Noting the island’s “distinct culture,” Condé Nast Traveler magazine selected the Caribbean island of Curaçao as one of the top three “2012 Honeymoon Hot Spots.”
The magazine notes: “As the “C” in the ABC islands… it enjoys a hurricane-proof location, world-class diving, and guaranteed sunshine. But Curaçao is unlike its fairly one-note siblings—anyone who looks beyond the tropical surface will find a distinct culture, a pronounced Latin-Caribbean vibe, some fine Dutch colonial architecture, and menus featuring some surprising specialties, from satay to cactus soup and tamales.”
The island, first discovered by Europeans in 1499, has long been an important shipping destination because of its natural deep water harbor, St. Anna Bay.
That harbor divides the city into two sections: Punda – which translates to “The Point” – and Otrobanda, which means “other side.” The two are connected by the Queen Emma floating bridge, which opens to allow ships to enter or exit the harbor.
Curaçao, located off the coast of Venezuela, was a part of the Netherlands Antilles until 2010. The island is today considered a country within the Kingdom of Netherlands
One advantage Curaçao has over other Caribbean destinations is its wealth of cultural attractions. So in between snorkeling and margaritas, be sure to make time for one of the island’s museums.
