Santo Domingo cruises, Dominican Republic

What's great about Santo Domingo cruises?

This Caribbean capital is a place of firsts. It’s home to the oldest university in the western hemisphere, along with the first hospital and monastery. They’re all tucked within the Zona Colonial – Santo Domingo’s historic heart. Here, cobblestone streets weave around 16th-century churches and down to the pretty, oceanfront Malecon. History aside, it’s still a modern metropolis with some of the country’s best eateries, boutiques and nightclubs.

• Wander the tapestry-draped corridors and open-air galleries of the Alcázar de Colón – a grand, Renaissance-style castle built by Christopher Columbus’ son, Diego, in the 16th century.
• Explore the city’s natural side with a visit to Los Tres Ojos. These three limestone caves conceal bright-turquoise lagoons. And they’ve been the setting for a load of Tarzan movies, too.
• At 200 acres, Santo Domingo’s botanical gardens are the biggest in the Caribbean. As well as orchids, palms and native plants, there’s a perfectly manicured Japanese garden with a pagoda and brook.