Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hiking the Blue Mountains in Jamaica

We are a group of friends who visited Jamaica for a short vacation. This idyllic country is famous as a beach destination but we wanted to do something different and so the idea to hike up the Blue Mountains. We had booked our accommodation at Ocho Rios Apartments and from there taken a jeep to the village, Jack's Hill from where we began our hike.

The Jamaica Tourist Board referred to the Blue Mountains hike as a "classic trek." Hikers usually travel up Blue Mountain Peak in darkness to reach the summit just in time to greet the sunrise. This is exactly what we did.

The fabled Blue Mountains coffee fortified us against the cold and gave us the push we needed to begin the journey at 2.00 am in the morning. The dull orange of our torchlight illuminated our way and our journey had well and truly begun.

The Blue Mountain Peak is the highest on the island rising to an altitude of about 7402 feet. Needless to stay the climb is difficult but each step is well worth the trouble. The cold winds blew the remaining sleep from our eyes and we kept on. At each step, the stars seemed to come closer and there were times when we felt that there was nothing between us and the vast expanse of the sky above. Suddenly, life seemed to have become very fragile and the everyday cares very distant and unreal, as if belonging to another world, another time.

We moved on, and the path gradually became very narrow. It was really narrow and steep at the point that is known as Jacob’s Ladder. As we moved up, we could gradually make out the shadowy outline of the dark forest. The dawn had begun to break and suddenly it our journey seemed to be a race against the sun. The moonlight began to give way and the vistas that opened up were simply spectacular. The path was not only difficult but botanically rich as well.

Finally, we reached The Peak, exactly at the same time as the sun rose over the mist-laced mountains. We were lucky for it was a clear day and we could see for miles ahead in all directions. From the peak, we could see the Buff Bay and Port Antonio's Navy Island to the North, and Kingston, Portmore, St Thomas' coast to the south and the dim form of Cuba.

We rested for some time and soon enough, it was time to begin the descend. The journey downwards was equally mesmerizing. We passed through elfin forest where the canopy was so low, it seemed we were passing through a deep green tunnel. From the clearings, we could take in the dramatic views of the majestic mountains. The trail was lined with tree ferns, bamboo and Eucalyptus trees. Colorful wildflowers dotted the path and the bird calls provided the natural soundtrack for our awe-inspiring trip.

The overall hike took seven hours and soon we were back to the comfort of our accommodation in Ocho Rios apartments, soaking up in the waters of the bathtub and feeling the tiredness wash away from our bodies. And then it was time for a sumptuous dinner and sharing our views on the recently concluded hike to the Blue Mountains in Jamaica.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Silver Sands villas travel tips to Jamaica

Jamaica as a tourist destination needs no introduction. This beautiful Caribbean country has much to offer the visitors in terms of sun, sand, sea, natural attractions and plenty of opportunities to indulge in activities both on land and water. However, if you are traveling to the country for the first time, here are some tips that you can keep in mind for a more enjoyable stay in Jamaica.

Visas and passports

As a first step, ensure all your documents are order, including passports and visas. If you belong to a European country, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Israel, you do not require a visa to enter into Jamaica.

You don’t require a travel permit; however you would need to fill in an immigration card both on arrival and departure.

You would also be required to show your return or ongoing ticket. Besides, your passport validity should be six months or more. So be sure to check the expiry date of your passport well in advance.

It is also advisable to opt for travel insurance to protect yourself against accidents and mishaps. Also travel insurance can cover all delays and cancelation in travel arrangements.

What to avoid in Jamaica

Sandflies: Avoid sandflies especially during the late afternoons when they are very active. In case you are bitten, apply over-proof rum to stop the itching.

Tap water: Even though Jamaica may proclaim that the tap water is safe, it is always better to drink bottled water. Also, be sure to rub clean the mouth of the bottle because even though bottles are recycled in Jamaica, the cap areas are left as is. A better option is, refill your bottles from your Jamaica accommodation rentals before venturing out.

Sun burns: Do wear a cap and apply sun tan lotion generously before going for outdoor trips like rafting. The activities can be fun but you should never underestimate the sun.

Getting caught in the rain: Avoid getting caught in the rain without a jacket. Bring along a light, foldaway umbrella which is easy to carry. You can always gift it to a local when you are leaving.

Lonely areas: Avoid traveling single and if you must, try to keep to the tourist friendly areas. Avoid lonely areas especially once it gets dark.

Travel smart in Jamaica

Do remember to take your camera along so as not to miss the photo opportunities and they are tremendous. If you wish to photograph the locals, remember to take permission because they are sensitive to being photographed without being asked.

While in Jamaica, you’ll be approached by vendors selling knick knacks, eatables and souvenirs. Don’t mistake their persistence with harassment; just refuse politely and firmly.

Also do not disclose your Jamaica accommodation rentals address to strangers on the beaches and elsewhere. This is not just for your own safety but to avoid potential salesmen who may land at your door trying to sell their wares.

As a final note, make your trip to Jamaica all the more special by staying in Jamaica villas and apartments that provide all the services and comforts of the hotels as also the privacy and space that only a home can provide. If you decide to stay in a Jamaica apartment, you can consider booking Ocho Rios Apartments that provide the best services and comforts at the most affordable rates.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Weddings in Jamaica Villas

Jamaica is without doubt the most popular wedding destination in the Caribbean. The scenic wonderland offers an endless variety of exotic venues for a day which you will remember for the rest of your life. From a small intimate ceremony to a large elaborate event and everything in between, Jamaica has it all. So let your imagination run wild to make your wedding day extra special and be assured, all your fantasies will turn into realities in the fascinating country that is Jamaica.

Choose an exotic location

Exchange your wedding vows in a beachfront villa, with the sun setting in the distant horizon and the sounds of the tropical breezes mingling with the music of Bob Marley’s One Love playing in the back ground. Choose a sunset ceremony on a sailboat bobbing in the sparkling waters of the Caribbean or opt for a catamaran cruise. Some of them are large enough to accommodate up to 100 guests and a band, so dancing and dining on the water are definite options!

If it is a mountain setting that catches your fancy, you can say ‘I Do’ against the backdrop of the cool and misty Blue Mountains; the spectacular views of the surroundings provide the perfect opportunity for dramatic wedding photos that you will cherish for times to come. Explore the possibilities presented by Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios or Reach Falls in Port Antonio. The choices for wedding venues in Jamaica are many ranging from waterfalls, mountains, beaches, countryside, rivers, and gazebos to how far your imagination can fly.

Hire the services of a wedding planner

If you wish, you can make the arrangements yourself. Otherwise, you can hire the services of a wedding planner to take care of the necessities while you relax, be pampered and get ready for the special day. From a private ceremony for two to full celebrity-style events, the wedding planners in the Caribbean can help you fulfill all your romantic expectations in the dream destination of your choice. The services would include arranging for bridal bouquets, photography & video, wedding cake, and champagne to wedding music, transportation, and other wedding amenities. The wedding planners will also arrange for the license and necessary paper work so that the ceremony is completely hassle-free.

Stay in luxurious Jamaica villas

Make your wedding ceremony all the more special by staying in a luxury vacation villa in Jamaica. Well furnished and well equipped with all modern amenities, Jamaica villas in the Caribbean give the best of luxury hotels a run for their money. Apart from the comfort, the vacation villas in Jamaica also provide you the advantage of privacy, a home away from home, which no hotel can offer.

If you are looking to rent Jamaica villas, you can consider Silver Sands villas, a secure community of Jamaican villas and cottages, at this fabulous white sand beach. Located on Jamaica's famous North Coast, about 30 miles from the airport, midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Silver Sands villas provide you with the best services at the most affordable rates. The villas provide rooms in which the wedding guests can stay after the ceremony to continue with the celebrations.

If you are planning a wedding, honeymoon or a vacation trip to Jamaica between April to July, you can avail of the special packages for some of the Silver Sands villas. So avail the special offers and begin your ‘happily ever after’ in Jamaica---a place where dreams turn into reality.

Why stay in a family resort in Jamaica?

A family vacation can be very exciting but it is never easy to plan one. First, the children are very hard to please and secondly you would also like to find time for yourself to indulge in activities that are not suitable for children. So the question is how to find a perfect balance where everyone is satisfied? The answer is, stay in a family resort.

So what exactly is a family resort? First, it is important to point out that Jamaica has pioneered the concept of all-inclusive resorts and has played an important role in shaping the growth of the vacation rental industry across the globe. Vacation rentals or homes are a great alternative to a hotel stay in that they combine the services and luxuries of a hotel with the privacy and space that only a home can provide. Well furnished and tastefully decorated, these vacation homes come equipped with all possible modern amenities and also include the services of a chef and housekeeping staff to take care of the necessities.

More in terms of facilities, these resorts also have play areas for kids where they can keep busy. Besides, family resorts also invite other guests who travel with families, which means your children can make friends with kids of other guests. Take the case of Silver Sands villas, which has its own private beach for guests and a special play area for children. So you can bask in the glory of the sun while children indulge themselves in numerous activities. Then there is a special pool that is perfect for kids to take a dip. If you wish to go out for activities that are not suitable for kids, Silver Sands villas will also arrange childcare facilities, which means you can spend peaceful moments without having to worry about the welfare of the kids.

The resorts are also all inclusive in the sense they arrange events and tours and so you don’t have to plan where to go and how to go. In fact, these resorts take care of all your requirements so that you don’t have to do anything except enjoy yourself, away from the cares of the world and its responsibilities.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Jamaica villas travel guide: Suggested Itineraries

In a world where people are hard pressed for time, taking a vacation has become really difficult. Gone are the days when you could take long leisurely breaks. Today, vacations are all about a lean-and-mean break with too much packed into ridiculously short a time. Well it doesn’t have to be that way. A well planned itinerary can take you places (literally) and ensure holidays don’t turn into an activity that you do but a time when you let go, relax and rejuvenate, leaving all the cares of the world behind. If you are planning a travel to Jamaica, here are some possibilities you can try.

Tour the countryside

Jamaica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Caribbean countries and the reputation is well-deserved. Drive around the island, appreciate the dramatic landscape, and capture the untamed beauty on camera for memories of a lifetime. To make the best of your tour, you can consider taking a driver. The reasons for this are many. First, an experienced driver will know where to take you. Second, you can concentrate on the scenery and finally, the most important—the scenery is spectacular; the roads aren’t.

Wear a seatbelt if you are sitting on the front seat and not just to obey rules. Drive along the roads and you’ll realize how badly you need it. Breakdown assistance is limited in urban areas and practically negligible in rural sectors.

Go Jamaican

If your vacation spills over to the second week, it is time to read the finer print. Once you are done with the beaches and scenery, its time to do in Jamaica as Jamaicans do. So for some time, develop a temporary amnesia, forget the lifestyle back home and go Jamaican. Try getting your hair braided into deadlocks or learn Jamaican patois, the unofficial language of the island. Research the Rastafarian religion to better appreciate the lyrics of reggae music. While you relax on the beach, give some thought to the construction of the jerk pit in your backyard. And as you savour the sumptuous jerk on the beach, ask lots of questions about the spices used during the cooking process.

Shop till you drop

What’s a vacation without shopping? Do buy the knick knacks sold by the beach vendors but also take out time to venture into the heartland. Jamaica, as a shopping destination does not disappoint and apart from the rum, there is much on offer. Browse through the visible body of work by the Jamaican artists or buy the magnificent woodcarvings.

Stay in Jamaica accommodation rentals

Make your visit to the beautiful island all the more memorable by booking your own privacy and space for these are what the Jamaica accommodation villas provide. Be pampered by the staff of the Jamaica villas, savour the choicest of local dishes prepared by the efficient chefs, spend quality time with your loved ones while recollecting the joys of the day in your own living area and watch the sun setting in the distant horizon from your own terrace. In Jamaica, with so many rentals, you will be spoilt for choice. And if you don’t know which villa to choose, try out the Silver Sands villas that provide the best services at the most reasonable rates.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Jamaica villas: A relaxing alternative to a hotel stay

Most people who come to Jamaica for a holiday come here for a blissful tropical escape, to relax on the beaches and to discover its natural attractions. However, a visit to Jamaica can be made all the more special by staying in Jamaica villas. So what is special about Jamaica villas? Well for one, Jamaica has pioneered the concept of all-inclusive resorts with villas, cottages, condos, studios, and apartments to suit all tastes and budgets.

Jamaica villas have given a whole new dimension to travel. A visit to Jamaica is not just about discovering beaches and attractions but about rediscovering each other with these majestic attractions forming the perfect backdrop. You can rekindle the bond in your relationship in the privacy and space that only a home can provide. Your Jamaica villa is your home for the time of your stay but it is different in that the housekeeping staff and chef will take care of all your needs and so you don’t have to worry about the daily chores from which you have escaped from. All you have to do is to sit back and relax and concentrate on spending quality time together while basking in the joys of Jamaica.

These villas give you a first hand perspective of the local way of life. You can live like locals amidst the locals and gain an insight into their ways and culture. Instead of eating hotel food for everyday of your stay, you can have the chef prepare for you the choicest of local, home cooked dishes.

These Jamaica villas provide convenient access to all the major attractions in Jamaica. The friendly yet unobtrusive staff will arrange tours and transfers and will also advice you on what to see and what to do.

Besides, these Jamaica villas are located in all-inclusive resorts which also provide childcare facilities and play areas. If you want to spend quality time with your spouse or partner, you can leave them is safe hands and indulge in your favorite activity.

Search the internet and you will come across numerous listings for Jamaica villas. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all deliver what they promise. One way to book a villa you can trust is to check for client testimonials. If you are not sure which one to book, you can try Silver Sands villas that not provide the services they promise but the most reasonable rates as well.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Silver Sands villas for the best vacationing experience

Jamaica is an idyllic holiday destination promising lots to see and do. You can make your trip to the idyllic paradise all the more memorable by staying in the Silver Sands villas. Jamaica is well-known for its all-inclusive resorts so what makes these villas so special?

For one Silver Sands villas are ideal for couples, families and large groups traveling together. This secure community of villas, condos and cottages encompasses a private beach where you can find your own quiet space. If you are traveling with children, they would be able to make friends with children of other guests staying in Silver Sands villas.

Each villa, cottage and condo is tastefully furnished and well equipped for a comfortable stay. Each rental has a dining room, kitchen, living area and private balcony from where you can enjoy the views of the Caribbean. The services of a housekeeping staff and a cook are included in the package. Besides, additional services such as childcare facilities can also be arranged.

There is also a community area, bar and grill, and a tennis court on the premises. There is also a separate child play area on the premises. The romantic villas are perfect for those on a honeymoon or wish to exchange their wedding vows here.

Silver Sands villas are located on Jamaica's famous North Coast, about 30 miles from the airport, midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. They are just a mile North of the small town of Duncans and ten minute drive East of the historic town of Falmouth. So by staying in Jamaica villas you can be as far or near as the crowds you want. As an added advantage, these villas provide convenient access to the main attractions of Jamaica.