For a while, it seemed like Ireland's capital city would keep climbing the global cities index indefinitely, not stopping till it overtook all the commercial, industrial, and tourist centers of the West. That dropped off a bit in 2009, but Dublin's still a top-tier metropolis, from über-hip Temple Bar to highly respected Trinity College to its status as headquarters of the International Rugby Board. The city is located at the mouth of the River Liffey; the river divides its north and south sides. Landmarks include the Spire, Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, and… the Guinness Storehouse.

In addition to its commercial cachet, Dublin has always been a hotbed of creative talent: Writers like James Joyce and poets including William Butler Yeats are part of the city's literary legacy, while famous Dublin actors include Colin Farrell and Gabriel Byrne. Oh, and as for music? There's this little band called U2...