First impressions in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Dominican capital boasts some of the oldest colonial structures in the New World.

By MELINA I. DE ROSE

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

There's something about firsts.

And Santo Domingo, the oldest city of the Americas, boasts many.

In the Dominican capital for the first time, I sat in the courtyard of an apartment complex, listening as the neighbors relayed a long list of must-sees: among them, the first street, military fortress and cathedral of the New World.

Lucky for me, my friend (and Dominican native) Alex knew where to go and what to do. We only had a long weekend, and had been en route to the car when his neighbors' chatter led us to peek in for a quick hello.

Thanks to Columbus & Co., every step here tells a story – one my new friends were only too happy to share. Their pride was palpable. After all, whether you're North, Central or South American, this is where it began for all of us.

Being that I love a good story, I was hooked.

Contact the writer: mderose@SunSentinel.com

Ted Alen Steadman have this to say about the Dominican Republic

"is a big, beautiful Caribbean jewel"

Ahh, the swaying palms, the tourmaline colored water, gentle tropical breezes and misty mountains piercing the clouds. Could be Hawaii, but I'm talking about the Dominican Republic . As I plot my second dive/raft/party sortie to the DR, I'm reminded why I love this friendly Caribbean country brimming with exotic flair.

It's not like I'm alone in my enthusiasm. Europeans and Canadians have been hitting the DR for years, although U.S. travelers not until more recently. The new El Catey International Airport, a major high-speed arterial road, plush resorts, awesome diving, fantastic golf and an envious menu of eco-sports -– what's not to like? Here's another reason: it's just a two-hour ten-minute flight from Miami to the DR's capital,Santo Domingo.

Leave Your Wallet at Home - Friday, Oct. 03, 2008

Leave Your Wallet at Home

All-Inclusive Bargains May Hold the Key to Traveling in Today's Economy

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Stressed out about the economy? In need of an affordable getaway? Choosing to book an all-inclusive vacation this fall may be the sensible solution. According to a July 2008 national survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association and Ypartnership, 82 percent of U.S. adult leisure travelers who are planning to take a leisure trip in the next six months said they would "book a packaged vacation to save money."

"Concerned consumers are now seeking trips where food, drink, entertainment, and accommodations are included so they can stretch their dollars and maximize their experience," said Jesse Henson, VP of Marketing for BookIt.com(TM) (www.BookIt.com), an online travel company. "We want to cater to today's traveler by making all-inclusive travel bargains more readily available."

In addition to the survey, the high demand to book a packaged vacation is almost totally due to the increased price of gasoline and the overall economic environment. Leisure travel intentions remain high regardless of the situation - 75 percent of U.S. adults say they intend to take a leisure trip in the next six months.

BookIt.com's Leave Your Wallet at Home Sale includes but is not limited to the following featured packaged deals for Punta Cana Dominican Republic:

-- Majestic Elegance All-Inclusive-Punta Cana - Five Star Resort, Grand Opening Special, $89 per person per night

Protected Coral Reefs, Reserves, Sanctuaries, National Parks and Monuments Preserve the Island DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Oct. 1

A humpback whale swims in the Silver Bank whale sanctuary, a breeding zone of humpback whales just north of the Dominican Republic in the North Atlantic Ocean.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Oct. 1/PRNewswire/ -- Since 1962, theDominican Republic (DR) has led the Caribbean in preserving sensitive inland and coastal eco-systems through partnerships with leaders like the Nature Conservancy, the United Nations, the Smithsonian and more to establish powerful environmental protections. The DR's preserves and sanctuaries, like the Sanctuary for the Marine Mammals of the DR, the first whale sanctuary in the world located along the coast of Samana, are a vital tourism draw to the DR's fabled lush green surroundings. The government's constant dedication to reserving the island's environment make eco- and adventure tourism in the country so remarkable and exciting.