At the bottom of the Caribbean chain of islands, just north of Venezuela, lie Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , collectively known as the "ABC islands". Part of the Netherlands Antilles, these tiny islands have a similar heritage, all having been originally inhabited by the Caiquitíos Indians before the arrival of the Spanish, and later the Dutch, with whom they have been tied to ever since.

Over the centuries, however, each island has developed its own distinct identity. Aruba is the priciest and most touristed of the three islands, attracting mostly American holidaymakers on package vacations as well as cruise-ship passengers to its glamorous beachfront resort complexes, flashy casinos, upscale boutiques and duty-free shops. Laid-back Bonaire, renowned for its phenomenal diving and snorkelling , and also offering good hiking opportunities, draws visitors from around the world in search of an outdoors-oriented vacation. Much less known than its smaller neighbours - except in Holland, the Caribbean and South America - Curaçao lags behind Aruba and Bonaire in terms of tourism. But still it attracts its share of travellers who come for its beaches and to experience the charms of the capital city of Willemstad, home to some of the most attractive colonial architecture in all of the Caribbean.