This atmospheric enclave is alive with sounds for which Dominican Republic is justly renowned: mesmerising rythms of marvellous 'merengue' merge with those of brash and bawdy 'bachata' and strains of scintillating Cuban 'son'. This mellifluous melee of spirit-quickening, soul-enhancing, sun-filled music almost seems to illuminate humid Dominican nights as it pumps insistently until early hours, from hive of hot and 'steamy' clubs that insinuate themselves into City's myriad of alleyways.

By cold light of day, however, transient visitor to Dominican capital will soon become aware of an alternative reality as they absorb 'bigger picture' of Santo Domingo.

It is a sad fact that 80 percent of Dominicans live below poverty level. Inevitably, attracted by merest possiblity of scraping a meagre living from some form of activity in thronging capital, destitute families live in desperate hovels cobbled from bric-a-brac and other junk. Such shantytowns form basis of City's suburbs as you travel further from Sea.

Long before itinerant tourist may even become aware of these unfortunate favelas, though, their lungs and eyes will already be testifying to insidious incidence of airborne pollution that furiously fogs Santo Domingo air. Petro-chemical emissions endlessly emanate from slothful streams of teeming traffic that tediously transit Cities streets in a constant state of imminent grid-lock. Standing out amongst tumult of traffic manifold three spoke logos of innumerable Mercedes (Santo Domingo has highest proportion per capita ownership of marque in world!) may jar their senses as dramatic contrast between city's Dominican denizens dawns upon them.

The Dominican Republic, country often referred to as Santo Domingo by Dominican themselves, hosts a truly amazing capital city. So, for anyone visiting DR for first time (which is no small place by comparison to most other Caribbean venues) if proximity allows, a visit to Santo Domingo, City, is undoubtedly manadatory! Ruth and Esther Ramos provide some useful insights to numerous culturally and historically significant sights, and sites, that may be found around city via their increasingly useful Dominican Republic travel information resource at www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com. You will soon realize that it is little wonder that some visitors to Dominican Republic never find time to stray beyond bounds of this enthralling City during their whole stay!

All in all, as a total experience, it is guaranteed that for anyone with a 'true' travelers spirit Dominican capital, Santo Domingo, will make its indelible mark upon their heart. Like so many before them, they will discover that it is unlikely that one visit will ever be enough!

Ruth and Esther Ramos, www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com © Copyright 2005, All rights reserved.

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Just outside walls of old quarter is rest of downtown Québec City where newer high rise hotels such as Hilton and Loews are located. Along main street of Grand Allée is another section of restaurants and cafes, many of them priced a bit lower than ones within old quarter which gives visitors more dining choices. It is a very easy walk from Grand Allée to old quarter.

Still another alternative for both accommodation and dining is in Sainte Foy area which is a 10 minute drive west of downtown Québec City. In fact, Sainte Foy is actually closer to airport and is well represented by lower priced hotels such as Best Western, Travelodge, Comfort Inn and Days Inn. During high season, some of hotels in Sainte Foy offer free shuttle bus service to old quarter of Québec City. Sainte Foy also has two shopping malls side by side along main street of Laurier Boulevard.

Visitors may also want to drive 30 minutes east of Québec City to small village of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré which has one of most famous churches in North America, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica. This site was built in mid 17th century and receives 1.5 million visitors per year. Along way is a 272 foot high water falls visible from highway called Chute Montmorency.

Although summer is high season, Québec City gets a fair number of visitors to its Carnaval festival in February and major ski resort Mont Sainte-Anne is busy with ski and snowboard crowds all winter. Most skiers and snowboarders going to Mont Sainte-Anne use Québec City as base for accommodations and dining. An added winter attraction during last few years has been Ice Hotel near Lac Sainte-Joseph which was modeled after one in Europe.

Québec City has become one of Canada's top tourist destinations with attractions all year round catering to both summer and winter visitors. With added old European charm, it is closest thing to being in Europe without actually leaving North America.