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La Romana - A Place In The (Caribbean) Sun

Photo by TOM WUCKOVICH

The beaches around La Romana are home to quaint shops and restaurants.

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By TOM WUCKOVICH

Special to TBO.com

Published: February 25, 2009

It took Christopher Columbus three months to reach the Caribbean island of Hispaniola on his quest to find the treasures of the New World.

The sight of this tropical paradise, with its crystalline waters, tawny-colored beaches and lush vegetation, surely created a stirring within the collective Spanish soul of Columbus and his crew. It has been 500 years since that first sighting, but visitors to the Dominican Republic are still moved by the same scenery experienced by those early explorers.

The landscape has changed, of course. The New World has become the Newer World of luxurious resorts, quaint hotels, casinos, sporting ventures and the like, but through it all, the Dominican Republic has managed to remain humble, pristine and inviting - all good reasons why visitors are migrating to its shores in search of the idyllic vacation playground.

On the island's southeast coast, in the province of La Romana, a true Caribbean treasure called Casa de Campo continues to wow vacationers with its myriad amenities, plush accommodations and abundant activities designed to make every stay a memorable one. Casa de Campo is the crown jewel among the limited number of hotels and resorts located in La Romana and nearby Bayahibe. There are oversized hotel rooms and villas (300 new hotel rooms and 150 villa homes) to choose from and a wide range of resort activities, including golf, tennis, polo, riding, shooting and water sports while seven restaurants and eight bars provide a range of culinary specialties.

Surrounding the resort are beautiful beaches, adjacent islets, a national park, exquisite vegetation, rivers, caverns and the village of Altos de Chavon. This artists' enclave is an architectural wonder and a cultural Mecca situated high on the cliffs above the winding Chavon River. It is designed to evoke the feeling of a 16th-century Mediterranean village with its authentic cobblestone streets, stone carvings, cool fountains, shady pathways and Spanish façade adding to the flavor of the Old World feel. Construction by local artisans began in the 1970s and was completed in 1982 when the final stones were laid at the 5,000-seat amphitheater, the site of the inaugural celebration featuring entertainment by none other than Frank Sinatra.

The complex has hosted such international stars as Julio Iglesias and Gloria Estefan as well as serving as a spectacular setting for private parties, recitals and private shows. In keeping with its commitment to cultural exchange, Altos de Chavon's School of Design has affiliated itself with New York's prestigious Parsons School of Design and offers degrees in various design fields and fine arts. An Artists-in-Residence program sponsors three annual showings of work produced at Altos during the artists' residency.

While Altos de Chavon harkens to the colonial past, the Marina and Yacht Club complex offers a different perspective and is in stark contrast to the ancient architecture of its neighbor. The marina is reminiscent of an Italian seaport city, with buildings in multi-toned colors housing specialty shops, boutiques, galleries and a variety of restaurants that will appeal to any culinary craving.

The La Casita restaurant has a magnificent outside veranda that is on the waterfront and affords a spectacular view of the calm harbor and the myriad yachts that call it home. Evening dining outside under the black night sky with its sparkling stars reflecting in the water is a sight seldom experienced elsewhere. And the food earns high praise for its taste and creativity.

To speak about La Romana and Casa de Campo without praising its golf courses would be a travesty. Voted by Travel & Leisure magazine readers as the "Best Golf Resort" in the Caribbean, Casa de Campo's three courses are among the finest in the world. Heading the list is the "Teeth of the Dog," with seven seaside holes consistently ranked as the number one course in the Caribbean and continuously on Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses of the World."

The "Links" is a challenging inland course with hilly terrain and rolling vistas reminiscent of Scotland. But the new masterpiece, golf architect Pete Dye's "To Dye Fore," offers a test for any golfer, but above all, the magnificent view of the course will make you reach for your camera as much as you do for your clubs. The 18-hole, par-72 layout is perched high atop the bluffs of the Chavon River-some 300 feet above - and will one day rival the reputation of Teeth of the Dog. There are seven cliff-hugging holes and the tricky breezes contribute to its difficulty.

Golf might be paramount at Casa de Campo, but tennis, water activities, sport shooting, horseback riding and hiking also are available to its guests. After a hard day on the links or elsewhere, the Cygalle Healing Spa can soothe those sore muscles and take away any stress that might remain. The Holistic Health approach at the spa means suggests its treatments take into account both mind and body and offer treatments accordingly.

The resort also is perfect for families. Daily programs include Toddlers'n Casa for 1-3 year olds; Kidz'n Casa for ages 4-7 and Casa 'Tweens for 8-12 year olds. Exclusively for teenagers 13-18, the Bonche4Teens Club features a pool table, football table, music, movies and more. Nannies'n Casa act as mother's helpers while you pursue your own action or quiet time.

While Casa de Campo may offer everything to the visitor, it's a good idea to venture outside the compound and get the feel for the surrounding area. There are an ample number of beaches to choose from and you can also arrange snorkeling and diving trips to some spectacular underwater scenery. For a beautiful sunset view and a good dinner, sample the fare and the scenery at Mare Nostrum restaurant in the little village of Bayahibe. The two-story restaurant is shaded by numerous palm trees and its upper deck is as romantic a spot as you'll find anywhere in the Caribbean.

If you want a bit of nightlife, try Thursday nights at the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace resort. This all-inclusive property features beautiful tropical gardens and a sparkling beach but it also comes alive with vibrant entertainment and afterwards, a party by the pool bar where guests and friends can dance and socialize. Guests from their sister property, Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach resort, also join in the festivities since they are right next door.

La Romana and Bayahibe are only a small portion of what you can expect from a vacation to the Dominican Republic. Be a modern-day Columbus and explore more on your own. You'll be amazed at what you discover.

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