Curacao is a cosmopolitan Caribbean island that is celebrating its first year of independence since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The flavors of both Europe and the West Indies mingle with white sand beaches, turquoise seas and vital coral reefs of Curacao. The island nation in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. Curaçao is the largest and most populous of the three ABC islands (for Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) of the Lesser Antilles, specifically the Leeward Antilles. The capital, Willemstad, sports gabled colonial architecture is splashed with playful Caribbean color. A highlight is the snorkeling and scuba diving in the Curacao Underwater Marine Park. Curacao is now a fave destination. I look forward to returning again.