| Aside from its Major League Baseball fame, the | | | | several waves of Antillean people have come and |
| Dominican Republic is an intriguing retreat of colonial | | | | gone until the Spanish conquest in 1492. Indigenous |
| history amid progressive development and tranquil | | | | culture can still be observed in the very remote central |
| white beaches fringing mountainous wilderness. World | | | | mountain ranges of the island, but the populations are |
| renowned resorts dot the Punta Cana coastline of the | | | | sparse. Santo Domingo and the second largest city of |
| Dominican Republic while the nation claims the oldest | | | | Santiago offer several museums, festivals and art |
| city in the New World, Santo Domingo, along its | | | | exhibits dedicated to the history of the island as a |
| southern shore. For such a small nation, it is fairly easy | | | | whole. |
| to book cheap and convenient airfare to the | | | | From Dancing to Diving in the Dominican Republic |
| Dominican Republic through any of the four | | | | For a less cultural journey to the Caribbean, the ideal |
| international airports; however, most travelers will find | | | | destination for most is the eastern coast of Punta |
| airfare to the Dominican Republic through the capital of | | | | Cana and the surrounding turquoise and white island |
| Santo Domingo or the resort region of Punta Cana. | | | | communities. Spend your days lavishly lounging in a |
| Geographically, the Dominican Republic shares the | | | | resort designed by Oscar de la Renta near Tortuga |
| island of Hispaniola with the independent nation of Haiti. | | | | Bay or take part in some killer windsurfing and |
| While two very independent nations today, the history | | | | kiteboarding on the breezy waters of Cabarete. Family |
| of the island is far less clear cut. The first European | | | | friendly all-inclusive getaways are sprinkled among |
| settlement of the New World was established on | | | | vacation rentals in the outlying areas for the more |
| Hispaniola after Christopher Columbus landed in today's | | | | independent, outgoing types (or those who prefer a |
| Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is the landing site | | | | secluded beach experience). |
| of Columbus as well as the original colonial center ruled | | | | There are also several options for nightlife. Funky bars |
| by Columbus' brother Diego. The Museo Alcázar | | | | serve tropical drinks with a twist and decked out |
| de Colón is a fantastically restored museum within | | | | discos play an eclectic mix of beats and rhythms. The |
| Diego's original home. The French were granted the | | | | exotic dance known as Meringue also originated in the |
| western third of the island now known as Haiti. | | | | Dominican Republic and many hotels and clubs offer |
| Dominican history dates back earlier than most of the | | | | on the spot lessons for beginners through advanced. |
| Caribbean islands, possibly to 2600 BCE. Since then | | | | |