The "...fairest isle that eyes ever beheld; the land seems to touch the sky..." or so said Christopher Columbus when he landed on Jamaica in 1494. With the dramatic Blue Mountains rising majestically over the eastern end of the island and dropping swiftly to the coastline edged with gold and silver sands, you can see what he meant.

The third largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica has had a colourful and tumultuous past, and gained its independence from Britain in 1962. Traces of colonial rule can be seen in the Churches and Great Houses, but Jamaica has moved on and developed its own unique West Indian culture.

The north coast, stretching 146 miles from east to west, has the most beautiful beaches and has long been a favourite holiday destination for visitors. Individual towns and holiday resorts have grown up along this coastline, each with their own distinctive characteristics.

Getting About
Jamaica is a lot bigger than it looks and distances between towns are lengthy. For example, it takes approximately two hours from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, and another two and a half hours to reach Port Antonio on the east coast. However, the scenery you encounter on the way is stunning and the colours vivid. Car hire is easily arranged and a valid British driving licence is required. Alternatively, tours to the main attractions are available through Tropical Places representatives.

Places to visit
Montego Bay
Jamaica's second city, Montego Bay - or Mo'Bay as it is widely known - was one of the first areas to be established as a holiday resort, and boasts some of the best restaurants and clubs. The downtown area is vibrant, colourful and noisy, with reggae music at every turn. Sam Sharpe Square marks the centre of town, and is a monument to the slave who led the 1831 slave rebellion. The square also holds The Cage, built to hold runaway slaves, and is now a restaurant. Browse through the arts and craft market, and duty-free shops which spread along the main coast road, and then stroll down to the beaches to soak up the sun.

Negril
Renowned for its seven mile stretch of fine white sand, Negril, once a sleepy fishing village is now a thriving holiday resort. Relaxed and laid-back, a legacy from its earlier hippy days, no hotel can be built higher than the tallest palm tree - by law. Claimed to have the best sunsets anywhere in Jamaica, sit at famous Ricks Cafe, sip a rum punch and decide for yourself.

Runaway Bay
Scattered along a two mile stretch of coast, with sandy beaches and rocky coves on one side, and lush green hills on the other, Runaway Bay is a small collection of bars, shops and hotels, most within walking distance of each other. From this area you can go rafting down the Martha Brae River (approximately one hour's drive away) or take a tour through the Blue Mountains. There is an excellent golf course nearby.

Ocho Rios
A small, yet busy tourist town, Ocho Rios has many splendid beaches stretched along its coast. It is also an ideal base for visiting some of the island's most attractive sights. The most famous of them all is Dunn's River Falls. Start at the beach and climb up a series of cascading waterfalls and crystal clear pools to reach the top 600ft above. Guides are available to help you make the slippery ascent. Firefly, the house where Noel Coward spent the last twenty years of his life, has recently been reopened after suffering severe storm damage in 1988. The house offers a fascinating insight into the life of the playwright, and the views from his house are spectacular.