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Trip Ideas
- Where to Go
- The Best of the Dominican Republic
- A Nature Lover’s Dominican Trek
- The Sexiest Dominican Beaches
- Historical Dominican Road Trip
- A Dominican Culture Tour
- Carnaval and Its Masks
- Planning Your Dominican Wedding
- Dominican Adventures
- Golfing the Dominican Republic
- Dominican Music and Dance
- La Ruta del Mango
- Day-Tripping in Monte Plata
- The Best Small Resorts
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On January 21, Día de la Altagracia, thousands of devoted pilgrims from all over the Dominican Republic come to La Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia to fulfill promises made in prayer to the Virgin Mary, the Dominican patron saint, and touch the painting of her that hangs behind the altar.
But it’s not only Catholicism that draws people to Higüey for Altagracia Day. As with anything in the Dominican Republic, where there is a gathering, there is dancing in the streets to blaring merengue music and flowing rum. Oranges, conveniently in season this time of year, are abundantly for sale in honor of the legend that the Virgin Mary appeared in an orange tree to a sick little girl, miraculously healing her.
© Ana Chavier Caamaño from Moon Dominican Republic, 4th edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.