THE
Punta Cana Sun
DECEMBER , 2017
BREAKING NEWS
REDEFINING LUXURY VACATION
Nov. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
In Dominican Republic, a luxury vacation extends far beyond beachside massages and fine dining. With lavish accommodations, world-class golf, sport fishing, upscale shopping and nightlife destinations, the country is filled with possibilities for travelers seeking a pampered getaway this winter.
“From the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty to its warm and hospitable people, we are proud to be the premier Caribbean destination for luxury travel,” said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. “Visitors are sure to find a relaxing getaway, whether they spend it on the greens of our stunning oceanfront golf courses or enjoying the amenities at one of our renowned resorts.”
Dominican Republic offers a rejuvenating retreat destination for all types of travelers, from the mountains of Constanza to the beaches of the north coast and the vibrant scene in the capital city, it’s easy to plan your perfect escape.
Lush Lodging, Dominican Republic’s unmatched accommodations run the gamut from world-renowned boutique hotels to opulent all-inclusive resorts.
Along the coasts around Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, all-inclusive hotels offer an extravagant all-in-one destination that’s perfect for large groups, families or budget travelers. Many resorts offer on-site spas that come fully equipped with amenities such as whirlpools and saunas and services including facials, full-body treatments, massages and beauty services. Punta Cana is also home to luxury boutique accommodations that offer unique wraps and body scrubs that revitalize the skin using natural ingredients such as coffee or hot lava stones. Boutique properties across the country also may offer yoga lessons, healthy cooking classes and natural spa treatments to provide a well-rounded wellness experience. If privacy is a priority, rent your own private villa for a secluded A-list experience.
Gorgeous Golf, Fantastic Fishing and Prestigious Polo, Dominican Republic is a golfer’s dream, with 26 meticulously manicured courses set against the backdrop of the country’s most stunning scenery and shoreline. Pete Dye’s “Teeth of the Dog” at Casa de Campo put the Dominican Republic on the world golfer’s map. Here you can play courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Price, and Robert Trent Jones. They have sculpted bunkers and uneven terrain but let the natural contours of the land dictate the courses’ routing. A tropical year-round climate beckons to golfers during every season, but don’t be fooled—tropical breezes on the coastal courses have been known to make or break any player’s game.
Sports fishermen have flocked to Dominican Republic’s coasts for years in pursuit of the blue marlin, one of the largest fish in the world. Tournaments have attracted professional fishermen as well as hobbyists eager to explore the crystalline waters for a fishing experience unlike any other. Hit the water on a charter boat excursion to fish blue marlin, white marlins, mahi-mahi, wahoo, swordfish and tuna in the Caribbean Sea; while blue marlin, wahoo and barracudas can be found in the Atlantic waters off the North Coast.
The esteemed sport of polo also attracts travelers to Dominican Republic, with polo facilities available at some of the country’s most exclusive resorts in La Romana, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. Experience the splendor of this majestic sport by hiring horses for your own tournaments, or head to a polo match to enjoy the action as a spectator.
Serious ShoppingFashionistas and shopping enthusiasts will be on cloud nine in Dominican Republic, where it’s easy to find couture clothing, unique handmade crafts and stunning precious jewelry all within close proximity. For designer shoppers, the country’s malls and shopping centers are home to brands including Armani Exchange, Carolina Herrera, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, Swarovski and others. Beautiful larimar jewelry makes the perfect souvenir; the glassy blue stone is native to the island and makes for a beautiful accent piece in any jewelry collection.
After a day of shopping, enjoy tours of local coffee, rum, cigar or jewelry manufactures for an opportunity to immerse yourself in Dominican history and culture and pick up authentic keepsakes. Throughout the year, arts and crafts markets entice visitors by offering one-of-a-kind, handmade goods with local flair, from candles to ceramics to ornaments.
Delicious Dining and Next-Level Nightlife
When the sun sets, the night is just beginning with a myriad of ways to enjoy the evening. Start the evening with dinner and you won’t be disappointed—Dominican Republic was declared the Gastronomic Culture Capital of the Caribbean by the Ibero-American Academy of Gastronomy. How to choose where to dine? Don’t. Go with the flow and chances are the restaurant near you will be good. Browse the menu for fusion cooking, where innovative chefs have taken popular recipes and given them a Dominican twist with local ingredients.
After dinner, residents and tourists in major cities including Santo Domingo can be found chatting, laughing and enjoying a drink together at outdoor terraces and bars until late at night. Wine bars and clubbing are also hot in the city. International DJs frequently visit to entertain the crowds that gather at the latest hip places, including discos, pubs and clubs outside of the hotels. The capital is home to a plethora of concert venues that attract local and international performers, making it easy to catch a live performance during your visit. Wine cellars and cigar clubs also offer exclusive tastings sure to please both connoisseurs and novice cigar aficionados and sommeliers.
At the beachside resorts on the coast, all-inclusive hotels stage variety shows for guests each night to wind down after a day on the golf course, at the beach or by the pool. Many resorts open the doors of their night clubs late in the evening for guests ready to dance and enjoy a few drinks.
To learn more and begin planning your unforgettable luxury getaway, visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.
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About Dominican Republic
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, our lush tropical and paradisiacal country boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in our luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches.
Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich cultural experiences like music, art and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber and larimar.
Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike.
Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.
Strong quake hits Iran, 42 injured
At least 42 people have been injured and there have been several homes destroyed following a strong earthquke in Iran
Reuters: DECEMBER 1, 20178:15PM
A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck southeastern Iran on Friday, injuring at least 42 people and destroying several homes in an area where most people live in villages of mud-walled homes. State media said no deaths had been reported.
Rescue workers, special teams with sniffer dogs and units of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Basij militia forces were sent to the quake-hit areas in Kerman province, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said.
State TV said many residents rushed out of houses in Kerman city and nearby villages and towns, fearing more tremors after some 30 aftershocks following the early morning quake.
"The quake destroyed some houses in eight villages but so far there has been no fatalities," a local official told state TV.
The US Geological Survey said the quake, at first reported as magnitude 6.3, was centreed 36 miles (58 km) northeast of Kerman city, with a population of more than 821,000. The quake was very shallow, at a depth of 10 km, which would have amplified the shaking in the poor, sparsely populated area.
Head of Relief and Rescue Organization of Iran's Red Crescent Morteza Salimi told state television that at least 42 people were wounded.
"Assessment teams are surveying the earthquake-stricken areas and villages in Kerman province," state news agency IRNA quoted local official Mohammadreza Mirsadeqi as saying.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said the quake had caused heavy damage in Hajdak village and some villages hit by power and water cuts. Iran's Red Crescent said emergency shelter, food and water had been sent to the quake-hit areas.
Criss-crossed by several major fault lines, Iran is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. In 2003, a magnitude 6.6 quake in the Kerman province killed 31,000 people and flattened the ancient city of Bam.
Last month, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck villages and towns in Iran's western Kermansheh province along the mountainous border with Iraq, killing 530 and injuring thousands of others.
Kim Jong Nam had nerve agent antidote
The murdered half-brother of North Korea's leader, had a dozen vials of antidote for lethal nerve agent VX in his bag when he was killed.
Associated Press: DECEMBER 1, 20173:15PM
Kim Jong Nam, the murdered half-brother of North Korea's leader, had a dozen vials of antidote for lethal nerve agent VX in his sling bag on the day he was poisoned, a Malaysian court has been told.
Two women, Indonesian Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese, are charged with conspiring with four North Korean fugitives in the murder, making use of banned chemical weapon VX at the Kuala Lumpur international airport on February 13.
The vials contained atropine, an antidote for poisons such as VX and insecticides, toxicologist Dr K Sharmilah told the court on Wednesday, state news agency Bernama said.
However, she did not know if the vials were marked in Korean, she said when cross-examined by Siti Aisyah's lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng.
Kim Jong Nam, who was living in exile in Macau, had criticised his family's dynastic rule of North Korea and his brother had issued a standing order for his execution, some South Korean lawmakers have said.
Malaysia was forced to return Kim Jong Nam's body and allow the suspects hiding in the embassy to return home, in exchange for the release of nine Malaysians barred from leaving Pyongyang.
Defence lawyers say Siti Aisyah and Huong, arrested in Kuala Lumpur within days of the killing, were duped into thinking they were playing a prank for a reality TV show and did not know they were poisoning Kim Jong Nam.
North Korea has denied accusations by South Korean and US officials that Kim Jong Un's regime was behind the killing.
The court hearings, which have run more than a month, will resume on January 22.
* Contributing sources
Newsnow.co.uk