Set almost midway along Ireland’s east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey, Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is an intriguing melting pot of international cultures, eclectic architecture, and welcoming locals. With its ever-growing immigrant population, Dublin is now home to a wealth of ethnic restaurants serving up an array of exotic culinary delights. Despite this multiculturalism, Dublin has managed to preserve much of its traditional Irish culture, particularly evident in its fine literary history and fascinating folklore. While the city is over a thousand years old, it has a decidedly 21st-century feel: glitzy shopping centres and state-of-the-art skyscrapers exist alongside the city’s myriad ancient cathedrals, Georgian squares, castles, and historical monuments. Make sure to pop into one of Dublin's legendary pubs, order a Guinness, and strike up a conversation with one of the friendly locals.