: For those that enjoy nothing more than checking out the latest trends to hit the catwalk, not to mention the ever-changing styles of high-street fashion, travel is without a doubt the path best taken. Take to the seas or sky and breathe in the air of a different culture, shop ’til you drop on streets brimming with haute couture and be part of the heart and soul of fashion at its best. For those keen to see and experience contemporary fashion, take a look at our guide to the most popular fashion cities around the world and make sure you don’t miss out on some key travel destinations.

A top spot for those passionate about fashion is Paris. With a wide range of iconic brands taking centre stage, this theatrical event is steeped in history, with Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior all making substantial appearances.

Take a walk down Avenue Montaigne or Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore and you’ll have a front row seat. Here, right by the Champs-Elysees Avenue, you’ll find yourself enveloped by shop after shop of elegant facades brimming with some of the most sensual fabrics and coveted designs in France and in the world. There are cheap flights to Paris from most UK airports, largely down to the number of low cost airlines that fly to France daily.

Deemed to be one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris is a fashion collection in its own right, with many well known designers choosing to make world news by showing their work here. When visiting the city, take a trip to The Arts Decoratifs Museum, where you may be lucky enough to catch one of their famed fashion exhibitions. Or if you’re really keen, plan your visit to coincide with Paris fashion week. Shown a moment after shows in New York and Milan, only the best attend, with every possible seat filled with of A-listers, fashion designers, models and journalists.

If your heart belongs to the catwalk, then you’ll not want to miss out on what London has to offer. London Fashion Week is, after all, a major event in the fashion industry diary. This is where you’ll find both the most well known and reputable designers, as well as some of the most promising new designers ready to take the world by storm.

At London Fashion Week, only the strongest brands make the cut, with a range of designers on show from Burberry to Stella McCartney. Catch a glimpse of their latest designs, whilst sipping champagne and enjoying the sights and sounds unique to this famous and unique show.

As if the show isn’t enough, London provides famous brand names and a range of shops in which to enjoy stylish clothing, from the corsets and lace of Vivienne Westwood to the refined and understated tailoring of The Savile Row.

Take to Oxford Street and you’ll find yourself surrounded by similar designer labels and well known high street names. Gap, Miss Selfridge and Topshop stand side by side with Selfridges, Harrods and Fenwicks. Take your pick and enjoy fashion in all its guises and at a range of prices perfect for those with a set budget.

Across the water, head to America and the city of New York for a true glimpse of the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry. Not only are leading designers such as Vera Wang and Armani based here, but you’ll have access to some of the most famed department stores in the world.

At Bloomingdale’s you’ll find trendy American brands, all at reasonable prices. With designer labels ranging from DKNY and Calvin Klein to Oscar de la Rentano and Helmut Lang, no age group will miss out, making this the quintessential family department store. Down on Madison Avenue, the designer labels extend, with a haute strip showing fifteen glorious blocks of ‘celebrity designer shops’. Browse amongst Jean-Paul and Giorgio, with Prada and Chanel just around the corner.

In stark contrast, although proving a key destination for world fashion exclusives, is Hong Kong. With a high output of quality fabrics and a growing reputation for textile design, you will find unique prints, classic style and all with a touch of the oriental.

Described as the world’s second largest as well as Asia’s largest fashion industry event, Hong Kong’s fashion week provides a key overview of latest trends and styles. High end products and high street fashions blend effortlessly, whilst some of the world’s top designers show their best work.

Visit Hong Kong and you’ll have access to a broad range of designer fashion, including work by John Rocha, Henry Lau and Vivienne Tan. Elegant, pretty and chic, Hong Kong fashion has earnt its reputation and is set to continue to grow and develop well into the 21st century, making the city a major fashion hub for new designers.

Last but by no means least is trendy and fashion conscious Milan. Visit this city and you’ll experience the highest quality fabrics and latest designs, mixed with the cool elegance of a place that oozes glamour. Milan, associated with a long history based in the fashion and textiles industry, is now a popular and effervescent fashion centre, inspiring some of the worlds leading designers.

Home to Giorgio Armani, Versace, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, to mention just a few, this is without a doubt a destination not to be missed. Whether you opt for a walk down the Piazza del Duomo or the Quadrilatero della Moda, you’ll find some of the best and most exclusive fashion boutiques.

With such an immense wealth of creative talent and dynamic style these cities each play a key part in bringing a joy and excitement to the catwalks. With so many of them easily accessible to us, why not add one of them to your next holiday abroad?

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Pittsburgh, PA

If you are looking for a fun vacation destination that will not break the bank, find hidden travel gems within the U.S. Pristine beaches, mountain scenes and cultural opportunities abound in American cities. Whether you travel by car or book a flight to your destination, the perfect vacation can be enjoyed without destroying your budget.

Those who focus on comparing credit cards will be able to choose the appropriate credit card that fits their vacation planning needs. Comparing credit cards helps you to select a card that provides you with the extra funds needed to finance your trip.

Hidden Travel Gems That Are Well Worth the Visit

Pittsburgh, PA may not be high on most people’s vacation lists, but you are missing out if you don’t place this dynamic city on your itinerary. A visit to Pittsburgh will provide you with interesting cultural opportunities including trips to the opera, ballet and museums.

If you enjoy sports, catch a Pittsburgh Pirates or Steelers game. Pittsburgh also provides you with a wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping venues and other places of interest.

Maybe you hate crowds and prefer to travel to a place that lets you get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. If this describes you, check out Wyoming. With its small population, plenty of elbow room and casual atmosphere, Wyoming is the ideal vacation spot for those who prefer peace and quiet.

Stroll through a Wild West town or visit Roosevelt National Park. Take a look at a Norwegian pioneer settlement or forts located along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Museums, restaurants and other fun locations await you in this Western state that is not just for would-be cowboys.

You have seen Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, but have you visited Arches National Park? Located in Moab, Utah, the park is known for its sepia-colored rock formations. You can also find various ranches near the park where the first Western movies were filmed. If you visit in September, be sure to check out the Moab Music Festival.

Beach lovers may wish to consider San Mateo County, California. Situated between Monterey and San Francisco, San Mateo County features breathtaking beaches and marine wildlife. Enjoy the hiking trails of the Santa Cruz Mountains and visit the farmers’ markets, restaurants and other unique sights.

They say that everything is big in Texas and Austin, TX offers a huge array of attractions for anyone who wants to enjoy culture, food and nature. Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Whether you enjoy Tejano music, rockabilly or anything in between, you can find it at a music venue in Austin.

Big name singers as well as unknowns sing their hearts out in music clubs throughout the area. Barbecue aficionados find plenty to keep their stomachs happy when they visit Austin as well.

If you seek the pleasures of a big city combined with the tranquility of a smaller town, make Baltimore, MD your destination. Dubbed Charm City, Baltimore features a leisurely pace of life with all the comforts of a large, metropolitan city.

View art at the Maryland Institute of College Art, the Walters Art Museum or the American Visionary Arts Museum. Vacationers who love sea animals will want to check out the National Aquarium, home to more than 16,000 animals. Come face to face with marine mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians.

: Venturing to a social travel network site can have a tremendous amount of benefit. Not everyone is well versed in the “ins and outs” of travel so a community where fellow travels congregate can be a perfect place for tips and advice. Then again, who said you have to be a newbie to get any value out of a social network site for travel. Even those who have been frequent travelers for many years will quickly point out that a social network site is the perfect place to go when you want access to a great many tips which could prove enormously helpful when wishing to plan out the perfect holiday.

Top Ten Things to do in Yellowstone Park

Do you want to know where to find the cheapest rates on hotel rooms or flights? Are you interested in learning what would be the “off the beaten path” places you could visit? Information such as this – and worlds more information — can be found on a great social travel network site. These sites are all about travel and there will never be a shortage of information on travel to be found on these sites.

The reason it is so easy to find such excellent information on a site such as this is because the members of the site will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the table. A person who may have several decades worth of experience traveling can probably bring forth all manner of knowledge which could prove immensely helpful to anyone who hopes to use the social travel network site for helpful tips will never be disappointed.

There is definitely another excellent benefit to signing up with a solid social travel network site. In addition to using it as a source of knowledge, you will also find it can be perfect for getting a great deal of entertainment. There can be quite a number of fun, interesting, entertaining, and even humorous musings found on a popular (or even not so popular) social travel network site. Why go through the informative albeit dull process of just reading travel magazines when interactive venues such as travel related social network sites are available.

The use of the word “community’ when describing social travel networks is not something that is done flippantly as it is among the most accurate of descriptions you could employ because there is quite a bit of interaction which occurs on these excellent sites.

This is not to say that stoic sites such as travel news and information resources lack value. They can certainly be very valuable. However, you will discover that when you have follow up questions, you won’t exactly get them easily answered. You also will not find any two-way activity on such a site which would certainly not be the case with a social travel network. After all, the whole idea behind such a site is to be…social. That means there will be a lot of interesting and fun interaction on the site making your time investment on it well worth it.

: Whoever was the person who came up with the idea for Hotels.com truly does deserve a great pat on the back. The ability to book hotel rooms online and at great convenience makes travel easier for everyone. The expanded abilities of the service to book plane tickets and car rentals further expand the convenience factor.

While convenience is definitely a good thing, the potential to save a great deal of money is even more interesting. This is why Hotels.com voucher codes catch the eye of those hoping to book a nice stay for business or personal reasons. Hotels.com has not only provided an ultra convenient way to do this. The ability to save money has been added to the travel booking equation. Alright, that statement does have to be amended somewhat. You are not only going to save money on the travel booking. You will be able to save a great deal of money. These voucher codes are not designed just to shave a little bit off the price. Rather, they are intended to cut costs tremendously. This way, people who have to book vacations to all different parts of the world can do so without breaking their budget.

Of course, Hotels.com does walk away from the process gaining the business of said traveler. Consider this “sly” approach one that benefits all parties equally. Actually, the person booking the travel arrangements may benefit even more since without access to Hotels.com voucher codes, it might not even be economically feasible to book such a trip. How be left out of all the enjoyment of such an amazing trip when Hotels.com voucher codes are specifically designed to ensure you do not have to overspend on your travel arrangements.

Are there any limitations regarding where you wish to stay? Honestly, the sheer array of hotels that are connected with the entire Hotels.com network is so vast that you would never run short of finding any booking arrangements.
One thing that does have to be taken into consideration here is that you might not always find the perfect accommodations or bookings you are interested in primarily As such, you do have to maintain a certain level of flexibility when you are looking to book your hotel or any other accommodations for your travel plans. However, you can take solace in the fact your acquisition of these arrangements just might come with a solid savings on the cost since Hotels.com voucher codes will be provided.

For those who are not in any rush to book their holiday or hotel accommodations, it might be best to take a little time out and seek to book your travel long in advance. Granted, there will be those instances where this is not possible. When it is possible to make your bookings several weeks in advance, it is best to do so. This way, you increase your potential to acquire the desired bookings without being disappointed in the booking you have to settle for. Really, you do not have to settle and you do not have to pay full price.

: The Greek islands are a fabulous destination for summer travellers, and as you embark on your luxury holiday to Greece, you will be greeted with phenomenal beaches, an abundance of sunshine and breathtaking views.

Kefalonia

Kefalonia - Mirtos beach

Located along the west coast of Greece, Kefalonia is the largest of seven Ionian Greek islands and noted for its incredible beauty. As you travel throughout the island, you will immediately notice a pleasing mix of both old and new. With ancient structures, quaint villages and picturesque views at every turn, Kefalonia seems to draw you in with its warmth and charm.

Kefalonia is well-known for its extraordinary beaches; as you make your way along the south west coast, you will find incredible views at Skala, Lourdas and Lassi. Before reaching Lassi, Grandakia is another noteworthy destination with its small coves, rocks and sea caves. At Aviathos, you will find a stunning beach beloved for its soft white sand, sandstone cliffs and exceptional views of the Ionian Sea. Spartia and Agios Thomas are also top destinations for their sandy coves, snorkeling and volcanic rock formations.

At Fiscardo, you will encounter a charming harbour village with distinct Mediterranean flair. Take in phenomenal views of the local hills, valleys and trails in this peaceful countryside. In the evening, the village is beautifully lit with soft white lights.

Small and intriguing, Assos Bay is pleasing to the eye with its tiled roofs and colourful houses. Walking up to the ruins of a 16th century Venetian castle you will pass vibrant green olives trees; although the walk is long and hot, you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the village below.

One of the most photographed locations in Greece, Myrtos is known world-wide for its natural beauty and exceptional beaches. Admire views of white rocky cliffs and clear blue waters.

Santorini

Located in the Cyclades islands, Santorini is another popular destination when taking a luxury holiday to Greece. Best known for its volcanic remains, inviting beaches and sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is a marvelous island to explore.

Reaching Fira, you will be swept away with fabulous views of historical cathedrals, towering cliffs that stretch to the sky and the Santorini Caldera.
Considered by many to be one of the most romantic locations in the world, Oia will leave you breathless with its surreal sunsets.

Santorini is home to many beautiful beaches. Cape Columbo beach has an isolated, peaceful ambience with striking cliffs and pristine landscaping. Red Beach is famous for the towering slab of black and red volcanic rocks that set behind it. White Beach is a cove situated next to Red Beach, and although both beaches are similar with their black volcanic pebbles, White Beach is named for its picturesque white cliffs.

: Do you have a foreign holiday booked for 2012? Great! Enjoy yourself, and be sure to send us a postcard when you get there. Of course, whether you’re surfing in Australia, hiking in Canada, or just soaking up the sun in Spain, there’s the small matter of foreign currency. You need some! Because when you’re on the Costa del Sol, shopkeepers don’t look too kindly on British ten pound notes.

But how do you get the best rate when you change currencies? To help in this regard, I’ve listed the 4 worst times to change currencies of 2011. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t change currencies when something like this happens!

1. Britain goes backwards (December) 

One of the worst times to change currencies is when the economy is in reverse gear. This is because, with output shrinking and unemployment rising, the pound is likely to be as strong as an Irish whisky mixed with one-part whisky and a thousand-parts water. Not strong at all in other words!

Hence, when it was announced that Britain had shrunk -0.3% in the last three months of 2011, investors fled the pound. This made it a terrible time to get your holiday money. In other words, make sure you change currencies when the economic news is good!

2. The US vanquishes its enemies (May) 

It’s also a bad time to change currencies when the US military machine is going full-on. When President Obama announced US special forces had assassinated Osama Bin-Laden last May for instance, the US dollar flew up as though it’d drunk a pint of nitro. That of course made it a lot more expensive if you were considering a trip to Las Vegas or California!

Instead, if you’re planning a break in the grand ole US of A, think about getting your dollars when the US is on the back foot. That’s likely to make the dollar weaker, meaning you (almost literally) get a lot more bang for your buck.

3. Japanese nuclear reactors explode (March) 

Somewhat perversely, buying yen turns out to be a terrible idea when Japanese nuclear reactors are on the erge of meltdown. Last March, several reactors at Fukushima threatened to explode following the tsunamis in the region. Instead of this causing the Japanese yen to plummet as you might expect though, it shot up!

This is because, for all the calamities that might have befallen Fukushima, Japan remains the third biggest economy in the world, and hence an extremely safe place to put money in times of crisis. Of course, if you were planning a trip to Tokyo or Kyoto last March, you couldn’t have picked a worse time to buy Japanese yen! It was extraordinarily strong, including against the UK pound.

4. China is buying Australian minerals (Always) 

The Australian dollar has strengthened some 50.0% against the pound since 2008, almost completely because of Chinese demand for Australian minerals. China’s need for things like coal and iron to fuel its ballooning economy has turned Australian mining from a minnow into a leviathan. That of course has rather helped the dollar. So –  alas – holidaying in Melbourne is a lot more costly now!

: The Bronx Zoo opened in the last year of the 19^th Century on a site formerly owned by Fordham University who sold it to the City for $1000. This 265 acre site holds the largest metropolitan zoo in the World.

The Bronx Zoo

Fordham’s motives were to ensure that there was a green belt between themselves and the ever developing urban sprawl that taking place even then.

It had less than 1000 animals when it opened but at the last count that figure has risen above 4000, 650 different species. These species include many that are endangered.

The outdoor African enthusiasts will not be disappointed as visitors to the “African Plains” exhibit can stroll past the King of the Beast, the Lion and herds of their prey species, zebra, gazelle and nyalas. The African Wild Dog is now extremely rare in the Wild so the Zoo is proud of its numbers which can be viewed from behind glass.

The geladas of the Ethiopian Highlands are in the “Baboon Reserve”  alongside ibex, hyrax and waterfowl. In sharp contrast to both these exhibits is the “Congo Gorilla Forest” which is a 6.5 acre rainforest housing 20 lowland gorillas. Other species such as the colubus monkey, the colorful mandrill and marmosets are also part of this exhibit.

The Zoo has a monorail which takes its visitors on a 20 minute journey through an area portraying Asia, its grasslands, forests and rivers. The jewel of Asia of course is the tiger which can be seen together with elephants, the Asian rhino and wild horses. The Bronx River has turtles, egrets, species of ducks and carp. This monorail only operates through the summer months incidentally.

Tropical Jungle is indoors; this is New York remember. The jungle has leopards, gibbons and tapir. The otters amuse everyone with their play while this exhibit also has insects, scorpions, stag beetles and toads, everything that would live in a similar environment in the outside world.

The butterfly garden provides real colour while there is also an indoor monkey house. The lemur of Madagascar is a fairly new exhibit. Madagascar developed in isolation from Africa and Asia and many of the species are unique to the Island.

The “World of Birds” is a walk-through aviary which is open all year round. If anything matches the butterflies for colour it is the birds with parrots, rollers, colour and vivid plumages.

The Zoo takes its role in conservation very seriously and so it is an obvious venue for wildlife found abandoned in any part of the World. To this end recent species that have found temporary or permanent homes in the Zoo are a young orphaned snow leopard from Pakistan and four young bear cubs.

There is certainly plenty to see in the Bronx Zoo within the boundaries of one of the major cities of the World. While little can replicate the real experience of being on the African plains or in the jungles of Asia, a visit may give you a taste for the real thing.

: Backpacking is a cheaper way to travel, allows for more choices and the destination possibilities are almost limitless.  An important consideration when choosing a destination is the safety.  The below are 7 of the safest destinations for backpackers.

1.  New Zealand
New Zealand is a favorite spot when it comes to the friendliness of locals and hostels.  There are over 350 hostels in New Zealand.  The benefits of staying in a hostel include safety at night, hot showers, full kitchens, internet access and a place to meet fellow backpackers.  Attractions in New Zealand include the mud baths of Rotorua, the Franz Josef Glacier and the Lord of the Rings Tour in Queenstown.

2.  Hungary
Hungary has more English-speaking people than any other country in Eastern Europe, lots of hostels and good public transportation.  More good reasons to backpack here include the Great Plain, Lake Balaton and the world’s largest thermal lake, Lake Hévíz.  Attractions include the Caves under Budapest, Margaret Island and soaking in one of the other thermal places in the country (80% of Hungary has thermal places).  Friendly people and great food are more pluses.  Check with destination guides for info such as weather and currency.

3.  Costa Rica
With a coastline that is 800 miles long, Costa Rica is great place if you want beaches.  Playa Jacó is known for waves, surfers and backpackers.  There are a number of hostels close to the beach at really low costs.  The Osa Peninsula and Quepos are two more great beach destinations for backpackers that are know for safety, friendliness and beauty.  Attractions in Costa Rica include the Pura Vida Waterfalls and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

4.  Indonesia
While all of Indonesia is great, Kuta and Obud are known as safe places for backpackers.  Kuta has tons of hostels, surfing beaches, shopping and good nightlife.  Attractions include the Bali Shell Museum, voyaging on the Odyssey Submarine and spas.

Ubud is quieter and prettier.  Attractions include the Ubud Monkey Forest, rafting on the Sobek Ayung River and the intricate rice paddies around the town.  Destination guides are a big help in foreign places because they can inform you on currency, the best times to visit and upcoming festivals.

5.  North Carolina (plus some)
The Appalachian Trail is around 2,181 miles long and extends through 14 states in the United States.  It is known as the “longest continuously marked footpath in the world”.  The A.T. has over 250 campsites and shelters for backpackers and receives around 2 to 3 million each year.  All portions of the trail are checked frequently which makes this a pretty safe place for backpacking.  Attractions are the many types of flora and fauna that backpackers get to see.

6.  India
India is known as pure adventure to backpackers.  The splendor of the Himalayans, the exotic beaches of Goa, the friendly people and the spicy food bring scores of backpackers to India every year.  The key to safety in India is the buddy system, which is common sense anyway.  Attractions in India include the Taj Mahal, the Elephanta Caves and the Backwaters of Kerala.

7.  Iceland
Regardless of the name, Iceland is actually known for hot springs, lava flows and steaming geysers.  The Laugevegur Trail is a favorite of backpackers who are ready for a 4-day trek that goes hut to hut.  Surrounded by barren hills, steaming vents and the arctic wind, it is easy to feel like you are on a different planet.  The Laugevegur is safe for backpackers and full of adventure.  Other Icelandic attractions include the Blue Lagoon and the Golden Waterfall.

: There is no doubt that Las Vegas is an amazing place to spend a vacation. With so much going on and things to do, it’s an ideal destination with something for everybody. Whether you are travelling there alone, with a group, or with a family, Las Vegas will be able to keep you entertained regardless. As well as being a holiday hotspot, it is also a popular destination for couples coming to get married. Every year over 120,000 couples come to Las Vegas to get married and then stay on to enjoy their honeymoon.

Wedding at the Grand Canyon

One of the earliest reasons that Las Vegas was such a popular destination for couples looking to tie the knot is that in Las Vegas obtaining a marriage license is inexpensive, easy and quick. In most cases a marriage license can be issued within an hour or at longest on the same day, all for around $60. The increase in couples coming to Las Vegas looking to get married has led to a Las Vegas wedding industry, with many different venues offering many different types of weddings.

However, despite being the “Marriage Capital of the World”, Las Vegas is still a special location in which to come and say “I do”. While to some, a Las Vegas wedding can be seen as a tacky affair (which they can be, but then it’s done on purpose!), in actual fact they are usually well planned, romantic and memorable occasions. When you also consider that Las Vegas is an ideal honeymoon location, then it makes perfect sense to combine the two together.

Despite being a home for special weddings, one of the most romantic locations for a Las Vegas wedding isn’t actually in Las Vegas, but at the Grand Canyon West Rim. Not only will the vows be exchanged outside in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet, but there will also be the peace and tranquility that you may not find with a wedding service in Las Vegas itself.

The best way to experience a wedding like this is to take one of the Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Wedding packages. With a package like this all a couple needs to worry about is booking it in advance so they can get the day that they want. Everything else is taken care of to make sure that the day runs smoothly and is as memorable and special as a wedding day should be.

A basic Grand Canyon helicopter wedding includes limousine hotel pick-up and drop-off from the helicopter, a helicopter flight between Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and back, a minister, a wedding cake, photographer, flowers and champagne. As with many helicopter tour packages there are upgrades available if you really want to push the boat out. For example if you wanted to experience a real Las Vegas wedding while at the Grand Canyon then you can upgrade your wedding to include an Elvis impersonator.

For most visitors to Las Vegas a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is a highlight of their vacation and an experience that they remember forever, so imagine how memorable your day would be if you combined one with your wedding!

Author: Sarah works for an online Las Vegas tour company that specializes in Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours.

: While Dublin has as many, if not more, fantastic attractions on offer than any other major city, it is never that easy to keep the kids suitably amused. Nonetheless, there are plenty of amusements for the little ones out there, if you know where to find them. This guide will help you do just that.

There are many hotels in Dublin city centre, ensuring that you’re not miles away from the entertainment. Most kids love the zoo and fortunately Dublin has one of the best in the country. Here you will find more than 235 different species of birds and animals, all of which are kept in conveniently separated departments such as ‘African Plains’, ‘Fringes of the Arctic’ and the ‘World of Primates’.

At the same time, the kids can visit the nearby City Farm, which has sheep, cows, donkeys and pigs. Located in Phoenix Park on the outskirts of the city, the zoo is within easy reach of the centre. Just take the no. 10 bus from O’Connell Street.

Another great place for animals is the Airfield House and Farm, close to Balally Station and again on the outskirts of the city. The bonus here, however, is that should the kids tire of looking at the animals you can always take them for a tour of the house or the fantastic car museum.

The gardens of the house are also ideal for some hide and seek in and among the horses, sheep and goats, while there are also plenty of educational but fun activities on offer throughout the grounds.

Alternatively, if the kids are more interested in the sea than the land, then there are plenty of options available. For example, the fantastic Sea Safari should be right up their street. On view here are some of the rarest marine life, exotic birds and wildlife, all of which are unique to Ireland. The safari takes place on an inflatable boat and is unfortunately deemed unsuitable for children under eight years of age.

If you do have very young children, the fun-filled Viking Tours will be the better option. The added advantage of this is that not only are the tours fun but they are educational too.

Take the opportunity to teach the kids something about Dublin’s rich history and you may even learn a thing or two yourself. The highlights include taking a trip on a World War I vehicle manned by some crazy Vikings and a journey along the recently developed Grand Canal.

For further water-based activities, head for the National Aquatic Centre. Set under one massive roof, this is the place to go when it is raining and hours of fun can be had in the aptly named Aquazone that includes ‘The Dark Hole’, the ‘Lazy River’ and the ‘Wave Pool’, which are some of the finest and largest water slides around.

The National Aquatic Centre is situated in Blanchhardstowns and is among Europe’s largest indoor water parks. For the smaller kids, ‘The Pirate Ship’ is ideal and will keep them amused for hours.

However, if the children are bored with animals, crazy Vikings and water slides, take them along to something different – a creative kids’ museum called Imaginosity. This splendid modern museum includes a massive climbing structure, galleries, theatres, art studios and even a performance space.

There is plenty here to keep even the most hyperactive child occupied for hours, whether they chose to act in the theatre, paint in the studio or carry out some construction at the ‘Construction Company’ department. There is even a small space set aside for the under threes.

Alternatively, The Ark is a cultural centre simply packed with fun and creative activities. Ideally suited to kids between 3 and 14 years old, this centre, which is situated in the city centre’s Temple Bar, has plenty to offer young fans of theatre, music and art.

Yet another favourite for the more artistic and creative kids is the fantastic Lambert Puppet Theatre situated in Monkstown. This is the only one of its kind in the whole country but it will certainly have the kids enthralled with the Lamberts Puppets’ rendition of classics such as Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Finally, if your kids are fans of castles, then the wonderful Malahide Castle will not disappoint. It is the ideal place to go whether you have girls or boys. For the boys, the Fry Model Railway is perfect, while the girls will be more than happy in Tina’s Palace, a massive doll’s house full of antique toys.

These places should be enough to keep even the hardest-to-please kids happy. Dublin certainly is a wonderful city to visit if you have children to entertain and there attractions for all ages. A weekend away in Dublin doesn’t have to break the bank – you can find cheap flights to Dublin departing from most major UK airports daily.