If you are looking for an island that will truly be an escape, then Isla Catalina is the answer. No, this is not the Catalina off the California coast, but it is just a forty-five-minute boat ride from Casa de Campo, in the Dominican Republic. Discovered by Christopher Columbus, it has remained uninhabited to this day. Only nine and a half square kilometers, it is a preservation of the main Caribbean eco-systems which include sand dunes, mangroves, and reefs, just to name a few.

Catalina is perfect for a day of swimming, hiking and exploring. The entire island is formed out of coral stone and has three overlapping plateaus. The highest elevation is sixty feet above sea level! In fact, there is absolutely no fresh water on the island. There is only one water source the animals drink from, and even it has traces of salt in it.

Take advantage of this island that remains untainted by the fast-paced society that so many are all too accustomed to. Amaze yourself while marveling at the exotic birds, wild monkeys and "rattleless" rattlesnakes that call this island paradise home. Relax, take a deep breath, and cleanse your soul while sitting on the salted white sands. During the day, try to distinguish where the sea ends and the sky begins. At sunset, be mesmerized at how the colors of flames set fire to the sky and be transported to another world.