samana – stray with rae

Here is the second set of photos from my trip to Samana in the Dominican Republic. Be sure to check out the first set here.

From Las Terrenas in the north, we made our way south to the town of Samana to check out check out two other Bahia Principe properties and also visit the town itself.

The first property, Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa, an inclusive property that’s both luxurious as well as family-friendly and has fantastic views of the bay and the town.

It was, however, the second property that impressed me. Luxury Bahia Principe Samana, a newly opened Bahia Principe property, is simply gorgeous. It’s small and has a luxury boutique resort style; but its relaxed, beach house feel compliments its poshness. I especially adored the lobby!

After checking out the two properties, we boarded a boat for a quick trip to Bahia Principe’s pride and joy in the Dominican Republic. Set on a small, partially-private island, Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado is a luxurious, adults-only, all-inclusive property. Like all Bahia Principe properties, this one’s also beautiful. However, it does convey a feeling of remoteness, which makes it extra special.

If you’re going to stay at this resort and on the island, don’t miss out on two things: (1) a spa treatment at the onsite spa, and (2) late night drinks at the bar on the public beach.

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Be sure to check out more photos from my Samana adventures here.

I have a soft spot for the Dominican Republic. Not only was it the very first Caribbean island I ever visited, I also adore its people—they’re so welcoming and friendly—and love its shallow, sandy beaches full of beautiful sand dollars and shells.

Before my epic United Kingdom/Marrakesh trip in July, I was invited by Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts to come out to Samana to check out their gorgeous all-inclusive properties there and experience some of the European-popular province’s attractions. It was a fantastic experience: one brimming with adventure, delicious dips in the water, amazing seafood and wonderful people.

Here’s the first set of photos from my trip.

Be sure to check out my stories from the trip on Huffington Post as well as on Travel Pulse.

Our first stop was the lovely, beach house style resort of Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo and the nearby town of Las Terrenas.

We also spent some time visiting small villages and farms, meeting with the locals, and doing some snorkeling and swimming at the gorgeous Playa Rincon, which doesn’t see a lot of tourists because it’s a bit hard to get to and the dirt road that leads to it is kind of rough. The beach is definitely worth the trek though, and it’s probably my favorite on the island.