Dominica, the ‘Nature Island’, Celebrates Spring with Hike Fest, Jazz’N Creole, DomFesta Artisan Showcase

From music to hiking to the island’s artisan history, Dominica offers a wide variety of activities for visitors to the island from April to June. Known for its many festivals, the Nature Island has something for everyone year ’round.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic), a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation experience.

DOMFESTA Celebrates Dominica’s Artisan History

From April into early June, the Dominica Festival of the Creative Arts—or Domfesta—showcases the island’s varied arts and culture. Visitors to the Nature Island during this annual festival witness the talents of hundreds of local artists. Playwrights, poets, artists, singers and musicians all come together to present their interpretations of Dominica’s rich heritage in the arts. Held throughout the island, communities from north to south and east to west demonstrate their history and future by presenting village feasts, theatrical plays, art expositions, poetry and drumming festivals, as well as creole competitions and concerts. A highlight of this two-month festival is the Golden Drum Awards, which recognizes organizations and individuals for their contributions to the arts and culture of Dominica.

Enjoy Dominica’s Many Hiking Trails During Hike Fest

Hike Fest is the ultimate opportunity to experience Dominica by walking with nature on the Nature Island. Held the first three Saturdays in May (4th, 11th, and 18^th), Hike Fest offers treks through Dominica’s pristine, untouched natural trails that follow routes ranging from easy to moderate to difficult. Some of the routes form part of the Waitukubuli National Trail, 115 miles of trails spanning the entire length of Dominica.

Hikers are amazed by the spectacular scenery, hidden beaches, cozy bays and fascinating rock formations that jut out into the sea. Visitors experience agricultural farmlands, parrot habitats and countless panoramic viewpoints including the French neighboring islands of Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the north. Hike Fest is the definitive way to embrace the exhilarating Atlantic breeze and be enchanted by the calming sound of the ocean, all the while exploring the natural wonders and hidden gems of the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica.

Jazz ‘n Creole: Five Musical Days in May

Visitors indulge in an experience that is authentically Dominican by joining locals for Jazz ‘n Creole from Wednesday, May 15, to Sunday, May 19. The festival culminates with a daylong mainstage event that includes a fusion of jazz and creole music, scrumptious food and a celebration of local culture. This rhythmic event is held at Historic Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth. Built in the 18th century to protect Dominica from invasion by the British and French, Fort Shirley is one of the most impressive military installations in the West Indies.

This fun-filled, family friendly event is set to a homegrown musical masterpiece with festival goers being serenaded by the uniquely Dominican combination of jazz and creole.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes: hiking and adventure, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching and canyoning adventures. Dominica lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. Air travelers can connect to Dominica on American Eagle, BVI Airways, LIAT or Seaborne Airlines (beginning April 2013) from the surrounding hubs of Puerto Rico, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Barbados and St. Lucia.

Learn more about Dominica and the many exciting activities on the Nature Island by visiting www.discoverdominica.com, contacting a travel professional or calling Discover Dominica Authority toll-free from the U.S. and Canada at 1-866-522-4057.

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Tags: adventure travel in Caribbean, Caribbean, Caribbean travel, Dominica, hiking destinations, nature destinations