Hook into the Alta Bella Fishing Lodge

Luxury Vacations: The charm of 17th century Venice definitely has an aura worth bottling and preserving forever, as so many spots around the world imitate its old-world charm. The Alta Bella Fishing Lodge at Cap Cana is the latest with its lush and plush Venetian-theme luxury resort community that is currently in development. When it is completed, the lavish "town within the island" will encompass over 25,000 acres, including a six-mile stretch of white-sand beach and turquoise-blue waters. Cap Cana is located at the eastern-most tip of the Dominican Republic.

The 30-acre Alta Bella Fishing Lodge will be the centerpiece of the development. It will include a five-star hotel, luxurious condominiums, and private villas. Three Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course will dot the landscape. The community will include a huge full-service spa, tennis courts, swimming facilities, and polo grounds. A 5,000-seat amphitheater and a casino will stoke the nightlife. There are plans for 10 international restaurants and a 120,000-square-feet area is measured off for boutiques and stores.

One-, two- and three-bedroom hotel-condominium units, at pre-construction prices, will be available in the fall 2006. The living area of the units is from 850 up to 5,500 square feet. Fractional-ownership opportunities also are available. Construction is to be completed by fall 2008. Prices of property in the Dominican Republic are very competitive compared to other parts of the Caribbean Islands.

For LxM James Rothaar