My husband & I are going to Aruba next month for the 2nd time. We were thinking about taking one of those quick flights to another location but don't have any info on them. We would like your thoughts on it. We like to go sightseeing and love the beach. Where have you been? Was it worth the trip. Can you get to Venezuela? Any other comments or suggestions?<BR>thanks!

I was in Aruba about 5 years ago and did a day trip to Curacao.<BR><BR>It included to/from the airport, return flight, a guided van tour around Curacao, entrance to the seaquarium, lunch at a beach front hotel and time for shopping/siteseeing in Willemstad.<BR><BR>While there was also a day trip to Bonaire available, I didn't take it.<BR><BR>If you don't want to take a tour, you could always book the flight yourself and then do your own thing when you get there.<BR><BR>I considered doing my own thing (similar to the tour), but the tour was cheaper.<BR><BR>I hope this helps.<BR>

I think there is a ferry to Venezula daily now, however I'm not positive.

I would not venture to Venezuela for whatever reason. Visit the website to optain info on Venezuela, its not to your interest to visit. Any government website will do. On the other hand tho John explain your best option. Curacao is a nice place to visit & enjoy. Bonaire is a place to go diving as well as Curacao.

Do stay away from VZ for now. There is much political tension and any city, not just Caracas, may be dangerous.

Why should I stay away from Venezuela?

We went to Aruba 2 years ago and were also thinking of doing a day trip there. The first day we got there, we read the local paper. There were over 100 murders in one weekend in Caracas. The city has a lot of crime and is not safe. The government is facing a lot of problems. I would stay away from that country and visit Curacao.

Hi! Spent a week in Aruba last April. Wasn't brave enough to venture off the island...too much politically going on there. Without knowing how much of Aruba you saw the first time around, I will still offer my suggestion...an X-treme Jeep Safari tour with ABC Tours (www.abcaruba.com) was a blast!! Tour guide was Ivo...he was sensational!! P.S. Don't wear white!!

I agree with the last post. The jeep tour was great, although you get very, very dirty. Don't wear your favorite clothes, swim suit, etc. They'll become filthy. After I took off my sunglasses at the end of the trip, I looked like I had been skiing for a week (raccoon eyes). It's fun, but it's a dirty, dusty road.

A friend of ours went to Aruba last year and visited Venezula. They were shopping and a truck drove by shooting at anyone. They said the owner of the store they were in pressed a button and the front of the store had a metal wall come down to shield the bullets. If you go wear your bullet proof vest. Enjoy!

Some day adventures from Aruba: The &quot;Cat People&quot; (see DePalm Tours Aruba) will sail the coast of Venezuela and back on a 70 foot race catamaran.<BR>There is a one day Curacao as well as Bonaire day tour --round trip air, lunch &amp; shopping free time and fully narrated sightseeing tour--only available certain days. I got this information this last December from DePalms Tours in Aruba--the cost is $245 each and they must be notified at least by 48 hours in advance. At the time there was a special of $130 savings per couple for the Thursday trip to Curacao, don't know if this still applies.