4 Reasons Why You Should Visit Edinburgh
Discover The Magical Capital Of Scotland
1. Culture and history
Edinburgh is a city of ancient and legendary beauty.
The antique buildings are perfectly embedded with green areas and modern edifices, which makes Eidinburgh one of the most livable places.
View of Edinburgh
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The city is built on 7 hills. The highest is Arthur's Seat, followed by Calton Hill and Castle Rock, which is the historic and impressive castle. All of these spots are great panoramic points: get ready to can climb and enjoy the view of the city from the top!
Castle Rock
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At night take a stroll around the magical Old Town, enjoy the night life, hop from pub to pub, where you can find lots of music live shows. If you just lift up your face, you will see the castle, which dominates the city with its lights .
Edinburgh is also a place of numerous important museums, such as the Museum of Scotland, National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the renowned National Library of Scotland, which hosts events and art exhibitions.
Calton Hill
If you are visiting Edinburgh in August, you can’t absolutely miss out one of the most famous artistic event: the Fringe Festival. For a month the city is filled with loads of street artists, performers, music and stage shows. The joyful and vibrant atmosphere of the festival will enchant you!
2. Harry Potter and some more magic
One of the most bewitching characteristic of Edinburgh is its dark side. Ghost and witches stories, folk tales and legends have always wrapped the city in a shadow of mystery.
It’s not surprising that the first faculty of parapsychology was founded right at the University of Edinburgh, where disciplines such as telepathy and clairvoyance were studied.
Hard to believe, but it is true!
View of the city
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These Gothic atmospheres were the main sources of inspiration for one of the most famous writers in the world, J.K Rowling, author of the beloved saga of Harry Potter.
Harry Potter and his adventures continue to be a major tourist attraction in Edinburgh. Fans can't miss Tom Riddle's grave, which can be visited at the Greyfriars cemetery. Apparently Rowling used, for characters in her books, some of the names of people who are actually buried in the cemetery!
Old Town
3. Scottish cuisine will amaze you
To the prejudice of what we may think, the traditional Scottish cuisine offers many tasty dishes, ideal for facing cold days on a full stomach.
The traditional food par excellence is the haggis, a savoury pudding with a spicy and decisive taste, traditionally accompanied by "neeps and tattis” (literally rutagaba and potatoes) or a delicate whiskey sauce.
Pictures from www.matchingfoodandwine.com
Everybody knows that Scottish people go crazy for whisky, considered a real national pride. If you want to plunge into the authentic Scottish culture, you must try the Whisky Experience, where it is possible to taste different types of the the best whisky (https: //www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/).
If you’re gluttonous and you don't fear calories, you must try the deep fried Mars bar, an authentic Scottish invention. Don’t dare, if you are on a diet!
4.Castles, lakes and parks
What does make Scotland such a fascinating country? If you are driving outside of the big cities, you will easily see hundreds of castles, which literally follow one after the other along the Scottish countryside.
Into the woods
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One of the most well known is Stirling castle, about an hour from Edinburgh.
The beauty of natural landscape is simply breathtaking: thick forests , green lands, lakes. What’s not to like?
Go for a ride near the Loch Lomond lake and enter the Trossachs National Park, less than two hours away from the capital.
Scottish landscape
The best way to travel around Edinburgh is definitely by car, otherwise mini-van tours are available, run by friendly local guides who will take you around, telling anecdotes and stories about Scotland (http: //www.timberbush- tours.co.uk/).
Edinburgh is the perfect city if you want to explore the culture and history of a country rich in traditions, but also ideal for an adventure among nature, ancient castles and ghost stories.
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