My wife and family wish to celebrate our Ruby Wedding in Aruba next year. Should we book a package or travel independently, and do you have any recommendations? -Allan Mirfield, by email

Aruba is a great beach-holiday island just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. It has a fascinating mix of South American and Dutch influences, and is a year round destination, with average temperatures in the high twenties Celsius.

There are fine sandy beaches, picturesque colonial architecture, and great diving, but the island’s interior isn’t the lush jungle that you might expect. In fact, it is surprisingly arid, with strange desert landscapes, cacti, and famously contorted divi-divi trees, sculptured by the trade winds. The trees are a hallmark of the island, and local companies run 4WD tours into the heart of the island to see them.

For a holiday on Aruba, you’ll get far better value if you book a package, and First Choice operates the only direct flights from the UK to Aruba - direct from Gatwick and Manchester from May, 2007.

Top choice is the four-star Tamarijn Aruba, which has been recently refurbished, and has a great beach and excellent water sports. A 14-night package starts from £1,259pp, including flights, transfers, and all-inclusive accommodation. Or there’s the three-star Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, with a palm-fringed beach, good water sports, and a casino. Fourteen nights start from £1,065pp, with flights, transfers, and all-inclusive accommodation. Both are available from First Choice.

For more information on the island, visit www.aruba.com

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