Jamaica Travel News

Miles McPherson's TAKE5 Campaign Helping Caribbean Youth

Having once supported his teammates as the defensive back for the San Diego Chargers, today pastor Miles McPherson shows that same team spirit as he rallies support for Caribbean's youth with the new campaign offered by his organization Miles Ahead, TAKE5. Garnering the support of the Jamaican Tourist Board, TAKE5 encourages long-term commitment in the future of Caribbean's children by urging residents to take five minutes to invest US $5.

"You can make a difference just by taking 5 minutes out of your life to send $5 (or $50 or $500), and help Miles Ahead and our Caribbean partners offer youth hope and leadership," pleaded McPherson who said programs will focus on mentoring, fostering leadership skills, and bringing the hope of God's love to young people. "We hope to have a powerful and positive impact in all areas of life, whether education, moral behavior, resisting drug use, or avoiding crime," he added.

Visiting the land where both his father and grandfather were raised, Miles McPherson's journeys to Jamaica with his organization Miles Ahead are ones of both spiritual enrichment and personal fulfillment for the former football star. The pastor and members of his organization have already made one trip to the island in 2008, joining in the 50th anniversary celebrations for Jamaica's Broiler Group by offering health screenings, deaf interpretation workshops, sports clinics, reconstructing an elementary school and clearing Montego Bay's Dump Up Beach.

For more information:

• visit www.take5now.org or www.milesahead.tv

Photo courtesy TAKE5

Labels: tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 4:20 PM

"Best of Jamaica" Festival Begins October 7th

From October 7 - 12, 2008, the Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa, in conjunction with Caribbean Travel and Style and ISLANDS magazines, invites guests to experience a taste of island life at the "Best of Jamaica" festival.

Activities:

• Honor Jamaica's diverse cultures through cuisine during a hands-on cooking demonstration of Chinese, Indian and traditional Jamaican food.

• Concoct your own version of Jamaica's signature beverage during a rum workshop offers by Appleton Rum.

• Learn how to pound out the rhythm of the island's audible heartbeat during a lesson on playing the steel drums.

• A traditional bush doctor explains the medicinal properties provided by Mother Earth in an herb seminar.

• At the end of the day, everything's irie as guests groove to reggae riffs at a street dance held at the town square. Festival attendees can let the sand sift between their toes at a beach party, and enjoy the musical musings of some of Jamaica's finest reggae artists as Frankie Paul, Georgia Henry and Tanya Stephens perform.

Guests looking to explore the island can sign up for one or more of the "Best of Jamaica" excursions. Make a finned friend at Dolphin Cove, take in the land's natural beauty at Coyaba River Garden and Mahoe Falls, discover the history of Jamaica's music at the Reggae Xplosion museum in Ocho Rios or take a trip back in time at Prospect Plantation.

Price: Starting at $1,888 per couple, the "Best of Jamaica" Gardenview room package that the Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa offers guests a six-day/five-night stay, a Jamaican goodie bag, $150 spa credit per room and a variety of themed activities. Patrons can specialize their stay with a $5 room upgrade. For the same amount, guests can unwind with a massage or hit the links thanks to an equally inexpensive golf package.

For more information:

•visit www.grandlidobraco.com
•call 1-800 GO-SUPER

Labels: tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 1:20 PM

SuperClubs Offers Early Booking Bonus

SuperClubs has just announced a super special. By booking a vacation before October 31, 2008, travelers staying at a SuperClubs resort any time between January 2 - December 22, 2009 can receive up to 20% off rates with SuperClubs' Early Booking Bonus Savings.

Breezes Resorts: Starting at only $112 per night, per person, based on double occupancy, guests on a getaway at Breezes Runaway Bay or Breezes Montego Bay can add adventure to their vacation itinerary with snorkeling, kayaking, rock climbing and golfing. For anyone who has ever dreamed of running off and joining the Big Top, sign up for Breezes' signature Circus Workshop.

Grand Lido Resorts and Spas: These luxury resorts offer paradise to their pampered patrons with complimentary manicures and pedicures and 24-hour gourmet room service. Rates begin at $152 per night, per person, based on double occupancy, with guests booked for five or more nights receiving up to $250 in spa credits for transcendental treatments at the Blue Mahoe Spa on the resort's grounds.

Hedonism Resorts: Take a walk on the wild side at Hedonism II and Hedonism III, where guests enjoying five nights or more of revealing revelry on the Au Natural side of either property receive up to $150 in "Hedonistic Delights" credit per room toward some of the satisfying selections on the Hedonistic Delights Menu, which includes such items as Jacuzzi bubble baths a deux, decadent surprise picnics for two and the "Tantralizing Kit For Two," featuring chocolate-covered body paint, whipped cream and scented massage oils. Rates begin at $135, per person, per night, based on double occupancy.

Starfish Trelawny: An all-inclusive ideal, the Starfish Trelawny offers wallet-friendly rates starting at $86 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. Geared toward family-oriented fun, this Superclub sanctuary offers four pools, a Circus Workshop, a supervised Kids Club, rock-climbing wall, karaoke contests and nighttime cruises on the Luminous Lagoon.

Rooms: While the above mentioned resorts are all-inclusive, travelers looking for dollar-saving digs can book accommodation at ROOMS Negril or ROOMS Ocho Rios in Jamaica. Close to all the areas hot spots, ROOMS rates start at $72 per night, with patrøns also receiving a continental breakfast.

Dates: Available through October 31, 2008, Early Booking Bonus Savings are valid from January 2 - December 22, 2009. A three-night minimum stay is required.

For more information:

• visit www.superclubs.com
• call 1-800-GO-SUPER

Labels: Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay

posted by Grace Sydney @ 4:20 PM

American Airlines Announces New Flights To Jamaica

Teeth-chattering temperatures will soon be on the way, but travelers will now have more opportunities than ever to escape winter's chill by chillin' out in Jamaica, as American Airlines has announced a new service from Chicago and increased service from Dallas and Miami.

Each Thursday through Monday starting on January 31, 2009, a 188-seat Boeing 757 will leave Chicago O'Hare International Airport headed for Sangster International Airport in Montegeo Bay.

Starting December 18, 2008, passengers can board a 148-seat Boeing 738 which will leave daily from the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport for a flight to Montego Bay International Airport.

In addition to the three daily flights already offered to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, American Airlines will begin offering a third flight daily (AA Flight 748) from Miami International Airport to Montego Bay International Airport.

Jaunts to Jamaica can also be taken on American Airlines from already existing flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport to Kingston International Airport.

For More Information:

• visit www.aa.com

Labels: tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 2:38 PM

VisitJamaica.com Launches New Look

Getting a new look is always fun and, as webmasters, we always enjoy looking at website redos. We just received word that VisitJamaica.com, the official site of the Jamaica Tourist Board, has received an overhaul and an all new look.

The new look reflects the rebirth of Jamaica’s online brand presence and focuses on the country’s diverse attractions, activities and accommodations that range from “Ritzy” to “Roadside.”

The site is also launching promotions with Travelocity and luggage company Eagle Creek as well as a promotion with Amazon.com and Universal Music promoting Jamaica’s music.

For More Information:
• visit VisitJamaica.com

Labels: tourism

posted by Paris & John @ 2:16 PM

Half Moon Reports No Damage

We're happy to report that we've received word from Half Moon; the longtime Montego Bay resort has received no damage following Gustav other than a few fallen tree limbs. Managing Director of Half Moon, Richard Whitfield, notes that there has been no physical damage to any structure or injury to any person.

The resort is still operational and will resume accepting guests once the local airport reopens.

During the storm, over 150 guests from the U.S., UK, Germany, Canada, Austria and Italy were accommodated at the resort. As Tropical Storm Gustav made its way to Jamaica, Half Moon waived all cancellation fees for reservations scheduled for August 28 to September 1. Guests taking advantage of this waiver can reschedule their visit at the original rate booked up to December 15, 2008 and between May - October 2009.

For More Information:
• call 1-888-830-5974
• visit www.halfmoon.com

Labels: Hurricanes, Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 5:09 PM