It's one of the most spectacular gems of the Caribbean and the sight that made that intrepid explorer Christopher Columbus exclaim, "This is the fairest land under Heaven!" It's a land of mountains and beaches, of legends in baseball and legendary rum. It's also the birthplace of the lively music and dance known as merengue. This island paradise is the Dominican Republic and it has long been known as one of the friendliest, most popular tropical vacation destinations in the world.

Although every region of this beautiful country offers its own particular charm, the area of La Romana has been truly blessed with a multitude of attractions, both natural and man-made. There are the gorgeous palm-lined beaches of nearby Bayahibe, home of the elusive Bayahibe Rose, a cactus flower that doesn't grow anywhere else in the world. Here, countless vacationers enjoy the amenities of several world-class resorts. There are also excursions available by speedboat or catamaran to Isla Saona, a national park with powdery white beaches surrounded by crystalline turquoise waters. This is truly the Caribbean at its best.

From the Diamond to the Fairway

Sammy Sosa. Pedro Martínez. Manny Ramírez. David Ortiz. They all have two things in common: They're all professional baseball superstars in the United States, and they were all born and raised in the Dominican Republic. No surprise, because baseball is a national pastime. The town of La Romana, next to Bayahíbe, is one of the country's biggest baseball areas. To scout out the next superstar for yourself, take in a game at Michelin Baseball Stadium in the town's west end.

La Romana is just as well known for golf, thanks to Casa de Campo's three Pete Dye-designed courses: the legendary Teeth of the Dog course, and the newer Dye Fore and Links courses.

Golf, Beaches and So Much More...
Long considered the premier resort of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo is the largest on the island, offering world-class golf on Pete Dye-designed courses, including the menacingly titled and internationally renowned "Teeth of the Dog." This highly ranked course is located alongside the Caribbean Sea and offers plenty of tricky shots to challenge your putting skills. Even if golf isn't your game, there's plenty to keep you occupied during your stay at Casa de Campo, including equestrian lessons; the most comprehensive shooting facilities in the Caribbean, spanning an impressive 245 acres; a scenic running trail that starts at the hotel and ends at the picturesque marina; and the luxurious La Terraza Tennis Center, which offers 13 private courts where you can perfect your backhand with the help of expert staff. The resort also offers specialized programs for children and teenagers, ensuring fun for the entire family.

If your ideal Caribbean vacation consists of lying on a beautiful beach, Casa de Campo's exclusive Minitas Beach will fit the bill nicely. However, if the sight of sparkling waves happens to bring out your athletic side, you can choose to windsurf, scuba-dive or sail a Hobie Cat. Afterwards, you can even enjoy a relaxing massage right there, by the water, or have one of the spa's licensed massage therapists meet you at your room for a soothing, muscle-relaxing session before dinner. It's sure to leave you feeling light as a feather and ready for the festivities the nighttime will bring.

To start out the evening you can choose to dine on Italian, Mexican, Japanese or Dominican favorites at one of the various restaurants located within the Casa de Campo complex. One of the best is the open-air Tropicana, where you can enjoy live piano music with your filet mignon and fine wine or Presidente beer. If you linger a while, you'll get to experience one of their original musical floor shows-a recent show brought back the pulsating sounds of the disco era with the help of professional singers and dancers, and plenty of eager audience participation.

A Stroll Back in Time
Outside of Casa de Campo, La Romana offers a convincing and breathtakingly beautiful re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village known as Altos de Chavon (altosdechavon.com). Altos de Chavon was planned and built with care to authentically create the feel of a bygone era while becoming an important part of the community. In 1976, high above the spectacular Chavon River, building began on what was to become one of the most important cultural centers of the Dominican Republic. It is comprised of a bustling marina area, many exclusive shops and restaurants, an outdoor amphitheater that was inaugurated by none other than Frank Sinatra, the world-famous Altos de Chavon School of Design, The Regional Museum of Archeology and The Gallery. You can easily spend an entire day exploring this area, which offers some of the most spectacular views on the island.

Undoubtedly, Altos de Chavon is the best place to watch the sunset in the Dominican Republic, but it's so much more than a just pretty place-it's alive with artistic talent. Here you'll meet students of the design school, top-tier international artists who are invited to take up three-month residencies, trios of local musicians known as a perico ripiado who wander the streets, world-renowned performers who grace the stage of the magnificent Roman-style amphitheatre and worshippers taking in the hallowed beauty of St. Stanislaus Church in the center of the village-this is a magical place that you will always remember.

The Cigar Industry Turns a New Leaf
You can't leave the Dominican Republic without buying a cigar, whether it's for yourself or someone back home. Nowadays, the island is at the forefront of the industry. Producing two and a half times more tobacco than Cuba, during the past few years the Dominican Republic has segued into the position of market leader due not just to its prodigious output, but by making what some connoisseurs would argue are the finest cigars in the world. One of the oldest and most highly respected cigar manufacturers on the island is Tabaquería Carbonell, established in 1897 and still run as a family operation. Tabaquería Carbonell exports to the United States and Europe, with some customers as far away Bulgaria.

It all starts in the aromatic main room of a log structure in Palmar Abajo, Santiago, where experts sit diligently rolling Palmas, Coronas, Churchills and others. The distinctive earthy scent intensifies markedly in the adjoining room reserved for the finished cigars' reposo, or rest. The room basically serves the same function as a humidor by maintaining certain environmental controls in order to preserve the quality and character of their product. So what are the magic numbers? Carbonell maintains that optimum storage temperature is 64.4-68 degrees Fahrenheit, with 55-70 percent humidity. Good information to keep in mind if you're planning to stock up these cigars (sold all over the island) to take back home during your Quisqueyan vacation.

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