It's noisy. There's risk attached. It has an indecipherable jargon all of its own. It's Ramp City, detested by adults but a must for children.
Last treats
Based in a 6,500 sqft warehouse in Santry, in north Dublin, it has all the paraphernalia thrill-seeking skateboarders and rollerbladers could wish for: a half-bowl, quarter- pipes and flat banks - whatever they are. Weekday passes cost €8. Weekend sessions run every two hours and cost €6. Call 01-8426322 or visit www.rampcity.net. - Madeleine Lyons
Plan a break
Shopping days, cultural nights: It's easy to appreciate the rich history of Copenhagen, the home of the Little Mermaid, with its cobbled squares, copper spires and perfectly preserved palaces.
But the waterside city has lots more to offer, from world-class museums to radical fashion exhibitions and Europe's longest shopping street. Unusual autumn events include Herring Day (October 9th) and the Night of Culture (October 8th). Details from www.woco.dk. Two nights (with a third free if you travel Sunday-Tuesday) costs €339 plus tax from Arrow Tours (041-9831177).
Autumn springs: Budapest (above) is a city of 100 thermal springs, making it perfect for a relaxing - and inexpensive - autumn break. Divided by the Danube, the city is an atmospheric mix of Roman, Gothic, baroque and art-nouveau architecture. Highlights include a soak in a spa, an evening champagne cruise, a visit to the Statue Park, with its giant communist monuments, and the Christmas market (from December 1st). Details from www.visithungary.ie. Four nights in a three-star hotel costs €299 plus tax for travel between November 1st and December 15th, from Go Holidays (01-8744126). - Sarah Marriott
Watch Out
The brightly banded snail of sand dunes, Cepaea nemoralis, comes in several colours - its empty shells were once collected to make necklaces for tourists. Different colours confuse the snail's predators, or so the theory goes. A song thrush has a "searching image" of a snail, and by deciding that snails are yellow, for example, it leaves the pink ones alone, and vice versa. Whatever the shade, the snail's shell nearly always coils the same way, spiralling to the right. Conchologists once sorted 8,000 empty shells at Bundoran, Co Donegal, and only one - the 6,021st - was a left-hander. -Michael Viney
Stars and Gripes
Simon Casey, singer
Best holiday: It was probably in Sicily this year. It was well needed, because I'd been so busy: it meant I could spend time with my girlfriend, who I hadn't seen much of lately. Everything about it was brilliant, and it was well worth the experience.
Worst holiday: A holiday to Clifden, in Co Galway, when I was a young lad. There was no running water, no electricity and it rained for the whole week. Let's just say it was an experience. - in conversation with Fiachra Ó Cionnaith
Get Out
Where to go, what to see: For entertainment listings, see The Ticket, every Friday in The Irish Times, or go to www.ireland.com/theticket
