Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012 - (Page 26)

Below top: Juan Dolio Below bottom: La Estancia Golf Course LA ROMANA & SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS The sugarcane industry gave birth to the wealthy city of La Romana, but it’s also home to the largest handmade cigar factory in the world. Located in the heart of town, the Tabacalera de Garcia facility employs a staff of 3,700 people who roll over 300 brands of cigars, including Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann and Don Diego. Groups can go behind the scenes to witness the entire process in action, from the drying of the leaves to the final inspection. And you will never smoke a cigar the same way again after you see the care and devotion that goes into rolling a fine cigar. The factory just opened a new Cigar Shop & Visitors Center where everyone can shop and smoke stogies while sipping on fine rums and brandies. Director Ruben E. Gonzalez is also available to lead cigar, wine and fine liquor pairing events at the regional hotels. Also new in La Romana, the luxurious La Estancia residential community is home to P.B. Dye’s La Estancia Golf Course. This is a breathtaking course with 12 holes skirting the cliff’s edge 400 feet over the Chavon River. Less than a 1/2 hour drive from La Romana, the city of San Pedro de Macoris is the birthplace of professional Dominican baseball players in the American big leagues, where some of the world’s best players have been trained and nurtured. You know their names and faces: Sammy Sosa. Alex Rodriguez. Manny Ramírez. These professional baseball superstars in the United States are literally heroes here at home. San Pedro is home to a slew of American big league scouting camps, but anyone can drive up and watch literally hundreds of boys of all ages playing organized ball in dozens of fields. San Pedro also has a fun seaside boulevard with lively nightlife for visiting attendees who want a slice of local culture away from the big resorts. JUAN DOLIO, GUAYACANES & BOCA CHICA Located midway between La Romana and the capital city, the peaceful beach towns of Juan Dolio and neighboring Guayacanes are known for their communal fishing village vibe, quiet beaches and fresh seafood served in family-owned restaurants. Visiting attendees can literally buy just-caught dorado and snapper from local fishermen right out of their small boats as they motor back after a big haul. Before lunch, a walk along the narrow streets shopping for local and Haitian paintings and handicrafts, followed by a cup of coffee in the salty breeze while watching children play, is a quintessential way to spend your off hours enjoying Dominican Republic to its fullest. Many golfing groups do make the trip to Juan Dolio to test their skills on the Gary Player Signature course at the unique Guavaberry Golf & Country Club. The heavily landscaped fairways on this dramatic 18-hole course feature indigenous coral rock formations and over 400 spiky corozo palm trees. Boca Chica shares many of the same idyllic traits as Juan Dolio but it’s only minutes east of Santo Domingo so it’s a great escape for delegates attending city conferences. Much of life revolves around the beach and colorful street that runs parallel, Calle Duarte, where groups can sample local cuisine in shorts and sandals among a wide variety of laid-back beach bars. The serene sapphire sea in Boca Chica will take your breath away, as it has for generations of city dwellers, so best to visit during the week. The bay is part of the protected La Caleta National Underwater Park offering extraordinary snorkeling and scuba diving around two shipwrecks. The 135-foot Hickory sank here after years of trolling for Spanish treasure lost here in the 1700s. And the El Limon tugboat was scuttled to bolster marine life, including trumpetfish and blue tangs. Meanwhile, snorkelers can easily access some of the island’s most plentiful reefs. 26 GoDominicanRepublic.com 

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012

Planning Points
Meeting Hotels
Punta Cana & Bavaro
La Romana, Bayahibe & More
Cruise
Puerto Plata
Samana
Santo Domingo
Santiago & Central Region
Food & Music
DMC List
Tourism Offices

Dominican Republic Meeting & Incentive Planner 2011/2012

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