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Guide to Curacao, Netherland Antilles
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Curacao
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CuracaoWhen one hears mention of the Netherlands, thoughts jump to pigtails and an abundance of wildflowers spread about the land around the renowned city of Amsterdam. In fact, little is the general world population aware that a group of Caribbean islands also bears a similar moniker - if only to don an important term for the sake of differentiation - Antilles. The Netherlands Antilles are a formation of, well, at least a half dozen landmasses both large and small, though a number of inhabited islands in the region declared independence or were colonized by folks from the US, Mexico, Africa, and others, making it rather difficult for the ordinary individual to infer their correct affiliations and/or sovereignty. Nevertheless, the Dutch seem to slather their morsel of paradise Curacao the most, and though its beauty is hardly deniably, the strip of beaches, natural parks, and several city-towns is considered an unwanted among its neighbor desirables: Aruba and Bonaire. An anecdote always surprising to many, Curacao's status is that of the most populated of the Antilles. If you happen be among the body who's interest in Curacao is steadily growing, you'll be glad to know that the island is home to a great deal of fun and exciting activities - whether your preference for sport resides above or below water - and the abundance of shops and casino slots is sure to go over well with many. Add the seduction of surf often likened to a paradisiacal mirage, a few too many palms and great hiking grounds, and you have one splendid destination for the books. Well, there's only one thing left do to, right? Book you flight to Curacao today.
When to go:
Well, it's got the clear, warm waters of the Caribbean lapping at its coast. In addition, its landscape proves to be a lavishly appointed preserve for natural habitats, yet still make room for a wealth of plain, desert-like surfaces, great for commutes in Willemstad without the fuss of humidity putting a damper on outdoor excursions. With Curacao's closeness to equatorial sites, it's hard to place one season above another, however winters in the region appear to offer the most docile package of weather patterns. Atmospheric changes in spring and summer occasionally cause disturbances (sometimes major). Autumn is a great alternative to the high season, though decreased activity in the capital is often not as beneficial as one would ordinarily presume.
Getting there and around:
Considering that it is the capital of the Netherlands Antilles, it is only customary for the world's major airlines to make the island their most frequent destination. Curacao International Airport is accessible from coastal locations of North America such as Miami, whereas those in the UK and greater Europe will most likely have to make at least one stopover. Affording travelers innumerable opportunities for exploring the island, rental cars are clearly the best way to get about Curacao during one's stay. Of course, at high season many agencies raise prices, however it is arguably easier to drive oneself than to be driven, especially in a place where price gouging unfortunately runs unaddressed and un-policed.
Attractions:
The Spanish voyager Columbus could claim until the end of time that the first foreigner to lay eyes on upon Curacao were his own, but it is well documented that the honor of the discovery goes to two other famous explorers, Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci. Remaining quite dormant for centuries after their 1499 sighting, Curacao finally broke its silence after becoming a makeshift oil refinery for the Royal Dutch/Shell Company in 1915. Thanks to the contributions of immigrants from over 50 countries around the world, Curacao is now home to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the region, Willemstad. With lighthouses at its northwestern and southeastern ends, as well as an underwater marine park and the Christoffel National Park to complement the 171,000-resident waterside capital, it's hard to find Curacao anything less than a wonderful balance of everything one desires from a tropical locale.
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