AVOCA

WHERE: 11-13 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 | 10-minute walk from the apartment | WHAT: Mini-department store | TIMES: 9am-6pm, Monday to Saturday; 10am-6pm on Sundays

A 7-level mini-department store, Avoca is like an aladdin's cave. Everything from exclusive designs to Irish crafts, it's a perfect place to pick up a gift or something uniquely Irish - throws, scarves, blankets etc. It was listed by Vogue UK as one of the Best 100 Shops Outside London. On the top floor, there is a beautiful cafe (open for breakfast and lunch), and the basement contains an artisanal food market.