The 2008 Music Festival is coming up October 10 & 11th

Aruba is among the most southern of the Lesser Antilles islands.  It’s about 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Venezuela.  On a clear day the Venezuelan mainland is visible from the southeastern coast of Aruba.  It’s about 42 miles (67 km), or 20 minutes by airplane, to the nearest Caribbean neighbor, Curacao.

The island has a jagged coast & heavy surf on our north, windward side. On the southern, leeward coast there approx seven miles (11 km) of honey-colored sand beaches. Aruba is about five miles (8 km) at it widest point and 19 miles (30 km) in length.

Aruba attracts some one million visitors and cruise passengers per year, most from North America and nearby Venezuela, and it ranks as one of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation spots.  There are miles of beaches; some quiet beaches & some beaches with stiff winds & a choppy surf.   Of course you will find many 1st class resorts, gambling casinos, shopping, and dozens of opportunities for fine dining

Oranjestad is the capital city.  It is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island.  It is extremely colorful with its Dutch colonial architecture and pastels.   Along the wharf,  you can find merchants selling fresh fish and produce right off the boats every morning.  The downtown area with shopping malls surrounding it is the primary shopping area on the island.

Visitors looking for beautiful beaches, glamour, glitz & plenty to do, choose Aruba. Make sure to visit the Natural Pool, the Natural Bridge and the Quadiriki Caves while you are visiting Aruba.

Official Site of Aruba Tourism Authority

Aruba Travel Guide

Aruba Music

Aruba Television

Aruba Video

Click here for more information on Oranjestad from Professor Beach’s website where you will find photos, maps and airport info.

There is much to see and do in the Barbados.  You can easily rent a car or take one of the guided bus tours. If you choose to rent a car in the Barbados, the roads meander and are often unmarked, so don’t get frustrated if you get lost – seems like everybody does!  If you make a wrong turn, consider it part of the adventure of touring Barbados. You might want to pick up any of the several free maps available everywhere.  The locals are usually very helpful in getting you to your destination.  They will do their best to try to steer you the right way, even if the directions seem a bit skewed. But not to worry, you will get there eventually.

The prime resort area with its beautiful beaches can be found on the West coast.  Here you will find some small towns with a wide selection of restaurants, accommodations and duty-free shopping.

The southern end of the island is the hub of the island’s nightlife with St. Lawrence Gap as the center of activity.  You will find a variety of restaurants, accommodations, duty-free shopping and action-filled beaches during the day.   Here you can visit the nature & wildlife reserve and/or the rum distillery.

On the east Coast, with the Atlantic coastline with its crashing waves and empty beaches, this is the quieter part of the island, though very popular with island tours.   In the rugged area of the  Scotland District, you can find spectacular rock formations – this is a photographers dream.  A trip on one of the island’s Safari Tours will ensure that you will see it all.  This area is especially known for its relaxing accommodations and restaurants.

In the northern part of the island you will find secluded coves, a wildlife reserve, weathered cliffs, pounding surfs, breathtaking viewsand sleepy fishing villages. This northern section is also the least developed part of Barbados.

In the central part of the island, you will find a great experience for lovers of natural beauty, who want to see an array of botanical wonders, gullies and cane fields. You can go underground by electric tram and see some of the most beautiful caves found anywhere, or soar sky-high over the tree tops for a bird’s eye helicopter view of the shores and countryside.

You can sail along the tranquil waters on a day or night cruise, touring the lovely coastline and witnessing the beautiful sea life.  It’s fun to swim with the sea turtles or snorkel on a coral reef.  You might just want to lay on one of the many palm-fringed, coral sand beaches and relax!

There are some upcoming festivals yet to come in 2008.

The Taste of Barbados Food Festival starts October 3rd and runs through October 11th.
2008 Virgin Atlantic Music Festival Barbados starts October 30 and runs through November 8th.

More links to visit if you are thinking about a trip to the Barbados:
Official website of the Barbados Tourism Authority.

Fun in Barbados

Barbados Government

Grantley Adams International Airport

Transportion on the island is good, with ‘route taxis’, travelling to most points on the island. These small buses can at times be crowded, but will usually take the more scenic routes to destinations. They typically depart from the capital Bridgetown or from Speightstown in the northern part of the island.

There is also a helicopter shuttle service, which offers air taxi services to a number of sites around the island, mainly on the West Coast tourist belt. Air and water traffic is regulated by the Barbados Port Authority.  More information regarding the Port at Bridgetown can be found here:  The Port of Bridgetown.

Visit Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website for more information!  You will find maps, photos, chamber of commerce info, airport info and more.  Just click on each link below.

Click here to visit Bridgetown

Click here to visit Bushy Park

Click here to visit Holetown

Click here to visit Oistins

Click here to visit Speightstown

Click here to visit St. Lawrence Gap