St Patrick's Day is celebrated internationally on 17th March and so in preparation WhichBudget has put together a list of the best places around the world to paint the town green. Book your flights early and find the best deals at WhichBudget.com.

It goes without saying that the best place to enjoy the St Patrick's Day craic is on the Emerald Isle itself and in particular the country's capital, Dublin. Hundreds of thousands of revellers will fill the streets and join in with the five day St Patrick's Festival (16-20 March 2011) celebrations. Have a pint or two of the black stuff in Temple Bar and enjoy street theatre, comedy shows, live music and a spectacular parade. Don't leave without a visit to the famous Guinness Brewery. Daily tours available from €15pp. Stay at The Clarence Hotel, owned by rock legend Bono and his U2 band mate The Edge, from €154 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Use WhichBudget.com to find cheap flights to Dublin.

Undoubtedly, the next best place to join in the merriment is in New York City, which this year celebrates 250 years of the famous, and now the world's largest, St Patrick's Day Parade. Expect plenty of green beer and even green bagels from the Big Green Apple. Owned by the Fitzpatrick's who came to New York over 30 year ago, the Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel is the place to stay for some authentic Irish hospitality, including an highly acclaimed traditional Irish Breakfast and the Wheeltapper Pub, which has been decorated with memorabilia from Ireland's railroad system. From just US$299 per night. Use WhichBudget.com to find cheap flights to New York.

In Chicago, the beer is as colourful as the river because every year the city begins its celebrations by dyeing the Chicago River a bright emerald green. This year the dying of the river will take place on 12 March. Try one of Chicago's downtown Irish bars such as Celtic Crossings and Emerald Loop. Reminiscent of his time as an attorney in Chicago, President Obama will turn the White House's fountain waters green. Stay at Hotel 71, a modern urban boutique hotel overlooking the Chicago River from just US$129 per night. Use WhichBudget.com to find cheap flights to Chicago.

Canadians everywhere embrace the Irish spirit but the place to be is Montreal, which has held the longest-running St Patrick's Day Parade in the country since 1824. The city that boasts a shamrock in the corner of its flag comes alive with vibrant music, floats and free-flowing green Guinness, an event not to be missed! Stay at Le Westin Montreal from CAD$189 per night. Use WhichBudget.com to find cheap flights to Montreal.

Florence is another St Patrick's Day hotspot thanks to a week-long celebration called 'Irlanda in Festa' which embraces all things 'oirish' including concerts, special events and typical Irish food and drink. Finnegan's Irish Pub will be a hit on the 17th, so be sure to pop in for a stout or two. Stay at the centrally located Hotel Davanzati from €120 per night. Use WhichBudget.com to find cheap flights to Florence.

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