Archive for February, 2009

Delta Vacations Offering Air and Hotel Packages Starting at $869*

Looking for a quick escape that won’t break the bank? Traveling to Aruba is just a three and a half hour flight, and Delta Air Lines has recently added a second daily flight from Atlanta. With white sandy beaches and perfect weather year round - Aruba is a dream destination for sun lovers, beach bums and travelers looking for an enriching vacation experience.

Aruba provides excitement and entertainment for all ages, with an array of activities and attractions. Explore Aruba’s waters from more than 40 dive sites, or partake in snorkeling and waterskiing. For those who’d like to stay on land, take an ATV tour, go horseback riding or explore the nature preserve. Aruba offers travelers extraordinary international and local cuisine, world-class spas and shopping at many exclusive shops and boutiques.

Delta Vacations is currently offering great values on packages for those traveling from Atlanta. All packages listed below are for roundtrip coach class air travel from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino presents the Sexy & Sultry promotion that includes three-night accommodations with airfare starting at $869*. The package includes every third night free, $50 in casino credit, $50 in cocktail credit, and breakfast for two served in the guestroom for one morning. Travel is valid now through June 20, 2009.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino presents the Fifth Night Free promotion with airfare starting at $1,895**. The package includes a five-night stay with the fifth night free, full breakfast for two daily and a guaranteed one category room upgrade. This promotion is valid for travel March 1-31, 2009.

Divi Aruba All-Inclusive Vacation Resort is offering an incredible promotion for a five-night all-inclusive stay with airfare starting from $1,085***. The package includes all meals and snacks throughout the day at ten dining options and seven bars, and activities such as rock climbing and kayaking.

Travelers from Atlanta now have the choice of arriving in Aruba in the afternoon or the evening. Delta 385 departs Atlanta at 3:30 pm and arrives in Aruba at 8:20 pm local time. The return flight, Delta 386 departs Aruba at 4:13 pm local time and arrives in Atlanta at 7:44 pm.

Delta Air Lines recently added flight 655 which departs Atlanta at 10:15 am, arriving in Aruba at 2:13 pm local time. The return flight, Delta 654 departs Aruba at 3:13 pm local time, arriving in Atlanta at 7:44 pm.

For more information on these Aruba specials, please visit www.deltavacations.com. For more information on vacationing in Aruba, please call 1.800.TO.ARUBA.

*Three-night air-inclusive packages are priced from $869 per person (inclusive of promotion discount) from Atlanta and include roundtrip airfare from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Aruba, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations for three nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino and hotel tax.
**Five-night air-inclusive packages are priced from $1,895 per person (inclusive of promotion discount) from Atlanta and include roundtrip airfare from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Aruba, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations for five nights at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino and hotel tax.
***Five-night air-inclusive packages are priced from $1,805 per person (inclusive of promotion discount) from Atlanta and include roundtrip airfare from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to Aruba, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, hotel accommodations for five nights at the Divi Aruba All-Inclusive Vacation Resort and hotel tax. Government imposed taxes (including PFCs and Sept. 11 Security Fee) up to $103 plus airline baggage fees are additional. Rates vary according to travel dates and departure city. Certain restrictions and blackout dates apply.
Vacation packages feature roundtrip air transportation via Delta Air Lines or SkyTeam partners, hotel accommodations, optional tours, destination ground transportation and travel protection through the Cancel For Any Reason Travel Protection Plan.
Delta Vacations, Delta Air Lines’ official tour operator, is operated by award-winning Travel Impressions, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

A memorable family vacation in Aruba is as easy as reciting the ABCs. The largest of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), Aruba offers a host of recreational options, friendly people, sunny weather and convenient flights from 12 North American cities. Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, the island’s first luxury resort, has been hosting families for generations.

- Sun, Sand and the Deep-Blue Sea -
The ocean can be seen from nearly every part of Aruba and the beach is a popular backdrop for family water sports activities. The Radisson Aruba Resort, situated on a prime stretch of Palm Beach, has teamed with Unique Water Sports to offer scuba diving, snorkeling and in-pool scuba introduction classes, among other options. The dive company offers regularly scheduled two-tank dives plus PADI (Profession Association of Dive Instructors) courses for families seeking dive certification together. Another Aruba pastime is windsurfing and lessons can be arranged by skilled instructors throughout the island. For families with younger children, Radisson Aruba Resort’s sand is perfect for kids to create sandcastles and while parents lounge under a “palapa” – beachside thatched roof providing shade.

- Nature and Land Adventures -
Arikok National Wildlife Park encompasses roughly 20 percent of Aruba and is full of well-maintained walking paths for family exploration. Within the park are the ruins of a gold mining operation, ancient Arawak Indian drawings and remnants of an old colonial Dutch settlement. Adventuresome families can also hike Mount Yamanota, Aruba’s highest peak, and see divi-divi trees, the national symbol of the island.

The tour desk at Radisson Aruba Resort specializes in arranging nature hikes, jeep-rides and horseback tours of the park and entire island. Their most adventuresome excursion for parents and teenagers is exploring Aruba with an expert guide in a one- or two-person ATV (all-terrain vehicle). The trip buzzes by colorful island homes and then travels off-road through the countryside, rugged coast and the rugged sand dunes.

- Protected Two and Four-Legged Friends -
Kids of all ages will enjoy the big gentle eyes of the wild donkeys at Aruba Donkey Sanctuary. The facility takes in sick and injured wild donkeys, providing care and a permanent home. Children will relish encounters with the donkeys and feeling the soft fuzz of their snout reaching for a carrot. Additionally, a variety of discoveries await visits to the Ostrich Farm, Bird Sanctuary and Butterfly Farm.

- Lighthouses and Links -
A journey to the northeast coast of Aruba is not complete without a stop at the California Lighthouse. This lighthouse, located among rolling sand dunes, is named for its proximity to the California wreck – a ship infamous for receiving and ignoring the SOS signals of the Titanic.  The lighthouse is a towering backdrop for multiple holes of Tierra del Sol, which combines Scotland, Scottsdale and the Caribbean into one challenging course. Families staying at Radisson Aruba Resort receive preferred tee times at this golf course, the only 18-hole championship course on the island.

- Family Fun at Radisson Aruba Resort -
The AAA Four-Diamond rated resort provides families with a variety of complimentary weekly activities designed to appeal to children of all ages. Victor, the resort’s own bird expert and caretaker, will introduce guests to the property’s resident parrots – the interactions provide a great photo opportunity. Each day, Family Fun Games are organized at the Kids Club, including water balloon volleyball, board game tournaments and family Wii videogame challenges.

For a half-day fee of $25 per child ages 5-12, parents can enroll their children in the Radisson Aruba Kids program for supervised fun without mom or dad. The program’s activities include an afternoon Pirate Party, featuring  pirate games, hearing pirate stories and searching for Captain Jack’s treasure; an Aruban Animal Party, where kids can learn all about the Aruban creatures, and a Carnival Party, providing a taste of Aruba culture at their very own parade. After a picturesque Aruban sunset, everyone can grab their popcorn at the pool deck to watch a movie under the stars with titles including Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E.

Rates at Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa begin at $499 per night, now through March 28, 2009, and are reduced to $275 per night, from April 19 through December 17, 2009. Families enjoy even greater value at Laguna as kids under five years of age eat breakfast free and under age 12 receive complimentary dinner. Vacations at Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa can be booked by calling toll-free (800) 333-3333, visiting the resort’s Web site www.radisson.com/aruba or by consulting any travel professional.

On February 14th, Aruba’s Lighting Parade took off at 8 p.m. at Kooyman and Dakota Shopping Paradise with over 3,500 Participants, 13 groups, 16 bands and 1 brass band and danced through the streets of Oranjestad until 3 a.m.

The Super Dancers, opened the parade with a special banner and the TBS brass band followed by Los Laga Bai, dressed as the Trupials at Park Arikok with Robert Jeandor and his Solo Banda Show, followed by Hospi Jollies, with Golden Elegance of Emeralds and the Déjà Vu Band.

TOB presented It’s Magic with Youth Extreme; Champagne paraded Monarchs of the World with Reload/NBO; Oreo-OPC presented World Fantasy with Oreo. Always Ambiente, staged Hollywood with Search; Pleasers & Teasers introduced Flintstones go Vegas with Le Groove; The Creators Carnival Group wheeled Kentucky Fried Chicken with the Creators; Diamonds Carnival Group showed up with Diamonds Fantasy and Climax; Sunrise Carnival Group enjoyed Celebration with BMW & Tsunami; Majestic Carnival Group with Majestic Goes Black Tie danced to Impact; Dushi Carnival Group orchestrated a Dushi Dance Party with Dushi Band, while ATNG Carnival group showed up with sailors and the ATNG Band.

The Lastlap Band, closed the parade with a giant street dance, just before the cleaning crews took over…

If the Lighting Parade is an indication as to what the Grand Parade will be like, next week, it will be off-the-chart fantastic.

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa has received the distinguished American Automobile Association (AAA) Four Diamond Award for the sixth consecutive year, recognized for its standard of excellence and dedicated staff. The resort’s signature restaurant – Sunset Grille, featuring an “exhibition-style” kitchen and terrace views – also received another Four Diamond Award.

Ideal for the discerning traveler, Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa is located on Palm Beach, the island’s most spectacular beach, offering superb accommodations and facilities enhanced by impeccable service. The resort’s oceanfront Larimar Spa, known for treatments incorporating indigenous island ingredients, is the most comprehensive in Aruba and a favorite of spa connoisseurs.

Sunset Grille is renowned for pairing a modern steak house menu with fresh, local seafood to create the premiere Aruba dining experience. The restaurant brings the best locally grown products from the Caribbean along with the highest-rated ingredients sourced from around the world.

For the AAA Four Diamond Award, hotels and resorts undergo a thorough inspection of size, service and overall appearance. Four-diamond properties are upscale in all areas, offering refined and stylish accommodations, enhanced physical attributes and an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.

If you don’t want to spend time on a boat with more than 20 people…
CHARTER YOUR OWN 18FT BOMBARDIER!

Go out on the beautiful caribbean sea for a private snorkeling adventure. Tell the Captain your wishes and he will make sure you have a wonderful time!!

Get in on all the water sport action ARUBA has to offer:
*Private Snorkel Tours
*Private Boat Rides
*Banana Rides
*Water ski
*Deep Sea Fishing
*Wave runners
*Parasailing
*Diving
*Jet Boat Rental

AND SO MUCH MORE…
FOR MORE INFO AND BOOKING CALL: 001 297 731 5021

The Westin Resort, Aruba is setting the stage for a romantic rendezvous with a Caribbean getaway chock-full of inclusions intended to turn up the heat. Love-hungry duos can enjoy champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast, and late checkout to enjoy some extra snuggle time together. The centerpiece of this love-laced getaway is a romantic dinner and champagne toast at Azull, the resort’s on-the-beach, torch-lit restaurant. This three-night escape is valid through April 16, 2009, from $474 per night, based on double occupancy, of course!*

At Azull, couples are invited to dine at intimate ocean-front tables under the golden glow of the Aruban sunset and dig their feet into the white sand while surrounded by tiki torches. The four-course culinary experience begins with a champagne toast, followed by choice of seafood appetizer, salad, a delectable main course and, of course, a decadent dessert to end the meal.

For resort reservations or further information, call 1-877-822-2222 or visit www.westin.com/aruba and search under ‘Hotel Offers’. When booking, please ask for rate plan VALENTIN.

*Rates are based on availability and do not include tax and service.

Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort was awarded the Traveler’s Choice Award for the fourth consecutive year, as one of the of the top 10 Best Hotels for Romance in the World.

TripAdvisor reports that “the Travelers’ Choice awards represent the unbiased opinions of millions of real travelers, are quickly becoming among the most coveted awards in the travel industry. The 2009 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards recognized the best hotels in the following categories: Best Luxury, Best Service, Best Hidden Gem, Best Bargain, Best Inns & B&B’s, Best for Romance, Families and Best Pool.”

“We are very proud to named one of the top 10 most romantic resorts in the World and for the 4th year in a row!” states Susan Biemans, responsible for marketing Bucuti. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our operations team lead by our resort manager Deborah Dintelman and owner Ewald Biemans. Day after day they look after our guests with great care and it is that personal connection that motivates our guests to return home and take the time to write a positive review about their experience. Care is not something that we can achieve through training, it is the spirit of hospitality that lives within our special team at Bucuti. I feel privileged to be a part of this team.”

A full list of winners is available via a link on their website home page:
www.TripAdvisor.com/TravelersChoice