Travel Resources: 5 Intimate Hideaways in JamaicaJamaica is one of the most sought after romantic destinations in the world, let alone The Caribbean. Whether old or young, eccentric or laid back, couples from across the globe travel to the island’s shores to experience its seductive charm. When you’re looking for a cozy, private place to stay try this list of 5 Intimate Hideaways: ( via Varun Baker ) Great Huts Scattered on the cliffs overlooking Boston Bay, Portland (on the North east point of Jamaica), Great Huts is an oceanfront ecotourism resort described by many as “the perfect place to see the real Jamaica”. The uniquely built huts on the property create an African styled beach-jungle-cliff habitat village that presents a pleasant hideaway for the back-packing ecotourist as well as the easy-going romantic. January 24, 2012 at 1:24 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Off the Beaten Path, Portland, Trelawny, Weddings & Honeymoons, Where to Stay | 1 comment What to Do: The Au Naturel ExperienceWith more nude beaches than any other Caribbean island, Jamaica is the perfect place to bare it all. Our au naturel beaches range from sedate and relaxing, to wilder and more self-indulgent. So it’s just a question of packing a towel and some serious sun block, and then picking a patch of sand that’s right for you.
( via Destination 360 ) Nude tanning is permitted on private beaches island-wide. Find a secluded spot to slip out of your suit at Oracabessa’s James Bond Beach or at Negril’s Bloody Bay. Or take a boat ride to an island shared only by fellow nudists, Negril’s Booby Cay. Ask for a little more privacy at Reggae Vibes, Ocho Rios, and the managers will corner off a section of the beach just for you. In Trelawny, Time & Place’s deserted white sand offers quiet seclusion that’s perfect for wearing nothing at all. August 18, 2011 at 12:17 pm | Negril, Ocho Rios, Trelawny, What to Do, Where to Stay | No comment Travel Resources: Portland, Jamaica’s Hidden BeachesWith its stunning blue waters, romantic coves, remote white sand beaches, breathtaking panoramic views and some of the best food on the island the parish of Portland on Jamaica’s east coast is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Portland’s bigger beaches – Frenchman’s Cove, Winnifred Beach and Boston Bay – are well-travelled, stunning locales. But tracking down the off-the-beaten-path beaches, can be gratifying, providing you with serenity and exposure to the authentic Jamaica and its rustic charms. Turtle Bay ( via Kelroy Brown ) A particularly unusual spot, located near Manchioneal and about an hour outside of Buff Bay, named for it’s view of a turtle shell shaped rock that sits just offshore is the visually stunning Turtle Bay. This spot is more famous for its towering rock formations than its sands. Coastal erosion has worked it’s magic to create this idyllic setting and the majestic variegated rocks are quite a wonder to behold. It’s so far off the beaten path you can be sure there’ll be no crowds here, it’s a local secret which can be disclosed only by them. To find it, go a little pass Manchioneal to Hectors River and turn on Long Road, ask for directions from a friendly local there. August 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm | Off the Beaten Path, Portland, What to Do, Where to Visit | 2 comments Where to Visit: Treasure Beach, JamaicaTravelling on Jamaica’s South Coast, you’ll discover a treasure chest of coves and bays, where the Caribbean meets the island’s sandy and sometimes rocky shores. A mixture of dark and white-sand stretches, rocky coves, fishermen’s enclaves and secluded swimming spots, the South Coast’s shores promise a range of possibilities. Lined by a string of sleepy fishing villages and colourful roadside stands is a “treasure” of a beach off the beaten path of Jamaica’s more popular North Coast. A favourite beach community of both locals and visitors alike, Treasure Beach is a spot that surely lives up to its name. Set against a background of lush greenery, this charming hideaway is a six-mile stretch of coral-coloured and sometimes black sands, private coves and rocky shores. For travelers who want to discover the South Coast’s vibrant local culture and people and are in search of untrodden beaches, a visit to one of Treasure Beach’s four main bays – Billy, Calabash, Great and Frenchman’s– is a must. In Calabash Bay, the largest of the four main bays, friendly fishermen dock their brightly painted canoes and unload the day’s catch. August 9, 2011 at 10:18 am | The South Coast, Where to Visit | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Places to Get Married in JamaicaWhether you dream of love by the sea or on the steps of a historic great house, Jamaica has the perfect spot for you to celebrate your nuptials with a destination wedding. From its tranquil oceanfronts, to its majestic waterfalls Jamaica is packed with settings simply ideal for a wedding even the angels would envy. The island’s many resorts also offer an assortment of wedding packages, some with complete wedding coordination services and discounts for the bridal party. Hotel staff and professional planners can help you plan your special day to perfection. So you can let your imagination run wild in a place where fantasy and reality meet. If you’re not choosing to go the resort route one alternative is to plan your own Jamaican wedding. Rent a private villa, hire a local wedding planner, and plan your own wedding! August 3, 2011 at 2:25 pm | Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Weddings & Honeymoons | No comment Weddings & Honeymoons: Catamaran Weddings in JamaicaJamaica is the most popular site in the Caribbean for weddings and it’s easy to see why. Jamaica’s beaches, waterfalls, mountains, and gardens provide dramatic backdrops for the perfect dream wedding. The island offers a wide variety of venues to accommodate any wedding desire, from a small and quiet ceremony to a large elaborate event – and everything in between. The island’s many resorts also offer an assortment of wedding packages, some with complete wedding coordination services and discounts for the bridal party. Hotel staff and professional planners can help you plan your special day to perfection. So you can let your imagination run wild in a place where fantasy and reality meet! Choose a sunset ceremony on a sailboat bobbing on the blue, tropical waters off the coast of Negril, while the sun slowly drops below the ocean’s horizon, creating a truly romantic evening for your special day. July 21, 2011 at 11:26 am | Weddings & Honeymoons | No comment Events: Reggae Sumfest 2011Music fans from across the globe make a pilgrimage to Jamaica’s beautiful resort capital Montego Bay year after year to see “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth”, Reggae Sumfest. Set for July 17-23, 2011 the biggest reggae event of the summer brings to the stage the very best local and international stars in reggae, dancehall and rock. First staged in 1993, Reggae Sumfest quickly became the world’s premiere reggae music event. The festival showcases the best of Dancehall and Reggae music, as well as top R&B/Hip Hop performers and offers delicious Jamaican cuisine and arts and crafts to boot. 2011 will mark the 19th staging of this week-long festival kicks off with a beach party on July 17 to be followed by three nights of electrifying live performances beginning on July 21. Past international performers have included Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Neyo, Toni Braxton, Usher, Chris Brown, and this year’s headline acts include Rap sensation Nicki Minaj and R&B singer R. Kelly. July 10, 2011 at 10:00 am | Jamaica Events | No comment What to Do: Chukka Caribbean’s Dune Buggy AdventureJamaica is well known as the home of some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. White sands and golden sunshine is a source of appeal for many vacationers. However many travelers prefer to take a detour through the island’s striking mountains, backroads and hidden rivers, for their very own uniquely Jamaican excursion. One such excursion is the Chukka Dune Buggy Adventure. With locations in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Trelawny this tour is for those who want to go off-road for a bumpy, dusty, dirty ride through Jamaica’s interior. Travel in the depths of the Cascade Rainforest where the sun plays hide and seek through the canopy of thick tropical foliage. Tour the historic hills of Rose Hall or take a tour through one of the great plantation estates of Jamaica the 18th century Good Hope Estate. With experienced and knowledgeable guides and so much to see this is an experience not to be missed. Start your engines in your Dune buggy built for two. Get ready for the drive of a lifetime ‘Caribbean Style’. July 8, 2011 at 12:09 pm | Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Off the Beaten Path, Trelawny, What to Do | No comment Weddings & Honeymoons: Honeymooning in Portland, JamaicaThe 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 its allure.
There’s no shortage of activities you can do while honeymooning in Portland. In addition to sailing, water-skiing, wind-surfing, sunbathing and swimming visitors may choose to take a bamboo raft tour, stopping off at a secluded beach along the way and all this can be done in just one day or over a number of days, the choice is yours. A picture-perfect display of nature’s finest works with dazzling walls of green mountainside slipping into crystalline waters. Port Antonio’s quiet charm casts a romantic spell that’s sure to enchant you. June 22, 2011 at 11:57 am | Portland, Weddings & Honeymoons, What to Do, Where to Stay | No comment Travel Resources: 5 Seductive Coves, Cays and Bays in JamaicaJamaica is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean and the world. The island’s stunning natural beauty and an alluring cultural appeal have been wooing travelers all over the world for decades. Part of its charm is the abundance of access to sparkling shores and tranquil turquoise waters. Jamaica is filled with seductive coves, cays and bays. For travelers interested in visiting them, here is a list of 5 of the most enchanting: Lime Cay ( via Varun Baker ) Fifteen minutes by boat from the famous former pirate haunt Port Royal is a small, low-lying island cay with one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica. The largest of the many small cays off the coast of Port Royal, Lime Cay is a part of Jamaica uninhabitable by humans because it is occasionally submerged when the tide comes in. Lime Cay, and the beaches there are public and open to all who can get out there. Seclusion and privacy are part of the draw to Jamaica’s beaches, and Lime Cay offers a taste of off the beaten path travel without taking you too far away from the city. June 10, 2011 at 4:10 pm | Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Portland, The South Coast, Travel Resources, Where to Visit | No comment |













