Scotland

Scotland is one of those places that feels mythic the first time you see it. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile climbs from Holyrood Palace at the bottom to Edinburgh Castle on the volcanic plug at the top, with closes (medieval alleys), pubs, and centuries of stories layered between them. Once you head north, the country opens up into the Highlands — moors, lochs, and the kind of weather that turns from sunshine to mist within an hour.

The whisky industry is its own destination. Speyside has more distilleries per square mile than anywhere on earth. Islay produces the great smoky single malts. Each distillery has a tasting room and, increasingly, a story-driven tour.

EWT Tours’ Scotland trips combine Edinburgh as a base with a Highlands road portion — Glencoe, Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye — and at least one distillery, one castle stay, and one country-pub night that justifies the rain.