Destination Edinburgh

Edinburgh has one of the most wonderful cityscapes in the world, making it the ideal city break destination. With Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city skyline, there is loads to see and do with the impeccable balance between all things traditional and modern. Its dramatic contours, long surviving buildings, breathtaking views, green hills, wide water and compact, bustling city centre have encouraged a truly cosmopolitan population. And high above it all, in its towering splendour, stands the Castle.

Up in the Old Town amongst the aged and multi layers of sinewy architecture lies the city's pride and joy, its 12th century castle. The cobbled walkway leading downwards towards the east of town and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is majestically addressed as the Royal Mile. A medieval golden mile, it is the heart and soul of the city's 'colourful' and murky history. Flanked by an array of public houses, museums, souvenir shops and dark alleyways, the Royal Mile and the 12th century castle are the best introduction you can get to the city of Edinburgh.


There is plenty of archaeological evidence that the Roman army mixed on a day to day basis with the locals. After all most of the Roman army was made up of Celts ( Gauls) from mainland Europe.

This is the city where the first and the last words of the Harry Potter chronicles were penned and where on its outskirts a tiny church in the village of Rosslyn was made famous by ' The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown.

Since the last war Edinburgh prestige has risen not least because of the establishment of the Edinburgh Festival.


There is therefore not one Edinburgh Festival, but a collection of independent Festivals which happen to take place in the same city at the same time.
Edinburgh International Festival (1947)* — The original and "official" festival consisting of classical and contemporary Theatre, Opera, Music and Dance.
Edinburgh Fringe (1947)* — Started life as a small scale "fringe" event to the E I F, but is now the largest of all the festivals and indeed the largest arts festival in the world.

However, from 2008 the E I F F has moved to late June, citing concerns over costs during August and congestion in the international film festival calendar.

In the 1960's the city was being torn down and rebuilt at an alarming rate, but fortunately the New Town Conservation Committee (formed in the 70's) put a stop to that. Buildings have been restored using traditional and sympathetic methods, and now the city looks as though it will remain as one of Europe's most beautiful and historically interesting living monuments.


If you are looking to visit Edinburgh in the next few months then I will list a few hotel the main attractions where you can stop.

Hotels near Edinburgh Castle
Hotels near Palace of Holyroodhouse
Hotels near Rosslyn Chapel

And for all those Wiskey drinkers

Hotels near Scotch Whisky Experience

Many more hotels in Edinburgh can be found at Pandarooms.com