Two beach chairs await two lucky travelers along beautiful Negril Beach.

Ganja dealers wave their wares through a hole in the wall at the Bob Marley house and mausoleum in Nine Mile.

Billy’s Grassy Park, a side of the road eatery about thirty minutes east of Whitehouse, serves up genuine Jamaica cooking. Look for fiery peppered shrimp caught behind the kitchen. After a meal, step next door for fresh coconut jelly.

Here are some more details:

• Book by August 3, 2011.
• Dates and air credit vary by resort. May not apply to all Breezes Resorts & Spas.
• Air credit is a package discount. Not all resorts offer up to $630 discount.
• Valid only at Breezes Resorts & Spas in Jamaica (as well as The Bahamas, Curacao & Brazil).
• Discount is per room, based on double occupancy.
• Discount is taken off the total cost of the package at the time of booking. The price shown online already reflects the applicable discount.
• Restrictions and blackout dates may apply.
• This offer is subject to change, extension or cancellation at any time without notice. Information accurate at time of printing. Not responsible for errors or omissions.
• This offer cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.

For More Information:

• visit http://www.breezes.com/specials/2011/06/23/up-to-630-air-credit/

OK, we have to admit we’re behind on the Zumba craze. (If you, too, aren’t familiar with Zumba, the video above will explain more. The short explanation: Zumba is a workout set to Latin and international music.)

If you love Zumba, you’ll love the special Wellness & Zumba Week planned at Breezes Runaway Bay (always one of our favorite resorts). Scheduled for August 14 – 21, 2011, the week features certified instructor Linda A. Robinson leading daily complimentary Zumba and Pilates classes for guests of all activity levels.

After your workout, you’ll be able to enjoy a “healthy eating” break featuring an assortment of exotic fruits and nutritious snacks. Also, travel, food and spa editor and author Babbie De Derian will share highlights of her new book Outsmart Mother Nature, and teach guests what it takes to be “Fabulous at Every Age…Through a Lifetime of Changes.”

For More Information:

• visit http://www.breezes.com/specials/2011/06/28/wellness-zumba-week/

A woodcarver puts the finishing touches on a carving sold on Negril Beach.

Activities: During the Emancipation Jubilee, bamboo torches will illuminate the historic Seville Great House and Heritage Park. Live performances are planned of African traditional folk music and dance, which led to the birth of reggae music. Participants at the event will have the opportunity to examine cultural artifacts, learn the art of weaving baskets and sample Jamaica’s authentic cuisine. Additionally, popular local reggae and gospel artists, award-winning Kingston Drummers, the dynamic Children of the Drums, Stella Maris Dance Ensemble and other traditional music and dance groups will perform throughout the late night festivities.

When: July 31, 2011; Emancipation Jubilee begins at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Seville Great House and Heritage Park

Price: Tickets are available for US$12 for adults, US$6 for children and are available for purchase on-site.

For more information:

• visit http://www.visitjamaica.com/events/emancipation-jubilee-2011.aspx

We’ve just received word that Sandals Resorts International’s “Companion Flies Free” promotion has been extended.

If you book an air-inclusive, minimum six-night stay at Sandals Resorts or Beaches Resorts from now through September 1, 2011, you’ll receive a companion coach-class air ticket free of charge. The offer excludes government taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security Fee of up to $145 of the companion air ticket. This offer doesn’t include Sandals Carlyle in Montego Bay.

Dates: Valid for travel September 1, 2011 through December 28, 2011 at Sandals Resorts and September 1, 2011 through December 21, 2011 at Beaches Resorts (blackout dates may apply).

Details: The program is applicable to coach-class air tickets booked from the Continental US.

For More Information:

• call 1-800-SANDALS or 1-800-BEACHES
• visit www.sandals.com or www.beaches.com

The Fine Print for Sandals Stays: Companion Flies Free offer is valid for new Continental U.S. air-inclusive bookings for a limited time only made June 30, 2011 until September 1, 2011, for travel 9/1/11-12/28/11 to any Sandals Resort, excluding Sandals Carlyle. Bookings require a 6 paid-night minimum. Maximum one companion flies free ticket per room. Excludes government taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security Fee, up to a total of $145, which must be paid at time of booking and are fully non-refundable. Baggage fees may vary based on airline and may not be included.  Cancellation of hotel booking will result in cancellation of all associated airline tickets. Cancellation penalties may include fees up to the cost of two airline tickets, inclusive of government taxes & fees, plus any applicable land cancellation fees. Both passengers must be booked for the same flight and itinerary cannot include voluntary stopovers. Offer is combinable with other consumer saving promotions.  Offer not valid for Business or First class airfare and any other air or instant credit offers. Customers wishing to change dates of travel after ticketing must pay any applicable airline change fees for each passenger plus any increase in the ticket price for the new date.  Maximum Sandals Select point redemption per reservation is 20,000 Sandals Select points valued at $500.00 USD. Offer not combinable with any other double point promotions including SSG30. Unique Vacations, Inc., reserves the right to verify all accounts prior to adjusting reservations. Limit one redemption reservation per member. Booking names must match the Sandals Select Membership account or it will be null and void. Offer is subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. May not be applicable to groups. Blackout dates may apply.

The Fine Print for Beaches Stays:  Companion Flies Free offer is valid for new Continental U.S. air-inclusive bookings for a limited time only made June 30, 2011 until September 1, 2011, for travel 9/1/11-12/28/11 to any Sandals Resort, excluding Sandals Carlyle, and for travel 9/1/11-12/21/11 to any Beaches Resort. Bookings require a 6 paid-night minimum and double occupancy. Maximum one companion flies free ticket per room, regardless of number of room guests; companion airfare applicable only to adults age 16 and older. Excludes government taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security Fee, up to a total of $145, which must be paid at time of booking and are fully non-refundable. Baggage fees may vary based on airline and may not be included.  Cancellation of hotel booking will result in cancellation of all associated airline tickets. Cancellation penalties may include fees up to the cost of all airline tickets, inclusive of government taxes & fees, plus any applicable land cancellation fees. Both passengers must be booked for the same flight and itinerary cannot include voluntary stopovers. Offer is combinable with other consumer saving promotions. Offer not valid for Business or First class airfare and any other air or instant credit offers, or waived single supplement offer. Customers wishing to change dates of travel after ticketing must pay any applicable airline change fees for each passenger plus any increase in the ticket price for the new date. Maximum Sandals Select point redemption per reservation is 20,000 Sandals Select points valued at $500.00 USD. Offer not combinable with any other double point promotions including SSG30. Unique Vacations, Inc., reserves the right to verify all accounts prior to adjusting reservations. Limit one redemption reservation per member. Booking names must match the Sandals Select Membership account or it will be null and void.  Offer is subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. May not be applicable to groups. Blackout dates may apply.
***Based on a six night stay at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort for arrival in September.

Photo courtesy Sandals Resorts

When: Nov. 13-20, 2011

Where: Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay

Video

A video from the 2008 Restaurant Week of Evita’s; one of numerous Restaurant Week videos from the Jamaica Gleaner:

For More Information:

• visit www.go-jamaica.com/rw

When: Oct. 29, 2011