Recession Specials in Curacao, Aruba and St. Barts

Are you longing for an island retreat but don’t think your budget will stretch sufficiently? Wonder no longer. Airlines, hotels, resorts and island retreats need your business more than ever and are willing to play “let’s make a deal.”

Curacao one of the Caribbean’s hidden treasures is making it more cost effective than ever to visit the island this summer. The newly launched “Curacao Now” program is offering a $200 per person airfare rebate, a free night at a choice of the island’s 17 hotel properties, a $140 food and beverage credit, a free dive day, a free rental car, discounted admissions to many museums and attractions, and a number of shopping discounts in Willemstad, the island’s capital city.

This offer is valid for U.S. and Canadian residents for travel between May 1 to July 1, 2009 and August 15 to December 15, 2009.

Curacao’s pristine dive sites, secluded beaches, championship golf and rich local cusine is an island almost everyone can enjoy. To find out more about the “Curacao Now” program to www.curacao.com/now.

Just two and a half hours by air from Miami awaits the island of Aruba, filled with adventures that are perfect for your family. Instead of risking future skin cancer lazing for hours at a time on the beach you can take your family on expeditions that include a Butterfly Farm, Donkey Sanctuary, Jeep Tours, Ostrich Farm, snorkel and nature tours.

Aruba’s hotel and resorts are offering some very attractive packages for families travelling to the island under the umbrella of the “One Cool Family” program. Participating hotels include the Westin Resort Aruba, the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba, the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, the Hyatt, the Costa Linda Beach Resort and the Holiday Inn.

Family specials vary with each resort but depending on what your family wants you can find complimentary children’s programs, non-motorized sports, tennis clinics, nature walks and pizza and movie nights.

To find out more about Aruba’s “One Cool Family” program visit www.aruba.com/SpecializedVacations/family.aspx.

Can’t quite decide on which island? Radisson Hotels and Resorts has taken away some of the guesswork by offering its “Friday is Free” offer from May 15 to September 15, 2009. Reservations must be made a minimum of seven days in advance and conditions vary with the local of the hotel. For more information go to: www.radisson.com/freefriday.

Tres, tres chic St. Barts is offering a special promotion at the tres, tres chic Hotel Le Toiny. This promotion features four nights for the price of three, or eight nights for the price of six. The three plus one package includes roundtrip airport transfers from the airport or ferry port to the Hotel Le Toiny, daily continental breakfast, a bottle of champagne, free laundry and a farewell gift. All accommodations are in a separate Villa Suite with an outdoor pool and terrace. Ah, just what we need most in these trying times – affordable luxury. For more information go to: www.letoiny.com.