Island Life

Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015 Scout Sixteen - Curaçao Travel 2015

Let’s talk about Curaçao. Last week, Anthony and I had the opportunity to spend a week in Curaçao, located in the Caribbean about 40 miles north of Venezuela, exploring all aspects of the island’s history, culture, food, and – especially – drink! Many people know of Curaçao from its namesake blue liqueur but the island has so much more to offer beyond a delicious drink.

Upon arrival, the first thing we noticed was our tour guide Angelo’s uninterrupted smile; it was infectious. He briefed us on the history and heritage of the island before we arrived to our hotel, the Floris Suite, which hosted many of the evening activities that we would be joining throughout the week. With its robust foliage and proximity to beautiful beaches, the Floris Suite was like paradise. Needless to say, we spent the first evening at the poolside bar recouperating from a long day of travel.

Over the next few days, Angelo took us on a guided tour of the island. From breathtaking, rocky beaches to off-roading along seaside desert roads, we found ourselves entranced in all the Curaçao had to offer. One of my favorite memories from the first half of the trip was trying grilled iguana (a local delicacy) at Jaanchie’s restaurant, a well-known and respected foodie spot on the west side of the island.

For the remainder of our trip, we dove head-first into the local Pride activities. As a Dutch-owned territory, Curaçao organizes an incredibly large week of events to celebrate all things LGBTQ. From dinners with a drag cabaret component and pool parties to beachside luaus and dance parties on the open sea, Curaçao was never at loss for fun.

It was a bittersweet moment leaving the island but I quickly realized it wouldn’t be my last trip. Only a four-hour flight from New York City (on JetBlue), it’s a trip that can be easily made for a long weekend or (even better) a full week! If you’re looking for the best the Caribbean has to offer, don’t miss out on a trip to Curaçao – it’ll leave you with memories you’ll never forget!

Scout Sixteen is a lifestyle blog from Justin Livingston. Justin grew up in Mississippi but relocated to New York City in 2008. On Scout Sixteen, Justin shares his passion in fashion, travel, food and drink, and mental wellness.