Bright yellows, pinks and blues liven traditional Dutch architecture on the main streets of Willemstad, ?Amsterdam in the Caribbean', and Cura‡ao's main city. Spend an afternoon shopping and strolling past historic sights that reflect the island's mix of Caribbean and European influences. For background, visit the Museum Kura Hulanda to learn about the Caribbean slave trade, or check out the Jewish Cultural-Historic Museum and take a guided walk through the city.

Watch slowly for turtles while you explore the cave bays, blowhole and natural bridge in Shete Boka National Park. Take a jeep tour of Christoffel Park, steering around the iguanas, goats and flamingos that call this arid place home. With nothing more than a good pair of shoes you can climb Mt. Christoffel for views of Venezuela from the 1,200 foot peak. If you'd rather use less exertion, rent mountain bikes or saddle a horse for a ride through the ?wilds' of Cura‡ao.

While there are plenty of land-based activities on the island to keep visitors busy, don't miss Cura‡ao's other half ? the underwater community. Divers can cruise through bright coral formations, forests of mushroom-shaped sponges, and shipwrecks, observed only by curious barracuda. Snorkellers can stroke around spots off the west and south shore for their share of reef activity. Catch a glimpse of Cura‡ao's sea residents without a mask at the Cura‡ao Sea Aquarium south of Willemstad.

Cura‡ao is 42 miles southeast of Aruba.