OK.... It my first time in Aruba.... We will be going April 22 - May 1st. If any one can tell me of some really nice places to go.... I would appreciate....

hi hope!

where are you staying and what types of things do you like? that will give us a little more to go on to help you.

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Hi Sherry...sorry I had a problem getting back to you...We are staying at the Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa. We will be there from April 22 - May 1.

no problem hope. manchebo is a little resort on eagle beach. it is not fancy but it is clean and cozy with a wonderful staff. it is on the largest stretch of wide beach on the island. that alone will make the trip enjoyable. you also are within a very short walk of the alhambra casino and several restaurants that range from subway and tcby to le dome, a belgian restaurant. night activities are mostly in town and change in popularity so that you can find out when you get there. all are an easy taxi ride away.

if you walk into your lobby or the lobby of the bucuti next door to you, you can get a list of all daytime activities. there are jeep tours of the island that i hear are rough and tough, horsebackriding, bus tours, windsurfing, banana boats, and of course the snorkeling cruises. i prefer the quiet type so would opt for either the tranquillo or the octopus. they feed you a nice luncheon and good drinks and sail you to a few snorkel spots.

if you get even more specific as to which of these activities you are interested in a bunch of us can really give specific recommendations.

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Well, We Love Good Food...Walter loves the slot machines...I love the ocean and nature... How is that. LOL!

We stay at the Bucuti when we are there, right next door.

We loved Rancho Notorious for the private horseback ride. They pick you up at the hotel, so no taxi.
We also loved the Wavedancer company for the Catamaran. It was small and private, 12 or so people. Not the Red Sail refugee boat. They are the blue umbrella that goes up about 1/2 hour before take off on the beach of the Holiday in.
Since it's your first time I highly recommend a Jeep tour, but as to which one maybe someone can direct you. We off-road it ourselves. If your not afraid to explore, that is really more fun to do by yourself.
We loved the Pirates nest Candelight Dinner on the beach. You have to reserve in advance.
That's all I can think of for now.

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Aruba, wine & dogs...Life is good!

great clues...lets see...slot machines...walk across your parking lot when you get to the other side hang a right. walk around the big building and the slot machines await you. if you rent a car, there are a few casinos downtown and the major hotels all have casinos. walter will not feel he is in vegas or atlantic city but he will have plenty of slots to play with from pennies on up.

ocean and nature...butterfly farm, bird santuary, ostrich farm, rent a car and drive all over the island. get lost and remember that you can't really get too lost since the island isn't that big. remember that the sun sets in the west and you can see it when you are on the resort beaches so follow the sun, lol.

food...i have my favorites--madame janette, reasonable prices for wonderful food. promenade, reasonable prices for wonderful food but you need to have a car to get there. french steak house...right in your resort. get their hot sauce for the steak. it is the best. challet suisse...not as reasonable but the food is great and if you are into chocolate fondue it's to die for. the paddock...really cheap food with great taste...hubby is hooked on the sate platter and i got pork loin there that competed with the best.

that should give you a start.

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Hope-
I agree with Sherry - if you love good food Madame Janettes is a must! I also enjoy Hostaria da Vittorio up in the high risers for Italian. You can take the bus or your car there. Lots of people are also taking about Marandis, which I hope to try this year. I think you need a car for that too. I personally like the Flying Fishbone - a beautiful place.
I know MJ's, FF and Hostaria have websites, if you'd like to see the menu.
My husband enjoys gambling (poker) at the Holiday Inn or Radisson, again up in the high rise area.

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Hope--Corrine and Sherry hit all of my hot spots....especially the Alahambra Casino...It's become my "part-time job"..I will be right next door to you that week at the Aruba Beach Club....one of my take's for dinner is the French Steak House...like Sherry said, right in your resort....it's usually my first night dinner, when I arrive...Too tired to go anywhere else first night...Dining under the stars, by the pool...OOH-la-la !!

Corrine--could you please tell me about Hostaria...Italian is my downfall..I used to love Trattoria El Faro Blance before they changed things around....I think the chef at Marandi's has somewhat of an Italian flair with the pesto dip you get with the bread..and I had the most incredible Sirloin Marsala over a light creamed spinach!! YUM....and the sink in the bathroom is total Tuscany!!!

April - I have been trying their website: http://www.hostariadavittorio.com
and it is not working. I don't know if it's my computer or not.
But if you can get through, you will get an idea of the menu. Being part Italian, originally from Brooklyn, I am very picky with Italian food. It has a lovely atmosphere (ask to sit OUTSIDE). The waiters seem to be either from Italy or NY, meaning they are cordial but don't bend over backwards for you. Everything including the wine and desert are superb,especially the pizziola.
Does anyone know if they are still open???

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April, we also love Hostaria da' Vittorio. They have a nice variety -- something for everyone. Our favorite item on the menu is their eggplant parmigiana appetizer, sometimes I order a double portion for my entree. We enjoy all of their pasta dishes, in particular their lasagna. We also enjoy their meat and seafood entrees, in particular the veal ossobuco and the fish encrusted in salt. We enjoy their soups (especially their fish soup), their salads (especially their Caesar salad), and their pizza. They also have a nice selection of desserts, and our favorite is their baba au rum. Their have both inside and outside seating. We enjoy sitting inside, at a table that overlooks the open kitchen. It interesting and fun to watch the chefs prepare the different meals. As an FYI, the chef/owner of Hostaria da' Vittorio was the chef at La Trattoria El Faro Blanco prior to opening his own restaurant. The food was never the same there after he left.

Corrine, they were still open in December, and we had another wonderful meal there. It seems that all the restaurant web sites in Aruba go down from time to time. They're probably having a temporary problem.

Maybe they are just re-doing thier menu.....I worked in a fine dining Italian ristorante here in Ma. for about 12 years and I am VERY particular about Italian food.....so that's what happened to Trattoria El Fara Blanco!!!!!

New owners. Not that good any more . Try Hostaria da Vittorio. If you stand in front of the Hyatt and look across the street to the back of their parking lot you can see it. Indoor and our door dining.

Hope - would love to see what you thought of the Manchebo when you return as we are booked there for November - please please do a trip report!! Thank you in advance!!

Silly me - Hope has already gone and come back!!

Hi, I think you should try Bingo! on palm beach as well, great ambiance, nice ppl, and great food and very modest prices....Its a small cafe restaurant where they still know how to take care of their customers. Not a money-making tourist factory machine, but service at their best, just because these people love what they are doing.....try something new, you are on vacation...

If you send me your email, i will send you the menu
ciao mike