Caribbean Getaway: Dominican Republic

Winter is approaching quickly, and it’s prime time to book one of the best winter getaways: a Caribbean . Be sure to take a look at itineraries that include the Dominican Republic, which continues to develop as a vacation paradise.

Christopher Columbus claimed the island of Hispaniola for Spain on his 1492 voyage of exploration. About 200 years later, the Spanish ceded the western third of the island – now known as Haiti – to France. Spain retained the eastern two-thirds of the island, the present-day Dominican Republic.

In the capital city of Santo Domingo, ships dock at the Sansouci Pier, the main terminal. It’s a quick taxi ride to the sights of the city, which include the Zona Colonial (Colonial City), a UNESCO World Heritage site with the first cathedral, first hospital and first fort built in the Americas.

No one is certain where the remains of Christopher Columbus lie, but residents of Santo Domingo will tell you they are at El Faro a Colon, where a tomb is watched over by an impressive lighthouse. Pope John Paul II visited during the 500^th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival, and his “Popemobile” is still on display.

To explore shops, restaurants and casinos, head to the Malecon, an oceanside walkway. Or, choose an excursion to the town of Boca Chica, which has great shopping and a lovely beach dotted with food stalls that offer local specialties, such as empanadas stuffed with fresh fish, rice and spices.

Some ships that call on Santo Domingo also visit La Romana, a town next to the resort village of Casa de Campo. Many ship visitors take a shuttle up to Altos de Chavón, a hilltop re-creation of a 16^th-century European village. The lovely stone buildings house restaurants, art galleries and shops with handiwork from local artisans. Don’t miss the 5,000-seat Roman-style amphitheater or St. Stanislaus Church and plaza, a popular site for weddings. There’s also a museum of archaeology with a collection of pre-Columbian artifacts found in the area.

Serious golfers will love the resort’s 18-hole course, Teeth of the Dog, ranked 46^th in the world by Golf Magazine in 2013. Visit the Cueva de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders) to see fascinating cave drawings; or, simply relax on nearby Bayahibe Beach.

To select a Caribbean that will take you to the Dominican Republic, talk with your True Vacation Travel personal expert:

• E-mail: [email protected]
• Phone: 530-244-7447
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