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It can be hard not to get swept up in the allure of a warm, beachy getaway this summer, especially with so many people bombarding your social media feeds with the dreamiest photos of some of the most beautiful destinations on earth.
But ultimately, a beach holiday is not for everyone.
For example, I’m longing for a European city trip, and if you too want to find a place with the perfect mild weather yet avoid the suffocating crowds of France and Spain, then I have the right place for you.
Scotland has just announced a brand new tourism record, welcoming 3.9 million tourists in the past year, according to the tourism official statistics.
That’s a whopping 15% increase from pre-pandemic highs, and a large portion of these international travelers are flying from the US.
And if you’re curious to see for yourself what all the fuss is about, I have good news for you: this summer might be the perfect time for a tour of Scotland’s fairytale landscapes.
This is why:
Not your typical summer vacation
Why deal with heat waves and crowded beaches when you can admire some of the world’s most breathtaking sights in a pleasant 20°C (68°F) temperature?
Although Scotland isn’t exactly the place for a typical summer holiday, the move can feel refreshing, especially when there’s so much nature, history and culture to experience.
If I had to look at all the incredible attractions the country has to offer, we would be here all day.
So instead (in the hope of helping those putting together their very first Scotland itinerary), I’ll quickly run through the most popular sights from some of the most visited hubs:
- Edinburgh – Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, St. Giles’ Cathedral and Holyroodhouse Palace.
- Glasgow – Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Riverside Museum, the Glasgow Science Centre, People’s Palace and Winter Gardens
- The Highlands – The Isle of Skye, Cairngorms National Park, Urquhart Castle, Dunrobin Castle & Gardens and Steall Waterfall
- Loch Ness – The Loch Ness Lake, Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Center and Exhibition
- Stirling – The Wallace Monument, the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Center and Stirling Castle
- The Isle of Mull – Tobermory, Fingal’s Cave and the Treshnish Islands
- The Outer Hebrides – Lewis and Harris, the ancient Callanish Standing Stones, Luskentyre and Seilebost
There is always something new to discover
If you are one of the lucky souls who has already been to Scotland, you may be thinking: I have already seen these places; why would I have to do the flight of more than 7 hours again?
That’s because, while everything else remains the same, there’s always a new hotel or restaurant opening in one of your favorite cities to make things extra interesting.
Over the past year, places like Delnashaugh, AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow and Eleven Stafford Street Townhouse have become some of Scotland’s most popular places to stay, and whether you want to give them a try or are waiting for something even newer, a summer holiday guarantees all the comfort and excitement you’re looking for. you are looking for.
And that also applies to bars and restaurants.
New openings such as The Spanish Butcher, Fallachan Kitchen, LOCHRIN Rooftop Bar and Ondine St Andrews have already made a name for themselves as some of the best places to eat in Scotland.
For more ideas on new restaurants to discover, head here here.
A summer full of events
However, your Scotland itinerary will include more than just great restaurants, especially since this summer will be busy.
Between the Highland Games, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Genesis Scottish Open, the Royal Highland Show, the Stonehaven Folk Festival and so much other exciting events you will struggle to keep count, your journey here will be anything but boring.
A haven for solo travelers
As solo travel becomes more and more popular, more and more travelers are looking for that perfect, safe, yet beautiful destination, and it looks like we’ve found the best one yet.
Edinburgh in particular is a dream for those traveling alone this summer.
Not only will everyone feel safe here, but there are endless accommodation options for one person, the community is amazingly welcoming and the public transport system is so well run that you never have to worry about getting lost.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
