The Old Town is what gives Edinburgh its charm. Edinburgh Castle is at one end of The Royal Mile, and Holyrood Palace anchors the other end. The term refers to the part of Edinburgh in the city center that has reserved its medieval street plans and old architecture. A lot of the buildings have been remodeled but the feel is there with aged bricks and cobblestone sidewalks. The Old Town is what gives Edinburgh its charm.
Read MoreThe best thing about Edinburgh, Scotland is the mixture of natural green spaces and preserved architecture. If the hike up Arthur's seat isn't your cup of tea, a mild stroll through Calton Hill may be a great alternative. This hill is right in the center of Edinburgh and is included in the city's UNESCO world heritage site designation. The small hike to the top will offer great views of the city.
Read MorePortobello Beach is a cute bonus location to hit up but by no means a must see in Edinburgh. To be fair, we went in the dead of winter so it might be a bit livelier in the summer. Scotland isn't known for beaches, so we won't fault them for that. After a hike to King Arthur's Peak, this easy stroll was a welcomed change to take in the salty sea air and relax
Read MoreScotland is a wonder to behold. In Edinburgh, all the guides say to hike up to King Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park. The peak is an extinct volcano and there are rumors that this site may have been the location of Camelot (as in legendary King Arthur and Lancelot, etc.). With the wind-swept grass and craggy rocks, traversing this landscape is like being in a Lord of the Rings movie.
Read MoreTucked away in the Lower Hudson Valley, Storm King Art Center, a renowned sculpture park, features some interesting and unique pieces. Situated on over 500 acres of rolling hills, green grass lawns, and woodlands, it is the perfect marriage of the natural and not so natural.
Read MoreLido is an island, a long sandbar in the Venetian Lagoon, accessible by boat. The main street, Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta is a wide street, lined with shops and eateries that leads from the lagoon (and vaporetto bus stop) to the wide open sea.
Read MoreEveryone arrives by boat to Burano, a series of four islands in the Venetian Lagoon linked by bridges, and set foot on land. There is a corner cafe with red signs, rich with laughter of I think locals because their Italian sounds spectacular and they are much too comfortable. The open space leads to a decent size canal, lined on both sides with colorful buildings - a mix of shops and residences. This island is known for two things: lace and colorful houses.
Read MoreLike the rest of Venice, Murano consists of a series of islands that are linked with bridges. Is there anything better than slowly meandering through the streets on a hot summer day with creamy gelato in hand? Murano is a favorite of mine because it's just a stone's throw from the heart of Venice but the boat ride deters some tourists from coming. Murano remains idyllic and somewhat of a hidden gem.
Read MoreAccademia Bridge is one of the four bridges along the Grand Canal. It connects San Marco and Dorsoduro. It's not the prettiest bridge, but it's an important one that brings folks across the Grand Canal. From San Marco, you walk and curve through the streets, following signs that say "Accademia" which is an adventure in itself. The view is magificent and you can peek towards either ends of the Grand Canal.
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