Still looking for a wonderful holiday vacation? How about a visit to Scotland?
Why Scotland, particularly Edinburgh?
Why Go: In this Scottish gem known for its widespread arts and theater culture, a holiday light show includes fireworks illuminating the sky from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” around the Sir Walter Scott Monument serve even better than carolers.
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Where to Stay: Fireplaces are continuously rekindled at the baronial Balmoral. The Caledonian in Edinburgh is Scotland’s answer to the Plaza and equally as opulent.
Holiday Dinner: Sorceresses were burned at the stake beside the gates of Edinburgh Castle in the 16th century. Today, there’s no sorcery, since the Witchery by the Castle now stands on the site. The restaurant serves Loch Duart salmon and Gartmorn Farm duck—all cooked to perfection.
Looking for more: It’s practically mandatory that visitors to Edinburgh travel by the book. This cultured city—which has inspired more than 500 novels—passionately keeps its written tradition alive, from the verse of 18th-century bard Robert Burns (who even merits an iPhone app) to the works of modern-day writers like Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith. On tap are two different pub-crawls, a walking tour, and excursions specific to Rankin’s Inspector Rebus and Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting.
If you’re short on time, head straight to the Writers’ Museum located in a 17th-century building reached by a narrow stone passageway. Exhibits are devoted to a powerhouse literary trio: Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson
For more details on Christmas break suggestions for Scotland, please checkout: VisitScotland
Take time to enjoy, the Little Drummer Boy
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