Jetsettersblog

Copa Airlines said that it will begin nonstop service in June 2012 from Panama to four new destinations — Recife, Brazil; Liberia (Guanacaste), Costa Rica; Las Vegas, Nev.; and the island of Curacao.

Passengers who depart or connect to these new flights through Copa’s Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport will have access to a network of 63 destinations in 29 countries in North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. As part of the airline’s strategic plan, Copa will add 10 new Boeing 737-800s Next Generation aircraft this year, for a total of 83 aircraft equipped with cutting-edge technology.

MLT Vacations launched a Caribbean sale offering up to 10,000 bonus miles per person and reduced rates or additional amenities at select resorts throughout the Caribbean through the Delta Vacations and United Vacations brands. The sale is open for bookings through Feb. 18, for travel April 1 to Sept. 30.

MLT is promoting its Caribbean product in an effort to build on an impressive year in the Caribbean in 2011, when the company grew business in the Caribbean by 46 percent over the previous year.

MLT Vacations offers a variety of hotels, rental cars and activities in the Caribbean. MLT Vacations manages multiple vacation brands, including Delta Vacations, in partnership with Air France Holidays and Alitalia Vacations, United Vacations, and Worry-Free Vacations.

For more information, call 800-727-1111.

All-inclusive, complimentary wedding and honeymoon packages at the Divi Aruba resort are available for couples who tie the knot at the Aruba-based resort.

As part of the package, couples with wedding parties that reserve at least 10 double occupancy rooms for at least five nights enjoy a free honeymoon stay.

The couples also receive accommodations for two in an ocean view or beach side room, a candlelight dinner for two, a complimentary bottle of champagne, plus an anniversary certificate and gift.

Newlyweds whose wedding parties book at least 20 double occupancy rooms for at least five nights will receive a free honeymoon stay of up to seven nights with the same features plus a $1,000 credit toward the wedding package of their choice or a complimentary essential wedding package that provides a beach side or golf-course ceremony with a series of amenities including pre-recorded ceremony music, champagne and flowers.

New Flights: KLM Returns To Aruba

Year-round access to Aruba has now become easier for UK visitors, with the introduction of new KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ flights. Launched earlier this month, KLM’s service to Aruba increases from 2 to 5 times per week.

UK travellers planning to connect to Aruba can catch flights to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from 15 UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

Offering the option of travelling in economy or business class and allowing plenty of time for connecting flights to/from the UK, the flights will depart from Amsterdam on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 12:35 hours and will arrive in Aruba at 17.50 hours on the same day. The return flight will depart from Aruba on the same days at 19:10 hours, arriving in Amsterdam the next day at 11:10 hours.

New Authentic Farmers’ Market With A Traditional Touch

A new authentic farmers’ market has been introduced in Aruba earlier this summer, offering top quality produce at affordable prices.

Supporting local farmers’ efforts, the market introduces local producers to the community and provides the venue for traditional products to be showcased and sold. Increasingly popular with locals and visitors alike, they can find a variety of Aruba’s fruit, vegetables, meat, fresh pork and fish.

At the moment the farmers’ market takes place once a month, however following an initial pilot period Santa Rosa plans to increase the frequency so that it takes place every week.

Further projects in the area include the creation of agricultural tours of local farms.

Walk This (Brand New) Way In Aruba

Work is well underway in Aruba to create the longest linear park in the Caribbean, with the first phase of the project completed last month. The park welcomes visitors to Aruba with a fully landscaped corridor along the coastline, which includes green zones, walking and bike paths and supreme ocean vistas.

The first phase extends from the Las Americas traffic circle near the airport to Wilhelmina Park, with the second – and final – phase scheduled to continue later this autumn.

Upon completion, Aruba’s linear park will be the largest in the Caribbean, stretching for 10 miles from Queen Beatrix International Airport along the resorts of Eagle Beach, concluding at the end of the high-rise hotel corridor on Palm Beach.

New Personalised Stamps by Post Aruba
Whether you are looking for that special extra touch for your wish-you-were-here postcards or just for a unique souvenir from your holiday, Post Aruba has now launched a new personalised service.

The new Personalised Stamps series consists of a souvenir sheet with a design of Aruba’s map and distinctive objects of the island, such as its history culture and nature. Each souvenir sheet contains 6 decorated stamps with a blank space where you can place your picture (you can bring your own digital photograph or you can have it taken at the post office for free).

The Personalised Stamps service is available only at the Postal Office located at Palm Beach Plaza Mall.

www.postaruba.com

COMING SOON

Thomson Adds New Aruba Properties For 2012 Season

The 2012 Summer Season will see Thomson adding two new properties to its growing portfolio in Aruba. With the addition of the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa and The Mill Resort and Suites, Thomson is now offering more hotels than ever before.

Manchebo Beach Resort is one of Aruba’s most intimate beach resorts and is located on Eagle Beach, the island’s widest stretch of beach. The two-storey hotel is a luxury boutique style resort, featuring just 71 newly refurbished rooms with contemporary décor and top-range amenities.

The Mill Resort is conveniently located just steps across the famous white sand strip of Palm Beach. A cosy compact low rise resort, The Mill offers spacious, comfortable, fully equipped rooms with easy access to the facilities, beautiful free form swimming pools and friendly staff.

In addition to the two new properties, Thomson’s Aruba portfolio already includes: Tamarijn Aruba on Druif Beach; Bucuti Beach Resort and Divi Aruba All Inclusive on Eagle Beach; Occidental Grand, Riu Palace and Westin Resort on Palm Beach; and Renaissance Aruba in Oranjestad.

www.thomson.co.uk
www.manchebo.com
www.millresort.com

Contemporary Art Biennial Encounter Comes To Aruba

The Caribbean contemporary artistic scene will experience a new and vibrant impulse through a series of events of the ‘Prome Encuentro Bienal Arte Contemporaneo di Caribe, Aruba 2011-2012′.

The biennial encounter is a platform to integrate communities in the Caribbean through contemporary art and enrich cultural identities.

A series of activities will run over several months, with more than 30 local and Caribbean contemporary artists scheduled to exhibit new artworks in July 2012.

The new event aims to bring together critics, curators and art historians from all over the world and will feature exhibitions on specific themes, as well as educational projects and workshops that will involve the local public.

www.encuentroartaruba.org

HOTEL UPDATE

More Upgrades For Hyatt Regency Aruba
Located on the white sand of Palm Beach, the five star Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino will soon be unveiling its latest overhaul.

The upgrades include a series of improvements, which are expected to be completed by the end of the year. These include the hotel’s tennis courts, the Balashi Bar, the Shoco Market and an extensive spa renovation.

The current upgrades are an extension of the hotel’s multi-million dollar renovation that was completed in 2008.

www.aruba.hyatt.com

Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club Undergoes A Face Lift

Situated opposite Surfside Beach and just a few minutes’ walk from Oranjestad, the intimate Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club has just completed a major renovation of its facilities and guest rooms.

The superior rooms, painted with warm colours, now feature new mattresses, sofas and chairs, as well as 32-inch flat screen television screens and new air conditioning system. Wireless Internet access at the hotel is now free of charge.

The lobby and the bar areas of the hotel also have new furniture, including comfortable sun loungers placed around the pool area.

www.tottaruba.com

Bucuti Beach Resort Expands Adults-Only Policy

In keeping with its goal of providing a tranquil environment for all guests, Bucuti Beach Resort has now upheld its adults-only policy for diners at its restaurant.

Serving fresh local ingredients and a fusion of delicious flavours, Bucuti’s dining terrace boasts a unique beachfront setting.

The menu encompasses an extensive American buffet breakfast as well as à-la-carte options for lunch, while in the evenings diners can expect from fresh seafood to juicy prime steaks, complemented by an eclectic wine list.

Bucuti’s peaceful atmosphere and location set it apart from Aruba’s larger resorts, which are more family orientated. Already popular with couples from the UK and recognised by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world, the hotel introduced an adults-only policy at the end of 2010.

www.bucuti.com

AIR NEWS

Aruba shortlisted in world’s most stunning airports
Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport has been shortlisted by private jet charter marketplace PrivateFly as one of the most stunning airport approaches in the world.

PrivateFly chose airport locations that offer passengers a truly inspirational view on the approach – whether it be over a world-famous cityscape, stunning coastline or beautiful mountain views. Planes to Aruba hover low just above the sparkling blue sea before landing to the airport, with beautiful views of the lush green Renaissance Island.

Queen Beatrix Airport is just a five-minute drive from Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, and facilities include a terminal for private aircraft and US Border Pre-clearance facilities.

www.privatefly.com

More options for day trips to Bonaire and Curaçao
Visitors to Aruba now have more options for day trips to Bonaire and Curaçao with local airline Tiara Air.

Also part of the Dutch Caribbean, Bonaire is quainter and less developed than Aruba and is known for its world-class scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkelling and nature. Curaçao is the largest and most populous of the three ABC islands and home of the sweet blue liqueur of the same name.

The trips operate twice a week (Monday and Wednesday to Bonaire, Tuesday and Thursday to Curaçao) and prices start $270 (£168) per person.

www.tiaradaytrips.com

LATEST OPENINGS

Española Way
Palm Beach 17, Noord

Located in a rustic 70-year-old house, Española Way is a cozy al fresco eatery on Palm Beach Road that features authentic Spanish cuisine, including Serrano ham and chorizo, fruity sangria and the restaurant’s steaming signature paella.

Yalla Yalla
South Beach Mall, Palm Beach

Specialising in tasty and exotic Middle Eastern food, the just opened Yalla Yalla offers ample servings of beef shish kebab, shrimp kebab, lamb shoarma and chicken shoarma, as well as tabouleh and hummus served with freshly made pita bread.

Spanglish
Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad

The recently opened Spanglish restaurant offers a menu true to the Caribbean-Latin culinary traditions of the owners.

The creative fusion menu features authentic dishes, with the parrillada for two being the highlight, served tableside on a mini charcoal grill.

Sky Lounge
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 186, Oranjestad

Ringing around the heart of Paseo Herencia, Sky Lounge is Aruba’s latest cocktail bar: a relaxing outdoor venue, here guests can enjoy a drink at the sparkling blue bar, in their own canopy lounge or at a comfortable chair on the open-air terrace.

Carambola
J.E.Irausquin Boulevard 64, Eagle Beach

Opened earlier this year, the chic Carambola Restaurant located at Paradise Beach Villas specialises in seafood and international cuisine. The chef’s signature dish is the freshly made Peanut Soup, which is served in a mashed plantain bowl.

Segafredo
South Beach Mall, Palm Beach

Segafredo, an Italian franchise known for its great coffee, now presents a diverse tempting menu of Italian specialties. Prepared by its award-winning chef, it includes antipasti, panini and thin-crust pizzas, as well as imported Italian beers and after-dinner liqueurs.

Cuba’s Cookin’
Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad

Marking its 12th year, Cuba’s Cookin’ has now relocated to Renaissance Marketplace. Still serving up the best mojitos and Cuban food outside Cuba, the restaurant is a new Havana circa 1960 Resto/Bar with a new splash of nostalgia.

For general information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com

ON PARTIES, PROMOTIONS & MORE!
Ring in 2012 with island deals on accommodations, meals, parties and spa treatments galore

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO  – A champagne toast… to Curaçao! Ring in the New Year with perfect weather, exotic cuisine, culture and champagne galore in Curaçao by taking advantage of a host of New Year’s Eve deals on accommodations, meals, island parties and spa treatments! 3…2…1… BON AñA!!!

Before the clock strikes midnight, head to one of the Hyatt Regency Curaçao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina’s unique celebrations! Book the Arabian Night at MEDI for a night of champagne, a four-course dinner and live entertainment at the resort’s oceanfront, Mediterranean restaurant on New Year’s Eve starting from $135 per person. This and the three other celebration options are open to resort guests only and children under age 12 can participate for half the price. For more information on these packages and others, please visit www.curacao.hyatt.com  or call 1-800-55-HYATT.

Guests will save big on luxury when they book a stay at the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino for New Year’s! The hotel is offering its Winter on Sale Deal, which entitles visitors to 35 percent off all nightly rates on Christmas and New Years and 40 percent off all other nights through Feb. 29, 2012.

The hotel is also planning a special three-course New Year’s Eve dinner menu at the Astrolab Observatory Restaurant, featuring beef tenderloin with shrimp, Jacob’s molten chocolate cake, and more, starting from $65 per person!

For more information or to book your stay, please visit www.kurahulanda.com  or call 877-264-3106.

Relax yourself right into 2012 at the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino! The hotel is offering a Pure Magic Spa Package, available for stays of four nights or more, which allows guests to experience island-infused relaxation with a $100 spa credit for use at the hotel’s Okeanos Spa.

Enter the New Year calm and collected and benefit from the healing elements of Curaçao.

For more information or to book a Pure Magic package, please visit www.renaissancecuracao.com  and use using promotional code “XMA” when booking.

Step back in time at Breezes Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino this New Year’s for their Roaring 20s New Year’s Eve! The event is free to all guests and includes live music from 7 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., a New Year’s countdown and a fireworks display at midnight! For more information or to book your stay at Breezes Curaçao, please visit www.breezes.com/resorts/curacao.

Ring in the New Year at the Hilton Curacao, with a full dinner buffet at Aqua Restaurant and live music provided by Son CC. Dinner is 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for $41 per person and the party continues at the BeachBar with live music from the Energi band!

The cost includes a glass of champagne and a fireworks show at midnight. Please contact the Hilton at + 599 9 462 5000, extension 6063 to make your dinner reservations or visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com.

Already have New Year’s Eve plans? Start the New Year with savings at the luxury beachfront Avila Hotel with their Dutch Treat Promotion, offering 13 percent off the published rack rates for stays between January 3 and March 31, 2012.

Book a stay and enjoy the hotel’s two private beaches and freshwater infinity pool, or a night of live jazz music at Blues Restaurant on Thursdays.

The Dutch Treat offer is valid on all room categories except the Bolivar Suite. For details and restrictions, please visit www.avilahotel.com/dutch-treat  or call 800-747-8162.

Start your 2012 countdown around the pool of the Floris Suite Hotel and enjoy a succulent New Year’s Eve Buffet/Bubble-Q for only $54 per person! Enjoy a delicious selection of food, while tapping your toes to the live entertainment.

The next day, stroll to the hotel’s private beach, the Pirate Bay Beach Club and Restaurant, or over to colorful, downtown Willemstad, just a five minute ride away.

For more information or to book your stay, please visit www.florissuitehotel.com/ 

Despite the name, you’ll want to remember the World Trade Center Curaçao’s At World’s End Amnesia New Year’s Eve event! The Clarion Hotel & Suites is offering a special “Amnesia” package for the party, starting from $426.67 for a single room for a three-night stay, which includes a ticket to the New Year’s Eve Amnesia event.

For more information on Amnesia, please visit www.amnesiacuracao.com

To book a stay with Clarion, please contact reservations@clarionhotelcuracao.com , call +599 9 433 6666 or visit www.clarionhotelcuracao.com.

Save room for the Plaza Hotel Curaçao & Casino, which is offering a New Year’s Eve Dinner Party in the Penthouse with all-inclusive beverages and live music!

The party will be rocking 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. for only $86 per person. Nurse the post-party haze the next morning at the New Year’s Lazy Late Breakfast in the Waterfort Restaurant from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. for only $20 per person!

For more information or to book a stay, please visit www.curacaoplazahotelcasino.com/.

About Curaçao

Selected as a ‘Top Destination 2012’ by Frommer’s, one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’ by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated outside of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curaçao visit Curacao.com. To request a FREE Curaçao information package  call toll free 1.800.328.7222.

The Divi Aruba and Tamarijn Aruba resorts are offering all-inclusive wedding and honeymoon packages featuring stays of up to seven nights in an ocean view room for couples who hold their marriage ceremony at the resort. Newlyweds with wedding parties who book at least 10 double-occupancy rooms for at least five nights through participating vendors stay free.

Their honeymoon stay will also include accommodations for two in an ocean view or beachside room with king- or queen-sized bed, a candlelight dinner for two, a complimentary bottle of champagne, one free night first anniversary certificate and a remembrance gift. Newlyweds with wedding parties who book at least 20 double-occupancy rooms for at least five nights will receive a free honeymoon stay of up to seven nights with all of the above features plus a $1,000 credit toward the wedding package of their choice or a complimentary Essential Wedding package.

The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino debuted a $1.5 million, adults-only swimming pool and lounge area. The new facility features a 10,000-square-foot terrace featuring cabanas, iPads and a fully stocked bars. The space features coral stone pavement, meticulous landscaping and illuminated pathways with glass mosaic tiles and can accommodate 150 guests for group receptions. The new pool facility follows the resort’s $4 million enhancement of the Stellaris Casino in February 2011 and $50 million complete resort renovation in 2009. For more information, call 800-228-9290.

Bonaire’s Divi Flamingo Beach Resort will host a week-long master class in underwater photograph from July 7 to 14, 2012.

The sessions will be led by underwater photographer Stephen Frink, and offer participants a series of morning dives and shooting opportunities, along with afternoon classes at the resort in the afternoon taught by Frink and experts in video and Photoshop techniques. Master class packages include accommodations, dive guides and photography instruction for $1,874 per person. For more information, visit www.diviflamingo.com

The Holiday Inn Resort Aruba is offering a “Fabulous Fall” sale featuring more than 40 percent off European-plan stays through Dec. 23, 2011. With the savings, the rates start at $80 per person, per night, double occupancy. Bookings must be made by Dec. 22, 2011, and a two-night minimum stay is required in either superior, ocean view superior or ocean front superior room categories.

As an added value, kids 17 and under stay free when sharing accommodations with parents. For more information, call 800-HOLIDAY or visit www.caribbeanhi.com/aruba

Renaissance Resorts in Aruba and Curaçao are offering “Pure Magic” packages starting at $177 per night in Curaçao and $189 per night in Aruba. The “Pure Magic Stay for Breakfast” package offers guests daily breakfast for two and requires a three-night minimum stay between Dec. 27 and 31, 2011. Renaissance’s “Pure Magic Spa” package, available for stays of four nights or more, includes a $100 spa credit for use at Okeanos Spa. Renaissance Aruba is also offering guests up to 25 percent off nightly rates along with a $50 daily credit for reservations made through Nov. 31, 2011, for travel from Jan. 1 to 31, 2012.

For more information, visit www.renaissancecuraçao.com  or www.renaissancearuba.com  and use promotional code XMA.