DAY ONE - Arrival Santo Domingo Homestay 7 Nights
Arrive in Las Americas International Airport. Greeting by Interact's Representative in the airport lobby. Transfer to Santo Domingo. Meet the Program Director as you're introduced to your host families.
HOST FAMILIES live in middle class neighborhoods. Most are friends or long time acquaintances of our homestay director. Regardless, all families are monitored and continually evaluated. Host families provide all meals, unless included with the excursion. Student bedrooms are equipped with fans. Everyone speaks Spanish in the home. Roundtrip transfers for the included excursions are included.
Although Santo Domingo is a modern and cosmopolitan city, it is the birthplace of the American civilization. Founded in 1496, it's the oldest city of the New World, and its Colonial Zone, with more than 300 monuments, has been classified by UNESCO as a Worldwide Heritage for Humanity Site.
DAY TWO - Historic Colonial Zone
Santo Domingo teems with Spanish Colonial History. Cobblestone streets, reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans, wind their way through a historic treasure trove of monuments, churches, and museums. Walk through 500 years of history with your local guide. Stroll down Calle de Las Damas, the first paved street in the Americas, on your way to the magnificent Alcazar de Colon, built around 1500 by Columbus's son, Diego. In the afternoon, walk along El Conde, a bustling pedestrian street with a plethora of art galleries, jewelry stores, shops and street vendors. Have fun with as you practice Spanish and sharpen your bargaining skills.
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DAY THREE - Modern Zone
Enjoy a panoramic ride along the Malecon, the city's breezy seafront boulevard. Continue through modern Santo Domingo, with its picturesque neighborhoods, parks, high rise office buildings, outdoor cafes, and malls. Visit the Botanical Gardens, where you'll enjoy a relaxing ride on the tourist train. Witness the natural flora of the island and areas dedicated to palm trees, orchids and exotic plants
DAY FOUR - Chocolate 
Today's interaction is at a Cacao Plantation. You'll have an opportunity to hand pick some cocoa pods, select some beans and participate in all the steps of the process. Plus, you'll meet a group of chocolatiers who will roast, hand grind cocoa and make chocolate for your enjoyment and will ask you to participate in the process. The lesson will conclude with a demonstration on how to enjoy a good cup of Dominican hot chocolate, casaba and homemade cornbread.
DAY FIVE - SOMOS humanitarian
Participate in our exclusive SOMOS humanitarian total experience. You'll receive a list of the most needed items and visit a local 'super', where you'll have an opportunity to
purchase those supplies (budget $15 each). You'll spend the day in the community of La Piedra, a short drive from Santo Domingo. Later, play baseball before enjoying a delightful Dominican 'tipico' lunch.
Conclude with a short hike (moderate) to the Ni Rahu Taino Cave for a guided eco-historical tour. Witness the most incredibly beautiful stalactites and stalagmites,
columns and "flow" formations that you could ever imagine, many of them shimmering with mineral crystals.
DAY SIX - Exploremos!
Your group can elect to participate in a second humanitarian in La Piedra (included), participate in our exclusive Guided Adventures (included) or schedule an optional excursion, such as zip-line or 27 waterfalls.
DAY SEVEN - Isla Saona
Enjoy a panoramic drive along the coast to Bayahibe, where you'll board a catamaran to Isla Saona, commonly referred to as 'Paradise Island'. Explore all the amazing natural treasures that Saona Island has to offer, the largest island in Dominican waters. Our sustainable nature tour takes you off the beaten path to discover virgin beaches, mangrove forests, and coastal lagoons. Enjoy an amazing lunch at the sleepy fishing village of Mano Juan, visit a local turtle conservation center, and take a dip in an amazing sand bar in the middle of the ocean.
DAY EIGHT - Santo Domingo Departure
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MIDWEEK DEPARTURES
8 days/7 nights |
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7 NIGHTS
Santo Domingo Homestay |
7 |
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All meals are included
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