hotels4u edinburgh travel guide

7/31/2019 Hotels4u Edinburgh Travel Guide

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Edinburgh Zoo: Meet the pandas and over 1,000 other animals at the mostexciting wildlife attraction in Scotland

Edinburgh Dungeon: Discover the ghosts and ghouls ofEdinburgh at this scary attraction, featuring live shows andthrilling rides

Royal Yacht Britannia: A magnificent ship that was once

home to her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family

Scott Monument: This Victorian Monument to Sir WalterScott stands in Princes Gardens

Real Mary Kings Close: Unearth a hidden city underneathEdinburghs streets, which has remained frozen in time since the17th century

Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World: Hundreds of butterfliesand exotic insects make their home in this tropical rainforest

National Museum of Flight:Trace the story of modern flightfrom the Wright Brothers through to the launch of Concorde

Nightlife

Nightlife in Edinburgh is divided into three distinct areas: Cowgate, which is mostlyfrequented by students, up-market George Street and the flashy Lothian Road.

You'll find pubs everywhere in the city, from traditional taverns to more modernestablishments, all of which are a great place to spend an evening. If yourelooking for something different, spend the evening in one of Edinburghs comedyclubs. You can expect a good line-up whether youre visiting inside or outside ofthe festival.

Lola Lo: A Polynesian Tiki bar and nightclub in the heart of the city HMV Picture House: Catch live music or dance to Indie classics at thisrefurbished picture house

The Stand Comedy Club: Edinburghs most famous comedy venue at St.Andrews Square

Rose Street Brewery: A traditional pub and former brewery serving real ale

Jekyll and Hyde: A horror themed bar celebrating Robert Louis Stevensonsfamous story

Sheep Heid Inn: On the outskirts of town, this bar built in 1360 is famous forits whisky selection

Cabaret Voltaire: A subterranean club in an intimate cave-like space

Day Trips from EdinburghWhether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day or justexplore the surrounding countryside, the excellent public transport links makes iteasy. Alternatively you can find guided excursions online through onlinecompanies such as Viator.

The Scottish Sea Bird Centre: Located on the base of an extinctvolcano and home to a colony of rock gannets. This is the perfectday trip for nature-lovers and bird-watchers.

Travel Time: 30 minutes
http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/edinburgh/en/index.htmhttp://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Scott-Monumenthttp://www.realmarykingsclose.com/http://www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk/http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight.aspxhttp://www.lolaloedinburgh.com/http://venues.meanfiddler.com/hmv-picture-house/homehttp://www.thestand.co.uk/Edinburgh.aspxhttp://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/rosestreetbrewery.htmlhttp://www.eerie-pubs.co.uk/jekyll-hydehttp://www.sheepheid.co.uk/http://www.thecabaretvoltaire.com/http://www.viator.com/Edinburgh-tours/Day-Trips-and-Excursions/d739-g5http://www.seabird.org/home.asphttp://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/edinburgh/en/index.htmhttp://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Scott-Monumenthttp://www.realmarykingsclose.com/http://www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk/http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight.aspxhttp://www.lolaloedinburgh.com/http://venues.meanfiddler.com/hmv-picture-house/homehttp://www.thestand.co.uk/Edinburgh.aspxhttp://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/rosestreetbrewery.htmlhttp://www.eerie-pubs.co.uk/jekyll-hydehttp://www.sheepheid.co.uk/http://www.thecabaretvoltaire.com/http://www.viator.com/Edinburgh-tours/Day-Trips-and-Excursions/d739-g5http://www.seabird.org/home.asp


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Loch Lomond: Explore the West Highlands and TrossachsNational Park on a day trip to one of Scotlands most picturesquelochs. You can even take a boat trip and visit Casle Douane.

Travel Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Gullane: Known for its golf courses, this small town is perfect forthose seeking more relaxing pursuits. It also boasts an award-winning beach flanked by dunes.


Glasgow: Scotlands largest city has a wealth of attractions. Dontmiss Glencoyne Distillery, often described as Scotlands mostbeautiful distillery, and the Science Centre.


Images: Dungeon by Douglas Neiner on Flickr / / Mary Kings Close by Caspy2003 on Flickr // Gannet byF_Shields // Loch Lomond by Bonio // Gullane by Ewan-M// Glasgow Science Centre by Suborbital Pigeon.

SHOPPING

Scotlands capital has everything that you need for a shopping extravaganza. Allthe British High Street favourites can be found in the city, but you can also findeclectic second-hand shops and designer fashions. Pick up some Scottish stapleson your jaunt, such as Fair Isle jumpers, Arran cardigans, and that Scottishstalwart, the kilt.

Shopping Areas:

Princes Street: Home to High Streetfavourites, such as Topshop, H&M and Zara

Multrees Walk: Armani, Louis Vuitton andMulberry can all be found on this shoppingstreet

Stockbridge: For eclectic second-handfashions and art galleries try this New Townarea

Shopping Centres:

Harvey Nichols: Pick up designer goods in the Scottish outpost of the

famous department store St James Shopping Centre: In the heart of the city boasting over 600 brandsunder one roof

Princes Mall: Three levels of stores and eateries in the city centre outsideWaverley Station

Markets:

Edinburgh Market: Takes place every Saturday at Broughton Square from10am to 3pm

Edinburgh Farmers Market: Fresh produce at Castle Terrace on the firstSaturday of the month

Image: Harvey Nichols by Denna Jones on Flickr
http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullanehttp://www.seeglasgow.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_Streethttp://www.the-walk.co.uk/http://www.edinburgh-stockbridge.com/http://www.harveynichols.com/edinburghhttp://www.stjamesshopping.com/index.phphttp://www.shopprincesmall.com/shop/http://www.shopprincesmall.com/shop/http://www.edinburghmarkets.co.uk/http://www.edinburghfarmersmarket.com/http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullanehttp://www.seeglasgow.com/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_Streethttp://www.the-walk.co.uk/http://www.edinburgh-stockbridge.com/http://www.harveynichols.com/edinburghhttp://www.stjamesshopping.com/index.phphttp://www.shopprincesmall.com/shop/http://www.edinburghmarkets.co.uk/http://www.edinburghfarmersmarket.com/


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FOOD & DRINK

Haggis, Battered Mars Bars and Irn Bru, Scottish food and drinkdoesn't exactly get a good press, but try it and you might bepleasantly surprised yes, even by the haggis. Angus beef

steaks and Scottish smoked salmon are two of the delicacies thatyou should seek out on restaurant menus and in the cold wintersnothing hits the spot quite like a hot Scotch broth. Of course, wecan't mention Scottish drink without mentioning whisky andmany bars in town are justifiably proud of their home-sourcedwhisky collections.

Image: Haggis by Bernt Rostad on Flickr

Popular Edinburgh Hotspots:

Old Town Atmospheric pubs and bistros feature in this traditional areaLeith Top restaurants and Michelin starred establishments in a waterfrontlocationCity Centre A mix of brand name restaurants and fine-dining establishments

Tollcross Edinburghs China Town features a number of Chinese restaurants

CULTURE & ETIQUETTE

Scotlands culture and traditions are largely similar to the rest of the UnitedKingdom. However, there are small quirks that set the principality apart from itsneighbour, namely the fact that 1.4% of the population speak Scottish Gaelic. Eventhose that dont speak Scots will use a few choice phrases in everyday life.

Useful Phrases

Drookit soaked through (fitting for the Scottish weather)

Hoachin Full up (literally bursting at the seams)

Mucca Friend

Dos and Donts

DONT ask for ice in your whisky, its frownedupon. The locals have it straight or with water

DO seek out the tartan associated with yourclan (surname) at Heritage of Scotland

DONT refer to the people of Scotland asScotch, they are Scots, Scotch is a whisky

DO climb Arthurs Seat, the extinct volcanoand highest of Edinburghs seven hills

DONT confuse Scotland with England; the whole country is referred to asGreat Britain, or the United Kingdom, Scots dislike being called English

TippingVery few restaurants include a service charge on their bills. Where a service

charge is not included and where the service has been good, it is customary to
http://www.heritageofscotland.com/http://www.heritageofscotland.com/


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leave a tip of 10-15% of the bill. It is not normal to leave a tip in a pub unless youhave had a meal with good service.

Image: Scottish currency by Howard Lake

TRANSPORT

Edinburgh is a compact city that can be easilyexplored by foot or by bike. However, there are localbus services that can take you across town and intothe surrounding Lothians. Although Edinburgh isaccessible by car it is recommended that visitors usethe Park and Ride as this eases congestion and letsvisitors avoid parking charges.

Getting Around

Lothians Buses: The main bus service in the city providing transport within

the centre and surrounding Lothians area Black cabs can be found throughout Edinburgh and these are wheelchair-accessible

Park and Ride sites can be found in Ingliston, Hermiston, Straiton, Sheriffhalland Wallyford

Edinburgh airport is the main international airport and served by a numberof carriers

Image: Black Cab by Rhys Aplundh

Fare Information

The Lothians Buses DayTicket offers unlimited daily travel in Edinburgh

Taxis: Always make sure youre in a fully licensed taxi and get the driver toturn the meter on so you dont end up paying more than you should do

Parking at Park and Ride Sites is free apart from at Newcraighall wherethere is a charge of 50p per day

HEALTH & SAFETY

Emergency numbers: 999 and 112The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide information by phone on 0845 8502829

EDINBURGH BLOGGERS TOP TIPS

Karen Bryan Europe a la Carte

"My tip for visitors to Edinburgh is to have a stroll along theWater of Leith Walkway. My favourite section is between BelfordBridge, close to the National Museum of Modern Art, to

Stockbridge. You'll pass through Dean Village, where you can see the old grainmillstones. Just before Stockbridge is St Bernard's Well, built in the shape of aGreek temple with a statue of the Hygeia, the Greek Goddess of health, in thecentre."
http://lothianbuses.com/http://www.parkandride.net/edinburgh/edinburgh_frameset.shtmlhttp://www.edinburghairport.com/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/http://www.europealacarte.co.uk/blog/http://lothianbuses.com/http://www.parkandride.net/edinburgh/edinburgh_frameset.shtmlhttp://www.edinburghairport.com/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/http://www.europealacarte.co.uk/blog/


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Duncan Rhodes Urban Travel Blog

Whilst the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its famed Royal Mile and

Castle attract the hordes, slip away from the shops selling tartan kilts

and miniature bagpipes and head over to the dock district of Leith.

Understated and - dare we say it - "up-and-coming", this post-industrial arearadiates charm, especially by the waterfront in the evening or morning light. Take

a stroll, take some photos and then take-away a Stornoway black pudding roll from

Mimi's Bakehouse. Check out these photos of the Leith docks for a preview of the

district.

Nadine Pierce Eating Edinburgh

For most visitors to Edinburgh the sight of an extinct volcano rising up out of the city is

fine temptation, whether you make the full ascent to the top of Arthurs Seat or aslightly less strenuous walk around Salisbury Crags youll be rewarded with

outstanding views of the city and beyond. Duddingtson Village, just the other side of

Arthurs Seat, lays claim to the Sheep Heid Inn, reportedly Edinburghs oldest pub and with a traditional

feel, open fire in Winter, a beer garden for warmer months and a contemporary seasonal menu it makes

the perfect post trek stop-off!

Roddy MacLeod Roddy MacLeod

Edinburgh is blessed with so many entertainment venues, historic sites, festivals, galleries,restaurants, bars and cafs that it can be a bit daunting for first time visitors to decide where to

begin. Fortunately, there are also plenty of print and online guides.

Copies ofArtmagcan be found in many Edinburgh cafs and bars. Their website lists local

galleries andrestaurants.

i-on Edinburgh magazine is also available as a free pick up in many venues. The website has aWhats

On, Food and Drink listings and a Style guide.

Edinburgh Life Magazine can be purchased at city newsagents, or follow them on Twitter

@EdLifeMagazine

The Skinny magazinecovers most aspects of culture all over Scotland, but you can limit searches of

their website to locations in the capital city

For Festival goers, theres Edinburgh Festival on Twitter @edfests and for a local perspective,

Edinburgh Spotlight @EdinSpotlight
http://www.urbantravelblog.com/http://www.mimisbakehouse.com/http://www.urbantravelblog.com/photos/edinburgh-leith-dockshttp://eatingedinburgh.com/http://roddymacleod.wordpress.com/http://www.artmag.co.uk/galleryguides/guide-edinburgh.phphttp://www.artmag.co.uk/galleryguides/guide-edinburgh.phphttp://www.artmag.co.uk/dining/dining-edinburgh.phphttp://www.artmag.co.uk/dining/dining-edinburgh.phphttp://www.artmag.co.uk/dining/dining-edinburgh.phphttp://www.i-onmagazine.co.uk/edinburgh/whats-on/http://www.i-onmagazine.co.uk/edinburgh/whats-on/http://www.i-onmagazine.co.uk/edinburgh/whats-on/http://www.theskinny.co.uk/http://www.theskinny.co.uk/http://www.urbantravelblog.com/http://www.mimisbakehouse.com/http://www.urbantravelblog.com/photos/edinburgh-leith-dockshttp://eatingedinburgh.com/http://roddymacleod.wordpress.com/http://www.artmag.co.uk/galleryguides/guide-edinburgh.phphttp://www.artmag.co.uk/galleryguides/guide-edinburgh.phphttp://www.artmag.co.uk/dining/dining-edinburgh.phphttp://www.i-onmagazine.co.uk/edinburgh/whats-on/http://www.i-onmagazine.co.uk/edinburgh/whats-on/http://www.theskinny.co.uk/

hotels4u edinburgh travel guide

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