DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ROMANTIC ACTIVITIES

Look for amber-encased mosquitoes, termites, ants, fern, cockroaches, and even a tiny lizard, is found at the Amber Museum 809-682-3309, in Puerto Plata. This Caribbean nation is one of only a few sites on the globe where amber is found. The popularity of Jurassic Park, where fiction gave scientists the ability to use DNA found in the mosquito blood to spawn dinosaurs, brings visitors flocking to this museum on the north shore of the island.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Fortaleza San Felipe still stands guard over the city and the harbor. Built by the Spaniards to protect the city from pirates, in this century it was used as a prison. The doors within the fort are only four feet tall, slowing down would-be attackers (and keeping tourists alert.) The fort includes a small museum with a collection of period weapons and cannon balls.

Another fort stands at the top of Pico Isabel de Torres, one of the highest points in the Dominican Republic. The dome-shaped fortress is topped with a statue of Christ similar to one that overlooks Rio de Janeiro.

Today the fortress is a gift shop for visitors who take the cablecar ride to the summit. The 18-person car travels up the mountain daily except Wednesday. Be warned, however, that lines to board the cars can be long.

Although the ride up the mountain was slow, the view from the summit makes it worth the wait. Through a gentle mist, you've look down on Puerto Plata, the city named for its "silver port," making it easy to see why Christopher Columbus wrote back to Queen Isabella, "This is the most beautiful land that human eyes have seen."

When we toured the mountain, our guide pointed west in the direction of Haiti and explained why the neighbor that shared one-third of this island had so many difficulties. "In Haiti, they have more people than land." He gestured out over the Dominican mountains, green with vegetation and devoid of any habitation. "We have more land than we have people."

The steep mountainsides are used for growing coffee, and the flatlands along the Amber Coast are rich with sugar cane. It is used in the production of another amber-colored product, this one produced at the Brugal Rum Factory 809-633-2907. Open weekdays, the factory takes visitors through the process of making 9,000 bottles of rum daily, 95% of which stay on the island.

Founded in 1496 by Christopher Columbus's brother, Santo Domingo has enough Old World history to fill a vacation. The city of over two million residents pulsates with plenty of New World vitality, a mix that keeps many visitors returning year after year. Here's a quick rundown of some of the best sights of Santo Domingo:

*El Alcazar. This palace was home of Christopher Columbus's son, Diego, and it served as the center of the Spanish court. Today it holds period furniture.
*Calle Las Damas. The oldest street in the New World, this street was named for the ladies of the Spanish court.
*Museo de las Casas Reales. The Museum of the Royal Houses is filled with 16th century exhibits, all housed in the former offices of the colony's government.
*Fortaleza Ozama. This former prison and fort was the first military station built in the Spanish colonies.
*Catedral de Santa Maria. The first cathedral in the Americas, this 1514 church has a Gothic interior and a Spanish renaissance exterior. Until 1992, the mausoleum here held the remains of Christopher Columbus.
*Faro a Colon. Columbus's Lighthouse, built in the shape of a cross, was constructed for the 500th anniversary of the landing of Christopher Columbus. Along with a museum, the building contains what are believed to be Christopher Columbus's remains.
*Amber Museum of Santo Domingo. This well-done museum explains the origin of amber, with examples of amber-encased insects and reptiles.

Although much of the Dominican Republic's early beach development was along the north shore in Puerto Plata, today an increasingly popular hot spot is the southeastern coastline.

Just over half an hour's drive from the metropolis of Santo Domingo lies Boca Chica. Once a quiet fishing village, today this beachside community is home of major tourist complexes, thanks to its location on the largest reef-protected lagoon in the Caribbean.

What Boca Chica once had, Juan Dolio now offers: tranquility. Although it, too, is increasingly popular, at the resorts of Juan Dolio travelers still find plenty of peace and quiet under the shade of a tall coconut palm or snorkeling in calm Caribbean waters.

East of Juan Dolio lies a town that may not be well known to travelers, but some of its former residents have become household names. The industrial port city of San Pedro de Macoris has produced more baseball players in the major leagues than any other community. Hey, is that Sammy Sosa?

You may not see any stars in the baseball capital, but you very well might make some stellar sightings at the next beach community: La Romana. This city is home to Casa de Campo, a sprawling resort that attracts a steady clientele of the rich and/or famous. Casa de Campo offers sporting activities ranging from polo to golf to skeet. Nearby is the recreated 16th century European village of Altos de Chavon where cobblestone streets meander past upscale restaurants and shops filled with artisans plying their crafts.

Offshore from La Romana lies Isla Catalina or Serena Cay, a popular stop with cruise ships as well as guests of Casa de Campo. Known for its white sand beaches, the diving here is some of the island's best.

Diving is also excellent in the village of Bayahibe, on the eastern end of the island. The coral reefs, filled with sponges, are popular not only with scuba buffs but also with anglers.

The easternmost tip of Hispaniola is Punta Cana (pronouced Poontah Cah-na), the home of the island's best stretch of white sand beach. This area was undiscovered until the construction of a Club Med in the 70s, isolated by dense jungle and accessible only by helicopter or boat. Today, however, Punta Cana has definitely been discovered. Here lie many of the Dominican Republic's all-inclusive resorts and facilities that range from championship golf to shopping to fine dining.