Recommend January 2012 - (Page 44)

dominican repuBlic Santo Domingo The capital of the Dominican Republic blends old and new unlike anyplace else on earth. This is the birthplace of European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere, with a wealth of historic sites that rank among the oldest of their kind in the new world. The Zona Colonial district of the city is a smorgaboard of landmarks, some dating from the time of Columbus. The Alcazar de Colon—the palace built by Columbus’ son Diego Colon— dates to the year 1512, while the Catedral Santa Maria la Menor is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Other historic sites in this region include la Puerto del Conde, where the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic raised their country’s ﬂag for the ﬁrst time, and the National Pantheon, which was a former Jesuit church dating to the early 1700s. Most of the original buildings from centuries past have been meticulously restored. The city’s history is also preserved in its many museums, including the Museo de las Casas Reales, devoted to the history of the colonial period and itself housed in a building dating to the 16th century. Other museums explore a wide variety of aspects of Dominican life, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Dominican Man, the Rum Museum, and museums devoted to two precious geological elements found in the Dominican Republic, amber and larimar. But the culture here doesn’t live in the past. In this cosmopolitan city, visitors will ﬁnd a modern and extensive dining and nightlife scene, with many restaurants and bars open until the wee hours of the morning. By night, entertainment comes in the form of nightclubs, bars and cafes, as well as theatrical performances, live bands playing in a variety of venues and classical performances taking place in its concert halls. Daytime explorers can stroll along the malecon, a promenade that runs alongside the sea, lined with hotels and casinos. Shoppers here often ﬁnd bargains on high-end goods, especially jewelry containing amber. Facts • Best time to go: November to May • Fun Fact: The remains of Christopher Columbus are rumored to reside inside the Columbus Lighthouse • getting there: Delta ﬂies from Atlanta to Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, and from New York (JFK) to Santiago, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo • entry documents: Valid passport • currency: Dominican peso • must-try local Food: Mangu, a dish of mashed plantains • Best Buys: Cigars, rum, amber jewelry • inFormation please: Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism— godominicanrepublic.com grenada Grenada Facts • Best time to go: November to May • Fun Fact: In 1974, Grenada was the ﬁrst of the windward and leeward islands to gain sovereignty • getting there: Delta ﬂies from New York (JFK) to Grenada • entry documents: Valid passport • currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar • must-try local Food: Dishes using local spices • Best Buys: Spices, local handicrafts • inFormation please: Grenada Board of Tourism— grenadagrenadines.com They call it the Spice Island for a reason, mainly because this island measuring a little over 100 sq. miles, is one of the world’s leading exporters of nutmeg. Visitors can tour Grenada’s farms to learn more about the industry, and to shop for “spicy” souvenirs like soap and jewelry made from nutmeg that literally let them bring a taste of the island home. The epicurian adventures continue at River Antoine Rum Distillery—the oldest of its kind in the entire Caribbean—which still produces rum exactly as it was made in the 18th century. Colonial history is evident all across Grenada, including at Fort George, the island’s oldest structure dating to 1705. From its rampart-lined platform, visitors get a spectacular view of the sea along with an education in the struggles of the British and French to control the island. But the biggest draw to Grenada isn’t its spice industry or its history, it’s the beauty of its landscape and surrounding sea. Its beaches rank among the most tranquil in the Caribbean, especially those in the southwestern part of the island, and the beaches that ring the island boast both white sand and black sand shorelines. The island’s mountains form a picturesque backdrop to those beaches. Within them, refreshing waterfalls like Seven Sisters and Concord Falls lure hikers to swim in their hidden pools. Grenada’s undersea environs are just as enticing, especially around the offshore island of Carriacou, where the White Island Marine Park is known for world-class snorkeling. Divers head to Sandy Island Marine Park—also offshore from Carriacou—or to the unique underwater sculpture park near the Grenada mainland, with statues appearing eerily as they swim from site to site. Grenada is also home to the Bianca C, a ship sunk in 1961 after an explosion in its engine room. Today, it sits upright on the ocean ﬂoor and serves as an artiﬁcial reef, and one of the island’s most popular sites for divers. D24 january 2012 recommend.com http://www.godominicanrepublic.com http://www.grenadagrenadines.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2012

Editor's Note
Hotel Desk: Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Lindblad Expeditions
Holland America's Veendam
Delta Air Lines' 2012 Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America Travel Guide
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Las Vegas' 2012 Offerings
Hot European Tours for 2012
Hokkaido, Japan
Egypt's Antiquity Attractions are Eternal

Recommend January 2012