Between the cities of Dublin and Edinburgh, there are a tremendous amount of things to do and see while on a vacation in the United Kingdom. However, a lot of the things can be tourist traps or just not that interesting. Avoid the bad spots and hit up the locations that this guide discusses to ensure a great time.

Planning a big trip toward the end of the year might seem counterintuitive, with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve already in the mix. But savvy travelers know that autumn means more deals and fewer tourists—a perfect combination. If you're trying to use those vacation days and aren't sure where to start, consider crossing the pond to Dublin and Edinburgh.

The two cities share a love of history, literature, and theater—not to mention barrel-aged whiskey—and for all the culture you soak up, there's always a pub close at hand.

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