Dominican Republic

SI Staff | Feb 12, 2016

Where did we go?

La Romana, in the southeastern Dominican Republic.

Why did we go?

A virtual reality shoot calls for a site with beauty in every direction, and this one is so eye-catching that we also shot our model search feature here.

Where did we stay?

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, located on a sprawling 7,000 acres. It's a sophisticated destination that offers everything from a full-service spa to polo to the top-rated golf course in Latin America to wine and food festivals. And nearby is Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village that hosts concerts in a 5,000-seat, ancient Greek-style amphitheater.

What did we do?

Availed ourselves of the polo ponies, though unlike our adventures in Turks and Caicos, the horses stayed dry. We also took a boat to nearby Catalina Island, where we browsed shops.

What did we eat?

One of the many restaurants at Casa de Campo is the Beach Club, a partnership with the family behind New York City's famed Le Cirque. Recent additions include Pubbelly Sushi (a quaint tavern that serves all manner of raw fish) and SBG, which boasts a Mediterranean fusion menu.

What did we bring home?

As much as we wanted to show off our killer tans, we couldn't help but pick up some gorgeous handmade wraps crafted by local artisans.