If, however, you want to include gastronomy in your exploits of the Dominican Republic, the breakfast experience provides a chance to sample several typical Dominican dishes. Of all Dominican breakfast foods, mangu, a delicious puree of plantain, is surely No. 1. Other variations are made with yuca or auyama. If you come across yautia, batata, name or pan de fruta, do not hesitate to

sample them, accompanied by lots of sauteed onions, spicy Dominican breakfast sausage and queso frito, the tasty fried white cheese.

You are in for a jewel of a taste if habichuelas con duke, or sweet beans - the much-loved Dominican Easter delicacy - are served. Consider that your holiday adventure starts each day at the breakfast table.