The Shambles, York

The Shambles in York, one of Europe's best-preserved medieval shopping alleyways, is a treat to stroll through while having your phone nearby to capture its vintage vibe.

The Shambles is a famous street in York, England, where ancient structures from the fourteenth century and earlier have been maintained. The street is congested with numerous jettied-floored timber-framed structures that several feet overhang it. It was formerly referred to as The Great Flesh Shambles, most likely from the Anglo-Saxon word for the shelves butchers used to show their meat, Fleshammels (literally, "flesh-shelves"). Thirty-one butcher businesses lined the street in 1885, but none are still there now.

Even though there are no original features left, restoration work has been sensitively and historically accurate. The entire winding avenue, which is rumored to be JK Rowling's inspiration for Diagon Alley, is ideal for experimenting with angles and lighting.

It's certainly worth spending at least a few days in York, with a copy of Rough Guide Staycations York on hand to make the most of your vacation, especially as York made it into our list of the finest city holidays in the UK. The once-beautiful old buildings have been refurbished and are now home to cheery cafés, eccentric boutiques, and even a coin and stamp dealer. The odors emanating from the clothing, accessory, and gift stores, as well as the chocolate, fudge, and sweet shops, are also much more pleasant.

Location: York, Northern England