703-724-1243 44081 Pipeline Plaza, Ste 200, Ashburn VA 20147
Dreams and Destinations Travel
Where will your dreams take you?
Archives
Featured Destination
Jamaica
From the museum at Coyaba Gardens.
Our featured destination for this winter was an easy choice. When you take lush green mountains, combined with white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, fantastic local food and rum, world famous music and the laid back warmth of island hospitality you have a dream destination that simply can't be overlooked. I'm just back from Jamaica and once again I'm lost without sand between my toes and a gentle island breeze through my hair. I miss the sunlight on the mountains rising above water that comes in a dozen different shades of blue and being called "my lady" with a warm, friendly smile. Jerk cuisine just isn't the same off island without the love that goes in to its careful preparation and I miss the familiar words "irie" and "no problem". Words that carry a philosophy of living that is a world away from the hustle of the DC Metro area. After years of booking travel, and a string of destinations in different areas of the world under my belt, I've found the places that feel like home and leave a longing in your heart are truly special. Jamaica is one of those places for me.
Jamaica is a culturally rich island with a fascinating history, beginning with the simple life of the Arawak inhabitants and continuing on with the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus. There was colonization by the Spanish which devastated the native islanders, followed by colonial struggles for power between the Spanish, British and French. In the past century Jamaica achieved its independence and struggled to bring equity between classes while continuing its long history of hosting worldwide visitors with its unique island hospitality. Jamaica has been the birth place of world famous athletes, artists, writers and musicians. Thanks to iconic figures like Bob Marley the world has been touched by reggae music and the Jamaican born Rastafarian movement with its emphasis on knowledge of God, respect for nature and respect for life. Today you'll find Jamaica moving into the future with world class resorts, contemporary airports, improved roads and the finest of modern amenities residing next to simpler ways of life and a spirit of hospitality unmatched anywhere else.
Jamaica is a destination that really offers something for every traveler. There are lush rainforest ecotours, ziplining, and 4x4 safaris. You can enjoy Dunn's River and its 600 foot waterfall that beckons you to climb to the top as well as horseback riding on the beach, river rafting, swimming with dolphins, or snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy world class championship golf, shopping in the markets for local arts and crafts as well as some of the best rum and coffee in the world, or just relax on the beach with absolutely nothing to do and no place to be...unless of course you felt compelled to surf the net seaside. Jamaica also offers a fantastic cultural experience through the Jamaica Tourist Board called "Meet the People". You can be matched with a Jamaican of a similar age and with similar interests for a day. What an incredible opportunity to cease being just a tourist and really enjoy a true island experience! In fact this is why we encourage clients who simply have visited the island on a cruise for a few hours to return and really get a feel for Jamaica as a destination. Unless you give yourself time to explore the island and its people you completely miss out on Jamaica.
From intimate boutique hotels, to world-famous all-inclusive resorts, to 5 star properties that are a breath of tranquility for overworked and weary travelers Jamaica offers a wealth of hotel options. The all-inclusive resort concept was actually perfected here and the "couples only" all-inclusive resort was born here. These days all-inclusive resorts on Jamaica are a much more luxurious breed made famous by the Jamaican owned Sandals and Beaches Resorts with resorts offering private islands, spas, butlers, private pools and rich accommodations Families can enjoy plenty of activities for adults and children from water parks, Sesame Street character breakfasts and parades, marine life educational programs, and family golf and dive lessons. Couples can bask in each other's arms and the warm Jamaican sun while relaxing on the beach and then later in the day enjoy dining by candlelight on the beach. Jamaica is a honeymooners paradise with so many of the hotels making the honeymoon experience truly remarkable and Jamaican weddings are so easy to plan, which makes it our first choice for destination weddings. You can even get married for free on Jamaica at upscale resort like the Sandals properties. Singles can enjoy a multitude of activities and exciting nightlife both on and off the resort making Jamaica the perfect getaway for a girlfriends or guys getaway. For discerning clients you have fantastic villa accommodations like Villa Plantana in Ocho Rios with your own staff to keep you comfortable...everything from a driver to a chef! The Royal Plantation Resort offers AAA 5 diamond dining and the C-Bar, the only champagne and caviar bar in the Caribbean where the fine art of sabrage (opening a bottle of champagne with a sabre) is performed. The choices are really endless and each year they become more and more diverse.
So with a myriad of activities, a fascinating history, white sand beaches, tropical rainforests, resorts that anticipate every need and islanders who welcome with open arms Jamaica seemed to be the perfect choice for what is turning out to be a chilly February. Sitting at my desk with the snow flurries and the wind blowing a little colder than yesterday, as I type I can almost feel the warm island breeze carrying the scent of the sea, suntan oil and jerk spice. There is the sounds of laughter, water and reggae and for just a moment I'm transported to where I really want to be. Jamaica. Once you go, you know.
~Melinda Webb-CTA, CSS, DS, LS
Jamaica. Once you go, you know is a registered trademark of the Jamaica Tourist Board. Images are the property of Dreams and Destinations Travel and were taken at Coyaba Gardens, Sandals Negril, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Private Island, Sandals Whitehouse and Beaches Boscobel
