EDINBURGH (UK)
Thanks to its spectacular rocks, rustic buildings and a huge collection of medieval and classic architecture, including numerous stone decorations, it is often considered one of the most lively cities in Europe. Scottish people called it, Athens of the North and Britain’s Other Eye.

EDINBURGH’S HISTORY
While the area around modern-day Edinburgh has been inhabited for thousands of years, the history of Edinburgh as a definite settlement can be traced to the early Middle Ages when a hillfort was established in the area, most likely on the Castle Rock. From the seventh to the tenth centuries it was part of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria, becoming thereafter a royal residence of the Scottish kings. The town that developed next to the stronghold was established by royal charter in the early 12th century, and by the middle of the 14th century was being described as the capital of Scotland. The area known as the New Town was added from the second half of the 18th century onwards. Edinburgh was Scotland’s largest city until Glasgow outgrew it in the first two decades of the 19th century. Following Scottish devolution in the very late 20th century, Scotland’s Parliament was established in Edinburgh.

MY OPINION
First of all, Edinburgh does not look like Athens at all and someone who has visited this city more than 100 times will tell you that. But Edinburgh is a unique city which, together with York, are for me the two cities that stand out in the United Kingdom and I have visited many cities in this country. Edinburgh takes you on a journey to another era, you feel like you’re living in a fairy tale or even a movie like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. In short, your visit to this city is an experience of a lifetime. I recommend it and I tell you that at least three days is enough and not enough to see what is worth and to get a taste of Edinburgh.

MUST SEE – Edinburgh’s Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most exciting historic sites in Western Europe. Set in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, it is sure to capture your imagination. The scenery will take your breath away.

It is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe with a long rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, it is alive with many exciting tales. When you climb Castle Hill, you will walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens. Though parts of it remain in military use, the castle is now a world-famous visitor attraction. It’s also an iconic part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

PLACES TO VISIT
1. CALTON HILL
It is also called as the Edinburgh’s Acropolis. The panoramic views from Calton Hill have astonished and inspired visitors for centuries. Major landmarks can be seen from a bird’s eye view: Arthur’s Seat with the Crags behind Holyrood Palace and the Parliament, Leith and the Firth of Forth, Princes Street in its New Town grid and the Royal Mile climbing up towards the Castle.

Calton Hill is also famous for its collection of historic monuments, which form some of the most important landmarks of the city. One of the most striking is the National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Intended to commemorate the Scottish servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars, it was never completed leaving just the twelve columns you see today.

Also look out for the Nelson Monument, shaped like an up-turned telescope. Completed in 1816 the monument commemorates the death of Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. However in 1852 a time ball was added to the top to enable ships moored in the Firth of Forth to set their time-pieces accurately. The Nelson Monument is open to the public, and the Time Ball still drops at one o’clock six days a week.

2. THE ROYAL MILE
The Royal Mile is a succession of streets forming the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. The term was first used descriptively in W. M. Gilbert’s Edinburgh in the Nineteenth Century (1901), describing the city “with its Castle and Palace and the royal mile between”, and was further popularised as the title of a guidebook by R. T. Skinner published in 1920, “The Royal Mile (Edinburgh) Castle to Holyrood(house)”.

The Royal Mile runs between two significant locations in the royal history of Scotland: Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. The name derives from it being the traditional processional route of monarchs, with a total length of approximately one Scots mile, a now obsolete measurement measuring 1.81km.The streets which make up the Royal Mile are (west to east) Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, the High Street, the Canongate and Abbey Strand. The Royal Mile is the busiest tourist street in the Old Town, rivalled only by Princes Street in the New Town.

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