Edinburgh Escape

If you’re thinking about heading over to Edinburgh, Scotland, stop thinking and start packing. With the friendly locals, charming cobblestone streets, and relaxing pace it makes the perfect quick getaway. Pair it with an adventure to Dublin, and you’ve got yourself an adventure!  The company I always recommend when planning an adventure like this is Go-Today which handles all the logistics for you so can you travel stress-free. The trip I modeled mine after can be found here: Edinburgh & Dublin   

Old Town

Where to Stay

We opted for the highest upgrade package on our trip and landed at the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Old Town. It was absolutely adorable and the location was perfect.  We were a short walk from everything we wanted to see, but also weren’t in an overly touristy area. 

What to Eat

Deep Fried Mars Bar Heaven

The coveted number one spot of what to eat when in Edinburgh goes to…..a deep fried Mars bar. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Trust me it cannot be missed. It’s basically a warmy gooey Mars bar that is deep-fried just enough so that it’s not overly messy. Heaven right? Don’t expect much from the other desserts you’ll find in the city. They all look absolutely gorgeous, but they are definitely lacking on the flavor side. It’s not from a lack of trying either because we made sure to try every bakery in sight.

Full Scottish Breakfast

When you’re gearing up for the day, opt in to the “full Scottish breakfast”. It’s eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, mushrooms, tomato, and most importantly a tattie scone.

When you’re looking for a snack throughout the day stop into one of the many baked potato shops. They take their potatoes seriously around the city and you can find them everywhere. Load up with everything from chili to guacamole to haggis….just don’t forget to also get the garlic butter!

Mussles + Split Pea Soup @ Element

Two of my favorite meals from the city came from Element (http://www.elementedinburgh.co.uk) and Ecco Vino (https://www.eccovinoedinburgh.com) ----do yourself a favor and stop by both of these sometime during your stay!

Last but not least….when you get your classic fill of fish and chips do me a favor and mix together the Mayonnaise and HP sauce on the table for an amazing combination. French fries will never be the same after that I promise!

What to Do

The city itself is super walk-able whether you’re exploring New Town or Old Town. Skip the bus pass and Ubers and pack a pair of comfortable shoes instead so you don’t miss anything!

Views from the Scott Monument

The first thing you should do is schedule a free walking tour with Sandemans (http://www.neweuropetours.eu/Edinburgh/en/home?date=13/07/2017&tour=604). This is always my favorite way to orient myself with a city and figure out how I want to spend the rest of my time there. If you decide to do other tours with the company, book them while you’re there (you’ll get a discount). The Castle Tour is definitely a must if you’re planning on seeing the castle. It’s only a little bit more expensive to go with a guide and if you’re anything like me, it’s absolutely worth the few extra bucks to have someone narrate the story instead of having to read the plaques along the way!

Hillside @ Arthur's Seat

The Scott Monument has awesome views of the city if you can handle the steep climb to the top. Admission is 5 pounds and is worth every penny!

If you’re looking for another great view of the city, head up to Arthur’s Seat. Whether you make it to the top, or only go halfway the views are breathtaking.

My only regret is that we didn’t have enough time to book a trip to the Scottish Highlands while we were there. If you find yourself in Edinburgh, make sure to do your research and try to fit it into your plans!

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