Guide to Edinburgh’s Best Free Things to Do and See
They say the best things in life are free, and that definitely holds true for a city like Edinburgh. While many attractions within Scotland’s capital are paid such as visiting Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King’s Close, or Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, there are countless ways to enjoy the city for free. So grab your kilt or tartan dress and experience one of Europe’s most visited destinations. With so many free attractions on offer, you’ll have enough money left over to be able to treat yourself to a dram of fine whisky. I now give you some of the top free things to enjoy in Edinburgh.
read moreEdinburgh’s Best Retail Casinos
While online casinos may be the gambling of choice for many UK residents and visitors, Edinburgh still offers a decent retail gambling industry that includes a number of popular casinos. Here’s a list of the best places to gamble in person while in Edinburgh.
read moreReal Life Outlander Locations You can Visit Near Edinburgh, Scotland
The pandemic has forced many of us to swap real life travel for binge watching shows like Outlander to feed our wanderlust.
Now, it finally looks like international travel is set to return, with Scotland confirming that fully vaccinated travellers visiting from non-red list countries will not even have to provide evidence of a negative test result before travelling to Scotland.
Millions of people around the world have fallen in love with the WWII nurse who gets transported back to 18th century Scotland and finds herself falling in love with a handsome Highlander and in the middle of the Jacobite uprising.
Adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s famous novels, the TV series’ 5 seasons to date have been filmed at many locations in and around Edinburgh. And, now that travel is back, fans can finally transport themselves to Scotland and the many famous places seen in the series.
read moreAssemble Your Clan for Scotland’s Virtual Highland Games!
The scene is set; a summer’s day, a lush Scottish glen, centuries of history, competitors ready to battle it out … it’s Scotland’s iconic Highland Games – but not as we know it this year.
In 2020, for the first time ever, the Scottish Highland Games have been held virtually, and everyone can have a front row seat to the very best of Scottish culture and competition!
The Highland Games are a traditional feature of summer across Scotland, particularly in rural areas. Dating back over 1,000 years, Highland Games are a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture, centered around a variety of competitions such as heavy athletics, piping, drumming and Highland dancing.
Whether you want to re-watch the action, find out more about the history behind the games, or stage your own Highland Games from home, there are plenty of ways to get involved this year, albeit in a physically distanced and virtual way!
Here’s how you can be part of the action!
read moreStunning Natural Attractions For a UK Road Trip
The UK is one of the top rated destinations by travellers, and for good reason. It is a destination that transports you into a real life fairytale complete with castles, gardens, kings, and princesses.
While most visitors focus their time and attention around the big cities as they take in all the pubs, nightlife, and Royal sights, the UK’s off the beaten path areas are equally enticing. The UK is filled with abundant natural attractions that can easily be explored by renting a car and taking an unforgettable road trip.
A road trip through the UK is by far the best way to experience all the region has to offer especially as it isn’t all that large. You will find wonderful hotels throughout the country in both iconic cities and charming small towns, all of which make great overnight stopping points or bases from which to explore the UK’s greatest natural landscapes.
So get off the London tube and take full control of your next UK holiday by taking a self drive tour of some of the UK’s lesser known treasures. They’re even more impressive than Buckingham or Big Ben!
read more7 Kayaking Spots Around the World for Beginners
So you love being on the water, and always admired others who enjoy getting out on their own and kayaking away. But perhaps you’re worried that you’ll find yourself paddling around in circles for most of your day.
Even if you have never kayaked, there is no need to fret: there are plenty of fabulous spots for kayaking beginners all over the world. And the great news is that kayaking is a great sport for any beginner to learn.
It’s relatively simple to pick up kayaking, and this is a great way to get close to nature, and access remote sightseeing that you wouldn’t usually be able to enjoy on land.
The following are the best kayaking spots around the world for beginners. If you find yourself in one of these destinations, consider renting a kayak!
read moreDear LGBTQI Travelers: These Countries Will Recognize Your Same Sex Marriage #LoveAlwaysWins
Ever since same-sex marriage was legalized in the Netherlands in 2001 (props to the Netherlands for always being at the front of progressive change), the legalization of same-sex marriage has snowballed throughout the world.
28 countries (26 with another two pending) now legally recognize the right for same sex couples to marry, so if you’re part of the LGBTQI community, and want to travel, live overseas, or plan a destination wedding, these countries will recognize your right.
More than 760 million people now live in countries where same-sex marriage is legal, and I encourage all travelers to support those countries at the forefront of equality and recognition of human rights. I also have one thing to say to my own country, in a slogan they coined: Australia, where the bloody hell are you?
read moreHow Will Brexit Affect UK Travel?
It was a seemingly endless campaign that was at times very aggressive and bad tempered. Accusations flew between the two sides, there was even a battle of flotillas outside the Houses of Parliament. And, eventually, the unthinkable did happen against all the odds and the UK voted to leave the EU.
In the aftermath of this seismic shift there’s a great deal to be resolved, not least when the country will actually have to leave the EU. Some effects have already been felt although whether these are just temporary blips is a matter of debate. What is more certain is that once the split has occurred there will be many areas of life that will be affected.
A key one will be travel within the EU and there have been certain predictions about precisely how it could be affected.
read moreQuiz: Glasgow Landmarks vs The World
The Gateway to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Glasgow is a friendly, bustling town full of fascinating landmarks and buildings. Walking the streets allows you to marvel at imposing 19th-century buildings, Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and unique masterpieces of one of the city’s most celebrated sons, the legendary architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Medieval cathedrals mix with modern concert halls, and the city is home to the largest terracotta fountain in the world. (Hint: remember Doulton Fountain). Many of the buildings are quite “distinctive in their appearance, being built of red sandstone, such as both the People’s Palace on Greendyke Street and the Charing Cross Mansions building on Sauchiehall Street.”
But can you pick out some of Glasgow’s top landmarks, from some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions? See if you can beat my score of 10/13.
read moreBest Countries to See the Northern Lights
One of the world’s most dazzling natural phenomenons, few travel experiences can top witnessing the Northern Lights. Also known as Aurora Borealis, this is mother nature’s most impressive light show, and something almost every traveler has at the top of their bucketlist.
Though you may not have to travel as remotely as you think in order to catch a glimpse. While most of the following destinations are close to the Arctic, you can often expect sightings as far south as the United Kingdom, or, if you’re in the southern hemisphere, catch the equally as impressive Southern Lights in Australia instead.
It’s important to note that there is no exact science to seeing the Northern Lights, and that there’s never any guarantee. Though from the northernmost fjords of Norway to the snow-enveloped wilderness of Alaska, here are some of your best bets.
read more