Curacao is the largest of the three Netherlands Antilles islands known as the ABC islands, Aruba and Bonaire being the other two. Curacao lies only 35 miles off the northern coast of Venezuela giving it warm tropical weather and water temperatures year round.

The capital of Willemstad looks like a city transported directly from the Netherlands to the Caribbean. The buildings and store fronts are distinctively Dutch inspired and brightly colored. Willemstad is a picturesque city, so bring your camera. This is a large city and sits on two sides of Santa Ana bay. The Queen Juliana bridge spans the bay and connects the two sides of the city. Willemstad is known for first-class accommodations, restaurants with international cuisine, and sophisticated nightlife. There is also abundant duty-free shopping so find yourself a bargain and don’t forget to pick up a bottle or two of the orange liquor called Curacao—same as the island.

Curacao beckons to be explored and there are many ways to do this. First of all, this is a large island so if you plan on sightseeing from one end to the other a rental car or Jeep would be mandatory. The island is basically dry and scrubby and the topography ranges from beautiful beaches to hilltops exceeding 1200 feet. The hilly terrain offers beautiful vistas of the island and the surrounding water. The hills descend smoothly in some areas right down to the beach below, but in other areas the hills terminate in craggy cliffs.

The island is ringed by coral reefs, so diving and snorkeling are big business here. Curacao is an island that excites the senses. With its beautiful waters and beaches, its hilly terrain with many panoramic vistas, and its picturesque capital city and bay (especially at night) Curacao will be a vacation you will long remember and a destination you will want to return to.