Historical Places experiences

The castle sits on a plug of volcanic rock above the city, and has been fortress, prison and royal residence in turn. Inside you'll find the Honours of Scotland (the oldest crown jewels in Britain), the Stone of Destiny and tiny St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh. Stay for the One O'Clock Gun.

A wooden boat does what a gondola can't: it leaves the canals behind entirely and heads out onto the open lagoon, where the water has room to catch fire at dusk. You'll pass San Giorgio Maggiore reduced to a black cut-out against the orange and the domes of the Salute going pink, the city thinning to silhouette behind you. A glass of wine in hand, you've far more room than a gondola allows — enough to turn round and actually look. The light does the heavy lifting; the boat just gets you the best seat for it.

Golf has been played here since the 1400s, and the Old Course still runs right into the middle of town. You can stand on the Swilcan Bridge, look at the R&A clubhouse and walk the West Sands where the opening of Chariots of Fire was filmed. Actually playing the Old Course means the ballot, and a good deal of luck.