I love going to the Dominican Republic because of the people and places associated with the art of cigar manufacturing.  This last vacation, my wife, a couple of close friends, and I were treated to some of the most gracious hospitality we've ever encountered.  We were shown around the E. Leon Jimenes compound in Santiago - getting the chance to see the fantastic facilities there along with a special tour of the La Aurora cigar rolling area and the Presidente Beer distribution area.

Once again, Jose Rodriguez made all the initial contacts for me and even helped me with advice on where to stay and what to do while in Santo Domingo.  

The good folks at La Aurora made my dreams come true by arranging for a visit to a working tobacco farm.  Fortunately, one of their tobacco suppliers was at the facility on business and graciously agreed to have our driver meet up with his foreman so that we could get a close-up look at the fields, drying barns, people, and processes that mark the beginning of the art of cigar making.

We started our visit with some historical sight-seeing in the capital city of Santo Domingo.  Don't miss the opportunity to see this port city in the southern part of the country.  After several days in Santo Domingo, we took a bus north to Santiago.  The Metro autobus system is one of the finest we have ever encountered.  The country has much to be proud of in their Metro transportation system.  We then spent 3 days driving around the city of Santiago and touring the cigar factory facilities and tobacco farm.

I would like to thank several people who made this vacation a fantastic success:

First, my friend Jose Rodriguez.  Jose has helped me learn about cigars ever since 1999.  If you think I feel as if I'm indebted to Jose, you would be right.

Next, Iris de Leon was most gracious in taking care of our initial request for a facility tour at the Leon Jimenez compound.  She spoke wonderful English and saw to it that we were met promptly at the factory and treated as Very Important People.  Without her help, our trip to Santiago would not have been as wonderful and complete.  

Our tour guides, Marc and Eugenio, took turns showing us everything we wanted to see at the La Aurora facilities.  Unknown to us at the time, the La Aurora facility has short official tours held many times every day.  Marc and Eugenio are responsible for guiding these many groups through the facility.  Both of these fine gentlemen speak multiple languages fluently.  Most of their visitors are European (at least the days we were there, that was obvious).  Marc speaks Spanish, English, and German fluently and Eugenio speaks Spanish, English, German, French, and a little Italian when it's necessary.  It was amazing to see them switch from one language to the next without missing a beat. 

Marc and Eugenio treated us to a very special tour of the facilities.  We were allowed to go places and see things that others usually don't get a chance to see.  Additionally, they were the ones who made those fantastic and unexpected arrangements for us to see the tobacco farm outside of town.

My thanks to the fine folks listed above.  I definitely feel as if I have many new friends in the Dominican Republic - I will always remember them and will stop in to see them every time I return to the country.

To the left, you can choose from many different links that will show you different pictures of our most recent Dominican Republic vacation.  Below, is an example - a beautiful photograph of a row of curing barns nestled in the vivid green colors of a lush tobacco field.  The color is indescribable - it really takes your breath away.

This is where it all begins!