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 A great place to begin your explorations is the nation's capital, Santo Domingo, an enchanting city uniting modern sophistication, old world charm, and Latin charisma. This throbbing metropolis seduces you with superb dining, vibrant night life, and fashionable shopping. It is the first European city in the Western Hemisphere, and a large part of its rich colonial heritage is preserved in a unique enclave beside the Ozama River called the "Colonial City."
It's an extraordinary city-scape of sixteenth century dwellings, imposing late medieval palaces and fortresses, set amidst a refreshingly non-geometric street-grid. Santo Domingo can boast the
Western Hemisphere's first cathedral, its first monastery, its first hospital, its first university, and its first court of law. Recognizing Santo Domingo as the cradle of European civilization in the New World, UNESCO has declared the Colonial City a world heritage site.
The cobblestone streets and centuries-old façades of the Colonial City house scores of picturesque cafés and bars, small hotels and well established restaurants. In the expansive plaza framed by the Palace of Columbus, the Casas Reales Museum and the quaint 17th century sundial, the sidewalk cafés come alive after dusk as an intimate, informal rendezvous for locals and visitors alike.
Seated there, as daylight fades, and the darkened sky fills with stars, you can watch the monumental Columbus Lighthouse as it "turns on." This vast mausoleum on the Eastern shore of the Ozama River,- which houses the mortal remains of the Great Discoverer and is well worth a visit, beams a towering light in the form of a cross into the night sky.
Beyond its handsomely preserved colonial past, Santo Domingo's cultural and artistic vitality is showcased in its vibrant theaters and concert halls and its galleries galore. The palaces of the Colonial City have become fascinating museums, but the aptly named Plaza de la Cultura a vast, green oasis in the heart of the city clusters four museums:
- The Museum of
Modern Art.
- The Museum of
History and Geography.
- The Museum of
Natural History.
- The Museum of the
Dominican Man.
As well as the National Theater, home to concerts, ballet, opera and theatrical performances.
The capital city also maintains a sensational zoo, a magnificent botanic garden, and a thoughtfully designed "up-close" aquarium.
At the nearby V Centenario Race Track, up to 15,000 race enthusiasts can enjoy a perfect view of the lustrous Caribbean while watching the thoroughbreds speed round the one mile course.
In the same area, mechanized speed enthusiasts can watch the sleek race cars burn rubber at the Las Americas Autodrome.
 Another much-visited park, called Los Tres Ojos, comprises three serene lagoons of crystalline purity submerged in a deep cave and surrounded by tall (still-growing) stalagmites and lush vegetation.
For those interested in shopping, Santo Domingo is a joy. It seems like every international trademark is represented, as well as terrific products manufactured locally. While it's true that overcoats and ear-muffs are in short supply, beautiful tropical apparel and swim-wear is available everywhere, as is marvelous Dominican jewelry made of amber, larimar and bone.
And when you're looking for the ideal souvenir for family and friends, don't forget that richly-flavored Dominican cigars, silken-smooth Dominican rum, and deeply satisfying Dominican coffee are real bargains.
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