There are two places that I have never been to and would love to check out, and that’s Colorado and Jamaica. The mountains and outdoor activities of Colorado sound right up my alley, while the sun-drenched beaches, culinary fare and friendly people of Jamaica have always intrigued me.
So here’s two snippets of news about these bucket list travel destinations.
Go and play with the new “Spectators Not Welcome” package at Gateway Canyons Resort, an adventure retreat located in the red rock canyons of Western Colorado. Guests who book the “Spectators Not Welcome” package enjoy their choice of luxury accommodations, along with a $150 resort credit per night of stay to use for the activity or excursion of their choice. Set on more than 6,000 acres of land, adventure-seekers choose a variety of adrenaline-pumping options, such as rafting class IV rapids, mountain biking through Aspen groves and Ponderosa pines, rappelling off a canyon wall, or horseback riding through the heart of the Unaweep Canyon, to name a few. The “Spectators Not Welcome” package starts at $649 per night, and is available now through October 31, 2013. For more information, please visit www.gatewaycanyons.com.
Named by the first inhabitants as “the land of wood and water,” Jamaica’s diverse geography is an active travellers’ paradise. The topography ranges from mountains to rainforests and wetlands to beaches, and is full of off-the-beaten path offerings. Visitors seeking experiential travel opportunities can head to a surfing community or embark on daring mountain biking trails that will thrill even the most experienced riders.
A hidden surfing gem, Jamaica offers world-class surfing on the eastern end of the island in the parishes of Portland, St. Thomas and St. James. Jamaica is also home to several mountain ranges, making the destination a challenging yet rewarding mountain biking destination. It provides bikers with complex rides and sweeping views from the mountains to the turquoise waters below. Tours start high up in the mountains and take guests through lush rainforests with stops for snacks, lunch and a swim at a waterfall. This all-inclusive, all-day adventure was lauded by The New York Times as “one of the best scenic vistas in the Caribbean.” Finally, with 12 courses island-wide, several pro and pro-am competitions annually, as well as top-notch golf instruction and service, players will find a course with varying degrees of difficulty to suit their level of proficiency. There are five championship courses located around Montego Bay, and all courses have top-notch instructors waiting to help golfers shave a few strokes off their game and caddies to help navigate the course. For more information on a vacation to Jamaica, go to visitjamaica.com or visit your local travel specialist.
So go on – get packing!
Bon Voyage,
Jenn
Jenn Cox is a Montreal-based freelance journalist. Visit her website or email her at info@wordaddict.ca.
