LR
Travel Report
Courting Canadians Curaçao Looks North For Love ©Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort
Ask the average Canadian what they know about Curaçao and they might recall a liqueur by that name that turns drinks electric blue, though some might not even connect it with that if you pronounce it properly. (It’s “cure-asow” not “kurakao”.) But if they do, chances are they won’t realize Curaçao is actually the island where the blue spirit originally comes from. Well-traveled Canadians might realize that Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island, and home to the famous candy-coloured Handelskade – a UNESCO World Heritage site, but they might not know where in the Caribbean it’s located. It’s right next door to Aruba, and it’s the “C” of the island trio just off the coast of Venezuela called the “ABCs” – Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao. Even if they do, indeed, know where it is, chances are good they won’t also know it’s outside of the hurricane belt and offers such a wide range of pleasures and pastime for all ages. But Curaçao is out to change all that. Now with new direct flights and charters from Montreal and Toronto (Air Canada and Sunwing), Curaçao has become much more accessible. Getting there before meant long layovers, multiple connections,
4 LuxuryReportMagazine.com
and a whole day of travel off your holiday. So there’s no better time to discover Curaçao than now. With great beaches, perfect weather 365 days a year, friendly locals – most speaking four languages including English, top notch resorts, some with all-inclusive options, cosmopolitan dining and nightlife, fascinating culture and history, fabulous snorkeling and diving, plus unique topside natural wonders, there is certainly something for every kind of traveler out there. Especially for us chronically cold Canadians seeking winter escapes! I’m glad to hear that Curaçao is now actively courting Canadians with great special promotions and targeted campaigns, because, up until recently, we were about as much on their radar and they were on ours! I personally recommend this island since I’ve been writing about it for their on-island guides (Curaçao Nights magazine) for over two decades. So when Curaçao comes a-courting, just say yes and go! I guarantee it will be a long-lasting love affair. Visit: www.Curaçao.com Visit: www.nightspublications.com/Curaçao SUSAN AUTHOR CAMPBELL NAME Twitter: @suectravel