Jamaica Travel News

Delta Air Lines Brings Breast Cancer Awareness to Montego Bay

Emblazoned with an emblem of hope for women battling breast cancer, Delta's pink plane touched down on the tarmac at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport on October 21, 2008 as a reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to show support of the Jamaica Cancer Society. Providing pink lemonade for its passengers, the airline's special edition pink plane has garnered almost $1 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

In conjunction with the Jamaica Cancer Society, Delta also brought awareness of its upcoming, thrice-daily flights from the Montego Bay Sangster International Airport to Atlanta, which launches December 20, 2008.

Labels: Montego Bay

posted by Grace Sydney @ 10:22 AM

Usain Bolt Enjoys Visit to Mystic Mountain

While his fleet feet gave the illusion of flight as he raced to gold medal victory during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, world record-shattering sprinter Usain Bolt recently had the chance to really fly through the air with the greatest of ease as he soared through a forest on a Zipline Tranopy at Mystic Mountain.

The latest tourist attraction in Ocho Rios, Mystic Mountain also welcomed fellow 2008 Olympians Asafa Powell, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter and Melanie Walker, who had the opportunity to experience a sport that brought prominence to the island of Jamaica in the 1988 Winter Olympics-- bobsledding. This warm weather version offers a 10-minute ride at 28 mph through an area of the 100-acre site.

Like the sightseers who have visited Mystic Mountain since its summer 2008 opening, the athletes also had the chance to enjoy the beauty of the tropical paradise on the Rainforest Sky Explorer, an open-air charlift which takes tourists on a half hour ride through the verdant landscape.

For more information:

• visit www.rainforestbobsledjamaica.com
• call (876) 974-3990 or (305) 704-3475

Labels: Ocho Rios, tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 10:06 AM

Lennox Lewis To Be Honored by The American Friends of Jamaica

During his boxing career, Lennox Lewis grew accustomed to the roar of the crowd as he battled his opponents, but on November 6, 2008 a gathering at Gotham Hall in New York City will applaud his efforts outside the ring as the American Friends of Jamaica honor the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world for his humanitarian work.

Although born in England and raised in Ontario, Canada, Jamaica has always been a place that the boxer's heart has called home. The land of his mother's birth, Lewis wed a former Miss Jamaica contestant in 2004 and has gone on to raise their children on the island. Connecting with the community, the World Boxing Council's Hall of Fame member encourages the athletic dreams of Jamaica's youth in the St. James parish.

Reaching out to charitable organizations throughout the world, Lewis has shown his support for the Muhammad Ali Center-- an organization which shined in the spotlight as the boxer battled for supremacy in Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. Giving back to the country where he spent his formative years, Canada's youth will benefit from the boxing center being constructed in honor of the man who first put Lewis on the path toward sports glory, Arnie Boehm.

Tickets for the 27th Annual Gala and Auction for Jamaican Charities, which will include the presentation of the AFJ International Achievement Award to the prize fighter, are available for $500 US dollars per person.

For more information:

• visit www.AFJ.org/gala
• call (212) 626- 6883

Labels: tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 4:31 PM

Kingston Restaurant Week Begins November 8th

Enjoy a true taste of the Jamaican way of life during the fourth annual Kingston restaurant week, taking place from November 8 - 15, 2008. Foodies will find themselves on a gastronomic journey when sampling the culinary artistry of chefs from 35 dining establishments, who will serve cuisine at a discounted prix fixe rate throughout the event.

Along with diverse menus to please every palette, each restaurant's scenery will add spice to your dining experience. At Morgan's Harbour, the waters of Port Royal once reflected the sails of pirate ships, while Strawberry Hill offers a view of the twinkling city lights of downtown Kingston. The history of the island is on display at several venues, including Norma's On the Terrace and the Grog Shoppe at Devon House, a 19th century mansion, and at Cuddy'z, which showcases sports memorabilia.

Tourists staying at the Terra Nova will only have to travel as far as the hotel's Regency Room to order signature dishes at a lower rate, as will the Jamaica Pegasus hotel's Columbus restaurant and the Hilton Palm Court.

"Kingston is a dynamic center of activity," Director of Tourism Basil Smith commented, "and Kingston Restaurant Week is a wonderful entrée to the delicious spread of offerings that can be savoured and enjoyed in the city".

For more information about Kingston Restaurant Week:

• visit www.visitjamaica.com

Labels: Kingston

posted by Grace Sydney @ 12:33 PM

Sixth Annual Jerkfest Festival To Be Held October 17 - 20

Spice up your stay in Jamaica at the 6th annual Jerkfest festival, running from October 17 - 20, 2008. Held at Hedonism III, visitors to the all-inclusive, all-adult sanctuary for pleasure seekers will be transported back to the days of the island's founding during the four-day fete, which takes place on the National Heroes holiday.

As guests stroll among a bamboo village, the sound of steel drums and reggae riffs will echo in the air, which will be thick with the succulent smells of Jamaican cuisine prepared by local chefs at a cooking demonstration. The flavor of the island will also be captured on canvases displayed by local artists.

Price: Rates begin at $1,134 per person, per night, based on double-occupancy for a four-day/three-night stay at Hedonism III.

For more information:

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

Labels: festivals

posted by Grace Sydney @ 3:33 PM

Jamaica Celebrates October Olympic Homecoming

This Reuters video shot October 3 in Kingston covers the homecoming parade enjoyed by Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt and the Jamaican Olympic team. The island is celebrating a week-long recognition of the team's success at the Beijing games when they brought home 11 medals including six gold medals.

Labels: Kingston

posted by Paris & John @ 9:26 PM