Altos de Chavon is, perhaps, a rather unlikely attraction for the Dominican Republic – it is a recreation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village (adjacent to the Casa de Campo resort), complete with dining, shopping and entertainment. There is an on-site Grecian-style amphitheater that plays host to major performances and concerts, and views over Rio Chavon from here are spectacular, too.

Perched atop a hill, the Getty Center offers visitors a remarkable art collection, including European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, all set within modernist architecture and surrounded by meticulously designed gardens.

Moored in San Pedro, the Battleship USS Iowa Museum lets you wander through one of the most magnificent and surprisingly personal pieces of U.S. naval history. Known as the “Battleship of Presidents,” the Iowa once carried FDR across the Atlantic and later served through WWII, Korea, and the Cold War. As you move through the ship’s narrow corridors and out onto the decks, you get a real sense of what life was like for the crew: giant gun turrets towering overhead, cramped bunks stacked in rows, and glimpses of the command centers that once buzzed with activity. Veteran volunteers are often on hand to share stories or point out easy-to-miss details.

The country's own small rum distillery offers a popular guided tour that lasts just under an hour, and includes a rum tasting at the end. Bottles of rum may be purchased at the on-site shop. Stay for a meal at the adjacent restaurant (one of the island's best).