FUN-travel: Scotland – Edinburgh – Day 1 & 2

October 9, 2011 by  

Day 20 – Monday, October 3 – Edinburgh – thick clouds, bursts of rain followed by bursts of sunshine, 50’s – blue skies at 6 pm

Marriott Dalmahoy Castle & Country Club

  • Rest
  • Relax
  • Recharge
  • FUN-food – still captive here – Caesar salad (not the same as US) med rare Scottish hamburger (unbelievably pure meat, not greasy & wonderful flavor) – Raimat Tempranillo, Spain (wine maker from Australia)

Myth – rooms are cheaper if booked on line rather than walking in last minute
FUN-damental truth – maybe in peak season but not now – but beware, they will show you the most expensive room & if you ask for a cheaper room or another hotel/B&B option they magically find a cheaper room (this has happened 3 X’s so far)

Day 21 – Tuesday, October 4 – Edinburgh – thick clouds, bursts of rain followed by bursts of sunshine, very windy, much colder, low 50’s – Depart 9:30

  • 1st stop – Morrison’s grocery store (actually wanted Tesco but got lost) stock up on water, snacks & wine

Royal Yacht Britannia Dining Room

  • 2nd stop– 10:30 – Park & Ride – 3 miles from hotel only $5 – all day bus ride per person – takes 30 minutes (10 miles to city center)

    Sir Walter Scott Monument

  • 3rd stop – TI for maps & city bus tour (they have 4 options) opt for 2 day pass that includes use of all 4 buses plus entry to 3 attractions – Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle & Holyroodhouse Palace
  • 4th stop – Costa Coffee for cappuccinos
  • 5th stop – Hertz to fix removing the charges for extra insurance (cost is almost 500 lbs & Visa covers all of that) told we have to have Glasgow office approval since we rented there & no one answers the phone – try customer service & they say same thing
  • 6th stop – Waverly Bridge Hop On, Hop Off Bus – Mac City tour – 50 minute w/live local guide
  • 7th stop – Waverly Bridge Hop On, Hop Off Bus – Majestic tour – takes a slightly different & longer route
  • 8th stop – Royal Britannia Yacht – commissioned 1-11-1954 transported the royal family for more than 40 yrs & sailed 1 million miles (equivalent to once around the world for every year) w/a crew of more than 200 –  Prince Charles & Diana honeymooned on it & the queen said, “This is the only place I can truly relax.” (hey, I could too!)
  • 9th stop – back to Hertz – get Glasgow to eliminate extra charges
  • 10th stop – 5:00 somewhere is Deacon Brodies Pub for Guinness, Tennent’s Lager
  • FUN-food – Mamma’s Pizza in Grassmarket – spinach & cranberries salad w/light vinaigrette – pepperoni, sausage, onion, mushroom pizza – wonderful Australian McLaren Vale Shiraz (never a disappointment)

Deacon Brodies Tavern

FF – (FUN-facts) – Edinburgh is Scotland’s showpiece & a tourist delight! once the most crowded city in Europe – famed for its skyscrapers & filth – rich & poor lived atop one another

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