Jamaica | Saint Lucia
Island Paradise
A sparkling collection of lush islands suspended in the Caribbean sea provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable sales incentive of executive retreat.
Jamaica
Jamaica’s 4,400 sq miles comprise a beautiful mountainous interior ringed by a necklace of golden beaches. Once the crown jewel of the British sugar empire, its coastal plains and lofty jungles are still the setting for colonnaded mansions and thriving plantations. The island has been independent for three decades, and cultivation has given way to tourism and many of the mansions are now opulent inns flanked not only by sugar fields but also by golfing greens. The northern beaches where pirates once plundered rum are now beautiful resorts.
Kingston, the capital, is a scintillating hurly-burly of a town, rich with cultural history and museums. Most visitors stay in one of the north coast resort towns of Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Farther east, Port Antonio is a peaceful romantic village with wistful traces of colonial grandeur while the south side is wilder with windswept sugar fields, winding coastline, and deserted beaches.
The climate in Jamaica is tropical with warm temperatures throughout the year although evenings are cooler as are the more hilly regions. Rainy months are May and October but showers may occur any time. The lowest rainfall occurs between January and April and the hurricane season is between July and October, though a hurricane may occasionally arise in June or November.
Saint Lucia
A multitude of adjectives spring to mind when searching for words to describe St Lucia; an exotic lush island with much to offer those who wish to interject lazy beach days with a little exploration. With some of the most overwhelmingly beautiful scenery to be found anywhere in the world, amongst the natural beauty of its splendid forests and soaring peaks are ancient fortresses, gem-like fishing villages, and gracious town squares, places waiting like buried treasure to be discovered by newcomers.
A teardrop shaped island approximately 27 miles long by 14 miles wide, St Lucia has an incredibly chequered history, changing hands more than a dozen times. A member of the British Commonwealth, the island’s official language is English. Its most spoken language, however, is a legacy of its past – an almost impenetrable French patois.
Saint Lucia’s climate is mild, with almost constant northeast trade winds. The temperature ranges from 65-85ºF from December to May and 75-95ºF from June to November. June to November is the rainy season.