If lazing on idyllic white sandy beaches, enjoying a range of water activities including diving, snorkeling, kite boarding and sailing, playing on world class designer golf courses, having your body and senses rejuvenated in a full service spa and wellness centre or simply taking in the sites of a historic UNESCO world heritage listed area is your idea of a dream holiday then you should look no further than the Dominican Republic.

When the national tourist board came up with the slogan 'The Dominican Republic has it all' they certainly knew what they were talking about. Tour around the country for even a little while and you will discover that for the holidaymaker there literally is something to cater for every kind of taste.

For a start the country, which sits on the western third of the island of La Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region, has an annual average temperature of 25 C (77 F). A figure that rises to 28 C (82.4 F) if you base yourself near the sea. In addition it also boasts almost 1000 miles of coastline on its north, east and southern borders, a third of which is made up of some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Most of these beaches are pristine oases of brilliant white sand due to the high content of coral and shell, lined by tall shaded palm trees and offset by crystal clear waters. Not only do the beaches look beautiful and are great places to relax or swim as the water temperature is a constant 28-30 degrees celsius almost throughout the year.

Surrounded by these warm waters and breathtaking views The Dominican Republic has become a Mecca for water sports. Attracting regattas from around the world, such as the R.o.l.e.x Farr 40 Pre-World Cup in April 2010 and the World Sailing Championship at the Casa de Campo marina, sailing is extremely popular. As well as hosting the Windsurfing World Cup, Cabarete Beach is also revered as the 'kiteboarding capital of the world' because its perfect combination of beaches, winds and waves creates the optimum conditions for the sport. Surfing of course is an extremely popular activity and there are 16 fantastic surfing sites located on the northern coast from Puerto Plata to Playa Grande and in Ro San Juan, with classic or standard waves that reach over 4 metres high during the months of December to March. Diving too is a major attraction as the coastline houses numerous coral reefs, caves, shipwrecks and brilliantly covered fish and fauna . Infact the Dominican Republic is now known as one of the best places to snorkel or dive in the whole of the Caribbean. It is also a world class destination for fishing too. For years it has been a legendary destination for fishermen and has hosted several international bill fishing tournaments such as the Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament at Cabeza de Toro, the ESPN Billfish Xtreme Tournament at Punta Cana Resort & Club and the new International Billfish Shootout at Cap Cana Marina, the largest marina in the Caribbean.

Away from the beaches the Domincan Republic is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for golfers from all around the world. Over the last few years both professionals and enthusiasts alike have started to flock to the many great Championship standard courses the country now offers. In fact there are no less than 28 world class courses designed by such legends of the game as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Greg Norman, and nine of these were included in Golfweek Magazine's 2010 list of the top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. Not least because the breathtaking coastlines, lush green fairways and magnificent unspoilt views of nature make these courses an absolute joy to play on.

If golf is not your thing then the country's National Parks are sure to be of interest. The Dominican Republic has a beautiful topography; so much so that over 25 percent of the country has been protected in the form of National Parks, Reserves, and Marine Sanctuaries. These beautiful ecosystems are protected areas within a conservation plan that boasts 83 distinct areas, including 19 national parks, 15 natural reserves, six scientific reserves, 32 natural monuments, 2 marine sanctuaries and 9 areas of protected islands with panoramic views. Providing awe inspiring views of untouched landscapes and moments of peace and solitude the Dominican Republic's National Parks include everything from verdant mountains with bosky pine forests to pristine white-sand beaches and arid desert lands.

For the eco-adventurer who want to become at one with nature the Dominican Republic has no less than nine distinct ecological zones. This natural diversity allows you to enjoy an extraordinarily diverse eco-adventure on one beautiful island. Containing the highest and lowest points above and below sea level in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic entertains practically every form of nature. From luscious tropical rain forests to arid deserts, each area offers a wide range of very distinct activities. Places like Jarabacoa and Constanza provide opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and rafting, while Pedernales, Bahoruco, Bani, Azua and Barahona will reveal untouched beaches, geological formations, lagoons, deserts and dunes. At Cabarete and Saman, in the northeast coast near Puerto Plata you can experience deep dives, windsurfing, kite boarding, jeep safaris, waterfalls and even humpback whales. While all around the island you can marvel at more t han 5000 different species of plant, 254 species of birds and 1,411 species of reptile, many of which are endangered or simply can't be found anywhere else in the world.

For those looking to explore a bit of local history or culture the Dominican Republic also offers plenty of opportunities to do that. Its capital, Santa Domingo, is generally recognised as the 'First City in the Americas', the place where the New World started. As a consequence Santo Domingo has an impressive display of historic monuments that are as captivating as they are enriching. The most famous of which, the "Colonial City" was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992. The city has also recently been confirmed as the American Capital of Culture for 2010. To mark this celebration The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Culture has scheduled more than 600 activities to take place throughout the year including the Second National Festival of Theatre and the International Book Fair, as well as various exhibitions, festivals and the inauguration of the new National Library and the much anticipated Museum of Dominican Man.

If all this sounds a bit too much like hard work however and you would prefer to just chill out and relax, or even better, a bit of pampering the Dominican Republic houses a number of world-class spas that will allow you to do just that. Many are located in luxury 'all-inclusive' resorts that offer the most up-to-date and advanced treatments, including some that use traditional Dominican herbs and minerals. Set in magnificent surroundings, with the subtle sounds of relaxing music, the ocean or waterfalls to sooth your ears and the sweet aroma of natural oils to tantalise your nose, these spas provide the perfect place to pamper your body and free your mind. Many spas also provide a range of cosmetic treatments, hairdressing services; makeovers, hair removal, manicures and pedicures. So there really is everything you could possibly need to totally unwind.

Best of all, the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's undoubted leader for all-inclusive resorts, with more than two dozen all-inclusive properties ranging from budget to luxury currently in operation. These resorts are based in breathtaking locations and most offer these services and facilities in the confines of their premises. So you can experience them without having to venture out to far.





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