Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/162483
TOP AND BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD, FOTOSEEKER.COM Our first stop was Negril, on the western edge of the island. The area is famous for its black cliffs, Rick's Cafe and Seven Mile Beach, while the city is known for its laid-back, anything-goes vibe. Once a quiet corner of Jamaica, Negril has been transformed by a plethora of large resorts; Sandals, Riu, Breezes and Hedonism, among others, all sit side by side on the luxurious stretch of Seven Mile Beach. The lobby of the Breezes Grand is an expansive open-air rotunda where a gentle breeze wafts through keeping guests cool and comfortable. Resort staff greeted us with smiles and cocktails as we waited to check in. The formalities quickly over, within minutes we'd shed our travel clothes for bathing suits and had our first experience of Seven Mile Beach. Voted No. 4 on the list of the world's best beaches by TripAdvisor, it didn't disappoint. Whether you're planning a honeymoon or complete destination wedding, Jamaica's all-inclusive luxury resorts have much to offer. At Breezes, the rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. The food is excellent, plentiful and with five different on-site restaurants, we were treated to a different menu every night. And, of course, the drinks and entertainment were lively and constant. The local reggae influence is everywhere and it feels as if every Jamaican has been given the gift of music and dance. The island nation also boasts one of the richest Top: A corner of and most varied landscapes in the Caribbean, with Seven Mile Beach in waterfalls, springs, rivers and streams all flowing Negril, voted No. 4 on TripAdvisor's list of best from the mountains down to the sea, so if you prefer beaches in the world. not to be resort bound, you can choose activities Middle: A quiet like river rafting, waterfall climbing and horseback walkway at the luxurious Sandals Negril. riding. Of course, if you'd rather just rock the day Bottom: A Jamaican away in a hammock under a palm, this is the place to fishing boat does double duty as a swimming live that dream. platform. Weddings at Jamaican resorts are a staple of the weekly routine. Each resort has its own wedding concierge and offers package themes ranging from simple to sublime, with oceanside gazebos, sandy beaches and manicured lawns allowing for a variety of ceremony styles. Complimentary wedding packages require a minimum number of room nights booked and you can add on, depending on your needs. Sandals has long offered a variety of wedding packages including its nowfamous Martha Stewart-branded weddings. With a minimum stay of six nights, you can enjoy their basic Beautiful Beginnings package at no extra cost, or you can choose from a variety of themes. Themed packages include all you would expect from Sandals and Martha Stewart, ranging from "Flutter of White," featuring white styling and a butterfly release, starting at US$1,600, all the way up to their "Island Paradise" theme at US$3,200. Most packages include the basics, such as ceremony officiants, flowers, cake and reception meal, but expect to pay extra for a photographer or videographer. After six days of fun and relaxation, we were ready for the next leg of our adventure. The day before we left, I negotiated a private taxi ride to Bluefields Bay Villas from the group of taxis permanently stationed outside our resort and, a little too early the next morning, we set off. Although we had pored over photos before leaving Vancouver, nothing prepared us for the unique experience of Bluefields Bay Villas. After the hustle and bustle of Negril, a short distance south, Bluefields offered a welcome retreat into Jamaica's colonial past. RE AL WED DING S. CA 101