Scotland

If you love castles, this is the place. Scotland has everything from atmospheric medieval ruins to magnificent Georgian piles. Prefer a theatrical street party? The Edinburgh International Festival in late August is huge, but arguably bigger is Fringe, EIF's unruly offshoot; it spills out of theaters onto Edinburgh's streets. When you're ready to eat, know that Scotland is more than just haggis. Try fresh seafood, excellent red meats, and traditional ingredients such as oatmeal and wild berries used in new ways. Where there's food, there's drink; the British government closely monitors the process of producing whisky—spelled without the e here. A typical distillery visit includes a presentation, a tour, and a tasting. Walk it off with a hike through a glens or a round of golf where the sport was born.