EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM

The city is basically split into two main districts — the Old Town and the New Town — with Princes Street Gardens separating them. The surrounding areas offer a wealth of places to visit.

The Old Town: This is the largely medieval heart of Edinburgh in which most of its important historical monuments can be found, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace (the Royal Scottish residence) and St Giles' Cathedral.

The Royal Mile is the historical artery of the Old Town, linking together Edinburgh's two royal strongholds: Edinburgh Castle and the Holyroodhouse Palace. Running the length of four streets — Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate – it's a vibrant, buzzing location. This is especially so during the Edinburgh Festival, when the Old Town is filled with street performers and people thrusting flyers into the hands of passers-by, all in the hope of drumming up larger audiences for their shows. It's also something of a tourist trap and, as a result, souvenir shops have... more