Scotland is simply a wonderful country, encompassing an extraordinary variety of landscapes: from the softness of the hills of the Borders to the wild solitude of the northern archipelagos, from the rocky fjords of the Highlands to the woods and lakes of the central part. If you combine the infinite beauty of the landscape with a welcoming people, good food and strong and deep-rooted cultural traditions, from art to music, from sports to history, you will discover why so many tourists return to Scotland several times to explore the its areas so different from each other. Scotland will make you fall in love with its nature and its people.

Romantic and dark, cultured and witty, Edinburgh is a little gem, rightly considered one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Its alleys and historical monuments have been able to appropriate narrow spaces along the slopes of a series of hills, giving life to a characteristic city where landscape and buildings seem to be one. Edinburgh is a city of culture and ideals, perfect for lovers of history, art and literature, but it is also imbued with the typical sense of humor that Scots are known and loved around the world, making it an ideal destination for who loves to have a good laugh. And then when things get too serious, a good whiskey is enough to relax your nerves. Don’t be fooled by its medieval appearance – the Scottish capital is a forward-thinking city, which has long embraced the artistic avant-garde, particularly in the theater and street performance sector.

It also has a dark side, with a gothic atmosphere, which you can discover by visiting the underground Edinburgh of the seventeenth-century tunnels or other places related to ghost stories, mysteries and legends. The ingredients for a memorable weekend are all there, and there is a lot left over for those who want to take a longer holiday. No matter how long you stay: the picturesque views, the peaty notes of whiskey, the dark alleys with a gothic atmosphere, the charming cafes that make you want to start writing a book, the view of the city and the sea from the castle will remain forever in the your hearts. -The top attraction of Edinburgh is undoubtedly the enchanting castle perched on top of an extinct volcano that has forged the image of the city. Built in the 11th century and used both as a military fortress and as a royal residence, Edinburgh Castle is the true symbol of the Scottish capital, deeply linked to the history, culture and legends of the city. Magnificent to photograph as a whole from below, it is also an exceptional vantage point from which to admire Edinburgh. Inside its walls are enclosed museums, prisons, royal apartments, courtyards, cannons, gates and other historical curiosities: allow at least 2/3 hours to visit the castle.

One of Edinburgh’s most popular tours is a visit to the city’s ancient dungeons: a labyrinth of tunnels that descends into the bowels of the city up to 25 meters below the level of the Royal Mile. You will be accompanied by costumed figures who will explain what living conditions were like in seventeenth-century Edinburgh and will tell you curiosities and anecdotes. Sometimes fun and sometimes dismal, a visit to the underground tourist itinerary of the Real Mary King’s Close is a must-visit for anyone who does not suffer from claustrophobia.Edinburgh is a literary city, full of independent bookshops and cultural initiatives aimed at promoting reading. Some of the most important English-language writers have stayed and worked here, including J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter. The first pages of the magical story that won millions of fans around the world were written right in a café in the Scottish capital and the final chapter was written here in Edinburgh. The Harry Potter site tours in Edinburgh have become a major attraction in the city, surpassing the most prestigious museums and monuments on the tourists’ list. Besides, who doesn’t love magic and spells?

Loch Ness, this narrow, 37-kilometer-long lake enjoys immense fame thanks to legends related to Nessie, the monster of the waters that has fueled the imagination of writers, tourists and mystery buffs for decades. The myth of the deep lizard has certainly been augmented by the tourism business, but also by the particular beauty of Loch Ness: unfathomably deep, almost always shrouded in fog, cold and dreary, surrounded by rugged, dark and silent mountains. The only drawback: the hordes of tourists who flock to the visitor center and the scenic areas in the summer to spot the monster or have a souvenir photo taken in front of the lake.

Castel di Eilean Donan. Located in a strategically important point, this inaccessible fortress was erected in 1200 on an islet in the middle of the waters of the loch connected to the mainland by a spectacular stone bridge. The figure of the castle is reflected in the placid waters and imposing mountains stand out in the background: it is certainly the most photographed landscape in Scotland and the film set of many films from Highlander to The world is not enough.

Although the interior is a bit kitsch, it is worth a visit to admire the various rooms and relics of such picturesque clans. Being one of the symbolic places of the Highlands, during the summer months it is besieged by hordes of tourists: we recommend that you prefer the early hours of the morning for a less crowded visit. The best time to photograph the castle is certainly in the evening, when at sunset every second is a variation of lights, colors and contrasts. Just wonderful.

Glencoe – The imposing Glencoe valley is one of the most evocative places in Scotland: a road immersed in silence and solitude crosses rugged valleys swept only by the winds and dominated by the mysterious Three Sisters, three gigantic rocky conformations from a high and from the Anoach Eagach from other that seem to close over the heads of travelers. An unparalleled panorama. To this you must add the combined charm of the velvet green that seems to caress the ridges, the impetuous streams that roar with thundering waterfalls, the hidden and silent side valleys and the clouds that almost always reside low along the slopes to obscure the sky and cloak with mystery the valley. We advise you to leave the car in a lay-by and take all the time necessary to admire this spectacle of nature.