Destination Wedding Venues Are the World's Coolest (Literally) (Brides)
Built in far-flung locales around the world, these cathedrals of snow and ice are at once otherworldly and utterly majestic — in other words, entirely befitting the wedding of a Snow Queen.
But winter-loving brides needn't wait until next season to live out their frosty destination wedding fantasies. The world's first ice hotel, located north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, keeps its intricately-carved interiors at chilled temps year-round thanks to solar-powered technology, and an all-season version of the SnowCastle in Lapland, Finland, will be ready for 2019 wedding dates.
Picture this: Frozen interior dreamscape plus wedding portraits under the midnight sun... what a magical photo shoot that would be! … (continue reading)
Here's How to Pull Off a Coed Bachelorette/Bachelor Party Everyone Will Enjoy (Martha Stewart Weddings)
If you and your fiancé have your hearts set on celebrating the end of your single days with a coed bash, by all means, go for it! Just realize that there are a few extra considerations you need to address in throwing a joint bachelor/bachelorette party, and you probably want to take the reins when it comes to choosing where and when—that's a lot of schedules to wrangle. Here's how to set yourselves up for success.
How to Plan the Galapagos Honeymoon of Your Dreams (Brides)
Giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, indigenous sea lions and penguins, manta rays and hammerhead sharks, flightless cormorants and frigate birds: Without a doubt, nature reigns supreme in the Galapagos Islands, one of the world’s most revered yet remote ecosystems.
And while conservation efforts top the list of priorities for this volcanic island chain that was all but unknown to civilization until several hundred years ago—a visit by Charles Darwin in the 1830s later inspired his most famous book, On the Origin of Species—don’t think for even a second that you’ll have to rough it on your Galapagos honeymoon. All but three of the 20 islands are uninhabited, which means the best way to explore the Galapagos is by boat—yachts, catamarans and small-to-midsize cruise ships that are outfitted with plenty of modern comforts. … (continue reading)