Dominican Republic - Delightful Island in the Sun

Experience the delights of the hot sun and sandy, lush palm tree lined beaches - no other island gives you the mood of the “Caribbean” quite like the Dominican Republic. There really is something for everyone, offering an extensive range of natural beauty, cultural monuments, excellent sporting facilities and fun filled nightlife for those who just don’t want the party to end.

Santo Domingo 

The oldest Spanish metropolis in the New World, with nearly 3 million inhabitants, is the political and cultural capital as well as the economical centre of the Dominican Republic. Founded in 1496, the old town of Santo Domingo, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is a true treasure trove of colonial architecture.

The cathedral Santa Maria la Menor on the southern side of Columbus Square (Parque Colón) will captivate you with a harmonious vestibule with two arches in the west façade and an interior celebrating the three ships. After it was completed (1521-1540), it was extended with 14 side chapels in which precious objects of art, such as the crown of Queen Isabella, can be seen.

The Alcazar of Columbus (Columbus's Palace), which was the residence of the Spanish viceroy in the 16th Century, rises above the Plaza Espagna. From here, numerous adventurers made plans for crusades to the American continent. The Museo del Hombre Dominicano is dedicated to the history of the island and its indigenous, African and European roots.

The Samana Peninsula 

The Caribbean in the travel brochures: small isolated islands, colourful coral reefs with an unbelievable diversity of species and forms, coconut palms swaying in the breeze, romantic waterfalls, dives to old Spanish wrecks, long walks to remote white sandy beaches. Nowhere else will you feel the true Caribbean flair as much as on the Samana Peninsula in the north-east of the Dominican Republic.



The main tourist areas, in addition to Sanchez, with its small harbour and wooden houses in the Victorian style, are Las Terrenas on the north coast and Santa Barbara de Samana in the south on the bay of the same name. The most popular activities in Santa Barbara are strolling to the attractive Malecon, extended visits to cafés and boat trips to Cayo Levantado - made famous throughout the world by the Bacardi advertisements.

The absolute highlight from January to March is the numerous agencies offering whale-watching tours, when up to 3,000 humpback whales gather together to mate in the warm waters of the Bahia de Samana.

Los Haitises National Park 

The Tainos, the original inhabitants of Spanish descent(Hispaniolas), named the impassable mountainous area between the Bahia de Samana and the Cordillera Oriental, which is protected as the Los Haitises National Park. Erosion of the limestone here has created one of the most geologically interesting types of landscape in the Caribbean: a distinct, lush Karst landscape with extensive cave systems, collapse craters (dolinas), impressive stone towers (mogotes), which sometimes appear as islands (cayos) off the coast.



Nature lovers can study the life of the cotica parrot, the national bird of the Dominican Republic, amongst the approximately 120 different species of birds in the vast mangrove belts and in the tropical rainforests further inland. Around 2000 BC, the Siboneyes, and later the Tainos, drew the fantastic primordial landscape combined with religious depictions in numerous cave drawings in which whales, fish and insects, as well as a shaman (behique), can be seen.

Lake Enriquillo 

The 42 kilometre long Lake Enriquillo at nearly 40 m below sea level is an extraordinary natural spectacle. It is part of a former estuary, the salt content of which is three times higher than that in the Caribbean Sea due to high evaporation at temperatures of up to 50 °C.

In the midst of the lake, the Isla Cabritos National Park surprises you with semi-desert and briar vegetation which is unusual for the region. If you are lucky, in the early hours of the morning on this “Goat island” you may see the largest crocodile in the Americas which is threatened by extinction, as well as turtles, flamingos and rhino iguanas.



The sulphurous whirlpools of the Balneario Las Barias in La Descubierta in the heart of a wonderful oak forest promise refreshment and relaxation. In addition, on the north shore of the lake at the Postrer Rio you will find one of the most significant archeological sites of the Hispaniolas: the Las Caritas sanctuary with petroglyphics, which depict, amongst other things, small faces without ears.

Sosua

Countless souvenir shops, diving schools, travel agencies, discos, cafés and bars and more than 100 guesthouses and hotels - all this makes Sosua the tourist centre of the northern coast of the island. By invitation of the dictator Trujillo, Jewish immigrants founded the city in 1940 and many Europeans from the most varied nations, in particular Germans, settled here subsequently and developed a unique multi-cultural society.


A 1 kilometre long sandy beach separates the two parts of the city from one another: the Caribbean-style Los Charamicos, which lies on a slope and is predominantly inhabited by Dominicans, and El Batey. Under the European influence of Calle Pedro Chisante, this area is dominated by the money-making tourist industry. A synagogue and a historical museum in the Calle Dr. Alejo Martinez district bear witness to the Jewish history of the area. Here bathers can also enjoy the sea from several small beaches, such as Playita and Playa Chiquita.



Puerto Plata 

The history of the anchorage ground named “Port of Silver” at the foot of the Pico Isabel de Torres local mountain is characterised by a continual trend of ups and downs. After the initial boom in the 16th Century from trading leather, the area experienced its heyday in the 18th and 19th Centuries exporting tobacco, sugar, coffee and rum. After another decline, the 1980s saw the arrival of tourism to the lovely city centre with its numerous wooden houses.


The Fort San Felipe (mid 16th Century) towers majestically over the harbour entrance at the western end of Malecon. It was erected by order of Carlos V to protect the harbour from pirate attacks. Carefully restored, its rooms house a weapons museum which is well worth a visit. Not far from the contemplative Plaza Central in the Calle Duarte 61, the Museo del Ambar will fascinate you with a large collection of amber, including examples of embedded old leaves, lizards and insects up to 60 million years old.


Santiago de los Caballeros 

The money spent in Santo Domingo is earned in Santiago. Nothing characterises the economical significance of the city in the prosperous valley of Rio Cibao better than this expression. Rum and tobacco in particular, along with bananas, sugar, coffee and rice have given the trade metropolis wealth and prosperity.



An unmissable symbol of Santiago is the 67-metre high column at the end of the Calle del Sol, often abbreviated to “El Monumento”, which was ordered by the megalomaniac dictator Trujillo (1930-1961) to commemorate the heroes of the Restauration war in 1865. The history of tobacco cultivation and the industry as well as the skillful manual processing of it is documented vividly in the Museo del Tabaco in the city centre. With an extensive collection of richly decorated masks and costumes, the Museo de Arte Folklórico Tomás Morel in the Calle Restauración y López is devoted to the carnival celebrated so enthusiastically in the Dominican Republic.

Jarabacoa 

Set amidst wonderful pine forests at 530 metres, Jarabacoa boasts a pleasant spring-like climate with warm days and cool nights. This part of the Cordillera Central, named the Alpes Dominicanos, offers a range of rafting and walking activities and excursions for nature lovers and those seeking recuperation.



Only 2 km outside this small place, the natural Balneario La Confluencia at the confluence of the Jimenoa and Yaque del Norte rivers offers swimming and relaxation. The 20 metre-high waterfalls Saltos de Jimenoa and Saltos de Baiguate can be reached by foot or horseback. Both are also popular with Dominican holidaymakers.

In 3 to 4 day excursions you can explore Jarabacoa or the village of Cienaga as well as the extinct volcanoes in the Armando Bermudez National Park, the Loma de la Viuda (2,802 m), the Pico de Yaque (3,045 m) and the Pico Duarte, at 3,175 m the highest peak in the Caribbean.

About The Author: Darren McCowan is an online Brand Manager and owner of http://lastminutetraveluk.co.uk. Last Minute Travel UK is one of the largest affiliate based holiday websites, serving hundreds of customers each month. 

Hong Kong - 10 Wonderful Places To Visit

Hong Kong is one of the favorite tourist destinations in Asia. This country is known for its wonderful shopping experience as well as the modern way of living. If you are going to visit Hong Kong, prepare yourself for a wonderful blending of Western and Eastern cultures.

1.) Repulse Bay

So far, this is Hong Kong’s most famous beach. Here, you will get to see the Chinese Pavilion that is home to statues of the traditional Chinese gods. This is also a wonderful place if you want to have a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in Hong Kong sights and sounds.

2.) Stanley Village 

This is a very popular seaside village, and many tourists flock here yearly. You can find here a very trendy shopping center as well as the infamous Stanley Market where you can find lots of bargain items. This is also a good place for you to buy your souvenirs.

3.) Ride the Peak Tram 

This is the best way if you want to reach the area called the Peak. Once you are in the Peak Tram, prepare yourself for the dizzying sights below and enjoy the seven-minute ride to the top. If you are afraid of heights though, this ride is not for you.

4.) Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak view

This is where your Peak Tram ride ends. Once you reach Victoria Peak, be enthralled at the wonderful sight of the city below, especially if you visit Victoria Peak at night when Hong Kong city lights are brightly shining. You can also find excellent restaurants here, and what better way to enjoy dinner than having a beautiful sight at the same time?

5.) Party in SoHo

If you want the best of the modern world, then come to SoHo. In this place, you will surely enjoy the many international restaurants and bars that are located here as well as the shops. Be prepared for the night of your life here.

6.) Ride the Ngong Ping 360 

Like the Peak Tram, this is not for those who are afraid of heights, but to those who are not, then be prepared for this beautiful cable car ride towards the Giant Buddha. During this ride, you will get fabulous 360-degree views of Hong Kong’s rugged terrain and the sea. The wonderful sight of the fertile valley below is truly something.

7.) Visit the Po Lin Monastery and the Giant Buddha 

                

Your ride on the Ngong Ping will take you to these two tourist attractions. Here, you will get the chance to visit the Po Lin Monastery and enjoy its unique structure. Plus, you will also be fascinated by the seated Giant Buddha.

8.) Take a Walk on the Wisdom Path 

Credit: dawvon 

This is surely something that a tourist must do when in Lantau Island, Hong Kong. This is also called the Heart Sutra. Here, you will see wooden pillars where the prayers are written, and what is interesting about it is that the pillars are arranged in the infinity symbol. 

9.) Tai O Fishing Village 

  

 Credit: yeowatzup 

For a firsthand experience of Hong Kong culture, visit the fishing village of Tai O. You will surely become fascinated with the houses that are built on stilts along the creek. The families who live here are said to be direct descendants of the first settlers of Hong Kong and are called the Hanka People.


10.) Enjoy Causeway Bay

Credit: bchow 

If SoHo is not enough for you, then you must definitely visit Causeway Bay. Here, you will definitely enjoy its malls as well as little shops and boutiques. If you want more bargain items, then definitely go to Causeway Bay’s street markets.

About The Author: Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/hongkong  to view or share Hong Kong travel videos.

Breathless in the City of Lights

Romancing Gay Paree   Paris, the capital of France, is a dream city to visit. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. More than 40 million tourists visit the Paris Region every year, 60% of whom are foreign visitors.

There are numerous iconic landmarks among the city's many attractions, along with world-famous institutions and popular parks.

Paris, situated on the river Seine, is also popularly known as the "City of Lights" literally translated from "La Ville-Lumière" (The Light City). The nickname derives from its fame as a centre of education and ideas and the city's early adoption of street lighting.

As one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.

Your vacation in Paris can be an unforgetable experience. Here Charlie Reese provides an itinerary guide for those who are planning a Parisian holiday.

                                            credit: agaw.dilim


Your Very Own Paris Vacation

The City of Lights offers a lifetime of touring. Paris is one of the most famous and beautiful of European destinations. Were it not for budget and time constraints, any visitor to Paris will tell you it becomes tempting indeed to just keep wandering the more than 600 square miles that is Paris.

This most beautiful and fascinating city seems never to run out of attractions, both famous and relatively unknown. The trouble with compiling a list of places to visit in Paris is that you almost always leave something unseen. Your vacation time is always limited by that return flight ticket. Most of us lucky enough to visit Paris must wisely organize our activities around a set amount of time.

Whether you have just a few days, a week or a month, you're well advised to get a detailed travel guide, which details as many of your touring sites as possible. Sure, no matter how short your visit, you must make time to tour the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. These destinations are must-do's, a perhaps once in a lifetime opportunities. However, when push comes to shove, a comprehensive guide to places to visit in Paris may leave you breathless.

  

The city of Paris dates back to Roman times, with streets of cobbled stone still intact, which you can still walk today. For example, Rue Mouffetard (pic above) today hosts a lively neighborhood of bistros, exotic dining, tiny and exquisite shops and the famous marketplace. Rue Mouffetard is also one of the original streets leading south to Rome. Walking this area of the Left Bank is a fascinating mix of history and modern life in Paris. A thorough exploration of just this small district of Paris can take weeks. When you comb the guide books for your discriminating list of places to visit in Paris, you'll soon see the futility in trying to do it all.

For the most satisfying personal experience, you'll want to combine the major attractions with your particular list of your subjects of interest. Granted, the museum buff can make an itinerary which attempts to hit all the major museums in a week. Your head will be spinning at the end of that week.

One approach that can prove to be satisfying to the first time visitor to Paris is to dedicate at least a third of your time to walking tours. Before you firm up you list of places to visit in Paris, buy at least one travel book devoted strictly to walking tours. Such tours are laid out in a step by step fashion, designed to make your walking itinerary hit as many landmarks, hot spots, interesting shops and restaurants as you might in a single day.

  credit: dalbera

About the Author: Charlie Reese enjoys giving tourist and free fortune and tarot readings advice on his meaning of each tarot card website daily.