Luxury Dominican Republic Holidays

On arrival to the capital, you are guaranteed to be swept away by the city’s heritage. Not only is it home to both the first paved street in the Americas – and the first Cathedral, but most buildings date back to the 16th century and at least one of them was built by Christopher Columbus’ son. With its distinct Latin American charm, spending time in Santo Domingo is truly an unusual and rewarding experience that makes for a fabulous introduction to the rest of the country.

Across the island to the north lies the Samaná Peninsula which, from November to April, is home to hundreds of migrating humpback whales that can be spotted from the shore. Hidden under steep cliffs are virgin sands with their own coral enclosures, accessible only by sea and the perfect location for snorkelling and diving expeditions. Elsewhere on the peninsula, adventures present themselves by way of jungle hikes, ziplines that will charge you through the forest canopy and coastal horse rides along brilliant beaches.

Looking for further adrenaline on your tailor-made holiday? The towns of Cabarete and Sosua are the island’s go-to spots for surfing and kite-surfing – you don’t even need experience as we can arrange lessons with expert instructors. It’s from here that you’ll also find incredible deep-sea fishing.

For more genteel exercise, it’s worth noting that the island is home to some of the best golf courses in the world. A particular mention must go to the Teeth of the Dog links at Casa de Campo, featuring 18 stunning holes set along the jagged, lava rock shoreline of the south coast.

Then there are the beaches. The variety is staggering, with some 600 miles of them to choose from, featuring everything from quiet blue lagoons, perfect for lazy days, to surf beaches suitable for all levels. The best bit? Wherever you go in the Dominican Republic one thing is certain, you’ll be met by the friendliest people in the Caribbean.