Due to its ties to the Netherlands and proximity to South America (Venezuela is just 15 miles away), Aruba, part of the so-called ABC chain (along with Bonaire and Curacao) is quite the international hotspot -- you'll not only hear Dutch and Spanish but English, German, French and even a sprinkling of Papiamento, the native language. But no matter which country you call home, you're sure to appreciate Aruba's many attributes from beautiful beaches (cooled by ever-present tradewinds) to great duty-free shopping and gourmet restaurants.
Wedding Requirements For couples seeking a civil ceremony on Aruba, documentation (including birth certificates, copies of passport picture page, letter of intent) must be faxed for review to the Office of Civil Registry in Oranjestad and then submitted by courier (i.e. FedEx) one month prior to the ceremony date. Civil weddings take place in the Civil Town House. There is additional paperwork for those seeking a religious ceremony. For more details, visit aruba.com.
What to Do
Shopping and Dining Get your bearings in Oranjestad, the capital, an attractive waterfront town brimming with pastel-colored Dutch colonial houses. This tourist hub is always buzzing, especially when cruise ships are in port. Pop in and out of art galleries, craft shops and upscale boutiques like Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton, and check out the jewelry emporiums selling tanzanite and diamonds. Late night, dine in one of the city's acclaimed restaurants like the popular Chez Matilde, which features a French menu and extensive wine list.
Water Sports Aruba's famous divi divi trees are permanently bent at a 45-degree angle due to the constant tradewinds, and those island breezes afford plenty of opportunities for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Catch some rays on a 60-foot catamaran while sailing to Arashi Reef off the northwestern coast, where you'll stop to snorkel with colorful tropical fish. On a romantic sunset cruise aboard the two-masted schooner called Mi Dushi ("my sweetheart" in Papiamento), you'll toast each other with bubbly and sway to reggae beats as the sky dazzles with nature's light show.
Adventures Take a Jeep safari through the rugged countryside, where the desert-like landscape is dotted with cacti and prickly pear plants that recall the American southwest. Highlights include the California Lighthouse, named for a ship that sank there in the 1900s; the Alto Vista Chapel, built in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries; and Mount Arikok National Park, home to prehistoric Guadirikiri caves. (Our favorite: the one nicknamed "Tunnel of Love" due to its heart-shaped entrance.)
Off the Beaten Path
Charlie's Bar Head to San Nicolas and you'll find the island's coolest hangout, Charlie's Bar. This Dutch-owned watering hole opened in 1941 and has been a hit ever since. Order some frosty Balashi beers and the house specialty, a basket of steamed shrimp in a garlic sauce. Check out the bric-a-brac hanging from the rafters -- it includes everything from wooden clogs and beer steins to football jerseys, license plates and sailboat buoys. — Jill Fergus
