Located in the Southwest Dominican Republic, 5 hours from Santo Domingo by car, is the uniquely hypersaline lake: Laguna de Oviedo in the Jaragua National Park. Laguna de Oveido is part of a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and listed as an important area for bird conservation and biodiversity (for land, plants, and animals– many which…
Using all-natural ingredients from your kitchen, give your hair a nourishing spa day with this easy-to-make hydrating mask. After spending a month mourning and healing from the initial shock of our current shift in daily living with Covid-19, the lives that have been tragically lost, and the loss of livelihoods for so many… Slowly, as…
You’re probably thinking “Onion tea? Yuck!” Well, at least that’s what I thought when I first heard of this cold-busting/immune-boosting tea that’s so praised in the Dominican Republic. I asked my Dominican friends and family about it in disbelief, and not only did most of them already know all about it, they sternly agreed it’s…
The Dominican Heritage Tour is a cultural heritage project delving into the cross-cultural influences and deep history of the Caribbean – in the hopes of better understanding and preserving our rich heritage while embracing the country’s natural wonders. This project is of particular importance in today’s increasingly transnational world and for us first-generation hyphenated Americans – who grew up between worlds, yearning to better understand our roots and multicultural values/identities. This project is in collaboration with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and researchers in the efforts to not connect with but support each other. Below is a reflection of the trip experience by fellow traveler: Katherine Carol.
Cultural heritage is the unique traditions and legacy of a group or society passed down by generations. This includes the arts, gastronomy, medicinal remedies, spirituality, personal values, landmarks, monuments, and more. Cultural tourism can be done a number of ways for an educational and personally enriching experience while helping support the preservation of local heritage and small businesses – if done ethically and sustainably, of course.
Cultural Immersive Travel That Is Ethical & Sustainable Matters
Ethical and sustainable cultural travel can help:Foster positive economic and social impact
Establish and reinforce cultural identity (especially for multicultural/diasporic communities); Preserve cultural heritage – this is important for a number of reasons but especially because social and cultural diversity enriches our perspective on medicine, politics, history, love, science, thought, everyday life, etc.; Promote awareness/understanding among people.
However, cultural heritage tourism can also lead to tensions, problematic tourist behavior, and have detrimental effects on locals. Below are a few examples of mistakes to avoid when traveling in the pursuit of culture (or in general).
When you picture a natural paradisiacal scene, what comes to mind? To many, it’s a white sand beach with crystal clear water like the ones used as desktop photos. Often, we travel far and wide looking for that transparent blue beach only to realize that it’s crowded with tourists, polluted, and/or nothing like the pictures….
If you really want to get to know the Dominican Republic, start with its food. Dominicans are very proud of their cuisine – and for good reason. The variety of local dishes available is not just impressive but also a representation of our unique history and cross-cultural influences of African, Spanish, and Taino traditions. These…
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – Florida’s Paradise Coast. All opinions are 100% mine. The state of Florida offers an array of relaxing and fun activities for a wonderful wellness travel vacation with friends, family, or yourself! But where to in Florida? Consider…
Planning a trip to Turkey but not sure of where to begin with creating your Turkey itinerary? Wondering if you should stay for 5 days or 10 days in Turkey? After spending an entire month traveling to Turkey and visiting different pockets of this majestic country, I can confidently say that Turkey is well worth…
The Dominican Republic is the most visited travel destination in the Caribbean. Every year, over five million travelers from around the world arrive at this beautiful tropical island nation–and for good reason! The Dominican Republic is considered a “micro-continent” because it offers a little bit of almost everything from bright blue beaches to chilly mountain…