Curacao

Curacao, the "C" in the ABC islands, has ancient villages, rough scenery, and lots of suns. (Aruba and Bonaire are the two islands that make up the Leeward Antilles' westernmost islands.) Willemstad, Curaçao's principal port city, is what an Old World European city might look like if transplanted to the Caribbean. The vividly painted Dutch colonial houses mirror the cerulean St. Anna Bay in pinks, yellows, and blues. The environment changes after you leave the city, with spiky aloe and mesquite blooming from atop aged limestone cliffs.

The beach, though, is Curaçao's main attraction. The island is flanked by picture-perfect beaches and coves, with turquoise waves lapping softly against the pure white sand. The reefs of Curacao are teeming with marine life, making for fantastic underwater playgrounds for scuba divers and snorkelers. Best of all, the semiarid island is protected from the worst hurricane season in the Atlantic. Temperatures in the mid-80s are maintained by gentle trade breezes, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors all year.