A warm welcome awaits you at the Santo Domingo airport upon arrival. Outside the terminal, a driver with your name on a sign will meet you and drive you to your hotel in the historic town of Santo Domingo.

Transfers to and from Puerto Plata and Punta Cana to Santo Domingo are available upon request. 

Today, learn about the history of the first European city in the Americas. This is the location of the first hospital to open, the first governor's residence, the first cathedral built in the New World, and the first bishop established and consecrated. The lively city of over a million inhabitants has many cultural attractions, especially architectural sights, that you won't find anywhere else on the island of Hispaniola.

The day will begin in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Zona Colonial, the old town with a rich history. During the city tour, you will see the Cathedral, the Diego Columbus Palace, the Casas Reales historical museum, and the Christopher Columbus bronze monument in Parque Colón. Stroll through Calle de las Damas, the first street paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility. You will also walk along the pedestrian zone, El Conde, with its many stores, street vendors, bars, and restaurants. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the first city of the New World or relax at the hotel.

In the evening, a representative will come and pick you up at your hotel. Your destination is a typical local restaurant in the old town. Dine à la carte and taste local specialties.

Today's journey will bring you to Santiago. When you get there, you will see Los Pepines, one of the most famous neighborhoods located in the city's historic center. In 2016, the local government decided to paint the parts of the neighborhood that needed the most work and make improvements to stimulate the local economy. Two years later, Los Pepines' vibrant and colorful murals helped it become a popular tourist destination in Santiago. 

Take a walking tour to discover the history behind each mural. Learn about the people portrayed in the murals, the significance of the colors, and how they relate to the community's culture. You can't complete the walk without trying the street food. During the tour, you will make several stops to taste the typical empanadas, dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, and fresh fruit juices—simply delicious!

Afterwards, proceed towards Punta Rucia. This small fishing village is situated on the tip of a small cape, overlooking a stunning seaside bay where the water sparkles in the sun, displaying beautiful shades of blue and turquoise.

After breakfast, take a half-day excursion to the sandbank Cayo Arena, also called Paradise Island. It is a jewel of the Dominican Republic and a highlight of your stay in Punta Rucia. You will reach Cayo Arena directly from the beach in about 25 minutes by boat. Here, you will enjoy the tranquility in paradisiacal surroundings, take a refreshing swim, or observe shoals of tropical fish in the shallow turquoise waters. After a few hours, return to the hotel for an evening of leisure.

After breakfast, travel to Puerto Plata, well-known for its 800-meter-tall Mount Isabel de Torres and its charming wooden houses built in the Victorian style that surround the city's central park. Explore the history and culture of the city on a guided tour through the historic center. Visit the Amber Museum and the Fortaleza San Felipe fortification, one of the oldest well-preserved fortresses from the colonial era. Built-in 1577, this massive and impressive complex was intended to make attacks from the water more challenging. In addition, you will ride the cable car 800 meters to the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres, which offers breathtaking views of the coastline and city. At the summit is a magnificent botanical garden and a massive statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the province's landmarks. Before continuing, visit the Macorix House of Rum, the visitor center of the local rum brand, Macorix. During the tour, you will learn all about the history of the rum factory and the manufacturing process. Of course, a rum tasting at the end of the tour is not to be missed!

Afterwards, drive to Cabarete. The small town is popular with surfers and has made a name for itself worldwide as a Caribbean water-sports hotspot.

Today, the tour goes towards San Francisco de Macorís. Along the way, you will visit the Sendero de Cacao. Here at the cacao plantation Hacienda La Esmeralda, which supplies world-renowned chocolate factories, you will have the unique opportunity to learn everything from the cultivation of the cacao bean to chocolate processing. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting is also part of the program. Lunch will be served during the tour.

Afterward, continue to Tamboril and visit a cigar factory, where everything about tobacco processing and cigar manufacturing will be explained to you.

Today, the journey goes back south along the mountain flanks of the Central Cordillera. Take a brief detour to the Dominican Alps where many locals spend their summer vacations because of the pleasant temperatures. Situated 600 meters above sea level, Jarabacoa is surrounded by mountains, pine forests, and the valleys of the Rio Jimenoa and Rio Yaque del Norte rivers. Spring-like temperatures prevail here all year round. The climatic health resort is the center for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visit the charming town of Jarabacoa, visit the Monte Alto coffee factory, and learn everything about the cultivation and processing of coffee. Of course, there will also be a coffee tasting.

You will then have some free time to go to Alta Vista Restaurant if you wish. Situated atop a mountain, this hip restaurant is well-known outside the city. The terrace offers a fantastic panorama and a spectacular view of the nearby town of La Vega. After that, travel back to Santo Domingo for a good night's rest. 

After breakfast, drive towards the southeast. Along the way, stop by the fascinating Cueva de las Maravillas cave system, which features stalactite caves and underground river channels. It is the largest developed stalactite cave in the Dominican Republic and holds many impressive drawings of the Taíno Indians. Next, go to the Chavón River replica of a Mediterranean village from the sixteenth century. The Altos de Chavón village has been faithfully reconstructed according to the original plans of an Andalusian settlement with Roman-style elements made of coral limestone. There is an amphitheater, a church, and a Taíno archaeological museum with a variety of exhibits. Even today, artisans, painters, and sculptors live and work here.

After this, your tour will come to an end, and you will be transferred to the airport.

Goodbye, Dominican Republic!