Royal Caribbean canceled or delayed three back-to-back Alaska voyages on the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship in September, throwing a wrench into the (often expensive) travel plans of hundreds of customers.
01.09.2023 - 04:55 / forbes.com / Royal Mile
A charming slice of Scottish history and culture or an overpriced, crowded tourist trap? With tartan-clad pipers entertaining the crowds in front of historic buildings, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is a bit of both.
The busy thoroughfare linking Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Abbey via St. Giles’ Cathedral is arguably the most famous street in Scotland, and a must-visit in Scotland’s capital.
It takes less than 20 minutes to walk the full stretch—which is actually slightly more than one mile!—but with so much to see and do along the way, you’ll need to allow at least a full day to fully explore.
Perched atop an extinct volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle is a fixture of the city's skyline. It offers breathtaking views of the city and hides a rich history within its walls.
Among the treasures housed inside the historic fortress, the Honours of Scotland stand out. These historic regalia—comprising the Crown, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State—are some of Europe's oldest.
The castle’s National War Museum delves deep into Scotland’s tumultuous military history, while the intimate St. Margaret's Chapel is the oldest surviving structure in Edinburgh. Every day except Sundays, a boom from the One O'Clock Gun reverberates through the city, a tradition dating back to 1861.
If Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most visible sight, Mary King’s Close is the complete opposite. Tucked away beneath the bustling streets of the Royal Mile, the attraction takes visitors on a journey into a subterranean city long since lost.
As you step down into the dimly lit corridors and narrow alleyways, you'll be transported back to the 17th century, an era when Mary King’s Close thrived as one of Edinburgh's busiest merchant streets.
The experience is enhanced by keen local storytellers sharing tales from the district’s history. Some tales are heartwarming, shedding light on the community spirit and close-knit relationships of the Close’s residents. In stark contrast, others recount the hardships, from plague outbreaks to the challenges of living in such confined spaces.
What truly sets Mary King’s Close apart from other tourist attractions is its authenticity. This is no recreation, it’s a genuine part of Edinburgh’s past.
The stunning crown steeple of St. Giles’ Cathedral is a distinct feature of the Royal Mile skyline. Founded by King David I, the Cathedral has been a working church for 900 years, a permanent fixture through Scotland’s turbulent religious history.
Inside, the cathedral's vibrant stained glass windows and stone carvings are among the highlights. If you want to participate in a peaceful service just steps away from the crowds of the Royal Mile, they are open to all. Sunday services are at 9.30am and 11am, with a short prayer
Royal Caribbean canceled or delayed three back-to-back Alaska voyages on the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship in September, throwing a wrench into the (often expensive) travel plans of hundreds of customers.
One of the best things about being in the drinks business is that if you do it right, you eventually find yourself with a sprawling global network of like-minded drinkers with hyper-discerning palates. You get to spend time with the industry’s finest in the most pleasurable way: Imbibing (and breaking bread) with distillers, blenders, bartenders, brand ambassadors, spirits educators, and founders—among many others. (An education in and of itself if you ask me.)
Road trips are certainly a lot of fun — if you do them the right.
Life was simple in 1979 when the first loyalty program of an American airline was launched. How much you flew was the number of “miles” you earned, a currency for a free seat with the airline you were being “loyal” to.
Dialing up the perfect at the one-of-a-kind Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, Royal Caribbean International reveals the first look at the private island’s first adults-only escape – Hideaway Beach. The beachfront paradise, set to open in January 2024 with the debut of the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas, is an all-day experience complete with a private beach and pools, new dedicated spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more. Vacationers can be the first to book their adults-only experience beginning today at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Hideaway-Beach.
Royal Caribbean may be the world leader in family cruises, but the latest expansion of its private island in the Bahamas will be all about adults.
On September 1, Carol and Tom Cutkomp stepped aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas ship in Seward, Alaska, and began unpacking their belongings, eager to kick off their vacation after three long days of travel.
On a sunny June day in Edinburgh, I went to see where my ancestor lost his head. A bagpiper in full regalia played tunes on the Royal Mile, and tourists took selfies beneath the castle, as I surveyed the scene at the Mercat Cross—the site where, on March 26, 1697, Sir Godfrey McCulloch was one of the last people beheaded by the Maiden, a grisly device that forced the doomed to face upwards to watch the falling blade.
Royal Caribbean canceled two back-to-back cruises with less than a week's notice — leaving many travelers scrambling to make alternative travel arrangements.
Robert Louis Stevenson once described Edinburgh as leading a “double existence”. He may well have been right — to this day, Scotland’s capital city manages to be simultaneously quaint and decedent, its crooked medieval streets bursting with innovative places to eat and drink. Step beyond its UNESCO-listed old and new towns, however, and there’s even more to discover. Join us below as we explore some of the city’s most exciting wine bars, from humble bottle shop hybrids to Michelin-starred mainstays.
An eastern peninsula swimming with history, culture, and a vibrant art scene, Halifax is much more than its caricatured seaside fishing town. While, yes, you’d be doing yourself a disservice to opt out of the fresh seafood and seascapes while you’re in town, there are also handfuls of world-class and drinking dining to be done in the city.
Straddling the mouth of the Douro River with elegant bridges and painted houses tripping up gentle hillsides, Porto has soared in popularity with travellers in recent years. Many come to sip and slurp at the city’s historic port wine houses, climb the narrow streets lined with baroque churches and 19th-century merchants’ houses, and bounce between cafe terraces in the labyrinthine Ribeira district. But equally appealing is the call of the outdoors – Porto’s riverside views and coastal position encourage all manner of active pursuits, from paddleboarding and kayaking to bridge climbing and e-biking. Here’s the perfect itinerary for an active weekend break.