Destination - Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is most certainly not what a typical sun seeking tropical vacation enthusiast may be looking for when deciding on the Caribbean as a destination. This sprawling city juxtaposes orthodox remnants of its Spanish Colonial heritage with modern amenities and developments. Its origins lie with Christopher Columbus - it was founded by his brother Bartolome and he presided over it as his own for over a decade. Eventually, his son Diego claimed the land for his own.

While it may be rightfully regarded as the contemporary or modern face of the country, it is steeped in history and tradition. It is certainly not uncommon to find modern restaurants and bars nestled in to old cobble stone laden streets and first timers may gawk at the traditional horses and carriages while waiting at stop lights inside a modern automobile. For new visitors, Santo Domingo is definitely heavy on visual contrasts.

Much of this diversity comes from the fact that inside the city is Zona Colonial (*translation - Colonial Zone, or Colonial City), an undisturbed, authentic colonial district. It is home to many old buildings from the 15th and 16th century as well as cultural landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa Mara la Menor (*Catedral Primada de America) and Ozama Fortress (*Fortaleza Ozama) - all condensed within a 5 square kilometer area. The district also has what is now known as the first paved street in the region as well as some other significant firsts for the area - the hospital, cathedral and university are all firsts in the Americas. Many visitors to the region remark that it feels as though they have been transported backwards in time upon visiting.

Santo Domingo is also notable for the great volume of museums as it has the most of any location in the Caribbean. Modern art, Dominican history, Rum and Amber all have their own museums, while there are many others including the Christopher Columbus Lighthouse, that are worth checking out. An enjoyable way to take in many of the points of interest in the area is to enjoy a ride on the Chu Chu Colonial train. The train ride lasts an hour and during that time your trip and the sights will be narrated by the driver as you learn about the rich history of the surrounding parks, houses, buildings, and churches.

As the evening settles in, take a stroll and take in some of the exciting and fun nightlife of the area, as there are many cafes, restaurants and clubs in the city. Columbus Park and Gustavo Mejia Ricart are areas filled with bars that feature a diverse selection of music and live jazz can be watched on select nights. You might want to check local events to see if you'll have an opportunity to experience some traditional live music while you're there.

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