Spend your vacation days playing in the sun and sand in Aruba.  If, by chance, you get the urge to do a little sightseeing, look no further than The Butterfly Farm of Aruba.  For a truly unique experience, The Butterfly Farm is one of the most fantastic things to do on the island.  Just picture this; walking amidst hundreds of beautiful butterflies, watching them flit from surface to surface while you enjoy a stroll under the warm summer sun.  Filled with color and motion, these gorgeous little creatures are sure to make your day brighter.  The entire farm is enclosed under a giant mesh structure, allowing you to literally interact with the butterflies in their natural habitat.  Many species at the Butterfly Farm are unique to this particular sanctuary.  Also, check out the coy ponds and tropical gardens.  This lush attraction is the perfect way to spend the day outside but still get a little bit of exercise.  If you come early in the morning, you may even be able to watch the butterflies hatching from their cocoons on one of the many guided tours the farm offers.  If you have small children with you, they can even hold the butterflies and caterpillars on some of the tours. If you want the butterflies to literally land on you, be sure and wear bright colors and perfume in order to attract them.  If you’re a visitor to the area, one day’s pass allows you to revisit the sanctuary as many times as you wish for the duration of your stay.  After taking a long stroll through the farms, be sure and enjoy a refreshing drink at the lovely little café.   You can even learn about butterfly gardening, and how to plant specific varieties of plants in order to attract butterflies in your local habitat.  The Butterfly Farm is open year round, so be sure and stop by regardless of when your travels take you to Aruba!

It’s true, there are so many great places to stay in Aruba it’s hard to find just one!  Despite the fabulous variety of accommodations in Aruba, one stands above the rest; the Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club.  It’s true, this hotel is the talk of the town.  As one of the oldest resorts in Aruba, it certainly has made quite a reputation for itself.  If you’re traveling on a bit of a budget, this is a fantastic choice.  It’s here you’ll get some great prices without have to sacrifice convenience.  If you’re in your 20’s, this is the place for you.  The hotel has spacious rooms and modest accommodations.  All rooms include two double beds, and if you wish, you can also have an extra sofa bed.  Most rooms have a poolside view, so be sure to spend some hours lounging by the water.  If you’re traveling with the entire family, this is a fantastic spot to rent entire furnished apartments.  This allows you to travel with ease, especially if you’re traveling with small children.  The hotel also boasts a great local restaurant and bar for when you tire of the hot sun and sandy beaches.  The convenience of having a bar and restaurant close by surely comes in handy after a hot day in the sun.  Across from the hotel is the beach section of the resort, which has towels, chairs, and all other things you’d need to have a long day in the sun.  And of course, there’s a small bar serving tropical cocktails!  This hotel is ideal for young adults and those looking to have a good time. The hotel is also located very conveniently for Aruba Adventures, Red Sail Sports, De Palm Tours, local shopping, and the Atlantis Submarine Tours.  If you’re feeling adventurous, there are ways to rent scuba gear and snorkeling gear through the concierge, so make some reservations!  Grab your swimsuit, flip flops, and sunglasses and head on down to this lovely hotel.

Upon arrival in the beautiful lands of Aruba, you’ll need to find some good food to tickle your palate.  Look no further than Ventanas del Mar, one of the best seafood restaurants around.  Grab your special someone and check out the romantic sunset amidst the beautiful dining room.  Views of the sunset over property are available at most of the tables in the restaurant, making the ambiance unparalleled.  The views of the surrounding resort are beautiful, featuring the bougainvillea and palm trees that line the property.  Full of local flavor, Ventanas Del Mar is a blend of traditional seafood dishes with a more creative modern cuisine.  Start your meal slow with a glass of wine or a house-made cocktail.  For an appetizer, the ahi tuna ceviche is delicious.  Drizzled with a citrus soy sauce, you’ll be sad if you miss this light but mouthwatering starter.  For a main course, don’t miss out on the chef’s signature dish, the crispy whole snapper served over a bed of stir-fried vegetables and topped with a ginger soy sauce.  Another popular dish is the Dutch mussels with saffron sauce.  If you’re having trouble choosing between seafood and meat, order the beef tenderloin and lobster tail tarragon dish.  This delicious dish ensures that you can have the best of both worlds.  If you’d like to end your day with a little adventure, order the chef’s special three-course adventure menu.  This menu changes according to what’s fresh and local, and is a fantastic choice for those who’d rather leave decisions in the hands of culinary experts.For dessert (and please, make sure you save some room), look no further than the mango scented coconut mousse.  If you’re traveling with children in toy, the ponche crema ice cream is out of this world and is a house specialty.  With so many delicious dishes to choose from, Ventanas Del Mar will quickly become one of your favorite seafood spots in Aruba!

Island Tour
Take a relaxing ocean tour around the island through Pelican Adventures, and enjoy a Champagne Brunch while cutting through the water onboard a luxurious catamaran. Or, visit some of the island’s most popular destinations – including the historic gold mine ruins and the popular Baby Beach – on a Jeep tour offered by Watapana Tours. For the more adventurous-minded, Watapana also offers guided dune buggy and ATV tours.

Shopping
Whether you are in the market for luxury jewelry and designer clothes, or are simply looking to pick up a few local souvenirs, Aruba has plenty of shopping opportunities. Make sure to visit the Royal Plaza shopping mall and Paseo Herencia, an outdoor complex of stores and restaurants featuring fireworks, live music, and several movie theaters. If your feet start to tire, order a sumptuous Belgian waffle, find a good seat, and watch one of the many live shows that are constantly being staged.

Sights and Museums
If you want to get a sense of Aruba’s long and colorful history, pay a visit to the Museum of Antiquities – easy to spot thanks to its striking copper, onion-shaped roof. Or stop by the Fort Zoutman Historical Museum, Aruba’s oldest building, where you can take a walking tour museum tour led by a knowledgeable, multilingual guide. If you want that perfect photograph, make sure to stop by the California Lighthouse, located at a rocky elevation high enough to see much of Aruba’s coastline and interior. And to get a real sense of Aruba’s ecosystem and geography, the Arikok National Park is a can’t-miss destination.

Nightlife
Have a martini and enjoy some classic hits at the Sopranos Piano Bar, or try your luck at one of Aruba’s many casinos. If local music is what you’re looking for, make sure to get to the Bon Bini Festival, held every Tuesday from 6:30 – 8:30 in Oranjestad, where you can listen to steel drums and Latin music while browsing through booths featuring the work of local artists. For those looking for a truly memorable nightlife experience, book a few tickets on the Tattoo Party Boat, an evening cruise complete with dancing bartenders and a rope-swing.

Additional Information:
Red Sail Sports (297-586-1603); Pelican Adventures (297-587-2302); Watapana Tours (297-583-5191); Paseo Herencia (297-586-6533); Museum of Antiquities located at: Tanki Leendert 158-G; Fort Zoutman (297- 588-5199); Tattoo Party Boat located at Palm Pier (297-586-2010). Click here for a list of hotels to stay at while at Aruba.

[photos courtesy of Jeffrey Beall, stews4, madmack66, brianandjaclyn]

First the basics: Most resorts can arrange a rental car for you, but make sure it comes with a working spare before you leave; Aruban roads are notorious for causing mood-deflating flats. Once that’s all squared away, all you need is a basic map, a general sense of direction and a splash of island nonchalance. You might want to pack a tube of sunscreen and a bathing suit as well- the coastline beaches are awful tempting.

Most resorts are situated north of the airport, in the aptly named Noord district, making the California Lighthouse a natural staring point. Several shipwreck sites are visible from the road leading to the northwestern tip of the island, where the lighthouse stands. Named for a U.S. ship that sank two years previous to its 1910 construction, the lighthouse has become one of the island’s premier scenic photo-ops.

photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

While you’re driving, keep an eye out for bizarre, wind-sculpted dividivi trees. They’re Aruba’s national tree and oddly provocative.

Arikok National Park is a living museum of the things that make Aruba unique. Lava and limestone formations, indigenous flora and fauna, and historic native settlements are obvious highlights. The park is home to several different species, (including the whiptail lizard and a burrowing owl) that are found only in Aruba. Spend a little time walking around, experiencing all the different micro-climates.

After your hike, it’s time to lay out, snorkel and wade in the waters of Baby Beach, located at the southeastern-most part of the island. A locals-only hotspot, the half moon stretch of white sand is flanked by small huts selling food and beverages. The calm, tepid lagoon is perfect for beginner snorkelers who can explore the coral reefs where the bay opens out into the ocean.

photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

After you’ve had your fill of sand and sun, stop for a pre-dinner cocktail at Pincho’s Grill and Bar in downtown Oranjestad. A thin ramp lined with blue lights leads out to the dock-like restaurant, made up of a simple (but stocked) bar, several intimate tables and a handful of cushioned swings. Sunsets are gorgeous and if you’re there with a significant other, this spot is as romantic as it comes.

Finish the night off at the Flying Fishbone. Located in the old fishing village of Savaneta, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the neon sign of a fishbone as you drive; trust me when I say this restaurant is well-hidden. A French Polynesian influence is evident in many of the entrees, but the shrimp, shitake and blue cheese casserole is the restaurant’s most popular dish. The real allure of the Flying Fishbone is the atmosphere- peaceful, isolated and exotic all at the same time. Tell the hostess you’d like to get your feet wet for a table right on the sand and the best view of the Caribbean before it transforms into a blanket of stars.