Top 10 Best Hotels in Edinburgh Old Town

November 30, 2025 |   |  Comment  |  Place to Stay

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With 12 major festivals going on each year, Edinburgh is the world’s leading city when it comes to large events, bringing in thousands upon thousands of people every year. If such festivals are not your thing, there is still plenty to see in the city – the famous Edinburgh Castle for one! You can also see some familiar sights, as the city of Edinburgh is known for its multitude of filming locations, used in such films as the Da Vinci Code or The Illusionist. One of the hidden gems of Edinburgh is its old town, which is a marvelous and picturesque place to visit. It is also one of the prettiest parts of the city to book your accommodation in and this Top 10 Best Hotels in Edinburgh Old Town is sure to make it easier to pick one!

Radisson Blu Hotel

Starting with a very affordable option, the Radisson Blu Hotel is a stylish and luxurious spot, located right on the Royal Mile. The hotel is a perfect choice if you like sightseeing and plan to see some of the landmarks in Edinburgh, as it is located within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and Edinburgh Vaults. The hotel has over 200 well-equipped suites with free wireless internet access. For dinners, we recommend taking advantage of one of the two gourmet restaurants located on-site, or ordering take out to your room through room service. The hotel also features a sophisticated spa, a gym, and a swimming pool, so there is plenty of activities to do even without leaving the premises of the hotel.

The Royal Mile

Located in the historic marketplace of Grassmarket, this hotel lies right in the heart of the Old Town in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and Greyfriars Kirkyard are all located within walking distance from the hotel, making it a perfect spot for explorers of Scottish landmarks. For your convenience, the rooms at Apex Grassmarket Hotel are equipped with electric kettles and coffee/tea makers, allowing you to make yourself a hot beverage without having to go to Starbucks. The rooms are also fitted with large, 42 inch LCD TVs and free wireless internet connection. Moreover, if you happen to get hungry, the hotel features a great Metro Brasserie restaurant, which offers tasty cuisine and refreshing drinks.

Travelodge Edinburgh

If your highest priority when it comes to accommodation is its affordability, Travelodge Edinburgh Central will be a perfect candidate for you. The hotel is located within the Old Town of Edinburgh, at 33 St. Marys Street, close to Holyrood. If you feel adventurous, the hotel features a plethora of attractions within walking distance, including the National Museum of Scotland, the Real Mary King’s Close, and the Chocolatarium. Even though the hotel is a budget-friendly one, you still get access to a flatscreen TV with every room, as well as free wifi access. There is also a restaurant on-site, which can come in handy if you turn hungry and everything else is already closed.

Old Town Chambers

Awarded with the Travelers’ Choice 2019 award and the Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, Old Town Chambers is a wonderful choice of accommodation if you’re planning on seeing the picturesque city of Edinburgh. Being among the best hotels in Edinburgh Old Town, Old Town Chambers is located on Roxburgh’s Court, very close to the National Museum of Scotland, the Royal Mile, and the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. The hotel is also situated close to the Turnhouse Airport, and about a thirty-minute ride from the Dundee Airport. The Old Town Chambers gives you the unique opportunity of living in what is basically a full-fledged apartment, with the luxury of having hotel service and additional amenities!

The Scotsman Hotel

This four-star hotel located on North Bridge is placed right in-between the historical Old Town and the bustling New Town. With Royal Mile, Princess Street, and Waverley Train Station within under five minutes’ worth of walking distance away from the hotel, The Scotsman is worth checking if you value your time. The hotel also has an on-site nightclub which hosts frequent parties with some of the better-known DJs in the area, as well as other evening entertainments which change periodically. For relaxation, we recommend trying out the hotel’s beauty salon, which is very positively reviewed by its customers. The rooms are furnished with safes and minibars for your convenience, as well as with flatscreen TVs and free high-speed wifi.

The Witchery

Looking for the best hotels in Edinburgh Old Town with fantasy-like, medieval vibes to them? Make sure to check out the Witchery by the Castle, located, as the name suggests, right next to the Edinburgh Castle. The Witchery is a romantic getaway, furnished with sophisticated four-poster beds and an abundance of draperies and pillows, perfect for couples who want to visit Edinburgh together. The hotel also features tasty hampers delivered to your door, at an additional cost. Since the hotel does not have any lounge or lobby, the suites it provides give a unique, intimate atmosphere and feel almost like a private apartment. When hungry, make sure to give the Witchery Restaurant a try – it is located right on-site and its gourmet cuisine is one of the best in town!

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

If you are traveling on a very tight budget and do not want to spend hundreds upon hundreds of pounds each day for your accommodation, we recommend checking out the Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile. The four-star hotel is located at Canongate, just next to the Chocolatarium. There is also a very highly-acclaimed escape room within walking distance from the hotel, which is a great activity to try out with friends or family. If you want to visit Edinburgh but can’t leave your pets alone, we have some good news for you – the hotel is entirely pet-friendly! Moreover, each room is equipped with a separate dining area and a kitchenette, where you can further save on spending by making your own meals.

Hotel Du Vin

Located very close to the old Royal Infirmary, Hotel Du Vin is one of the best hotels in Edinburgh Old Town if you’re planning on exploring some of the city’s historical district. While the hotel is placed off-center from the main street, it is still very close to both the Royal Mile and Princes Street, while avoiding the noise and business of the main arteries. The interior of the hotel is an eclectic combination of a traditional, sophisticated style and contemporary elements, presented perfectly by the rough stone wall combine with smooth, polished floorboards. The hotel features friendly staff at the reception and bar, and the rooms come in seven categories to choose from, beginning with Standard and ending on Executive suites.

Inn on the Mile

Uniquely placed in a former Royal Mile bank, the Inn on the Mile is located along one of the busiest streets of Edinburgh, right on the corner of the Bridges and the Royal Mile. The entrance to the hotel is a bit hidden, as you have to pass through a door in a pub to find a staircase leading up, which only adds to the mysterious vibe of the place. You can choose between Mile or Royal Mile rooms, both of the types having gorgeous views over the Old Town. The rooms are decorated with light colors and wooden accents, and are equipped with desks, safes, and a stocked minibar refilled every day. Moreover, the rooms are fitted with iPod docks for your convenience, as well as Nespresso machines and a new issue of the Scotsman newspaper every day!

Grassmarket Hotel

If you ever wanted to book your hotel right at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, the Grassmarket Hotel will allow you to do just that. There is no better location to access the landmarks and architectural wonders of Edinburgh’s Old Town, and, moreover, it is the heart of the city’s nightlife after the dusk. The hotel is furnished and decorated in a very novel style, which means you won’t see the typical hotel setup here – rooms are decorated with bold, unusual wallpapers and minimalistic furniture. The rooms are also fitted with tea and coffee machines, as well as a complimentary serving of Tunnocks teacakes, which will make you feel like a true Edinburgh local.

Top 10 Hidden Secrets About Brazil Culture and Traditions

November 26, 2025 |   |  Comment  |  Culture & Traditions

Every year more tourists flock to the country of Brazil, as it is becoming one of the top tourist destinations for a summer vacation in the world. The popularity began rising with the 2016 Olympic Games, which were hosted in Rio de Janeiro, as fans of sports from all over the world visited Brazil to witness their favorite athletes competing against each other. However, there is so much more to Brazil than just sports, and while it is a huge part of Brazilian culture, we cannot forget all the other beautiful things about the country. With stunning sandy beaches, over a thousand surrounding islands and plenty of natural wonders, including the famous Amazon River and rainforests, Brazil is the perfect destination of choice for nature lovers. If you would rather stay in the cities, there is also plenty of things to do – in recent years, many more attractions, hotels, and restaurants were opened to meet the needs of the coming tourists. To help you get a better grip on what Brazil has to offer, we made this Top 10 Hidden Secrets about Brazil culture and traditions list, which spots some of the lesser-known facts about the country.

Flight Network

Sandy beaches

While Mexico often brings tons of tourists every year to their beautiful beaches, people are often forgetting about Brazil. This South American country actually features tons of romantic, sandy beaches with over four thousand miles of coastline and a warm, tropical climate that will keep you warm. The coasts of Brazil are also filled with coves, islands, and even underwater cave systems, which only add to the beauty of Brazilian beaches. One of the most famous of the Brazilian beaches is Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, of which almost everyone in the world has heard. The beach is over two miles long and is usually quite busy, but the locals love mixing with the tourists and getting to know each other!

Lençois Maranhenses

Lençois Maranhenses

Brazil is the biggest country in South America, and with such an amount of terrain to spare, diversity comes naturally. In Brazil, you can easily spot glorious waterfalls, calm wetlands, mountain ranges, jungles, and even deserts. One of the most unique landscapes you can see in the country is Lençois Maranhenses, which is a national park filled with sand dunes and pools of rainwater. There are over 600 square miles of terrain to explore in this national park, all of which are filled with sights that look as if taken from another planet. Another natural beauty of Brazil is the Amazon itself and the sprawling rainforests which surround it. If you’re lucky, you may even get to experience piranha fishing, which is a popular pastime among the locals who live close to the Amazon.

Jurandir Coelho

Largest cities

When it comes to the cities of Brazil, many people focus on the negative sides, such as massive swathes of favelas, which are a type of Brazilian slums. However, cities are a huge part of Brazil culture and traditions, and most of them are gorgeous sights to see. For example, the city of Curitiba, one of the largest cities in Brazil, is famous for its innovative public transportation and dozens of green spaces all around the city. Fun fact – the city actually has so many parks, that city officials use sheep to help keep the grass short, as employing enough people to take mow the lawns would be too expensive! The city is also filled with a number of great monuments and attractions to visit, including multiple museums and art galleries.

Carnival

One of the most famous features of Brazil culture and traditions is the Carnival of Brazil, usually held in March or February, just before Lent. While carnivals are popular all over Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is known for the biggest one. Actually, the Rio Carnival is considered to be the largest carnival in the world, with over two million people walking through the streets every day. The carnival is filled with costumes, parades, parties, open-air performances of samba, and food. Make sure to visit the Sambodromo, which acts as the heart of the festival in Rio and hosts most of the samba competitions between the most renowned dance schools in Brazil.

Brazil Food

Brazil is often considered to be a melting pot of cultures, which also highly influences their national cuisine, which varies from region to region. Brazilians love using root vegetables and various tropical fruits that grow in their region, with papayas, mangos, and pineapples filling the menus of most restaurants. Brazil is also known for its tasty barbecue, but they are also not afraid of fish-based dishes, such as the Moqueca, which is a stew made with fish and seafood, boiled in a mixture of diced tomatoes, coriander, and onions. For dessert, we recommend you try brigadeiros, which resemble chocolate truffles. These sweet balls of goodness are created out of condensed milk, mixed with cocoa powder and sprinkled with even more chocolate, and are served at most bakeries.

Brazil drinks

A huge portion of Brazil culture and traditions are their national drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Beer is widely popular in Brazil, with local brans filling the market and pushing out the foreign ones. When it comes to cocktails, Brazilians love using cachaça, which is a liquor made out of sugarcane juice. The most common form of cachaça is porradinha, which is half a cup of cachaça and some soda. For a more sophisticated drink, you may want to try a caipirinha, which is among the most famous of the Brazilian drinks. Caipirinha is made out of cachaça, lime juice, and some brown sugar. The famous drink actually comes from a homemade recipe used during the outbreak of Spanish Flu, but years of experimentation turned it into a popular cocktail!

Alexandre Cesar Salem e Silva

Monuments and landmarks

Brazil is filled with tons upon tons of magnificent monuments and landmarks which attract tourists from all over the world. One of such monuments is Christ the Redeemer, the most famous Christian statue in all the world. The sculpture was designed by Paul Landowski, a French sculptor of Polish descent and features a thirty-meter-tall depiction of Jesus Christ. However, Christ the Redeemer is not the only famous monument in Brazil. If you happen to be visiting the capital of Brazil, Brasilia, you may want to see the famous Cathedral of Brasilia. When in Sao Paulo, make sure to save some time to see Altino Arantes, which is a gorgeous skyscraper and one of the most popular sights in all of Brazil.

Guia do Nômade Digital

Hotels and Resorts

While you may think that hotels look more or less the same everywhere around the world, you might be surprised by what Brazil has to offer. With the recent increase in the tourism industry, more and more luxurious resorts are being built all over the country, providing a huge range of choices to wealthy travelers. If bustling hotels and all-inclusive resorts are not your things, you may instead want to choose one of the many rainforest lodges, which are becoming popular and provide the perfect setting for escaping the bustling cities. There are also many Pousadas, which are similar to bed and breakfasts, which are small, independent lodges usually run by the locals.

Goway Travel

Weather in Brazil

Unlike in most countries around the world, which are popular only during certain seasons, Brazil stays beautiful and warm all around the year, with around 300 days of sunshine annually. Even during fall and winter, you will probably not see any rain or snow and the temperatures stay high enough to forget your coat and scarf. Many locals hit the beaches all throughout the year, and they even prefer the more temperate weather off-season than the scorching heat of summer. However, remember that nights in Brazil can get quite chilly, so remember to pack something warm to wear for this occasion.

National Parks

Currently, there are over 70 gorgeous national parks all over Brazil, which show some of the best of what Brazilian nature has to offer. The first parks were opened around the 1930s, with more and more slowly being added every year. Itatiaia National Park is the oldest national park in Brazil, situated within the Mantiqueira mountains. Today, most of the Amazon rainforest belongs to national parks, as more and more dangers arise to this jungle-like environment. The largest of those is the Mamiraua Reserve, which is home to the largest selection of wildlife in the country, including over 400 species of birds, dolphins, monkeys, and rodents.

Bucket List Tours of Europe for Families

November 1, 2025 |   |  Comment  |  Tours Lover

Europe is a great place to visit for summer vacation or winter break not only by yourself, but with your whole family, as the continent is filled with family-friendly attractions and things to do. Countless parks to stroll through and a whole range of different museums to visit – Europe has got them all. While traveling with family, you can often find discounts and special packages allowing you to pay less, and in some places, you do not have to pay for your kids at all! To make it easier on you to realize some of the best tours of Europe you can have with your family, we have prepared for you this Bucket List Tours of Europe for Families, which lists the most family-friendly locations and attractions to visit while on your trip to Europe!

Capital of Netherlands

While Amsterdam might have some bad connotations when you think about the red light district, the capital of Netherlands is actually so much more than that, and definitely a place worth visiting. With colorful paddle boats that make the city a second Venice and an enormous amount of bike paths, the city makes for some of the best tours of Europe for families. If you care about the environment, you will be happy to know that the Netherlands has severely limited their car usage, especially in Amsterdam, where most of the city can not only be reached either by boat, bike or on foot. If you can’t figure out what to do in Amsterdam, we recommend visiting the Vincent van Gogh museum, which hosts one of the most extensive collections of van Gogh’s paintings in the entire world.

Museums

If you are traveling with your kids, there is no better destination for your family tip than Paris. Not only is it extremely easy to navigate with the city’s convenient metro system, but it is also the home to many monuments and attractions. Museums such as the Louvre are definitely worth the time to visit, though we recommend visiting the city off-season to avoid heavy crowds since the Louvre attracts over 10 million visitors every year. However, what your children will be probably most thrilled about, is Disneyland Paris – a world-famous theme park with characters and rides from the favorite shows and movies of Disney. If you value your time, make sure to get a Fastpass, which will allow you to skip the long lines and use the priority ones instead!

Culture and history

The capital of Italy is a very common tourist destination, especially in Europe, and one of the reasons is that it makes for one of the best tours of Europe for families available! Take your kids on a trip to the ancient Colosseum, where they will be able to witness for themselves the famous grounds on which gladiators fought. The city is filled with rich culture and history, perfect to be explored together on a family trip. Moreover, when you are on a trip to Rome, make sure to stop by the Vatican City where the Pope himself resides. You can take a guided tour through the Pope’s home as you are escorted by uniquely-uniformed guards. Finally, when in Rome, spare some time to try the famous Italian cuisine!

Tower of London

If your kids are Harry Potter fans, there is no better place to take them on a summer vacation trip than London, as you show them the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios. Your teenage kids will love Madame Tussaud’s wax figure museum, filled with idols from all time, including both Freddy Mercury and the One Direction members! For great family time, make sure to go on a trip to the Tower of London, where you will be able to explore the dungeons where some of the most notorious English criminals once were held. If you want to get a great view of the cityscape of London, head to the London Eye, which boasts one of the most unique sights you will ever see! As an additional tip, we recommend looking for free museums, since there are many of them all over the city.

National Museums

Colorful and majestic, Dublin is among the most popular tours of Europe destinations for families who want to show their kids a perfect example of gorgeous architecture. The city is filled with numerous parks, in which you can arrange a relaxing picnic with the whole family. Moreover, there is a couple of interesting museums to visit when you’re in the city, such as the National Museum of Ireland, which hosts a huge display of taxidermied animals, paid as tribute to the native wildlife of Ireland. However, since your kids might probably prefer to see live animals instead, we recommend visiting the famous Dublin Zoo, located in Phoenix Park, filled with rare species of animals from all over the world.

Nightlife

While you may want to skip the nightlife part of the Barcelona experience, the rest of the city will definitely prove a worthy trip for your entire family. The city features some of the prettiest feats of architecture in the entire world, including the famous Sagrada Familia, which has been under construction for more than a hundred years and still is not finished! Take your kids on a walk through the Gothic Quarter to show them how cities used to look during the 18th and 19th centuries. If you want to educate your kids and show them around some art galleries and museums, we recommend visiting the MACBA contemporary art museum, as well as some of the gorgeous street art sprawled throughout the city.

Tropical animals

Frequently voted among the best places in Europe for kids, Stockholm is the perfect destination for a family excursion if what you’re looking for are great museums and gorgeous art galleries. One of the most interesting museums of Stockholm is the Vasa Museum, in which your children will be able to observe for themselves the original remains of a capsized ship. In case you want to experience a relaxing walk through the city zoo, the Stockholm Zoo offers a wide range of various exotic and tropical animals. Finally, we fully recommend taking a trip to Djurgarden Island, which is filled with tons of activities in which both kids and adults alike can partake.

Beautiful Tuscan

Experience the slow tides of the Arno River on a boat trip through Florence, one of the more picturesque cities of Italy, filled with colors and a unique atmosphere. The bridges of Florence are filled with life and are a perfect destination for a family photo. If you want to explore the art and history of the city, we recommend seeing the Statue of David, sculpted by the famous Renaissance artist Michelangelo, as well as the Duomo Cathedral which hosts the famous dome painted by Brunelleschi. Don’t forget to try some of the local cuisine, which varies from usual Italian cuisine, including wild-boar pasta and steaks with sweet fruit sauces. For a relaxing day trip with your family, we recommend taking a ride through the beautiful Tuscan countryside, filled with vineyards and picturesque towns.

Summer Festival

If your kids love swimming, they will surely like it at the thermal baths of Budapest, which are not only a fun activity to do in your free time, but actually possess medicinal qualities, making for a perfect family destination. Traveling on the budget and worrying about the expenses? Don’t worry, Budapest is one of the cheapest holiday destinations not only in Europe, but in the entire world! If you happen to be visiting Budapest during Spring or Summer, make sure to take part in either the Budapest Spring Festival or the Summer Festival, which are two of the biggest cultural events in the country, hosting many activities and providing an opportunity to learn about the culture and history of Hungary.

Tours of Europe

Take your whole family on a historical trip to one of the most important city-states of Ancient Greece, Athens. Filled with such important monuments as the streets of Plaka or the grand Temple of Zeus, Athens makes for one of the most informative tours of Europe destinations. Go on a stroll through one of the city’s many flea markets, where you will be able to find tons of memorable souvenirs to bring home from your trip. If you’re after the Mediterranean climate and want to experience the hot Greek sun, Athens has plenty of great beaches to swim in the water and sunbathe as your kids play in the sand. Finally, give Greek cuisine a try with such delicacies as taramasalata or baklava!