Two fabulous cities perfect for a girls’ minibreak – which would you prefer?
Dublin
DEPUTY Fashion Editor Abby McHale found plenty of good craic in the Irish capital.
The Pad: In the heart of Dublin and set within elegant Georgian townhouses, boutique gem The Dean Townhouse is all about sumptuous, quirky decor in jewel-tone shades.
Rooms come with luxe velvet headboards, bold-print wallpaper, rain showers, Marshall speakers and mini Smeg fridges.
Start the day at Sophie’s, the rooftop restaurant on top of its sister hotel next door, The Dean, where you can feast on French toast with crispy bacon for breakfast.
Come sunset, soak up the 360-degree views of the city with cocktails like Mary Had A Little Lamb – a concoction of spiced rum and coconut and banana liqueurs, £12.50 – alongside dishes such as beef cheek and burnt leek croquettes, £11.50, all served to a chilled soundtrack (Sophies.ie). There’s also a tiny pool, gym and sauna.
Explore: First-time in Dublin? Hit the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and discover how the black stuff is made.
See your picture printed on top of a pint, then head to Gravity Bar for panoramic views and a tipple. Tours cost from £22.50 (Guinness-storehouse.com).
A trip to Trinity College is also a must. Dating back to 1592, it’s one of Europe’s oldest universities. Wander the grounds channelling Marianne from Normal People and spy the ancient manuscript The Book Of Kells, written on calfskin. Entry costs from £15.90 (Visittrinity.ie).
Later, mooch around Dublin’s array of vintage shops in the lively Temple Bar district – Lucy’s Lounge on Fownes Street is legendary (Instagram.com/lucyslounge), while Nine Crows on Mary Street is a ‘90s and ‘00s treasure trove (Shopninecrows.com).
Refuel: For top-notch sourdough pizza, head to PI, opposite the famous Temple Bar and order the signature honey-soaked ‘nduja pizza, £13, or the pork and pineapple masterpiece with peanut rayu “craic sauce” and wash it down with a Dan Kelly’s cider (Pipizzas.ie).
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Or if you’re craving Indian food, pop by chic Doolally, which serves up delicious dishes such as tandoori prawns, £15.50, truffle-cheese naan, £5.50, and dal makhni, £15.50 (Doolally.ie).
At the quirky Peruke & Periwig on Dawson Street, raise a toast with a Cold S’mores cocktail – a creamy vodka delight with a biscuit rim and marshmallow topping (Peruke.ie).
Or dream of Spanish holidays at new-kid-on-the-block Bar Pez, with its stripped-back interiors, incredible wines by the glass, from £6, and moreish snacks, such as lobster toast with seaweed mayo (Barpez.ie).
Don’t Miss: The Little Museum of Dublin plays host to the most entertaining and informative half-hour tour ever. Plus, there’s an entire room dedicated to U2! Tours cost from £13 (Littlemuseum.ie).
Book it Double rooms at The Dean Townhouse cost from £133 a night, (Thedean.ie). Return flights from UK airports to Dublin start from £30 per person.
Glasgow
Columnist Kate Wills sought out mouth-watering feasts and a gin spa in this Scottish gem.
The Pad: Just five minutes’ walk from Glasgow Central Station, on the banks of the River Clyde, the Clayton Hotel was once a 19th-century custom house. Rooms are modern and spacious, but be sure to bag a river view, or the suite with a bath to soak up the vistas in style.
Breakfast is delicious, too – do try the haggis pudding.
Explore: Head to Glasgow’s East End for vintage-lovers’ Barras Market on weekends, spotting street art along The Mural Trail on the way (Barrasmarket.com).
Nearby, catch a gig with legends like the Happy Mondays and Goldfrapp at ’60s venue Barrowland Ballroom (Barrowland-ballroom.co.uk).
Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens are also well worth a stroll.
The giant glass dome houses carnivorous plants, orchids and tree ferns (Glasgowbotanicgardens.com).
Later, hire a bike from Gear Bikes, £15 for half a day (Gearbikes.com). Cycle along the Kelvin Walkway, a tree-lined path along the River Kelvin, to the fountains of Kelvingrove Park and the free Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Glasgowlife.org.uk).
Refuel: Cafe Gandolfi has been an institution since 1979 – try the ‘nduja mince and tatties, £13.50 (Cafegandolfi.com).
On Ashton Lane, book a table at plant-packed foodie heaven Ubiquitous Chip for dishes like grilled leeks with truffle custard, £18 (Ubiquitouschip.co.uk).
Or nab a table at fancy Glaschu (pronounced Glas-a-hoo) and tuck into Cumbrae oysters, £3.50 each, thyme-roasted venison, £29, and sticky date and walnut pudding, £8 (Glaschurestaurant.co.uk).
Meanwhile, you’ll struggle to find better cocktails than at Gin71 Renfield Street. Our pick? The rhubarb and cherry sour, £10 (Gin71.com).
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Don’t Miss: The world’s first Gin Spa. Book the full-body massage with citrus and juniper oil, £115 including a G&T, at this fab secluded spot (Ginspa.co.uk).
Book it Double rooms cost from £86 a night (Claytonhotelglasgowcity.com). Plan your trip at Visitscotland.com.