Highlights
Historic Sites
As a former colony of Spain and England, there are plenty of 17th and 18th century remnants to see for those with historic interests such as Bellefield Great House. Visit Greenwood Great House, where the original library of the Barrett family, known for their depiction in Rudolf Besier’s play, ‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street’, still remains, along with a collection of rare musical instruments. Take a trip to Firefly, the home of Noël Coward, the famously witty English playwright, where he welcomed guests including Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Queen Elizabeth II.
Beautiful Island Beaches
The beaches of Jamaica are the strongest attraction for many of those looking to relax. The carefree vibe of island life here lends itself fantastically to letting your hair down, and spending endless hours sipping on rum punch in a gently swinging hammock as the waves softly lap at golden, sandy shores. All our featured five-star luxury hotels have beachfront locations, and, from Round Hill on Montego Bay to GoldenEye in Oracabessa, the beaches along the northern shore are all beautiful.
Kingston
With the impressive Blue Mountains looming over Kingston to the north and the world’s seventh-largest natural harbour to the south, the setting is truly magnificent. Kingston is a city of two halves: Downtown, home to historic buildings, banks, courts and one of the best art museums in the Caribbean, whilst Uptown holds the city’s best hotels and restaurants and its cluster of tall buildings around Emancipation Park. Devon House is worth visiting when in Kingston, and is a stately mansion with a fascinating history as the home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire, George Stiebel. Another highlight is the Bob Marley Museum, providing fascinating insights into the reggae superstar’s life.
Adventures
There are countless ways to explore the Jamaican landscape and excitement is never too hard to find. Dunn’s River Falls is one of the most beautiful natural spots of Jamaica and was featured in the James Bond film, ‘Dr. No’, since Ian Fleming himself famously loved (and lived on) the island. The Blue Mountains is the most mystical landscape and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and natural value. The lush rainforest and cascading waterfalls are stunning, and its thriving eco-system makes it home to thousands of endemic plant, bird and insect species. Hiking and bicycle tours can be arranged here by hotel concierges.
Tantalising Food
Reggae is not just about music, it is also about food. An exciting prospect for any foodie, this beautiful setting is also home to a buffet of juicy plates, stacked high with, street-style, jerk-spiced chicken, glazed roasted pork and spicy goat curries. But this is just the start of your culinary journey, with a bounty of fresh, home-grown ingredients Jamaica produces a healthy number of acclaimed local chefs and on gourmet menus you will find many skilfully crafted fusion dishes.