Guys Need a Getaway Too! The Dominican Republic Caters to 'Mancations' with Suggested Itineraries and Just-Announced Packages

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The term "girlfriend getaway" is one that has become ingrained in our American lexicon. Drop the term "Mancation," however, and you're bound to get a puzzled look. A fresh phrase to describe "guys' weekend," Mancations take male-bonding to a new level complete with indulgences like luxury accommodations, premium libations and guys' favorite activities. The Dominican Republic (DR) offers countless opportunities to create the ultimate Mancation whether your group's interest is sports, adventure, or even rum and cigars. And now, select DR hotels and resorts are offering packages that cater to the Mancation trend.

Sports and/or Extreme Sports Enthusiasts

If you're the type of guys who'd rather create a softball league than start a wine club, check out the North Coast of the DR. Here you'll find plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities including kiteboarding, surfing, cascading, whitewater rafting and more. Local adventure tour companies are prevalent and can arrange your adventure while teaching you the basics. Or, if enjoying a good cigar and premium rum is more your speed, another favorite pastime on the North Coast is visiting rum factories like Brugal and taking a day trip to Santiago, the DR's cigar capital, for cigar factory tours.

Special Packages

Hotel Villa Taina, located in Cabarete, is offering a Mancation special valid for stays of seven days/six nights between September 1 and November 30, 2007. As part of your stay, choose between:

  -- Windsurf Discovery Special featuring six days of equipment usage, one
     windsurfing lesson and a sports or relaxation massage
  -- Windsurf Pro Special featuring six days of equipment usage, two
     advanced windsurfing clinics and a sports or relaxation massage

Rooms include a breakfast buffet and a complimentary bottle of rum. Visit http://www.villataina.com/ or call 877/584-5053.

Velero Beach Resort, located in Cabarete, and the villa properties of North Coast Management, located in Cabrera, offer:

-- VIP airport pickup in Puerto Plata -- Daily golf at Playa Grande Golf Course -- A bottle of Brugal rum and a box of Dominican cigars -- Daily deep tissue massage Visit http://www.northcoastmanagement.com/ or call 809/589-7065. Beach Bums and/or Golf Junkies

The East Coast of the DR finds itself on lists of the best golf destinations in the world as often as it appears in directories of the world's most breathtaking beaches. It's little wonder, then, that this is the DR's tourism mecca. Regardless of your budget, there's a resort to suit your needs and desires. Sun worshippers will love the endless white sand beaches while golfers will think they've gone to paradise. Some of the world's best courses, designed by the world's best architects, call the East Coast home.

Special Packages

Sivory Punta Cana specializes in luxury, making this boutique resort perfect for men with discriminating tastes. Their Mancation package features three nights in an ocean view Deluxe Jr. Suite with daily American breakfast and the following:

-- Private helicopter arrival transfer from Punta Cana International Airport -- Private beach check-in -- A bottle of Chivas Regal, 12 years Scotch whiskey -- Two rounds of golf at the 18-hole La Cana Golf Course, including roundtrip transfer and golf cart -- Daily selection of house wines in-suite -- One box of Leon Jimenes cigars -- One 55-minute Sport massage -- Private ground transportation for departure to Punta Cana International Airport Visit http://www.sivorypuntacana.com/.

Casa de Campo, home to Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and the Links Courses is offering a Mancation golf package featuring superior accommodations, a touring cart for use on-property throughout your stay, daily American breakfast, and daily greens fees with shared cart on alternating courses. Visit http://www.casadecampo.com.do/.

Agua Resorts & Spa, the DR's newest luxury property, is offering a Gentleman's Retreat package featuring three nights in a junior suite and the following:

-- Private, roundtrip airport transfers -- Daily breakfast in-suite or in Arieto restaurant -- One round at Ocean Sands golf course -- Passes to a Dominican cigar night and Brugal rum tasting Visit http://www.aguaresort.com/ for more information.

Editor's note: For specific discounted room rates please contact Patty Tazalla, public relations for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, at ptazalla@bvk.com or 414.247.2174.

NOTE: For the entire news release, visit the MEDIA ROOM -- NEWS at http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/