It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and if you’re planning a festive trip to the UK, chances are you’re debating between London and Edinburgh. Both cities deck themselves out in lights and cheer for the holiday season, but they offer very different vibes. So which one is better for you?

The World Travel Market (WTM) is an annual gathering of the travel industry's most influential people, innovators, and organizations. It’s a hub for discussing new ideas, driving innovation, and collaborating on the future of travel. This year, WTM hosted over 4,000 exhibitors from 184 countries and welcomed more than 40,000 visitors eager to explore the latest in travel.

Draped in gold and crimson, the already enchanting city comes alive at Halloween. As the crisp fall air nips at your cheeks, there’s an unmistakable shift in the atmosphere – the veil between this world and the next grows thin. Mist clings to the spires of the gothic architecture and a sense of mystery lingers in every shadow. Ghosts from the city’s haunted past lay waiting to be discovered. It’s like Edinburgh was made for Halloween. 

Having conquered the touristy must-sees in Edinburgh, your challenge is to shift from vacation mode to living like a local. After three months of living in New Town as an American transplant, I’m sharing my insights and authentic finds that made it easy to embrace Edinburgh as my home away from home.