Recommend December 2011 - (Page 55)

Active vacation options continued from page A16 http://www.aruba.com/thingstodo/attractions/arikok_national_ park.aspx to learn more. Rock formations aren’t usually the most exciting attractions in a destination—but not many destinations have rock formations like Aruba’s. The island’s giant boulders, rising up from the ground in strange and beautiful shapes, were considered sacred by its early natives. Today, they are a modern-day mystery, since no one knows what formed them or how they got there. Hiking the paths to the boulders at sites like Casibari and Ayo is popular among adventure travelers. At Ayo, clients can see petroglyphs—thousand-year-old rock drawings— at the boulder site. To learn more, visit http://www.aruba.com/ thingstodo/attractions/rock_formations.aspx. Similarly, Aruba’s sand dunes are a spectacle, one that’s made all the more spectacular for its location in the tropics. Similar to the sand dunes found in the American Southwest, Aruba’s dunes are dotted with cacti and aloe plants, as well as the island’s famous divi divi tree that forever bends southwest with the wind. The California Dunes in the northeast are located near the famed California Lighthouse, adding another element to the already stunning scenery in the area. Sand dunes can also be found near Boca Prins. More native art and spectacular scenery await at Aruba’s caves, set in rock recesses along the windward coast’s north coast. All feature spectacular rock formations like stalagmites and stalactites, but each is unique in its own way. Guadirikiri Cave is known for its two chambers, both lit by light from holes in its roof. Huliba Cave is nicknamed the Tunnel of Love because of its heart-shaped entrance, and at 300 ft. long, visitors need ﬂashlights to explore its depths. And Fontein Cave is among the most popular, thanks to its wealth of Arawak Indian drawings. Visit http://www.aruba.com/thingstodo/attractions/ caves.aspx to learn more. Birdwatchers won’t want to miss a trip to the Bubali Bird Sanctuary located near the hotel zone. It’s home to all manner of migratory birds—more than 80 species in total, including coots, cormorants, ducks, egrets, gulls, herons and skimmers. Aruba’s myriad beaches are ideal for family outings. More options—great for the whole family More winged creatures await at the Butterﬂy Farm, an enclosed garden that’s home to a diverse selection of butterﬂies. With the colorful creatures ﬂying throughout their well-manicured home, the garden is an ideal place for photographers. It’s not uncommon for the butterﬂies to take a break from ﬂying to rest on the shoulders or heads of their visitors. Visit http://www.thebutterﬂy farm.com to learn more. At Aruba Ostrich Farm, meanwhile, tours put clients face-to-face with the largest bird species in the world. Home to more than 80 ostriches, the Aruba Ostrich Farm guides travelers through its facilities, explaining the birds’ natural behavior, survival instincts and more. Clients have the chance to feed and pet the animals. An African Art Shop and Savanna Lodge Bar & Restaurant are also on site. For more information, visit http://www.arubaostrichfarm.com. A sanctuary for donkeys might sound silly at ﬁrst, but the Aruba Donkey Sanctuary is in fact providing a valuable service. Once, donkeys were a major mode of transportation in Aruba. No longer used for transportation, the Donkey Sanctuary provides the animals with a place to live that’s safe from trafﬁc, where they can ﬁnd food and water—plus visits from interested travelers. Tours here explain the history of donkeys on the island, plus the opportunity to interact with the animals, and all proﬁts support the non-proﬁt organization that operates the sanctuary. For more information, visit http://arubandonkey. org. december 2011 A21 http://www.aruba.com/thingstodo/attractions/arikok_national_park.aspx http://www.aruba.com/thingstodo/attractions/rock_formations.aspx. http://www.aruba.com/thingstodo/attractions/caves.aspx http://www.arubaostrichfarm.com http://www.thebutterflyfarm.com http://arubandonkey.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2011

Sabre Travel Network
Rail Europe & Hertz Rental Car
Southwest Airlines & Delta Air Lines
Florida
Hawaii
France & Italy
Tahiti
Thailand
China
Cancun
Riviera Maya
Costa Rica
Jamaica
Aruba Certified Expert Specialist Program
Saint Lucia
South Africa
Israel
Isram
Abercrombie & Kent
Globus
Goway Travel
Travel Impressions
Avanti Destinations
GOGO Worldwide Vacations
Apple Vacations
Tauck
Marriott International
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Sandals & Beaches Resorts
AMResorts
Best Western International
Cruising to the Top

Recommend December 2011