Drink with straw and lime

What I Ate & Drank in Peru for One Week

I didn’t imagine I’d be completing my Peru series in 2024! I visited Peru in May 2022 for one day shy of a week, and it’s still one of the best experiences I’ve had in my entire life. I still think about this trip often. Oh, to be carefree in the streets of Cusco or Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu once more, to explore new cities on foot, to marvel at the architectural genius which allows ancient, colonial and modern buildings to coexist in harmony and to enjoy the rich cultural tapestry of the Peruvian people! Peru has one of the longest histories of civilization of any country, tracing its heritage back to the 10th millennium BCE. Modern Peruvian cuisine beautifully marries indigenous food with Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, North and West African immigrant influences. With that said, let’s delve into what I ate and drank in Peru.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle27 Comments

Soaring High: Three Ways to Fly in Jamaica

Since the beginning of time, humans have been fascinated by flight– perhaps because we admire the talent of winged creatures who can take to the air with ease while we can’t. However, our greatest talent is the ability to use our brains to overcome physical limitations. Thus, the first successful human flight in a powered aircraft was achieved by the Wright Brothers on December 17, 1903 in North Carolina, USA. Fast forward one century later and now flying is seen as commonplace. Flights allow the fastest movement of goods and people, but can still be enjoyed recreationally. With that said, today let’s talk about three ways to fly for fun in Jamaica: through recreational flights with the Aeronautical School of the West Indies, through parasailing, and finally through paragliding.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle24 Comments

Bluefields Organic Farm Tour, Westmoreland

Farm tours offer a multifaceted experience that benefits both individuals and communities. Among these benefits include: hands-on learning, community building, environmental awareness, cultural exchange, support for local agriculture and my favourite, a deepened connection to nature which promotes health and wellness. One place to experience a farm tour in Jamaica is at the Bluefields Organic Farm in Belmont, Westmoreland. This farm contains 2.3 acres of lush farmland and houses over 60 local and exotic fruit trees, herbs and vegetables. In turn, these trees provide refuge to dozens of birds, many of which are endemic species. Read on to learn why this farm tour deserves a spot on your Jamaican bucket list. To learn about Bluefields’ other offerings, such as their homestays and massages, click here.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle14 Comments

Bluefields Organic Farm: Connect to Nature with a Homestay in Jamaica

Jamaica is a leading Caribbean tourist destination because of its vibrant culture, delicious food, stunning landscapes and warm hospitality. In fact, of the island’s record-breaking 4.1 million visitor arrivals in 2023, 42% represented repeat visits which attests to the beauty of Jamaica and the welcoming nature of its people. The best way to experience authentic Jamaica is to stay with its people: living like they do, eating like they eat and going where they go. Read on to learn six reasons why a homestay at the Bluefields Organic Farm in western Jamaica can allow you to accomplish all that– and then some.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle14 Comments

Walk in Bob Marley’s Footsteps at These 5 Places

Reggae music was born in the streets of Kingston, Jamaica during the mid-1960s, emerging from the precursor genres of ska and rocksteady. By the end of that decade, reggae had become Jamaica’s most popular genre of music. Over the next decade, reggae expanded beyond local shores and acquired a massive fanbase in the United States, Europe and Africa. Kingston was home to Bob Marley, one of the most iconic reggae musicians in history, and so a visit to Kingston which happens to be the capital city and my hometown, offers Marley fans a unique opportunity to walk in his legendary footsteps. In this article, we explore five must-visit locations in Kingston, Jamaica for an immersive experience which traces Bob Marley’s life and legacy- the ultimate pilgrimage for fans of the reggae king. Visiting Kingston? Consider booking a Bob Marley tour day trip.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle17 Comments

Luxury Redefined at the Rockhouse Hotel in Negril

Perched on the rugged cliffs of Negril’s West End, the award-winning Rockhouse Hotel & Spa stands as a breathtaking beacon of luxury and tranquility in the westernmost corner of Jamaica. A stark departure from conventional resorts, Rockhouse boasts 40 individually designed villas and rooms stretched along the cliffside. This intimate retreat has become synonymous with unparalleled beauty, spectacular sunsets and a seamless integration of nature and fine architecture, earning it a spot on my list of Jamaica’s best boutique hotels. I was super excited for this stay, having booked it months in advance for a birthday surprise! Rockhouse met exceeded my expectations, so I thought it fitting to share my review on Adventures from Elle.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle20 Comments

Bob Marley: One Love Movie Premiere (No Spoilers!)

Bob Marley is one of the most famous Jamaicans of all time and his legacy lives on through his family and timeless music. Hailed as the King of Reggae, the Bob Marley: One Love movie celebrates his brief life from the humblest of beginnings in rural Jamaica and his eventual rise to superstardom. The movie was made in partnership with Hollywood producers and his family, and was shot in Jamaica and the UK. I was fortunate to win a fan ticket to this movie premiere via the Jamaica Observer, so here’s a review of the movie launch and why I believe this film is a must-see when it launches on February 14, 2024 in theatres worldwide. No spoilers, I promise!

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle36 Comments

Explore the Grandeur of Greenwood Great House

Perched on a hill high above Jamaica’s northwestern coast and overlooking the Caribbean Sea is the Greenwood Great House. Built by the wealthy Barrett family of UK’s Wimpole Street between 1780 and 1800, Greenwood was originally intended as a guest house. The Barretts amassed their wealth from the heinous trade of sugar and slaves, and traces of that brutality are still visible within Greenwood’s walls today. The Great House also offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the island’s elite during the 18th and 19th centuries, and houses an extensive collection of antiques as well as the island’s largest collection of rare musical instruments and plantation library books. I recently took this tour courtesy of Get Your Guide, so today, allow me to take you on a journey through time as we explore the mansion and discover the stories hidden within its well-preserved walls.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle6 Comments

Best (& Worst) Time To Visit Jamaica, As Told By A Local

Another question I get asked a lot from prospective tourists to Jamaica is “When’s the best time to visit?” It’s a very difficult question to answer (just like “which Jamaican city to visit?”) because that largely depends on personal tastes. Generally speaking, the most popular time to visit Jamaica is during the northern hemisphere’s winter months of December to April as during this period, the weather is typically dry, warm, and comfortable, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (24-29°C). However, this is also the peak tourist season for the island, so you can expect higher prices and larger crowds, especially around Christmas and New Year’s. With that said, I’ve decided to answer this question with the pros & cons of visiting Jamaica in each month of the year!

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle19 Comments

Beyond Conquest: What the Spanish Left in Jamaica

Did you know that at one point in history, Jamaica was Spanish speaking? The first Europeans to colonize Jamaica were the Spanish and they occupied the island from 1509 until 1655 when the British invaded and captured Jamaica. Though their time in Jamaica was relatively brief, Spanish colonization in Jamaica still left a lasting impact. Today, let’s talk about four legacies of former Spanish rule and settlement in Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments