Aberdeen is the perfect destination for a city break incorporating everything you might expect from a large urban centre along with some spectacular coastal scenery.
The destination has something for everyone, whether you're looking for history and culture, entertainment and shopping, or simply the chance to get away from it all for a while.
Aberdeen is nicknamed The Granite City thanks to its history of exporting the material around the world and the inevitable use of granite in many of its historic buildings.
Examples include Marischal College, which was built in the gothic style and is the second biggest granite structure in the world, along with the Citadel at The Castlegate.
Other attractions include Aberdeen Maritime Museum - which tells you everything you might want to know about the history of the city's harbour - and Aberdeen Art Gallery with its extensive collection of art dating back to 1850.
One particular point of interest for history buffs is likely to be the oldest private townhouse in the city.
Provost Skene's House has roots going back to the 16th century and is open to visitors wanting to travel back in time for a few hours.
The centre of Aberdeen is home to enough shops to satisfy the most addicted of shopaholics, while restaurants serving up dishes from every corner of the globe can be found across the city.
There are also many venues for those looking to take in a play, a gig or a spot of stand-up comedy in the evenings.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Aberdeen for a while, why not take a day trip to one of the beautiful destinations dotted along the Aberdeenshire coast? Villages such as Stonehaven are perfect for relaxing by the sea and there are many other sights to take in across the coast, such as ruined castles.
Elsewhere, the Royal Deeside valley - a popular destination among members of royalty, as the name suggests - and Cairngorms National Park are just two of the other locations you can make an excursion to while staying in large holiday houses in this part of Scotland.