Travel Plans

A quick shout out to negril vacation rental house for bringing this Associated Content Post!

Looking for a nice afternoon outside with the family after a long winter?  Want to get the kids away from the Xbox?  Below are some great outdoor activities in Jamaica Plain that the family can enjoy together.

Jamaica Pond

Located officially at 507 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Pond is just one block west of Centre Street, spanning from Perkins Street to Francis Parkman Drive.  Turning down Pond Street from Centre and traveling one city block will bring you to the boat house, gazeebo, and Information Center.

Jamaica Pond is a one of the “gems” in Boston's famed Emerald Necklace of parks.  It is a great place for walking, jogging, or fishing.  The entire pond is lined with benches facing the water which provide excellent spots for little ones to take a breather and rest small legs.  One needn't look far to find a grassy area to spread out a picnic or stop to feed the ducks.

During warm months, Jamaica Pond has open restrooms, water fountains, a snack bar, and a spot to rent rowboats or sail boats.  Lessons are available.

Arnold Arboretum

About a ten minute walk south from Jamaica Pond is another jewel in the Emerald Necklace.  Owned and operated by Harvard University, the Arnold Arboretum is the oldest arboretum in the country.  With a road over two miles long, and numerous winding paths throughout, the Arnold is a wonderful place to wander, picnic, rollerblade, or play on one of the many lawns.  There is a ravine and a small log bridge, mini waterfalls, and a hill to climb to get a spectacular view of the entire property.  The kids will be thouroughly tuckered out by the end of the visit!

Each season is a new experience in the Arnold Arboretum.  It's foliage is so plentiful and diverse there is hardly a week that something is not in bloom.  Be sure not to miss May, when the lilacs come into their own.  Countless trees of various varieties bloom throughout the month, culminating in a spectacular display in the later half of the month, which is celebrated by the annual “Lilac Festival.”

The front entrance to the Arnold Arboretum is located at 125 Arborway.

Parks and Playgrounds

For a neighboorhood as small as Jamaica Plain, there are numerous parks and playgrounds to engage in some family exercise, or cool off from the summer heat.  Three of the smaller parks and playgrounds include the Brewer Street (just off Burroughs Street) Playground, which offers swings and climbing equipment, the Murphy Playground (located off Verona Street between Child and Carolina), which has a large field and a baseball diamond, and the South Street Mall (on the corner of South and Child), a paved playground with basketball hoops and a tennis court.

The most family friendly park in JP, however, must be the Southwest Corridor Parkway.  A stretch of park land running several miles between Amory Street and Lamartine, this strip of grassy  areas boasts several parks, scads of benches, walking paths, and a water-sprinkler park that is ideal for cooling off during the sweltering summer months.

Visit our friends at negril vacation rental house today!

A quick shout out to negril jamaica rental house for bringing this Associated Content Post!

On the north coast of Jamaica, between Port Antonio and Montego Bay, is Ocho Rios, a fertile region filled with rivers and waterfalls and unbelievable beauty. It’s the perfect Caribbean hideaway for honeymooners and vacationers, who want the lush landscape but not the busy atmosphere of MoBay. Here are the top resorts in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

True to its name, Couples Ocho Rios is a lavish resort reserved just for couples. You and your partner will be able to stretch out and relax in spacious and stylish rooms with stunning ocean views. You can stroll along white sand beaches and dine at fabulous restaurants, while resting up for some Jamaican adventures, such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Packages include horseback riding, catamaran cruises, glass-bottom boat tours, and a private island, where you can sunbathe au naturel. If you are planning to tie the knot, consider Couples Ocho Rios for your dream wedding. You can visit this resort online at http://www.couples.com/index.html for more information and to request a brochure.

What better way to celebrate the release of the new James Bond film, Casino Royale, than to book a stay at Goldeneye near Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This amazing eighteen-acre seaside resort was once the home of Ian Fleming and the very place where he crafted all of his James Bond novels. This Caribbean hideaway is “nestled among tropical forests and lush gardens on a seaside bluff overlooking the Caribbean where you can put a little distance between yourself and the rest of the world.” Visit Goldeneye online at http://www.islandoutpost.com for more details. 

Another secluded getaway for the discerning traveler is Royal Plantation. This small, adults-only resort was named the Caribbean’s Leading Resort at the 2006 World Travel Awards. Sitting high atop a bluff, this resort is exclusive in every single sense of the word. Don’t worry about requesting a room with an ocean-view; all rooms, which are suites, have ocean views, as well as luxurious bedding, fully-stocked in-room bars, plush furniture, and marble baths. If you want to truly indulge yourself, explore what Royal Plantation has to offer by viewing its website at http://www.royalplantation.com/ and requesting a brochure.

If you are looking for some sizzling nightspots during your stay in Jamaica, be sure to check out my articles on the best nightlife and top resorts in Montego Bay. If you are looking to truly get away from it all, then Jamaica’s Ocho Rios might just be the perfect Caribbean vacation destination for you. Enjoy your stay at one of the top resorts in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Click our link:negril jamaica rental house for more info

The Following Story is brought to you by negril jamaica vacation rental

JamaicA has really embraced romance with its' beautiful resorts for couples. Bright sun, white sand, waving plams, azure seas, full moons and horeshoe bays, all the ingredients for a perfectl romantic break. This island in the sun is a picture postcard and it is renouned for it's lazy days on the beach, dining on fresh seafood, dancing to sexy caribbean music and walking hand-in-hand in the moonlight.

HIGHLIGHTS:

When you visiting Jamaica here are a few resorts/Hotels that I would highly recommend;

Sandals Resort at Negril on the far western shores of Jamaica. Everything you could wish for is organized by the hotel. They boast an average of 200 marriages a month from traditional to the more unusual.

Half Moon Resort is one of the most famous resorts in Jamaica. This Resort is based in Rosehall, only a short drive from Montego Bay. The resort sits on the bay and is surrounded by a large tropical shady groves, swimming pools. They also boast having their own Dolphins! This resort has long been visited by the rich and famous including Jackie Kennedy.

Couple Swept Away Resort is for couples only. It is romantically located among tropical gardens and is a member of the Couples chain or resorts. A beautiful hotel from the day you arrive to your departure date.

Rock House Hotel has 40 thatched native cottages meandering around the cliffs which gives you a feeling of privacy. Each room has a view of the ocean and an outdoor shower. A prefect get-away-from-it-all location.

Tensing Pen which is named after the Sherpa has 17 rooms with a totally laid-back ambience. This resort offers Yoga on a beautiful deck overlooking the sea. If you want romance and to chill-out, this is the one for you.

The Caves Hotel is in Negril and has approximately 12 suites which are exclusive. This is very popular with the jet set. Although it is a small hotel it has an excellent rate of service and you can select whatever you want to eat, dine or just chill-out. More private than the other hotels mentioned.

Jamaica is a no hustle, relaxed island and when the hotels say “all inclusive, they mean it. Most hotel rooms have a fridge full of beer, wines and soft drinks and full bottles of spirits for their guests. 24 Hour service is the norm and if you manage to pull yourself out of your room, the sea is so invitingly warm.

No matter which of the above hotels you select you are guaranteed romance, the best of foods and service. Romance in the air then take a trip to the “island of love” – JAMAICA.

Be sure to visitnegril jamaica vacation rental at the main site!

The Following Story is from Associated Content and brought to you by oasis cruise

Love it or hate it, cruising in Southern California is here to stay. With Carnival's announcement last June that the CARNIVAL SPLENDOR would be offering year-round cruises out of Long Beach starting in March, 2009, it appears that Carnival is committed to providing Southern California residents and visitors with all the cruising they can handle.

Carnival is the only cruise line that disembarks regularly from Long Beach. All the other guys, including Royal Caribbean, throw down their anchors in the World Cruise Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles. Not that it makes much difference for anyone, since the two terminals are separated by only about nine miles of Ocean Boulevard/State Route 47. The proximity of the two terminals gives Southern California residents and visitors their choice of cruise offerings. And since both Carnival and Royal Caribbean offer year-round, three-day, weekend cruises to Ensenada, cruising out of Southern California couldn't be more convenient.

The hardest part might be choosing which line to take, particularly if you've never cruised before. While every cruise is different, a rundown of one person's experience on both Carnival and Royal Caribbean might help you decide. Please note that this comes from the perspective of someone (me!) who can have a good time anywhere, given the right company. Neither Carnival's Paradise or Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas are luxury vessels, but both can offer a good time if you have the right mindset.

Here's the context: We took the Carnival cruise on the Paradise in June, 2007 and the Royal Caribbean Cruise on the Monarch of the Seas in December of 2006. For both, we stayed in ocean view cabins.

Atmosphere
The Carnival atmosphere was certainly the rowdier of the two. In all fairness, this was probably due to the hot and sunny weather, which seemed to promote some serious drinking. Fellow passengers included bachelor/bachelorette parties, groups of energetic, early-20s singles and couples in their 20s and 30s. There were also some families with kids, older singles and some corporate parties, but these were the exception.

The dancing, drinking and karaoke activities on Carnival's Paradise were pretty lively. Poolside music and entertainment on the Lido Deck during the Fun Day at Sea (Sunday) set the stage for all sorts of bumping and grinding on the dance floor. For those of us who stayed on our deck chairs, the people-watching was hilarious.

The Royal Caribbean cruise had a generally more diverse group of passengers, with a visibly higher population of families. This more subdued crowd made use of the family dance hour and brought their kids to the karaoke hour–some parents even ushered their child up to the microphone despite the kid's obvious reluctance to sing! No matter, as the karaoke as still generally entertaining.

During the Royal Caribbean's day at sea, the weather was not conducive to hanging out on the pool deck. So there was relatively little opportunity for the wild behavior that characterized the Carnival cruise.

Food
Neither ship had exquisite cuisine, but Royal Caribbean wins out the match-up, simply for being more consistent. For the most part Royal Caribbean's food, including the buffet, was pretty good, while Carnival's ranged from OK to pretty good. Carnival's best options were the burgers from the outdoor grill and the made-to-order Panini.

Entertainment
Both cruise lines offered karaoke, table games and slot machines, comedy shows, night club dancing, art auctions, Broadway-style shows and more. Carnival's comedian was surprisingly funny. Also, Carnival's entertainment schedule seemed to be more robust, with overlapping activities and very few gaps. Both cruises offered plenty of things to do–to the point that trying to fit it all in left us feeling the need to slow down. Thankfully, both ships offer a variety of indoor and outdoor seating areas for simply hanging out. And there's always someone nearby who's ready to bring you a drink. Oh, and if you like to drink, here's a tip for either cruise line: Don't miss the captain's reception, because the drinks are free.

Formal night
If you don't have room for the chiffon gown in your weekend bag, don't worry about it. Maybe it's different on longer cruises, but Formal Night was hardly formal on either cruise line. Apparently there are many different interpretations of formality, from a suit accessorized with a baseball hat to a denim skirt and halter top. Some passengers went all out for formal night–perhaps they were sold an expensive package by the spa staff–and probably had some great photos to take home. In general, Carnival was the more casual of the two.

Cabins
Royal Caribbean's cabins were significantly smaller than Carnival's. Carnival also has the advantage of extraordinarily comfy beds. Besides those differences, the two cabins were roughly the same in condition and style. Both had a decidedly basic decor and showed a little wear and tear.

Embarkation/Debarkation. Getting on the ship was relatively straightforward in both cases. Getting off the Monarch of the Seas was a breeze; we got up early and just walked right off with no hassles. Deboarding the Carnival ship was more time-consuming; we stood in line on the ship and then again to get through the customs window. If you're in a hurry, make sure to get up early, carry your own bags and fill out the customs form ahead of time.

The key takeaways, based on one person's very limited experience, are:

* If you're uptight about drinking and slightly rowdy behavior, you might want to avoid any weekend cruise, but particularly Carnival.

* If the quality of the food is a big deal, go with Royal Caribbean.

* If you're taking the cruise to relax, try Royal Caribbean.

* If you're taking the cruise to whoop it up and have a good time, Carnival is ideal.

* If you're worried that cruising will be boring, head for Carnival and challenge yourself to participate in as many ship activities as you can. And then work in a trip to the gym, a facial, a few games of Ping-Pong and perhaps some mini golf. By the time you get home, you'll be in need of another vacation. Then maybe you can book a Royal Caribbean weekend cruise to catch up on your R&R.

Be sure to visitoasis cruise at the main site!

The Following Story is from Associated Content and brought to you by royal caribbean oasis of the seas

As I have recently travelled on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship the Navigator of the Seas I am going to provide you with a review of my experience on the ship and in the ports we visited. Now I must advise you that this was my very first cruise but I have an extensive travel background. I booked a five night cruise to the Western Caribbean because I was concerned about possible seasickness and did not want to be trapped on a ship in the middle of the ocean and not be able to get off if I was miserable. Let me tell you I did not even feel the motion of the boat until very late in the evening on the second day of the trip and even then it was not horrible. I managed to not even become nauseous the entire trip. I did, however, feel the motion of the boat for the rest of the trip and it almost makes you feel like you have been drinking alcohol so it was pretty fun.

I will start my review with the embarkation process and I must advise you that the Navigator of the Seas can hold over 3000 people and the ship was full. When I got to the port I had to drop my luggage off to be checked and that process was extremely easy as there was someone there immediately when I got there to take my luggage for me and direct me to where I needed to go. Once I got inside the terminal I had to wait in several lines to have my ids checked and then had to go through a security screening but once all the screening and checking in was done and I got onto the boat I was immediately impressed with how gorgeous the ship was. I quickly found my stateroom; I had gotten an interior assuming I would not spend much time in the stateroom anyway so why pay for a bigger room, I was correct on that. The room was small but surprisingly not packed too tightly. There was a king size bed that was extremely comfortable and even two small couches to sit on. It had a vanity, a nice size closet and even the bathroom was pretty usable for its size. The only complaint was the shower was so small you couldn't be in the shower without the water always being on you and shaving was extremely difficult.

After I went to my stateroom I went to the buffet for lunch and I must say I was extremely impressed with the amount and selection of food they had; everything from Italian to Asian to burgers and fries. Boy did I overeat that first day! After lunch I went up to the top of the ship to watch the ship leave port and got a mixed drink from the Sky Bar. Let's just say they know how to mix a drink on the Navigator! I was flying high before we left the port! Shortly thereafter it was time for dinner as I had selected the early seating, which was 6pm. The food in the dining room was absolutely delicious and they always had enough choices to satisfy everyone's tastes. The service was also top notch.

As for the onboard entertainment I was truly impressed. When you think about the cost of a cruise it really is an amazing deal! You get room and board as well as tons of shows all for one low price! I was able to see an ice skating show, 2 singing and dancing shows and a comedian! That was just what I was able to make it to with all the other things I wanted to do; there were a few more singing and dancing shows as well as another comedian. They also had a karaoke competition, art auctions, and plenty of game shows and trivia games. The ship also has its own casino with plenty of slot machines and tables to win or lose on. For the record, I lost! The Navigator also has shops and several dance clubs. You truly cannot run out of entertainment in the evening hours on board the Navigator of the Seas.

My one disappointment with the Navigators entertainment schedule is that everything happened in the evening and not a whole lot happened during the day. It seemed like I was bored after the first day or two when I had already tried the sports deck and the rock climbing wall. As long as you are fine with just lying out in the sun or swimming in the pools you were ok during the day but for someone who is at risk for skin cancer, sun bathing all day everyday was not an option and there really were not too many other things to do.

Once we were off the ship and in the ports the experience changed a bit. Our first stop was in Labadee, Haiti. This is the cruise lines private part of the island and they have their own resort there. Again, this was more of a beach day than a day to explore the island and the culture but nonetheless I had a great day. I did do some sunning and swimming in the ocean. The resort has plenty of beach chairs to lie out in and plenty of beach to use. The resort has some places to go explore and if you climb the man made stairs you can get a spectacular view of the other side of the island with the ship docked off to the side. They also have a little tram car that can take you different places on the island and they even have little shops where the locals can sell their goods and sell tourist items. The island also offers many excursions you can do right on the resort such as the zip line.

Our second port was in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and I started my day off with an ATV ride excursion and while it was my first time it was a complete blast and a great way to see the Jamaican countryside. After the excursion, I attempted to go shopping but it was extremely difficult. All the shopping was very close and easy to access but every couple of feet I was being stopped by a local either offering me a cab ride or some pot or to braid my hair. I did not like being badgered like that so I quickly did my shopping and then got back on the ship.

As for my overall experiences in the ports I had a good time with the time that I was there but I really like to explore new places more and a cruise just does not let you really do that. When you only have 8 hours or less in a place you cannot truly get a feel for the culture and lifestyle of the port. It was disappointing to not be able to spend more time in each port. That I would say would be the worst part of my trip. The Navigator of the Seas was a truly amazing ship and the staff made sure you were enjoying your vacation every step of the way. I would only suggest to Royal Caribbean to include more activities during the day and they would have the absolute perfect version of a cruise. As for my cruise experience, I definitely had a good time but probably will not book another cruise because you simply do not get enough time in the ports. So if you are going on a cruise for the cruise itself then you are golden on the Navigator of the Seas but if you are thinking about cruising to see the ports, you are better off booking a separate trip on your own so that you can spend some real time exploring your destinations.

More info on royal caribbean oasis of the seas can be found on our main site!

Thanks to oasis of the seas for bringing the following blog post

Well here you go all the Royal Caribbean fans. This is the big one. What can I say but wow.This ship will be out on the open sea to the public December 1, 2009.It starts with a 4 night cruise to Labadee which is Royal Caribbeans private island. Then it goes to doing a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale Florida. The eastern consists of St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau Bahamas.

I do not even know where to start it is so grand. I know for some of the cruisers that are a fan of the Voyage class and freedom class ships this is no comparison. It still has the Royal promenade on deck 5-7 but now they added a whole other section called Central Park and Boardwalk.

Royal Promenade will have Sorennto's Pizza. This is a great place to eat when you get hungry and just want pizza and maybe a salad. There is allot of varieties on the salad also. Cafe promenade has little sandwiches, cookies and delicious cakes. The sandwiches get changed out daily. They offer tuna on oat grain rolls, ham and cheese on croissant rolls and many more. Mondo coffee bar will have varieties of different coffee drinks. Rising tide bar is the first levitating bar at sea. It will go from the promenade deck up to the central park deck. Boleros is always one of the favorites. It serves the best Mojito's at sea. In the evening it will have Latin music that everyone loves to dance to. The champagne bar is wonderful offering all kinds of champagne and a very cozy atmosphere. The schooner bar is a lot of fun.It is a sing a long bar and it is fun watching people after hours trying to get into all the music. The globe and atlas bar is a fun place to have a beer or mixed drinks. The bars all have different entertainment every night with different music. Now this is just one floor of entertainment there is much more .

Central Park is spectacular. It is an area that is 6 floors tall. Most of the staterooms have balconies that over look the park. There are trees with grass and flowers everywhere. They have different restaurants, entertainment and street performances. There is no ceiling due to it is an open sky above. The famous chops grill has varieties of steaks and fancy meal options. Restaurant 150 Central Park is fine ding. Giovanni's Table is a fine Italian restaurant. Park Cafe is an indoor and outdoor gourmet market. There is a cost associated with the fine ding restaurants it varies from $15-25 dollars per person . They consider it the gratuities. Then they also have the Vintage wine bar and Canopy bar.I really love the wine bar you sit down have some wine they serve you cheese, grapes, crackers and walnuts with your wine. It is a nice touch. Don't forget the Rising tide bar comes from the Promenade up to Central Park and it ends up there. This floor also has many boutique's with plenty for all you shoppers.

The pool area and sports deck are the best any cruise ship can have. The H20 zone is a water park area for children and toddlers. The beach pool has umbrellas with sand and a pool area that looks like the beach. Many other things offered are 2 flow riders which will make any surfer happy. Miniature golf for all ages. Basketball courts and a zip line that will take you across the ship. There is nothing like zooming through the boardwalk.

Speaking of the boardwalk that is where the Aqua Theater is located which is a water and lazer show in the evening. They have shopping also and yes a Carousel for the kids. The rock climbing walls are located on the boardwalk . They can be moderate to very challenging. Yes I am going to tell you more about food. They have a Donut shop, ice cream parlor , seafood shack and the famous Johnny Rockets. I know when you eat fine dining all week long sometimes it good to just have a burger and a shake. This is the place to have it.

This is a one of a kind ship experience so what are you waiting for lets go cruising. More info visit website www.castawaycruisesinc.com

You'll find more info on our main site oasis of the seas

The Following blog post is brought to you by negril vacation rental house

Once you have taken in the natural beauty of Jamaica – the gorgeous beaches, the majestic landscape, the incredible sunsets – make some time for adventure. Do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do back at home on the continental U.S.: scuba dive, take a raft down the Rio Grande River, or…ride a horse. Horseback riding in Jamaica is relaxing and a lot of fun. And it is available for both novice and experienced riders.

Hooves is a top notch horseback riding tour company located on Windsor Road in St. Ann, Jamaica. Since 1994, their stable has grown from twelve horses to sixty-seven. Why has Hooves been such a success? The company boasts a fun and friendly staff, knowledgeable in all aspects of horseback riding. Hooves offers riding lessons, beach rides, rainforest rides, honeymoon rides, and private rides, as well as an excursion into rural Jamaica for a two-hour look at the countryside called the Bush Doctor Mountain ride. Check Hooves out at their website at http://www.hoovesjamaica.com/index.htm for more information, and a video featuring an actual horseback riding lesson.

Want to guide your horse through the warm waters of the Caribbean? Then check out Braco Stables in Trelawny, Jamaica. Rides are available for both novices and experts. Bring your camera and snap photos of the stunning north coast shoreline and beautiful private beach area. Braco Stables offers rides from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and groups are welcome, so long as you book in advance. Visit Braco Stables online at http://www.bracostables.com/ for more details.

Chukka Caribbean Adventures calls their tour the Horseback Ride n’ Swim, and rightly so. You will saddle up for a three hour horseback ride through historic St. Ann and through the tepid waters of the Caribbean Sea. The rate is only $73, and eight to ten experienced guides accompany a group of approximately forty riders. Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers complimentary beverages, and a van will carry along your personal belongings. Visit Chukka Caribbean Adventures online at http://www.chukkacaribbean.com/index.htm for more information.

Other reputable horseback riding tour companies in Jamaica include Annandale Plantation and Prospect Plantation, both in Ocho Rios. The concierge at your resort is also sure to have his or her own recommendations.

Some quick tips to help you optimize your Jamaican horseback riding experience include: (1) wear your swimsuit under long, loose-fitting pants if you’re taking a sea ride; (2) bring a towel and wear comfortable sneakers or walking shoes; (3) bring your camera; (4) wear plenty of sunscreen; (5) wear sunglasses and a hat with a brim. The touring company will choose a horse that best fits you. Riding weight limits are usually around two hundred and fifty pounds, and pregnant women and children under five are generally not permitted to ride.

Enjoy your thrilling horseback riding experience in Jamaica.

More info here: negril vacation rental house

The Following Story is from Associated Content and brought to you by negril jamaica rental house

For a long time, Jamaica was one of the Caribbean's most underrated vacation locations. People have long loved the way that the people in Jamaica talk and the way that they live their lives. People love the culture there and they seem to love the weather. Why, then, was Jamaica not an elite vacation spot? That's a tough question to answer, but it seems that the trend might be changing. In the last five years, more and more people have booked a trip to the island in an attempt to take in some rays and embrace the Jamaican culture to its fullest.

The Jamaican people themselves are some of the most exciting and excited folks on the planet. They seem to have a certain zest for living that is nearly unmatched anywhere else in the world. From their reggae music to the spicy food, everything seems to be done with a little bit of zeal. This spirit of Jamaica seems to come through to travelers who make Jamaica their vacation spot.

Jamaica itself is something of a melting pot of cultures. All sorts of African and European cultures mold together to create what Hollywood projects as the Jamaican culture. These people and their country are about much more than that Hollywood projection, though. When visiting Jamaica, tourists take haven in the great weather, vibrant culture, excellent shopping, and tremendous beaches.

The sun seems to always shine on Jamaica, especially on the beaches. If you visit the country, you'll want to spend the bulk of your time soaking up the sun at the beaches surrounding the large city of Kingston. One of the best places to visit for the first time traveler to Jamaica is the Blue Lagoon. Though the beach area itself is rather small, the vast lagoon for which this beach gets its name is worth seeing. There, you'll find floating docks which are very inviting to sunbathers. In addition, the pool type of waters are much colder than what you'll find elsewhere on the island.

Boston Bay is another beach where you can take in both the sun and the culture that makes the island special. It's said to be the birthplace of the infamous Jamaican Jerk style of cooking that adds the spice to the dining in this country. The beachfront is small with only about eleven miles of beachfront, but its worth the trip to take advantage of both the white sand and the great dinner spots.

Come to Jamaica and embrace the culture. Unlike other islands in the Caribbean, it's likely that you'll fall in love with the people and their way of life. Get a piece of the island now, as it's unlikely to stay a hidden gem for much longer.

You'll find more info on our main site negril jamaica rental house

This Blog Post is from Associated Content and brought to you by negril jamaica vacation rental

Every destination has its problems; however, Jamaica seems to be maligned as a bad or unsafe destination.

Whenever I hear someone say that they don't like Jamaica or are concerned about their safety there, I feel a bit defensive about one of my favorite islands. I think that Jamaica has a bad name from how they might have been in the past, but now I think that is changing.

From purely a destination standpoint, the island is beautiful with lush foliage and boasts amazing beaches and turquoise waters. In many ways, it is what you imagine when you hear someone say “tropical island”. Based on this alone, it sounds like a great place to vacation!

The first time that I saw Jamaica compared with my more recent visit in November 2006 was a night and day difference. The airport had undergone a major facelift and a whole new terminal was added.

Many resorts now have arrival lounges which are a wonderful way to start your stay on the island. After you clear customs and get your bags, you head to your arrival lounge where they have air-conditioned spaces with comfy seating, restrooms and a cold drink. They take your luggage and you go relax until your name or resort is called. A porter then takes your luggage to your transfer bus to take you to your resort. Please note: The porter and bus driver will each expect a tip of about $1-$2 per bag. From then on, you just sit back and enjoy the ride to your resort.

When new clients come in to the travel agency where I work to discuss travel plans, I do suggest Jamaica if I think that it would be a good fit for them. When they say in response that they don't like or so-and-so doesn't like Jamaica, I always ask if they have been there on a cruise. Often, I get a surprised look and they say “how did you know?”

This is because cruise ports are typically not the greatest, most beautiful parts of a destination. They are often working ports for shipping, so they can just be functional and nothing fancy. Also, stopping in Jamaica wasn't the best because of how the influx of passengers to the port was handled. This is changing.

One of our recent cruise clients also told us how different it was when her cruise made a stop there recently. It is now more organized! They divide you according to what you will be doing on the island, such as one group for those taking excursions, another for shoppers, another for the beach, etc. It used to be more of a “free for all” when disembarking! Also, vendors are being urged not to “pounce” on passengers the minute they are off of the ship, which was one of the complaints.

Here are a few concerns that are usually raised regarding Jamaica:

Safety in general. Just like you need to in any destination, you need to take some safety precautions. Be fully aware of your surroundings, the people around you, be alert and use common sense. Keep an eye on your belongings and firmly lock your door to your hotel room. Just because you are on vacation doesn't mean that you are on vacation from being responsible and taking care in your surroundings.

Safety in the resorts. There are resorts that are gated and employ full-time, often 24 hour security personnel. You may be required to show a guest identification card to re-enter your resort after a day of shopping or excursions. Also, some resorts such as Sandals or Beaches do not allow vendors on the resort to sell anything unless they have been screened and these vendors may not hassle the guests for sales. If they do, they are removed from the property and not allowed to come back. On my recent visit to Sandals Montego Bay, a hopeful vendor tried to get on the property via his canoe to land on their beach. (I'll give him an “e for effort”.) Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a blur as someone ran by me. It was a security guard and he ran after the vendor into the water! He ran until the water was up to his knees, all the while yelling to the vendor to leave the property immediately.

Being hassled by vendors. As you can see from above, unapproved vendors are not tolerated by security personnel at Sandals, but what if you are in town or you just arrived on a cruise ship? In the past, passengers disembarking from a cruise ship were considered fair game. In response to this (and the island's overall image), Jamaica has implemented training that starts in the elementary schools regarding tourism, how important it is to the island and how to deal with visitors in a productive and friendly way. I'm not saying that you won't get hassled at all in town or in port, but it is getting much better.

Drugs. It is true that you may be approached for drugs, but during my last visit, that wasn't the case at all. I'm not saying that this doesn't exist, however, the island has really cracked down on this activity, so it appears that it isn't as prevalent as it was in the past. If you are approached, tell them no or ignore them and they will go away.

Jamaica is one of the most laid-back islands in the Caribbean. The island operates on “island time” or “soon come”. It's a really relaxing way of life. If we adjust ourselves (especially Americans!) to that attitude, it helps a lot! Why not give Jamaica a try or another chance? I think you'll be glad you did, Mon!

More info on negril jamaica vacation rental can be found on our main site!

A quick shout out to negril rental cottage for bringing this Associated Content Post!

Negril is one of the fastest growing tourism communities in Jamaica. Located approximately fifty miles west of Montego Bay, Negril is a prime spot for vacationers seeking a little adventure on their Caribbean holiday. Here are the top resorts in Negril, Jamaica.

Grand Lido Negril Resort and Spa is a world-acclaimed resort with six outstanding restaurants featuring French or Italian cuisine, continental menus, plus breakfast and lunch buffets. Resting on miles of soft sand on Jamaica’s Southwest shore, Grand Lido Negril Resort and Spa is just next door to Hedonism II, and offers its own nude beach, complete with hot tub, bar and grill. Fine art and columns give this all-inclusive resort a pleasing elegance while the rest of the resort screams relaxation and fun. If you love adventure, you will spend your stay at Grand Lido Negril widsurfing, scuba diving, and sailing. Grand Lido Negril is the winner of the AAA 4-Diamond Award and Conde Naste Travel’s Readers Award for Best Resort in the Caribbean and Latin America. Visit http://www.superclubs.com/brand_grandlido/resort_negril/ for more information on Grand Lido Negril Resort and Spa.

If you are prude, you will want to stay away from Hedonism II. But if you are looking for a thrilling playground for adults, you have found your resort. Hedonism II is a perpetual party where inhibitions must be left at the door and nudity is the norm. If you go alone, you’ll be paired with a same-sex roommate, so try to convince a friend or a date. (Warn them there will be mirrors over the bed). One of the hottest times of year at Hedonism II (not temperature wise) is Halloween when the resort celebrates its anniversary and guests dress in sexy costumes. If you are planning on a stay at Hedonism II, get yourself to a gym and prepare to start drinking before noon. You are sure to have the most exciting and unique experience of your life. Check out Hedonism II online at http://www.superclubs.com/brand_hedonism/.

If you are looking for a resort that is a bit more family-friendly, check out ClubHotel Riu Negril. Offering four hundred and twenty deluxe guest rooms, ClubHotel Riu Negril is located on a gorgeous stretch of beach just minutes away from Negril’s shopping area and nightlife. Terrific dining and nightly entertainment are highlights of the resort. All meals and beverages, sports and activities, and entertainment are included. It is also an excellent place to plan your wedding or honeymoon. Visit ClubHotel Riu Negril online for more details at http://www.riu.com/index.php.

Enjoy your stay at one of the top resorts in Negril, Jamaica.

More info on negril rental cottage can be found on our main site!