Take a STEP walking tour through the cobbled lanes and leafy squares of Altos de Chavon – a place that's like a little Italy, but in the middle of the Dominican Republic. Along with its art galleries, workshops and al fresco cafés, you can visit its archaeological museum and the amphitheatre that Frank Sinatra christened. "Altos de Chavón may look centuries old, but it was actually built in the 1970s," says Carlos, one of our local guides. "Every stone was placed by Dominican artisans using traditional techniques to recreate a 16th-century Mediterranean village overlooking the Chavón River."
Surrounded by pretty gardens, pavement cafés and some stunning scenery, this replica Mediterranean village looks like the real deal. But it's more than just a tourist attraction – it's a culture hub, too.
Music megastars like Frank Sinatra, Carlos Santana and the Pet Shop Boys have all graced the stage of its Roman-style amphitheatre. And inside St. Stanislaus Church & Art Museum, you can admire works by local artists. Then there's the shopping. Enjoy free time to explore its boutiques, jewellers and craft shops for gifts and souvenirs you won't find anywhere else.
