September 22, 2004 -- Hurricanes can do more than put a damper on a Caribbean vacation; they can blow your whole trip out of the water. So why play chicken with the weather when it comes to your travel plans? The Dutch Antilles -- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao -- lie just below the Southern belt of the hurricane loop. You might get some rain, but you'll never have to worry about getting stranded, or worse.
To reach the Dutch Antilles, located north of Venezuela between South and Central America, you'll fly into Aruba, where the airport can handle big jets. If your ultimate destination is Bonaire or Curacao, you can take a boat or small plane over. Bonaire and Curacao are mellower than Aruba. The beaches are less crowded and the shopping sparse, but if you want to really get away from it all, the extra travel (15 minutes by plane, an hour by boat) is worth it.
In fact, the three islands are so close that no matter which you choose as your home base, you can island hop and enjoy the beaches, nightlife, and food on the others. The food is fine, the beaches are peaceful, the people easy-going, and crime almost non-existent.
Aruba
Known for its duty-free shopping and amicable atmosphere, Aruba is beautiful at this time of year. Deals to the friendly island through Travel By Jen (www.travelbyjen.com) come in at $599 for seven nights with round trip airfare out of Miami, New York airports, and Philadelphia. Other US gateways such as Chicago and Los Angeles are slightly higher. Last departure is December 12. A $25 food credit per day is available. The hotel, the Mill Resort & Suites, is a large property with condominium suites. It's a honeymooners' paradise, and more deals are available for the Honeymoon suite. The downside: the hotel is across the street from the beach and mid-week travel is mandatory.
Quote Four Vacations (www.4vacations.com) offers a similar deal for $699 if you book by September 30, 2004. A beachfront vacation for three nights with breakfast and water sports from Boston costs $745, from Atlanta $749. Taxes for both trips will come to around $100 for air departure fees and security taxes, but the hotel is first class and all meals and beverages (even alcohol ones) are part of the package price.
Curacao
Curacao.com (www.curacao.com) is a good starter course on the island's perks and hotels. For package deals, though, Tradewind Tours (www.tradewindtours.com/) offers special discount rates on travel to the island's top hotels. The Papagayo Beach Resort has deals on travel through December 14, 2004 for 25 percent off normal room rates if you book before September 30, 2004. Airfare is on you, but round trip to Curacao from Miami will run you a mere $381 round trip on American Airlines (www.aa.com) with no stops. The fourth night at the hotel is free.
Bonaire
Bonaire, probably the quietest and most private island of the Dutch Antilles, has similar deals. Rockwell Tours (www.rockwelltours.com) offers five days in October over a weekend for $1,229 dollars in suite-style accommodations at a divers' paradise called Captain Don's Habitat. Airfare on American Airlines and hotel taxes are included. You need to book this package at least two weeks in advance to reserve your flight.
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