Month: June 2010

Making The Most Out Of Your Dominican Republic Holiday

A holiday at the Dominican Republic is, perhaps, among the most luxurious, if not enjoyable experience you could ever have in the Caribbean. With serene beaches, lovely people, and festive celebrations all year round, you will surely have fun staying at any of Dominican Republic’s town. To help you make the most out of your holidays in the Dominican Republic, try following the tips below:

Know the best time to spend your vacation.
There are two climates you should be wary about when visiting the Dominican Republic. The first is the hurricane season which runs from June to November. The second is the time of the year when the temperatures could go pretty high and the humidity, very uncomfortable. If you dont mind experiencing some strong storms or hot weather, try visiting during these time frames. Otherwise, consider visiting during the most comfortable parts of the year.

Bring plenty of sun block lotions and insect repellants.
Whether it’s summer or winter, the sun is ever-present in the Dominican Republic’s sky. Be sure to bring plenty of sun block lotions with you. Also, mosquitoes are notorious for ruining vacations for they can potentially cause malaria. Bring with you a lot of insect repellants.

Bring with you a Spanish-American dictionary.
The official language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. A decent Spanish-American dictionary, therefore, comes in handy when traveling around the country. There are also areas in the country where English is not spoken or English-speaking representatives are lacking. You will have a good advantage in dealing with locals when you know a few Dominican words and phrases.

And of course

Familiarize yourself with Dominican Republic holidays.
Dominican Republic has a barrage of holidays that offer nothing short of a spectacle. While there are hundreds of holidays that are celebrated by the entire nation, there are always those that are more enjoyable than others.

February is the month when the entire country celebrates the Carnaval a very festive celebration that spans the entire month of February. The highlights of the celebrations happen on all Sunday afternoons. Whether your plan is to stay very long in the island or enjoy the best part of the year, you consider spending your vacation at this time of the year. It is also not a bad idea to truly enjoy the various events held in the country. nearly every town has their own Carnaval.

There are plenty of other festive occasions throughout the year such as the regional feasts held in honor of the various Patron Saints in the land and other national public holidays. There are also music festivals and patriotic holidays which could give you a feel of everything that is Dominican. Determine what type of celebration you want to participate in so you could enjoy the country’s holidays better.

Perhaps the least enjoyable part of the year is during Christmas. Not only is it hot which could get very uncomfortable if you are used to cold weather during this season it is also considered the ‘spring break’ of the Dominicans. Most hotels are occupied and there arent much of a celebration to enjoy.

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La Navidad Christmas in the Dominican Republic

Celebrations and holidays are a big part of the culture of the Dominican Republic that if the Carnaval is celebrated the whole month of February, La Navidad lasts from October to January. This is a time for exhilarating parties, gathering together family, friends, and relatives, and enjoying life.

In the Dominican Republic, there are many holidays in the year to have a great time. Christmas time is even more delightful. Christmas is a time for big family reunions that airlines are fully booked with Dominicans returning back to their roots and celebrating the holidays in places they call home. The excitement is continuous and sustained with daily firework display that intensifies as December 25 gets closer and this continues through the New Year.

Dominicans celebrate the event unlike most people probably in the whole world. To do business during this season will not be easy. This is a time for celebration and a celebration it will be with people preoccupied with enjoying other peoples company’s rather than with anything else. Parties are everywhere with whiffs of food and other festive aromas dominating the air. This is festive spirit in abundance. There is nothing like it.

The Big Bang in Action
Children of all ages ignite firecrackers of all types. Small missiles shoot in the air like crazy and people getting out of the way like mad with seldom a word of reprimand. Dominicans are used to these. They, in fact, anticipate this these are excited by all the noise that firecrackers have become synonymous with celebrations. Understandably, a feast without the boom is not complete, the bigger the bang, the bigger the grins on faces.

The Big Meal
In a predominantly Catholic country like the Dominican Republic, Noche Buena is a big part of the celebration. People even in far off areas always make it a point to go home. This is one of those days in the year where the favorite recipes of aunts and mothers are served and enjoyed with visiting relatives. This is feasting at its best. In most countries, December 25 is the main day to celebrate. In the Dominican Republic, the feasting starts towards the midnight of December 24. December 25 is a day to recover from all the food, if not a day to feast some more.

Giving Thanks
The center of all the celebration actually is the birth of Jesus Christ that is celebrated in all churches during the midnight of the 24th to the early morning of the 25th in a mass called the ‘Misa de Gallo’. The religious and the pious gather in the church very early. Expect churches to be overflowing during this day and expect the majority of churchgoers not being able to get inside the church. This is fine as displays and the general atmosphere of the celebration is just as good outside. The Dominican Republic has the first church in the Americas. The Catedral de Santa Maria remains to be the most elaborate and the largest throughout the Republic.

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Travel Tips to European Countries: Ireland

About The Country

The summers are warm and the winters are moderate with some snow. May and June are the sunniest months. Weather changes quite frequently from cloudy to sunny and vice versa. If planning the visit during the summer, lightweight woolen or cotton clothes are recommended and jacket for spring and autumn. Always carry raincoat for that untimely showers. Incase of emergency call 999 or 112.

Culture

Most of the locals prefer speaking English here. Handshaking is customary. Irish are social people and are good at having a lively chat even with strangers. People live in great harmony and make great friends. Foreigners are welcomed with warmth and are made to feel at home. Guests are never sent back empty stomach as food is always served at any time of the day, to the guest. Most of the locals come from an agricultural background. Dinner is considered to be a meal of importance as it is the time when the whole family gets together and eat. One can dress casually when out on the streets except women are expected to dress formally at social gatherings and at fine restaurants. Smoking is banned in public places.

Shopping

Many towns organize flee markets at least once a week, which is worth checking out for cheap goods. Belfast is the shopping capital of Ireland; most of the stores open up early and close early too. On Thursdays, shops remain open till 8 in the night. Value Added Tax of almost 17% is charged, which can be reclaimed later. So if the visitors buy anything from the stores remember to check if the store operates the Retail Export Scheme, which would require the passport and filling of the Tax Free Shopping Form by the sales person. If the restaurant bill doesnt includes any tax, leave behind a 10% tip to appreciate their service. Giving a tip to the porters and hair dressers is customary here.

Electricity

The voltage in Northern Ireland is 240V, 50AC.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Aer Lingus, which provides service from most of the major cities of the world. Airlines like Delta Air Lines and many other have been introduced and to promote them, promotional air fares are being offered. Checking out such offers will prove to be money savers. There are many flights from UK to Ireland. The Dublin airport is located at 10 km away from the city. Services like taxis, air coach, buses transport passengers to their destination. Airport has duty free shops, bank, currency exchange, car hire, tourism information, and restaurants for a comfortable journey. Shannon Airport is situated to the north of Limerick City and is 24 km and 25 minutes away from it. Buses, coaches and taxis are available for transportation. Other services that are provided are duty free shops, currency exchange, bank, tourism information and restaurants. While planning to travel, check out other airports like Cork Airport and Knock Information Airport for more options. A departure tax of 10 is to be paid by people over 12 years of age at the Knock International Airport.

To take ferries check out the Baltimore, Galway, Dublin, Wexford and Kinsale ports. Most of the ferries offer high-speed services. Time to time special offers are being announced which can be availed to save money. Check out the websites as some of them offer online booking facility.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1l of spirits and distilled beverages (more than 22 per cent) or 2l of other alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22 per cent, including sparkling or fortified wine, plus 2l of table wine
3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette

The carrier should be above 17 years of age. Sharp objects, explosives, firearms, food or agricultural items and hay or straw should be brought along as they are strictly prohibited.

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