A myriad of watersports, championship golf courses, great spas and luxury resorts mean a holiday here is about as relaxing and undemanding as you can get. Famed for baseball, beaches and a rich heritage of African, Spanish and Taíno Indian culture, the Dominican Republic is vibrant, exquisite and sublimely unhurried, and with 1,000 miles of stunning coastline this is a beach devotee’s paradise.

The island is known for its breathtaking beaches and glorious scenery, so if you aren’t a Christopher Columbus-type explorerthis is an idyllic place to simply stay put. If you do have a bit more get up and go, the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park in Punta Cana is well worth a visit, as is a boat trip into the wilderness of Los Haitises National Park near Samana. The world is your oyster in the Caribbean Sea with everything from deep sea fishing and kitesurfing to scuba diving and snorkelling, with schools of multi-coloured fish greeting you as you swim amongst the transparent waters. 

If you’re looking for a break from the beach then head to the historical Spanish colonial capital city of Santo Domingo for a combination of cobbled streets, Baroque architecture and the bewitching Catedral Primada de América, where Christopher Columbus’s son Diego put down the first stone in 1514. After all the walking, sightseeing and shopping, it must be time to
eat! Try the aromatic flavours of fusion street food, or the Mesón de la Cava for fresh seafood in a unique cave setting.  

Back in Punta Cana, the cuisine is a delicious blend of Latin American, Taíno Indian and European. Even if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, it’s worth venturing out and exploring some of the excellent local restaurants; the award-winning Bamboo and the superb La Yola, both located on the Puntacana Resort & Club estate, are just a couple of our favourites.