22 Jan 2016
WHAT'S NEW
Packed diary of events for 2016
Aruba has unveiled a packed diary of events for 2016 with fun, cultural, sporting and entertainment dates for every member of the family.
The year kicks off with the biggest event of the year and everyone's favourite, Aruba's spectacular annual Carnival. Following the opening Torch Parade and Carnival Queen elections, there is a Children's Grand Carnival Parade in capital Oranjestad on January 31, when hundreds of youngsters come together to show off their dancing skills and colourful costumes.
The island's second city of San Nicolas witnesses a Lighting Parade on February 4, also featuring dance, music and carnival spirit. Two days later, the city hosts its Grand Carnival Parade, prelude to the Grand Carnival Parade in Oranjestad on February 7 This is the largest of Carnival events combining unforgettable music, spectacular floats and original costumes decorated with eye-catching stones, sequins ad feathers, creating a unique display. The fun begins at 10am and continues into the early evening.
For sport enthusiasts, the 31st Aruba International Half Marathon is on March 20, and the 10k 56th International Boulevard Race, which attracts hundreds of runners from all over the world, is scheduled for April 27.
The first of Aruba's major music extravaganzas is on the calendar for May 25-30. The Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival is a star-studded two-night concert series, featuring top names from the world of entertainment.
Yachtsmen descend on the island on August 12-14 for the 2016 Aruba International Regatta while those who care for the marina environment can help during the annual Aruba Reef Care Project on September 25. More than 800 volunteers traditionally help with a clean-up of the island's most popular beaches and dive and snorkel sites.
Music fans enjoy a treat again over the September 23 and 24 weekend when the 10th Annual Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival is hosted on the island, again bringing together stars for an impressive entertainment line-up, adding to an unforgettable atmosphere with food stands, bars and parties.
Foodies have their time from October 3 to 16 with Restaurant Week when more than 60 restaurants offer everyone the chance to experience Aruba's extraordinary culinary diversity.
New on the diary this year is Challenge Aruba 2016, where athletes can challenge themselves to a 1.9km swim, followed by a 90 km cycle and a 21 km run.
Aruba's International Beach Tennis Tournament, November 13-20 is the premier tournament in the Caribbean, attracting pros and amateurs from around the globe.
For the latest on all these and other events, please go to www.aruba.com
Aruba builds UK links
Aruba's growing popularity with UK travellers continues, with additional operators adding the island to their menu of destinations, new holidays twinning it with the USA and extra flights launching this summer.
Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk) is the latest big-name tour operator to offer Aruba. Featured in its latest Caribbean and Mexico brochure, Virgin is offering packages based on KLM flights via Amsterdam, thereby offering departures from London-Heathrow and 15 regional airports. Four hotels are offered in Aruba – the adults-only Bucuti & Tar Beach Resort, the Hyatt Regency, Occidental Grand Aruba and the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino. Prices start at £1,779 for a seven-night holiday.
Twin centre options with the USA are now also offered with My America Holiday (www.myamericaholiday.co.uk). The island is paired with either New York or Miami's South Beach. Prices start at £1,675, based on 10 nights, with accommodation at Aruba's Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa and a stay in New York. The Miami option is priced from £1,975, with accommodation at Aruba's Mill Resort and Spa.
Meanwhile, travel giant TUI introduces weekly charter flights to Aruba from Manchester this summer, complementing its existing service to the island from London-Gatwick.
Flights launch to Gatwick on Tuesday, April 26 and continue to operate weekly until November. Manchester flights launch on Monday, May 2 and operate weekly until October. The direct flights will be operated by the company's popular Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with its enhanced levels of passenger comfort and cabin environment.
As with its established long-standing weekly London-Gatwick flight, TUI will offer packages holidays through its Thomson and First Choice brands, featuring a mixture of all-inclusive and traditional hotel-based packages.
Aruba underlines its sustainable credentials
Aruba has underlined its international environmental credentials further by being named joint-Silver winner of the Best Destination for Responsible Tourism title.
This is a category of the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards and was presented during World Travel Market in London. It follows Aruba's earlier success when it scooped the winner's spot in the Destination Leadership category of the first National Geographic World Legacy Awards. This recognised its drive to be the world's first country to be free of fossil fuel.
Aruba was among 37 organisations chosen across 12 categories of the World Responsible Tourism Awards, recognising a variety of responsible tourism initiatives. The finalists were said to be the most diverse in the history of the awards and are based in more countries than ever before – 20 in total
Tasty accolade dished up
Mouth-watering Aruba has dished up a further international accolade.
The island recently a TripAdvisor poll as offering the best fine dining in the Caribbean. With more than 200 restaurants, serving a tempting choice of international cuisines, as well as intriguing local specialities, Aruba already has an established reputation as a top foodie destination.
Two Aruban restaurants took the top places in the 2015 Travellers' Choice Awards for Caribbean fine dining - 2 Fools and a Bull and Carte Blanche, one of the most exclusive restaurants on the island. Based in a 100-year-old traditional Aruban house, gourmet studio 2 Fools and a Bull offers a dinner party for just 13 guests, who arrive at 7pm for a five-course meal.
HOTEL NEWS
Bucuti's new spa operator
The spa at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort has opened under a new operator. Purun Spa is committed to offering a high quality service and serene pampering with an interesting menu of treatments.
Products used in the indulgent treatments include natural and indigenous elements recognising Aruba's flora and history. The world 'purun' means 'water container' in Aruba's local Papiamento language.
Hyatt guests in the shade
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort has a cool new feature, Ipalpa, which allows guests to reserve their spot in the shade from a mobile phone app.
Guests can now go online at www.hyattbeachservices.com and, once registered, can launch the system that lets them view, select and check-in to their 'palapa' – thatched-roof sun shade – from their mobile device.
Eforea spa by Hilton
The Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino recently converted its spa to eforea spa, a renowned global spa brand exclusive to Hilton Hotels & Resorts. With the launch of eforea, Hilton Aruba introduces a new and refreshing spa concept to guests looking for ways to attain a calmer and more spiritual place.
New deals from Divi & Tamarijn Aruba
Divi & Tamarijn Aruba have launched new packages to tempt visitors to their properties located alongside a mile-long sandy beach.
Wedding and honeymoon packages have been introduced for couples looking for a perfect setting to begin their happily ever after. Brides and grooms who exchange vows at the Divi Aruba All Inclusive or the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive will receive an extra bonus of savings, with a complimentary honeymoon package including an upgrade to ocean view or beachside room. The newlyweds have only to have their wedding guests reserve at least 10 double occupancy rooms for five nights. The honeymoon package also includes a bottle of champagne, free night anniversary certificate, candlelit dinner for two and remembrance gift.
For larger wedding parties, couples whose guests book a minimum of 20 double occupancy rooms for at least five nights will receive a free honeymoon stay of up to seven nights with all of the above, plus either a US$1,000 credit towards the wedding package or their choice of a complimentary wedding package that provides premium amenities from a wedding coordinator to pre-recorded ceremony background music. For those who have already tied the knot and want to renew their vows, the properties also offer a romantic renewal/commitment package.
Meanwhile, the properties have opened their new Mexican-themed restaurant, Pure Lime, and Divi Aruba's first pool view facility, with a floating deck, built-in fridge and flat screen TV and bathrooms with walk-in shower.
Both have launched new websites, reflecting their more contemporary appearance: www.diviaruba.com and www.tamarijnaruba.com
Blue Residences nears completion
Construction of the last three towers at Blue Residences has been completed.
This luxury condominium resort on Eagle Beach now boasts 124 spacious multi-bedroomed units and a second infinity pool offers guests even more space to enjoy the pool deck and tropical garden setting.
The Turquoise Tower joins the one, two and three-bedroom ocean view apartment suites in the Indigo and Aquamarine Towers. The resort has also opened its full-service health spa, Intermezzo Day Spa. Kitchen Table by White, located within the property, has been rated by TripAdvisor among the top three restaurants in Aruba.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
Entry formalities go online
Technology is replacing form-filling to speed up entry formalities for British travellers to Aruba.
The Aruba Tourism Authority has launched an online version of its Embarkation and Disembarkation card (ED-card), which every tourist is required to complete to visit the island for up to 30 days.
ED-cards are distributed on all incoming flights to Aruba but the online version can be completed up to 48 hours before arrival. It will also speed up the passport control process on arrival.
Once UK passengers have booked their flights to Aruba, they may visit www.edcardaruba.aw as a convenient alternative to filling in the form by hand on their flight. A valid e-mail address has to be provided to receive a confirmation.
Information required to complete the application includes flight details, duration of stay and accommodation address while in Aruba. Travellers will not be able to use the online version less than 48 hours before their arrival and will need to complete the printed form provided on their flight.
De Palm rewarded for environmental efforts
Leading on-island operator De Palm Tours has been rewarded again for its coastal clean-up efforts.
Company workers and their families took part in the International Coastal Cleanup, the world's largest volunteer marine project, concentrating on an area around the pier at Port De Palm and nearby mangrove area. This has earned the company the Reef Alliance Award, presented by the Reef Alliance conservation body, for the second consecutive year.
De Palm, which recently upgrade its fleet with six new state of the art coaches – with a further one, fitted with a wheelchair lift, due this year – has also just been named the Caribbean's Leading Tour Operator by cruise giant Carnival Cruise Lines.
IN THE DIARY: THE BEST EVENTS OF 2016
Aruba Lighting Parade
30 January 2016
The island's favourite carnival parade through capital Oranjestad
Children's Grand Carnival Parade
31 January 2016
The largest children's parade of carnival season, with hundreds of youngsters showing their dancing skills, with colourful costumes
San Nicolas Lighting Parade
4 February 2016
Not quite as large as its counterpart in Oranjestad but no less jubilant
San Nicolas Grand Carnival Parade
6 February 2016
Prelude to the Grand Carnival Parade in capital Oranjestad, featuring an outstanding ambience with local musicians performing.
62nd Grand Carnival Parade
7 February 2016
The highlight of Carnival season, with unforgettable music, spectacular floats and original costumes. From 10am to early evening
National Flag and Anthem Day
1 March 2016
A range of cultural and sporting events as locals display their pride in the island's independent status within the Kingdom of The Netherlands.
31st Aruba International Half Marathon
20 March 2016
International competitors compete in Aruba's longest road race covering the length of the island
Email: ibisaaruba@gmail.com for additional information or registration
For general information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com
