Edinburgh's Gothic Romance: Royal Mile Secrets, Historic Vaults, and Castle Hill
Perched on extinct volcanic crags overlooking the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh is a city split into two distinct UNESCO worlds: the atmospheric medieval Old Town and the elegant Georgian New Town.
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Exploring the Royal Mile
Connecting Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse:
- The Closes: Slip down narrow stone alleyways like Real Mary King's Close to discover hidden courtyards and historic subterranean passageways.
- Victoria Street: The curved, colorful two-tier street lined with independent bookshops and artisan cheese stores that inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
- Arthur's Seat: Hike up this ancient volcano right in Holyrood Park for panoramic 360-degree views over the Scottish capital.
