Altos de Chavón

Altos de Chavón Review

This re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village sits on a bluff overlooking the Río Chavón, about 3 mi (5 km) east of the main facilities of Casa de Campo. There are cobblestone streets lined with lanterns, wrought-iron balconies, wooden shutters, courtyards swathed with bougainvillea, and Iglesia St. Stanislaus, the romantic setting for many a Casa de Campo wedding. More than a museum piece, this village is a place where artists live, work, and play. Dominican and international painters, sculptors, and artisans come here to teach sculpture, pottery, silk-screen printing, weaving, dance, and music at the school, which is affiliated with New York's Parsons School of Design. The artists work in their studios and crafts shops selling their finished wares. The village also has an amber museum, an archaeological museum, and five restaurants.

A 5,000-seat amphitheater features Kandela, a spectacular musical extravaganza showcasing the island's sensuous Afro-Caribbean dance moves, music, and culture. Concerts and celebrity performances by such singers as Julio Iglesias, his son Enrique, Sting, and the Pet Shop Boys share the amphitheater's schedule of events. Show dates vary to coincide with cruise-ship arrivals; the price is $35 for adults, $15 for children up to 12 years old. Many people make dinner reservations at La Piazzetta (Altos de Chavón 809/523-3333, the high-end Italian restaurant in Altos that belongs to Casa de Campo, prior to curtain call, as it is close to the amphitheater. It is known for its antipasto selections, homemade pasta, and authentic regional dishes; strolling musicians enliven its rustic ambience of ceramic tiles and cobblestone terrace. 809/523-2424 for Kandela tickets. www.kandela.com.do.