The thing about travel destinations that have become clichéd is that they started out simply as beautiful or interesting places. Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher, one of the country’s most-visited tourist sights, fit this bill.

I had no idea just how beautiful Edinburgh is. And how old.

But first, let’s take a quick trip around the city’s outskirts. Edinburgh (like Rome) is built on seven hills that surround the city. Holyrood Park is situated to the east of the city centre, not far from the historic Royal Mile, and is dominated by the distinctive shape of the 251m-high Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcanic peak that broods over the city. Some say it was once the site of Camelot, King Arthur’s fabled court.

Since watching the Netflix series Vikings, Norway has been very high up on my travel wish list.