USVI-On-Line

After re-reading the criteria and realizing the bride-to-be isn't really into the beach, then one of the Aruba high rises on Palm Beach would be perfect. Most of them have beautiful grounds and great pool areas. Just be sure she doesn't pick the one with the "sandy" pool area

If they want to party, they should take the Kukukunuku bus tour one night. Don and I aren't big drinkers or partiers typically, but we had an absolute blast on this trip. If they (groom maybe) want to get out and snorkel and party some more, there are some very good day sails. There are also some jeep tours on the less populated side of the island. As for exploring Aruba, someone should set her expectations that outside the resort areas, it is one of the ugliest islands around. It's very dry, so you don't have the lush tropical flora/fauna that you see in all the brochures.

In all my island travels, I thought Aruba did "tourism" best. Not sure if anything has changed since the Natalie Hollaway tragedy.

We've been to Aruba many times and had really enjoyed it. As mentioned, outside of the beach/hotel areas, the island is nothing much to speak of. In fact, you could rent a jeep for one day (we did this on our honeymoon) and explore the whole island in less than a day! Leaves a lot of time for pool or beach, water sports, and shopping. We always stayed in the hotels along Palm Beach because they have a nice concrete walkway along the beach that runs from the first hi-rise to the last hi-rise in that line of hotels. Makes it very easy to hotel-hop to explore restaurants and manager's cocktail parties, etc.

Looks like Aruba is the thang!

I have mentioned to her that Aruba is very flat and arid. I'll mention it again with some quotes from you guys so she really gets it.

Thanks again- this place is a fountain of great info!!

First time on the off-topic forum for me.

I will add that we have close friends of the family that never travelled outside the mainland prior to their first trip to Aruba. They very much fit your description and they LOVED Aruba.

PA Girl wrote:First time on the off-topic forum for me.

where ya been?

[/quote]

where ya been? [/quote]

Not working! Seriously, I sorta forgot is existed

jayseadee wrote:
Oh and Hawaii - need at least 10days from the east coast, I think. No gambling yet though. I'm guessing an island is an island and which sea/ocean doesn't really matter.

For me an island is not an island! Hawaii is one of the greates island! I am thinking of getting an Maui real estate ... that would be soooo amazing!

LysaC wrote:Looks like Aruba is the thang!

I have mentioned to her that Aruba is very flat and arid. I'll mention it again with some quotes from you guys so she really gets it.

Thanks again- this place is a fountain of great info!!

Lysa- We love Aruba....been twice....going back again soon! Here's some links feel free to PM me...

http://www.bucuti.com/en/
http://www.panoramio.com/user/584776/tags/Aruba
http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Aruba/index.htm
http://arubaservices.com/villaz.html#
http://www.aruba-bb.com/
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.546772 ... =0&m=a&v=2
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://bb ... 8&t=k&om=1