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dominican republic
Life’s not a
Beach
Chloe Govan reveals the diverse secrets of the Dominican Republic beyond it’s glorious beaches and all-inclusive resorts
HUMPBACK WHALE
CROSSING THE BAY, SAMANA
I
am perched 1,000ft above the ground, at the peak of one of the Dominican Republic’s most majestic mountains, preparing to take flight. Thankfully, this is no perilous bungee jump and I am safely anchored to a swing. Still, as I sail high in the sky, my heart is pounding. I clench my eyes closed and feel a rush of nervous adrenalin. When I open them, I am greeted by bright blue sky above and the undulating emerald green panoramas of the Caribbean countryside far below. As the vertigo fades, I enjoy the visual feast. Not for the first time during my trip, I realise that this is no typical island, nor is it just for couples whispering sweet nothings against a lullaby-like soundtrack of gently crashing waves. It sounds a cliché but the Dominican Republic (or DR) really does have something for everyone. As the panoramas spread out before me, I begin to picture what my next activity might be.
CABLE CAR, PUERTO PLATA
Adventure lovers DR has some of the most diverse landscapes in the Caribbean, with waterfalls, mountains, mangrove lagoons, fishing villages and colonial towns. Despite its growing mainstream popularity, it is definitely a place for those seeking to go beyond the beaches. For whilst, say, regional rivals Saint Lucia and The Bahamas will likely always appeal primarily to honeymooners, DR is ideal for those tourists who don’t neatly fit into any ‘niche interest’ category. As Sonja Rogers, Marketing Executive for the Dominican Republic Tourist Board points out, the island is well geared to cater for “families, adventure seekers, independent travellers and nature lovers”. Plus, thanks to the launch of the brandnew two-million-dollar spa at the five-star Eden Roc Cap Cana Resort, the Dominican Republic is also building a reputation for health and wellness holidays. The opportunities for adventure are
huge, from treetop yoga classes and beachfront horse-riding to ziplining, parasailing and quad-biking. And for wildlife devotees, Carrier Product Manager Jenny Basham recommends Samana, “where you can see the migration of 4,000 humpback whales, or mating season.” For other quirky adventures, she suggests “taking a helicopter trip to the cigar factories, rum distilleries and chocolate factories”. Twin-centre breaks are also rising in popularity, with Miami, for example, just a two-hour flight away.
Top experiences: Montana Redonda: This mountain hotspot offers panoramic views of the landscape below via an adrenalinpumping swing at its summit. A new highway has opened up tourism opportunities in the rural Miches - often described as “the most photogenic town you’ve never heard of”. Package day
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