Escape to a world where time stands still.
A host of activities are on offer or you may simply enjoy lounging
on the beach. Enjoy the many natural pleasures at your own pace. Lazily
raft the tranquil Rio Grande River, swim in the Blue Lagoon and explore
secluded areas.
Just
a few minutes drive takes you to the beautiful sandy beach of Frenchman's
Cove. Horseback riding along the beaches and into the countryside
is offered. The horses are brought right up to the hotel.
Discover the cool forests of the Blue Mountains where sparkling waterfalls
dazzle. Hiking with trail guides who will impart their wide range
of knowledge is an ideal way to explore this tropical paradise.
Snorkelling, scuba and fishing can be arranged. Yacht charters are
also possible and tennis and golf are available close by.
Kingston (approximately 2- 21/2 hrs from Port Antonio
one way)
While in Kingston visit:
Port Royal is a fascinating spot, worth more than a cursory visit.
Today's funky fishing hamlet was once the pirate capital of the Caribbean
and was supposedly briefly the wealthiest city in the New World. Its
inhabitants today mostly make a living from fishing. There is an old
fort and sunken artillery house, an old naval hospital, and a maritime
museum. After your tour of the fort join the locals for lunch at Gloria's
Rendezvous for fried fish and bammy. http://www.noquartergiven.net/jamaica.htm
The National Gallery The highlight of a waterfront walk. Its open
11.00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Works encompassing international
notables from the English Bloomsbury set to Contemporary Cuban painters
are represented, but above all, the gallery, part of the institute
of Jamaica, displays a fascinating collection of Jamaican works from
the 1920s to the present. http://www.instituteofjamaica.org.jm/schools/national_gallery_of_jamaica.htm
Devon House Built in 1881 by George Stibel Jamaica's first black
millionaire. The house has been restored and opened up for public
viewing. Antique lovers will find it worthwhile to poke around inside.
The courtyard has been turned into a tiny shopping area with gifts
and souvenirs shops, the I-Scream ice cream store, and Brick Oven
Bakery, which has reactivated the old oven in the original kitchen.
You can have a wonderful meal on the back terrace of the great house
which is now Norma's Restaurant , which serves a creative Caribbean
fare. http://www.jnht.com/kingston/devonhse.htm
Day trip to Kingston visiting the main attractions : US$ 167.00
for 1-2 persons with driver and return transfer from Port Antonio.
Historical sightseeing tour of Kingston with visits to Port Royal
including St. Peter’s Church, Fort Charles and the Old Naval
Hospital, tour of Devon House, 2 places of worship ( synagogue and
a historical church ) Bob Marley Museum and National Art gallery.
Price USD 127.50 per person with driver and guide, entrance tickets
and including return transportation from Port Antonio.
Ocho Rios (Driving Time to Ocho Rios is approximately
2hrs one way)
Go to experience the Reggae Explosion Museum, which gives a very
interesting introduction and insight into the history of Jamaican
Music. The Reggae Explosion is located within the Island Village
. The Island Village is a great one stop location; there are duty-free
shops with high quality souvenirs, a cinema, and a choice of restaurants.
Along the way you can stop at some of the attractions. Some of them
are:
Firefly is the former house of Noel Coward. Perched on a hilltop
about two miles west of Port Maria open daily 8:30a.m.- 5:30p.m. US$10.
It has an excellent vie of the Port Maria harbour, and you get a real
sense of Coward's lifestyle. http://www.jnht.com/st_mary/firefly.html
Scenic
Sun Valley Tours is a day tour from Port Antonio approximately 1.5
hour drive. It is located midway between Port Antonio and Ocho Rios.
At Oracabessa turn off the main coast road. Meet and walk about with
your hosts on lands steeped in history, providing a variety of tropical
fruits for over 250 years. You will enjoy strolling through a banana
plantation and experiencing first hand how this crop is grown, processed
and packaged for export. In addition you will see and learn about
the reaping and processing of coconut and its many uses. Along the
way you can sample a variety of fruits straight from the trees and
be told of the therapeutic and medicinal values of the trees and herbs
you will see. At the end of the tour a tasty Jamaican snack with a
variety of natural juices will be served.
Party on
The Roof Club 11 West Street, Port Antonio: 876-993-3817. After
11p.m. The Roof Club is a happening place, crowded with people dancing
to the hypnotic reggae and dancehall beats. Thursdays is Lady's night.
It has a fun, easygoing atmosphere.
Every night on just about any street there is a Street Party . So
if you want to party Jamaican style check out one of these.