Merengue & Bachata in Dominican Republic

Transcription

1 Merengue & Bachata in Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is situated in the Tropical paradise of the Caribbean Sea, with breathtaking beaches shadowed by palm trees and shimmering turquoise blue water. A subtropical climate averaging a temperature of 28 C, provides summer and sun the whole year round. Dates and Prices 13 January to 20 January Unique Features Your Holiday What's Included Thorough and entertaining syllabus in salsa Charmingly hosted by our team on the ground.. Return direct flights from London Meet and Greet upon arrival and return hotel transfers 7 nights accommodation and breakfast A well thought out programme including parties, soirees, restaurants, nights out dancing as well sight seeing suggestions. A full Orientation Pack containing information on where to eat, where to party, tourist spots, things to do etc so you can do your own thing A Welcome party and drink A choice of optional extras What previous Customers Have Said about this Holiday Your Destination, includes sightseeing Zona Colonial Bordering the Ozama River, this area boasts cobblestone streets and an impressive group of buildings dating back to the 16th century. The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo permits us to travel back through more than 500 years of history and architecture. The palaces have been converted into fascinating museums, but many of the area's oldest structures are now quaint bars, cafes and small hotels and restaurants. At sunset an air of enchantment and romance settles over the neighborhood, letting the the day's worries fade away. Los Tres Ojos Declared a tourist attraction in 1970, the floors of these caves are filled with beautiful circular lakes fed by the Brujuelas, a subterranean river. The sulfurous waters of the first lake, discovered in 1916, are only 20 feet deep. The second, named La Nevera or "refrigerator" in English, drops to 15 degrees centigrade. The Women's Lake, the third and smallest, is warm and shallow. A fourth lake, measuring 300 meters deep, is named Los Saramagullones after a species of ducks that inhabits it. Admission is about DOP20 for locals, DOP50 for foreigner Acuario Nacional de la República Dominica Opened in 1990, the National Aquarium boasts a modern, open-air design and a glorious location overlooking the Caribbean. Roughly 3,000 live specimens of 250 species of marine life inhabit the friendly waters here. The staff is dedicated to the study, promotion, protection and distribution of information on both marine and freshwater flora and fauna. There are lectures and guided tours every day. Videos and talks are available for school groups. Admission runs DOP10 for Dominican adults, DOP15 for non-dominican adults, DOP5 for children. Climate and weather Average Monthly Temperatures Santo Domingo Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (inches) Min Temp ( C) Max Temp ( C) Classes and Workshops

2 Daily Itinerary Nightlife The Dominican Republic offers an array of nightlife options where you can drink, socialize, dance, gamble, or celebrate the various festivals taking place throughout the country. Options range from smaller beer/pool halls, frequented predominantly by Dominican men, to large nightclubs where thousands of both tourists, foreigners and Dominicans can be found bumping and grinding to live bands or DJ's, into the wee hours of the night. Dominican-owned bars tend to offer only locally produced drink selections and play Merengue or Bachata music. Most tourism destinations offer beach bars that feature something for everyone, in terms of music, drink selection, and setting. Enjoying 'Happy Hour' and watching the sunset is a very popular visitor activity at these establishments. Casinos can be found in most of the larger tourism destinations and cities throughout the country and usually provide gamblers free drinks while they take part in Black Jack, Roulette, and Poker. The hours of operation for most casinos are from 4 pm - 4 am daily. The most popular drink to be enjoyed in the Dominican Republic is the famous Cuba Libre, poured with a very generous amount of locally produced Dominican Rum and Coke (or Pepsi), topped off with a slice of lime. If beer is your beverage of choice, the beloved locally brewed and ice-cold, Presidente, will certainly not disappoint. If tropical cocktails are on the agenda, you'll have more than a few to select from, with Piña Coladas, Rum Punch, Banana Mamas, and Cahpariñas, being the most popular of the bunch. Most establishments offer a wide variety of both locally and internationally produced beers and liquors. Good wines can be a little more difficult to find unless you are in one of the higher end hotels, restaurants or bars. Your Teachers Food and Meals Dominican cooking is above all a simple and nourishing cuisine that is not highly spiced; in fact, there is no spice market here as there is in other West Indian countries. The most common meal is called la bandera, "the flag," consisting of white rice, beans, meat, vegetables and green plantain fritters. Another basic dish, comida criolla, is made up of rice, accompanied by beans and chicken. Johnny cake and mangú (a purée of boiled plantains), gastronomic inheritances from the Cocols, immigrants of the windward and leeward islands, form part of the Dominicans' daily diet. When it comes to meat, goat or kid is commonly used in stews - for example, chivo guisado (young goat marinated in a mixture of herbs, lime juice and rum). Beef and pork are less common. Meat, however, is less expensive than fish and seafood (shrimp is fished mainly in Samana Bay, along with crab and rock lobster) which is mostly reserved for tourists. The choice of fish is fairly limited: mahi-mahi, tuna, marlin and tazar. Don't come here looking for rare meat, much less tartar. Food here is traditionally always well cooked, often through long simmering. Dominicans love fried foods like plantain and pastelitos (little turnovers stuffed with beef, chicken or cheese.) Soups are made even in the poorest households and constitute a unique part of Dominican cooking. Typical is asopao, rice soup accompanied by chicken, fish or vegetables. Sancocho is the local take on the Spanish stew cocido. Each region has its own way of making it, but the most spectacular is sancocho prieto, which contains seven meats and is a favourite dish for Sunday dinner!! Optional Extras Single Room Supplements, Upgrades and Budget Options Flights and Transfers Flights: Published prices are based on flights from UK airports and there is usually a choice. Our customer care team are happy to price you a flight from any airport and you can also buy the holidays without a flight and make your own way there. If you live outside of the UK you can travel directly to the resort. There could be substantial "Early Bird" prices available so please see our special offers page on our website or ring us to find out what these are. Transfers: We are normally able to meet you at the airport and take you by private transfer at no additional charge to your hotel. Sometimes you may have to wait a short while at the airport to connect with this transfer. Occasionally depending on your arrival time there may not be a group transfer available and we may ask you to make your own way to the hotel by taxi or public transport. In these circumstances we would give you easy to follow instructions. Making you own When you register a booking with us, we will then send you an invoice and fact sheet about your holiday. If you have way to the hotel booked accomodation with us, you will recieve information about this and other useful information before your arrival.

3 for ground only package What to Expect in terms of Organisation On Arrival: You will receive a detailed itinerary and any other important information, including an overview of the local sights, recommended restaurants and other helpful tips. Club Dance Holidays Host: Your holiday tour host is there to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. Club Dance Holidays Tour Hosts are a cut above your typical Holiday Rep with a lightness of touch that enables you to get the best out of your holiday without being in the least bit interfering. We make sure you get the best out of the destination even though you are there for a relatively short time and we do this through our local knowledge and our knowledge of dance. Club Dance Holidays Tour Hosts normally offer much more of themselves than you would expect including making sure your nights are sociable and fun often well into the small hours if that is your whim. During the daytime the level of participation and presence of Club Dance Holidays tour hosts varies according to the nature of each holiday and its destination. Overview of the Week and Welcome Drink: At the beginning of your holiday there is an Overview of the Week where your tour host will tell you about all details of your holiday and answer any questions you might have. At the Overview of the Week you can buy your optional extras and Dance Holidays will invite you to be our guest to a drink. Getting Around: You are responsible for making your own way to the dance classes and meeting points on the itinerary. We give you a detailed, annotated map and itinerary which make this easy. Nearly all of the activities we plan are within walking distance of the hotel. On one or two occasions it may be wise to get a taxi, and we will let you know when and how. Before Your Go Books on the Dominican Republic :We reccomend you to do some reading on your destination before you go so that you will have some idea of what to expect when you get there The usual travel books such as Lonely Planet will have informative text on the country including good places to eat or go out at night. Banks and Money: The peso is the national currency. There are coins of 1 and 5 pesos and then there are bills for RD$ 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and US dollars are the most easily exchangeable foreign currency into the local Dominican Republic currency, Dominican Pesos (RD). In a lot of the tourism destinations in the country, many of the hotels, restaurants and businesses indicate their prices in US dollars as well as in Dominican Pesos, and would actually prefer to be paid in US dollars. In some desitations, such as Las Terrenas and Las Galleras, the Euro is as accepted as the US dollar. Most of the larger country's currencies can be exchanged in tourism destinations all over the Dominican Republic. In general, the best rates of exchange are offered by the banks and independent money exchanges. They usually only differ between a Peso or two per unit of foreign currency between them. Airports, hotels/resorts, restaurants, and other businesses tend to offer a slightly lower rate of exchange for the convenience they provide in exchanging your currency. Major credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted at most of the larger hotels/resorts and businesses, but you may find you'll be surcharged in some cases for this payment method. In the larger resort areas/towns/cities you will find banks that also have ATM's (bank machines) which are accessible 24 hours per day. Banks are generally open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Some branches are open until 9 pm in the evening, as well as mornings on Saturdays. In addition to exchanging currency, most banks will also offer major credit card cash advances, with identification, such as your Passport. Passports: These must be valid for at least six months beyond the length of stay. Please check your passport now. You should carry your passport with you at all times. It is illegal not to have identification. Visas: A Tourist Card must be purchased at all airports upon arrival in the Dominican Republic. The cost is US $10. To save time, have a pen handy to fill in the information requested on the card and exact US dollar change for its payment. Tourist Cards allow a stay in the Dominican Republic for up to 60 days. The card has two parts. The first part of the card will be taken when you pass through Immigration to show your personal identification (i.e. Passport) on arrival. The second part will be returned to you by Immigration. Keep this portion of the card in a safe place, as it must be given back to Immigration when you depart the Dominican Republic. If you happen to lose the second part during your visit you will be required to purchase a new Tourist Card to exit the country for US $10. Airport Departure Tax: If you fly into the Dominican Republic, please note there is a US $20 Departure Tax you must pay before leaving the Airport. Luggage Labels and Lost Luggage: We strongly recommend that you secure your luggage before flying by all means possible tape and locks. You should attach large and clear labels to your luggage with your name, flight number and destination, Do not put travellers cheques, jewellery or money in your suitcase.

4 Insurance: This is a condition of booking please refer to the information supplement for details. Essential equipment and clothing to bring Useful Things to Bring Comfortable dancing clothes and shoes Camera Shoes suitable for spending a long time walking if you want to explore the city streets. Swimming costume This fact sheet and Joining Instructions Passport, money, plane ticket Sunglasses Sun cream Insect repellent/anti-mosquito spray Antiseptic cream in case of bite Money belt At Your Destination Local Time: GMT -4. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 50 cycles Taxes & Tipping: There is a 16% sales tax (ITBIS) businesses charge for the sale of their products and/or services. By law, particular establishments, for example hotels and restaurants, are also able to add a 10% service charge. Some businesses include this tax and any service charges in their prices, but some do not, so it would be wise to ask before making your purchase. Many times even if there is a 10% service charge added to your bill, this amount is not provided to the staff that provided you the service. If you feel the service you received deserves extra recognition, it will certainly be appreciated as hourly wages are quite low. The average is about 10% of the total cost of the service for restaurants. For baggage handlers at airports, taxi drivers, hotel cleaning staff, etc., use your own discretion based on the service they provide you. Keeping your valuables safe: Our advice is to leave unnecessary valuables at home. Do not leave your luggage unattended at any time and ensure that there is some way of locking it. Mail Post offices are open Monday to Friday (7:30am-2:30pm) Chemists Drugstores/chemists are usually open from hours to (shops close at midday on Saturdays). Shops Shops are generally open Monday through Saturday 9am to 7:30pm; grocery stores, Monday through Saturday 8am to 10pm and Sunday 8am to 2pm National Holidays 2006: January 1 New Year's Day January 6 Epiphany January 21 Virgin Altagracia January 26 Birthday of Juan Pablo Duarte (founding father of the nation) February 27 Independence Day April 14 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day June 15 Day of Corpus Christi August 16 Restoration of Independence Day September 24 Virgin Mercedes November 6 Constitution Day December 25 Christmas Day Religion The religion in the Dominican Republic is predominantly Roman Catholic Political system The government is a representative democracy based on the French system. There is a President, Congress, and House of Representatives, who are all elected individually. The President has 'absolute rule' in terms of decisions, with neither the Congress nor the House of Representatives having veto power.

5 Public transportation Taxis: There are no taxi meters. Fixed rates are posted at hotels and the airport. You should confirm the fare with the driver prior to departure. If hiring a taxi by the hour, confirm the start time prior to departure. From the airport to downtown the fare is about US$20. Hourly rates are about US$10. Ensure you carry notes in small denominations, such as 5, 10 and 20 pesos, because drivers often don't have change. If you order a radio taxi the fare is negotiated over the phone. Rates are about US$10 per hour. Guaguas: Public transportation within, and between cities, towns and villages, is for the most part conducted in privately owned mini-vans, called Guaguas. Guaguas are easy to recognize because they'll generally honk their horn as they approach you (when you are standing at the side of the road) to see if you want a ride (unless they're full). The driver's assistant, or Cobrador (fare collector), is likely to be hanging out of a window or side door waving at you to see if they should stop to let you in. This form of transport is quite cheap but you should be aware that some of these mini-vans could be in poor condition - broken windows, doors that don't close properly, etc. These mini-vans are generally designed to hold 12 passengers but most will carry up to 20 people. Motoconcho: A unique form of transport in the Dominican Republic is the Motoconcho. These are privately owned motorbikes whose drivers will give you a ride on the back of their bikes. You should have no problem which ones do this, as they're more than likely to recognize you first, beep their horn, or pull over to where you are standing on the road to ask if you'd like a ride. These are quite popular for shorter trips, especially within towns/villages/resort areas. They will go longer distances but riding on a motorbike can be dangerous and they do not offer helmets for safety. Buses There are 3 major bus companies in the Dominican Republic and they all drive air-conditioned and comfortable 52-seat buses. Their rates for travel are quite reasonable, even for long distances. Most travel to, and stop in only the larger towns or cities, so you may have to take an alternate form of transport to/from the bus station and your particular destination. Health There are a number of public and private hospitals and clinics around the island. Medical facilities are quite good in tourist areas but are limited in remote areas. Blood supplies may be limited or unavailable, and many medical staff do not speak English. Medical care is expensive and prior to treatment clinics often require patients to sign an agreement to pay and to provide a credit card impression as guarantee of payment. It is advisable to obtain adequate medical/travel insurance, including air ambulance coverage. There is a high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus and dengue fever, hepatitis A, malaria (in the Province of La Altragracia, including the regions of Punta Cana and Playa Bavaro), polio, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever can occur in the Dominican Republic. Consulting a physician or travel medicine specialist to determine health risks and necessary vaccinations is advisable. Climate: The majority of the Dominican Republic enjoys beautiful tropical weather all year round, with the average annual temperature hovering around 25 C (77 F). Some call the Dominican Republic's climate, 'the endless summer', due to warm and sunny conditions experienced pretty much everywhere in the country, all year round.