TO DO LIST - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
To do list - Dominican Republic - Luxury Travel Magazine
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To do list - Dominican Republic | |||||
| By: Neda Vanovac, Issue 44 – Spring 2010 | |||||
| (Dominican Republic, Bhutan, Arabia, Himalayas, Krabi) | |||||
| NEDA VANOVAC FINDS ACTIVITIES TO INSPIRE YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY | |||||
| Dominican Republic | |||||
| Think Caribbean and you’re sure to conjure up paradisaical images of pristine white sand and clear blue water, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. Making up two thirds of the island of Hispaniola (which it shares with Haiti), the DR is the second-largest Caribbean nation after Cuba. The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010, measuring seven on the Richter scale, left the Dominican Republic virtually unscathed. With over three million people affected and an estimated quarter of a million dead, the toll on Haiti has been enormous. The DR was the first country to give aid and continues to distribute resources from its airport. Although some have questioned the decision for cruise ships to moor in Haitian waters so soon after the quake, the Dominican Republic’s department of tourism argued that tourist dollars are needed now in the aftermath more than ever before. There is no shortage of water-based activities such as diving, fishing, sailing and windsurfing for travellers who just can’t get enough of the DR’s 400 kilometres of coastline. When you’ve had enough water, head inland for eco-adventure experiences courtesy of the government initiative to preserve 20 per cent of the country’s land. Climb the Caribbean’s highest peak Pico Duarte (3,098 m) and descend to its lowest elevation and largest lake, Enriquillo (39 m below sea level). Go horse riding or rafting to the twittering birdsong of the DR’s 254 bird species and, if you’re lucky enough to visit during whale season, head out on a boat to spot the humpback whales. | |||||
| DIVING | |||||
| The warm waters of the Caribbean make for great visibility when diving. From Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, divers can access La Caleta national marine park with its variety of coral and multicoloured fish, underwater tunnels and caverns, and four sunken shipwrecks. The park extends to a depth of around 200m and covers almost 1,000 square kilometres. There are plans to add an underwater museum of submerged sculptures reflecting Dominican cultural themes. Stay tuned. “The Sosua and Punta Cana regions have the most diving opportunities, but I also like La Semana, which has superb visibility and whales in season,” says Ty Sawyer, editorial director of a number of diving titles and recipient of 2010’s Diver of the Year Medal of Excellence. “During the humpback whale season the Banco de la Plata is a great place for interaction with whales and calves.” To the east, near La Romana, divers can explore all 81 metres of the St. George, the largest sunken boat in Dominican waters. The wreck is populated by barracudas, morays and mackerel. Just off the La Romana coast, near Catalina Island, is the Wall, with a number of dives ranging from five to 30 metres. Catalina Island itself is home to the Aquarium, with species such as seahorses, toadfish and lionfish. “Off Punta Cana [Catalina tends] to have...possibilities for interactions with turtles and sharks,” Sawyer says. “I tend to prefer the wrecks off the DR as they attract a bit more marine life, especially aggregations of snapper, bigger grouper [and] eels…Two of my favourite dives are the wrecks of the Hickory and Limon, off the wreck-crowded Juan Dolio region.” December to March is the best time for whale watching and divers can swim with these gentle giants on their own turf. | |||||
| SAILING | |||||
| Most resorts offer guests daytrip sailing tours off the coast of the island on yachts and catamarans, often with snorkelling stops included. April saw the Dominican Republic host the Rolex Farr 40 pre-World Cup and the world sailing championship at Casa de Campo marina. | |||||
| ECO-ADVENTURE | |||||
| With 19 national parks, the Dominican Republic offers a wealth of eco-adventures. Go white-water rafting in Jarabacoa, on the Caribbean’s longest river, Rio Yaque. Horse ride through sugar plantations, along white-sand beaches or through the jungle. Wildlife enthusiasts can seek out the American crocodile, endangered hutia and Antilles manatee. Look out for the producers of a cacophony of birdsong: parrots, macaws, hummingbirds, warblers, shy quetzals and the charmingly-named bananaquit. | |||||
| GOLF | |||||
| One of the world’s newest It destinations for golf, the Dominican Republic is home to 28 courses designed by pros such as Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. Lush fairways surrounded by endless coastlines are the reason why nine of the DR’s courses have been listed in Golfweek’s 2010 Top 50 for the Caribbean and Latin America. The Cap Cana Championship golf tournament has been running for three years and is expected to be held again in late March 2011. 2010’s edition featured a US$1.6 million purse and the winner walked away with US$240,000. For more information, visit www.thecapcanachampionship.com | |||||
| WHEN TO GO | |||||
| December – April is the cool season, with low humidity and temperatures hovering between 20 and 28 degrees on the coast. The mountainous interior is considerably colder. June – September is the second peak season, with temperatures around 30 degrees on the coast and up to 40 in the south-west desert region. This is also the rainy season so expect tropical storms and high humidity. | |||||
| Find Inner Peace in Bhutan | |||||
| If what you’re looking for is happiness and tranquillity, take a look at a bespoke individualised tour of Bhutan. This tiny mountain kingdom has managed to remain separate from the rat race for centuries, and in fact only opened its doors to tourists, television and internet in recent years. Wedged high up in the Himalayas between China and India, the Bhutanese have retained a tight hold on their traditional culture and the narrow cobbled streets are lined with ancient buildings, bustling with people clothed in traditional dress. Where could be better to find peace than this Buddhist country whose king measures Gross National Happiness rather than Gross National Product? Remote Lands offers tailor-made luxury tours that take travellers to temples, monasteries, and forested hills; on visits to traditional farmhouses and local schools; and encourages them to try their hand at the national sport of archery. Bhutan still has a quota on tourist numbers so go soon and unwind in this unspoilt haven far from the stresses of the modern world. | |||||
| Fly With The Falcons | |||||
| The Bedouin people have a 2,000-year-long relationship with falcons. Once one of the few ways to catch game in the unforgiving desert, falcons remain a fundamental part of Emirati culture. Today, the United Arab Emirates is one of the leading countries for falcon preservation. Just 45 minutes outside of Dubai lies the 225 square kilometres of the desert conservation reserve, part of which is the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa. Visitors can participate in a falconry camp, where you are taught to hold the birds and participate in their training. Most of the falcons have been bred for their prowess and beauty, but some have been rescued and nursed back to health. Kite lures are used to lead the birds high up into the sky before they come plummeting down in a breath-taking traditional dive, for which the birds are justly famous. It’s still not uncommon to see an Emirati family wander the markets with a falcon perched on their arm, so do as the locals do. In addition, the resort's field guides can point out rheem gazelle, scimitar-horned oryx, Arabian oryx and rare Arabian foxes on safari. | |||||
| Drop Into The Himalayas | |||||
| Drop in to ski some of the world’s highest slopes on the pristine powder of the Himalayas. Ski bunnies will have their breath taken away as they hit some of the most remote mountains in the world. Himalayan Heli Adventures has a base resort in isolated Manali hill station in the northern Indian region of Hichamal Pradesh, from which intrepid skiers can organise trips of various durations, being whisked daily into high alpine touring terrain without sacrificing their comfort. Manali’s base facilities offer fine foods, comfortable rooms, massages and a health spa. In between trips, adventurers can explore beautifully preserved remote villages against the backdrop of the world’s most magnificent mountain range. With Swiss pilots guiding the helicopters and internationally-accredited mountain guides leading the charge, skiers are promised value measured by thousands of kilometres – in a typical week 30,000 metres of vertical skiing are covered. | |||||
| Get Climbing in Krabi | |||||
| Isolated from the Thai mainland, the southern peninsula of Railay is surrounded by the warm Andaman Sea and lush jungle, making it the perfect spot to try out your rock-climbing skills. Dangling over pristine clear water from craggy rock faces is now easier than you ever thought possible, thanks to more than 1,000 climbing routes in a region known for its sports climbing. There are a number of climbing schools offering courses for beginner or daredevil, from just a few hours to three days. Most schools use equipment imported from Europe and the USA, and they follow stringent international climbing guidelines. Whether rappelling, abseiling or bouldering is your thing, Railay is the place to get started. And with mainland power, telephones and electricity only recently arriving in this tropical paradise, the time to go is now, before this well-kept secret gets out. | |||||
| Ice driving in luxury cars | |||||
| For those who want something a little more on the edge, head to a frozen lake in Sweden where you can screech across two kilometres of ice track in customised luxury cars with high performance World Rally Championship studded tyres for added grip. The BMW M3 Power or a Classic Porsche 911 are two of the cars you can drive to test out your ice-driving skills. The track, located near the Ostersund ski resort 350 miles north of Stockholm, is like a professional racing circuit and features long sweeping bends designed not just for fun, but to teach drivers racing lines, how to slide cars and how to study corners. Included among the instructors and guests are multiple world champion drivers, seasoned motor sport competitors and up-and-coming rally drivers. Packages are customisable, and a two-day, two-car package for two drivers begins at A$5,788. Visit www.icedriver.com for more information | |||||
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