Santiago, Dominican Republic Feb. 12-19, 2027

After a fresh, traditional breakfast, we dive into the island’s rich artistic history at Centro León. This world-class cultural center offers a deeply sensory look into Dominican identity, Caribbean biodiversity, and local community narratives through its contemporary galleries and lush gardens.  Afternoon & Overnight: Leaving the city limits behind, we wind upward into the pine forests of San José de las Matas (Sajoma). Our destination is Hacienda Campo Verde, a pioneering sustainable eco-tourism site. After checking in for our one-night stay, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring natural river pools, discovering innovative rural reforestation efforts, and learning how local agricultural cooperatives are actively revitalizing the regional economy.

• Afternoon: We return to Santiago just in time to experience one of the country's most vibrant living traditions: el Son de Antonio Keka. Every Sunday, a historic street in the Los Pepines neighborhood transforms into an open-air cultural dance floor. We'll pull up a chair right on the pavement, sip cold drinks, and move to the authentic Afro-Caribbean rhythms of live son and merengue alongside generations of local neighbors.
• Evening: Energized by the music, we head deep into the high-altitude peaks of Jarabacoa. Arrive under a blanket of stars and check into our luxurious mountain villas, where the crisp alpine air and whispering pines set the stage for our mountain retreat.

• Spend two full days exploring the ecological spine of the island across Jarabacoa and Constanza (the highest town in the Caribbean). Known as the land of "Eternal Spring," this region features dramatic river canyons, rushing waterfalls, and sweeping alpine valleys.
•  We will step directly onto terraced mountain farms to engage with agricultural changemakers. You'll learn firsthand how local farmers are adapting climate-resilient practices to protect the island's primary watersheds, followed by organic farm-to-table meals sourced straight from the surrounding soil.
• On Tuesday afternoon, we descend from the misty clouds of the Cordillera Central and make the scenic drive north toward the coastal tranquility of Punta Rucia.

• Trade the pine forests for a pristine, turquoise Atlantic bordered by dramatic limestone cliffs. From our private beachfront villas, we will navigate the labyrinthine mangrove forests—critical coastal carbon sinks—and venture out by boat to the breathtaking sandbar of Cayo Arena for an immersive lesson in coral reef ecology.
• We’ll meet with local fishing communities who have successfully transitioned into marine guardians, exploring how community-managed sanctuaries are actively bringing coral reefs and local micro-economies back to life.

Enjoy one last cup of fresh Cibao coffee, pack your bags, and prepare for your departures out of Santiago, carrying the true, mindful heartbeat of the Dominican Republic home with you.