Santo Domingo – The ‘First’ City A Lasting ImpressionWritten by Al Smith & Ruth Ramos
(Permission is freely granted to use this article so long as our about author/resource box remains at end of this article and with all links live.)When Ruth and Esther Ramos embarked on their labor of love, creation of a wide- ranging resource of information about Dominican Republic they just knew that a feature focussing on Dominican Republic's captivating capital City, Santo Domingo, was more than a must! Santo Domingo is often referred to as 'the oldest city in New World' for it was here that Christopher Columbus, smitten by many charms of Hispaniola - Isle he thought most beautiful land in World – eventually made his base. Having abandoned La Isabella their ill-fated first settlement (whilst Columbus was addressing a request by Queen to return to Spain) - Columbus' brother Bartolome embarked upon foundations of what has become today's capital city, in area now known as 'Zona Colonial'. Indeed, Columbus palace still stands in midst of this, oldest part of Santo Domingo, city this famous family not only founded but also 'presided' over for several years. But Santo Domingo, like Dominican Republic itself, has had a chequered history. In many ways it might be considered a City of 'dubious firsts'! It was from Santo Domingo that 'conquistadores' first set out to dominate rest of what has since come to be called 'West Indies', or Caribbean, as well as most of Americas. From here these Europeans invaded 'New World' generally usurping local natives, slaughtering, pillaging and vastly enriching Spanish empire in process. Santo Domingo also has infamous claim to being original home of 'the slave trade' as it was here that Africans were first 'forcibly imported' and set to work as enslaved labourers on burgeoning sugar plantations which made Hispaniola such a valuable asset to Spain for so many years. Even today Capital of Dominican Republic may still be judged a mixture of good, bad and ugly! But let's start with something positive...and there are some truly excellent aspects to this vibrant, thronging city of life, color and sound - Santo Domingo. The old colonial district, for instance, is a wonderful place, there is no doubt. Its antiquity is almost 'crystallised' as there are still so many well preserved aspects of original City of Columbus' time that survive. Many of those travelers who have ventured into Santo Domingo on their first trip to Dominican Republic have become entranced by its atmosphere and ambience. Like an illicit substance, many have found themselves drawn back again and again by addictive spell city seems to cast upon their soul. Situated along west bank of Rio Ozama, which empties itself into Caribbean Sea just here, many of ancient limestone buildings, memorials to that fateful fifteenth century adoption of Quisqueya by brutal Spanish, still reign majestically over harbour area. Here in heart of Zona Colonial, a inviting selection of superb restaurants, enticing bars and classy small hotels clamour, cheek by jowl, for your attention as you cruise ancient cobbled streets.
| | Québec City, A Taste of Old Europe in North AmericaWritten by Clint Leung
One can get a taste of old Europe right in North America when visiting Québec City in Canada. Québec City is capital of province of Québec. It can be easily reached by a short flight from points in northeastern United States and eastern Canada. It is a three hour drive from Montreal. The high season is summer when visitors from all over world visit. Recently, number of tourists from United States and Europe has increased dramatically. This may be partly due to fact that even some cruise ships originating from eastern US ports are now including Québec City as a port of call.Back in 1608, explorer Samuel de Champlain saw potential of natural citadel here and founded a fur trading post. With fortifications of Upper Town of Québec City became area where government and religious institutions set up. Meanwhile, merchants and craftsmen settled in Lower Town along St. Lawrence River. Québec City was fought over by English and French many times during wars in 17th and 18th centuries. The English finally took city over in 1759 resulting with New France becoming a British colony. Québec City is still considered as cradle of French civilization in North America. The old quarter of city was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1985 and is only fortified city in North America. Today, winding streets and alleys of old quarter of Québec City is filled with elegant restaurants, bistros, cafes, museums, art galleries and retail shops. There are artists selling their artwork in some of alleys. Most of restaurants in old quarter are smaller, independent business rather than large chains and they fill up quickly during busy periods so advance reservations are recommended. One of landmarks of Québec City is huge medieval looking hotel, Château Frontenac which along with adjacent Terrasse Dufferin, overlooks St. Lawrence River. A one of a kind funicular connects Upper Town with Lower Town. There are also several smaller hotels right in old quarter. The old quarter can be visited by car and there are parking areas strategically located.
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