Dominican Republic
Although the Dominican Republic sits right in the middle of the Caribbean, it is often forsaken by British travellers in favour of Jamaica or Barbados. But if you feel a little adventurous, the DR is the place to be.

For those who fancy a little bit of Caribbean temperatures mixed with the Spanish temperament, the Dominican Republic is the ideal holiday destination.

In the DR, you will be faced with the usual two options: shall it be an all-inclusive or a rub-shoulders-with-the-locals type of holiday? Personally, I am not a fan of all-inclusives (let’s face it: once inside one of these compounds, you could be in Peru or Papua New Guinea), but for those who just want sun, sea and Sex on the Beach (the drink, guys, shape up!), these are often the best way to go, and the DR has some of the best in the Caribbean. My favourite is the Club Med in Punta Cana, which has great food. This is a fabulous place to bring the family – its kids’ clubs start from the age of two, ensuring that you will get some “me time” whenever you want. Club Med also has avoided high-rise hotels, favouring attractive low-level apartments on some of the best beaches on the island.

However, those who want to taste some of the real DR should grab a Spanish phrasebook, their dancing shoes and head to Santo Domingo. Over time, many different cultures have left their stamp on Dominican society: the Spanish gave it the language and Roman Catholic faith; Africans brought music and art; and Americans brought baseball, the most popular sport in the country.

At the heart of Dominican culture are music and dance. While across the water, in Cuba, salsa dominates, here merengue is king. And it can be heard from pretty much anywhere you go – all night, in some cases! The Dominican art scene is also healthy, with a fine painting tradition, especially in primitive art, as well as many exotic traditional artefacts for sale that will keep even the most ardent of souvenir-hunters satisfied.

When in the DR, remember that the people take pride in being polite and looking good, so if you reciprocate, you will find many doors opening to you, allowing you to experience what it feels like to be a Dominican, even if it is just for one week.