Aruba, Palm Beach

[sharonsiff]

Am able to book next years holiday in April..can't wait! Stopping smoking is just funding trip, after trip...best thing I ever did.

 

Obviously distance wise it's more your way, than mine, so I wondered have any of you guys been to Aruba, Palm Beach?

 

If you did how did you rate it. I'm looking for beautiful beaches, to stroll along, fabulous food, delicious cocktails and places to go and explore. Be very exciting as it's just Lee and I that trip, girls have told us this years Tenerife is their last one..with us oldies. Oh to be that age again, going solo and exploring the world. Just like I'm going to start doing again without them...wink...

[Doreensfree]

Sounds wonderful...good for you.!!!!

[Reciprocity]

I have been to Aruba a couple of times. Have not been to Palm Beach but to many other places in Florida.

 

What I can tell you is the weather and beaches in Aruba are fabulous!! Very dry (arid) climate and fine, white sand beaches. My wife and I are looking to book there soon as well.

 

Florida is great too in April. Florida is different as it's a little more commercialized and when you stay there, it tends not to be on an all-inclusive basis. Eating and drinking is pretty cheap though and lots of very good places to serve you no matter where you are in Florida.

 

You really can't go wrong going to either place. Me personally; I'd be going to Aruba hands down :D

[sharonsiff]

I have been to Aruba a couple of times. Have not been to Palm Beach but to many other places in Florida.

 

What I can tell you is the weather and beaches in Aruba are fabulous!! Very dry (arid) climate and fine, white sand beaches. My wife and I are looking to book there soon as well.

 

Florida is great too in April. Florida is different as it's a little more commercialized and when you stay there, it tends not to be on an all-inclusive basis. Eating and drinking is pretty cheap though and lots of very good places to serve you no matter where you are in Florida.

 

You really can't go wrong going to either place. Me personally; I'd be going to Aruba hands down :D

Sorry I think I've caused confusion I meant Palm beach area of Aruba. Oh that's good to hear that you rate it. Have been doing lots of research and visitors seem to call it the Happy Island, I like the sound of that, also it would seem it gets year after year repeat visits from the same people. Does sound wonderful and the YouTube videos, that I've watched, make it look just what I'm looking for.

 

We got into the habit, for the last four years, of keep going back to our beloved Tenerife. It just feels like time to shake it up, make new memories in new places. I'm not too keen on the long flight, from the UK, but from what I've read and watched it looks like it will be worth it.

 

Thanks very much for taking time out, with your review.

[Reciprocity]

LOL - Sorry, when your said Palm Beach, I immediately thought Palm Beach Florida not the Palm Beach in Aruba :wacko:

 

In any case, you will not be disappointed no matter where you go in Aruba. Great weather all year long, beautiful beaches and lots to do. Yes the flight is long but that will only piss you off when you are returning from your vacation :P Hopefully you will be going for long enough to make the fight times worth it. At least you will no longer be climbing the walls waiting to get off the plane so you can go have a smoke :D

 

Be aware also that the sun is very strong there as you are getting close to the equator and in April ... well, sun is getting pretty strong. Take appropriate precautions. You don't want to end up with a bad sunburn.

[sharonsiff]

LOL - Sorry, when your said Palm Beach, I immediately thought Palm Beach Florida not the Palm Beach in Aruba :wacko:

 

In any case, you will not be disappointed no matter where you go in Aruba. Great weather all year long, beautiful beaches and lots to do. Yes the flight is long but that will only piss you off when you are returning from your vacation :P Hopefully you will be going for long enough to make the fight times worth it. At least you will no longer be climbing the walls waiting to get off the plane so you can go have a smoke :D

 

Be aware also that the sun is very strong there as you are getting close to the equator and in April ... well, sun is getting pretty strong. Take appropriate precautions. You don't want to end up with a bad sunburn.

Oh yes, as you say, no more of the climbing the walls for a smoke now. I've done long haul, in the past after the smoking ban. Oh my life I have to be honest it was hellish. Prices come out in April, for next year, so we are hoping to book mid to late October. Get a bit of Summer weather during our Autumn season. Oh I will slap of my sun factor, no problem, have had enough bright red shoulders in the past...lesson learned there.

 

I've read it very windy and that's helpful in the heat, perfect for me as I don't bode well, as I've got older, sitting there far too hot.

 

I'm really very excited for April the 20th so that I can book up. It's great because I've still got my family getaway, to Tenerife, in July this year...helps pass the time while I wait for Aruba.

[Reciprocity]

Haha .... you sound like my wife. She's a travel agent and every April they get a deal on various vacation packages. One of the spots is Aruba, which sells out almost immediately. She is waiting for the sale to come around this April so she can book us. The travel time would also be October. Maybe I'll see you there :D

 

And yes, Aruba as well as Barbados almost never go "on sale". They are two of the top Caribbean destinations because of the weather and beaches they both enjoy. The heat in Aruba is a dry heat so not as bad as if it was humid. The trade winds are always present indeed but without them, the heat would be an issue. If you're going in Oct. hopefully you still have a bit of colour from the summer at home ;)

[sharonsiff]

Good job I'm not a travel agent! I'd be booking us here, there and everywhere..lol

 

If you get a chance would you mind asking her opinion on the Rui Atlantis hotel. I'd have much preferred B&B and that's AI. However to travel and board, on packages from the auK if going say this year, it would cost slightly less to go to the Rui than go on a B&B board in a different hotel, along the high rise stretch. I'm thinking go there and just use for breakfast, any drinks if we are pool/beach based then go out for dinner each night, obviously lunch too if I'm off mooching about. From Trip Advisor reviews it reads up to suit our needs, even has a nightclub if I fancy a boogie, it would be great though to get the ok from someone in the know.

[Reciprocity]

Generally speaking, the Riu chain of hotels are all excellent no matter where they are located. The Riu Palace Hotels are their top tier places but the one you mention Riu Antillas will be excellent as well. We did a Riu Palace place in Jamaica a few years ago and it was superb. That Riu place would likely be an all inclusive package though. 

 

Going All-in or B&B style is really a matter of personal choice. If you want to get out and about and be adventurous then the B&B may be better. If you want to do the pool/beach thing mostly then all-inclusive is best particularly if you like to enjoy some beverages often :) On some of the Caribbean Islands, eating and drinking can be a bit pricy as pretty much everything is imported. Doing the B&B thing you can choose to buy groceries and make some of your own meals and have drinks on hand to cut down on expenses. The wife and I prefer to just do either the all-inclusive land vacations and we also do a lot of cruises. Those are a whole other story - lol. It's all good. Beats the wet & cold :P

[sharonsiff]

Thank you so, you've been extremely helpful. Hopefully I might just bump into you there October, when I'm out mooching about, if we are there at the same time I will treat you both to a cocktail.

 

That's great feedback on the Rui, I was drawn to that one(adults only too) so it's just a matter of waiting to book now, can't wait.

 

The all inclusive sounds perfect for us, with take plenty of money for nightly meals out, but at least the other two meals are covered. We looked at cruise holidays too, so much choice! I suspect that will be our 2019 trip....just a matter of deciding which one.

 

Thanks again I have really enjoyed chatting with you and appreciate all you help xx

[Reciprocity]

OK & Yes, I will let you know if we book into Aruba for Oct. 2017 (I'm hoping we will be able to) :)

You will not be disappointed with Aruba, although Tenerife looks lovely too! You will at the very least be guaranteed great weather and beautiful

Caribbean surroundings. Enjoy!!