{"id":3634,"date":"2015-10-29T12:03:15","date_gmt":"2015-10-29T17:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=3634"},"modified":"2015-10-29T12:07:02","modified_gmt":"2015-10-29T17:07:02","slug":"casa-de-campo-combines-caribbean-natural-beauty-with-active-lifestyle","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=3634","title":{"rendered":"Casa de Campo combines Caribbean natural beauty with active lifestyle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted October 29, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By MARIA HERNANDEZ<\/p>\n

LA ROMANA, D.R. — In the middle of the Caribbean, right in between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, lies a small little island called La Hispaniola. La Hispaniola is divided into two countries: Dominican Republic and Haiti. On the coast of the eastern side of Dominican Republic there\u2019s a city called La Romana. And inside that city is one of the\u201c2013 Gold List Resorts\u201d by Conde Nast Traveler<\/em> magazine, Casa de Campo.<\/p>\n

\"Sky<\/a>

Sky and palm tress (Photo by Maria Hernandez).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThe scenery is too beautiful! There\u2019s too many spots to enjoy or simply look at: golf courses, beach, Chavon. And it\u2019s not just a beautiful place, it\u2019s like the perfect tropical paradise that makes you feel great, in peace and safe. It\u2019s simply a sublime experience,\u201d it\u2019s how Laura Torres, a Dominican, and Penn State University student, described this little piece of paradise.<\/p>\n

Casa de Campo is a 7,000-acres resort with a hotel, villas, restaurants, spas, private beaches, La Marina and Altos de Chavon.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>

View from one of the villas (Photo by Liddy Huntsman).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful place to relax, enjoy the beautiful landscapes and share with good company,\u201d said Rita Russo, an Italian who\u2019s been living in Casa de Campo for the last 15 years. \u201cAnd it\u2019s also the best place in the world to vacation,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

People visit Casa de Campo all year due to its summer weather all year long. It\u2019s been a luxury travel destination since the 1970s and it continues to grow. New projects like the opening of Pubbelly Sushi Restaurant and infinity pool at La Marina are expected by the end of 2016. Casa de Campo was No. 25 on \u201cThe World\u2019s 500 Best Hotels\u201d in Travel and Leisure<\/em> magazine in March 2011.<\/p>\n

\"Minitas<\/a>

Minitas Beach (Photo by Rita Russo).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cCasa de Campo, it\u2019s like a little town. Convenient and safe. Everything is within reach,\u201d said Jamie Shub, a Puerto Rican student who has visited the premises a few times in the last two years.<\/p>\n

Casa de Campo has it all. And most importantly all inside the resort making the visitors feel safe while daily commutes in golf carts or bikes from place to place.<\/p>\n

Minitas is a private beach inside the resort. Choose from kayaking, tanning, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboating and windsurfing. There\u2019s an activity for every personality.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like how the beach its peaceful and secluded,\u201d said Elizabeth Huntsman, an American who lives in Santo Domingo and visits Casa de Campo weekly. There\u2019s also a delicious restaurant called Beach Club by Le Cirque where food and refreshing pi\u00f1a coladas can be enjoyed while watching the Caribbean Sea.<\/p>\n

\"Miniatas<\/a>

Miniatas Beach (Photo by Elizabeth Huntsman).<\/p><\/div>\n

La Marina is where the Chavon River and the Caribbean Sea meet. It includes restaurants, bars, boutiques, sailing school, docking facilities, apartments, movie theater and a Yacht Club.<\/p>\n

It may seem like one place, but it has endless possibilities only reached by boat.<\/p>\n

\"Where<\/a>

Where the river and sea meet (Photo by Maria Hernandez).<\/p><\/div>\n

What many consider the most beautiful of Casa de Campo is Palmilla. Palmilla is a beach surrounded with miles and miles of emeralds green palm tress.<\/p>\n

Since it\u2019s a national park and there\u2019s no roads that lead there, the only way of going is by a 25-minute boat ride.<\/p>\n

\"Palmilla<\/a>

Palmilla Beach (Photo by Maria Hernandez).<\/p><\/div>\n

Palmilla is a crystal clear beach located on the East National Park, it\u2019s a little piece of heaven untouched by the human hands.<\/p>\n

When arriving, the water is astonishing\u00a0clear and starfish can be seen on the sea floor. Pale white sands, the whole seaside filled with emerald green palm trees, it\u2019s a real life postcard picture.<\/p>\n

Everyone is enjoying the sunlight in their own way, soaking up\u00a0the salty air. Some are dancing, some are tanning and some are even swimming.<\/p>\n

As the sun starts to set the waters get warmer everyone starts to admire the unique sunset.\u00a0 Some of the other beaches reached only by boat are Catalina Island and Saona Island. Each of them beautiful in their own way.<\/p>\n

\"Catalina<\/a>

Catalina Island (Photo by Maria Hernandez).<\/p><\/div>\n

Altos de Chavon is a 16th<\/sup> century replica of a Mediterranean village overlooking the Chavon River. It contains a rock built church, restaurants, bars, museums and an amphitheater.<\/p>\n

The amphitheater has been the stage to many talented artists including Frank Sinatra, Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Juan Luis Guerra and many more. When there\u2019s no event, the amphitheater remains open for visits.<\/p>\n

\"Overlooking<\/a>

Overlooking the Chavon River (Photo by Maria Hernandez).<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI love sitting on the empty amphitheater and clear my mind,\u201d said Gabriela Azar, a Dominican blogger.<\/p>\n

The sporting life is filled with opportunities. The golf courses were designed by Pete Dye.<\/p>\n

The courses were ranked #19 in the Conde Nast Traveler\u2019s<\/em> \u201c121 Top Golf Resorts.\u201d The three golf courses are Dye Fore, Teeth of Dog and The Links.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite is Teeth of Dog because more than 12 holes are on the border of the sea and have amazing views to enjoy while playing. It\u2019s appealing to the sight making the game more enjoyable,\u201d said Cristian Hernandez, a Casa de Campo local.<\/p>\n

\"Altos<\/a>

Altos de Chavon Amphitheater (Photo by Maria Hernandez).<\/p><\/div>\n

Teeth of Dog was ranked No.22 on Golf Digest\u2019s \u201c100 Best Courses Outside the U.S.\u201d Click for a short video view from the Teeth of Dog golf course (Video by Maria Hernandez)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Casa de Campo also has a shooting range and a sand court on the beach for friendly soccer matches under the Caribbean sun.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also space to escape from reality and indulge in the spas. Or even just admire the million breathtaking views.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like going to Casa de Campo with friends to get inspired by nature and create memories that would last forever,\u201d said Bella Baez, a Dominican model.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Things to Do That No One will Tell You<\/strong><\/p>\n