We touched down at Punta Cana Airport on a beautiful sunny day. Our destination was Casa de Campo, the 7,000 acre internationally renowned luxury Golf Resort and vacation destination in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We were picked up at the airport by a private van and whisked away to the resort, which is about 45 minutes from the airport. My husband and I were in Punta Cana about 14 years ago and the improvements in the airport and major roads were dramatic.

We arrived at the Welcome Center for the resort and immediately decided to have lunch at the Cana restaurant which also has two pools, one with a swim up bar. After lunch, we changed into our swimming attire and went to the other pool area for resort guests at Minitab Beach. The area offers two pools, one for children and one just for adults; we went to the adult only pool. Beautiful set up with both deck chairs and Private Cabanas. Complimentary reef friendly suntan lotion and after sun moisturizer are provided for resort guests. We also spent time relaxing at the private, reef protected Minitab beach.  No shortage of food with the Minitab Beach Club Restaurant and two food trucks offering casual gourmet food.

The first evening we had dinner in the area of Altos de Chavon, an authentic reproduction of a 16^th Century Mediterranean village replete with its own 5000 seat Grecian style Amphitheater. The village was meticulously designed by a Dominican Architect, Jose Antonio Caro, and Italian master designer and cinematographer Roberto Coppa.  La Piazzetta, an Italian themed restaurant at Altos De Chavon that has a very open feel and a wonderful outdoor patio. We all had pasta which was cooked to perfection. Everything was fresh and delicious.  After dinner, we went back to our room which was a Luxury Villa suite that overlooked the world famous Teeth of the Dog golf course and has great views of the ocean. The rooms were spacious and the Shower was large and featured two shower heads.

The next morning, we met with Maria Perez a Public Relations Executive who had arranged to give us a private tour of the resort. At 7,000 acres, the resort covers a land mass that is 11 Square miles or roughly half the size of Manhattan!

There are approximately 1,800 homes on the property and plenty of room to expand. There are many land parcels available through out the resort in including, Los Flamboyanes an area that is situated next the Dye Fore Golf Course, Vista Lagos where new villas are being planned that are sited in a serene lake setting. Riomar which offers unobstructed views of Altos De Chavon ,and Barranca Oeste, which is an older neighborhood featuring dramatic landscaping and impressive villas. These villas are excellent invest properties and make an ideal family vacation spot or place to retire. Security and wellness of the community are their priorities and this was very apparent during our visit.

Casa De Campo is resort where you can be as busy as you want or do nothing at all and relax. There are so many activities beginning with day excursions to the pristine beaches of Catalina and Saona Islands both owned by the national parks system of the Dominican Republic. Catamarans leave throughout the day from the Marina.

If you want to stay close to the resort, Snorkeling, Kayaks, Sailboats, Banana boat rides Paddle Boards and local excursions are readily available for all guests.  If you want to go deep sea fishing, you can charter your own boat or go on a group excursion. The Tennis Center, dubbed the Wimbledon of the Caribbean features 13 Har-Tru Courts and have 25 Pros on staff to help you improve your game. Between hanging out by the pool and sampling the exquisitely prepared foods at many of the delicious restaurants like La Casita, Pubbelly Sushi, and Lago, we fit in a round of Sporting Clays at the impressive 245 acres Shooting Centre at Casa De Campo. You are led by an instructor who provides excellent advice about how to improve your aim, what you are doing wrong and how to correct your mistakes. Each of the stations simulates natural movements of birds and animals in the wild. The clays move at different angles and speed to test your range and skill. And a Casa De Campo stay would not be complete, of course without testing your skills on of their world-class golf courses, Teeth of the Dog, The Links or Dye Fore.  There are many Golf Packages available, some of which include access to all 3 courses. Instructors and Clinics are available at the learning center, which features state of the art technology and driving ranges to help you sharpen your game.  There are literally too many activities, sports and events too list but suffice it to say, whatever you could imagine, Casa De Campo probably offers it. Lastly, a feature on Casa De Campo wouldn't be complete without mentioning their world class level of service, from the valets that great you at the Welcome Center, to the desk clerks who check you in to the resort, to the cleaning staff who attend to your room, to the executive staff who run the resort. Everyone, and I mean everyone is incredibly friendly, gracious and eager to help you enjoy your stay in any way they can.  The level of service you receive is truly unparalleled. Their goal is to make you feel like you are family and we certainly left with that feeling.  One stay at Casa de Campo and you know it's now your Casa as well.