ShoreTrips says...

This city is sophisticated beyond all its history. It is a lovely visit full of surprises.

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean's oldest cities. Its walled, cobblestoned historic center, the Zona Colonial, has buildings that date to the 1500s, including the cathedral, which was the first built in the New World. To really see everything that is here within a day, we will begin early. No worries-you will be comfortable and cool on an air conditioned van or bus and you will have time to acclimate yourself to your expert guide for the day. The ride is 2.5 hours, passing through towns and lovely scenery.

First city of the Americas, Santo Domingo has many historically relevant facts that seem hard to believe as you enter this modern-day metropolitan city. Near the center of the old district, you can still see the lovely French neoclassical designs. Lunch will be arranged at a typical restaurant very reminiscent of a small farm where you can see and smell the scents of cinnamon and ginger in the air. When you arrive, you will hear the sounds of merengue music in the background, where friendship and food come together. To begin the immersion into this city's history, the main course will be a traditional Dominican dish called 'La Bandera Dominicana'.

The location for lunch lends itself to some self-exploration. As you will find yourself in a colonial neighborhood, you can walk among the monuments and museums, getting familiar. The First Cathedral of the Americas, birthplace of a fervent Catholic faith, is here. The 500-year-old Gothic-style building continues to serve as the most important site for official ceremonies, and religious celebrations. Touring the interior reveals the cathedral’s ornate Gothic ceiling, colonial period oil paintings, sacred chapel rooms, as well as an area with gravestones containing the remains of archbishops. The remains of Christopher Columbus were found here in the 19th century.

Stroll down Las Damas Street, the oldest back street not only in the Dominican Republic, in all of the Americas. It preserves the largest amount of monuments in its surrounding areas. The Museo de la Casas Reales, formerly the Governmental Palace, has a bewitching display of colonial era artifacts. Monument of historic significance once a Jesuit church, the National Pantheon became the final resting place of many illustrious Dominicans after its restoration in 1538. A huge copper lamp hangs over it dome with a perpetual flame in memory of the national heroes.

Already your head is spinning with the amount of original buildings and their significance that still stand. It is your guide who will continue to inform you of all that is here including the National Palace, the Fine Arts Palace, the National Theatre, the Presidential Palace and more.

Finally, see the multi-million-dollar Faro a Colon lighthouse was built in 1992 to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of Columbus’s landing in the Americas and is the site of the explorer’s bones.

Be our guest on your ride home to take a little nap!