Walking through the Zona Colonial, the oldest European settlement in the Americas, I felt as if I had stepped back in time. Cobblestone streets led me past centuries-old churches and colourful colonial buildings, each with its own story etched into the stone.

Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is synonymous with luxury and relaxation, a premier destination where high-end resorts line the immaculate beaches and largely block the ocean view from the roads.