Culture, nature and seaside, from Santo Domingo to Saona

Only half an hour's drive separates the airport from the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, 27 km further west. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cradle of the New World can be discovered on foot. It's an opportunity to admire treasures dating back more than five centuries! On the programme: the first cathedral in the New World, the first monastery, the first street in the Americas, the first fortress and, of course, the emblematic Alcazar de Colon.

The seat of the Spanish crown in the New World, this building played a major role in the Spanish conquest and colonisation of America. It was from here that Cortez, Pizarro, Balboa and Velazquez planned their conquests of Mexico, Peru, Panama and Cuba respectively.

There's no better way to start this tour than by staying in a 16th-century palace! The Hotel Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando is an institution in the Dominican capital. Quite simply, it's the former residence of the first Governor of the Americas, which immediately immerses you in the atmosphere of Santo Domingo's colonial zone. This historic monument also boasts a beautiful swimming pool and a restaurant in its charming period patio.

We're up early because there's a long drive this morning: 2h30 to Jarabacoa, the country's eco-tourism capital, set 529 metres above sea level in the mountains of the Cordillera Central. It's from here that expeditions set off to climb Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean at 3,180 metres, but that's for another time, as it's still a minimum two-day walk! We'll have to make do with admiring the Salto Jimenoa Dos waterfall, 20 minutes from Jarabacoa: spectacular! A two-hour hike takes you around this powerful cataract and its pools via three footbridges suspended above the Río Jimenoa.

Salto Jimenoa Dos

The Salto Jimenoa Uno waterfall is a 20-minute drive from the town of Jarabacoa.

Salto de Baiguate

20 minutes further on by car, we arrive at another waterfall: Salto de Baiguate, nestling in a deep canyon. It's off for an afternoon of canyoning, with the excursion ending with abseiling down the Salto de Baiguate, a 25-metre-high waterfall plunging into an emerald-green pool - a paradise for swimming!

Bordering the Rio Jimenoa, the Gran Jimenoa, nestling at the foot of the Cordillera Central mountains, is an eco-friendly address in the heart of nature! Enjoy typical mountain dishes (suckling pig mofongo, roast rabbit, goat or billy goat stew, etc.), swim in the pool or in the Jimenoa river and relax in the spa.

Concepción de La Vega

A 45-minute drive to the north-east brings us to Concepcion de La Vega. If you come in February, you'll have the chance to attend the country's most impressive carnival, and one of the most famous on the planet! Alternatively, you can visit its astonishing modern cathedral, which houses the unique sight of a resurrected Christ rather than on his cross! You'll also have time to do some shopping and pick up some souvenirs, including one of the carnival masks. A 10-minute drive towards Santo Cerro, stop off at Vega Vieja to see the archaeological ruins of the original town founded by Christopher Columbus in 1494, now a national park.

Santo Cerro

10 km north of La Vega, Santo Cerro is one of the country's most sacred sites. Here you can admire a large 14-metre cross overlooking the Cibao valley, dedicated to Our Lady of Las Mercedes, patron saint of the Dominican Republic. Every 24 September, Dominicans from all over the country go on pilgrimage to pay homage to the national patron saint.

Santiago de los Caballeros

Another good half-hour's drive and you'll be treated to a well-deserved lunch in Santiago de los Caballeros, the cigar capital. Settle into one of the "lechoneras", a traditional spit-roasted pork restaurant. After a good coffee, head for La Aurora, the country's leading producer and exporter of premium cigars, founded in 1903. Here you can observe the hand-rolling technique and learn how to roll, hold and smoke your own cigar! Afterwards, it's time to take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city from the Parc Duarte. The day ends with a lively nightlife in the bars around the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, right in the city centre.

Hotel Hodelpa Centro Plaza

Nestling right in the centre of Santiago de los Caballeros, the Hodelpa Centro Plaza hotel is perfectly located for exploring the emblematic sites of the country's second-largest city. There's even a casino on site!

Cola de Pato

Heading north-east: 1 hour 15 minutes' drive and we're at Cola de Pato, in the middle of the mountains of the small province of Espaillat, a little-known and therefore little-frequented spot. It's a second two-hour canyoning experience in lush vegetation, with six waterfalls and twelve jumps up to 10 metres high!

Salto de Socoa

It's time to head back towards the south-east of the country - the roads inland are long! After just over 3 hours, we finally arrive at Salto de Socoa, a beautiful 20-metre-high waterfall on the road from Santo Domingo to Samana. It's a welcome refreshing stop, with a dip in its natural pool in the middle of a lush tropical forest!

A 30-minute drive from Salto de Socoa, you can spend the night in a magical finca!

The Dominican Republic is the world's largest exporter of organic cocoa. The "Chocolate Discovery" tour takes you to the province of Hato Mayor. It's an opportunity to visit a cocoa cooperative and follow the various stages in the chocolate-making process, to tour cocoa plantations, before sharing a Dominican meal with the villagers.

The visit is punctuated by a tasting of hot chocolate, cocoa jam and chocolate wine! The day ends in Higuey, capital of the province of La Altagracia, 45 km west of Punta Cana, famous for its astonishing basilica.

The Basilica-Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia

Inaugurated in 1971, this cathedral is one of the most important religious sites in the Dominican Republic. Honouring the Virgin of La Altagracia, patron saint of the Dominicans, it is exceptional for its 69-metre high vault. The altar houses a sixteenth-century painting of the Virgin Mary, the centrepiece of the devotion. Every 21 January, pilgrims flock from all over the country to pay homage to her.

Hotel Naranjo is a charming boutique hotel with a beautiful view of the Cathedral Basilica of Higuey. Special mention must go to the delicious and hearty breakfast!

After a 45-minute drive, we arrive in the charming fishing village of Bayahibe, from where we take the boat to Saona, the largest island in the Dominican Republic, a must-see excursion from the Punta Cana resorts. We'll enjoy a well-deserved day's rest after this intense tour combining cultural visits and ecotourism with waterfalls and canyoning!

On the programme: lounging on the beach, swimming in paradise-like waters, snorkelling... Picnics and dancing to the sounds of merengue and bachata punctuate your day on this Caribbean island, home to just one village.

On the way there or back, the boat stops at the 'pool', a puddle on a sandbank where rum is served, and where you can dive for giant starfish (be careful not to touch them, thanks for them).

Back in Bayahibe, the last evening of your trip takes place at the Dominicus La Romana. Don't be fooled by its name: the hotel is not in La Romana, but in Bayahibe! It's a top-of-the-range all-inclusive club with great entertainment 24 hours a day, facing the superb beach of Playa Dominicus.

A hotel for all the family, with a spa, a host of sports facilities, top entertainment, spacious, comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, not to mention the choice and quality of its restaurants.

Take time out for a massage on the beach to mark the end of your stay.

The following day, Santo Domingo airport is 1? hours away and Punta Cana airport is an hour's drive away.