Best budget compact?

[CliffyBiro]

Part of my course is digital photography and we're going to Belfast, Dublin and finally Rome over the next 12 months for some happy snapping.

I am sans-camera, however, and will need to invest in a decent one. Money being tight atm though, it will have to be a budget compact and not the DSLR I've had my eye on for the last year.

So, in YOUR opinion, which compact offers the best bang for buck?

Thanks for any suggestions.