In dazzling Dublin, a city that knows just how to throw a party
Machine Drummers, circus acts and street buskers.
The excitement hots up at the Countdown Concert on St Stephen’s Green. Irish chart-toppers Walking on Cars will ring in 2017 with guests The Blizzards, Little Hours and Brian Deady.
On New Year’s Day there is music, comedy and poetry starting at 7pm at Christchuch Cathedral’s Sunday Assembly.
For an authentic taste of Dublin pub life, away from the tourist hotspots in Temple Bar, visit Merrion Row and Baggot Street. O’Donoghue’s, which dates from 1789, is a renowned venue where past performers include Christy Moore and The Dubliners.
The Eden Bar & Grill on South William Street in the heart of the Creative Quarter is a great option for food. The menu is vast and it caters for all tastes. I recommend the roast figs for starters and panfried hake for main.
An ideal place to stay for the New Year celebrations is the historic Buswells Hotel, a stylish Georgian PRAGUE: Book by November 12 and pay from £99 for two nights’ room-only at the four-star Diplomat Prague Hotel. Flights from Heathrow until December 6. Visit ba.com/prague or 0344 493 0125. ISRAEL: Depart Luton on November 17 for seven nights’ B&B at four-star Astral Coral Hotel property with a roaring fire in the reception. Inside, the rooms are warm and cosy, dressed in rich, luxury fabrics. The beds have goose feather duvets and there’s a bar downstairs selling craft beers.
You’re in the heart of the city, facing the Irish Parliament, close to St Stephen’s Green and a twominute walk from the luxury shops on Grafton Street, but it’s peaceful and there’s little traffic outside on Molesworth Street.
If you fancy getting out of the city, take the 20-minute journey on Eilat in Eliat for £418. Call 020 8974 7200 to book. CYPRUS: Book by November 21 for a week on B&B at three-star Natura Beach Hotel in Polis for £338. Flights are from Edinburgh on November 23. See olympic holidays.com or call 0208 492 6868. the DART rail system to the fishing village of Howth.
Its naturally beautiful surroundings and delicious seafood restaurants are the big draw here. There are also four walking routes to explore. Try the Bog of Frogs loop for views of the cliffs, Lambay Island and Baily Lighthouse.
You also get a great view of Ireland’s Eye, an uninhabited island off the coast with a long, sandy beach, where you might see dolphins in the bay and grey seals in the harbour. DUBAI: Pay £632 for a week’s B&B at four-star Majestic Hotel Tower. Travel from Manchester on November 22. Call 0208 705 0086. LAS VEGAS: Four nights’ B&B at 3.5 star Flamingo Hotel with car hire included is £685pp. Fly from Heathrow on December 12. Book it at travelcitydirect.com.