Aruba

It is not difficult to lean back and take it easy on an island such as Aruba. Its way of life is just the tonic for any frazzled visitor: like the aloe vera gel whose origin of plant is everywhere on the island, there is something here to soothe anyone's daily stresses and abrasions.

Oranjestad highlights
Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, dazzles any visitor with the orange facades that brightly array the architecture. The colour indicates the island's historical ties with The Netherlands - although seceded from it in 1986, Aruba's head of state is still the Dutch ruling monarch.

Oranjestad has some of the best duty-free shops in the Caribbean. There are also flamingos to spot in the national park, desert flora, caves with ancient drawings to explore and natural phenomena to discover.

Beaches and watersports
Arubans know that they live on an island with the best that Caribbean sea and sand has to offer. The sea is populated by creatures of all colours: parrotfish splashed in dazzling teal and gold are a popular sight in Aruba's waters.

There is something for everyone, with certain beaches regarded best for activities such as snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing and diving.