Those who’ve followed my blog won’t be surprised to see my photos of flowers. Aruba’s consistent blue sky and sun make these vibrant beauties pop! I couldn’t resist capturing a few images.
Flowering Beauty in Aruba
Tag: Aruba
Alto Vista Winery in Aruba
Returning to Aruba for the first time since 2019 I knew there’d be changes. When traveling to a place I’ve been many times, I like to seek out new experiences and to my surprise, I discovered Aruba has its first winery offering a vineyard tour and tasting – with charcuterie. Count me in! I booked it immediately, especially after reading glowing reviews on Trip Advisor.
Aruba is the last place I imagined finding a vineyard as the terrain and weather are the polar opposite of the many vineyards I’ve visited since falling in love with wine at age forty. I was curious.
Tours are a reasonable $39 and about 2 hours. Guests are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes as especially the first phase of the tour is rocky and in the natural terrain. Started seven years ago on inherited property, the family tried farming (they still raise a lot of chickens) and after consulting with wineries in many countries, diligently worked the vineyard until they were producing quality wines. A mere eight months ago they opened for tours, starting a 4:30 and every half hour until 6:00 p.m. every day but Sunday. I opted for the first tour along with about 16 other people from various countries who shared my curiosity and a passion for wine was our common bond.
With a lovely young man as our tour guide, we entered through the Blue Door. This was the wild, untamed part of the property which was a nice hike; we were surrounded by cactus and indigenous plants and trees. Named for the Alto Vista Chapel, which we could see in the distance with the ocean beyond, he was fun and informative giving us a background of the early failures turned successes.
to view the Chapel
Onto the next phase of the tour, we entered the vineyard. Having recently harvested there was not much on the vines. They do two harvests a year of French Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Syrah and Tempranillo. While they could do three, they learned it was better to let the vines rest. Using sustainable techniques to water, feed and care for the vines, our guide gave us an understanding of the challenges and processes of producing wine in this climate. It was fascinating.
As if they don’t have enough to do, they’ve planted sugarcane and are now distilling Red Star Rum (named for the Red Star on the Aruban flag). We toured the distillery, learning the process from harvest to aging in oak barrels from Tennessee. Upstairs we did a tasting with a shot and a refreshing cocktail.
Onto the wine tasting! The tasting room was lovely – the aesthetic was reflective of the Dutch influence in Aruba. Taking our seats, a lovely wine flight paired with charcuterie awaited us as well as the owner who guided us through each tasting with the specific charcuterie bite. He was knowledgeable, clearly passionate about his craft – and entertaining!
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From morning to evening, the beach at Bucuti in Aruba
Bucuti has the best beachfront in Aruba – and it’s not just my opinion. With an expanse of white sugar sand and the brilliant turquoise Caribbean, from dawn until twilight it’s ever-changing and there’s not a moment when it’s anything but spectacular. Every moment I spent on this beach was pure bliss.
And if it wasn’t fabulous enough, each evening on my Bucuti-provided iPad, I selected then reserved my umbrella covered lounger for the entirety of the next day. Early each morning while having tea on my balcony, I saw the staff hard at work setting up each reserved spot with thick, extra-long beach towels.
Once you arrive on the beach and are ready, you simply raise a flag on your lounger and the waiters come out to take your order, later stopping by with complementary smoothies and refreshing, cold towels.
Malibu Coconut Rum, Crème de Cacao White, Eristoff Vodka, Triple Sec, Coconut Cream,
Ice Cream
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Aruba Mornings
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Returning to Bucuti
I lost Spence in March 2017 and he was – hands down – the BEST travel partner ever! I had been to Aruba in my twenties but Spence had never been there. In 2015, we booked our trip discovering the top-rated Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort. We loved the idea of a romantic, adults only, zen location on the breathtaking Eagle Beach. We went back many times, usually for our birthdays. I blogged extensively about those trips ( search under “Travels in Aruba” or “Bucuti” in the Search bar for those posts).
Returning to this place, so full of happy memories and romance seemed daunting to me. In 2019, I traveled to Aruba (staying at an AirBnb), but when I drove by Bucuti I couldn’t even pull in the parking lot – emotions overwhelmed me.
Fast forward to autumn of 2023 when the pull to return to Bucuti had started to dominate my thoughts. Because it’s focused on being a romantic couples resort, would they take a solo traveler? Prepared for either a yes or no, I emailed their concierge and explained my situation. Moments later I had the loveliest email saying how sorry they were about Spence and that YES – I could come back and they’d be happy to help me make new memories. I immediately booked a week in a deluxe Ocean View room!
I expected to be flooded with memories but it was okay. I believe Spence was watching over me and was happy I was back at Bucuti.
There will be several posts to come as I recount the fun I had…stay tuned.
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Scenes from Aruba, part five
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Scenes from Aruba, part three
Aruba is vibrant and filled with fun in the evenings with balmy temps, trade winds, great restaurants and happy people.
And yes, one night after a large glass of Pinot Noir (liquid courage) I sang karaoke, belting out my standby – I Love Rock and Roll (thank you Joan Jett). I don’t think a recording contract is in my future but it was a blast!
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Scenes from Aruba, part one
Immediately after losing Spence I remember thinking of those beloved places we’d vacationed and that I’d never go back; it would be too sad.
It’s been almost two years and the many happy memories have helped me remember our enjoyment of traveling together. I know for sure, he’d be sad if I wasn’t traveling.
Late last August my friends, Jeanne, Frank and I discussed a trip to Aruba. Soon we’d settled on a date, found a gorgeous condo on the northern part of the island and plans were finalized.
Leaving Michigan the day before the polar vortex (a brilliant stroke of luck) we arrived for a week in Aruba, a place that held special memories for me, with new ones to be made. Today as I await my return flight, I feel a sense of calm, a renewed love of this amazing place and a certainty that Spence would applaud my return.
Here is the first post of several to follow.
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Travels in Aruba 2016 – part sixteen or another “Top 10 Reasons to Love Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort”
After our October 2015 trip to Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba, I wrote the series “Travels in Aruba” including the post Top 10 Things I Love about Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort if you’d like to check it out!
As Spence and I were enjoying our recent trip in May, we compiled a list of ten additional things we love about this exceptional resort. The list was easy for us and exceeded ten things but for consistency, I’ve whittled it to ten, in no particular order:
- Purun Spa Tucked away in the Tara building is the peaceful, zen-like atmosphere of Purun Spa. Soft music, subdued lighting, fruit-infused water or ginger tea is available as you await your spa service. With an extensive menu of services and expert staff (I had Margarita for a massage and facial), I emerged relaxed and refreshed.
- Movie under the Stars – Twice a week at 8 p.m.,they feature a movie as you recline on comfortable lounges on the beach. The tradewinds and starlit sky as we watched “An Officer and A Gentleman” made for a unique and romantic experience.
- Making my birthday special – We celebrated my 60th birthday on this trip and on the big day, the staff at Elements brought me a Mimosa and this beautiful presentation of fresh fruit. What a way to start my first day of being 60!
4. Sunday Happy Hour – During the Sunday Happy Hour, there are a select group of artists who display their work as well as a chef featuring an Amuse Bouche. Spence bought me a lovely pair of earrings (last year I bought a bracelet here that remains a favorite). The art is lovely and the prices are reasonable. Plus it’s combined with Happy Hour – you can’t beat that!
5. Driftwood Workshop – This year the resort was featuring a painting class on driftwood. I met the instructor during our first Sunday Happy Hour. I was intrigued with her talent and signed up for the next class. It was fun to create art and hang out with Maria Onni, our instructor and Nicole, from Guest Services/Concierge who took the class as well. It happened to fall on a rare overcast day that even sported a couple of quick rain showers but even if it had been a sunny beach day, it was completely enjoyable and I’d take it again!
6. Carte Blanche – Located within the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Carte Blanche is open to the public but only if you’ve planned ahead to secure a coveted reservation to this limited seating, chef’s selected, multi-course gourmet meal. I was lucky to get us a spot and the meal as well as the experience of watching a skilled chef create and plate the most exceptional food was a foodie’s dream come true.
7. Fresh Orchids – It’s the little touches and attention to detail, like fresh orchids in our room and even in the hallways. The orchid in our room was down to two blooms toward the end of our stay and was replaced with a new one, simply because housekeeping was paying attention. And that’s typical of the attention to every detail that we’ve come to expect from everyone here.
8. Aruba Aloe Bath & Body Products – In keeping with their eco-friendly policies, rooms feature dispensers of liquid hand soap, body lotion, conditioning shampoo and body wash from the Aruba Aloe company. I’ve since ordered the products online as I loved the high quality – light scented, gentle and most importantly, I love the way my skin and hair feel after using the products for two weeks.
9. Complimentary iPad – This is particularly nice for any guest but in particular, as a blogger it was great to stay connected. Though we somehow missed noticing this last trip, the alarm clock has both an iPod docking station and a sound machine with crickets, ocean waves and other sounds to help us relax fall into a deep sleep.
10. The Sand Bar – During the day, Bucuti’s Sand Bar is “the place” for cold adult beverages (a Prosecco or Pina Colada for me – Balashi for Spence), as you relax in the open-air, shaded round bar while gazing at the beach and brilliant turquoise ocean beyond. But there’s more…. as we discovered this trip – the lunch menu. Over the course of our two week stay we tried the Element’s Ceviche, Tuscany Panini and Garlic Roasted Quesadillas. With lots of delicious menu items to choose from, two daily happy hours, a pair of love birds and Paco, the talking parrot, what’s not to love about the Sand Bar?
This ends “Travels in Aruba 2016”. I hope you’ve enjoyed it – it’s been fun to share it with you and read your comments. Many thanks!
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Travels in Aruba 2016 – part fifteen
On our October 2015 trip to Aruba, the spa at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts was undergoing renovation. As we prepared for our trip in May, I perused the menu of services offered by their new Purun Spa.
At check-in, we were given a welcome packet including a discount on spa service. I reached out to Nicole in Guest Services/Concierge and set an appointment for a Purun Happy Island Massage.
Purun Happy Island Massage (Swedish w/ Hot stone):
A gentle stream of warm oil escapes the marble of Purun and reaches the center of energy of the body, followed by a hand and feet massage ending up in neck and face. This truly unique experience calms the nervous system by uniting mind and body.
I was ready for some pampering after a long day dragging around our carry-on luggage and being crammed into always-too-small seats on the plane.
After my arrival and check-in I was offered fruit-infused water or ginger tea; I opted for ginger tea – my personal favorite.
My massage therapist was Margarita who was just lovely and her Purun Happy Island Massage left me completely relaxed.
As I was checking out, I was given another discount on services if used before the end of our trip. Not that I needed any incentive but I booked a facial for the following week on my birthday!
Purun Sensation Facial:
Experience a pleasant feeling with our facial of essences that will give you a fresh face that is smooth and toxin-free. This treatment helps to protect the skin from the elements of the environment such as stress and dehydration giving you purification, softness, and anti-aging hydration.
Once again, I had Margarita who gave me a relaxing and amazing facial. My skin was so soft and hydrated that I think I left looking a few years younger than when I went in.
Needless to say, I would highly recommend the services at Purun Spa and plan to go back on our next trip (God willing) to Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort.
