I thought deciding on where to go for vacation would be the easy part. So, with a little extra cash and some American Airlines miles, my girlfriend and I decided a trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, would fit the bill.

Two purposes for the vacation: to get away from the work-a-day-world stress and tension, and to explore a new place in the world. We Googled all the touristy things to do and planned our six days and seven nights pretty tightly. Dunn's River Falls, the botanical gardens, the rain forest, a little sun time and shopping. Best of all was the food and drink plans at some of the island's best -- Jimmy Buffets' Margaritaville was a must. Also went to a place named Bibibips, a dinner house with an abundance of ambience overlooking the ocean (a great place for jerk chicken).