Port Antonio, Jamaica

I spent last weekend in Port Antonio, Jamaica with my family and have gobs of information to share with you! I will spread it over a few postings... We flew into Kingston and because of the large number of people in our party, opted for ground transportation for the 2.5 hour drive. Had we been traveling with just our family, we would have opted for a whirly bird or small plane transport. We stayed at Goblin Hill Villas - a townhouse community with fantastic views at every turn. We dined each night on fresh Jamaican fare prepared by Miss Elaine, our cook. We spent lazy days on San San Beach and by Goblin's pool. Some of us went river rafting on the Rio Grande. We ate lunch at local establishments with the hands down best meal coming from Boston Bay - the home of the JERK cooking style. Meats, sausages, and seafood are cooked on low grills with deep seasonings and then chopped and sold by the pound. Delish! (I included some pics of our Boston Bay stop in my slide show below.) We drove down to the Blue Lagoon and trespassed to get a close view as it is currently landlocked by a construction project. I was invited for lunch at GeeJam - the awesome studio complex where No Dought recorded their last album before Gwen Stefani went solo. (More on GJ later!) Port Antonio is a lazy harbour town on the far NE coast of Jamaica. It's allure is the old Hollywood feel from the glamour days gone by when Errol Flynn, Ian Flemming, and Noel Coward all called its shores home and hosted hundreds of parties attended by the world's jet-setters... the stories of that time are very intriguing. PA has pretty much been forgotten since then but is due for a rebirth. My beach read this trip? The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson a novel set in Port Antonio - PERFECT! Enjoy my pictures!

Tale of a Cancelled Flight

Prior to travel, many of my clients ask what would happen if their flight is cancelled. In 11+ years of taking 3-4 Caribbean trips a year, I found myself stranded for the very first time on Tuesday. On the few occasions where my flight has been cancelled in the past, I was quickly re- booked on another flight or if none were available from the ticketing airline, then I was moved to another airline and only inconvenienced with a minor variation in my flight plan. We spent Easter Weekend in Port Antonio, Jamaica - an amazing place located about 2 hours from Kingston and 4 from Montego Bay. Therefore, we flew in and out of Kingston. While we were on the drive from PA to Kingston to catch our 3PM flight, we received a phone call that the Air Jamaica flight attendants were conducting a "sick out". Similar to a strike, a "sick out" occurs when airline employees call in sick to protest. While I don't have room here to discuss the politics of what they were fighting for, my flight was cancelled and it was the last flight of the day. Air Jamaica was very accommodating despite the incident. By the time we arrived at the airport, they had hotel and restaurant vouchers waiting for us and we were quickly transported to our Kingston hotel to enjoy the pool... we were confirmed on the same flight the following day and made it home without incident! So, there you have it... possibly what to expect should your flight be cancelled.

12 Days Left to Save - Gogo's Summer Sale!

Gogo Worldwide Vacations is offering up to 50% on select properties for travel between Memorial Day and Labor Day! You must book by March 31, 2008 to enjoy these savings! For example, book 4 nights at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and get the 4th night free! Enjoy the 5th night free and a $200 food & beverage credit at the Marriott Frenchmen's Reef Resort in St. Thomas.

Video Review - Spice Island Beach Resort

The Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada has always been one of my favorite resorts. Perhaps because there really isn't a hotel of comparable caliber in Grenada... Spice Island stands alone. This might have rung true as the reason a few years ago, but since Hurricane Ivan forced a massive renovation in 2004, the hotel has soared above resorts region wide, raking in dozens of prestigious awards. Spice Island earns my kudos because the renovation supposedly only cost $12 million. As you will see, it was certainly well spent. Enjoy this video:


Download your own brochure HERE and then contact us for great package rates!

Product Review - Mobile ID Labels

BoomerangIT is a great company offering a unique and clever way to ensure that your luggage is returned to you should it be lost or misplaced. While the name and address tags the airlines offer at check-in are great for those of us running late, they are very flimsy and likely won't stay intact after one or two plane changes. The serialized and tamper resistant BoomerangIT labels range in price from $7.95 to $39.95 and once purchased, you will register your individual tags in their national database before placing on your luggage or other items. Great idea!

Make A Difference - Caribbean Hilton Charity Drive

I have the best clients! Many of them return from their luxurious vacations curious about helping the local inhabitants of their island hosts. I applaud this sentiment from the bottom of my heart as it was truly the people of the Caribbean that influenced my career choice of Caribbean Travel. Over the years, I have learned that many of the non-locally owned hotels do little to help their poor neighbors so when I come across one that does, it deserves recognition. I am very happy to announce that Hilton's Caribbean collection of hotels has raised over $1 Million with their KIDS program - Officially called Kindness in Donations and Services, K.I.D.S. is Hilton Caribbean’s way of helping non-profit organizations devoted to children on the islands where its’ resorts are located. Hilton Caribbean guests and team members play significant roles in raising money. Guests help by voluntarily adding $1 a night to their account when they check out. Team members contribute by donating the time and effort in organizing events that benefit the children and generate funds.

Secrets & Dreams Resorts Updates!

Secrets Resorts & Spas are fabulous all-inclusive adults-only properties and very popular with honeymooners! Secrets Resorts offer Unlimited Luxury with huge rooms, 24-hour concierge service, top shelf beverages, gourmet restaurants and more! There are 5 new Secrets Resorts being added to the collection in 2008 & 2009. They are:

Product Review - Ligne St. Barths

One of my favorite clients, Theresa Hartney, sent me my first batch of Ligne St. Barths products about 7 years ago. It was love at first wash! The products are manufactured in St. Barths with fresh natural ingredients grown and cultivated on the magical island of sun swept days and breezy tropical nights... Needless to say, the wonder of the island is captivated in every bottle. My favorite? The Cleansing Milk with Frangipani Flowers. It smells as good as it sounds and leaves your skin feeling even better. The best news of all is that these products are now available online! But should you decide to take a trip to St. Barths and hand-pick some items yourself, please contact me to help plan your glowing getaway!

Snow in Atlanta & the St. James Club

We woke up this morning to snow in Atlanta. This is the 3rd snowfall this winter. Having lived all of my life in warm clients - Scottsdale, Arizona and Miami, Florida, the snow was welcomed by everyone in our household. It is beautiful to watch. With snow falling blowing every which way, I am mesmerized by the stillness that accompanies an event of so much action. We enjoyed steaming mugs of hot cocoa before venturing out into the cold to bathing suit shop. Yes, definitely not the most ideal day for this, but with our Jamaica trip only 9 days away, it was necessary. As I peeled off layers and layers of clothes and tried on dozens of suits, I thought of some of my favorite trips to the Caribbean. One was to the St. James Club in Antigua a few years ago. It was one of the most relaxing vacations for our family. There are 3 beaches located on property and plenty of room for all guests. The water is calm making watersports enjoyable for even the youngest kids. The entry level rooms are basic Caribbean... the club rooms a tad more impressive... and the BEST rooms are the villas located hillside with expansive views and convenient access to the best restaurant on property, Piccolo Mondo. While the $35 surcharge the restaurant charges to those on the all-inclusive plan can be a cause of complaint, it is well worth it. The service, cuisine, and views are amazing. My daydream down memory lane in multiple fitting rooms at the mall caused me to look up the St. James as soon as I returned home. I found the following special just in time for the Summer booking season: the all-inclusive plan is offered at a reduced rate, kids 2-11 are free. Book before March 31, 2008 and travel between May 28 and August 28. Contact us for rates!

Restaurant Review - Madame Janette Aruba

I am a foodie. I have always said that if I did not have a career in travel, it would be in food! On what level, who knows. But I enjoy food because I have learned that eating is an experience for all 5 senses. Before any trip, I compulsively research the BEST restaurants at my destination. I make reservations safely in advance and each day while I lie on the beach, hike through rainforests or scour markets for local bargains, I am looking forward to dinner. I can't remember how I found Madame Janette in Aruba, but on my first trip to the island I did and I am thrilled at having done so. Madame Janette is off the beaten path, not located seaside but rather in the flat arid interior of the island. The restaurant is housed in a tiny unassuming cottage. You may dine indoors or outdoors in the courtyard. As if the multitude of stars in the sky were not enough to set the mood, the entire courtyard is strung with twinkling little lights that dance and flicker all evening. The food is the BEST on the island by far. The restaurant has been winning awards and acclamations for years now and I couldn't agree more. The menu has changed since my first visit but remains today true to the restaurant's promise of fresh and innovative cuisine and perfect wine pairings. Enjoy!

Couples Ocho Rios Gets $15 Mil Renovation!

Couples Ocho Rios located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is closing on April 1, 2008 to undergo a $15 Million Dollar renovation! Every area of the resort will be affected in a positive way. The resort is 59 years old and one of the first all-inclusive properties on the island. The renovation plans include restoring the resort to its original state where Old World Glamour will meet New World Amenities. Some of these new amenities are: Brand new amenities include a new wedding gazebo, veggie and juice bar, pool grill, spa with 10 treatment rooms, swim-up pool bar and new dive pool, gym, aerobics room, photo shop, gift shop, games room, and a floating dock at Tower Isle, Couples Ocho Rios’ own private island. The renovation is scheduled to be complete by December 15, 2008. Contact http://www.caribbeanjourney.com/ for great package rates!