Take it easy
Colonial charm meets chilled-out Caribbean cool on Curaçao. Enjoy the island’s easy-going ambience while taking in fascinating historical monuments and marine- related attractions.
WHAT TO SEE
Sea this
Delve into Curaçao’s seafaring history at the Curaçao Maritime Museum (www.curacaomaritime.com) or visit The Curaçao Museum (Van Leeuwenhoekstraat, Willemstad; +599 9 4623873) in a fine, Dutch- built, 19th-century mansion house. Resplendent Christoffel National Park’s (www.carmabi.org) wild beauty offers hiking, swimming, fishing and diving in a landscape of cactus plants, bromeliads and orchids.
WHERE TO SHOP
Bag some bread
Stallholders at the New Market (Punda, Willemstad) offer a wide array of spices, herbs, fruits and freshly-baked breads, alongside woven baskets and palm-fibre bags. Pick up Curaçao’s signature ceramic miniature kunuku houses at specialist potter Keramos (Kaya Col, Kay Winkel 2, Willemstad; +599 9 7374676).
WHERE TO EAT
Cooking culture
Exploring the local culinary tradition is a Curaçao holiday highlight on an island where local cuisine derives from over 50 cultures. Thursday night is lobster night at popular seafood eatery Brakkeput Mei Mei (www.brakkeputmeimei.com) while menus at upmarket Bistro Le Clochard (www.bistroleclochard.com) and Belle Terrace (www.avilahotel. com)
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates one direct daily flight to Curaçao Aeropuerto Hato from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information www.curacao.com
Looking for handy, up-to-date travel information? Check out KLM’s Destination Guide pages – and book your flight – on klm.com. Content provided by Frommer’s Unlimited © 2010, Whatsonwhen Limited.
DON’T MISS
Match this
The Hyatt Regency Curaçao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina is serving up an ‘Ultimate Tennis Package’ until December 22, offering great deals on tennis lessons and clinics at the resort’s state- of-the-art facilities. The package includes accommodation at this sumptuous hotel, with uninterrupted water views on three sides, providing all manner of relaxation and sporting opportunities – and no less than three top-class restaurants! Full details from www.curacao.hyatt.com
