Scarborough

There is no Scarborough Fair, and historians are divided on whether there ever was one, but don't let that stop you from heading to this classic English seaside resort, where lemon-hue Victorian houses top cliffs overlooking the dark blue sea. The older, more genteel side of Scarborough is in the southern half of town, with carefully laid-out crescents and squares, the ruins of its castle, and views across Cayton Bay. The northern side is a riot of tacky seaside arcades, ice-cream stands, bingo halls, and stores selling "rock" (luridly colored hard candy). The huddle of streets, alleyways, and red-roof cottages around the harbor gives an idea of what the town was like before the resort days.