a week in the Dominican Republic
We basically chilled. No memorable meals. We mostly ate at our place. It is easy to get to, the wind is always blowing hard, the humidity and the island pace forces you to slow down. All good.
Here are a few highlights. We went over to Altos de Chavon. Crazy village built in 1976 to look like something out of the 19th century.
The views of the river are spectacular.
We had a pretty good lunch at the Marina. That and the pizzas was picked up one night because nothing because it ended up that the restaurant who told us we was open was not.
One afternoon we went out for lunch at a beach to Captain Cooks. Grilled seafood on the beach. Just an activity.
Otherwise the trip was purely about doing nothing. Reading books, hanging with the family and friends. One week left before 2016 which we will spend in NYC. I plan on staying in the island mode with very few activities around work. A staycation seeing movies, art, new spots, napping and book reading.
Comments (Archived):
Oh wow, I had no idea you guys were down there. This makes me very happy.I lived at Altos for two years, freshman and sophomore before transferring to Parsons.Sorry that the food experience sounds disappointing 🙁 – I am sure expensive too.
You don’t exactly get what you pay for here. It’s been a super relaxing week so it’s easy to ignore
🙁 ah too bad. “We mostly ate at our place” sounds like you guys rented a house?I would have recommended my town, (or anywhere In the north side of the island) you find comparable places for a fraction of what pay in the vicinities of Altos / that side of the country. And people in the north coast go above and beyond to make your stay a special one. Tourism is much far behind so they are very competitive up north.In my opinion the tourism in Punta Cana / La Romana is overrated, they get away with overcharging and poor service because the demand there is off the charts.I am glad you guys had an overall good experience though.
Didn’t I see a spectacular Paella dish posted on Fred’s foursquare?
You did see that dish. I wouldn’t say it was spectacular
aha…pics can be deceiving :)ᐧ
You are used to eating in NYC where you have your pick of fabulous restaurants all competing with the most creative hard working people that have to be that way or they won’t be able to pay the rent.I would actually find it quite surprising if you went to a typical resort island or any vacation spot and could come anywhere close to matching that type of experience. The customer base drives how hard people need to try to please.
Thanks…With the dramatic changes in both the atmosphere and the tidal seaweed, I fear that this coming year may be my last for a family vacation in Tulum and am on a search for what next.
Every year on the last day we discuss what’s next. In the past we did big family trips now we are doing the one week chill.Still have yet to figure out the perfect spot
I’m thinking a farmhouse in Italy that you can bike to the town, drive to the ocean and eat and drink what they make locally may be next for us.
Not three hours away but good call
Yup–the magic of the Caribbean is you are on the beach quickly.
We are doing *exactly* that right now in Gozo, the island next to our 2015 home in Malta, and it’s terrific.
St. Barts is pretty cool. I stayed at Le Toiny there (which I would recommend for you and Fred but not the whole family : ) ). Saline Beach is excellent and you can surf and sail. Plus most of the chef’s are from France, so the food is really good.
Arnold, we rented a couple of these houses up the road in Akumal for Christmas 2013 and there wasn’t any problem with weather or seaweed. http://www.akumal-villas.co…The bonus is it’s a lot less touristy than Tulum.
Thanks.Been renting the same house for a bunch of years now and I’ll be there in March for a week.I’ve loved it. Big, secure, ok internet and I don’t need to feel like I need to entertain anyone.Then we shall see although I sense this era of vacations there is coming to an end.
The majority of people don’t come to the DR (or any Island) for the food anymore than they are on the NJ Turnpike, as a wild example, for the food. Plus (just like the Tpke or in airports) vacation resorts have transient crowds. Not really repeat business and not anywhere near the competition as there is in NYC. Consequently the food isn’t as good not only because perhaps the labor isn’t as creative and skilled but, and this is important, because it doesn’t need to be as good. It just needs to be good enough there will be a new crop of visitors next week.
I have to partially disagree. Not all areas of the DR are made equal.It is possible to go there and find a perfect valance of good food, good entertainment and and have a nice relaxed time. Some places like http://www.sunrise-villa.com/ are great repeat places. I grew up 5 minutes from here and some of my high school friends work at this villa. The villa has a crew that will go above and beyond to make people happy.Agree that we are a bit spoiled here in NYC but a place like this, 10 mins away from where I grew up: https://www.facebook.com/Vi… really surprised me last week when I was there. The coffee here is at the same level as blue bottle or cafe grumpy.Some businesses like this and other restaurants are opened by people who cooked at restaurants here in NYC or in Italy, it is possible to find a gem here and there. But yeah, nothing beats NYC.
Joanne, the place looks fantastic.
Happy Holidays!!
Same to you
Sometimes the best vacations are do nothing vacations. Happy New Year to you and your family.
agree.
Grandchildren are in Dominican Republic now.