The concept of a 'staycation' may be a modern one, but the Queen has been way ahead of the trend for decades.
In fact every summer the monarch chooses to spend her holidays in Scotland, and there's one place where she always heads; her beloved Balmoral Castle.
The Queen and Prince Philip spend their summer months on the breathtaking estate in the Scottish highlands, where they're joined by various members throughout the season, who come to spend quality time together amidst their own hectic schedules.
Princess Eugenie previously opened up about her grandmother's love for Scotland on ITV documentary Our Queen at 90 , explaining: "It's the most beautiful place on earth. I think Granny is the most happy there, I think she really, really loves the Highlands…walks, picnics, dogs, a lot of dogs, there's always dogs, and people coming in and out all the time.
"Family-wise we're all there, so it's a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa to be - for us to come and see them up there where you just have room to breathe and run."
But how much do you know about the Queen's favourite summer spot? We take a look inside...
Where is Balmoral Estate?
Balmoral estate is nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, between Ballater and Braemar. It's located approximately 50 miles west of Aberdeen.
The 50,000 acre grounds have access to a wide array of breathtaking landscapes from the Dee river valley to towering mountains and rolling green hills.
A working estate, Balmoral highlights include grouse moors, the lush green forests and farmland, as well as plenty of animals from the herds of deer to Highland cattle and ponies.
It's also home to Balmoral Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip stay for their holidays.
When does the Queen stay at Balmoral?
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh usually head to Balmoral in July, when the castle closes its grounds to the public. They are known to stay in residence there until about October when they head back to Buckingham Palace.
The royal couple usually kick off their stay with a mini break of their own at the estate's sprawling seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge, which sits about a mile from the castle itself.
How long has the Queen been coming to Balmoral?
Ever since she was a child! Her father King George VI would spend the summer there with his family, and the Queen has kept the tradition going following his death in 1952.
In fact, Balmoral has been a royal residence since 1852 when it was first bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Ever since it's been owned by the royal family, but not The Crown. (Just like Sandringham where the royals spend Christmas!).
What do the Queen and Prince Philip do when they're in Scotland?
The Queen has no official duties while she's in Scotland - it is her holiday after all! However, she does attend the annual Braemar Gathering where she's often spotted laughing at the fun events including the caber tossing, the tug of war and the sack races.
Otherwise the royals invite their friends and family to join them throughout the summer months for informal barbecues, the annual Ghillies Ball and plenty of countryside escape favourites from leisurely walks to picnics.
And of course, horseriding is often on the cards - after all, the Queen is renowned for her love of horses.
Photographer Milton Gendel said he was invited to Balmoral back in 1976 (his wife was a close friend of Princess Margaret), and opened up about the experience to Vanity Fair.
He wrote: "On some days there were excursions into the country. The Queen had been taught to drive by auxiliary army officers during World War II, and she handled a Land Rover with intrepid skill on the hilly and winding roads.
"When we went riding, she saddled her horse, and afterward carried the saddle back to the stable herself.
"At a shoot on the grounds a truck delivered a sumptuous buffet lunch. The 'guns' lay on the grass for a postprandial respite.
"The Queen and her sister walked about, deep in conversation. They were very close; when apart, they telephoned two or three times a day. The atmosphere was always agreeable, buoyed by the light touch of the Queen and her sister."
As for the Duke of Edinburgh, he's had an active role in the management of the estate, including having created a large vegetable garden, flowered paved walks and a water garden.
Can you visit Balmoral Castle?
Yes but don't expect to catch a glimpse of the Queen as the castle grounds are only open to the public when she's not in residence.
You can usually take Balmoral Castle tours of the grounds, gardens and exhibitions from April until the end of July. The tours are audio guides, meaning there's ample opportunity to wander around at your own pace.
However, the estate is open to the public year-round (there are 50,000 acres of it after all!).
There are some guided tours of Balmoral in November and December. Tickets start from £15 - you can get the full details here.
For a royal-worthy mini break of your own, you could even opt to stay in accommodation on site - there are plenty of holiday cottages on offer.
Oh, and make sure to bookmark the Queen's other royal residences you can visit, whether you're looking for a cultural day out or a mini break!
