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Dominican Republic: La Romana, Casa de Campo, Beach Time with All of the Family Fun Included. For families looking for a delightful Caribbean vacation spot, Casa de Campo offers plenty. It is not exactly a “country house” as its moniker indicates but a grand country estate, complete with casitas, villas, private beach, 16 swimming pools, world-class golf, tennis, water sports of all kinds, equestrian center with Polo, and all things tropical to ensure the best possible family vacation. Resort: Located on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic it is one of the Caribbean's most complete family resorts. It is important enough to have its own international airport nearby to make arrival and departure east. The 7000-acre tropical resort destination defines luxury and offers a tranquil carefree vacation place for all generations. Accommodations: Stay in one of 300 two-story casitas with spacious, yet cozy, guest rooms, most with a connecting room option. For more space and a home-away-from-home feeling, select from 150 villa homes. The two, three and four-bedroom villas provide families with a private home setting and some include a private pool. Bonus points: Just in case there are not enough sleeping places for children, roll-aways are available. All restaurants at Casa de Campo feature children's menus and high chairs and for Sunday brunch children less than 12 years of age eat free when accompanied by parents. Need to know: All villa rates and packages include the following special amenities: special assigned day maid, one 4-passenger touring cart per two-bedroom villa or two 4-passenger touring carts per three-or four-bedroom villa. In each villa there is a selection of fresh fruits and a "Dominican Bar" which means three different rums plus six bottles of mixers to enjoy upon arrival. 
Activities: The island in known for white sand beaches, misty green mountain ranges with horseback riding trails, river-rafting, and waterfalls as well as friendly people, carnivals and festivals, and of course the meringue. Casa de Campo offers connections to a rich menu of activities so families may enjoy time both together and apart. Within the resort complex families can enjoy playing sports, lounging by one of the 16 pools (two for kids), golf, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, fishing, water sports, shopping, music, cultural activities plenty of water toys as well as a trap shooting center, Equestrian Center, Polo games and the marvelous Caribbean Sea. Bonus points: If parents care to enjoy a meal, sporting event or just some quality time alone, Casa de Campo makes it possible by providing a knowledgeable staff to supervise fun children’s activities all day, every day.
Family activities: Organized fun meant to be shared includes: family treasure hunts, Merengue and Limbo lessons, Pictionary, yoyo, dominos, and dance competitions, Ping Pong, Basketball, and billards tournaments, as well as movie time, beach volleyball, mural painting, and family water games on Minitas Beach. Bonus points: One of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, La Minitas Beach is only a ten-minute shuttle bus ride away from Casa de Campo Resort. In addition to creamy white sand and tranquil aqua marine water, the beach area is filled with lively bars and restaurants. Water sports options include kayaks, windsurfing, paddleboats, and it is possible to arrange for a massage right on the beach.
Children's programs include: Kidz' Care offering both Day Nannies and night Nannies for guests 9 months and older. The year-round Kidz'n Casa supervised children's program runs daily and is divided by age. Toddlers'n Casa program is for ages 1-3; Kidz'n Casa targets ages 4 to 7 and the Casa 'Tweens provides activities for ages 8 to 12. Teen program is Bonche4teens for ages 13-17. The Bonche Club (closes for teens only on weekend nights), but is also the Family Fun Zone during the day. Bonche4teens Club (obviously not for parents) features a pool table, foosball table, music, movies and more. Teen's only activities include beach volleyball, merengue lessons, billiard tournaments, movie nights, kayaking at sunset, beach foam parties and a few impromptu surprises. Need to know: There is a minimum of two English speaking counselors are on duty at all times.
Make family memories: The Resort staffs a Special Services Department to make dreams come true. They have the talent and the desire to plan and coordinate any special event or activity. From themed dinners, graduations, and Quinces - or - Sweet 16 celebrations to anniversaries, family reunions, and weddings, they make memories happen.
Value added: For all-inclusive resorts the Dominican Republic is one of the least expensive spots in the Caribbean. The budget-minded can find value-priced getaways with luxury. Casa de Campo vacation packages include a Vacation Planning Guide, allowing guests to pre-plan and pre-reserve activities before arrival.  Discovery: Perched on the cliff high above the Resort and the Chavón River is a 16th century replica of a Mediterranean village. Walk the cobble stone streets of Altos de Chavón. Browse quaint shops, exclusive boutiques, art galleries, and visit the archeological museum. A Grecian-style amphitheater provides the venue for dramatic entertainment under the stars. Not-to-be-missed: The weekly Kandelá musical review show.
Location on the planet: The Dominican Republic is the easternmost part of the second-largest island in the Caribbean, Hispaniola. On the western side of the island is the country of Haiti. The DR side of the island is Spanish-speaking, and has maintained a stable government for decades allowing tourism to develop and the country to sustain itself. The capital city of Santo Domingo is recognized as the oldest European settlement in the New World. Remember Christopher Columbus? His group put the island on the map.
Make it happen: Casa de Campo Resort La Romana, Dominican Republic. Reservations toll-free 1-800-877-3643 or go to www.casadecampo.com.do Editor's note: The Dominican Republic has a reputation for being family friendly and the resort reflects the friendliness amid intrinsically beautiful grounds. We have had feedback from parents who have recently vacationed at tCasa de Campo. All comments are favorable but two comments summarize the resort. Sandy from New Jersey said,"...the only thing not provided was time to enjoy everything in a week. We let left knowing that we must return, if only to get the wind surfing thing right. " The Simons from Great Neck, New York told us, " They (meaning Casa de Campo) thought of everything, so all that was left to do was relax and enjoy the Caribbean breezes, family beach time, golf, our kids and our grand kids."
Need to know: For all US citizens & US legal residents (kids and babies too) a passport is required enter the Dominican Republic and will also be essential to re-enter the US. Additionally, a US$10 Tourist Card is required for all tourists. The card may be purchased at any Dominican Consulate in the US, at Miami International Airport, or upon arrival at any airport in the Dominican Republic. For citizens of most other countries, a legal valid passport and either a Tourist Card or Visa is required. Because there are some exceptions, it is suggested that you confirm all travel documents needed for travel to the Dominican Republic with your travel agent, the Dominican Republic Embassy or Consulate in your country before you make your travel plans.
Content researched and created by FTF. Images provided bt Casa de Campo. Copyright 2013.
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