St Andrews, Scotland

The only place in the world where you can stand on a windy East Neuk shoreline and taste the salt in the air after finishing 18 at golf’s birthplace, St Andrews defines the term “hallowed ground.” Tucked in the corner of Fife, it has managed to preserve its small-town Scottish feel, despite the students and visitors that swell its population on a seasonal basis. St Andrews abounds with history – ruins, ancient cathedrals, crumbling castles, legendary dungeons and a museum of natural history crawling with centuries of weird and wonderful. Indeed, the past is woven into the very texture of St Andrews’ soul. Wander cozy knitting shops, enjoy a draught in the welcoming embrace of a traditional Scottish pub and experience olfactory bliss in the Mellis Cheese shop. Though you’ll want to maximize your time on the links, you should also venture out past St Andrews’ rocky shores; grab authentic fish and chips in Anstruther, then sail to the Isle of May, where you’ll find puffins, dolphins, seals and even a twelfth-century monastery.