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ARUBA The Butterfly Farm Since 1999, locals and visitors to Aruba have had a unique experience to tick off their must-do list: the island's one and only butterfly farm. With all-day guided tours and hundreds of exotic butterflies fluttering around all year, this little piece of paradise on a paradisiac island is like a double treat. Surround yourselves with delicate beauty and reconnect with nature in this peaceful tropical garden. Early mornings are ideal to visit if you want to see butterflies emerging from their pupa and taking their first flight. Looking for a unique gift or souvenir? Visit the Butterfly Farm Shop and enjoy a great selection of quality favourites. There's something for everyone here. Catch of the Day at Zeerovers Ask any local where to find fresh fish, and they’ll point you to Zeerovers. Zeerover means Sea Pirate, and it’s the place to go for an ice-cold bucket of beers and fresh fried seafood at reasonable prices. This is a very laidback seafood shack at the southern end of the island, in the heart of a fishing village. The fish of the day and shrimp are ordered by weight at the window. If you aren’t sure how much to order, the staff is always friendly and will be glad to help you figure out how much to order for your group size. Learn about Aruba Aloe Aruba is the largest exporter of the aloe vera plant. The desert-like environment actually enhances the aloe plant’s natural healing qualities and produces the best aloe vera gel in the world. If you’ve ever been sunburned, you've probably used aloe to help heal your skin and ease the pain. Be sure to visit the museum, factory, and store all in one to learn about Aruba’s history with the aloe plant. The factory tour is absolutely free, and highly recommend it if you really want to learn more about the history of this plant. Wander the Shops of Oranjestad The colourful capital city of Aruba offers a wide range of options for entertainment, shopping, and dining. Wander around the vibrant downtown area and explore its unique blend of modern and historic architecture. You’ll find luxury retailers, unique boutiques, and dazzling jewellery stor How to get there:The easiest route from the UK to Aruba is with British Airways who offer direct flights from London Gatwick. www.britishairways.com Thanks to: The Aruba Tourism Authority for their assistance in planning this visit. Joanna Walding in the UK and our fabulous host Jonathan Boekhoudt in Aruba, who took the time to show us around his wonderful country. Tour of the San Nicolas street art murals The colourful murals of San Nicolas are an unexpected sight for many visitors to Aruba. This guided tour introduces you to the stories behind each. You'll walk through the streets of San Nicolas and learn all about the significance of each mural and the top international street artists who created them. Our guide was the larger-than-life Mural Art Curator, Tito Bolivar, whose passion for the art and this area of Aruba was intoxicating. Amazing Destinations 55

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