Blogging to Aruba

Timeshare Advertiser BuyaTimeshare.com Releases Top 10 Resort List In Time For Summer

2013-05-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

The leading timeshare resale and rental advertising company announces its most popular rental resorts.

Timeshare rental accommodation is becoming more of a sought-after product as consumers discover the major advantages to renting a timeshare holiday apartment compared to a regular hotel room.

Merrimack, NH (PRWEB) May 14, 2013- Timeshare resale and rental advertising leader BuyaTimeshare.com has released its Top 10 List of the most popular resorts advertised on its industry-leading online platform. The list was compiled by the number of rental offers placed by consumers looking for timeshare rental accommodation available through the http://buyatimeshare.com website.

Aruba resorts dominate the list, taking four of the top 10 spots. International resorts take five of the 10 positions, with the usual U.S. destinations of Orlando, Hawaii and Las Vegas also appearing on the list.

Brand-named resorts also continue to be popular, with the Marriott brand continuing to carry weight with three of the top five spots. Disney, Hilton and Diamond also make the list, with mainstay Manhattan Club now affiliated with Bluegreen.

The most popular resorts, as measured by consumer interest, are:

1. Marriott's Aruba Surf Club (Aruba)
2. Marriott's Aruba Ocean Club (Aruba)
3. Manhattan Club (New York City)
4. Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Elara (Las Vegas)
5. Marriott's Ocean Pointe (Palm Beach Shores, Florida)
6. Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas (Orlando)
7. Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort (Aruba)
8. Harborside Resort at Atlantis (Nassau, Bahamas)
9. Occidental Grand Aruba (Aruba)
10. Diamond Resorts Ka'anapali Beach Club (Hawaii)

“These are all quality holiday locations and we are very pleased to be able to offer such excellent vacation accommodation to consumers looking for their next travel destination,” said Wesley Kogelman, president and CEO, BuyaTimeshare.com.

“Timeshare rental accommodation is becoming more of a sought-after product as consumers discover the major advantages to renting a timeshare holiday apartment compared to a regular hotel room. Separate bedrooms, full kitchens, in-room laundry amenities and larger overall units provide for a much more comfortable experience and we are seeing increased demand for these locations.

“Offers to rent timeshare from our site increased 85 percent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to last year, so we are definitely seeing more people not only looking for this type of accommodation but actually making offers to book them from our owner advertisers,” added Kogelman.

For more information about holiday accommodation options, please visit http://buyatimeshare.com.

About BuyATimeshare.com
BuyATimeshare.com is an internet advertising and marketing company for timeshare owners who seek to sell or rent timeshare by-owner. The company has been in business since 2000 and was ranked by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing, privately held companies in the country—making the prestigious Inc. 5000 list in 2010 and 2011. BuyATimeshare.com was also listed as one of BusinessNH Magazine’s Top 10 Companies to Watch in 2009. For more information, please visit http://buyatimeshare.com or call 1-800-882-0296.

Aruba Airport proudly launched its new website

2013-05-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Land on the new www.airportaruba.com

ORANJESTAD: Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) is very happy to announce to all aviation fans and users that it has launched its brand new website www.airportaruba.com!

This new website has a completely new look and feel and matches all the recent renovations and expansions at the airport. The new website is very easy for travelers to use and information can be found fast without having to go through the whole website.

Additionally new and exciting features have been added to the new website. Features like “Flight Tracking”, “Flight Search”, “Live Arrivals and Departure Updates with SMS notification” and more features are part of the new website. The new website is also very interactive! Users can contact the airport through the “Contact Us” form and also via the “Lost & Found” form to report lost items at the airport.

The new website has a complete new look and feel. At first glance the user will encounter a very peaceful, relaxing and modern website. Users will recognize different materials and textures used in the design of the airport building.

“Aruba Airport is a very unique airport in many ways. The old website didn’t reflect this! I’m sure that the new website with its new design layout and additional features will give the website user a much better preview of our airport,” said Peter Steinmetz, AAA’s CEO.

In the days ahead AAA will provide more information on each new feature of the website. We encourage you to visit www.airportaruba.com and to inform your family and friends to visit this brand new website!

Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts

2013-05-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Bucuti Winter Newsletter

"We have a number of major changes underway here at Bucuti and lots of good news to share with our valued guests. First and foremost, the time has come for us to replace the iconic galleon-shaped Pirate's Nest restaurant on our beach with a spectacular contemporary facility that will be called Elements. We have recently received the necessary permits to proceed with this upgrade and have finalized an agreement on the timeline with the contractor.

The project will take place between May 13 and August 11, 2013 and will entail three phases described below.

PHASE 1 (May 13 through May 31)
The project will begin with the demolition of the ship and the excavation of the foundation for the new structure. As this phase will involve substantial noise and equipment, we have decided that it is in the best interest of our guests to close out the entire resort during this three week period.

PHASE 2 (June 1 - July 5)
This time period entails the assembly of prefabricated elements of the structure within a fenced enclosure, which will be much less disruptive than Phase 1. We are familiar with this method of construction as it is the same as the one we utilized for the Tara extension and our new Fitness Center in our garden these past couple of months. To minimize any disruption, work will take place between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. Since our beachfront restaurant will not yet be complete, we will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in our Tara Lounge. The renowned Carte Blanche Restaurant with its' Chef's Table concept will also be open and accepting dinner reservations five nights a week.

Our pool and the entire beach area, including new lounge chairs and umbrellas, will be accessible. However, the fenced-in renovation project will be visible and nearby tobeachgoers. The Sand Bar will be open for our guests during this time and we will also have an alternate bar location available in one of the Bungalow Suites. Our famous Red Flag Beach Service will also continue as usual. Our Bucuti Wing Superior rooms facing south (towards Manchebo Beach Resort - with smoking balconies) and the Bungalow Suites will be closed during this phase, as these rooms would face the traffic for equipment and supplies delivery to the restaurant site. For smoking balconies, we will have our Deluxe Ocean View rooms available. All our other room categories will remain available to guests at a very special rate. Take advantage of a 35% reduction in the net room rate during this period.

PHASE 3 (July 6 - August 11)
The last phase involves the detail work inside the new restaurant including the stylish interior design and the renovation of our restaurant deck. Our restaurant will remain closed, and breakfast lunch and dinner will continue to be served in the Tara Lounge. Carte Blanche will also be open and accepting dinner reservations 5 nights a week. The Superior rooms on the south (Manchebo) side will reopen for reservations during Phase 3 and all rooms in all categories will be offered at a special rate during this period with a 25% reduction of the net room rate. Should any of our guests feel inconvenienced by this project, we would ask you to contact management immediately so we can attend to your needs. We can address your concerns on-site or offer alternate accommodation on the island, if that is your preference. We are thrilled with the plans for the new air-conditioned Elements restaurant that offers a glorious view of the beach, as well as the improvements to Bucuti's Sand Bar Lounge with its spectacular oceanfront deck."

Bird Watching and Bird Conservation on Aruba

2013-05-14T08:00:00.003-04:00

ARUBA May 7th, 2013- Soothing, relaxing, connecting with nature…these are some of the attributes many find in the activity of bird watching. It’s a growing hobby worldwide, and here in Aruba with some 236 registered species of birds locals and visitors to our island are captivated with “birding” opportunities. Aruba’s semi-arid climate, diverse flora and fauna, and unique landscapes of beaches, reefs, mangroves, marshes, rolling countryside, and lushly landscaped resorts are havens for species that take up permanent residence, as well as those species just passing through for rest and refueling before journeying on to North or South America.

In 2010, Aruba Birdlife Conservation was officially established with the aim of protecting the biodiversity in general, and birds in and around Aruba, in particular. The foundation is working towards official protection status for several areas of the island inhabited by birds, as well as areas frequented by birds for feeding and breeding. This year, the foundation launched its new website (www.arubabirdlifeconservation.com ) where information can be found on bird watching and conservation on Aruba.

Visitors to our island can easily access the Bubali Plas Bird Sanctuary—with a bird-watching tower overlooking marsh areas—located adjacent to the Westin Resort & Casino, Aruba in the high-rise hotel area of Palm Beach.

Shoko Owl Named National Symbol of Aruba
Our beloved shoko owl (athene cunicularia arubenis) was declared Aruba’s fifth national symbol last year after an ambitious awareness campaign spearheaded by Aruba Birdlife Conservation’s president, Mr. Gregory Peterson, with cooperation and support of Diego Marquez of Arikok National Park. The popularity and community support for official recognition of the shoko owl through venues like facebook prompted the government to add the bird as the fifth national symbol along with our flag, coat of arms, national anthem, and the official Aruba logo.

This burrowing owl is only found in Aruba, and those lucky enough to spot these cute creatures will likely see them during the early morning and early evening hours bobbing, weaving, and winking on the doorstep to their homes dug in the ground.

Story Courtesy of Aruba Daily

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort Celebrates Its Platinum Sustainability Award

2013-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort is Aruba’s first property to achieve EarthCheck’s highest accolade of Platinum Certification for its 10 year commitment to implementing world-class sustainability initiatives. In recognition of Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort’s outstanding achievement, Jurgen van Schaijk, Managing Director of the resort, was presented with a Platinum Plaque at an awards ceremony held at the property in Aruba.

EarthCheck Certified, a program delivered by EC3 Global, is the world’s leading environmental Benchmarking and Certification program for the travel and tourism sector.

Stewart Moore, CEO of EarthCheck and EC3 Global, congratulated Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort on its Platinum Certification achievement.

“I would like to congratulate Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort on becoming Platinum Certified. Such an achievement is not easy. It is a credit to the staff and the managers of the resort for understanding that achieving environmental and socially sustainable results requires commitment and ownership across all areas of the property. By working with EarthCheck, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort has chosen a scientific approach to sustainable tourism. This involves using EarthCheck science-based benchmarking software and tools to measure the effectiveness of their environmental practices each year for the past 10 years,” said Mr Moore.

Some of the resort’s key sustainability achievements include, reducing their energy consumption through installing insulation and solar panels, as well as educating staff and guests about energy efficiency. To save water, the resort uses grey water for irrigation and choses to landscape with plants that thrive in desert climates. Every month, the resort organises a beach clean-up, where guests and staff get together to clean up the beaches around the property.

Additionally, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort runs seminar sessions for its staff on topics that include managing electricity and water consumption home and hosts lectures that focus on environmental sustainability and the nesting season of the leather back turtles in Aruba. The staff members are also very active within the community. In 2012, employees participated, along with local residents and visitors from around the world, in the annual reef care project, which is Aruba’s largest volunteer environmental initiative.

To achieve Platinum Certification the resort had to meet strict environmental sustainability criteria under the EarthCheck Standard, and validate their performance through a process of annual Benchmarking and regular audits that are conducted by an independent third party.

Aruba Coins Celebrate Accession of King Willem-Alexander

2013-05-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Link: Aruba Coins Celebrate Accession of King Willem-Alexander

On Vacation with Medication

2013-05-10T08:00:00.002-04:00

An article by Heidi Marchena, pharmacist at Botica di Servicio

ARUBA May 8th, 2013– Planning a vacation usually includes a thorough check of the travel requirements such as flight, lodgings, passport, maybe a needed visa or preventive shots, etc. Something easily overlooked and forgotten is to make preparations for needed prescription medication, with the risk of turning the vacation into a nightmare. Prior to departure a few steps can be taken to eliminate future problems. First, ask your physician to provide a letter describing your specific health condition and related use of medication. In case of emergency this information can be very useful to a physician at destination and, if applicable, this letter can support your claim at customs your need to bring drugs in or out of the country. Secondly, ask your pharmacist to provide a copy of your last filled prescription and a list stating the brand name(s) of the drug(s), along with the generic description.

The actual traveling is done with the medication at hand and in reach, stored in a bag, backpack, pocket or cool container if applicable. But never in luggage! Luggage might not be easily accessible when it’s time to take the medication, luggage can be lost, and luggage cannot explain to custom agents what the medication (drugs!) is doing in the luggage. Make sure the quantity of medication is more than enough for the entire vacation and keep it in its original container to avoid questions and loss. In case of emergency while abroad contact the local consulate or embassy and your health insurance company. They can tell you what to do.

These pre-travel preparations should eliminate any foreseeable problems that may arise while traveling.

Travel (abroad) can be a wonderful, relaxing experience. Don’t let a bottle of pills spoil the vacation of your lifetime.

Story Courtesy of Aruba Daily

Top Aruba All Inclusive Resorts

2013-05-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Occidental Grand Aruba

Hotel Riu Palace Aruba

Divi Aruba All Inclusive Resort

Tamarijn Aruba All-Inclusive

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino Hotel

Celebrating Mother's Day!

2013-05-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

For those mothers who are choosing to celebrate Mother's Day in the Caribbean, we wanted to thank you in a special way! Each of our resorts will have unique Mother's Day deals for our special mothers. Without them, we wouldn't be here! Again, we thank you for choosing to spend your Mother's Day at Divi!

Divi Aruba Phoenix
Pure Ocean Restaurant
• F.R.E.E glass of Mimosa with the purchase of a buffet breakfast. (7am-11am)
• Special F.R.E.E. dessert with purchase of dinner. (6pm-10pm)

Pure Beach Restaurant
• F.R.E.E. glass of house wine with the purchase of a main course. (11am-11pm.)

Pure Deli
• Your choice of a special sweet or Dutch cookie with the purchase of any coffee. (All day service.)

Pure Spa
• Purchase a Pure Spa Massage (75min. - $110) and receive a F.R.E.E. Mini Facial (25min)
• Purchase a Hot Stone Spa Pedicure (60 min. - $80) and receive a F.R.E.E. Polish Change, hands (30min)
• Purchase a Herbal Body Wrap (60 min. - $70) and receive a F.R.E.E. Body Scrub (25min)

Divi Village
Windows on Aruba
Enjoy a special Mother's Day 3-course menu at the low price of $48.50. A rose will be given to each mom (pending availability) and live entertainment to be provided by Ivan Jansen. The menu includes:

• Endives and Roquefort - Endive salad with French Roquefort cheese croutons, tomato and French dressing
• Grouper and Crab - Poached grouper fillet with crab claw with smoked carrot mash and saffron sauce
• Profiterole and Banana - Profiteroles with banana mouse and passion fruit sherbet

Aruba Vacation Packages - Aruba Vacation Deals

2013-05-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

South America Poker Classic at the Radisson Aruba Resort

2013-05-01T11:22:00.001-04:00

Aruba Traffic

2013-04-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

ARUBA April 10th, 2013– The traffic on our beautiful island is sometimes a lot and congested in some places. There are a lot of people driving here from different countries and they have different driving styles. The traffic laws are almost the same all over the world, (just some small differences).

For example the traffic lights mean the same in every country.

The green light commands you to drive! and the red light commands you to stop! Yellow/Orange also means Stop! and if you cannot stop continue driving and clear the crossroad as soon as possible.

Which is something that rarely anybody does.

On the island and in many other countries the drivers give more gas to still make the traffic light. That is why Mr/Ms police officer says that yellow/orange also commands to stop!.

If you get a fine for driving through yellow/orange of course you won’t like it it’s not fair. Just too bad, because the police have the final say.

Other rules like keep on driving on the right side, that’s the same over the whole world, except for of course where they drive on the left side of the road.

“Stay in your lane” is applicable when you are in traffic jams.

However on the way to the hotels (Sasakiweg) almost everyone keeps on driving in the left lane. Officially you are not allowed to pass on the right, in an collision you are wrong, you’re only allowed to pass on the right if the car on the left of you signals to turn left.

What happens now is that is that even taxi drivers and truck drivers keep in the left lane. As professionals they should know better to keep on the left side.

I wish you driving pleasure on our island. And be vigilant for drivers that do not adhere to traffic laws.

Regards, Carlo D.

Story Courtesy of Aruba Daily

Video: Aruba's Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

2013-04-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Uniting forces to control invading lionfish in Aruba

2013-04-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

Reduce Stress With Exclusive Parents’ Offer From Aruba Marriott Resort & Casino

2013-04-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

Aruba vacation package includes sailing, reserved pool cabana and complimentary breakfasts at luxurious Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Now is the time to plan a tropical getaway. Couples can find themselves again with a relaxing vacation at the beach paradise of the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

Palm Beach, Aruba (PRWEB) April 16, 2013- Now is the time to plan a tropical getaway. Couples can find themselves again with a relaxing vacation at the beach paradise of the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

This Mother’s Day is a great time for travelers to take advantage of the Parent’s De-Stress Package. This kids-free offer gives parents quality time to catch up on sleep and just relax with each other. Guests can stay four nights in spacious rooms and take advantage of special offers every day.

The Aruba vacation package has a variety of options, including buffet breakfast for two daily in La Vista Restaurant, sunset sailing for two and a reserved pool cabana at H2Oasis Adult Exclusive Outdoor pool for one day. Reservations are required for the sailing, while the cabana special is available with advanced reservations. Late check-out completes the package.

The full-featured Aruba resort includes great activities just steps from the water. Guests can spend time wading in the waves, relaxing on the beach or indulging themselves at the pool. They can enjoy sun, surf and serenity without leaving the luxurious resort.

Visitors to the island also can take a short walk or ride to other activities under the sun with nearby boating and scuba diving, hiking and a round of golf. When guests return to the beach resort, they can continue enjoying the benefits of their accommodations. Besides spacious rooms and Marriott’s signature Revive bedding, guests will appreciate large-screen TVs, in-room coffeemakers, mini-refrigerators and safes. Guests can have newspapers delivered to their room or use valet dry-cleaning. Other features offered by the hotel include wireless Internet access and a bazaar that sells snacks, drinks, gifts and magazines.

Guests will enjoy stunning views from their 100-square-foot private balcony or unwind at the Aruba’s largest spa, the Mandara Spa, which features VIP couple treatment rooms and a steam room.

While staying at the hotel in Aruba, guests have several fine dining options to choose from, including famed Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Italian fare at La Vista. Seafood lovers can’t miss at the Simply Fish, a uniquely Aruba dining experience. The Ketsu Sushi Bar is open for dinner, while the Lobby Cafe offers a wide selection of fares, from sandwiches and gelato ice cream to coffee and pastries 24 hours a day.

Guests can extend their night at the Lobby Bar, with its signature “aloe” cocktail, or at the on-site Stellaris Casino. This casino offers gaming tables, more than 500 slot machines and state-of-art Race and Sports kiosks.

Relax ... the Aruba Marriott has Caribbean visitors covered. Visitors who want to take advantage of the Parent’s De-Stress Package can book reservations online by calling 1-800-228-9290. They can ask for promotional code Z87. The offer is valid throughout the month of April - for stays April 15 to June 30, 2013. Guests must stay four consecutive nights. Rates start at $253.46 per night.

About the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has 411 spacious rooms, each with large private balconies looking out to lush landscapes and the wide-open Caribbean Sea. Seven dining options provide a large choice, and the casino and spa are both the island’s largest. There is a free-form swimming pool as well as H2Oasis, an adults-only pool. A high-energy health club and fitness room are also on site. For information, visit http://www.arubamarriott.com or http://www.facebook.com/ArubaMarriott.

Aruba: One Happy Family-Friendly Island!

2013-04-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Link: Aruba: One Happy Family-Friendly Island!

MCM Tours Summer Special- Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

2013-04-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

8 days, 7 nights. Includes the following:

Non stop air (where available)
Gardenview room
$250 resort credit (per room)
Roundtrip transfers
All air and hotel taxes
Must book asap offer expires on July 31, 2013.

Must travel Tues, Wed, Thurs, rates are based on double occupancy. Blackout dates apply.

SeatGuru Re-Launches Website To Make Air Travel Planning Easier Than Ever

2013-04-16T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Airline Seat Map Authority Unveils New Site Design and Flight Shopping Functionality

NEWTON, Mass., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SeatGuru®, the ultimate online guide to air travel, today revealed several site enhancements that further help flyers find the best seats and flights. The iconic color-coded airline seat maps have been updated with a fresh look, a more intuitive layout, and additional content such as user submitted photos. Furthermore, travelers can now shop for flights and quickly identify itineraries that offer the best onboard experience with the new "Guru Factor" rating system.

For more than 10 years, SeatGuru has been the leading resource for frequent flyers and savvy travelers looking for unbiased seat map information and advice along with details on aircraft amenities. The new site builds on that content and was designed with features to elevate the user experience including:

Live Flight Shopping - Leveraging the powerful TripAdvisor flight comparison search engine, SeatGuru can now help travelers find the lowest available fares on hundreds of flights, and show those that score highest on seating comfort and onboard amenities.
User Provided Photos - Flyers can now view photos of individual aircraft seats along with the associated commentary and amenity information, helping to avoid any unpleasant surprises once they board their flights. SeatGuru users also have the ability to easily upload their own seat photos.
Featured User Comment - Along with SeatGuru's existing advice and curated recommendations on seats, the site will also show selected comments from travelers on the new seat map pages to help travelers make an informed decision when choosing a seat.
Improved navigation - SeatGuru has made it easier to look up the seat map for your flight with improved search functionality by route or flight number and better aircraft matching logic. Along with the ability to browse a directory or airlines and aircraft, the new site also makes it easier to quickly scan the seating details for every aircraft.
Guru Factor - the new flight search tool includes the Guru Factor which offers detailed seat comfort and onboard amenity information along with a overall recommendation of either "Love it," "Like it," or "Live with it" for your flight itinerary. The Guru Factor is customized by each cabin class and is comprised of an overall comfort score based on the type of seat, seat pitch, width, and recline, in-flight entertainment options, onboard amenities, and TripAdvisor customer satisfaction ratings for airlines.

In the coming weeks, SeatGuru's iPhone app will also carry the new seat map design and improved navigation. Travelers will have the ability to create a profile and easily submit comments and photos of their seat while on the go.

"The new SeatGuru will give millions of flyers even more useful insight to help them plan and have the best flight experience possible," said Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights and SeatGuru. "Access to our comprehensive seat and airline amenity information, new flight shopping functionality, purchase options, and trustworthy advice from fellow travelers will be infinitely valuable for those planning their next flight."

For more information, please visit SeatGuru's re-launched site at www.SeatGuru.com, or download the mobile app for iPhone, iPod Touch and Android via www.SeatGuru.com/mobileapps.

About SeatGuru
SeatGuru (www.seatguru.com) is the Internet's most comprehensive resource for airline information, incorporating 45,000+ flyer reviews on airline seats, services, and amenities, as well as providing useful travel trips. SeatGuru offers more than 700 airline seat maps covering nearly 100 airlines so that travelers can find the best seats before they fly. SeatGuru is part of TripAdvisor, Inc.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site,* enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 60 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 75 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 74 million unique monthly visitors.** TripAdvisor, Inc.'s travel media brands include www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

Recipes - Official Aruba Community Forum

2013-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

Link: Recipes - Culinary & Culture- Official Aruba Community Forum

Google Flight Search

2013-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Google offers the ultimate tool for looking up flights.

Flight Search

It is possible to sort all of elements listed below

Listed are:

Time of Takeoff
Dur. (duration of the flight/flight time)
Arrival
Airline (includes alliances)*
Route (Nonstop and/or number of stops including the airport(s) where the stop will take place
Round trip (price).

Clicking on the round trip flight price will offer a display off the complete flight schedule, including layover duration and type of equipment. Prices displayed be round trip and will include all taxes and fees.

Choose your outbound flight and then your return flight and there will be a button to direct you to the booking site for that flight itinerary at that price.

Below this information additional details provided are baggage and other fees. Two examples are listed below. For additional convenience, there is a link to the airline's website page for detailed baggage information.

1 checked bag $50 round-trip- $25 to AUA, $25 to IND
2 checked bags $130 round-trip- $65 to AUA, $65 to IND
Estimated cost. Baggage requirements are based on many factors. More information from United.

1 checked bag $50 round-trip $25 to AUA, $25 to JFK
2 checked bags $130 round-trip $65 to AUA, $65 to JFK
Wi-Fi Available for your entire itinerary
Estimated cost. Baggage requirements are based on many factors. More information from Delta.

In my mind, another added feature which may be the best of all, from Google Flight Search help page Comparing prices across dates

"Comparing prices across dates

Once you’ve selected your airports, click the charts icon to the right of the filters to open up the Lowest fares tool. Each bar on this chart represents the lowest price for flights of a specified trip length beginning on that day, with the chart showing up to four weeks’ of flights at a time. To use this tool, first adjust your trip length by using the left and right arrows next to the current trip duration. Then, click the arrows on either side of the chart to move the shown dates forward or backward by two weeks.

Hover over the different bars to see how moving your departure date could change the trip price. Once you’ve found a date that might work for you, click the respective bar to change your desired dates and see a full set of new flight options."

Besides the major alliance airlines, it shows Jet Blue, Air Tran and Spirit. If you are flying domestically, it does not include Southwest, but click on "longer or more expensive flights hidden. Show all", it will list their flight schedule.

It also will not display all flights available unless you click on the link to "longer or more expensive flights hidden. Show all". This is the best tool to use in order to find all flights offered to your destination.

*Star Alliance
*oneworld
*SkyTeam

Affected passenger flow at the airport: Challenging passenger processes for flights departing to the US

2013-04-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

Link: Affected passenger flow at the airport: Challenging passenger processes for flights departing to the US

AAA advises passengers departing to the US to be at the airport at least 4 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of their flight at the airport, in order to ensure a timely boarding process.

Unexpected Aruba

2013-04-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Link: Unexpected Aruba | Chronicle - WCVB Home

Make sure you see the feature segment about the Donkey Sanctuary about 3:00 into the video

Lightweight Luggage Update

2013-04-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Here is an update to "Lightweight Luggage".

We have Heys Lightweight Hardside luggage. Our first purchase was about 4+ years ago and we swear by it. It has survived flights to NJ, Houston and Aruba as well as a couple of cruises. The hardsided luggage enables us when returning from Aruba, to safely pack, cushioned by clothing in the center of the suitcases, bottles of our favorite Aruba souvenir, Amstel Bright.

Dimensions:
21" x 15" x 12"
25" x 18" x 12.75"
29" x 20" x 13.7"

We bought the Heys Cruzer 2 and LOVED it!! Now we have the Xcase-XL and it is an even better product. Heys now has their Cruzer 3 Lite. It looks like they have reinforced the corners which will make it even better!

As an added tip, the luggage is available in Black, Orange or Silver. We bought our sets in orange. It makes finding your luggage whether on a carousel or lined up, as in Aruba at the airport just prior to U.S. Customs, EXTREMELY easy to find!

Shop around online for the best pricing.

Enjoy Sunshine and Shopping in Aruba With Renaissance Hotel's Retail Therapy Package

2013-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino Offer Includes Breakfast, Cocktails, Discounts & More

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA--(Marketwire - Mar 26, 2013) - Retail therapy can do wonders for the spirit; add a beautiful private beach and warm weather, and it could be the perfect vacation.

The Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is offering guests 18 and older the chance to experience its luxurious Oranjestad, Aruba hotel with the Ultimate Retail Therapy Package. With this offer, guests receive:

Accommodations at the adults-only Renaissance Marina Hotel
Daily breakfast for two
A shopping discount booklet for the Renaissance Mall and Renaissance MarketPlace
$75 cocktail credit at BLUE, one of this hotel's Aruba fine dining venues
$25 credit per person to the hotel's casino
Room tax and service charge

When it comes to where to shop in Aruba, the Renaissance Mall is a destination unto itself, with more than 60 shops and restaurants. Just opposite the marina, this retail mecca houses outposts of luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Carolina Herrera, Chopard, BCBG MAXAZRIA and Furla. Plus, find everything from beachwear to cigars.

After an afternoon of shopping, return to the resort for some pampering at the Okeanos Spa, where a full menu of treatments includes island-inspired body wraps. Or, head out to the private beach or relax poolside with a cocktail in hand. In the evening, take that new outfit on a test drive at the 24-hour casino or at The Lounge, Midnight Grill, featuring live entertainment and light fare.
To book the Ultimate Retail Therapy Package, visit here. Prices, in U.S. dollars, are per night. A minimum five-night stay is required. Rates for the package at this all-inclusive resort in Aruba vary per season. Book by April 4, 2013, and rates start at $454 a night for a resort room; from April 5 to December 20, a resort room is $254 a night.

About the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
At the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, guests can pick the experience best suited for them, whether it's a family vacation at the Renaissance Ocean Suites or a grownups-only getaway at the Renaissance Marina Hotel. At the latter, those 18 and older can enjoy an adults-only stay with a private pool, 24-hour Crystal Casino and Okeanos Spa, offering signature treatments including the Sea of Tranquility and Chocolate Embrace. At the former, families can enjoy a dedicated pool, spacious accommodations and the Patamingo Kids Club, with all-day activities. Guests of both hotels have access to a private beach, the only in Aruba; spend the day snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving or kayaking.

Guest rooms are cozy and comfortable with a 32-inch cable LCD TV, high-speed Internet access, microwave, minifridge and luxuriously appointed bed (Ocean Suites rooms include a sofa bed). With so much to offer, including 22,000 square feet of event space, the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is the ideal venue for a destination wedding or corporate retreat; its Crystal Ballroom can seat up to 1,600. Dining at this beach resort ranges from a fresh breakfast buffet at Captain's Corner to live entertainment and light fare at The Lounge, Midnight Grill.

Save Money Flying to Aruba II

2013-03-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Beware when booking US Air? I bet you thought this would be a story with an unhappy ending.

Actually it is a cautious tale with a pretty sweet outcome.This is not so much about saving money when flying to Aruba, but more about value when booking your flights. From time to time we have all seen the instances of cheaper fares if you say make 2 stops instead of one.

Do you always automatically chose the first "best match" presented to you when booking a fare on an airline website? Recently while on usairways.com pricing holiday flights for my brother from Philadelphia to Aruba, the "best match" fare was $898.

The itinerary offered PHL to AUA through Charlotte and a non-stop on the return flight. Some of the fare pairings I had seen on other days included flights on turbo prop planes. I know they are safe other they would not be in the air, however, given the choice I would really prefer a "jet" for any of my loved ones.

When scrolling down the page to search flights by connection(s) and equipment, I noticed there were two non-stop flights PHL - AUA offering non-refundable coach for $724. Continuing across the column, one of the same non-stop flights was offered at a cheaper $642 for first class non-refundable.

Round-trip non-stop itinerary from PHL - AUA was a total of $1027, including a first class seat on the outbound flight.

Round-trip connecting itinerary as detailed above through CLT, was a total of $898. For an extra $129 my brother has not only the privilege of first class on the outbound, but:

Is able to sleep 4 1/2 hours later
Save 1 1/2 hours in travel time by flying non-stop
Priority boarding, check-in and priority baggage handling
Comfortable seating for a 4 1/2+ flight

Add in the cost of:

A 12 night vacation he will be checking a suitcase, complimentary for first class a savings of $25

Extra cost is $104.

Add in the cost of:

Lunch on board and 2 cocktails, a savings of $22+

Extra cost of first class is $82.