As home to both the cruise port and the airport, your first look at Aruba will probably be in the city of Oranjestad. This beautiful city, where nearly every building sports a fresh coat of paint and a distinct Dutch style, is home to several historic sites. Fort Zoutman is the city's oldest building, constructed in 1796. Today it's home to a small museum.
Although you'll want to schedule at least half a day in Oranjestad for some shopping, have a look at the rest of the island first. The biggest tour operator is DePalm Tours (297-82-4400), with desks in every major hotel. This firm offers an excellent half-day tour aboard air-conditioned motor coaches with hotel pick-up. At the conclusion of the tour, you can return to your hotel or get off in downtown Oranjestad for an afternoon of shopping.

Island tours reveal terrain with a windswept romantic beauty that couples ochre colors against the turquoise sea and rugged beauty. You'll have an excellent view of the cunucu, or countryside, atop Casibari Rock Formation. It's a fairly easy climb (although you'll find yourself bent over and squeezing between rocks a few times), but wear good shoes for this trek. The formation is located just north of Hooiberg.

Couples also should visit the natural bridge; like the divi-divi tree, it is a symbol of Aruba. This bridge was carved by the tumultuous sea waves that continue to crash on the rocks and spray visitors. You'll always find a crowd at the natural bridge, which is somewhat touristy with a bar and souvenir shop, but it's still worth a visit, especially if you're doing some photography along the way. The natural bridge is on the northeast coast.

Sports

Golfers are in luck. Aruba has a championship course. Tierra Del Sol (297-8-60978, www.tierradelsol.com), designed by Robert Trent Jones II, combines sand dunes, cacti, rock formations, and views of the sea. Tennis buffs can also enjoy an extensive facility: the $1.4 million Aruba Racquet Club (297-8-60215). With eight courts, an exhibition center court, pro show, swimming pool, fitness center, and even a shopping center, the club attracts world-class events.

Guided horseback rides at Rancho Del Campo (297-8-20290), are popular with many couples. On tours, you can ride through Aruba's only national park: Arikok National Wildlife Park, home of Indian rock markings, gold digging ruins, and a restored cunucu home. Don't forget to bring long pants for the horseback ride!

Beaches

Much of Aruba's allure is the sea, both for its beaches and the action in the water. On the southwest end of the island, Palm and Eagle beaches are two of the most popular because of their proximity to the major hotels, but for the calmest waters head to Baby Beach, located on the far southern tip of the island near the town of San Nicolas. Swimmers should avoid the north shore, which is rough and often plagued by undertow.

Above the waves, Aruba offers some of the Caribbean's top windsurfing. Fisherman's Hut, located on the northern tip of the island, is an ideal beginner's site because of its calm, shallow waters, while experts head to Boca Grandi's rough waves, located 25 miles southeast of Oranjestad. Every year, the island hosts the Aruba Hi-Winds Pro Am World Cup in June, with the best competitors from the world of windsurfing.

Underwater Delights

Below the surface, divers will find numerous sites in the 40- to 60-foot depth range, including the Antilla, a German freighter that's the largest wreck in the Caribbean, and the California, the ship that didn't respond to the distress signals of the Titanic. Both ships lie off the northwest tip of the island. For diving operators, call Pelican Adventures (297-8-72302) or Red Sail Sports (877-REDSAIL; www.redsail.com).

Shopping

Aruba definitely ranks as a top Caribbean shopping destination. International goods -- perfumes, china, crystal, jewelry, cameras, and clothing -- are best buys. Unlike the practice of many islands, bargaining is not customary in Aruba.

Most stores are open 8 am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Saturday, and usually close during the lunch hour. If a cruise ship is in port, you may find some shops open on Sunday.

The primary shopping district stretches along Oranjestad's waterfront. Malls as colorful as sherbet line this route, tempting shoppers with goods that range from T-shirts and Delft Blue salt and pepper shakers to European trés chic designer outfits and fine jewelry.

Seaport Mall and Seaport Marketplace have the lion's share of the mall business. The Mall is located downtown and includes high-priced shops on its lowest level. Upstairs, boutiques offer moderately priced resort wear, jewelry, china, and more, for a total of over 65 shops. At Sonesta Suites, the Seaport Marketplace is an outdoor gallery of nearly 60 shops specially targeted for vacationers.

If you forget someone special on your list, you'll also find shops at the Queen Beatrix International Airport. Fendi, Hummel, Gucci, Mont Blanc, and other top names are represented along with many liquors.

Nightlife

Nightlife is a hot topic on Aruba. The island sizzles when the sun sets and really heats up in the wee hours. Casino gambling is a favorite pastime with most visitors, with nearly a dozen casinos from which to choose. Crystal Casino is one of the most elegant, with Italian marble, Austrian crystal chandeliers, English carpet, and Spanish gold-leaf mirrors. Call 297-8-3600 for reservations.

Look for Las Vegas-type revues at the Tropicana Showroom, located at La Cabana's Royal Cabana Casino, 297-8-77000. The Tropicana features headliner acts as well as a female impersonator revue. The Americana Showroom at the Americana Aruba Resort ( 297-8-24500) and Music Hall at the Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort (297-8-64466) also offer lavish revues.

You can kick up your heels at the Aladdin Theater at Alhambra Casino, 297-8-35000, styled like a Moorish palace. If you get tired of dancing or run out of luck at the tables, you can always enjoy some late-night shopping at the arcade.