News & Updates: Caribbean Travel+Life features Island Buzz Jamaica

Island Buzz Jamaica was recently listed by Caribbean Travel + Life Magazine in their “Sites we Love” section! Caribbean Travel + Life is a fun, entertaining, and informative magazine dedicated to the Caribbean region and has been named the official consumer publication of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Hotel Association.

The magazine features articles about the things which are new and trendy in life and travel in the Caribbean, weaving together the geographical and cultural threads that make each of the region’s destinations distinctive, and presents a range of essential service information on the various aspects of travel (resorts, dining and activities). The handpicked links in the “Sites We Love” section feature some of the “best Caribbean-inspired articles” and Island Buzz Jamaica is proud to be on it! See more here!

October 27, 2011 at 4:51 pm | News & Updates | No comment

Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup: Pon Di Road (Season 2 ) #8 – Errol Flynn Marina

Our favourite eccentric travel trio are still on the move. Exploring the lesser traveled eastern coast of Jamaica and in particular the parish of Portland, a place known for its pristine beauty and hidden treasures.

So far in the second season of “Pon Di Road in Jamaica” we’ve seen Calee, Stephen and their baby Nyla enjoy the serenity of secluded beaches, the thrill of a cascading waterfall, and the unforgettable taste of Jamaican jerk. Now, with the premiere of a brand new webisode fast approaching let’s take a look back at where we last saw them on Pon Di Road (Season 2 ) #8 – Errol Flynn Marina.

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October 27, 2011 at 10:37 am | News & Updates, Portland, What to Do | No comment

Where to Visit: Falmouth, Jamaica

Jamaica’s rich history and culture are equally appealing as its white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife. Across the island visitors will find various monuments and relics that speak to a plantation era of both hardship and triumph. In the 1800’s heyday of King Sugar, the Parish of Trelawny, Jamaica boasted almost one hundred plantations. For the architecture or heritage buff, the Parish and in particular it’s capital, the coastal town of Falmouth is a virtual goldmine.

When sugar was king and the profits from the sweet gold made the fortunes of men, families and nations, Falmouth was considered to be the most cosmopolitan city in the western world, the “Paris of the Indies”. In the late 1800s, following the demise of sugar as a globally lucrative agricultural product, Falmouth began a steady decline in importance, and soon the harbour, which once welcomed close to thirty ships in one day, saw fewer than that in a month. Now the sugar money is long gone, but many of the splendid original buildings remain, some in ruins, others masterfully restored to their former glory.

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October 26, 2011 at 11:54 am | Heritage, Trelawny, Where to Visit | No comment

Weddings & Honeymoons: Weddings at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

Jamaica is one of the most sought after wedding destinations in the Caribbean, the island is filled with so much inspiring natural beauty one can’t help but fall in love all over again while here. Nestled between the scenic Jamaican mountains and turquoise Caribbean waters, Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa truly inhabits a more exclusive ocean-front location than other Montego Bay Jamaica resorts.

( via Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa )

Discover the pleasures of an island retreat immersed in the warm hospitality and incomparable charm of Jamaica. Situated along the pristine shores that once served as the site of an 18th century sugar plantation, this Caribbean haven exudes an unforgettable ambiance in a stunning tropical setting. This inviting Jamaica luxury hotel maintains the traditions and grandeur established in its historic past. From the moment you arrive at this tropical oasis, your special wedding is an affair to remember.

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October 25, 2011 at 2:53 pm | Montego Bay, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | No comment

Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup: Pon Di Road (Season 2) #7 – Geejam Hotel

From visits to dazzling white-sanded secluded beaches, rejuvenating cascading waterfalls, to riding the waves and eating succulent spicy jerk food at Boston Bay Calee, Stephen and baby Nyla have wasted no time exploring the virtually unseen side of Jamaica in Season 2 of “Pon Di Road in Jamaica”.

When we last saw our favourite travel trio they had just checked in to the luxurious Geejam Hotel in Portland where they enjoyed a drink at the Bushbar before heading down to the secluded Geejam Beach. Now on the brink of the premiere of a brand new webisode, let’s take a look back at Pon Di Road (Season 2) #7 – Geejam Hotel.

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October 20, 2011 at 1:00 pm | News & Updates, Portland, Where to Stay | No comment

News & Updates: Jamaica takes top prizes in the 2011 World Travel Awards

For the sixth consecutive year Jamaica copped the coveted Leading Caribbean Destination award, while taking home additional sectional prizes (including Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board and Caribbean’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination) at the World Travel Awards on Wednesday night.

( via Sandals Royal Caribbean )

Described as the “Oscars of the travel industry” by the Wall Street Journal, The World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry. Now celebrating its 17th Anniversary, the awards is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive. Encouraging and inspiring products and services to improve business performance and innovation. With leading travel companies, operators, and destinations from across North, Central, South America, and the Caribbean in attendance, the event dubbed “tourism’s biggest night of the year” was held at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay.

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October 20, 2011 at 10:03 am | News & Updates | 2 comments

Vacation Themes: Beaches: Puerto Seco Beach, Jamaica

One of the most picturesque natural harbours in the Caribbean, Discovery Bay on Jamaica’s north coast was renamed in 1947 to commemorate the place where it was once thought that Christopher Columbus first set foot on Jamaican soil. The area is home to Columbus Park, an open-air museum facility featuring various Columbian and Colonial artefacts. Since Columbus, many others have discovered the beauty of Discovery Bay, and over the years a small town has developed around the bay area.

( via )

The eastern side of the bay is rimmed with white-sand beaches including Puerto Seco Beach, whose pristine setting and relaxing appeal can only be described as breathtaking. With its soft sand and limpid waters, Puerto Seco Beach is a real charmer. Open to the public, it sports rustic eateries and bars and a fun park with a waterslide for kids not interested in sun-tanning. On weekends and holidays the beach is teeming, but during the week the place is often deserted. You can rent fishing boats, sea bikes and jet skis.

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October 19, 2011 at 2:07 pm | Vacation Themes, Where to Visit | No comment

What to Do: Dining at the HouseBoat Grill, Montego Bay, Jamaica

If you’re a food lover and you’re in Jamaica’s highly popular second city Montego Bay then you’re in luck. In addition to its magnificent beaches, colourful marine life and amazing scenery “Mobay” is also home to a number of excellent eateries featuring cuisines ranging from Jamaican to Irish and even Italian.

( via The HouseBoat Grill )

Located on Southern Cross Boulevard just on the outskirts of Montego Bay, The Houseboat Grill is a unique dining experience combining intimacy and entertainment with a fabulous setting for a one of a kind dining experience. Moored in the calm waters of the Montego Bay Marine Park the restaurant is a converted houseboat, with tables inside, on the roof and around the decking. Meals can be enjoyed downstairs in their cozy dining room, upstairs on the upper deck under the stars, or waterside to be soothed by the sound of snook & tarpon occasionally splashing in the surrounding water.

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October 18, 2011 at 1:25 pm | What to Do, Where to Eat | No comment

Heritage: Jamaica’s National Heroes

Each year on October 17th Jamaica celebrates its Heroes. The Order of National Hero is given only to Jamaican citizens for “services of the most distinguished nature” to the nation. Our heroes were first named in the 1960s when the island gained its independence and celebrated what can be termed a cultural renaissance. Committees were convened to establish national emblems such as our flag, our anthem, our symbols, our coat of arms and our heroes.

( via Varun Baker )

The first heroes named were Sir Alexander Bustamante and Sir Norman Manley, the founders of the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) and the PNP (People’s National Party) respectively, men who served as architects of independent Jamaica. Named concurrently were Paul Bogle, a preacher and farmer who led the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion, George William Gordon, an ex-member of the House of Assembly, hung for his alleged role in the Morant Bay Rebellion, and Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), a journalist and printer. In 1975 two more heroes were created: Sam Sharpe, who wound up leading the 1831 Christmas Rebellion and Nanny, leader of the Windward Maroons.

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October 17, 2011 at 3:19 pm | Heritage | No comment

Pon Di Road Weekly Roundup: Pon Di Road (Season 2) # 6 – Geejam Beach

Calee, Stephen and Nyla’s journey across Jamaica shows us more about the island’s hidden treasures every time we tune in to a new webisode of “Pon Di Road in Jamaica”. Having explored much of the North Coast on their first trip to Jamaica (in Season 1) this thrill-seeking trio has so far been discovering the enchanting East Coast, and loving it.

From dazzling white-sanded secluded beaches, to rejuvenating cascading waterfalls, riding the waves and eating succulent spicy jerk these 3 have wasted no time in Season 2. In case you may have missed last week’s webisode, catch up now with the roundup of Pon Di Road (Season 2) #6 – Geejam Beach.

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October 13, 2011 at 10:12 am | News & Updates | No comment

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