Warm Your Hearts on Aruba's One Happy Island Valentine's Day in Times Square

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The countdown to love has begun. In just two days, New York residents and visitors will have the chance to warm their hearts and toes on Aruba's One happy island – right in the middle of Times Square.

This Valentine's Day, Aruba invites couples to lounge and relax on a heated pop-up beach in Times Square, where they'll enjoy hourly trip giveaways to the One happy island and photo opportunities under the destination's signature Fofoti tree from noon to 5:30 p.m.

Passersby can also stroll through the Situ Studio's Heartwalk, a wooden, heart-shaped enclosure made of materials collected in areas ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

The romance continues at 6 p.m., when couples will renew their vows on the iconic Red Steps and celebrate their love during a reception on the pop-up beach. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the American Eagle Times Square Digital Billboard and webcast live at TimesSquareNY.org. One lucky couple will win a second honeymoon to Aruba, including roundtrip airfare for two and a four night/ five day stay at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives.

Lovebirds outside of New York City need not despair, as they can share and renew their own love stories through Aruba's Facebook page for a chance to win a second honeymoon to One happy island.

Celebrated as one of the most revisited islands in the Caribbean, Aruba is a premier destination for romance, weddings and honeymoons. The island paradise is beloved for its year-round 83-degree temperature, refreshing east trade winds, diverse land and sea activities, historic attractions, authentic and flavor-rich island cuisine, and world-famous sunkissed beaches.

Aruba's Valentine's Day festivities are part of the Times Square Alliance's "Free Love in Times Square" initiative, featuring a number of activities and deals inspired by the most romantic day of the year.

Aruba-specific offers are provided by the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort. All offers can be redeemed at http://www.aruba.com/sigma/valentines/.

About Aruba

As one of the most revisited destinations in the Caribbean, Aruba -- One Happy Island -- is an island of contradictions, where pristine turquoise waters collide against the desert-like terrain of the north shore; where peace and relaxation coexist with wild and rugged adventures; where Dutch influence meets American ease; and where a diverse history parallels a bright future. Nestled in the Southern Caribbean on the fringes of the hurricane belt, the island is just a two-and-a-half hour flight from Miami and a four-hour flight from New York City and also boasts year-round cooling trade winds and an average 82 degree temperature. Aruba offers beach lovers, adrenaline junkies, relaxation seekers and everyone in between a slice of paradise, including breathtaking beaches, a booming culinary scene, world famous festivals and events, exciting land and water activities, art galleries and museums, sumptuous spas, championships golf and exclusive shopping. With all-inclusive resorts, boutique hotels in charming Eagle Beach, high-rise branded hotels in Palm Beach or a cosmopolitan city hotel in Oranjestad, the island of contradictions provides the perfect getaway for first-time guests and loyal visitors. www.aruba.com.

About Times Square Alliance

The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square - cultivating the creativity, energy and edge that have made the area an icon of entertainment, culture and urban life for over a century. Founded in 1992, the Alliance keeps the neighborhood clean and safe, promotes local businesses, manages area improvements and produces major annual events with partners, including New Year's Eve, Solstice in Times Square and Taste of Times Square. As the custodians of Times Square, the Alliance works every day to improve the quality of life for the neighborhood residents and businesses while driving economic growth in New York City. www.timessquarenyc.org

SOURCE Aruba