Curacao

While perhaps not as well known as some of its Caribbean sisters, Curacao is more than just another pretty island. Located 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, it’s the largest of the ABC islands, which include Aruba and Bonaire. As part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao boasts a charming Dutch heritage. Throughout the island, brightly painted, Easter egg-colored buildings feature 17th and 18th century Dutch colonial architecture, the likes of which cannot be found outside The Netherlands. Equally notable is the fact that the island’s capital city of Willemstad boasts so many historical buildings that it’s been designated as a UNESCO world heritage city.

Along with its history and multi-lingual, multi-national culture (people of more than 50 different nationalities call Curacao home), visitors are attracted to Curacao for its balmy climate, exciting duty-free shopping, and wide variety of activities (snorkeling, diving, jeep safaris, horseback riding, kayaking and mountain biking, to name a few). Of course, if your wish is to relax in classic Caribbean island style—lounging in the sparkling sunshine on a powder-soft beach with a tropical beverage by your side—you may do so to your heart’s content.