Aruba

It probably sounds strange to not include Aruba on our top list because it remains a favorite of so many.  We went there for Thanksgiving in 2007 and I think our biggest peeve about Aruba was that it was so
Americanized.  When we travel (DH and me) we like to feel as if we've left home.  We didn't get much of that on Aruba for some reason.  Don't get me wrong, Aruba is lovely but between the cost and the Dunkin Donuts on the beach, it could not beat other islands we've been where you could suspend thoughts of home.

In Aruba we went all-inclusive (AI) -- Aruba is a pretty expensive place,  so it's well-advised to consider going AI.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Sunspree which is a large property as there were several towers and what I remember most (apart from the nice beach) was having to wake up early to reserve our favorite palapa.  I'm an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of gal on islands, so it was  no hardship to me, but it's truly funny that when DH and I recall Aruba, that's what we laugh about - looking over our balcony and seeing people lining up to reserve palapas.  The other is, walking along the beach and seeing a Dunkin Donuts stand right on the beach!

I have to say though that Palm Beach is our favorite on Aruba.  Sunspree is located on Palm, and once you got up early to grab your palapa, you were set!  Between getting up to hit the buffet for meals, we could relax in the shade under our palapa and watch the ships go by in the distance.  We found Eagle Beach (the other major beach) to be a bit too windy, had a lot less shade and there were lots more waves.  For that reason we recommend staying on Palm.

We rented a car while on Aruba so we could drive around and we also took a group tour (like we always do on islands).  On our tour we stopped by Natural Bridge which is what it's name says, a bridge formed naturally from rock.  The original Natural Bridge fell into the sea in 2005, but we were able to see "Baby Bridge".

On our tour we also stopped by Our Lady of Alto Vista Church, the cutest little church.  It's weird to talk about a church while visiting a beautiful island, but there it is.  There is beauty in the unusual and the sacred.

The view from our balcony 

at Holiday Inn Sunspree resort 

A superb Aruba sunset on Palm Beach

Tips:
If you go, definitely:

• Stay on Palm Beach for calm water and lots of shade
• Stay on Eagle Beach if you like waves and require little shade
• Rent a car and drive around (it was easy to get around)
• Take lots of money (it's expensive - you've been warned)
• Take a group tour (especially if you don't rent a car) 
• Enjoy many of the comforts of home in a tropical atmosphere

Quote of the Day

No one realizes 

how beautiful it is to travel 

until he comes home 

and rests his head 

on his old, familiar pillow. 

~ Lin Yutang