Time to go Home Argentine Patricia O'Shea was running a PR company in Dublin when she met her husband-to-be, music producer Tom Rixton. When they went to Buenos Aires to get married, they found there was a distinct lack of suitable accommodation for their weddings guests. They decided to open up their own hotel, called Home, in the Palermo Viejo a year and a half ago and the results are stunning . . . think landscaped pool gardens, killer cocktails, super sounds and a quirky design. Go all out and book the Loft, which sleeps four and comes with a decked terrace, jacuzzi, fully-equipped kitchen and generous sleeping and dining space. Wallpaper* and Conde Nast Traveller are huge fans too.

Honduras 5860, Palermo Viejo (00 54 11 4778 1008; www. homebuenosaires. com).

Put a Cork in it For a small town, Kinsale boasts more than its fair share of enticements. It's renowned for its gourmet fare, the sailing is great and it also attracts culture vultures with its Arts Week, taking place 7. . .15 July. But for oenophiles (that would be wine aficionados to the less sophisticated amongst us) the area has the distinction of possessing a wine museum celebrating the history of the Winegeese families, the 17th-century emigrants who became important players in the wine industry.

Histories of such famous names as Lynch, Hennessey and Barton are recounted in the museum, which is situated in Desmond Castle, a five-minute walk from the town centre. Opening hours are 10am. . .6pm and you can visit www. wildgeese. ie for more information.

Fair play Moving from college into the real working world can be a traumatic experience . . . no more lie-ins, midweek hangovers or week-long computer game marathons. At least Iarnrod Eireann will still treat you like a student, as long as you're under 26. Their Faircard entitles you to substantial discounts on train fares nationwide . . . think 29 for a Dublin-Galway return instead of the 45 full price ticket. Get yourself down to your nearest train station with a photocopy of your birth certificate, a passport-sized photo and 10 to pick up a Faircard and feel like a student again.

Bathing beauties Dreading that first trip to the beach even more than the thought of a Spice Girls reunion tour? Indeed.

There's just so much preparation . . . everyone knows you can't strip off in front of hordes of sun worshippers until you look trim, toned and fake tanned to the nines. If you need help, head to the Boots store in Liffey Valley, Dublin next weekend for some insider tips and free samples from the experts at St Tropez, Versace, and L'Oreal, or download the Boots' Get Beach Gorgeous Plan from boots. com.