Let’s talk about CuraƧao. Last week, Anthony and I had the opportunity to spend a week in CuraƧao, located in the Caribbean about 40 miles north of Venezuela,Ā exploring all aspects of the island’s history, culture, food, and – especially – drink! Many people know of CuraƧao 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 hostedĀ many of the evening activities that we would be joiningĀ throughout the week.Ā 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 recouperatingĀ 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 CuraƧao 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, CuraƧao organizes an incredibly large week of events to celebrate all things LGBTQ. FromĀ dinners with a drag cabaret component and pool parties to beachside luaus and dance parties on the open sea, CuraƧao 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 CuraƧao –Ā it’ll leave you with memories you’ll never forget!