Today, January 6th, marks the celebration in the Dominican Republic of Three Kings Day. The celebration itself celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

This is the final fiesta after Christmas and New Year where Dominicans will party with their friends and families - this weekend beaches throughout the country, (particularly in Sosua) will be jam-packed with many families from Santiago and Santo Domingo making the annual pilgrimage to the North Coast.

The 2010 Dominican Jazz Festival begins on November 25th in the Cultural Center in Santiago, & then moves on to Cabarete Beach for the 26th & 27th of November. The festival will feature a variety of artists, both local as well as international, in adittion to a youth concert with organized workshops and masterclasses designed to develop and encourage artistic flair. Further details to follow regarding schedules and performances.

SANTIAGO - At least 6 people were injured by an explosion that occurred in a propane filling station located in the community of El Jobo in Tamboril, causing panic among the people living in the neighborhood.

In addition there were three fire fighters from Santiago injured in the fire and they were transferred to the Regional University Hospital Jose Maria Cabral y Baez.

The explosion, followed by a huge fireball lit the sky and could be seen for miles around, happened at the Ana Gas facility which was totally destroyed. During the fire 8 vehicles were destroyed, plus a nearby salami factory.

Santiago - With welcoming arms, Dominicans will be able to embrace a return to near normal temperatures on Tuesday.

A weather system that has come down from the Canada and US over the past few days, providing some unusually chilly weather, now seems to be disappearing and a more easterly front is forecast to roll in behind it.

Temperatures have been recorded as low as 18°C in Puerto Plata, Samana and Santiago and they dipped as low as 13°C in San Juan de la Maguana. In Constanza, they even got down to 7°C causing a huge blanket of fog preventing motorists and tourists alike from desending from the top of the mountain range due to bad visibility.

SANTIAGO - The sub-director of the Office for the Reorganization of Transportation (Opret), Leonel Carrasco, laid out a railroad project that would link Santo Domingo and Santiago last yesterday. The project will be financed with both public and private investments.

Spanish superstar, Julio Iglesias, has added 2 dates in the DR to his 2009 World Tour.

As per his website, he will be performing at 8:00 PM on Thursday, November 5th, at the  Palacio de los Deportes Santo Domingo and at 8:00 PM Sat 7th November, at the Gran Arena del Cibao, Santiago de los Caballeros.

Tickets are priced from RD$300 upto RD$10,000!

First of all a huge big Welcome to the Dominican Republic. Bienvenidos (welcome) as we say over here to one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. After checking into your hotel and getting your bearings somewhat you may want to discover what is in fact beyond the boundaries of your hotel reception and golf course.  A country of contrasts from the deliciously lush north of the island to the flat and dry landscape of the south, there are so many places to go to and activities to participate in it can get quite mind boggling.  Below are some brief descriptions of places to visit, from mountain ranges, virgin beaches, fresh water rivers, deserts, tropical sugar cane fields, white water rapids, jungles and architecture with a city seeped in mystery and history – to but a few!!

If you are staying on the north coast Culture enthusiasts will enjoy the town of Puerto Plata.  It has some great places to visit and walk around. Inside this old colonial town you will find the Amber Museum, San Felipe Fortress and the Brugal Rum Bottling Plant and the church by the beautiful antique Parque Central. A great malecon (sea front/promenade) to walk along and lots of souvenir shops too.

The picturesque bay of Sosua on the north coast offers swimming, sunbathing, snack bars and a long line of souvenir shacks on the beach market, where no price is fixed and all items are great reminders of your stay here in the island. The village also has a great variety of bars and restaurants and Jewish museum.

Centrally Jarabacoa also known as the Dominican Alps is found by making your way through the breathtaking scenery of the Cibao valley.  Defiantly the centre for adrenalin pumping sport enthusiasts the area offers white water rafting, tubing, canyoning; don't worry if this all seems a little too energetic then there are some marvelous walks, beautiful waterfalls to explore, horseback riding to take in with the cool atmosphere surrounding you in the Dominican Alps.

Nearby Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic has some interesting monuments and churches to view and wonder around in. A huge area for the tobacco industry it is worth popping in to a cigar factory and watching cigars being hand rolled. Great shopping too.

Santo Domingo is the nation's cosmopolitan capital – retrace the steps of Christopher Columbus in the first city of "the new world". Visit the National Aquarium, the underground lakes and caverns of the Tres Ojos Caves (three eyes), the new Columbus light house and nestled in the colonial quarters the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Great shopping too in the El Conde and Mercado Modelo where bartering for a bargain is the order of the day.

Playa Grande is the largest beach on the north coast and one of the most unspoilt and beautiful treasures you can find.  Miles of golden sand are lined by coconut palms and local shacks offering the favourite pina colada cocktail served in a whole pineapple! Boogie boarding is a popular pastime or jumping the waves as they wash across the spacious bay.  Gri Gri Lagoon is minutes away where a short motor boat ride will take you through the naturally formed tunnels of the Mangrove Swamp out to the Atlantic ocean where on a calm day Swallow Cave can be visited. Fantastic golf course at Playa Grande too (See the Real DR golf excursion planner for courses all around the country).

Saona Island on the south east coast is the epitome of paradise and no words in the English language can describe the beauty of this island.  First of all stroll around the famous cobbled streets of Altos de Chavon, the replica of an old European style village with its huge amphitheatre and view the Chavon river (where one of the Rambo movies were filmed). Craft shops and restaurants. By boat you will reach Saona Island traveling across the warm crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The uininhabited island offers beautiful snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing of course.

Catalina Island is another great little island to hop too for those who want to try snorkeling at one of the best locations on the south coast. You can take a leisurely cruise over on a glass bottomed boat, have a few drinks, top up your tan and swim and snorkel off the reef.