Already the Christmas bells are ringing and it has got you thinking what to do for the holidays. Why not try something different? Deviate from the norm and do something that is fun and relaxing instead of all that tiresome cooking and cleaning. Take the opportunity to experience Jamaica and spend Christmas in your favourite place with family or friends.

Manchester's elevated land mass and verdant surroundings make for the kind of climate - cool wintry weather that brings with it misty evenings and chilly nights - that calls for warm slices of Christmas pudding or fruitcake and a cup of special egg nog or rum punch. The parish, which is positioned between Clarendon and St Elizabeth, is a mountain retreat with vibrant culture, rich history and strong traditions that would make Christmas that more special.

Parish soul

Its capital, Mandeville, is the soul of the parish. Built in 1816, Mandeville is the seat of Manchester's history and culture. The town was named after the eldest son of the Duke of Manchester, from whom the parish got its name, and carries very vivid English traditions, hence the strong Old England charm that is evident in the streets and lanes of this town. However, it was the emergence of the bauxite industry in the 1940s that provided traction for the rapid development of the parish. Though the physical characteristics of Mandeville has changed in some ways as a result of the heavy commercial traffic that now permeates the soul of the town, more than a trace of the charm and tranquility remains. You will still find the cool mountain breezes, what's left of the green untouched hillsides and clean surroundings a pleasant experience. At the same time, you will be close enough to feel the vibrations of the urban buzz that is synonymous with Christmas activities.

There are several places that offer very comfortable and affordable accommodation in Manchester. The Mandeville Hotel, which has been around for almost as long as the town, offers 60 colourful and comfortable rooms spread over four acres.

The hotel, which was built on the site of the 18th-century British garrison's hill station barracks, is located in the heart of Mandeville on Hotel Street, across from the elegant Georgian courthouse.

"We think of ourselves as an oasis right in the middle of a very bustling, growing town," Tanielle Elliott, sales and marketing manager, said in describing the Mandeville Hotel. "So once people come off the streets, we hope to give you relaxation, rest and rejuvenation."

The Mandeville Hotel invites guests to celebrate the holidays with an affordable 'Retreat to the Hills' bed and breakfast package. During the Yuletide season, guests also have the option of a four-course three-meat lunch or dinner, available daily in The Arches Restaurant. Jamaican Christmastime favourites like sorrel, glazed ham, rice and gungo peas and rich fruitcake are included on the seasonal menu.

Expansive views

The Golf View Hotel on Caledonia Avenue, which offers expansive views of the oldest golf course in the Western Hemisphere at the Manchester Club, is another excellent place to celebrate Christmas. It too is situated in the middle of the town and offers quick and easy access to the holiday excitement in the town centre. They offer 77 rooms and suites - all brightly decorated and handsomely furnished. The menu is wide ranging and tailor-made to suit the request of guests. So you can bet that your favourite Christmas delicacies will be available.

"We understand our clients' needs, we are flexible and we offer personalised services where we go the extra mile to satisfy our clients' needs," said the hotel's front-office supervisor, Ann Marie Williams.

"Golf View is family-oriented, centrally located and offers good customer service," she added.

This article is produced in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.