Oranjestad, Aruba

Holiday in the Sun

 

Where does the time go?! One moment you are lounging in a beach chair, sipping a vodka tonic, thinking of the stories you'll write about once you are back in the States, and the next thing you know, it is March! I am no longer on island time, and three months have come and gone in a New York minute!

Even so, I wanted to pop on and share a little piece of my vacation with you! I love telling, writing about, and hearing travel stories. With so many amazing places in the world, I like knowing that there are blogs, websites, and Instagram profiles, and people I can go to for vacation and travel inspiration. My hope is that you feel that way about my blog (and Instagram profile)!

Christmas 2019 looked a lot different than any Christmas before for my family. There have been times over the years that we have traveled around the holiday, but this was the first time we were actually away for Christmas day. We all wanted to spend the last days of 2019 in complete relaxation, and I could not think of a better place than Aruba. Please enjoy this photo heavy recap of our trip!

 

I met up with my family in Florida, where we spent one night before flying to the island. From the second we cleared customs, the only thing I could focus on was getting to the beach ASAP! Luckily for me, we had a room booked at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, which had two swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar) that sat in front of a quaint cove with a stunning view! After a quick bite, I plopped myself down in a beach chair and did not move until it was time for dinner. 

 

Did I mention the sunset was absolutely breathtaking? 

 

I suppose between the hours of downing umbrella garnished drinks and reapplying SPF 100, a girl does need to have an outfit change and do a little exploring.

 

And also eat! Did I mention said girl might also need food?

Over the next few days, we would start every morning with a short walk to have breakfast in Renaissance Marketplace, which was a conveniently located collection of restaurants between the two parts of the hotel. Then we would take a post breakfast stroll to walk off the eggs, pancakes, and bowls of fresh fruit!

Per usual, as soon as we got back to the hotel, I dashed upstairs to change and head for the beach. Except, unlike the first day, we decided to head to an even more remote spot than the hotel cove. What I loved most about this Renaissance Resort, was that they had their own private island! Oh yeah! A quick five minute walk from that cove where families with children were gathered, wass a dock that serviced as a passenger loading zone for the island. Every fifteen minutes or so, a boat would pull up to let sun tanned passengers off, and load up with new bright eyed, eager ones before heading back. In a quick ten to fifteen minutes of bouncing along the scenic blue waters, you were standing on the beautiful docks of the Renaissance's private island. 

 

 

The best perk of the island (besides how obviously bougie it was and the bragging rights)? They offered the opportunity to take the BEST vacation photos on Flamingo Beach!

  

 

Yes, real flamingos! 

I am not usually one who enjoys being close to the wildlife, but I didn't mind the flamingos strutting around in all of their long legged glory. It was the iguanas I was constantly on the lookout for...They aren't photoed because I do not find them to be very pretty things, but you realize when you get there that it should be named Flamingo (and Iguana) Beach. None the less, it was an absolutely perfect day and the impeccable beach side service and food made me feel positively spoiled rotten...which I thoroughly enjoyed.

 

All too soon, we were watching the sun fade before packing up to head back to the hotel.

 

The next few days continued in this tranquil pattern of eating, drinking, beach naps, and dips in the chilly blue waters. I love a vacation where the biggest decisions I had to make every day was "Do I wear another Lilly Pulitzer print or something obnoxiously bright?" 
 

 

It wasn't a typical Christmas, but it was certainly one of the most relaxing, one of my favorites, and one none of us will forget!

Vivre dans le luxe,

Jordin