Sandals Resorts got busy promoting weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean during the recent Caribbean Travel and Cultural Fair which took place at the Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Terminal in New York City earlier this month.

During the event, Sandals launched a new interactive online wedding designer application for couples planning tailor-made Caribbean weddings at Sandals Resorts.

The new user-friendly app named, Your Wedding, Your Style, allows loved-up couples to customise their destination weddings with the help of an online wedding portal where more than 7,000 photographs have been uploaded. Users can then choose their flowers,colour scheme, decor, place cards, the wedding cake and much more.

Speaking at the Caribbean event, Sandals CEO Adam Stewart, said: “The new bride is tech-savvy so we were forced to move away from packaged weddings. Brides have the option to have their destination wedding, reception and honeymoon planned online or over the phone.”

The event also held a contest where military couples from the United States were invited to submit an essay stating why they deserved a Caribbean wedding at a Sandals Resort. The finalists gathered in Vanderbilt Hall for an official bouquet toss for the chance to win a WeddingMoon of their choice. Maria and Jason Yates from New Jersey caught the bouquet and they chose a Jamaica wedding worth $8,000.

Mr Stewart announced a surprise to the disappointed couples just after the bouquet toss that they would all receive free Caribbean honeymoons at a Sandals Resort.

Sandals Resorts offers plenty of idyllic spots for romantic Caribbean weddings and the hotel group has luxury resorts in tropical destinations including St Lucia, Antigua, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Couples getting married abroad at Sandals Resorts can choose from a several settings for their island nuptials including soft sandy beaches for intimate beach weddings at sunset, nuptials within lush tropical gardens, or ceremonies in grand ballrooms.

The new interactive app is just one of the programmes that is available from the Sandals Resorts official website and hopeful brides and grooms will also be able to plan their destination weddings with the help of wedding guru, Martha Stewart. Wedding packages include including Flutter of Romance, Seaside Serenade, Island Paradise, Vision in White and Chic & Natural.

“I think we have another big hit on our hands. Our Martha Stewart wedding packages helped to put Sandals weddings on the global market. With this new product, I’m certain brides will find a Sandals wedding an attractive option. Every day at Sandals we go to work to make it better for two people in love, that’s what Sandals is about,” added Mr Stewart.

The Famagusta area of Cyprus covers a large part of the Islands East coast and includes the town of Paralimni. Originally the town of Famagusta itself would have lain at the heart of the district but alas it now lies in total dereliction. In fact it has been labeled a ghost town and not without good reason. In 1974 Turkey invaded Northern Cyprus and Famagusta town was where they halted that invasion. The once proud holiday resort portion of the town now lies partly enclosed within the buffer zone between the North and South. This area is patrolled by a United Nations peace keeping force and the larger part of Famagusta resort is now totally inaccessible. Tourist can however visit the Turkish side of the Island and see for themselves the crumbling ruins of this once prestigious holiday resort.

Close to the border with northern Cyprus is the village of Kapparis which at one time was the last stop on the main coastal road to Famagusta town. Over the years kapparis has grown into a thriving resort with bars, restaurants and supermarkets lining the main street. There has also been huge property development in the resort recently which in turn has led to an influx of holiday home buyers most of who are British. In fact Kapparis has earned itself the nickname “little Britain” in light of the many Brits who have settled there. It is also one of the few holiday resorts on the Islands West coast that stays open all year round. So if you love genuine fish and chips or a Chinese take away Kapparis is the ideal place to take your Cyprus holidays.

About two miles down the road is one of Famagusta’s gems, a sleepy little holiday resort called Pernera which nestles against the coast just below a small hill. You would be surprised how many people don’t even know that it’s there and pass straight by on the main road. The resort has plenty of great places to eat and it really is a great family resort. It’s got plenty to offer without being too brash which is probably why those who have discovered it return year after year. The safe sandy bays are perfect for bathing and the clear blue Mediterranean waters make them great for snorkeling. Most of the bars provide evening entertainment and there are some real nice restaurants that won’t charge you the earth either. If you are in the mood for finger food the Southern fried chicken is worth a visit and there’s even a pizza hut too.

Right next door to Pernera is her big sister Protaras with it’s long strip and huge beach. There are literally hundreds of bars and restaurants on the resort making it ideal for those who prefer a lively holiday. A visit to the fig tree bay area is highly recommended especially if you enjoy all kinds of water sports such as paracending and water skiing. You can even hire a powerboat by the hour and take to the high seas yourself. The choice of places to eat is nothing short of bewildering with just about every kind of cuisine on offer somewhere including the obligatory Macdonalds. The resort is modern and clean with everything you need in one place making it an ideal family resort.

Twenty minutes drive away is the largest resort in the Famagusta area, Agia Napa the party capital of Cyprus. If you want night life then Agia Napa is the place to be. It’s not just about partying until dawn though because the resort is also great for families and the beaches are magnificent. There’s a bustling harbor too that’s shared by modern pleasure cruisers and traditional fishing boats. If you turn up there early enough you could even buy some sea fresh fish for your dinner. The town itself has plenty to offer in the way of shops and restaurants of every kind. If you are feeling adventurous there is the famous Nissi beach area with it’s bungie jump crane and a whole lot more besides. Don’t forget that Agia Napa also boast one of the best water parks in Europe too where you can scare yourself witless on the giant water slides.

With some great resorts and the main town of Paralimni the Famagusta area of Cyprus has something for everyone. If you fancy a spot of retail therapy Paralimni town is a great place to shop with plenty of boutiques and even a Marks and Spencers. Afterwards you can relax in one of the trendy cafe bars dotted around the pretty town square or quench your thirst with a cool beer in one of the many tavernas. There are several large supermarkets that sell everything from tea bags to furniture and much more besides. Look out for the bakeries that are springing up all over the place. They are open 24 hours and sell all those essential items like bread and milk plus some calorie laden goodies for those with a sweet tooth. Enjoy your holidays and enjoy visiting the Famagusta area of Cyprus.

Kevin Moore lives half the year in Cyprus and writes regular articles about all things Cyprus including holidays and Cyprus property purchase. Check out his web site Cyprus Info Here

Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts has added a new hotel in Cuba to its portfolio with the scheduled launch of the Memories Varadero Beach Resort this May. The luxury four-star resort will open its doors to tourists taking Cuba holidays on 1st May, 2012 after the property was refurbished and rebranded.

Formerly known as the Sirenis La Salina, the property has 1,035 rooms and suites and it is situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Varadero, Cuba. Memories Varadero Beach Resort offers plenty of activities for the younger guests to enjoy throughout their holidays to Cuba including a Kids Club and Baby Club, two children’s swimming pools and daily entertainment.

Facilities and activities at the all inclusive hotel include three tennis courts, a spa and salon, a disco, Jacuzzi, two adults swimming pools, fitness centre, multi-sport court, beach volleyball, and watersports such as windsurfing, pedal-boating, snorkelling, scuba diving, and catamaran cruises.

Guests can upgrade to Diamond Club, which offers a personalised check-in/check-out service, including early check-in and late check-out; private access to the Diamond VIP Lounge; an exclusive beach area with beach butler service; and a dedicated concierge service.

The hotel boasts eight gourmet restaurants with a wide range of international cuisine such as Italian, Creole, Mexican, and Japanese, and there are eight bars and lounges where visitors can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or fruit juice.

Varadero Beach is situated in the province of Matanzas on the Hicacos Peninsula on the north coast of the Caribbean island of Cuba. The region is one of the most popular destinations for holidays in Cuba with more than 20km of pristine white sand beaches and several luxury beachfront Cuba hotels.

The area features beautiful natural landscapes include the Bellamar Caves and idyllic virgin cays and during holidays in Varadero, travellers can go scuba diving and snorkelling in the turquoise crystal-clear water; sailing and deep sea fishing; play golf against the backdrop of the sparkling ocean; and take excursions to explore Cardenas City.

The beach resort is a great place for a family holiday in Cuba with an array of museums, white sand beaches, and parks and fun attractions including the Delfinario, a natural pool for dolphins.

Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts operates several all inclusive resorts across the Caribbean and Latin America under “Memories Beach Resorts” and “Royalton Luxury Resorts” brands.

Looking for a golf included, scuba included vacation? Or how about an all inclusive luxury resort providing all these facilities in the middle of the beautiful pristine waters of the Caribbean? The Sandals All inclusive luxury resorts provides the perfect getaway! Golf, scuba diving and water sports galore. If youre looking for an adventure filled holiday, Sandals is the perfect spot for you!

Golf And More Golf

If youre looking for a vacation filled with a whole lot of golf, then Sandals challenging golf courses in Jamaica and St. Lucia will have you sweating it out! These green globe certified luxury resorts. The Sandals Golf and Country Club is huge, with 18 holes and a yardage of 6502!

Its scenic location at a height of 750 feet among the hills of the Ocho Rios makes it a perfect place to admire natures beauty AND play your favorite sport! If youre looking for a golf included vacation, then this is definitely up to the mark, to say the least! Oh and did I mention that tipping is completely optional?

Theres more golf from Sandals at St. Lucia too! This course however is smaller with just about nine holes and a yardage of 2475.

But in no way is it any less challenging because it is set among rolling hills and challenging fairways! If youre a Sandals guest, green fares is included for you! So when I said golf included, I meant it! There are also complimentary PGA golf clinics on the properties of these all inclusive luxury resorts!

Scuba Included Too!

Luxury included vacations at the Sandals all inclusive luxury resorts are made even more special because they come with scuba included packages. You can enjoy he most amazing dives in the Caribbean and all with the help of the guidance of certified professionals, not to mention high quality equipment! In fact, if youre a newbie, you can also learn diving to a depth of 30 ft underwater!

You have to pay a fee for this lesson of course!

Not just scuba diving, Sandals offers a whole range of water sports for your comfort and pleasure. These include snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, waterskiing, hobie Cats, windsurfing and even Aquastrikes. However, do keep in mind that water skiing and glass bottom boats are not available at all properties. This can however be overcome if you go in for their Stay at 1, Play at 7 offers, which allows you to enjoy the facilities of ALL resorts even if you stay at just one property!

At the Sandals Luxury included vacations are beautifully done and the staff goes out of their way to ensure that you have a pleasant stay at Sandals all inclusive luxury resorts!