Aruba

Aruba's Dutch heritage is evident in the sherbet-colored buildings that line the waterfront of Oranjestad ("orange city"). Near the port, expansive malls feature many Dutch imports. Or try your luck at the elegant Crystal Casino, located downtown, with Italian marble, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and Spanish gold-leaf mirrors.

Away from the city, Aruba's rugged countryside reveals a windswept beauty. On an island tour take a short hike up Casibari Rock Formation for a grand view, and bring your camera to capture the splendor of the natural bridge on the rugged Atlantic shore. For a true Aruban experience, sample local cuisine like keshi yena (a meat-filled wheel of Edam cheese).

Sports lovers find plenty of fun: the 18-hole Tierra Del Sol championship golf course, some of the world's top windsurfing at Fisherman's Hut or Boca Grandi, or guided horseback rides at Rancho Del Campo for a look at Indian rock markings and gold mine ruins.

Fast Facts:

Language: Dutch; English and Spanish widely spoken

Currency: Aruban florin; US dollar widely accepted

Population: 97,000

Recommended for: windsurfing, shopping, hiking, casinos

Best reasons to vacation in Aruba:

• The island is south of the hurricane zone, missed by almost all storms.
• There's a large variety of accommodations, from all-inclusives to many condominium properties.
• The island's dry, without the tropical lushness of islands like St. Lucia or Jamaica, but that means less rain!
  

Information: Aruba Tourism Authority, www.aruba.com

Map courtesy the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and
the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection