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