Where to Visit: Bob Marley Museum, Jamaica

The King of Reggae music and still to this day the most influential musician to come out of Jamaica is the legend, Bob Marley and a trip to Kingston is not complete without a visit to Bob Marley Museum. The museum is located on the site of the legendary musician’s home, which he purchased in 1975. This house, featuring 19th-century architecture, was Marley’s home until his death in 1981. It was converted into a museum six years later by his wife, Mrs Rita Marley.

The main museum displays the life and achievements of this phenomenal musician through artifacts, memorabilia, numerous writings, photographs and other head-turning mementos. The property also features a well-equipped 80-seat theatre, a photographic gallery, and a gift shop selling T-shirts, posters and CDs and other Bob Marley memorabilia as well as items from Jamaica. You can also tickle your palate with sumptuous meals from the Legend Cafe. The venue allows you to see every aspect of the life of the legend.

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March 29, 2011 at 3:21 pm | Kingston, What to Do, Where to Visit | No comment

Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, Jamaica

With the unparalleled beauty of a secluded beach, warm sand, gleaming waters and lush, green mountains as it’s backdrop The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall Jamaica is one sought after by travelers the world over. With 427 guestrooms and suites, each with a private balcony or terrace, five exceptional dining establishments, a championship golf course, and more, this luxury hotel offers an idyllic escape for the comfort seeking vacationer.

Palatial and über-opulent, this resort occupies 5,000 acres of rolling, meticulously landscaped grounds—once part of the island’s historic Rose Hall sugar plantation. A favorite with golfers for its White Witch championship course, the property also attracts the standard four-star crowd that likes its comforts within easy strolling distance. With five restaurants ranging from beach casual (jerk fish and beer at the Reggae Jerk Center) to jacket-preferred (fine Asian fusion at Jasmine), a sumptuous spa, jogging trails, tennis, and shuttles to the luxurious Shoppes at Rose Hall, there’s little reason to leave the premises, though easy access to a host of other north coast attractions will surely tempt one to do so.

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March 28, 2011 at 6:09 pm | Montego Bay, Where to Stay | No comment

Events: Jamaica Spa & Beauty Week 2011

Spa enthusiasts and comfort seekers the world over, the time to be in the island of Jamaica is now! Creative Media and Events, in association with The Gleaner Company, will be hosting another exciting season of Jamaica Spa & Beauty Week. Set for March 28 – April 2, 2011 under the theme: “De-stress for Less”.The Jamaica Spa & Beauty week allows consumers to enjoy the experience of going to different spas and beauty shops at a discounted price whilst taking a trip to tranquility and relaxation heaven, so they will not just look beautiful but feel beautiful.

The unwinding experience of a massage and a new haircut/hairstyle provides an opportunity for all to forget the stresses of our current ailing economy and have a day or two to relax, feel beautiful and be undaunted and revitalized. It does not stop there, but provides a relief to the unfavorable health issues faced by many in such a time. Since it’s genesis four years ago this annual event has managed not only to increase awareness of Jamaica’s superb and rejuvenating spas’ and beauty parlors but to promote health and wellness benefits to all who participate.

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March 28, 2011 at 2:53 pm | Jamaica Events | No comment

Vacation Themes: Spring Break: Nightclubbing at The Jungle, Negril

Thoughts of Spring Break immediately conjure up images of white sand beaches and turquoise seas filled with tanned, toned bodies, partying away their semester stresses. Spring Break in Jamaica is no exception. The island is one of the hottest Spring Break destinations in the world, where having a good time is the rule of thumb.

( via )

The “Capital of Casual” Negril is the island’s unofficial spring break headquarters and with seven miles of sparkling white sand and your disposal it’s easy to see why. For three months, lively Reggae concerts, nonstop beach volleyball tournaments and wild theme parties take over Negril and visitors from all over flock to the area. Located on the famous Norman Manley Boulevard, The Jungle is Negril’s most popular night club. Dance the night away on the biggest and best dance floor in Negril with weekend specials and discounts including the most popular night of the week “Ladies Night” every Thursday, infamous islandwide.

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March 25, 2011 at 10:55 am | Negril, Vacation Themes, What to Do | No comment

Travel Resources: 5 Places to Eat Jerk in Jamaica

Jamaican jerk is world famous. Smoky, juicy, flavorful and hot, jerk has its genesis in the hilly interior of the island. Caught in the middle of an imperial struggle between the English and Spanish, Africans hiding in the wilderness consumed wild pigs roaming the island’s interior. They prepared the meat using a charcuterie technique adopted from the Tainos and created a flavor so pleasurable that by the early 1800’s, jerk was being served to guests at the governor’s table.

( via Varun Baker )

If you’re unfamiliar with the term; “Jerk” is a style of cooking native to Jamaica in which meats are dry-rubbed with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Jerked food is a must-have for visitors and locals alike and if you haven’t had it yet you don’t know what you’re missing! Jerk is both a marinade and a preparation technique. In its most authentic form, fresh poultry or pork meat is massaged with a concentrated spice rub infused with allspice (pimento), cinnamon, peppers, onion, thyme and garlic hours before cooking. After marinating, the meat is placed on raised platforms of pimento wood over hot coals to slowly roast for hours.

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March 23, 2011 at 12:03 pm | Jamaican Food, Kingston, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, Travel Resources, Where to Eat | 3 comments

Event Update: The Jamaica Pegasus Wedding Extravaganza 2011

Wedding enthusiasts, service providers, photographers, videographers and lucky brides and grooms to be showed up in massive numbers to The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in the island’s capital, Kingston for its highly anticipated Annual Wedding Expo from March 12-13, 2011 in the hotel’s Grand Jamaican Suite.

( Photograph by Joel Finnigen )

The event, which gave patrons the opportunity to peruse a number of booths while collecting all the information necessary for planning a dream wedding in Jamaica, kicked off on Saturday March 12 with a real live Wedding Ceremony and featured musical renditions, a workshop/seminar, a video and photography competition, exclusive hair and fashion shows and lots of giveaways, prizes and surprises throughout.

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March 17, 2011 at 9:26 pm | Jamaica Events, Weddings & Honeymoons | 1 comment

Weddings & Honeymoons: Weddings at Tryall Club, Jamaica

Located just 30 minutes outside of Jamaica’s tourism capital Montego Bay, Tryall Club is a unique collection of one- to eight-bedroom villas in a private club setting that starts at the turquoise Caribbean Sea and continues into the Montego Bay hills. This exquisite property is one of the most exclusive gated villa resorts located among one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses.

( via Tryall Club )

The former sugar plantation consists of 2,200 acres of land, which had been owned by one family for over a century. It is an area of scenic beauty, fronting one and a half miles of sea, and having a wide variety of beautiful trees. Flint River, fed by springs from the mountains, runs through the plantation for some four miles. A majestic Great House and extraordinary villas overlook the velvety green fairways of the Tryall Club’s 18-hole championship golf course and a private sand beach that dissolves into blue soothing waters.

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March 17, 2011 at 7:44 pm | Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | 1 comment

Where to Stay: Sunset at the Palms, Negril

Nestled among tropical vegetation in “the capital of casual” Negril, far from the din of the outside world, the trendy all-inclusive Sunset at the Palms makes an ideal executive retreat. The fully appointed, eco-friendly resort emphasizes personalized service and fosters a relaxing atmosphere conducive to anyone looking to indulge in a relaxing tropical hideaway smack dab in the middle of of paradise.

( via Sunset at the Palms )

Known for it’s superb beach and sensational sunsets. This exquisite resort features stylish ‘tree-house’ bungalows with high ceilings, Asian-inspired furniture and decor, dark-wood floors, wooden ceiling fans and french doors that open to verandas with cozy daybeds built for snuggling up to watch the sunset. This property is notable for providing travelers with watersports and also diverse entertainment and nightlife alternatives. Other extras such as challenging and striking golf nearby and a enjoyable swimming pool, are also worth mentioning. Here you’ll find genuine hospitality with caring management and a professional staff.

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March 14, 2011 at 5:31 pm | Negril, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | No comment

Fan Friday: The Top 5 Facebook Fan Comments of the Week!

It’s time for our weekly “Fan Friday” feature! Each week we select five of the best fan posted wall posts and/or comments on videos and articles posted to our Visit Jamaica Facebook Fan Page and publish them right here on Island Buzz just to let you all know we’ve been listening and we appreciate all your great feedback.

The parish of Portland on Jamaica’s east coast is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places on the island. With its stunning blue waters, romantic coves, remote white sand beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best food on the island Portland has long been a favourite getaway spot for everyone from celebrities to couples on their honeymoon and families on vacation. With it’s rustic charm, waterfalls, and river rafting it is perfect for any nature lover and this is part of it’s allure. Here’s how one Facebook fan responded when we posted our article Travel Resources: 5 Things to Do in Portland, Jamaica:

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March 11, 2011 at 4:43 pm | Fan Friday | No comment

What to Do: Margaritaville Caribbean Bar and Grill, Jamaica

With three vibrant locations in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Caribbean Bar and Grill, Jamaica is a total entertainment complex, complete with restaurants, watersports events and live entertainment. Famous for themed parties, fantastic food and serving tropical margaritas beachside, Margaritaville is one of the most popular party spots in the island. Ideal for couples, spring breakers and in general anyone looking for good food and a great time.

( via )

The Margaritaville located on Montego Bay’s Hip Strip is arguably the most popular of the three. Locals and tourists alike flock to this location for two-tier open-air bars, two giant water trampolines connected by a log cross or the floating Margaritaville deck anchored offshore and a spectacular 120ft water-slide that winds right through the bar and into the warm blue Caribbean Sea below. There’s also a Jacuzzi, and a night-time disco. Enjoy their world-famous “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, tropical margaritas (of which there are 52 to choose from) and exclusive shopping while listening to the laid back sounds of Jimmy Buffett, sunbathing on the seaside pier or simply taking in the amazing view.

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March 10, 2011 at 3:59 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, What to Do, Where to Eat | No comment

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