Dublin is one of only a handful of cities that holds international appeal and influence - a fact made more unique because its fame is based almost exclusively on cultural output. Dublin may not have an instantly recognisable building or landmark, but ask a listener to come up with images of Dublin and the results flood in: Molly Malone, a cold pint of Guinness, a late-night pub session. Neil Hegarty examines this legacy of Dublin's 'cultural capital' to bring the city, and its people, to vivid life.

A rich story encompassing art, literature, architecture, politics and more, Dublin follows a general chronology, but the chapters are organised around themes - crime and punishment, power and rebellion, urban calamity (fire, flood, disease), the sacred and the profane - that occur and recur throughout the city's history.Larger historical trends - the effects of the city's Penal Laws, the establishment of a Catholic middle class, the dizzying pace of change in the wake of the Celtic Tiger's economic reforms - are seen through the experiences of leaders and pioneers, as well as that of ordinary citizens, to create one of the most wide-ranging and nuanced portraits of Dublin ever published.

18/2/08

In Britain we claim to know a lot about Indian cuisine - we have London's Brick Lane and Manchester's Curry Mile, and takeaways jostle for space on high streets up and down the country. But what we experience as 'Indian' is just as likely to be Bangladeshi, or British, or a watered-down mixture designed especially for the western palate. Indian cuisine is much more diverse than we might imagine - just as diverse, in fact, as the Indian people themselves.

With its rugged setting and vast collection of Medieval and Georgian architecture, Edinburgh is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and there are over 4,500 listed buildings within the city. One of Europe's major tourist destinations, Edinburgh attracts around 13 million visitors a year, and is the second most visited tourist destination in the United Kingdom, after London.

15.10.09

Heading to the highest point of any European country is an experience not to be missed. The continent has a wealth of adventure and a huge variety of dazzling scenery awaiting the hiker. Each of Europe's 50 countries celebrates its national high point in a different way.