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The Dominican Republic is a spectacular island of mountain ranges and waterfalls, rainforest and sandy beaches; it is also home to the oldest colonial city of the Americas.

On Saga’s new 15-night Dominican Discovery tour a group of up to 25 guests can enjoy the local rum and dance to the music of merengue, as well as learning about the island’s history after it was named Hispaniola or ‘Little Spain’ by explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Guests take Saga’s VIP door-to-door chauffeur service to London Gatwick and fly to Punta Cana for a three-night stay at the all-inclusive Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa (4Q+).

The tour gets under way on a typical Dominican bus, with a thatched roof of cana leaves, travelling through lush countryside and past sugar cane fields to visit a farm and school. There is also an optional excursion to the tropical paradise of Saona Island.

Next on the itinerary is the colonial city of Santo Domingo, with an en-route stop at Cueva de la Maravillas, caves noted for stalactites and wall drawings by the native Taino people.

A two-night stay at the Holiday Inn (4Q), in Santo Domingo, allows plenty of time to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests can also visit Faro a Colon – a huge, modern monument and mausoleum claiming to house the remains of Christopher Colombus. Guests also have the chance to explore the National Botanical Gardens.

The tour continues to Puerto Plata, meaning the 'Silver Port', so named by Columbus to describe the colour of the sea at dusk. A city tour includes central park and a cable car ride to the top of Isabel del Torres mountain, plus a visit to the Amber Museum and a rum factory.

Five nights are spent at the all-inclusive Gran Ventana Beach Resort (4Q); a perfect base for exploring, enjoying the beach or joining a tour to learn about coffee and cacao cultivation. Next, the island of Cayo Arena awaits for guests to go snorkelling over the coral reef or join a boat trip through the mangroves.

Guests return to Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa for the last four nights to relax or visit the replica 16th-century Mediterranean-style village of Altos de Chavon which was built in the 1970s, as well as an option to dance into the small hours at an exuberant Coco Bongo show.

For details call free on 0800 414 383 or visit saga.co.uk/dominican-republic

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15 nights from £2,599 departing London Gatwick on November 15, 2016, January 3 and 31, February 14, March 7, April 27, May 25, June 22, September 7, October 5 and November 14, 2017. Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, return flights and transfers, 40 meals: 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 14 dinners, free bar open 15 hours daily at Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa and 14 hours at Gran Ventana Beach Resort, porterage, Saga tour manager, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a reduction if not required.