It doesn't get much more chilled than a wedding in Jamaica. Original Travel expert Eleanor took a trip to the Caribbean to combine the celebration of a friend's nuptials with pure, unadulterated luxury...
The most exotic wedding I have ever been to...
I've just touched down from Jamaica... it was a pleasant surprise to return to English sunshine - a rare feat when coming home from holiday - but I still wanted to be back on the island.
I've been at a friend's wedding in Rio Bueno, followed by a reception, dinner and dancing under the stars and full moon in Good Hope, a sugar plantation with the most incredible views. It was the most exotic wedding I have ever been to.
Bubbly relaxation in the Caribbean
I knew what to expect having visited other islands in the Caribbean, but I was still full of smiles every day. Bob Marley played almost everywhere we went, steel bands were aplenty (and incredible at that), the people bubbly and the food delicious.
What to do in Jamaica
The island is perfect for those who just want to relax but at the same time, there's a lot to do. We went bamboo-rafting down the Martha Brae river and spent a day on the private beach where Ursula Andress appears from the sea in James Bond's 'Doctor No'... We wanted to visit the apparently magnificent waterfalls, but sadly didn't have enough time.
Pure indulgence
After a couple of days of pure indulgence and relaxation at the end (not to mention recovery from the wedding week), we headed to Round Hill, just outside Montego Bay. I still feel speechless thinking about it, but if I try very hard, I could probably sum it up as: stunning beach, charismatic staff, exquisite gardens, beautiful décor, inviting pools, sumptuous food... I could go on!
We truly relaxed and if I needed an extra injection of R&R, I could have headed to the pretty impressive Elemis Spa at the end of the hotel's beach.
Jamaica's finest legal export
On the way back to the airport, I dreamt about all the fantastic days we spent jammin' in Jamaica, and saw a sign on the side of the road informing passers-by that Appleton Rum is 'Jamaica's finest legal export'. I will leave their finest 'illegal' export to your imagination!
For more information on luxury honeymoons in Jamaica, contact Original Travel.