Going to spend some time in Dublin and want to do it in style? Then expect the Clarence to come up whenever you search for references to ‘Dublin’s finest hotels’. Given such overwhelming evidence, we took everyone’s word for it and booked a few nights of delicious R&R at the iconic city centre pad.

It proved a popular decision – not just with ourselves, but with virtually everyone we mentioned it to. Our taxi driver further added to a sense of anticipation that had been raised by Irish friends back home, as he drove us to the very place. “Ah, the Clarence, now that’s one of our best.” The fact that Bono and The Edge of U2 own this fine establishment naturally adds to its glamour, but you sense this is certainly not the only reason for the hotel’s fame. (more…)

Vanilla can easily be described as one of the coolest new eateries in town. Descending steps from street level you have the impression of entering a club, a sensation that is enhanced as you step into the Vanilla Lounge, the bar and lounge area that makes up the ‘vanilla flower’ as it were. Following this theme the tones are soft creams, diffused with coloured lighting that creates a wonderful blend of vodka bar cool and retro futurism. Call me crazy but the latter always gets me a little excited. No dreary standard contemporary décor here then; that interior designer was not hired for the job. (more…)

From opulent shops, restaurants, hotels and trendy night time spots to thriving culture and beautifully renovated historical sights, Dublin is at the forefront of a modern revival boosted by high economic growth and the rise in wealth that accompanies it. Gourmet, Michelin-star aspiring restaurants have mushroomed, as have avant-garde design hotels and bars, not to mention a plethora of shops and boutiques where it is surprisingly easy to spend profusely.

Amid all this new energy and forward-looking confidence there are still the old famous sights to enjoy, like Trinity College and the town castle. Chances are they’ve had a recent clean up and look as revitalised as the city feels, but search a bit deeper and you will still find the Ireland of old, with its sticky-carpeted pubs that smell of stale beer and haven’t seen a decorator since the Suez Crisis. Such places offer little to please the eye yet it is here that you will get a glimpse of the character and sense of humour for which these islanders are famous. Whatever your preference, seek and ye shall find… (more…)

Tucked into the verdant Salzach Valley, not far from Salzburg, is the pretty alpine village of Werfen. A fairytale town in a fairytale setting, it wouldn’t be complete without the impressive Hohenwerfen Castle that overlooks it from an imposing position. From here, you survey an alpine wonderland of pastures and forest that is transformed into white finery in winter. Other attractions of the area include the Eisriesenwelt – the world’s largest ice cave – and the Obauer, a celebrated two-Michelin Star restaurant that draws visitors from across Austria, and indeed far beyond it.

For food enthusiasts, the Obauer is a must-experience destination in Austria, laden as it is with distinctions, awards and effusive diner reviews. Named after and run by the Obauer brothers, Karl and Rudi, the restaurant celebrates local produce and traditions, but does so at an internationally high level. The brothers had earned their stripes across the continent before setting up for themselves in 1979, with Rudi learning his trade in France alongside such culinary masters as Emile Jung, Alain Chapel and the Trosgros brothers. (more…)

Although small in area, Mallorca’s diversity of landscapes, climates and impressions allows it to cater to a great many different tastes, something that has helped to preserve its age-old appeal as a cherished beacon in the seas. Indeed, the fact that Palma’s international airport is the third largest in Spain is an indication of just how prosperous the island has grown on the tourist trade.

But Mallorca’s popularity as a place to soak up the sun, splash around in azure seas and just get away from it all is not a new phenomenon. Evidence suggests that Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans alike used this jewel of the Mediterranean as a place of retreat and repose, making it one of the oldest known tourist destinations in the world. What drew them to this fair isle becomes evident once you lay eyes on its sandy beaches, sheer cliffs, rocky alcoves and deep blue seas.

The largest of the four islands that make up the Balearics, Mallorca’s attractions have not always appealed to peaceful visitors alone. For centuries, it was plagued by pirates, mostly the Corsairs from the Barbary coasts of North Africa, who raided, raped and pillaged, and even carried off citizens to the slave markets of Algiers and Tunis. This menace and the tugs of war between Spain, Britain, France and other powers explain the presence of the many coastal forts and watch towers now used for rather more recreational purposes. (more…)