You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your hotel Casas del XVI in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. Take the rest of the day to explore the streets of the colonial city, restaurants, bars and shops on your own. In the evening, we recommend you a visit of the Plaza de Espaсa where you can choose among various excellent restaurants and enjoy your dinner with a view on Christopher Columbus’ sons’ house. Driving time: 25 minutes Accommodation: Hotel Casas del XVI*****, Luxury Room (2 Luxury Rooms for triple occupancy)

In the morning you will pick up your rental car and head west. Soon you will be passing sugar cane fields followed by the incredible natural landscape of rough and barren mountains of the southwest side of the island. After the town of Barahona your way continues for about 20km along a breathtaking coastal road before you arrive at your hotel Casa Bonita. You will drive past beautiful scenic overlooks with views of the coastline and the Caribbean Sea. Spend a relaxing evening at your hotel, enjoy the pool or go and explore the surrounding area. Driving time: 3 hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Casa Bonita*****, Deluxe Room

After breakfast, you will travel southwards along the impressive coastal road approaching Oviedo, right on the edge of the Jaragua National Park. Here you will find an imposing lagoon of both fresh and salt water. Once here, you will be able to take a boat to watch the flamingos and other species of birds. Enjoy desert scenery surrounded by cactus. Back on the road, you might want to stop at “Los Patos” and go for a swim where a spring entwines with the sea. In the afternoon you will return to your hotel. Driving time: 2.5 hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Casa Bonita*****, Deluxe Room

After breakfast you will drive to the small spot "La Cueva" (The Cave), where you will find a Caribbean beach of white sand. If you are lucky you may even see the indigenous Hispaniola Iguana, which measures up to 120 centimeters (almost 4 feet!), one of the largest and strongest iguanas of its kind. But do not worry, they are not dangerous and if you have a piece of fruit to offer, the iguanas may even become your friends. From here you can go and explore the beach called "Bahia de las Aguilas" (Eagle Bay), a true paradise with its white sand and turquoise waters and one of the most hidden gems of the Dominican Republic. You can cross the bay quite safely and comfortably with a rental boat from the little restaurant at "La Cueva" or take an approximate one hour-long walk, through rock formations providing a marvelous view. If the weather conditions are good, you can also get there by car within 5 minutes. This beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Allow yourself time to enjoy the crystal-clear water with its colorful tropical fishes, you may even find a starfish. At the end of the day you will make your way back to the hotel Casa Bonita. Driving time: 4 hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Casa Bonita*****, Deluxe Room

On the way back to Santo Domingo, from where you will take the road up north to Las Terrenas, we recommend you to take a short diversion to the town of Bani towards "Las Dunas de Bani" (the Dunes of the pots). The dunes constitute the largest desert of the Caribbean and totally contrast with the rest of the Dominican Republic. These dunes are huge sand formations caused by the action of the winds and the marine currents which favor sedimentation. Since 1996 this has been a protected area so there is an official entry point, but you can also park on the street and walk through the dunes to the ocean. (Closed shoes recommended!). At Caldera Bay behind the dunes, you will find the Salt Mine of "Puerto Hermoso", where the salt is still extracted from the various salt basins exactly as it was done 100 years ago. Unique souvenir photos are guaranteed! Later on your journey will take you from Santo Domingo to the Samana peninsula on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. When you arrive in the evening, you can explore the fishing village of Las Terrenas that offers various bars and restaurants or enjoy your dinner in the beachfront restaurant of the hotel Sublime Samana. Driving time: 5.5 hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Sublime Samana*****, 1 Bedroom Suite (2-Bedroom-Suite for triple occupancy and 2x double/quad occupancy)

Spend two wonderful, relaxing days in Las Terrenas, enjoy delicious food at the beachfront restaurant, indulge yourself with a spa treatment on Playa Cosуn and relax in the elegant and spacious accommodation in a tranquil, idyllic atmosphere while soaking in some Caribbean sun. Sublime Samana will pamper you with one of the most stunningly beautiful settings you could ever expect in the Dominican Republic. For those who prefer fresh water instead of the ocean, Sublime offers many romantic private pools as well as two main pools on site. As another highlight of your vacation, you will get to enjoy a delicious 3-course gourmet menu in the beach club of the unique and lovely Victorian-style Peninsula House, with beautiful ocean view. A private transfer will bring you from your hotel to the restaurant and back again. If you want to see more of the stunning Samana peninsula, one of the most beautiful regions in the Dominican Republic, we can offer you various different excursions and options, such as whale watching (Jan-Mar), a trip to the waterfall Salto El Limуn, visiting Cayo Levantado (the Bacardi Island) and many more. Meals included: Breakfast 1x 3-course gourmet Dinner at The Peninsula House Accommodation: Hotel Sublime Samana*****, 1 Bedroom Suite (2-Bedroom-Suite for triple occupancy and 2x double/quad occupancy)

Today you will take your journey back to Santo Domingo, where you will drop off your rental car at the airport. The drive takes you through the countries, along typical Dominican villages, sugar cane and rice fields and tropical forests. You will sure bring a lot of fond memories and amazing photos of the two most beautiful places of the Dominican Republic back home with you! Driving time: 2 hours Meals included: Breakfast

- Car rental with unlimited kilometers and full insurance Car Type Double Kia Rio or similar Single Kia Rio or similar Triple Hyundai Tucson or similar Quadruple Hyundai Tucson or similar (Pick up in the morning of day 2 at your hotel in Santo Domingo; drop off day 8 (time as desired) at the airport of Santo Domingo) - All accommodations at hotels described in the program - All meals mentioned in the program - Transfer from Santo Domingo Airport to your hotel Casas del XVI - 3-course gourmet dinner at The Peninsula House (drinks not included) and two-way transfer