The depressed winter season is over and it’s officially spring! Summer is rapidly approaching and so is my jam-packed travel schedule.  Here in DC its cool and rainy, but I’m wearing a tan and smile I brought back from Jamaica.  I needed a quick long weekend getaway to get me through the rain and into the hustle and bustle of my favorite time of year – travel season!  Here’s a quick snapshot into  my summer trip kick0ff:

We only had three days for the trip, so in order to take full advantage, we booked an all-inclusive at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, right outside of Montego Bay.  A resort with a beach, swim-up pool bar, lazy river, water slide, golf course, and multiple restaurants, we had all we needed and didn’t leave the resort once! We lived off of frozen cocktails to keep us cool in the heat, my favorites being the Dirty Banana (see a version here), and the No Problem (recipe here).  Because in Jamaica, everything is easy and nothing’s a problem! When it comes to food make sure to try Jamaican Jerk Chicken, fresh fruits (mangoes!) and juices, and they have pretty decent coffee. 

Advice to those that may go: Make sure to bring SPF 50 or higher.  It is right near the equator and two days walking around with a head-to-toe sunburn were not a picnic.  Also, if you have the opportunity to stay a bit longer, there are a bunch of excursion opportunities that we missed, including the Dunns River Falls, which I hear is incredible.

I’m setting a goal for myself to travel to at least one new country every other year and a new city each year.  Jamaica was my country for 2013 (so far…I may try to squeeze Germany in there at some point). Next stop, Louisville, Kentucky for a friend’s wedding.  Just missed the Derby, but I can’t wait to immerse myself in the culture/food experience!