HolaDR.com: Everything About The Dominican Republic!

By Jessica Labrencis, SmarterTravel.com

If you have the time, money, and inclination to travel this summer and fall, keep an open mind about where to go. Many airlines will soon be offering new routes to destinations you may have assumed would be too expensive or too inconvenient to visit in the past. Major airlines and low-cost-carriers alike have announced new routes to dozens of destinations, 10 of which are highlighted below.

Dominican Republic

Cheap flights to the Dominican Republic won’t be hard to find this summer thanks to ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit. The airline has recently resumed its service between its Ft. Lauderdale hub and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, available through September 8. Meanwhile, Spirit’s new service to Santiago from Ft. Lauderdale begins June 20.

You can expect the Dominican Republic to be included in Spirit’s weekly offers. If you want to nab even cheaper fares, consider signing up for Spirit’s $9 Fare Club, which could help you find fares as low as $1 each way (not including taxes and fees, of course).

JetBlue has also added service to Santo Domingo. Its Ft. Lauderdale departures commenced June 18, while Boston departures began June 19.

Finally, Delta is offering a slew of seasonal Dominican Republic routes starting this fall. Flights to Punta Cana from Detroit will operate on weekends beginning November 21, while Cincinnati and Minneapolis flights operate on Saturdays starting on December 19. Flights from New York City (JFK) to Puerto Plata also begin on December 19 and operate on Saturdays through April 10.

Barbados

JetBlue recently announced service to the Caribbean island of Barbados. Its flights from New York City (JFK) to Bridgetown, Barbados, commence on October 1, and connecting service from cities around the U.S. is also available.

In addition, Air Jamaica is adding seasonal summer service for Barbados. Flights between JFK and Barbados run from July 2 through August 30 on Thursdays and Sundays.

St. Lucia

In addition to Barbados and Santo Domingo, JetBlue will also add service to St. Lucia this fall. Flights from JFK begin on October 26, and are available on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.

France

Travelers now have more options to reach the City of Lights this summer and fall. US Airways has once again launched seasonal service to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport from Charlotte. The service will run through October 24.

Meanwhile, Delta is also adding service to Paris. Its Pittsburgh-to-Paris flights began on June 3, while flights from Philadelphia will begin on October 5.

Icelandair will also add service from Seattle on July 22, and will offer service to Paris connecting through Reykjavik.

Italy

Two major airlines have recently added service to Rome. American’s seasonal service runs through October 23, and will resume again on April 6, 2010. Delta started new service to Rome from Detroit earlier this month, which will be available indefinitely.

Brazil

In March, the Department of Transportation awarded US Airways permission to add service to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Beginning on December 2, the airline will launch its new service between Rio de Janeiro and Charlotte, with connecting service from many of the carrier’s U.S. cities as well. Rio de Janeiro is US Airways’ first foray into South America.

Continental will also add service to Rio de Janeiro from Houston (Bush) on August 1 with a once-daily flight.

Israel

Israel is not often considered an inexpensive or easy-to-get-to destination, but that could change soon. On July 1, US Airways will launch its brand-new service to Tel Aviv from Philadelphia, with connecting service from other cities in the U.S.

South Africa

This summer, travelers will have more options for visiting South Africa. On June 1, Delta began its service to Johannesburg, South Africa, from Atlanta.

Australia

On July 1, Delta will commence its new service between Los Angeles and Sydney.

China

A few weeks ago, Delta began new service to Shanghai from Detroit. Flights operate Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays westbound, and Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays eastbound.

Continental also added service to Shanghai earlier this year, with a once-daily flight from Newark.

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