Curacao

The natural harbor made this island the main locale for privateering in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Once the Dutch took control of the island, they turned it into a prosperous trading port open to the world. Today Willemstad is one of the finest harbors in the Caribbean receiving cargo, cruises and pleasure yachts.  But it’s the fairytale images of brightly painted houses with stepped gables and curlicues donning the colors of the tropics that designated this waterfront city as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  A diversified economy along with a storied history, a serendipitous mingling of world cultures and Old World architecture make this a riveting destination. The richness of Curacao is alive in its people–more than 40 nationalities bring in their culture, music, religion, art and cuisines.

Beyond the Dutch architecture and European vibe, Curacao boasts loads of appealing pastimes– pro-level golf courses, a handful of spas offering seaside treatments, several casinos, breweries and liqueur makers and more than a dozen museums. Nature lovers find eco-safaris, cave tours, hiking and nature trails and sailing to Klein Curacao. Underwater there are more than 100 dive and snorkeling sites and the island is known to have the best reef diving in the world. For those not wanting to get wet the Curacao Sea Aquarium provides a view of underwater life.