Sure, you could check out the St. Patrick's Day parade in your neck of the woods, perhaps while drinking green beer and watching the Chicago River turn an eerie shade of Irish green. But nothing quite compares to the festivities in the homeland. Get thee to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day and revel in the occasion. While you're at it. Make it a five-star St. Patty's Day and stay at Dublin's Merrion Hotel, the beautiful luxury hotel that's housed in four restored Georgian townhouses. The Merrion features a beautiful art collection and Ireland's only Michelin two-starred restaurant. And with the Tethra Spa and in-house pool, you'll be able to decompress in style after all that carousing. The Merrion has two special packages for St. Patrick's Day:

Semi Shamrock - 1 night (between March 14-17, 2011), priced from €117.50 (approximately US$162) per person, based on double occupancy:

* One night accommodation in a Standard Garden Wing room

* Full Irish breakfast

* Black Velvet cocktail per person

Full Shamrock - 2 nights (March 16 & 17), priced from €295 (approximately US$407) per person, based on double occupancy:

* Two nights accommodation in a Standard Garden Wing room

* Full Irish breakfast

* Black Velvet cocktail

* One Grandstand ticket per person for St. Patrick's Day festival

* Small picnic box to bring to parade