Author: Isla Campbell
Long, white beaches, stunning scenery, warm, tranquil waters and a unique relaxed attitude to life are all factors that draw millions of visitors to the islands of the Caribbean every year, looking for their own ‘taste of paradise’. It is the quintessential relaxation destination for American, British and European visitors wishing to splash out on something special.
Also named the West Indies – due to Christopher Columbus mistakenly believing he had reached India when he first sailed into an unknown landmass – the Caribbean is made up of more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, and is grouped into 27 territories. It is situated southeast of North America and east of Central America, ensuring tropical weather and warm waters all year round.
Possibly the best-known island, Barbados is a well-developed tourist centre, with grand hotels and resorts, calm waters and steel band culture, while the history buff will be fascinated by the capital of Antigua, St. Johns. Further west, the Victorian town of Port Antonio offers a view of the area’s colonial past as well as views of the Blue Mountains, and the wildlife of the Bahamas will attract all seasoned flora and fauna devotees.
The area offers more than an opportunity to sunbathe though, and this is something many tourists chose to exploit. The warm waters are ideal playgrounds for a range of sports. Jamaica’s north coast, for example, provides ideal conditions for a variety of activities, including sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving, whereas Dickinson Bay in Antigua is perfect for canoeing or trying to avoid falling off a jet-ski.
Possibly the centre of Caribbean water sports, however, is Barbados. The island can offer scuba diving with fantastic year-round visibility, calm and majestic sailing, and even a high-octane ‘Thrill Seeker’ experience, which includes jetting at high speeds in a 35′ Scarab off-shore powerboat, custom designed for complete comfort and safety, but mainly for speed. Tours like this, interspersed with leisurely snorkeling and swimming, take full advantage of the ideal conditions provided by Barbados, and by the Caribbean in general.
Although lazing on a beach with a colourful cocktail in hand may sound like many peoples’ idea of heaven, holidays in the Caribbean can offer far more. The history and culture of the area is vastly unique but also varied, and the wildlife alone is worth a visit.
The Caribbean’s beaches and seas rate among the most beautiful in the world, so it’s easy to see why they are the main draw for most tourists. Many visitors, however, want a little more than just relaxation, so the islands have developed into an ideal playground for holiday-makers in search of a little excitement. Perhaps most impressive, is that the Caribbean can offer both – thrills and relaxation – depending on what each visitor is looking for.
Jamaica is an island known for its reggae music as well as its beauty. Jamaica is filled with brilliant color and flavor. This is truly evident in the diversity of its people, beaches, food, and it’s music.
1. Firstly, explore. Jamaica is steeped in history, and colonial traces still exist within its confines. The old capital, Spanish Town, is well worth a visit, with some of the mansions made of red-brick still standing. The city and its monuments stand proudly, defying the onslaught of time.
2. Secondly, adventure lovers will find hiking in the Blue Mountains an exciting experience. There is a veritable catacomb of trails that lead to the summits, some of them even towering at 7,000 feet. Giving the range its name, the mists that swirl around the peaks have hints of blue. Nature lovers will be able to see flora and abundant fauna, with around 200 species of birds inhabiting the terrain. Other natural formations such as the limestone caves can be found on the island’s northern shore. These imposing edifices wrought by nature’s hand are truly a sight to behold. One can choose to explore the underground lake within it and drift along the river on a raft, taking in sights and smells of the nearby plantations.
3. Those who wish to relieve the accumulated stress of everyday activities will find many solutions on the island. The Milk River Spa is said to have beneficial effects on the human system. In 1794, the naturally-radioactive waters were found to have curative effects. Taking a quick plunge into the waters is guaranteed to raise the relaxation levels of any individual, gently massaging away tensions.
4. Montego Bay is another fun place to visit on the island. It has gorgeous pristine beaches, with a quaint Doctor’s Cave Beach as well. The beach first received its name from a doctor who frequently visited the beach, entering the beach via the cave.
5. Another activity not to be missed out by on the island is scuba diving. Jamaica, by the virtue of been surrounded by oceans and coral reefs, has a profusion of exotic aquatic life, thriving beneath the smooth surface of the ocean. Scuba divers can swim alongside the magnificent creatures of the deep, like nurse sharks or upside-down jellyfish. The reefs are home to many kinds of fish, and one may even be able to spot snapper and tobacco fish swimming in their natural habitats.
Beaches Resorts, the family travel experts with four Luxury Included® resort locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, proudly announce the addition of two major partnership extensions, bringing two programs to Beaches Resorts: the immediate introduction of Martha Stewart Crafts StudioTM at Beaches and the fall debut of Sesame Street’s Big Bird as part of Beaches Resorts’ extended partnership with Sesame Workshop.
Tropical golf heaven – blessed with breathtaking scenery, unforgettable signature holes and championship course designs, it’s no wonder why the Caribbean attracts so many golfers from around the world!
The draw of the Jamaican golf scene is as powerful as the slice of a champion’s swing. The greens offer an exciting diversity of challenge that keeps the pros coming back again and again, while novices hone their skills on some of the world’s most scenic courses. Sophistication and elegance make the clubhouses popular gathering spots, and well-stocked pro shops can meet just about every need.
- known as one of the best and most challenging tests of golf in the Caribbean, Provo Golf Club is a relaxing green oasis, set amongst the natural flora and fauna of the island. Fairways feature natural limestone outcroppings and are lined with native bush and inland lakes. The front nine features water on six holes, while the tight back nine has a further four ‘lake holes’, home to a colorful array of water birds including flamingos, pelicans and various types of heron. Great facilities, no restrictions on tee times, good tempo rounds, a cooling island breeze and a great round of golf – what more could you ask for!
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JetBlue Orlando nonstop Montego Bay, Jamaica!
Budget Travel Tip #1 
