Family and friends enjoy a picnic at Emancipation Park. The park has become one of the Corporate Area's most popular green areas to relax and unwind. -Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Andrea Downer, Gleaner Writer

Summer is here and, with children out of school, both in the island and overseas, many families will take the opportunity to reunite and bond, and what better place to do it than during a weekend getaway at a five-star resort or a secluded private villa on the beach?

Some families, depending on their earning power, have an annual vacation pencilled into their budget; others scrimp and save just to get a weekend away from the regular confines and doldrums of home. Jamaica is marketed as a paradise to potential visitors from overseas, however, many of our residents yearn to go to foreign countries for vacations. This summer, resolve to discover Jamaica!

A glance through the Yellow Pages of the island's telephone directory under hotels or guest houses will reveal a slew of choices.

The Hilton hotel, in the heart of Kingston, promises a golf and spa package beginning a US$99.00 per person. The hotel's website, www.hilton.com, offers a tempting array of vacation packages that include a Discover Kids Package, Romance Package and a BounceBack Weekend Getaway package, among others.

Away from the metropolis

But if you want to get away from the busy metropolis, pack your bags and don't forget your bikinis and brave the now widened Mount Rosser, pass the aroma- filled air at Faith's Pen, snake through the twists and turns of Fern Gully and, just as you enter Ocho Rios, the Crane Ridge Resort towers to the far left, it's pearl white turrets jutting out of the green hills creating a picturesque backdrop to the resort town of Ocho Rios. Rooms at Crane Ridge start at J$6,000 per night, which include a continental breakfast. Their two-bedroom suites are for J$12,000 per night, which also includes continental breakfast.

Ocho Rios also caters to the high-end of the vacation market and is home to a number of resorts, including the Sandalsall-inclusive chain. Their family resort, Boscobel Beach Hotel, on the border of St. Mary and St. Ann, offers a child's delight of cartoon characters and fun-filled days of activities, hosted by the Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Elmo. The Sunset Jamaica Grande is also a perfect family getaway and its location in the heart of Ocho Rios, makes shops, restaurants, the world famous Dunn's River Falls and the popular attraction, Dolphin Cove, easily accessible to its guests.

Quaint guest houses

But Ocho Rios is also famous for its quaint guest houses, villas and many of them come equipped with most of the amenities that are available in the five-star hotels for a fraction of the cost. Chrisann's Beach Resort in Tower Isle, St. Mary has a large swimming pool bordered by one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Steps leading from the pool lead down to the beach and the resort sits on the busy Tower Isle Road, which makes it easily accessible. On the other side of Ocho Rios, the coastline in Mammee Bay is lined with secluded guest houses with winding steps down to the beach. Guest houses and villas are also strewn along the main road leading out of Ocho Rios into St. Ann's Bay, Falmouth. Greenwood on the outskirts of Montego Bay and the Second City, have thier own mix of vacation accommodations that are usually full to overflowing during the peak of the winter tourist season or when calendar entertainment events are being held, such as the annual Jazz Festival and Sumfest.

Negril, with its close to nature allure, is also home to a number of five-star hotel chains including the Riu hotels. The resort town at the western end of the island, which now also boasts a water park, promises one of the "most diverse water park experiences in the Caribbean, supplemented with amusement and entertainment facilities". Its website, koolrunnings.com/homenew.htm, says the water park is loaded with a lot of fun and excitement for the entire family. Group rates are J$1,500 per person and J$1,800 per person for individuals which includes all amenities of the park, except meals.

But if you live in Kingston and you really don't want to venture very far from home, Hope Gardens, with its vast acreage, is still a viable option for many. The gardens is still the venue for many picnics and late afternoon lovers' trysts. The quaint bridges, which span a meandering stream with trellis climbing the overhead arches, add a romantic twist to the facility. Large, brooding trees offer dependable shade from the punishing summer sun and also add an air of mystery to the otherwise innocent landscape.

Recently constructed Park

Teachers enjoying themselves at Kool Runnings Water Park in Negril. - File

The recently constructed Emancipation Park is definitely a crowd favourite and is a welcoming respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. At night, soft lights strategically placed around the park and foliage which dot the lawns provide just enough privacy for stolen kisses and shared confidences. The fountain, when switched on, is still definitely the main attraction of that open-air space and its frothy fingers reaching skywards before crashing back into the pool captivates many who visit the park and has held park goers enthralled for hours. Just across from the park is the Kiddy's fun land, Putt 'n' Play Mini Golf Park. Its miniature golf course, simulation rides and merry-go-round with miniature horses can keep children occupied and stimulated for hours.

The historical grounds of Devon House has its own appeal to persons on summer vacation who are at loose ends. Famous Devon House ice cream is the signature offering of the facility and the brick oven offers pastry, while two world famous restaurants offer delectable fare in a romantic setting.

Summer is here and Jamaica has unending possibilities!

andrea.downer@gleanerjm.com