By Myrtle Dwyer
CJ Contributor
Montego Bay — a Caribbean classic. The Jamaican tourism stronghold remains a major draw for travelers, with adventures to satisfy any area of travel desire. Here are five of my favourites.
Spa Unwind Must
You are jet-lagged, still a bit frozen from the polar vortex or you are tired from Caribbean Marketplace preparation? No problem, you have found yourself in the ideal place to restore and rejuvenate your body! There are many spas located within the vicinity of the Montego Bay Conference Center and your hotel. Visit The Fern Tree Spa at Half Moon A RockResort (If you are not already staying there) and you will be delighted to find a 68,000 square-feet sanctuary offering signature treatments fused with both modern spa techniques and ancient remedies. Or, take a relaxing drive to Round Hill Hotel and Villas (If you are not already there) and allow yourself to be transformed at The Spa with the Round Hill Signature Hot Stone Massage that uses heated stones taken from the Caribbean Sea, this will definitely thaw any Polar Vortex.
Culinary Must
Visit Scotchie’s in Rose Hall and try one of the many dishes including my personal favourite, Jerk Conch and Roast Breadfruit! Located on the Rose Hall strip, Scotchie’s is only a few minutes from the Conference center and is both a local and visitor favourite. The ambiance is very relaxed, authentic Jamaican irie vibe, so leave your iEverything in your hotel room and come make new friends while delighting in some truly good Jamaican cuisine!
The “You Did What” Must
Take a night tour at Rose Hall Great House. Rose Hall Great House was the home of the infamous Anne Palmer, known to many as the “White Witch of Rose Hall”. Rumoured to have killed her two husbands, Anne Palmer was known to enjoy riding wildly throughout her estate at night while dressed in all white. Many feared her and when she died, they said her spirit remained at Rose Hall Great House and even today there are stories of sightings and strange mishaps. What better time to explore this haunted mansion that at night? Imagine the selfie you could take with the ghost of Annie Palmer for Instagram! That will definitely get you many likes!
The Beach With Health Twist Must
Visit Doctor’s Cave Beach and get healthy. With the new year, you have made many resolution including “I will be Healthy”, correct? Well here is your chance to jumpstart this resolution. Doctor’s Cave beach is an oasis of calm amidst the “Hip Strip” and got its name because a very ill Doctor found himself completely healed after daily dips. He shouted his experience from the “mountain top” and the beach became a renowned natural healing destination! Visit, take a dip and fulfill at least one resolution for 2014.
The Nature Must
Rafting at Mountain Valley. Jamaica is a lush tropical paradise and it would be unfortunate to visit and not experience our natural side. Just a few minutes south west of Montego Bay is the Mountain Valley River Raft and Plantation. Nature is in its full splendor here, the drive up is very picturesque but rafting downhill on the river is the ultimate nature experience only made better with the free and very enjoyable entertainment from your skilled rafts’ man. And oh, by the way, at the end of this nature tour are some very delicious home-made pina coladas, made with fruits from the plantation.
Myrtle Dwyer, OD, is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Glamour Destination Management, the official on-site partner in Jamaica for Virtuoso, Ensemble Group, and Travel Leaders.