Our week in paradise will be filled with plenty of sun, endless beaches, and crystal clear blue water. We will have plenty of relaxation, but we are having an absolute blast researching the area and choosing our daily adventures. This will be my first time to any where tropical. I've been to Florida- a million times, but that is really as far as my WARM beach experiences go. I've never been a huge fan of the ocean itself and have always just been drawn to cities. Anyways, I am soooo ready for this!
We arrive midday on Monday, so we will be doing nothing but getting settled, immediately putting on a swimming suit and hitting the beach. Which is where we will stay, drink in hand, until we are either starving and have to roll to the trough, or are burned to a crisp.... :P
AND THEN, in no particular order, here are some of the excursions we have decided on-
SAONA ISLAND:
Isla Saona is, currently, the most popular excursion offered in the Dominican Republic. The island is the quintessential tropical beach with swaying palm trees, bone white sand and lapping turquoise waters.'-puntacana tours
'Saona Island (Spanish: Isla Saona) is a tropical island located a short distance from the mainland on the south-east tip of the Dominican Republic. It is a government protected nature reserve and is part of East National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional del Este). It is a popular destination for tourists from all over the Dominican Republic.
The Island is famous for the natural beauty of its beaches, and has been used on many occasions by film-makers and advertisers looking for a stereotypical "desert island" setting for their film or product. It is promoted amongst European visitors as the setting for the famous Bounty chocolate bar advert.'-wikipedia
Altos de Chavon:
Altos de Chavón is a place like no other—a replica 16th century Mediterranean village in the heart of the Dominican countryside. Meticulously designed by Dominican architect, Jose Antonio Caro, and Italian master designer and cinematographer, Roberto Coppa, every detail of Altos de Chavón was handcrafted by local artisans.
The village is a cultural center for residents, tourists, and working artists from all over the world. Active studios for artists of every medium from pottery to weaving, silk screening, and everything in between line the cobblestone streets alongside shops and boutiques showcasing their unique creations. The Art Gallery features works from noted Dominican artists, as well as artists from around the world which helps to foster a dialogue of creativity and cultural exchange. Altos de Chavón is also home to the renowned Altos de Chavón School of Design, which is affiliated with the Parsons School of Design in New York.
Other sites include an archaeological museum, offering a glimpse into the fascinating history of the area, the St. Stanislaus Church, 5,000-seat amphitheater, and sweeping views of the Chavón River and the Caribbean Sea.
Santo Domingo:
We are going to take a bus into the capitol of Santo Domingo one day. It is the epicenter of the DR and is about 1-2 million people, depending on various factors. It is an old city and boasts a colonial center settled by Columbus and all that jazz. This is an all day excursion but I'm excited to get to see the city and do some shopping.
Dolphin Island Park:
I have to swim with dolphins. At least once in this life, I would like to accomplish that. Looks like I will be able to mark it off the bucket list after a trip to Dolphin Island Park.
