If your life is feeling a bit stagnate and you are looking to rekindle that creative spark, then travel may be just the ticket. The Dalai Lama famously said, “Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before.” We gain so much from travel, a chance to interject new energy into our lives, broaden our horizons, and introduce a fresh perspective. If you are looking for a magical place to visit, with extraordinary architecture and a great history to boot, why not try Edinburgh. Scotland’s capital city is divided into two distinct sections, the Medieval Old Town, dating back to the 15th century, and the Neo-classical New Town whose development started in the 18th century. 
On a recent trip to this charming city, my fellow traveling companions and I were mesmerized by street after street of incredible Gothic Architecture in the Old Town, oozing with history, one can easily see how this city helped inspire J.K. Rowling while she wrote Harry Potter. The famously curved Victoria Street, the mysterious Closes (alleyways), and gargoyles protruding everywhere; one could imagine a wizard hiding around every corner. With Edinburgh Castle perched high on the hill and Holyrood Palace resting comfortably below, High Street, The Royal Mile in Old Town, is an absolute joy to explore. St. Giles Cathedral, the Grassmarket, there is so much to see! Spring for a knowledgeable walking tour guide, as this is a city to be seen and experienced on foot. The Architecture is a treat for the eyes, and one is not quite sure what beautiful site to focus on first.
The New Town of Edinburgh is visually very different from the Old Town. It was meticulously planned by famous architects of the time, including John and Robert Adam (1728-92), Sir William Chambers (1723-96), and William Playfair (1790-1857). There is so much to see here; the famed Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens, Scot Monument, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Calton Hill to name just a few. Calton Hill, according to theculturetrip.com, offered a view back down Princes Street that was “Robert Louis Stevenson’s favorite of Edinburgh, and the collected monuments occupying this hillside are some of Edinburgh’s most architecturally significant works.”
The Royal Yacht Britannia is another must-see while in Edinburgh. Docked in Leith, walk where royalty has been, see where the Queen spent her time while onboard, a place she once described as, “one place where I can truly relax.” Find out where Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales spent their honeymoon and Princes William and Harry spent their summer holidays. When you are done with your tour, make sure to visit the Royal Deck Tea Room, perched perfectly atop the yacht with a view out over the water and the Firth of Forth bridge, it is a delightful spot to enjoy afternoon tea.
A trip to Edinburgh is a trip through time. The city oozes history and the electricity of that history pulses through its streets. The famous Scottish hospitality is evident everywhere and Edinburgh’s unmistakable architecture inspires new possibilities and vision for your future. Rest, relax, and vacate your lives for a while. Let the cities energy seep into your soul, allowing for renewal, helping you to see the world and your role in it a little differently than before.
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