If you are looking for an exotic location to enjoy a late summer getaway, or perhaps an autumn break, then you could do a lot worse than go to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean.
The island was named as “hot for 2007″ by the Association of British Travel Agents’ (ABTA) members, and this year alone, bookings have increased by nine per cent for the destination.
ABTA’s Frances Tuke said: “The all-inclusive packages in particular have been a massive hit for families who know they have to stick to a budget as everything is paid for upfront, but the destination also offers so much more for the British holidaymaker.
“Not only are there fantastic beaches and watersports on offer, but if you want to get away from the crowds, there is breathtaking scenery in the form of rainforests, mountains and waterfalls. The cities also offer a vibrant culture that has a Spanish colonial past.”
The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Caribbean. It has the highest point in the West Indies, the Pick Duarte standing tall at 10,414ft, and also the lowest point in the West Indies, Lake Enriquillo which is 148 ft below sea level.
Christopher Columbus first stepped ashore the island, which he called Hispaniola, in 1492. Consequently, the south side of the island boasts the oldest city of the New World, including the first hospital, first sugar mill, and first cathedral.
The capital city, Santo Domingo has Columbus’ Palace, the Alcazar de Colon, the 22-room home of Don Diego Columbus and his family. It was built in 1510, and then underwent restoration in 1955, a wonderful mix of Gothic and Moorish architecture.
The capital also has a buzzing street life, which is quite unique. The streets are awash with colour and music, the finest example of which occurs during the Domincan Carnival that takes place between February and March.
The second largest city on the island is found on the cliffs above the Yaque River, called Santiago de los Caballeros or simply Santiago, but it is the island’s next largest city, Puerto Plata, located on the north shore of the island which has become the most popular tourist destination. Nearby Sosua, La Romana and Punta Cana to the east of the island also have a growing resort population.
The Dominican Republic also has some stunning landscapes, with much of the island covered in mountainous terrain. There is plenty for nature lovers to explore, from semi-desert plains to green valleys and tropical rain forests.
There is also the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range, which runs between the Atlantic coast and the Cibao valley. It was here that Spaniards used to search for gold. The Cibao Valley is also famous for growing, harvesting and marketing tobacco, and its cigars are an important income for the island. It is easy to arrange trips to soak up this nature from most of the island’s tourist centres.
But for many, the number one thing to do on holiday is hit the beach, top up the tan and relax. You will have [...]
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The Dominican Republic Is An Exotic Caribbean Destination
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A Caribbean Vacation Destination In St Vincent And The Grenadines
A unique and exotic Caribbean Vacation Destination in St Vincent and The Grenadines is Petit Byahaut.
Approachable only by sea, and hidden in the jungle. This is a 50 acre hideaway and the ultimate Caribbean Vacation Getaway.
This is an expensive but inclusive Caribbean Vacation, and be warned despite the price you won’t get five star luxury.
What Petit Byahaut is all about is escaping the stresses and pressures of modern life, because here in this part of St Vincent there are no roads, no telephones, no televisions.
Indeed unless your electrical equipment works off batteries you should leave it behind.
At this particular Caribbean destination what you will find are a multitude of exotic birds, brightly coloured flowers, and a coral reef full of tropical fish and undamaged coral. All this is possible because Petit Byahaut is at the forefront of environmental care and protection.
Petit Byahaut will never have more than 14 guests at any one time, and the accommodations are totally unique. There are seven accommodation units, although for all practical purposes only five are in use for couples, which is one reason that Petit Byahaut is so suitable as part of a Caribbean honeymoon vacation.
Occasionally the other two, which are of lesser quality might be used for larger groups or for older children Each room is effectively a dwelling, and they are all completely private and unique in their design.
You could be accommodated in a room sized tent on a tree house platform. You might be in a slightly odd wooden hut with mosquito screens. It would be more than fair to say that Petit Byahaut is obviously not for everyone.
Each dwelling is however supplied with ceiling fans, reading lights, flush loos, and freshwater showers, with the power supplied by photo electric cells using the sun. Of course when the sun doesn’t shine this has obvious consequences not the least of which can be a lack of hot water!!
Be warned the bathrooms are freestanding, and outside with your privacy assured by banks of fresh flowers and their clever positioning.
The dwellings have queen sized beds with fresh bed linen every day, and each dwelling has a veranda with chairs, a table and hammocks to sit or lie and admire the views.
One of the major necessities on any honeymoon vacation, in fact any vacation destination is the quality and quantity of the food. More than one exotic Caribbean vacation and honeymoon has been totally spoiled by poor food. Petit Byahaut is a total exception in that the food is a real focus, and as such is of incredibly good standard. There are three meals a day and picnic lunches in the inclusive price. Meals are served in their tiny alfresco restaurant and bar, where the seats are tree branches with a view of the bay. As you might expect the meals are focused on healthy eating with all dietary requirements catered for. You will especially find home baked bread, yoghurt and cookies as well as fresh local fruit, and the herb and vegetable garden [...]
Top Caribbean Destinations for Cruise Vacations
With hundreds of islands to visit, the Caribbean has been a favorite cruise destination for many years. However, the Caribbean is far more than just one destination. In fact, within the “Caribbean” label, there are literally hundreds of islands and many ports of call from which to choose. Each of the destinations has a different and unique flavor, and many cruises want to show you what they are all about. If you are considering a Caribbean cruise for your vacation, take a look at these top Caribbean destinations for cruise vacations.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas are among the most popular Caribbean cruise destinations of all. The Bahamas offer an international flavor without being too unfamiliar to English-speaking tourists. While you will need a passport to travel to the Bahamas, once you get there the environment will be comfortably familiar. Many Caribbean cruises anchor at Grand Bahama Island, where visitors can take advantage of shopping at Freeport and the casinos and opulent resorts of Nassau.
Bermuda
Bermuda is a pastel confection of an island, famous for its pink sand beaches and pastel colored cottages. It is a favorite port of call and Caribbean cruise destination with several cruise ships a day anchoring at St. George’s for memorable shore excursions. Visitors to the island can enjoy a round of golf or take a cruise on a glass bottom boat to view the astounding undersea life around the island.
Aruba
If you are looking for nightlife with an international flavor, Aruba is the best place to visit. The little island is one of the more developed in the Caribbean, with top-shelf luxury resorts and flashy nightclubs and casinos. Daytime activities include wind-surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and lying around on their beautiful beaches. At night, the resort comes alive with discos and nightclubs for those who want to party all night long.
The Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman, the largest of the Cayman Islands, is the best spot in the Caribbean for spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling. Just offshore, the land drops away creating some of the most amazing and awe-inspiring underwater venues in the world. Grand Cayman is a haven for shoppers who will find dozens of duty free shops lining the streets. For those who want to enjoy the underwater world, there are cant-miss shore excursions that include snorkeling, swimming with the sting-rays, or touring around in a glass-bottom boat, so that visitors can enjoy the scenery without getting too wet.
The U.S. Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, the major city on St. Thomas, is easily the busiest port of call in the Caribbean. The pretty little town is one of the most developed in the islands, offering wonderful shopping, lovely resorts and excellent restaurants. Charlotte Amalie features nearly 400 duty-free shops, making it the stop of choice for those with serious shopping addictions. While St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, it is far less developed, and shore excursions to St. Croix often visit historic sites or enjoy eco-tours and bike excursions around the island. The third island, St. John, [...]
Top Caribbean Beach Destinations
The Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations for vacationers from around the world. From the many independent islands to the coasts of Mexico and Central America, there are a wide variety of choices for travelers to choose between when planning their beach vacations. Among the options, however, are some gems that you should consider when making your travel plans.
Beach Destination # 1: Barbados
Barbados was once an English colony but is now a thriving independent nation. Located in the southern Caribbean, nearby islands include Trinidad and Tobago as well as St. Lucia. Because of the upscale air the island exudes, Barbados is considered a prime choice for honeymooners. Travelers can find everything from simple motels to all-inclusive resorts to timeshare condos when they book travel to Barbados. With a dry and temperate climate, Barbados is also known for its white sand beaches and the abundance of water sports made possible by the terrific waves of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Beach Destination # 2: The U.S. Virgin Islands
If you want to plan the ideal Caribbean beach vacation without even technically leaving the United States, then the U.S. Virgin Islands is the perfect destination. Three islands comprise the U.S. Virgin Islands. They are St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. The smaller Water Island is also a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. All part of the same territory, each island offers its own unique destinations and amenities. The U.S. Virgin islands are located just to the east of Puerto Rico.
St. Thomas is home to the famous Blackbeard’s Castle. Although it is unknown if the pirate known as Blackbeard ever visited St. Thomas, this tower was used as a vantage point to spot incoming ships and is now a part of a hotel on the island. St. John is a very wealthy island which benefits from restrictive development laws, making it a highly exclusive destination within the Caribbean. For the well heeled traveler, this is the perfect destination. St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin islands and is home to several environmentally protected areas including the beautiful Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge as well as the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. Water Island was long used by the United States government for various testing programs. Although it is primarily a residential island, visitors may venture there for a more personalized U.S. Virgin Islands experience.
Beach Destination # 3: The Cayman Islands
Known as the most famous tax haven in the world, the Cayman Islands are also home to some of the most beautiful beaches and some of the most upscale accommodations within the Caribbean. One of the biggest draws is scuba diving, which is made possible by the impossibly clear waters that surround the island. A British Territory, the Cayman Islands include three islands: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. Many cruise ships choose the Cayman Islands as a port of call, most commonly going into Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is also home to the famous Seven Mile Beach. [...]