The island of Curaçao, in the Dutch Caribbean (formally the Netherlands Antilles), is right next to Aruba and well worth a visit. This island has beautiful beaches and a fascinating history.
 |
| Willemstad (photo: Curaçao Tourist Board) |
TAKE A CULINARY WALKING TOUR
Culinary/Cultural Walking Tour
 |
| Floating Market (image: Baselmans) |
TRY HERBAL REMEDIES
Den Paradera: Dinah Veeris’ Botanical Garden
Seru Grandi Kavel 105A, Banda Riba; Tel: 9/767-5608; www.dinahveeris.com
Dinah Veeris provides traditional, Caribbean herbal treatments by propagating over 300 species of wild medicinal plants in her botanical garden. Visit and try some of the remedies from herbal creams to coconut soap.
Curaloe Aloe Vera Plantation
 |
| Kura Hulanda's beach |
West Groot Sint Joris, Santa Catharina; Tel: 9/767-5577; www.curaloe.com
Aloe Vera contains more than 75 nutrients. The gel is considered a “miracle cure” for the skin and the juice is recommended as a nutritional supplement. Learn how it’s harvested and processed and pick up some pure aloe products.
GIVE YOUR KIDS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
The Curaçao Ostrich Farm
Aloe Vera contains more than 75 nutrients. The gel is considered a “miracle cure” for the skin and the juice is recommended as a nutritional supplement. Learn how it’s harvested and processed and pick up some pure aloe products.
GIVE YOUR KIDS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
The Curaçao Ostrich Farm
 |
| (photo: Ostrich Farm) |
West Groot Sint Joris, Santa Catharina; Tel: 9/747-2777; curacaoostrichfarm.com
If you’re traveling with kids, take a “photo safari” ride through the farm and learn all about these weird and wonderful birds; it’s a fun and educational experience. Afterwards, if you’re brave enough, chow down on an ostrich burger in the lovely open-air restaurant.
VISIT A FASCINATING MUSEUM & ART GALLERIES
Kurá Hulanda Museum
If you’re traveling with kids, take a “photo safari” ride through the farm and learn all about these weird and wonderful birds; it’s a fun and educational experience. Afterwards, if you’re brave enough, chow down on an ostrich burger in the lovely open-air restaurant.
VISIT A FASCINATING MUSEUM & ART GALLERIES
Kurá Hulanda Museum
Klipstraat 9, Otrobanda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/434-7765; www.kurahulanda.com/en/museumx
After soaking up some rays, spend time in this fascinating, anthropological museum. The exhibits focus on the predominant cultures of Curaçao offering a world-class chronicle of the Origin of Man, the African slave trade, West African Empires, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art.
Art Galleries - Take home some meaningful souvenirs; artwork by local talent: curacao-art.com
Gallery Alma Blou (Landhuis Habaai, Frater Radulphusweg 4, Otrobanda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/462-8896; www.galleryalmablou.com) - This gallery has a lovely collection of Curaçao paintings, photographs, pottery, sculpture and handmade jewelry.
Landhuis Bloemhof (Santa Rosaweg 6, Saliña, Willemstad; Tel: 9/737-5775; www.bloemhof.cw) - Built in 1735, this
plantation (landhuis) has been a venue for art exhibits since the 1950s, showcasing local and international artists.
Mon Art Handmade (Landhuis Bloemhof, Santa Rosaweg 10, Willemstad; Tel: 9/526-6349; http://bit.ly/2f2SVyb) - This gallery has unique, local, handmade crafts, paintings, gifts, and souvenirs.
GET MARRIED
After exploring Curaçao, you might fall in love with the place and each other. No matter what your religion, you’ll find a wedding planner to help you organize the big day.
Mikvé Israel-Emmanuel (Hanchi di Snoa 29, Punda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/461-1067; www.snoa.com)
This is the oldest synagogue continuously used for religious services in the Western Hemisphere. It was built in 1732 by a Sephardic Jewish community that relocated from Amsterdam. With its sand floor, cobalt-blue windows, dark mahogany interior and candle-lit, brass chandeliers, it is just stunningly beautiful.
Fort Church (Fort Amsterdam, Punda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/461-1139; http://bit.ly/2I8cjWv) - Built in 1769, this is Curaçao's oldest Protestant church.
Basilica Santa Ana (Breedestraat 31, Otrabanda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/462-3507; http://bit.ly/2D4qrfy) - Founded in 1752, Santa Ana was elevated to basilica and co-cathedral status by Pope Paul VI in 1975.
After soaking up some rays, spend time in this fascinating, anthropological museum. The exhibits focus on the predominant cultures of Curaçao offering a world-class chronicle of the Origin of Man, the African slave trade, West African Empires, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art.
 |
| Market (artist: Jan "Jakke" Francke) - Landhuis Daniel |
Gallery Alma Blou (Landhuis Habaai, Frater Radulphusweg 4, Otrobanda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/462-8896; www.galleryalmablou.com) - This gallery has a lovely collection of Curaçao paintings, photographs, pottery, sculpture and handmade jewelry.
 |
|
Mon Art
(artist: Herman van Bergen)
|
Mon Art Handmade (Landhuis Bloemhof, Santa Rosaweg 10, Willemstad; Tel: 9/526-6349; http://bit.ly/2f2SVyb) - This gallery has unique, local, handmade crafts, paintings, gifts, and souvenirs.
GET MARRIED
After exploring Curaçao, you might fall in love with the place and each other. No matter what your religion, you’ll find a wedding planner to help you organize the big day.
Mikvé Israel-Emmanuel (Hanchi di Snoa 29, Punda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/461-1067; www.snoa.com)
This is the oldest synagogue continuously used for religious services in the Western Hemisphere. It was built in 1732 by a Sephardic Jewish community that relocated from Amsterdam. With its sand floor, cobalt-blue windows, dark mahogany interior and candle-lit, brass chandeliers, it is just stunningly beautiful.
Fort Church (Fort Amsterdam, Punda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/461-1139; http://bit.ly/2I8cjWv) - Built in 1769, this is Curaçao's oldest Protestant church.
 |
| Carnival (Jan-Feb) is a great time to visit (photo: Curaçao Tourist Board) |
Where to Stay: There are all kinds of accommodations in Curaçao (www.curacao.com) from rental apartments to resort hotels. Here are two nice options:
Kurá Hulanda (Langestraat 8, Otrobanda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/434-7700; www.kurahulanda.com) - This is a unique, stunning place for an in-town experience. The Kurá Hulanda is made up of beautifully-restored, little townhouses in the Otrobanda section of Willemstad. You'll feel as if you’re staying in a small European village, not in a hotel. (There is also a beach-side sister property.)
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort (Santa Barbara Plantation, Porta Blancu, Nieuwpoort; Tel: 9/840-1234; http://bit.ly/1k0fyvp)
This is a great location if you’re into golf or just want to relax. On 27-secluded acres, the hotel looks out on Spanish Water Bay and the Caribbean Sea. The Old Quarry is the island’s only 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Pete Dye. There’s also great diving and water sports, 3 pools and a private beach, tennis courts, and hiking & biking trails. Get eco-friendly treatments at the Atabei Spa. For kids ages 3-12, there’s Camp Arawak.
Getting There: Flights on American and JetBlue from the USA; KLM from Europe.
Editor's Note:
a) As of 2010, the Netherlands Antilles no longer exists as such. Curaçao is now autonomous, but there's still Dutch influence. b) The currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (florin), but the dollar is widely accepted. c) The local languages are Dutch and Papiamentu (Curaçao creole), but almost everyone speaks English and Spanish.
[A version of this article first appeared on Frommers.com]
Kurá Hulanda (Langestraat 8, Otrobanda, Willemstad; Tel: 9/434-7700; www.kurahulanda.com) - This is a unique, stunning place for an in-town experience. The Kurá Hulanda is made up of beautifully-restored, little townhouses in the Otrobanda section of Willemstad. You'll feel as if you’re staying in a small European village, not in a hotel. (There is also a beach-side sister property.)
 |
| Kura Hulanda |
Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort (Santa Barbara Plantation, Porta Blancu, Nieuwpoort; Tel: 9/840-1234; http://bit.ly/1k0fyvp)
This is a great location if you’re into golf or just want to relax. On 27-secluded acres, the hotel looks out on Spanish Water Bay and the Caribbean Sea. The Old Quarry is the island’s only 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Pete Dye. There’s also great diving and water sports, 3 pools and a private beach, tennis courts, and hiking & biking trails. Get eco-friendly treatments at the Atabei Spa. For kids ages 3-12, there’s Camp Arawak.
Getting There: Flights on American and JetBlue from the USA; KLM from Europe.
 |
| Willemstad, Curaçao (photo: Rodry) |
a) As of 2010, the Netherlands Antilles no longer exists as such. Curaçao is now autonomous, but there's still Dutch influence. b) The currency is the Netherlands Antillean guilder (florin), but the dollar is widely accepted. c) The local languages are Dutch and Papiamentu (Curaçao creole), but almost everyone speaks English and Spanish.
[A version of this article first appeared on Frommers.com]
No comments:
Post a Comment