By Donna Richardson

The days when all people wanted to do was fly to a location and relax on the beach are over. Breaking the ‘fly and flop’ tradition, there are many exciting destinations where agents can book more adventurous holidays, whether it be family-focused, sports packages or adventure activities. Take inspiration from our recommendations below.

Family holidays at Bay Gardens with the arrival of 27 new keys and six villas from 2025

With the summer holidays on the horizon, we are thrilled to present an extraordinary opportunity for a family holiday at Bay Gardens Resorts in Rodney Bay, a stunning collection of hotels and resorts nestled on the captivating Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia. It’s a place where you can immerse yourself in thrilling adventures, find pure relaxation, and rejuvenate your senses all in one breathtaking location.

Bay Gardens Resorts is excited to introduce the highly anticipated Sapphire Sands, a stunning new collection of luxury villas that will elevate the four-star property to new heights of opulence.  Get ready for these brand-new beachfront villas, launching in the summer 2025. Clustered around a large pool, they are meticulously designed with high-end furnishings and state-of-the-art amenities, offering guests a truly luxurious experience.

Families will appreciate the secure villa environments, kids clubs, and family-oriented activities, while all guests can enjoy the central pool, 24/7 security, and a gated community setting that ensures safety and privacy.  

These new villas will position the resort as a luxury destination and expand the number of beds on the island. But those who can’t wait can book one of the existing rooms at the property, which includes spacious water’s edge villas. 

Adding to the allure, also coming in 2025, is a new restaurant offering a captivating dining experience with seating for over 75 people and breathtaking waterfront views. Additionally, the resort will feature top-tier wellness facilities, including a spa, fitness centre, and yoga pavilions. Overall, this is aimed at promoting a rejuvenating holiday experience.

Bay Gardens is the brainchild of St. Lucian entrepreneur Joyce Destang. Bay Gardens Resorts has evolved from its humble beginnings with the Bay Gardens Hotel to include Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Bay Gardens Marina Haven, and the Water’s Edge Villas. Each property is strategically situated in the heart of Rodney Bay Village, providing convenient access to an array of restaurants, bars, shops, and vibrant nightlife. The family-friendly resorts cater to guests of all ages, boasting spacious accommodation options, supervised activities at the Koral Kidz Club for children aged 4-12, and the Caribbean’s first open-water sports park, Splash Island Water Park.The Splash Island Water Park is the Caribbean’s first open-water sports park featuring a trampoline, climbing wall, monkey bars, and a swing to name a few. In addition to the park’s strict compliance with European safety requirements, your day of fun in the sun is supervised by trained and qualified lifeguards to ensure guests are always safe.

Moreover, children can enjoy complimentary dining and accommodations when their parents book the all-inclusive experience.  

Agents looking for a family holiday will be best placed to choose Bay Gardens Resorts. For more information visit baygardensresorts.com/beach-resort

Cricket packages at Divi Southwinds resort in Barbados

For those looking to add a sporty touch to their holidays, the exquisite Divi Southwinds Resort in Barbados, in collaboration with The Franklyn Stephenson Cricket Academy offers a perfect blend of all-suite family accommodations. You’ll find them all in a stunning beachfront location and top-notch cricket coaching for all ages. Whether you’re a passionate cricket enthusiast or simply seeking a unique holiday experience, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Join us for an unforgettable holiday filled with fun, relaxation, and the excitement of cricket training with expert coaches. Situated on the beautiful Dover Beach, this tropical paradise is close to the lively St. Lawrence Gap. Get ready to create enduring memories with your family in the picturesque setting of Barbados at Divi Southwinds Resort!

The resort offers an array of amenities, including three fabulous pools, a tennis court, a half basketball court, a beachfront restaurant and bar, fun activities, miniature golf, and more. The property features stunning one and two-bedroom suites that provide home comforts in modern pool, garden, or ocean-view suites. These spacious suites include a fully equipped kitchen, a generous living area, and a private balcony or patio, making them perfect for families. The Franklyn Stephenson Academy, nestled on the private estate of Cockade House in Bennetts, St. Thomas, is the newest training facility on the island of Barbados.  It was founded by record-breaking past professional cricketer and current golf professional, Franklyn Dacosta Stephenson. The academy aims to provide a well-equipped and affordable facility where individuals with a keen interest in cricket can refine their skills and reach their full potential. Its vision is to instil a passion for the game, prepare players to excel in cricket and in life, and contribute valuable skills to society. 

The academy offers access to a well-maintained cricket field, a well-outfitted pavilion, bowling machines, and numerous practice pitches. 

The available dates for 2024 and 2025 and half-term dates in May and October can also be arranged based on interest. The package includes 7 nights of accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, five mornings of cricket training from 9 am to 12 noon, and snacks such as fruit, banana bread, and pizza. Cricket gear and equipment and round-trip transfers to and from the Cricket Academy are provided.

Family fun in Turks and Caicos

Over in Turks and Caicos, the family fun continues. The Sands at Grace Bay, presents their Mummy & Me Little Mermaid Package and In-room babysitting services that allow parents to enjoy a romantic dinner. The package includes a spa and manicure for mum as well as a child’s mani-pedi and babysitting.

The resort also offers hair braiding and wrapping. The Sands is an all-suite resort with 114 properties on Providenciales. You’ll find Junior suites, one-bedroom suites, two-bedroom suites and those with a den for family fun. Families will have so much fun on Grace Bay Beach, exploring the six-acre property and all its amenities. Kids can splash in one of the three swimming pools, while mum and dad relax on the beach loungers. There’s also access to world-class diving facilities and a variety of water sports as well as golf and day cruises to secluded islands.

Meanwhile, over at The Shore Club arrange a family beach portrait session. Professional photographers will capture your family’s smiles and create lasting memories to cherish. The Shore Club is based in the Providenciales on Long Bay Beach which is exclusively private despite being a short walk away from the town centre. Guests can make use of an indulgent spa, four pools, three restaurants and luxurious accommodations. The Villas at the Shore Club allow guests to experience their own, totally private ocean-front Villa, with an exclusive resort attached. The 8,800 square-foot villa looks out onto the shimmering turquoise sea and the silky white sands of Long Bay Beach. Each of the six stunningly appointed villas offers total privacy in a relaxed atmosphere of curated Caribbean elegance. Three to six bedrooms, a fully private courtyard, a private heated pool and expansive terraces give you plenty of room to spread out and unwind.

The Palms is also a great place for adventure. Turks and Caicos has long been a premier destination for kite surfing. The combination of trade winds, calm winds and shallow beaches provide the perfect conditions for this sport. Guests at The Palms can enjoy a range of kite surfing lessons.  The crescent shape of the bay shelters the gorgeous beach while also protecting it from offshore winds. The water here is overhead deep so riders must be accomplished in riding upwind and water relaunching their kites. The coral reefs here also enhance the conditions.

Wellness at Golden Rock Inn Nevis

The Golden Rock Inn, a boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Nevis, offers a serene and idyllic retreat for those seeking a wellness holiday.

The hotel’s captivating setting on a sprawling hundred-acre tropical landscape provides guests with unparalleled views of Nevis Peak and the surrounding natural beauty. Nestled in the lush hills of Gingerland, the hotel serves as a gateway to a world of adventure, with easy access to picturesque waterfalls, sandy beaches, and geothermal fields leading to invigorating hot springs.

The hotel can arrange poolside yoga for the ultimate in resort wellness as well as excursions from horse-riding on the beach to a thrilling journey off-road in a Funky Monkey all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a hike through the rainforest to reach the summit of Nevis peak. You can also add in a catamaran tour so you can take in the beautiful coastline of St Kitts. Furthermore, you can snorkel in a secluded cove, marvel at the underwater life and enjoy a delicious lunch on board before relaxing on Pinney’s beach. Guests can move to the island rhythms as the music plays on their return sail.

Steeped in history, the former sugar estate has been meticulously transformed into a bold and artistic haven under the visionary guidance of artist Helen Marden and her late husband Brice. The hotel’s 11 guestrooms are adorned with minimalist furniture and vibrant patterns, each exuding its own unique charm. The two- storey sugar mill suite, dating back to the 1800s, provides a spacious and enchanting retreat for families or honeymooners, while the Paradise Cottage boasts a romantic Caribbean design and a generous terrace offering sweeping views of the tropical landscape. The Hillside Rooms offer captivating garden views, and the Garden Room immerses guests in a delightful West Indies-style experience, complete with a cosy porch. As guests meander through the tropical gardens, thoughtfully designed by renowned architect Raymond Jungles, they are treated to spectacular sea views of the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Montserrat. The hotel also boasts an oversized freshwater swimming pool and a newly designed alfresco dining area, providing the perfect setting for relaxation and indulgence.

Tet Rouge Saint Lucia: Package with a meal and a catamaran trip

Tet Rouge Resort in Saint Lucia are in Soufriere close to the mud baths and the mystical Pitons. If you are looking for a romantic break look no further. At Tet Rouge Resort immerse yourself in nature while enjoying stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and the majestic Gros Piton. Book a Gone Tropical Catamaran Tour package includes a meal and a fabulous sailing day along the west coast of Saint Lucia on a 40  ft catamaran. This is the trip of a lifetime where you can experience the serene Caribbean sea and get up close and personal with the Gros Piton and the tropical coastline. This cosy retreat has just six sea-view suites which feature cathedral ceilings, a queen-sized poster bed, an expansive terrace, a kitchenette, a walk-in closet and a modern bathroom. At the resort itself, there’s a 40-foot saltwater infinity pool with a swim-up bar and lush gardens.

Fort Young: Solo’s package Dominica

For those who want a child-free holiday or to travel alone, Fort Young’s Adventure Island Solos Package offers three different date ranges for your convenience: 31 August – 7 September, 7 September  –  15 September, or 15 –  22 September.

The Adventure Island Solos package offers an exciting itinerary that begins with a welcome dinner and then invites you to experience the beauty of the island with three days of land tours.  Included is a visit to Titou Gorge, a short swim from the base of a waterfall in a gorge that was formed when molten lava cooled it and split it apart. Guests can gaze up at the mountainside as the light streams through the canopy and a hot spring tumbles nearby. They can also enjoy Fresh Water Lake, a natural wonder found high in the mountains of Dominica. This is in a national park in Morne Trois Pitons – a UNESCO World Heritage site. And then there is an unmissable trip to Trafalgar Falls, which are famous twin waterfalls found within a 20-minute drive from Roseau. Behold this natural wonder as you emerge from the jungle. Dominica has 365 rivers, that’s one for every day of the year. One of the most beautiful is the Indian River, a wetland fringed with Bwa Mang trees. Visitors will be guided by one of the experienced boatmen in hand-oared river boats as they explore the swampy river bank, immersed in a land of wonder.  The Adventure Solos package also includes Ti-Gwen Glo Cho Hot Springs, which is a sanctuary where you can soak your aching limbs. Last but not least there’s a visit to Cabrits National Park which is located on a peninsula in the North which spans tropical forests, coral reefs and wetlands as well as lunch at Secret Bay. There is also Emerald Pool, a beautiful 50 ft waterfall which plunges into a swirling basin. The hike is challenging but after a dip in the cooling waters you can walk back down the lush forest landscape calmed and soothed by nature. Dominica is surrounded by the Caribbean sea, and this is another part of the Solos adventure package.  The tour includes a guided snorkelling trip at Champayne followed by a kayak on the Fort Young Hotel house reef and a sunset cruise. On departure day guests will enjoy a breakfast at Palisades FY followed by lunch at Zeb.

S Hotel Jamaica: Montego Bay and Kingston

In Jamaica, experience the ultimate luxury beach holiday at S Hotel in Montego Bay. This stunning resort offers breathtaking views of Doctor’s Cave Beach and features a main swimming pool surrounded by vivid red swim-out cabanas, providing guests with the ultimate relaxation and privacy. The hotel’s cosmopolitan vibe is unmistakably Jamaican, making it the perfect destination for jet setters and celebrities looking for a luxurious escape, like Tyler West and Molly Rainford who visited the property recently.

Designed by Miami-based luxury design firm Antrobus Ramirez, the hotel’s interior is a blend of historical and cultural design elements with a modern interpretation, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere. The lobby’s towering 25-foot interior wall made of coral stone creates a grand entrance, while the vintage cars at the entrance and life-sized statues of Jamaican greats add to the hotel’s effervescence. Each of the 120 elevated guest rooms features authentic Jamaican furniture and special amenities such as dominoes and a record player with display copies of Bob Marley’s album.

Foodies will be delighted with the hotel’s various dining options. The Sky Deck provides stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, while the Irie spa offers massages, skin treatments, and three plunge pools for kinetic energy therapy.

Jamaica is a destination that offers something for everyone. Explore the vibrant markets and city vibes of Kingston, the island’s capital, and feel the rhythm of reggae pulsating through the city. The Bob Marley Museum in Hope Street is a must-visit attraction, which celebrates the life and times of the reggae legend. Devon House is also one of the island’s most celebrated historic landmarks – the home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire George Stiebel. Now it is open for tours, and visitors can step back in time to 1881 to learn what life was like during George’s lifetime.   

The S Hotels chain provides guests with an authentic Jamaican experience. Combine your stay with a visit to S Hotel in Kingston, a small luxury hotel with 125 rooms. The hotel features modern décor that evokes elegant simplicity, and guests can enjoy continental classics made with fresh local ingredients at Rocksteady restaurant. The hotel is also located a short distance from the enigmatic Blue Mountains, where you can sample coffee tours. A twin-centre break at the two properties allows guests to explore more of the island and experience the best of Jamaica.

Overall, Paradise Promotions has some great opportunities for agents to design the perfect holidays for their clients. If you want any more information contact Victoria Cranmer on victoria@paradise-promotions.co.uk or by phone on +44 (0) 7956 216654.  

For more information on the properties in this blog please visit their page on this website, here you’ll find online training, images, videos, reels and fact sheets.