The first trip I made on arrival in the Dominican Republic in my cruise adventure was to a destination near La Romana town, the port where the ship docked, after the first night of sea journey. In Altos de Chavon. Some people would love to use this location for their wedding, as long as they search for Altos de Chavon wedding prices. 

The story of Altos de Chavon village has a unique nature. In only a few parts of this world, you can see something somewhat artificially created that perfectly identifies with the spirit of the place, giving you a good state and emanating high positivism. I’ve said it before, and I repeat it anytime. If the place I’m in sends me positive energies, I’ll love it all my life and recommend it to everyone. In Altos de Chavon, it’s impossible not to feel good.

Altos de Chavon village in La Romana

In 1976, Charles Bludhorn, President of Paramount Pictures, an American millionaire, had an idea. To use the stones resulting from the explosion of a mountain near the Chavon River (blown up to make a road) to construct a medieval Mediterranean village, “cut out” of the 16th-century reality, in an architectural style he had seen through the capital of Santo Domingo. Proud father, Mr. Charles thought to make a gift for his little girl for the moment when she will be an adult. The works (made by the Italian architect Roberto Copa) lasted six years. In the end, the result was a jewel. A mini-town, which includes many beautiful places. A Roman amphitheater, a splendid church (dedicated to Saint Stanislav of Krakow – in honor of Pope John Paul II, who visited Santo Domingo in 1979 and gave the city some of the remains of this saint), picturesque houses, restaurants, bars, art shops, a museum and other such wonders placed in the fabulous scenery guarded by the course of the river Chavon.

Today, Dominique Bludhorn, Charles’s daughter, is the Cultural Foundation Altos de Chavon president. The people of La Romana (including our crazy guide, with the likes of an exalted pastor in search of minor roles in Hollywood) seem to love him who created this small universe, which was inaugurated in 1982 when Frank Sinatra himself concerted in the 5,000-seat amphitheater. After that, many international music celebrities have been here, from Pet Shop Boys to Julio Iglesias, from Gloria Estefan to Sting, from Carlos Santana to Air Supply.

Altos de Chavon looks like a little heaven

Altos de Chavon looks like a bit of heaven. I climbed the staircase leading to the church bell (during which many weddings take place on weekends), and I looked along the river Chavon, in the distance, unnecessarily searching for the traces of a tribe from the Taino population, who populated the island before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists. A week later, I was going to see one, disguised, playing the statue on the streets of the capital Santo Domingo. But beyond having left the imagination in the wind for a few minutes, sending it over the rooftops, Altos de Chavon conveyed to me the message that you do not have to run to find peace of mind. At some point, in smaller or larger doses, she’ll find you.

We then went, quickly and through La Romana, for the classic stop at the souvenir shop, where the guides have their deals, with the necessary commissions. La Romana is the seventh-largest city in the Dominican Republic, founded at the end of the 19th century. The only thing worth considering from the bus window was the Cathedral of Santa Maria La Menor and San Nicolas built in the 16th century. Otherwise, the city’s most important attraction is the Casa de Campo, a vast superb resort, opened in 1974, which has three golf courses.

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