I heard about a secret closed door restaurant in Buenos Aires from a few of my ‘in the know peeps’. I had never heard of this concept - but, I knew I wanted in. Having a Jet Set Life to me is all about different, new and exciting things to do. Kim and I had our Buenos Aires contact, Fiorella, get us into Casa Felix on a Saturday night (which was a little like juggling flames). We really had no clue what to expect. All we knew was that the ‘restaurant’ was the house of professional Chef Diego Felix.

We jumped into a cab and headed to the comfy residential neighborhood of Chacarita (which is near Palermo). We pulled up to a beautiful building from the 1920’s, rang the bell and chef Diego Felix warmly greeted us. From the moment you step foot in his house you can feel the intense and creative vibe. Diego was kind enough to grant us special access to interview him about an hour before his guests arrived (see video below).

Then it was show time. 12 guests, who don’t know each other, ring the door bell and enter the world of Diego Felix. He greets them one by one and welcomes them back to his kitchen for an amazing cocktail (wish I could tell you what it was - all I know was that it was made of herbs from his garden and bordered on a lemoncello kind of taste - it was a triumph!).

Over cocktails, and in a rock star kind of way, he was fielding questions about who he is and what he does. Simultaneously, the rest of us were getting to know each other. Usually, the dining experience is held in his private open air courtyard by candlelight. However, because it was raining, we were then directed to what could probably be called his living room- turned dining room- to begin our culinary experience.

When seated we find a beautiful handwritten menu made of parchment at everyone’s place setting describing the five course menu. With a hat tip to the slow food movement the experience began. Diego personally brought out each course and explained why it was selected and gave us a brief description of its indigenous South American ingredients, which he scours the continent to find.

As I’m not a foodie - I won’t go into the description of each of the five courses. I’ll leave the details of that to Food and Wine magazine, which they have done brilliantly here. I’ll simply say the food was incredible! We met some really great people that night. We even wound up partying with a few of them, including Chef Felix, at a VIP table at Jet night club (which our contact Fiorella also arranged for us).

If you make it to Buenos Aires, and you should, make a stop at the (not so secret anymore) hidden restaurant of Casa Felix. I promise you’ll love it.

Robert Murgatroyd is the co-owner of Jet Set Life http://jetsetlife.tv/home.htm where he reports on where the Jet Set stay, eat and play around the world. For more reviews, photos and videos check out his blog http://www.jetsetlife.tv/robsblog/

The third largest island in the heart of the pristine Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus, is full of rich history, splendors that dazzle the eye and incredible attractions making it one of the world’s most prominent tourist attractions. With its easy access form all corners of the earth; there is no reason to skip out on this alluring island paradise.

Cyprus has a culture rich with Western Europe. Greek mythology calls the island the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. It’s location being close to the shores of Africa and Asia it is riddled with touches of the East. Its rich, cultural tones, which creep throughout the island, are an excellent place to start your journey, immersing yourself in an ambience soaked in fascinating history.

The city of Limassol is the second largest city of Cyprus, which flourishes with ancient ruins and modern wonders. One of the first places to greet tourists like a stone monolith looming on the horizon is Kolossi Castle. The castle was said to be the marriage place of Richard the Lion Heart to Berengaria of Navarro after the returning form the Crusades. It was destroyed during the 15th century but was rebuilt on a smaller scale then left to ruin and eventually the British restored the castle in 1933.

Within the city limits of Limassol lies the ancient city of Kourion. Containing some of the most masterful ruins on Cyprus, this ancient city should not be overlooked. The ruins contain a Greco-Roman theatre, which is a breath-taking sight to behold. Other key attractions in Kourion are the House of Gladiators, the House of Achilles and several well-preserved mosaics. Another place of interest is the Cyprus Medieval Museum that is housed in the Limassol Castle. If able to do so, a whole day could easily be spent exploring what the past has to offer.

Nicosia, the capital of the island, is filled with museums and districts delivering information about the history, art, literature and culture have laid the foundation for the island’s colorful culture. Among them is the famous Byzantine Museum that contains historical artifacts ranging between the 9th and 18th centuries. Laiki Yitonia is an area filled with pedestrians that boasts restaurants, art galleries, and shopping. The architecture of this area pays homage to a forgotten era in the history of Cyprus.

In the capital city lie the ruins of the Kingdom of Idalion. The Ancient city is still in the process of being excavated but here this is the location with roots deep in mythological lore. This is the place where her jealous husband, through use of a wild boar, killed Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient city can be seen on the outskirts of the village, Dhali.

Among the historical sights, Cyprus is also known for its glorious festivals that occur though out the year. In June, Kataklysmos, the Festival of the Flood, takes place in Limassol. On the Sunday after Pentecost and the Monday of the Holy Spirit, people gather on the near sea to douse each other in water from the sea in honor of Aphrodite and Adonis. Singing and dance contests last thought out the festival spreading jubilation to all who attend.

In late August and early September, tourists flock in great hordes to take part in the Limassol Wine Festival. It rivals the festivals held by the ancient Greeks honoring Dionysus, the God of Wine and Aphrodite. At this festival, the locals serve up mouth-watering dishes, a vast medley of wines and a heart-warming environment with local theatre, music and dancing. This festival is the perfect time to visit Cyprus and save money while doing it (the festival is free of charge).

Although it is hidden deep in the realm of the gorgeous blue Mediterranean, Cyprus offers quite the travel destination. With is fair climate year round, there isn’t a poor time to visit and get lost in culture far different from your own.

Nick Nikolis is working in Atlantica Hotels and Resorts as It manager in Rhodos. Atlantica Hotels and Resorts is a Europe Hotels chain currently offering lodging services in Cyprus Greece and Egypt. Check here Greece Hotels and Cyprus Hotels.

Many people I meet are convinced that camping holidays are still hosted in rainy fields, where food is hard to cook as portable stoves fail to light in the damp weather. It’s a horrible image, but thankfully something that is now a thing of the past as many of Europe’s quality campsites boasts all kind of hotel style features from restaurants to bakeries to quality supermarkets on site. Nonetheless, if you’re still left worried about the quality of the food on your trip, then why not consider one of Burgundy’s campsites? This area of France is renowned for its high living and gourmet eating, so you are sure to be in for a culinary treat. Here are some of the appetising treats you can expect while camping in Burgundy.

The Meat

The main meat in the region is the Carollais beef cattle, and as such meat eaters are guaranteed large rich portions. Often this can be mixed with fine wines, like in the eponymous boeuf bourguignon, a traditional recipe of the region combining these two fine elements with baby onions, bacon and carrots. Coq au Vin follows a similar formula, only with chicken instead of beef. This style is repeated with many other dishes, and if your French isn’t that good, look out for the phrase “a la Bourguignonne”. There are bound to be some restaurants near your campsite in Burgundy serving this kind of food, given it’s such a popular local fare.

There are plenty of other meats if you’re not a chicken or beef eater, various hams, hare, calf head and even some river fish – usually poached in white wine, with bacon, onions, garlic and butter. Finally of course, there are the snails, and although many people will turn their noses up at them, the humble ‘escargots’ are delicious, served as they are stewed with Chablis, carrots, onions and shallots, then stuffed with garlic and parsley butter. If you consider yourself a connoisseur, you may wish to consider the black snails (the best of which are raised on grape leaves) which are considered amongst the best in France!

The Cheese

The cheeses are another fine part of the region’s cuisine, and a very nice gift to bring back from your holiday spent camping in Burgundy. The best ones are Chaource (creamy and white), St-Florentin, the orange skinned

Turkey is a land with hundreds of possibilities – whether you’re a culture buff, love clubbing, want to stay active or simply take in the sights, the country is an ideal location for a holiday. Turkey’s activities can stand proudly up against some of the world’s best holiday destinations, and there are some which you may not have associated with the country until recently. Here are some of the best and most unexpected….

Scuba Diving

Like many of Turkey’s holiday attractions, scuba diving is a relatively new draw, but one that is becoming more and more popular each year. Although the warm weather means year-round scuba diving is possible, it’s best to time your holiday between April and September, where the water temperatures range from 18 and 30 degrees centigrade.

In terms of sea life, Turkey’s waters are teeming with life, and include creatures such as sea bream, octopuses and barracuda. Divers will be able to enjoy a wide variety of dive types, from wall and reef diving to cavern and wreck diving, making a visit to one of Turkey’s dive sites an enjoyable diversion on your holiday. Turkey’s top dive sites are Antalya, Bodrum, Marmara, Fethiye and Gallipoli.

Golfing

Turkey’s golf scene has seen impressive financial investment in recent years, and it’s beginning to pay dividends. There are a number of fine courses, the best of which are to be found in Belek. If you’re near the city, do consider taking on these courses – they vary in difficulty, but all promise the Holy Grail for golfers: guaranteed sunshine and an entertaining round!

Shopping

Of course you can go shopping anywhere in the world, but a Turkish holiday offers some unique products that make for excellent keepsakes. Turkish carpets, some wonderfully crafted jewellery and leather goods should all be on your shopping list, but keep an eye out for hand painted ceramics too. There are some fine markets and excellent shops to explore, but remember – bartering is expected and all part of the fun of a holiday to Turkey!

Skiing

Skiing isn’t something typically associated with Turkey, and although the country can’t compete with some of the European highlights, I’ve included it in the list for its variety as much as anything else. That said, in the winter months you could do worse than experience Turkey’s forest and mountain ski slopes, and the full range of abilities are catered for – making it especially tempting if you want to get some practice in before heading to the harder resorts of the Alps! If you’re up in the Turkish mountains in the winter, skiing in Turkey is well worth combining with mountaineering or hunting for a Turkish holiday with a difference.

River Rafting

River Rafting is one of the few sports that can proudly proclaim to attract adrenalin soaked thrill seekers as well as those who want a nice sedate trip taking in some lovely views. Impressively, a holiday in Turkey can cater to both sets of fans, with some lovely water bodies nestled in the Sylvan Mountains. River Rafting may not sound an immediate attraction for a holiday in Turkey, but can provide everyone the chance to see virgin landscapes inaccessible through other means, with a thrill or two along the way for those who want some excitement from their trip.

A holiday in Turkey can be all things to all people – whether you spend your time absorbing the culture or on the dance floor, the one thing you can be guaranteed is a good time. With the huge amount of investment in the country’s tourism, there’s never been a better time to take a Turkish holiday.

Sarah Arnesen is the Marketing Manager for Anatolian Sky, a company offering incredible Holidays to Turkey. They provide holidays to the entire Anatolian region, including Asia Minor, Cyprus, and Turkey itself.

Rome isn’t exactly renowned for being the cheapest of cities to take a holiday in. Unfortunately, despite the imminent recession the credit crunch hasn’t dampened people’s desire to visit this expensive city. Help is at hand: I’ve been a Rome shuttle driver for more years than I care to remember, and have picked up a great deal of insider knowledge that should help you get by on – well, if not a shoestring budget, then at least significantly cheaper than you’d expect to pay.

I won’t go into details of booking flights – that’s not really my area of expertise – but do shop around, and make sure you get the best deal possible. Once you get there, there’s plenty of ways to save money:

Don’t be Fussy About When You Go

Every bit of budget travel advice mentions this, but in Rome it seems to be particularly relevant. When you travel makes a huge difference as to how much it will all cost. If you head out to Rome in August, for example, you’ll find hotel rates slashed. True, this is offset against many restaurants and galleries being closed for the season, but there’s still plenty to see and do.

If you absolutely must go in peak season (if you need to match the school holidays, for example) then do remember that weekends are usually more expensive, so you can still save a few Euros here and there.

The other advantage of going in the off-season is how much less crowded it is – from your Rome airport transfer to the city’s famous highlights.

Don’t Pay Top Dollar for Your Room

It always amazes me that people are willing to pay so much for a hotel room, when the chances are they’ll spend next to no time in there! Spend plenty on your house, sure – but a temporary place to sleep? Sounds like a premium place to cut costs to me.

There are a number of decent cheap hotels I can recommend. They are basic (and it’s best to check there is air conditioning in the heat of summer – some will charge extra), but they’re safe and clean. Hotel Luzzatti, Hotel Romano and Hotel Principe Eugenio are all 2 stars, but offer excellent locations at a competitive price, while Hotel Igea is a 3 star hotel with budget prices, conveniently located just two blocks from Rome’s main railway station.

Know Which Attractions are Free or Cheap

There’s loads to see in Rome that’s either free or very cheap. On the free end of the scale you have The Roman Forum, The Bocca della Verita, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Pick of the freebies is the Vatican museums if you’re there at the right time: on the last Sunday of every month, they’re free of charge!

As for very cheap, the Archeobus is pushing it at 7.75 Euros, but few could argue that at 2.5 Euros the Museum of the Walls is exceptional value for money.

Skip on the Hire Car

Rome is a big city, but you don’t need to hire your own car. Taxis too are an expense you don’t need – consider using the public transport and walking around the place to seeing the best bits. As for getting your luggage to the hotel, I may be a little biased, but for me taking a Rome airport transfer really is the way forward. It’s cheap, reliable and from someone knowledgeable about the city. And when it’s time to head back to the airport, a Rome airport transfer is sure to get you there on time, so you can concentrate on relaxing rather than getting your timings right.

Know Where the Best Cheap Eats Can be Found

The worst offenders in terms of overpriced, substandard food tend to be the tourist eateries, as in any city. Follow the locals for cheap eats – some of the best are Da Baffetto (arrive before 7, because the lines are huge!), Brek (a chain that offers a decent hot meal for under 10 Euros) and Antica Osteria da Giovanni (a bit of a walk, but half the prices of those in the city centre).

The final tip I can give is to ask around, and follow the lead of people who actually live there. Shop around and ask for recommendations from your Rome shuttle driver – they may have some tips that I’ve managed to miss!

Fabio Carrozi is a Rome shuttle driver for Shuttle Direct. They provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don

After thirty years of extensive development and continued support to maintain the club’s high standards of quality, La Manga Club is today one of the world’s greatest resorts. Set in a beautiful unique area of Spain the Costa Calida and La Manga Club are surrounded by the beautiful Murcian hills, the long white beaches of the Mediterranean and Mar Menor Lagoon and the sunning natural beauty of the Calblanque National Park.

A Holiday here at La Manga Club offers all of this natural wonder combined with some of the world’s best sporting and leisure facilities. For any golf lovers there are 3 eighteen hole courses of varying difficulty and style. Each course is with in a ten minute drive of all the exclusive villa and apartment homes at La Manga Club. Depending on where you chose to locate yourself during your holiday you could be right next to one of the club houses. Ease of access to the facilities couldn’t be easier. The greatest benefit of taking a holiday in a La Manga Club property is that all sports fees are greatly reduced. Many are as much as a fifty percent discount. This exclusive offer works in exactly the same with property owners as well as holiday makers.

The Club also has 28 full size tennis courts with various playing surfaces. Several different types of academy courses are run seven days of the week. You are able to participate in a course which might only take a couple of hours or one which will run for five days. Academy courses are perfect for beginners and novices as well as more advanced players who want to perfect and hone their skills. On the Club are also some of the latest video coaching facilities so that you can see exactly where you not performing correctly or which aspects of your game need improvement.

You can also partake in football, cycling, horse riding, lawn bowls, squash, spa, children’s club, along with football, rugby, dance classes rugby and many many more sporting events, all of which are widely available during a stay. La Manga Club even has it’s own private beach on the Mediterranean coast where you can have a go at wind surfing, scuba diving, kite surfing, or just lie back and enjoy the guaranteed great sunny weather.

Two airports are conveniently located near to La Manga Club, Murcia has several flights daily from lots of regional airports in the UK. Taxi transfers and hire car can get you to the resort in around 20 minutes. Alicante which is a large international airport, the fourth busiest in Spain in under an hour away and offers many more flights should you have any difficulty flying in to Murcia. A complimentary bus service links all of the club’s communities and sporting facilities during the high season so a hire car is not necessary. However a hire car can afford far greater flexibility meaning you can visit some of the wonderful areas and towns in the near by locale.

There are over 25 excellent restaurants at the club and each property is fully equipped for a self catering holiday, several supermarkets and local shops are all within easy reach making a holiday here a relaxing trouble free break.

Properties at the club can cater for groups and families of all sizes and requirements, from one bedroom studios to detached luxury villas with their own swimming pools and tennis courts. The choice really is yours many of the communities are particularly children friendly, families will have an unbeatable choice of activities and amenities which will keep any child entertained.

If you would like to receive our free guide to buying a property in Spain please complete the details on the form on this page and we will email details to you along with specific details of property for sale in Murcia, Spain.

How to find the best Apartments for Sale in Spain The La Manga Club Resort is the perfect resort location for your Holidays in Spain set on 1500 acres of breathtaking Spanish countryside. La Manga is a holiday resort for all the family

You won’t be short of things to do on holiday in Dubai, but it’s pretty much a given that you’ll spend some of your time in the city shopping. The place is a shopping paradise, but it’s good to go in forearmed as to what sort of things you may want to buy, so here’s a guide to Dubai’s finest exports. Bear in mind that bartering is the name of the game here, so try to avoid accepting the first price you’re offered on any of these items…

Traditional Goods

Carpets are an old favourite for those enjoying a luxury holiday in Dubai and the choice can be simply overwhelming. Have a good look around, but the majority of traditional carpets are well made and of a high quality and excellent craftsmanship. If you have your heart set on a carpet as the souvenir of choice, look out for the Dubai Shopping Festival – a carpet souk is set up within a large air-conditioned tent and the range here is simply astounding.

If carpets aren’t your cup of tea, than maybe coffee will be! Traditional coffee pots and cups are favourite trinkets to bring back, as are assorted wooden crafts and prayer beads. Genuine antiques are becoming scarcer throughout the UAE and will cost you a pretty penny, but if you’re happy with accurate imitations, then these are widely available at a competitive price.

Clothes

For fashion fans, there are few places in the world as good for outfit hunting than Dubai. What’s more, everyone’s tastes are catered for with expensive boutiques and famous designer stores set against bargain warehouses chock-full of cheap outfits. You can’t go far in the shopping centres without coming face to face with a designer shop, but most have their fair share of cheaper options if budget is an issue. Of course, those luxury Dubai holiday makers with cash to burn can also have their own outfit tailor made for them, and there are a number of places around the city offering this service.

Those who wish to walk the line between reasonable prices but fashionable up to date clothing should check out the shopping areas of Karama and Satwa, where there are some excellent clothing shops and boutiques.

Gold

Perhaps Dubai’s most famous shopping delight is the gold market. Obviously this isn’t one for the bargain hunters, but Dubai’s luxury holiday makers will be pleasantly surprised by the prices compared to the quality of goods available at the gold souk. Even if you’re not buying, a stroll around this market is definitely recommended, purely to see the sheer variety on offer – from delicate pieces of jewellery to massive solid gold ingots. Each is available in 18, 21, 22 or 24 carat gold and the prices fluctuate according to the international daily gold rate.

It’s unsurprising, given the city is renowned for its gold, that the jewellery and watches are also of great quality. Prices range between a few dirhams to several thousands so there should be something for everyone’s budget.

Leather Goods

It’s worth paying a little extra for good quality leather goods which are sure to pass the test of time, and thankfully Dubai’s leather bits and pieces are both of high quality and durable. A vast array of products is available, from small key rings all the way up to handbags and suitcases. The prices vary, so don’t be afraid to bargain – especially if you think you can get a better deal elsewhere. Leather goods make perfect gifts to bring back from your holiday to Dubai, and offer the kind of quality often missing locally.

Cosmetics

A huge array of perfumes and cosmetics are available throughout Dubai, and you can probably track down almost every fragrance in the world here – new ranges are added virtually the second they appear in their original country! The best experience is to get a more personalised fragrance by visiting a local perfumery. Here you will get a tailor made perfume, made with a mix of Arabian oils, individually blended to your tastes. The perfect treat to bring back from your luxury holiday in Dubai.

Peter Vasilou is a Dubai specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in luxury Dubai holidays, as well as holidays in Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Egypt and Southern Africa. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

In 2007, the Atlante soccer club moved from Mexico City to Cancun. Though many soccer fans thought the team to be an under-funded, under-appreciated group of second-rate players, Atlante endeared itself to locals by winning the Mexican First Division League championship in its first Cancun season. Though the excitement of professional soccer was slow to catch on during the first season in Cancun, the 22,000-seat stadium now regularly hosts sellout crowds and Atlante merchandise can be found throughout the city. As Atlante fans are already known throughout Mexico to be both passionate and welcoming, Cancun’s championship soccer club offers a unique travel experience for tourists of all ages.

At the time of Atlante’s move from Mexico City, Cancun was hardly known as a soccer Mecca. In fact, despite the overwhelming popularity of the sport in Mexico, Cancun residents were more fascinated with their local baseball team – Tigres de Quintana Roo – than the happenings in soccer throughout the country. Even when the Cancun’s first professional soccer club arrived, the reception was initially lukewarm. Though Atlante steadily built a fan base in Cancun and surprised many long-time soccer fans, the team had to overcome an underwhelming history. In Mexico City, Atlante was fourth in line for fans behind far more popular teams such as Club America, Cruz Azul and Pumas. Furthermore, Atlante had not won a league championship in 15 years, having found a perennial home at the bottom of the rankings.

Despite the odds being stacked against Atlante succeeding in Cancun, the team got off to a great start in their new home. Prior to the season, the team worked with the city of Cancun to secure the use of a refurbished 22,000-seat stadium – Estadio Andr

During the colonial period, Curacao was one of the Dutch Kingdom’s most treasured Caribbean outposts. As a result, the Dutch worked for more than three centuries to secure the island and protect their interests. While forts were constructed along the entire coastline, the Dutch were especially concerned with Willemstad and its harbor. With Fort Amsterdam serving as the island’s primary protecting structure, the Dutch built several smaller forts to protect individual sections of the capital city. Despite being under constant attack from pirate ships and competing British and French forces, this complex of forts was able to protect the Dutch colony for nearly 400 years. Today, eight of these forts still remain and most have found exciting new uses in modern Curacao.

Fort Amsterdam is the most significant of Curacao’s remaining forts. Located on the strategic point known as Punda, Fort Amsterdam once served as the defender of Curacao’s main harbor. Originally constructed in 1635, the imposing structure was able to protect the Dutch settlement throughout the colonial period. Today, Fort Amsterdam is one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable UNESCO World Heritage sites and serves as an important government center for modern Curacao. In addition to housing the Governor’s home, the island’s Ministry and numerous government offices, Fort Amsterdam also features a historic museum and the United Protestant Church, both of which remain open to the public. The museum at Fort Amsterdam also offers tours of the facility that allow visitors to learn about the structure’s unique history, take in breathtaking views from atop the walls and witness some truly odd sights such as the cannonball embedded in the fort’s southwestern wall.

While Fort Amsterdam is unquestionably Curacao’s most significant fort, Fort Beekenburg is one of the island’s best preserved colonial structures. Fort Beekenburg was built in 1703 on picturesque Caracas Bay. From the time of its construction until the the mid-19th century, the fort successfully fought off attacks from French and British fleets, as well as several bands of pirates. Visitors to Caracas Bay will find a charming beach with shallow, warm water perfect for water sports. After playing in the water or simply relaxing in the sun, visitors can tour the entire fort and learn about its important role in Curacao’s history.

In addition to Curacao’s largest forts, there remain a number of well-preserved colonial forts throughout Willemstad. In each case, these forts within Curacao’s historic capital protected strategic points of the island’s harbor and populated coastline and now house restaurants and shops. Two such examples are Fort Nassau and Fort Waakzaamheid, a pair of smaller forts built near the beginning of the 19th century.

Fort Nassau was constructed in 1797 to defend the small St. Anna Bay and parts of Willemstad. Today, the fort is home to a restaurant, but is usually recognized by tourists as the control tower that opens and closes Curacao’s famous pontoon bridge. Fort Waakzaamheid was built in 1803 and fell only one year later during a siege by Captain William Bligh and his British troops. As Fort Waakzaamheid offers an incredible view over the Otrobanda neighborhood and the shoreline, American troops mounted new guns and used the structure as an observation post and barracks during World War II. Today, Fort Waakzaamheid also houses a popular restaurant.

Another pair of forts in Willemstad have been converted into even more impressive destinations. The Riffort – a fort built in 1828 to protect a portion of the Otrobanda area – is now home to the Riffort Village, an impressive collection of shops, restaurants, bars and scenic terraces. Prior to its use as one of Curacao’s premier shopping and dining destinations, Riffort was home to everything from police and public works offices to Curacao’s boy scouts. Likewise, the Waterfort – an imposing fort with 136 turrets that was rebuilt in 1827 after the original 17th century structure was destroyed – is now home to some of Punda’s most popular eateries.

As Curacao is home to a wealth of historic architecture and exciting tourism opportunities, these forts serve as wonderful representations of the island’s unique allure. When staying in Willemstad, it is certainly hard to miss the forts that once protected this colonial city. Likewise, with so much now offered within these once-imposing buildings – from museums and historic tours to upscale shops and restaurants – Curacao’s forts are also hard to forget.

Justin Burch writes articles about travel in Curacao for the Marriott Resorts.

As there are more than 7,000 islands dispersed throughout the Caribbean Sea, it can be difficult to determine which islands to visit on a Caribbean getaway. When many islands seem to offer similar amenities and activities, it is important to find out what types of travelers are best served by each destination. While there are some Caribbean islands such as Aruba that are popular with all types of travelers, smaller, less-populated islands might fill more unique travel niches. As you begin planning your Caribbean vacation, determine what type of traveler you are and search out the activities and amenities that will help you make the most of your island experience.

Caribbean Islands for Families

Aruba – Known throughout the Caribbean for its friendly atmosphere, Aruba is also home to numerous activities that allow families to explore everything from the island’s unique landscape and colonial history to the wonders of the Caribbean Sea.

St. Kitts – This inviting island has a wealth of sightseeing opportunities for adults and children alike. In addition to family-friendly beaches and water sports, families can experience the historic railway, colonial forts and sprawling plantations.

Caribbean Islands for Couples

Grand Cayman – Grand Cayman represents the best of both worlds for couples. Luxurious resorts, shops and restaurants share the island with pristine, uncrowded beaches and remarkable sightseeing opportunities. Couples can also easily visit Grand Cayman’s sparsely-populated sister islands, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac, for some extra time away from the world.

St. Thomas – Though there are many sights to see in St. Thomas, many couples are drawn to the island for its world-class shopping. Known as one of the best duty-free shopping destinations in the Caribbean, couples will find great prices on everything from designer clothing and jewelry to artwork and high-end electronics. Like Grand Cayman, St. Thomas makes it easy to visit smaller sister islands to find the perfect mix of seclusion and excitement. St. Thomas is also one of the best destinations in the Caribbean for a quick romantic getaway as passports are not required to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Caribbean Islands for Singles

Curacao – Curacao has earned a great reputation for friendliness and safety. As a result, the island regularly tops lists as the best Caribbean destination for solo travelers. Curacao also boasts an ideal combination of vibrant local culture – highlighted by many exciting dining and nightlife opportunities – and adventurous activities.

Grand Cayman – Like Curacao, Grand Cayman is commonly recognized as a safe, fun destination for singles of all ages. Single travelers will also find the island easy to get around, while exciting resort destinations and social beaches help every traveler make the most of their Caribbean vacations.

Caribbean Islands for Adventure Seekers

Aruba – Known as the windsurfing capital of the world, Aruba is often the first choice in the Caribbean for water sport enthusiasts and thrill seekers. Offshore, the ideal water and wind conditions create the perfect environment for numerous sports. Best of all, whether you want to sail, scuba dive or windsurf, the conditions in Aruba allow participants of all skill levels to enjoy the water. The island itself is known for its diverse landscape that includes giant sand dunes, ecologically-diverse parks and rocky coastlines.

Curacao – Annually rated one of the best dive destinations in the world, Curacao should be the first stop for scuba and snorkel enthusiasts. The warm waters surrounding the island are home to some of the world’s most vibrant coral reefs, supporting countless species of tropical fish and colorful sea creatures.

As mentioned, there are a number of popular islands in the Caribbean that may be right for many kinds of travelers. When it comes to popular islands like Aruba and Curacao, no traveler will be disappointed. Yet, if you have unique travel goals for the Caribbean and take some time to learn about what different islands have to offer, you will be able to find the perfect destination for you and your family.

Justin Birch writes about travel in the Caribbean for Marriott Resorts.