WITH Halloween fast approaching, our Spotlight on column focuses on Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
The city is home to Europe’s biggest Halloween festival – now in its 40th year.
To celebrate, the city is launching a year-round Derry Samhain Experience and a permanent Halloween mural.
Here are some other top tips from us, including where to stay and some hidden gems.
MUST SEE/DO
From October 28 to November 1, The Awakening The Walled City Trail fills the city centre with light installations, street theatre, fire performers and live music, while the Little Horrors programme keeps younger children busy.
On Halloween night the Carnival Parade sets off at 7pm, followed by fireworks over the River Foyle.
Pack a costume, as locals take dressing up seriously.
The trail, parade and fireworks are all free, but if you plan to visit make sure you book a bed as soon as possible.
BEST VIEW
Derry‘s 17th-century walls, built between 1613 and 1618 to protect English and Scottish settlers, are the only fully preserved city walls in Ireland.
They have never been breached, not even during the 105-day siege of 1689.
The mile-long loop takes you past seven gates and 24 restored cannons, including Roaring Meg, stamped “Fishmongers, London, 1642” after the livery company that paid for it.
From the ramparts you can look down over the Bogside, where murals and Free Derry Corner tell the story of the Troubles.
HIDDEN GEM
The Dickensian-style Derry Craft Village in the heart of the city is a reconstruction of an 18th-century street and 19th-century square, home to more than 70 local makers.
It was built by the Inner City Trust, a charity set up in 1976 to rebuild the city centre during the Troubles. Its cafes are good for a coffee or a bite.
Derry Girls fans should then pop next door to the Tower Museum, home of the Derry Girls Experience.
RATED RESTAURANT
Browns Bonds Hill, on the east bank of the River Foyle, serves modern dishes made with local, seasonal produce.
Opened in 2009 by chef patron Ian Orr, Michelin‘s inspectors single it out for its good value.
For something more casual, sister restaurant Browns in Town is across the river on Strand Road and serves classic burgers, steak sandwiches and pasta.
BEST BAR
Peadar O’Donnell’s on Waterloo Street has live traditional Irish music every night, in a pub done up like an old-fashioned grocer’s and hung with flags.
It’s a top spot to pull up a stool and sink a pint of Guinness. If it’s too busy, try the Gweedore Bar, under the same roof with an equally buzzy atmosphere.
HOTEL PICK
The Walled City Hotel opened last autumn with 40 rooms in a 1920s former Bank of Ireland building on Strand Road, a two-minute walk from the Guildhall.
Its vaulted ceilings now look down on a bar and restaurant. Rooms cost from £102 per night. See walledcityhotel.com.