Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is a city of grey stone spread over hills and crowned by its castle on an extinct volcanic rock. From it the Royal Mile runs down through the Old Town's narrow closes and Gothic buildings to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch's official residence in Scotland.

To the north lies the New Town, with orderly Georgian streets and gardens laid out in the 18th century; the Old and New Towns were inscribed together on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1995. Between them, Princes Street Gardens look up at the castle.

Families have plenty to do: an easy climb to the top of Arthur's Seat at 251 metres, the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith, and the free National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh Central Mosque stands near the university, and halal restaurants are found across the city. In August the city fills with its summer festivals, so book early.