4:51pm Friday 25th June 2010
When Christopher Columbus first discovered this island in 1492, he described it as a 'beautiful island paradise' and that is exactly what you will still see today. Dominican Republic holidays offer a wonderful mix of vibrant towns that know how to party, traditional villages that doze in the afternoon sun and secluded beaches with crystal clear waters. Pristine white sands lined with palm trees stretching towards the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean create a paradise that must be seen to be believed. It's a shame you can't visibly see the warm hospitality that the Dominicans extend on all the beautiful pictures of the island, that is something that you simply have to experience for yourself.
Dominican Republic holidays give you four main regions to choose from, Puerto Plata in the north, Samana on its own eastern peninsula, Punta Cana and La Romana to the south east and the islands capital of Santo Domingo on the south coast.
Puerto Plata is the perfect example for showing Dominican life as it really is.
Although most people choose to stay in all inclusive resorts just outside of town, a trip into it will see you wandering old fashioned cobbled streets housing classic Victorian buildings or stopping off at a quaint harbour side cafes.
Samana sits on its own little peninsula to the east of the island and can only be described as 'paradise'. Lie back on the beach and listen to the crystal clear waters lapping the edge of the sands, or the parrots 'laughing' in the tropical forest with the harmless yet noisy cicada insects, and the drum beat of cascading waterfalls and swaying palms accompanying them all.
Punta Cana and Romana take you to the south of the island and the part that the locals call the most beautiful. When you think of the sheer beauty of this island that's a very bold statement to make, however you'll see why they say this as soon as you catch sight of the place. Bayahibe has a cluster of fishermen's cottages and is the perfect place to unwind and watch them bring in their early morning catch. Bavaro, just along the coast has a host of wonderful shops, bars and restaurants, having grown from a sleepy little fishing village.
The island's capital Santo Domingo is home to medieval churches, cobbled streets, sun drenched terraces and fascinating museums. Just inland you'll find a landscape of rugged mountains, candy cane villages and aromatic coffee plantations.
Dominican Republic holidays are available all year round due to the excellent temperatures here although travelling to the north of the island is advisable between June and September and the south between November and April to avoid the rainy seasons.
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