Scotland!
Due to so many replies on how I should go to Scotland, I booked my tickets and will be there for ~two weeks in early July!
I will be arriving on Monday morning (flight lands at 8am), and then on Tuesday I booked a 6 Day Hebridean Explorer tour with Wild in Scotland. From that tour, I'll come back Sunday night, and then I'll have M-Th in Edinburgh before I leave on Friday.
So, since I have pretty much ~5 days in Edinburgh (of course, day 1 depends on how long it takes from ~8am arrival to how long customs/luggage/transport will take 'til I'm actually in town), I am thinking about maybe doing a day trip for one or two of those days? If so, where should I go?
Some ideas I had (in case you don't know, I love castles):
Stirling Castle/Duone Castle
North Berwick/Dirleton/Tantallon castle/Scottish Seabird Centre
St Andrews/Fife/Aberdour Castle
Loch Lomond area
Blackness castle/Linlithgow palace/St Michael Parish
Or any other suggestions/ideas for daytrips?
Or maybe I can do one of the 1 day tours from Rabbies? I have my eye on maybe one of these:
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/west_highland_lochs_castles_1_day_tour.asp
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/st_andrews_fishing_villages_fife_1_day_tour.asp
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/alnwick_castle_berwick_borders.asp
(I don't think these routes go the same places as Wild in Scotland)
Regarding itinerary:
What I got so far.
Monday-
Arrive
Free New Edinburgh Walking tour
Edinburgh Castle?
Camera Obscura?
Tue-Sun-
Wild in Scotland tour
Mon- Day in Edinburgh?
Holyrood House
Arthur's Seat? (How long will this hike be?)
Museums? (Surgeons' Hall Museums. National Museum of Scotland.)
Tue- Potential Daytrip?
Wed- Day in Edinburgh
Carlton Hill?
What else should I do in this day?
Vault tours?
Zoo?
Craigmillar?
More museums?
Thur- Potential Daytrip?
Friday - Leave
Regarding attractions:
What are the *definite don't miss* sights/attractions in Edinburgh?
So far I've got: Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, Arthur's Seat, Carlton Hill, National Museum of Scotland, Surgeons Hall (because I like weird stuff)
Also the walking tour should go over some of the sights of the city as well (http://www.newedinburghtours.com/daily-tours/new-edinburgh-free-tour.html)
Should I do a "ghost" tour or a tour of the underground vaults? Would this be worth it? What about King Marys close? Or Gilmerton Coves?
Regarding food:
Also, how much should I budget for food per day? I have to try the local food (speaking of which: best place to get haggis? salmon and/or other seafood? scotch pie? fish n chips? any other must-try Scottish foods and where to get them?) but I would prefer to keep costs down. I'd rather go to a small local place, or food cart, or a market or grocery store to get my food rather than pricier sit down restaurants, and I don't usually buy any alcohol either, but I'm willing to go to a pub for some good food (if it's a good price!). Also, I'm assuming that the water is safe to drink and I can just fill up a waterbottle from most taps?
Suggestions of any good cheap, local joints for tasty food for not much money would be greatly appreciated!
Regarding what to bring:
It's going to be early July. I'm going to assume it'll rain at some day, so should I bring an umbrella? Poncho? Or just a waterproof jacket? Other than the normal stuff (clothing, soap, camera, etc), is there anything you'd recommend that I bring?
Thanks everyone for helping me choose my trip!
I will be arriving on Monday morning (flight lands at 8am), and then on Tuesday I booked a 6 Day Hebridean Explorer tour with Wild in Scotland. From that tour, I'll come back Sunday night, and then I'll have M-Th in Edinburgh before I leave on Friday.
So, since I have pretty much ~5 days in Edinburgh (of course, day 1 depends on how long it takes from ~8am arrival to how long customs/luggage/transport will take 'til I'm actually in town), I am thinking about maybe doing a day trip for one or two of those days? If so, where should I go?
Some ideas I had (in case you don't know, I love castles):
Stirling Castle/Duone Castle
North Berwick/Dirleton/Tantallon castle/Scottish Seabird Centre
St Andrews/Fife/Aberdour Castle
Loch Lomond area
Blackness castle/Linlithgow palace/St Michael Parish
Or any other suggestions/ideas for daytrips?
Or maybe I can do one of the 1 day tours from Rabbies? I have my eye on maybe one of these:
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/west_highland_lochs_castles_1_day_tour.asp
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/st_andrews_fishing_villages_fife_1_day_tour.asp
http://www.rabbies.com/tours_scotland_edinburgh/alnwick_castle_berwick_borders.asp
(I don't think these routes go the same places as Wild in Scotland)
Regarding itinerary:
What I got so far.
Monday-
Arrive
Free New Edinburgh Walking tour
Edinburgh Castle?
Camera Obscura?
Tue-Sun-
Wild in Scotland tour
Mon- Day in Edinburgh?
Holyrood House
Arthur's Seat? (How long will this hike be?)
Museums? (Surgeons' Hall Museums. National Museum of Scotland.)
Tue- Potential Daytrip?
Wed- Day in Edinburgh
Carlton Hill?
What else should I do in this day?
Vault tours?
Zoo?
Craigmillar?
More museums?
Thur- Potential Daytrip?
Friday - Leave
Regarding attractions:
What are the *definite don't miss* sights/attractions in Edinburgh?
So far I've got: Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, Arthur's Seat, Carlton Hill, National Museum of Scotland, Surgeons Hall (because I like weird stuff)
Also the walking tour should go over some of the sights of the city as well (http://www.newedinburghtours.com/daily-tours/new-edinburgh-free-tour.html)
Should I do a "ghost" tour or a tour of the underground vaults? Would this be worth it? What about King Marys close? Or Gilmerton Coves?
Regarding food:
Also, how much should I budget for food per day? I have to try the local food (speaking of which: best place to get haggis? salmon and/or other seafood? scotch pie? fish n chips? any other must-try Scottish foods and where to get them?) but I would prefer to keep costs down. I'd rather go to a small local place, or food cart, or a market or grocery store to get my food rather than pricier sit down restaurants, and I don't usually buy any alcohol either, but I'm willing to go to a pub for some good food (if it's a good price!). Also, I'm assuming that the water is safe to drink and I can just fill up a waterbottle from most taps?
Suggestions of any good cheap, local joints for tasty food for not much money would be greatly appreciated!
Regarding what to bring:
It's going to be early July. I'm going to assume it'll rain at some day, so should I bring an umbrella? Poncho? Or just a waterproof jacket? Other than the normal stuff (clothing, soap, camera, etc), is there anything you'd recommend that I bring?
Thanks everyone for helping me choose my trip!