Costa Fascinosa: LRM - LRM - LRM07A2U

     Catalina Island is Costa's exclusive island idyll off the coast of the Dominican Republic and offers an unparalleled beach experience. Add in an excursion to the Dominican Republic and visitors can look forward to a bonanza of culture and relaxation.
     The Dominican Republic lies on the eastern side of Hispaniola Island, with Haiti on the opposite side, in the centre of the Greater Antilles. The Dominican territory is characterised by mountain peaks and sprawling plains. The central Cordillera area features the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte, which soars to 3157 metres. The mountain is considered to be the geographical centre of the Antilles, amid beautiful green valleys. To the east is a large peninsula featuring the 1,000 metre peaks of East Cordillera. There are 1600km of coastline, featuring numerous coral reefs. The climate is tropical, with temperatures averaging about 25C and the humidity tempered by Atlantic winds, which bring significant, though not excessive, rainfall.
     The island was discovered by Columbus in 1492, after being shipwrecked. Like most of the Caribbean, it has European and African influences, resulting in a distinctive mix of cultures. When Columbus landed, there were approximately 100,000 native 'indios', who were almost wiped out by Spanish colonists who found the island was blessed with fertile soil and deposits of gold. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the plantations. In 1844, when the island became independent, 90 per cent of the population were of African descent or mixed race. In the years since, the demographic make-up of the island changed considerably with black emigration to Haiti and an influx of white farmers, a policy promoted by the Creole elite.
     Situated on the coast, not far from Catalina Island, is the tourist resort of Casa de Campo, designed by celebrated architect Oscar della Renta. The resort features top hotels and highly regarded golf courses. Altos de Chavon is found here, modelled on a 15th Century Mediterranean-style village. The work of Italian Roberto Coppa, the village features houses in golden-coloured stone and a river running through jungle landscape. The village was a location for several scenes in the Francis-Ford Coppola film "Apocalypse Now". Altos is also the home of an artists' colony and a selection of exhibitions can usually be found. Other attractions include an amphitheatre and archaeological museum which houses over 2,000 finds from the native Taiano indians.

     The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast of Miami. Take the time to explore Cockburn town's wonderful selection of historical buildings including many Burmudian and Colonial style buildings and ruins. That's just the beginning of all the things to see and do in Grand Turk. Turks and Caicos Islands has the third largest coral reef system and the best tropical beaches in the world, making it a premier beach, diving and snorkelling destinationIt's deep offshore waters serve as major transit points for Humpback Whales, spotted Eagle rays, Manta Rays and Turtles. Like to fish? Tuna, Wahoo and Blue Marlin inhabit these same rich waters. If you're a diver, or simply interested in diving, Grand Turk is the place for you. With many dive operators and schools it can cater from novice snorkels to experienced divers.
There is a small traditional fishing industry that continues throughout the Turks and Caicos islands on South Caicos in particular. The island of Providenciales is our main tourist island, you will find International style hotel accommodations, each one has its own unique set up and surroundings with most of them being located on the beach as well as world class spas and cuisine.
Residents on the islands are between 20,000 and 25,000 are known for their friendly spirit, which helps ensure this is a destination that helps people de-stress, feel comfortable and truly relax. Come see for yourself. We know your experience on this beautiful island will be nothing short of Grand!

     The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast of Miami. Take the time to explore Cockburn town's wonderful selection of historical buildings including many Burmudian and Colonial style buildings and ruins. That's just the beginning of all the things to see and do in Grand Turk. Turks and Caicos Islands has the third largest coral reef system and the best tropical beaches in the world, making it a premier beach, diving and snorkelling destinationIt's deep offshore waters serve as major transit points for Humpback Whales, spotted Eagle rays, Manta Rays and Turtles. Like to fish? Tuna, Wahoo and Blue Marlin inhabit these same rich waters. If you're a diver, or simply interested in diving, Grand Turk is the place for you. With many dive operators and schools it can cater from novice snorkels to experienced divers.
There is a small traditional fishing industry that continues throughout the Turks and Caicos islands on South Caicos in particular. The island of Providenciales is our main tourist island, you will find International style hotel accommodations, each one has its own unique set up and surroundings with most of them being located on the beach as well as world class spas and cuisine.
Residents on the islands are between 20,000 and 25,000 are known for their friendly spirit, which helps ensure this is a destination that helps people de-stress, feel comfortable and truly relax. Come see for yourself. We know your experience on this beautiful island will be nothing short of Grand!

     Although they are relatively new destinations for tourists from Europe and the United States alike, the Dominican Republic and La Romana, a city on the island's beautiful eastern coast, have been attracting visitors for many centuries.
     Their vocation is the legacy of what anthropologists have identified as the island's earliest settlers. The Taino Indians are thought by historians to have been a friendly, peace-loving race who farmed the land and lived quietly and simply in harmony both with nature and their fellow men.
     Extensive historical evidence of the Taino people has been painstakingly collected and can now be seen in the country's two main museums in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata. Historians who have studied the island's social and cultural development believe that the Dominican Republic had a highly complex structure. So much so, in fact, that Santo Domingo and La Romana (which was once much smaller than it is today) were once considered the only two cities on the entire continent.
     Fact or fiction, legend or history... what is certain is that Taino farmers had their own manuals for farming and fishing, and led highly active lives with plenty of religious activities as well as work. Evidence of this has been passed down through inscriptions and various artefacts, most of them made from the ceramics at which the ancient people of the Dominican Republic excelled.
     The first hint of revolution arrived of course with Christopher Columbus's first voyage. The explorer landed in the bay on 5th December 1492. He founded a small village, setting in motion a process of colonisation which soon led the island and its various activities to grow beyond measure.
     La Romana emerged as a city of traders and seafarers. Its port became a flourishing cultural hub thanks to its close linguistic ties to the nearby coasts: art and music did the rest. Santo Domingo and La Romana have always been a focal point for trade, wellbeing and entertainment, although they have only been recognised as such universally in the past few decades.
     La Romana is not only a thriving, bustling port: it is a beautiful city which boasts all the positive aspects of sea trade. La Romana lies towards the eastern area of the island: with the town of Punta Cana it is the key focus of culture and tourism along the entire coastline. La Romana is also known for its vicinity to San Pedro de Macorìs. Americans are more than familiar with this small village which nestles among sugar cane plantations: it has been feeding the US professional baseball league with natural-born talent for many years.
     Near to La Romana lie some of the most stunning beaches on the American continent, including Bayahibe and Dominicus. A short hop from La Romana and the coast, the Saona and Catalina islands have also become enormously popular tourist destinations in recent years. These paradise islands are the ideal location for lovers of the sea at its most unspoilt. Here the beaches stretch for kilometres, and swathes of white sand are lapped by the turquoise waters. It is the perfect setting for a number of beautiful nature reserves, foremost of which is the Parque Nacional del Este, or Eastern National Park. The Park is considered an international heritage site and covers an area of over 420 square kilometres.
     Saona Island and the village of Bayahibe lie within the park. In this setting, La Romana is shaking off its image as a port and emerging as the capital of a booming tourist trade. Every year thousands of tourists flock to its beaches, seeking their own corner of paradise where they can forget the stresses and strains of daily life, at least for a few days.