Best in Travel: why Jamaica rules

Jamaica is welcoming and warm, way beyond the weather. View in browser   [facebook]( [instagram]( [TikTok](   PICTURE YOURSELF IN… Jamaica [Treasure beach] Soak up the sun in Treasure Beach Happy New Year, travel people! I am semi-refreshed in Brooklyn after spending the holiday with my family in Bend, Oregon – and I am, as ever, filled with anticipation for my annual January trip to Jake’s Treasure Beach in [Jamaica]( with my two bosom friends (👋Jules and Claude). Whether they live there, visit frequently or have only been once, every time I talk about Jamaica with someone, there’s a lot of emotion. Jamaica is an island of love, and not just the hand-holding, beach-prancing performance of romantic love that you see in Sandals commercials. I’m talking about a deep, soulful connection to a place. “One Love” is not just a tagline. It’s the truth. When we selected Jamaica as one of this year’s [Best in Travel]( (and an ideal place to visit in winter), I was over the moon to talk to our Kingston-based writer, the delightful, gifted and born-and-raised Jamaican Sheri-kae McLeod. You can’t talk to Sheri-kae and not want to go to Jamaica immediately. I remain struck by one of the last things she said to me before we hung up: “No weh nuh betta than yaad,” a Jamaican patois saying that translates to “There is nowhere I would rather live.” Same here, Sheri-kae. Same here. [Brekke Fletcher] Brekke Fletcher   Director, Newsletter Content           [Mardi Gras]     Featured Story Four days to unwind in Jamaica For our 2023 Best in Travel list, Sheri-kae created a four-day plan for seeing all of Jamaica’s top spots, including some picks that are near and dear to her heart. [Read more](   Immerse yourself A visit to Jamaica can take many forms. We've got you covered with some practical advice paired with Sheri-kae's insider recommendations. [View all stories]( [Best Things to do]( From hitting the beach to soaking up the history and architecture found across the island, here are the best experiences in Jamaica. [Read more]( Local tip: Devon House is the perfect place in Kingston for lunch or dessert from the famous Devon House bakery. Renovations are underway, but some green spaces are still accessible. [Best Places to Visit]( Jamaica’s 14 unique parishes encourage a slower type of travel: a languid day at the beach, a pre-dawn hike to Blue Mountain Peak or an afternoon in Kingston’s Trench Town. [Read more]( Local tip: Portland is the most beautiful, untouched parish in Jamaica. You don’t want to be rushed, so plan a stay at [Geejam]( a charming boutique hotel in Port Antonio. [Things to Know]( Learning the nation’s unspoken rules and etiquette goes a long way toward helping you understand what makes Jamaica such a remarkable place. [Read more]( Local tip: It’s always smart to have a few Jamaican dollars on hand when you explore outside of the resort. And tip liberally. It’s not expected, but always appreciated. Ask an Insider Read on for excerpts from my recent conversation with local insider and Lonely Planet writer, Sheri-kae McCleod. Tell me a little about yourself. I was born and raised in Jamaica, and I still live here in Kingston. I’m a travel writer, and I’ve been doing that for eight years. I started out writing about the Bahamas, then it was kind of obvious that there’s no better place for me to write about than my home. How would you describe life in Jamaica? You don’t worry about anything. When they say everything is “irie,” that is the spirit of the entire island. I cannot put into words how such a tiny island of 3 million people has this massive impact globally: the culture, the food, the music, the people themselves. Everything here is so warm. [Bio image] "The thing about Jamaica is you’ll meet a friend wherever you go." Any favorite places to eat? I would go to Hellshire Beach, especially if you’re a seafood lover. I recommend Prendy’s for fish and Romair’s right next door for lobster. Look out for the legendary parties at Sugarman’s Beach as well. Are there any Jamaican films or books you recommend? The Harder They Come is the most classic Jamaican film. The soundtrack to that was also pretty amazing. The title song is from Jimmy Cliff. Marlon James is amazing. His A Brief History of the Seven Kills details Bob Marley’s assassination attempt. And Kei Miller’s stories are authentically Jamaican. Augustown is a personal favorite, named after a community in Kingston. And How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs gives a great perspective of Jamaican culture from a diaspora point of view. Watch this space for more deep dive's into select destinations chosen from Lonely Planet's 2023 Best in Travel list, including recommendations form local experts to inspire and to help you plan your next trip. [Read more]( Love travel inspiration in your inbox? Share with a fellow travel-lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking [here.](   This email was sent to you by: Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 © 2022 Lonely Planet [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](