Hello My Boyfriend And I Are Going To Be Travelling To Aruba In August We Want To Know Where To Go To Get Some Gifts For People And Also What Places Are Good To Eat We Do Not Like Seafood. Also This Is Our First Time Going Any Suggestions Would Be Great.

Thinking Of Going To The Natural Pool Is It Worth The Trip There?

• souvenir place........try juggling fish for nice economical souvenirs. check out the flea mkt downtown, as well as the vendors that come around and set up their wares at the resorts .
• restaurants............here are some top selections Madam Janettes French Steakhouse, Tulip, Salt n Pepper, Promenade and lots more.
• Natural Pool.....imo not worth the trip. many folks love the trek to the natural pool. not me though!
• keep reading the threads on this forum and see what is of interest to you----snorkeling, sunset cruises, eating, watersports, land tours, casinos. Then again, you m ay just want to vegetate on the beach.

Where to eat......My favorites!

Madame Jeanetts = top choice
Sunset Grille = top choice (yes I do have 2 top choices!)
Iguana Joe's downtown is super for drinks, people watching and a light meal!
Salt and Pepper for lunch at least 3x each vacation!
Aqua Grille is superior for great seafood - but you don't care for fish!
Blossom's in the Westin is fun at the grill!
Amazonia - lotsa really great grilled meat and superior salad bar - great fun!
Tango is very reasonable for Argentine (yum) beef in a neat little setting!
Cuba's Cooking is great and not expensive!
Most folks swear by El Gaucho for Argentine beef....

Dining options are endless. We always do 3-4 favorites each trip and try 3 or 4 others that catch our attention! I absolutely guarantee you'll love Aruba and the dining options that are available!

cpjones mentioned one of my two favorite restaurants, but left out the Flying Fishbone. It is really a "must do" for couples visiting the island for the first time.

The Natural Pool is not worth it imho for first time visitors. Unless you are going to be on the island for a couple of weeks it is a pretty big investment of time just to get there and back. To at the pool and and enjoy it, you need to drive yourself and not just take a tour which stops for half hour/45 minutes. Why not just take in some of the pretty beaches on the eastern coastline such as Dos Playa and Boca Prins?

Andrea gave you the lo down on the souvenirs.

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Thank you guys so much for the tips i am so excited to go and can't wait to just sit on the beach and lounge in the pool with drinks in my hands lol.

*For a nice unique souvenir for the cook among you: Pica di Papaya or Madame Jeanette. Both are locally made hot sauces and are available for little over US$3 per bottle in any supermarket. Tip: The papaya is milder than the Madame Jeanette.
*Dutch Chocolate: Droste or anything from Taste of Belgium in Renaissance Mall - "home made chocolates"
*For the wine and cheese person among you: Dutch Gouda cheese, a small wheel - more reasonably priced in the supermarket (SuperFood has a nice selection). Get one with a fun name (Rembrandt, Amsterdam) which are usually a little "older," drier, more interesting and sharper than the version you will be served in local restaurants and hotels.
*Nice, inexpensive finds at both flea markets - open Sunday and Saturday - between Certified Grocers and De Palm Tours AND at City One on the Sasaki Road (recently opened and a little closer than the other from hotels)
*Aruba Aloe - the line ranges from shampoo and conditioner to skincare creams (special care lotion is excellent), even burn balm (great for kitchen burns also) and a wide range of SPF for sunburn prevention and tanning
*Palmera Rum
*Balashi Beer (I met a girl who took an entire case with her to distribute among friends)
*For kids: Nice European, modern and traditional toys at the Treasure Box or a gift from a licensed Sanrio store (might be less expensive here than at home?)
*Nicole makes her own souvenirs - Chez Nicole at Certified Mega Mall
*Holiday Inn resort's ChiCuCha and Anouk.

And this is just from the top of my head, I am sure you will find much more once you are here.

Get a steak at the flying fishbone. see www.flyingfishbone.com for menu and pix. go for a 6:30 dinner for sunset.

I like the Flea Market downtown for souviners.

MikeM

Where is this flea market?

I noticed a place to get good souviners (cheaply priced too) is at the Natural Bridge. There I noticed was one of the cheapest priced shops (although one would think it to be expensive). As for a nice place to eat... Mambo Jumbos (I think thats how its spelled) and Iguana Joes. I also liked Texas De Brazil... But be warned its expensive (well worth it though).