Dublin's Fair City

The Guinness Brewery, the buskers in Grafton Street on a Saturday afternoon, any night on the town and discovering the gem that is the Globetrotters Hostel.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Dublin is walkable but I would also recommend a day hopping on and off one of the open-top bus tours around the city. That way you can get oriented and check out some of the tourist sights along the way.

A gem of a hostel in a city of hits and misses. With an hospitable feel as soon as you walk through the door, this place will be a welcoming place to rest a weary head. Rooms are clean and comfortable, with ensuite shower rooms and nice built-in pine bunk beds with big drawers to put your bags in. Breakfast is incredible, with the choice of a full Irish fried feast as well as cereals, yoghurt, fruit, fruit juice, muffins and loads more.

For more visit www.townhouseofdublin.com

DON''T STAY HERE, unless you are pretty desperate... We were and regretted not booking in advance. After the Globetrotters (see previous journal) this place was very depressing. Very tired decor, worn out beds and mattresses, smelly bathrooms and freezing cold showers, need I go on? Oh and don''t expect breakfast.. there is a kitchen, but I didn''t dare look at it!

It has to be the sign of a great Italian restaurant when the place is full of Italians! A cosy restaurant serving great pizza and pasta and the staff are get friendly the longer you stay (and the more you buy).

Not cheap in backpacker standards, but wouldn't break the bank of the average low budget traveller.. A window seat affords great people watching opportunities.

Having trudged round the streets of Temple Bar several times to find the cheapest peppered steak, we ended up back where we started, outside a cosy little bistro off the main drag.

Not the budget establishment I am used to, but it was worth the extra few punts to get the peppered steak I'd be hankering for. It was absolutely divine, although we were pretty hungry by the time we ate. It's a good idea to either book a table or eat a bit earlier than 10pm in Temple Bar, even on Friday night.

There are lots of great stops along the way, but I recommend just staying onboard for one complete circuit of the city first. That way you get an idea of what's out there and can plan the stops you want to do on the second circuit.

The bus stops at all major attractions including the Guinness Brewery, several museums and galleries, Dublin Castle and St Patrick's Cathedral among others.

Your ticket also gets you discounts on entrance fees to most of the attractions along the route.

No trip to Dublin would be complete without some experience of Guinness, even if its just a pint of the black stuff! But for the full story, why not visit the Guinness Storehouse, opened in December 2000? You'll discover all there is to know about the world famous beer and the man that started it all, Arthur Guinness.

The storehouse is open Monday to Sunday until 5pm in the winter and until 7pm in the summer. Admission rates are £9 for adults, £20 for a family (2 adults and 4 children) and this includes a free pint of the black stuff in the sky bar (with impressive views over Dublin).

You can get to the Storehouse on the Dublin City Tour buses, or a regular number 123 bus from O'Connell Street.

For more information call the information line on 01 453 8364 or check out the website at www.guiness.com