St. Kevin's Kitchen, a stone church built in the 12th century, is one sight to see in Country Wicklow's pastoral Glendalough, 40 miles outside of Dublin.
Why you'll love it
Dublin is paradise for history buffs. Start at Trinity College Library, where you can see the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript written in 800 A.D.; from there, walk to Dublin Castle and Christ Church Cathedral. Unwind in Temple Bar, the historic district where pubs and shops line cobblestone streets. For a change of scenery, day-trip into County Wicklow, which Terry McCabe of Altour Travel says is known as the "garden of Ireland."
Why it's a deal
Flights to Dublin have been at least 15% cheaper than the European average for the past five years, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. And that trend -- owing in part to lower airport taxes and aggressive pricing from Aer Lingus -- is expected to continue. Ireland's economy remains weak, so you'll find the costs when you get there bearable, despite the country's being on the euro. Hotel rates, for example, dropped 6% last year, per Hotels.com.
Where to stay
The contemporary Maldron Hotel Parnell Square (maldronhotels.com; summer rates starting at $102 a night) is within walking distance of Temple Bar and the Abbey Theatre.
By Anne C. Lee
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