A Scottish Adventure

Edinburgh is a great destination for a break away from London. A short break in Scotland’ s vibrant capital can be just what is needed as an antidote to the chaos of London. From the many cultural sights, museums and galleries to a world class dining scene there is something for everyone in this small but busy city.

A trip to Edinburgh is easily done in a weekend with flights averaging at around 90 minutes from all London airports. We flew with Easyjet from London Luton. Edinburgh airport is easy to navigate and there are plenty of trains and buses running to the city center in around 30 minutes. We hired a car from the airport and drove straight to George Street to check into the Principal Hotel. Parking can be difficult in the center of Edinburgh so make sure you take advantage of the hotel discount at the local Q Park.

The Principal is a grand hotel situated on one of the main Edinburgh streets giving perfect access to the sights and shops of Edinburgh city. From the minute you enter the building the staff cannot do enough to help you. Of all the places I have visited the Scottish welcome is by far the warmest. The check in process was quick and painless and although the journey from London was relatively short by the time we arrived at the hotel we were tired and ready for a short but sweet nap.

Our room was an excellent size with huge windows overlooking the city. We had a three-piece bathroom suite which came in handy for a soothing bath after a cold day of sight seeing. The complimentary treat box was a welcoming touch and included complimentary drinks vouchers for the coffee shop on the ground floor.

The hotel provides many facilities including a gift store in the reception area, perfect for selecting Scottish gifts to take home. There is a gastro pub style dining area at the rear of the bar as well as Burr and Co. coffee shop serving hot drinks and snacks throughout the day.

There are meeting rooms and event spaces based on the ground floor of the hotel. This means there can be a vibrant atmosphere around the reception area but this doesn’t disturb the guests at all.

Breakfast is included with the room rate– we chose a Scottish breakfast and salmon with eggs to be delivered to the room. The portion sizes were huge – definitely a good start to a day of sightseeing around the town.

Dinner is served in The Printing Press dining room. There are lots of dishes to choose from covering most dietary requirements although if you have a specific request I would contact the restaurant in advance to ensure they can accommodate your needs.

The bar is well priced and the team behind the bar is friendly and attentive.

There is a lot to do in Edinburgh whether it’s shopping or visiting the many cultural sites including Edinburgh castle.

Edinburgh castle should be a must on everyones list – no break is complete without a trip to see Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.

There is a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. If you’re an art lover you should head to the national gallery.

In my opinion no trip is complete without a visit to Roy Brett’s restaurant Ondine, off the Royal Mile. I was lucky enough to catch his residency at Carousel London and it was without a doubt one of the best seafood experiences I have had. The restaurant in Edinburgh serves excellent quality sustainable produce that will have you coming back for more.

Edinburgh is a great base for travelling to other parts of Scotland – its only an hours drive to Glasgow or a few hours up to the beautiful sights of loch Lomond however with such a wealth of activities and sights in the marvelous city that Edinburgh is I’d say a long weekend is a perfect retox break.