| Located just 35 miles off the coast of Venezuela lay | | | | If your time ashore permits, Willemstad is a great |
| the island of Curacao. Sailing to the island it is much | | | | city for walking, the city's architecture is beautiful and |
| more romantic and Curacao has its own charm. The | | | | painted in bold vibrant colors that would envy any of |
| island is 32 miles long and 2 ½ to 7 ½ | | | | those found in a crayola box. The museums are a |
| miles wide in different areas. It is the largest of the | | | | must to visit and so are the sidewalk cafes that are |
| ABC Islands of the Netherland Antilles, Aruba and | | | | outside buildings with touches of gables and arches |
| Bonaire are the other two. Being located outside of | | | | that are painted in pastels colors. Restaurants serve |
| the hurricane belt it is a sought after place to go if | | | | local dishes as well as international fares such as fish, |
| you are looking for warm weather during the | | | | chicken, shrimp and burgers and by all means wash |
| holidays. | | | | down that lunch or dinner with the locally brewed |
| Temperatures are warm year around and daytime | | | | Amstel beer. |
| dress is casual. Upon your arrival, depending on the | | | | Downtown shopping has become known as some of |
| size of your cruise ship, you will dock at either the | | | | the world's best, with each store being painted in the |
| Mega Pier (newer larger ships dock here) in | | | | beautiful colors of the Caribbean and each one |
| Willemstad or the Curacao Cruise Terminal (smaller | | | | brighter and prettier than the other. The warmth and |
| yacht like ships dock here). Either way when you | | | | charm that you will receive from each shop owner |
| dock you will only be a short distance from the | | | | standing inside as you enter in only ads to the feeling |
| Queen Emma Bridge and then a short walk to the | | | | of being welcomed. Curacao is less humid than most |
| downtown area and business district. If you are not | | | | other Caribbean islands but sunscreens, sunglasses |
| up to walking taxi stands are available outside the | | | | and a hat are highly recommended. One visit to this |
| terminals, but do agree upon a price with the driver | | | | tropical paradise will have you coming back again and |
| before you leave the curb. | | | | again. |
