A Beginner’s Guide to Booking Foreign Trips

This is a question I’ve been getting with increasing frequency over the past few months, so I thought it best to write an article in case anyone else would like some help. Jamaicans have grown increasingly more curious about the world around them in recent years, and that’s wonderful to see given our visa-free access to 90+ countries on a Jamaican passport. I plan all my trips myself because it adds to the excitement, and I get to learn about the country I’m visiting in the process. I don’t consider myself an expert because as it stands, I’ve only been to 5 countries, but read on for my advice on how to book a good trip from scratch.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle12 Comments
Sunset and fog over the mountains with bird perched on tree branch

Alpinia: An Urban Oasis In Kingston, Jamaica

As a proud native of Kingston, Jamaica, I’m always happy to show off my city. This diverse city is the capital of Jamaica, and boasts a rich vibrant culture- home to the best of the island’s music, art, food, sports and cultural events. Kingston city is closely intertwined with the parish of St. Andrew, and boasts unbridled natural beauty in its three suburban city limits. Tucked away in the city’s sublime suburbs of Stony Hill lies Alpinia– an affordable one bedroom apartment and Kingston’s newest Airbnb. Here’s why you should book Alpinia on your next visit to Kingston, Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments

5 Islands Jamaicans Can Visit Without A Passport

Did you know that several captivating islands lie within reach that Jamaicans can explore without the hassle of a passport? Jamaica has over 40 islands excluding the main landmass of Jamaica, therefore perhaps Jamaica should be described as an archipelago too, much like the Bahamas. Sure, these islands are tiny and lie within Jamaica’s waters and won’t add to your country count but they do make for a unique daytrip as each of these islands offers its own unique charm and allure. Let’s take a journey to discover the five best Jamaican islands worth exploring.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle22 Comments

6 Jamaican Rivers You Can Visit Without Leaving Kingston & St. Andrew

Jamaica is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and lush landscapes. While locals and visitors alike usually flock to the coast, the interior regions of Kingston & St. Andrew offer a treasure trove of natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Among these treasures are beautiful rivers, each with its own unique charm and allure. From cascading waterfalls to serene swimming spots, here are six rivers you can explore without a long drive, paying toll or leaving Kingston & St. Andrew.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle13 Comments

What I Ate & Drank in Ontario, Canada

Canada is easily one of the most multicultural countries in the world. As such, Canadian food is an interesting collage of dishes from several cultures, ranging from its indigenous people, 17th-18th century settlers and subsequent waves of migrants in more recent decades. What’s eaten across the country also varies by region with seafood being most popular along its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and game meat like caribou and seals being a major source of protein in the Northwest Territories. In Ontario, their diet consists of the foods which we associate with “western culture” like pancakes and burgers, but there are subtle differences distinguishing Canadian food from American food. Read on to learn more about how I explored Canada through its food & drink.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle15 Comments

Visa Free Countries for Jamaicans (2026)

I’m the proud owner of a Jamaican passport, but there’s no denying that this makes travel a bit difficult sometimes. Over the past decade, I’ve watched Jamaicans grow more curious about the world around them and I love to see it!  Jamaica has three international airports with daily flights to the USA, Canada and UK, but flights to other parts of the world, even within the Caribbean, are much more difficult and expensive to obtain. Another serious limitation is that Jamaicans often need visas which can prove expensive and unattainable. However, times are changing and the world is becoming more accessible to Jamaicans as our income and interests grow. Don’t qualify for a visa to the “Big Three” yet? No problem! Here are the places you can travel to instead and my favourite excursions, updated for 2026.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

Kingston, ON: Exploring Canada’s First Capital

You’re probably wondering. Why did a girl from Kingston, Jamaica end up in Kingston, Ontario? Or not, but I’m going to tell you anyway. My residency program allows me to do an overseas elective and through a friend, I got the opportunity to rotate with a Jamaican specialist now based in Kingston, Ontario. Most British ex-colonies share similar place names which explains why there are “Kingstons” in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Guyana and of course, my beloved Kingston, Jamaica which is a must-visit destination. That being said, before arranging this elective, I’d never heard of this Kingston before but I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. I also had the good fortune of witnessing the solar eclipse from Kingston which I wrote about separately. Read on to learn more about Kingston, Ontario.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle23 Comments

A Guide to Public Transport in Ontario

The most important (and expensive) part of booking a trip from the Caribbean is the plane ticket. After crossing that hurdle, your next thought should be how do I affordably maximize the time between departure and my return ticket home. The cheapest way to get around will always be via public transport. Taking public transport in a foreign country can feel daunting, but it’s completely doable. So, here’s my guide to public transport in Ontario, Canada and the pros and cons of taking public transportation overseas.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle11 Comments

Experience Jamaican Maroon Culture at These Three Festivals

Jamaica, with its rich history and vibrant culture, boasts numerous festivals and celebrations that are deeply rooted in its heritage. Among these are the Maroon Festivals which pay homage to the resilient spirit and traditions of the Jamaican Maroons – direct African descendants who escaped slavery and formed their own communities in the rugged interior of the island. The island’s three Maroon Festivals each offer a unique insight into Jamaica’s African cultural retention: namely the Accompong Maroon Festival, the Charles Town Maroon Festival, and Kromanti Fest. Here’s why you should pay these three festivals a visit.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle10 Comments

A Day Well-Spent in Downtown, Toronto

Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia, yet is very sparsely populated with 90% of its 40 million people living within 150 miles of its USA border. Being a holder of a Jamaican passport, I required a visa to visit and that process was very lengthy since I applied in the first few months of the pandemic. By lengthy, I mean TWO whole years. Things seem back to normal now as my partner got his within in a fortnight, so my experience was likely the exception and not the rule. Nonetheless, my multi-entry visa came through eventually and we got around to visiting three cities in Canada’s largest province of Ontario before I settled down for an observership in respirology, my main reason for visiting Canada.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle29 Comments