Half Day History Tour

Half Day History Tour
Price: $109.00
Choose Options My Cruise Itinerary
Sorry, this excursion is not available for purchase.
Summary
Shore Excursion Size ? Small
Shore Excursion Type Cultural, Active, Scenic
Shore Excursion Duration 4 Hours
Activity Level ? Easy
Shore Excursion Leaves From ? An approximately 5 to 10 minute walk from the cruise ship tender pier.
Food/Beverage Provided Lunch is Included.
Recommended Dress We recommend wearing comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and walking shoes. We also suggest bringing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Restrictions Guests must be able to step in and out of the transportation. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Half Day History Tour

History points to sugar as a mainstay of the Dominican economy as the nation's largest employer and the main source of export earnings. In the late 1980s, the Dominican Republic was the world's fourth-largest producer of sugarcane. The first sugarcane plantations were introduced in the Dominican Republic by Spanish colonizers in the beginning of the 16th-century. As a result, thousands of workers have remained in the territory serving as a labor force in the sugarcane fields.

The Dominican Sugar Industry, "DSI," has always been a pioneer in the agricultural space and continues to lead the way in terms of state-of-the-art technology and best practices. As it navigates an increasingly complex global trade, regulatory, and sustainability framework, the industry continues to adapt to new opportunities and challenges. Learn all about sugar cane production, from the planting to the harvesting, and be immersed in the lifestyle of the sugar plantation workers. See how the sugarcane is cut by hand with sharp machetes by skilled workers. Observe the traditional Roman weighing machine. Taste the sugar from the field, and see the traditional and picturesque carriages pulled by oxen.

Sugar is not the only byproduct of sugarcane, as molasses and rum are byproducts as well. Born in the Caribbean, rum isn't just a drink in the Dominican Republic, it's also a way of life. The roots of rum go deep in the land known for pristine beaches and white sand, as the region's very first distillation of the spirit took place all the way back in the 1620s when it was discovered that molasses, a byproduct of sugar refining on sugarcane plantations could be fermented into alcohol.

Dive into an afro-descendant community with your local, English-speaking guide, and learn the social structure and religion related to African and European beliefs. Enjoy traditional music played with local instruments of the vibrant and contagious Gaga rhythm.

As you make your way back to La Romana City, see the traditional town and enjoy a light lunch featuring the local, delicious Dominican food. Once you have finished, you will be returned to the pier area and your ship.