6 Oh So Glam Destination Wedding Venues in Miami Beach (Brides)

Surf, sand, swaying palms, gentle breezes—subtropical Miami Beach has all the feel of a Caribbean destination wedding location while still being a part of the contiguous United States, meaning no worrying about whether or not your guests have valid passports for international travel and no destination wedding paperwork headaches. (Just make sure to apply for your marriage license together and in person sometime within 60 days before the ceremony, notes the County Clerk's website.)

But there's so much more to Miami Beach than its balmy days and temperate nights. In fact, some of the best destination wedding venues here have nary a speck of sand underfoot: think, a gorgeous jewel box theater venue, a Modernist rooftop oasis, an Ocean Drive mansion that was once the private residence of a famous fashion designer. These Miami Beach gems are definitely worth discovering. ... (continue reading)

Meet the Makers: In Praise of Artisan Goods (Amex Essentials)

Throw all expectations out the window — when launching a creative enterprise, there is no blueprint for success, no step-by-step instructions. Forging a creative path requires vision, tenacity and a heap of passion, which makes these four stories all the more inspiring. ... (continue reading)

The World's Most Beautiful Canals (Amex Essentials)

Tranquil waterways offering intimate glimpses into life past and present, rippling surfaces awash with reflections — it's easy to forget that these canals were designed first and foremost with function in mind, generally transportation, trade and water measures. Today, however, it's their innate beauty that inspires us to travel halfway around the world ... (continue reading)

Cooking With Fire: 4 Trailblazing Chefs On Why the Outdoors Are In (Amex Essentials)

We’re criss-crossing continents to meet four inimitable masters of fire who are foraging, growing and harvesting sustainably — all chefs, of course — to discuss how they find culinary inspiration in nature, learn the importance of provenance, and gather a few high-heat cooking techniques. The bottom line: It’s all about bringing a sense of place to plate. ... (continue reading)

How to Create a Wedding Snapchat Filter (Martha Stewart Weddings)

Savvy Snappers will agree: Snapchat's filters are ridiculously fun to use. The colorful, expressive, often animated graphic overlays give Snaps and Snapchat Stories a bit of flair and plenty of reason to smile. While some filters are regular features of the app, the ones that change based on your location are called geofilters—they're filters tied to specific locations, and even specific dates and celebrations. How perfect is that for your wedding day? The good news is that designing your own wedding Snapchat filter couldn't be any easier. Here, we break down your options ... (continue reading)

15 Ultra Romantic Castle Hotels Around the World (Fodor's)

Shrouded in myth, mystery, and historic legacy, castles inspire the imagination to roam and fantasies to manifest—a heady setting for romance.

It makes perfect sense that historic castles, palaces, and chateaus across Europe, North America, and Asia are living on in the 21st century as unapologetically romantic hotels, while others have been built in their likeness. Whether surrounded by bucolic countryside in England, Italy, and France; anchoring well-tended estates in Ireland, Abu Dhabi, and India; or holding commanding hilltop posts in Germany, Quebec, and New York State, one thing’s for certain—the views will be sublime. ... (continue reading)

20 Unexpected Romantic Getaways to Book Right Now (Amex Essentials)

The secret to booking a couple's holiday that you won't soon forget? Look beyond the obvious. Nothing against famously romantic destinations, but there's so much more to experience in the world. Just try to resist the appeal of these under-the-radar islands, alternative city escapes, charming countryside getaways and exceptional eco retreats. ... (continue reading)

Everything Your Man of Honor Needs to Know (Martha Stewart Weddings)

Having a man of honor at your wedding is a wonderful way to acknowledge the bond you share with your male best friend. But how does this affect the wedding planning commitments and responsibilities typically handled by the maid of honor? Does your man of honor have all of the same duties? The short answer is: It's up to the two of you. Depending on the relationship you two share and the composition of the rest of your bridal party, your man of honor may want to be very involved, or else prefer to take a hands-off role. To help you two figure out just how much he should take on, here's what he needs to know ... (continue reading)

New Cookbooks Every Foodie Will Love (Amex Essentials)

Cookbooks are a singular literary genre — they're as much about the storytelling, about the journey, as they are the recipes. A good cookbook educates, inspires, makes our stomaches rumble and stokes our wanderlust. These recent releases will take you around the world without ever leaving home. ... (continue reading)

Five Paths to Bliss in Santa Barbara (AFAR)

A feeling of calm naturally washes over you in Santa Barbara, on California’s Central Coast, which has been dubbed The American Riviera® for its sparkling seas and breathtaking landscapes. In sync with the sun and the sea, life here moves at a slower rhythm. Days are spent exploring the coastline by boat, by bike, or on foot—with breaks to unwind at a spa sanctuary, on the beach, or by the pool. Whichever path you choose, they all lead to one state of mind. Here’s how to bliss out in Santa Barbara. ... (continue reading)

Essential Food and Wine Experiences in Santa Barbara (AFAR)

Santa Barbara anchors a wine-growing region with one of California’s preeminent terroirs, thanks largely to the Santa Ynez Mountains, which run parallel to the Pacific Ocean. Not only do they make a dramatic backdrop for the city, but they also create microclimates where grapes thrive. As a result, touring area wineries is one of the highlights of any Santa Barbara getaway. But you don't need to travel far to get a taste of Santa Barbara’s vintages. Downtown is full of tasting rooms, working wineries, and wine bars, along with restaurants that have top-notch wine lists and serve up refined cuisine, too—entrées inspired by the seasons and featuring daily fresh-caught bounty from the sea. ... (continue reading)

Spa of the Week: T Spa Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Elite Traveler)

It’s always a delight to see how luxury hotels set in some of the world’s most exceptional locations imbue the spa experience with a sense of place. What is a spa, after all, if not an extension of its environment?

At T Spa at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, panoramic views of Lake Como, Italy, are never far from sight and even appear in unexpected places, such as from the sauna in the spa’s immersive heat experience, which also features a Turkish bath, a Mediterranean steam room, cool showers, an ice fountain and a heated relaxation area finished in onyx stone. ... (continue reading)