Saturday, November 8, 2008

Vacationing at an All Inclusive Curacao Resort

Vacationing at an All Inclusive Curacao Resort
By Alice Lane




If you are looking for a warm, sunny, secluded island for you and your spouse to take a much needed vacation, then look no further than the island of Curacao. Curacao is located in the southern Caribbean and has plenty of culture to offer any tourist. If you choose to visit the island of Curacao, perhaps you would also like to check into staying at an all inclusive Curacao resort. This way all of your expenses are paid for up front.



One of the most well kept secrets about Curacao is that it is actually outside of the hurricane belt. This means that you are able to book your vacation to this tiny island at any time of the year without having to worry that your trip will be ruined to do inclement weather. The weather in Curacao is warm and sunny all year round. The average lows generally only reach into the 70's. This makes Curacao a great place to schedule a vacation that is guaranteed to have great weather. Even if clouds do decide to make an appearance in the sparklingly blue sky, they won't stick around for long. The gentle breezes coming off the ocean will be the perfect accompaniment to the heat that the sun will generate from the sandy beaches.



Another fact about Curacao that most people may not know is that it is a Dutch island. This heritage is shown through the architecture located all throughout the island. Dutch and English are the two languages spoken on the island. Curacao is also located just thirty five miles north of Venezuela. So if you plan on visiting Curacao, you could also plan to visit Venezuela as well. This way you could get a two for one vacation. So if a vacation to Curacao sounds appealing to you, do your homework on the all inclusive beach resorts that are available.



If you are also an avid scuba diver, Curacao also offers up some fantastic sites for diving. There are many reefs that are just waiting to be explored. The crystal clear ocean water provides the perfect place for exploring the ocean floor. For those who are more interested in staying on top of the water, the snorkeling is also a great option. The wide variety of fish and other sea life will be sure to provide endless hours of viewing enjoyment. This tiny island located in the southern Caribbean has something to offer everyone who chooses to visit their paradise.




So if you are looking for that ideal vacation that has a definite guarantee that the weather will be perfect, make sure that you look into an all inclusive Curacao resort. The Breezes line of resorts may also have something to offer on the tiny island. Keep in mind that no matter what time of year you decide to travel to Curacao, the all inclusive beach resorts will be sure to offer you and your spouse a beautiful secluded beach for your stay.



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Getting Around Curacao

Getting Around Curacao
By Justin Burch




Curacao may be a small island, but there is certainly much to see. Fortunately for travelers, there are plenty of easy ways to navigate the island and experience an incredible array of activities. The local population and thrift-conscious travelers take advantage of the reliable public transportation system, supported by bus routes that visit all parts of the island. Mini buses also roam the streets of Curacao offering families a great way to see the island, while taxis take care of travelers exploring the island's nightlife. Car and off-road vehicle rentals are easy to find for those that want to experience Curacao at their own pace. If you are staying in Willemstad, you will probably find that the city is comfortably walkable, but if you want to explore what the rest of Curacao has to offer, you have plenty of options for getting around.



If you are making a long journey within Willemstad or travelling outside of the capital city, the most affordable way to get around Curacao is the public bus system. All the bus routes in Curacao originate in the central Willemstad districts of Punda and Otrabanda. From these central locations, the buses traverse the city and depart for Curacao's western shore, reaching as far as Westpunt at the island's northwestern-most point. The buses run regularly throughout the day, especially within Willemstad. However, service is typically limited after 11 PM, meaning taxis must be relied upon for those exploring Curacao's nightlife.



Curacao's mini buses represent another good transportation option for travelling both within Willemstad and to destinations across the island. Able to carry up to nine passengers, the mini buses have long been the preferred mode of transportation for visiting families. Though the mini buses travel the same routes as the primary public buses, these comfy cruisers are able to pick up and drop off passengers at any point along the way. In fact, as mini buses are not allowed to use Curacao's official bus stops, these rides can be hailed just like taxis throughout the island. The easiest way to find a mini bus is to look for "BUS" on both the license plate and top of the vehicle. While the mini buses do not run on strict schedules throughout the day, service typically stops at 11 PM like the public bus system.



If your resort is near Willemstad, taxis will be readily available around the clock. Though Curacao is a small island, taxi fares will generally be higher than you find at home. On average, taxi rides from the airport to Willemstad cost between $15-25. Furthermore, as public transportation runs sparingly after 11 PM, your taxi fare might be subject to a surcharge of up to 25% when travelling at night. Fortunately, drivers happily quote rates and agree on set prices before departing, allowing visitors to find the most affordable transportation. If you are unsure which taxis are officially recognized, look for the letters "TX" on the license plates.



Visitors planning on spending plenty of time exploring the island - or those hoping to do without public transportation - will have no trouble renting reliable vehicles in Curacao. Rental agencies are available at both the airport and many of Curacao's best resorts. Additionally, as Curacao is home to numerous unpaved roads that traverse the unspoiled interior and coastlines, many rental agencies offer well-equipped off-road vehicles. Regardless of where you drive in Curacao, it is worth paying attention to local driving habits. Traffic in Willemstad can be difficult for visitors to navigate as the island's relaxed Caribbean atmosphere often promotes a carefree driving style. However, resident drivers in Curacao rarely speed and are always very patient and gracious to visiting families. Hence, when practicing focused and responsible driving, visitors have no trouble navigating the island and enjoying the ride.



If you need help understanding bus routes, finding a taxi or renting a car, your concierge will be able to provide valuable assistance and help you make the most of your experience in Curacao. However you choose to travel in Curacao, once you get on the road, you will find Curacao is easy to get around and even easier to enjoy.



Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Curacao for the Marriott Resorts.




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A Guide to 5 Places to Visit in the Caribbean

A Guide to 5 Places to Visit in the Caribbean
By Orson Johnson




The Caribbean is a wonderful destination with some of the worlds best beaches, exotic foods and secluded islands. Below we look at 5 places worth visiting in the Caribbean.



1. Barbados - If you're looking for a place with great recreational facilities, superb service and the perfect honeymoon aura, then you've picked the right island.. However, Barbados isn't for everyone. No where would you see nude bathing or parties on the beach till dawn; Barbados is about sophistication and the "Dolce Vita" high life Dine a romantic dinner on a terrace by the beach as the sun sets or visit the famous Platinum Coast (Millionaires Playground), whichever you choose, if you're looking for quality, class and beauty, Barbados will not disappoint.



2. The Cayman Islands - The Cayman Islands actually consist of 3 separate islands; Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The brilliant thing about these islands is that they cater to all sorts of travelers like the family bunch or the honeymoon couple. If you and your family are vacationing, head for Grand Cayman, a picture perfect family destination filled with dozens of adventures around every corner. Families can spend quality time together by visiting endangered animals or even touching and feeding stingrays at Stingray City.



3. Jamaica - Undoubtedly one of the most popular Caribbean islands to date, Jamaica is the third largest island with plenty of worthy places to visit. For starters head for Montego Bay; a popular tourist destination which is also known as the "Friendly City" in. If you're a big city lover, Kingston is for you but there are of course many other regions such as The South Coast, Port Antonio and Ocho Rios for your exploration. For the serious trekker, be sure not to miss out on trekking Blue Mountain Peak, a real challenge which provides immense gratification and feeling of accomplishment after.



4. The Bahamas - The Bahamas itself consists of over 700 islands so it can be hard deciding where to go. The Bahamas is famous for two things; bone-fishing and its beautiful beaches. My pick would be Harbor Island with its famous 3mile long pink sand beaches, rated as the best in the world. Being on this island makes you feel like its all about you, with little people on it at one time so in other words, like your very own paradise island.



5. St.Barts - St. Barts is one of the most beautiful and exciting islands in the Caribbean. If you love to people watch, this is the place to come to, with beautiful people going to beautiful beaches from dawn till dusk. French is the official language here but you can get around easily in English too. If you happen to travel during January or February, catch the Festival de Musique, a real celebration which attracts favorites from all around the world.




Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Exotics vacation rentals and Bahamas villas.



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What to Pack on Your Caribbean Villa Vacation

What to Pack on Your Caribbean Villa Vacation
By Susan Battreall




If this is your first villa vacation, you are probably wondering what to bring with you and what will be provided at the villa. This varies depending on location and nightly rate of the villa rental so the focus will be on moderate priced Caribbean villas. The higher the rate, the more amenities and services you will receive.



Most of the villas will not come stocked with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, dishwashing soap etc. like you have at a hotel so you will need to provide your own. With today's luggage regulations, I would recommend purchasing these items which are usually readily available after you arrive at your destination. Some villas offer a pre-stocking service, if you do not want to go grocery shopping. However, if you do have a favorite product that you can't live without, I would bring it with you since the selection is limited and the price is high.



You are going to the Caribbean so of course you will need sunscreen. Sunscreen is available at a high price and the stores may not have the SPF that you are looking for. So I would pack sunscreen in your checked luggage and put it in a zip lock baggie. Most of the time in the tropical environment of the Caribbean bug spray is necessary especially if you are prone to bug bites, so I would pack a small bottle in your checked luggage.



In addition to the obvious items such as your bathing suit, clothes, sweater (it can get chilly in the evenings and in the air-conditioning), other items to remember are: Water shoes, sunglasses, umbrella, camera and passport depending on which island you are traveling to.



Lastly, make sure to pack in your carry on luggage, a bathing suit (in case your luggage gets lost, you can still swim in the pool or ocean), medicines, camera and important documentation.




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For additional information or if you have questions please contact info@villaluxe.com or go to http://www.villaluxe.com



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