Scotland’s capital may be one of the most beautiful cities on earth and home to the United Kingdom’s oldest landmarks, but Edinburgh is more than just a pretty face. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling and “Sherlock Holmes” creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle know its secrets: Edinburgh holidays are chock-a-block with history, culture and hidden treasures.
There’s no argument: The most popular attraction for Edinburgh holiday travellers is the famous castle towering above the city skyline. After you take in the magnificent preserved fortress, head east to Holyrood Palace, the oldest still in use in Scotland. The Queen stays in the castle for a week of ceremonies and celebrations each summer. Keep the regal theme going at the Royal Botanic Gardens, where you can visit a Chinese hillside, Chilean terrace and a Jurassic-period riverbed all in one day.
Want to tour the countryside? One of Wotif’s great Edinburgh car hire deals will let you go north to Dundee, which has some familiar-sounding street names like Perth and Adelaide, or 70 km west to Glasgow to tour its famous Victorian and art nouveau buildings. If culture is the name of the game, you’ll rejoice in the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, also in Glasgow. Even if you don’t want to go far, Wotif’s car hire options are a great way to get from the harbour to Haymarket and back to your hotel in time for dinner.
Once you’re done ogling castles and palaces, you’ll discover that Edinburgh packages offer unique and diverse shopping opportunities. Get your shop on at Princes Street, conveniently near Waverley Station downtown, where you’ll find mid-range brands mixed in with local icons like Jenners, which has stood near St. Andrew Square since 1838. To take the high road, head to Multrees Walk, in the northeast corner of the square, which bills itself as “The Definition of Luxury Shopping.” Time to see if their bold claims hold up!
When you’re ready to chow down and then dance it up, you’ll be grateful for Edinburgh deals near all that shopping—just walk a block north to parallel George Street for upscale dining, plus the most glamourous clubs in the city (we’re talking chandeliers, white marble and tiny mirrors). For a low-key evening, hop on the tram to the trendy West End, which serves up modern fare like Asian fusion and burgers thick enough to give you a heart attack. Look closer and you’ll find classic meals like spiced haggis and Scotch pie. The West End is a great place to get the party started, too. Many restaurants have the opportunity to take part in a traditional ceilidh, a Gaelic celebration with folk music, dancing and storytelling.
You don’t have to have the detective skills of Sherlock to find Edinburgh holiday packages—just search Wotif’s selection of flights and hotels, and choose the ones that are right for you. Make your getaway even more barry (read: awesome) with a Glasgow holiday as well. Don’t be a numpty. Sher-lock in the savings today!
