Surrounded by seven hills, the city of Edinburgh, with the North Sea lapping at its fringes, is divided into old and new. We drive along the streets of the 18th-century part of the city where terraced Georgian houses stand tall. These houses are characterised by large windows at the centre while higher up, the windows belonging to the nursery become smaller. Those belonging to the dining rooms are the largest, much in the manner of a showpiece to display to guests, their size and number being indicative of one’s social status.
We drive past the statue of Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes’s creator had lived here. High Street comprises the principal shopping area, the original 18th century buildings opening out to shopping arcades below. George’s Street, named after King George III, leads to the museums that the city is known for, the Royal Scottish Academy and art galleries, famous for their Renaissance paintings.
Alexander Bell, the inventor of the telephone, who also lived in these parts, has many pubs named after him. Queens Street has retained most of its original ambience, a house with a doorway marked No. 17 having been home to poet and writer R.L. Stevenson who had lived there as a child with his nursery at the top of the house! The views and the botanical gardens close by inspired him to write Treasure Island. R.L. Stevenson came from a very wealthy family and used Edinburgh as the base for the writing of Jekyll and Hyde.
As we drive on, the greenery of the city opens up, past Parliament House, which stands opposite the Queens Gallery and we get a peek at the imposing façade of Holyrood Palace or Queens Park, the name changing according to the ruler of the period. Up the winding roads, past rolling parklands, dotted with lakes, and we finally arrive at Edinburgh Castle, which sits on the remnants of an old volcano. This majestic castle has dominated its surroundings for centuries. It has been the residence of Scotland’s monarchs, a prison for enemies, a repository of treasures and, at all times, a military stronghold.
Built on a steep volcanic rock, the castle is well defended. There is the one o’ clock gun salute on Mills Mount Battery, fired every noon, which has citizens check their watches and visitors jump out of their skins. A spectacular view of the city of Edinburgh can be had from the top the castle; spread out below lies the 18th century ‘New Town’, one of the greatest works of Georgian town planning in the British isle.
It is late afternoon and we leave the castle, overcome by the marvellous views from the battlements and its history.
Before the festivities get underway, there are flights to catch, security lines to endure and delays to tolerate. Here are 10 top holiday travel tips to help you navigate the festive season.
For procrastinators: Book last-minute: Typically we encourage travelers to book flights between 60 and 90 days before an anticipated date of departure. That ideal time-frame has now passed, leaving many fliers scrambling to find holiday fare deals. But all is not lost!Lucky for procrastinators, flash sales are popping up left and right and - better yet - the best is possibly yet to come. Start scanning now, as early December bookers could save the most on holiday flights.Travel alternatively: As ongoing advocates of both alternative airports and alternative destinations, our stance holds true with the season of cheer upon us. For fliers with a set destination in mind, taking the time to compare nearby airports based on affordability could mean major savings. Folks eager to get away for a beach vacation should look for the deal rather than the destination. Instead of Miami this Christmas, how about a beach town on the Gulf like Fort Meyers or Sarasota? The bottom line: do your homework.Fly on the holiday: Flight searches by date often tell an interesting but consistent story: flying midweek, early in the day or late at night saves travelers cash. 'Tis true on holidays, too. Many times the lowest fares go to travelers willing to fly on the holiday itself, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve. Plus, the cheer can be felt 35,000 feet in the air for flexible fliers, as some airlines are particularly festive. Lufthansa in Christmases past has cooked traditional German meals and decked cabins with wreaths and decorations so passengers - and flight crews - can share in the celebration.For gift givers: Shop online: In an era of ever-increasing baggage fees, it's best to show up to the airport with as little to check in as possible. Lucky for those with long wish lists, nearly everything nowadays can be found - and shipped - thanks to the glorious Internet. Order a Big Wheel-luggage hybrid for the junior traveler in your life or an airline gift card for your favorite frequent flier. No matter the choice, it means less to get through security and less on your credit card.Ship gifts: If you've found a gift at a great rate or a specialty item during your holiday shopping sprees, then of course seize the deal. But if it doesn't fit in your carry-on, you may want to ship it via a courier company. Do the math a week before to see what will cost you less: a tracked package or an extra bag. If it's the latter, remember to leave your gifts unwrapped so security can easily access the contents.Pack an empty suitcase: If the price is right, bringing an extra piece of luggage on your trip can be a frugal decision. Then, when it comes time to transport the gifts you've received home, you'll have an empty suitcase to fill. Either pack a fold-up duffel in your luggage or bring a separate bag if it means you won't get hit with high-priced baggage fees. First calculate what it will cost to ship your gifts home, then plan and pack accordingly.Peruse duty-free: International fliers over the holidays have the opportunity to savor their layovers a bit in the duty-free shops, where high-end products go for everyday prices in airports around the globe. Hubs like Hong Kong International Airport, Amsterdam Airport Schipol and London Heathrow Airport offer shoppers a bounty of stocking stuffers and goodies for under the tree. Shop on your way - or way home - tax-free. A friendly reminder: If you're connecting Stateside from certain international locations, liquids purchased at duty-free have to be checked before the domestic leg of your flight.For air mile collectors - Save the miles: Miles get tricky around the holidays, especially since "low points" seats for the most popular travel dates sell out even before the Halloween candy has hit the shelves. There's that, plus some airlines implement the never-popular blackout dates. Accumulated miles, whether through an airline or a credit card, are used most economically either when travel plans are booked early or a traveler has flexibility with their itinerary. Our advice: Save the points during the holidays unless you snag a great deal.Plan ahead and expect delays: Flight delays are pretty much a guarantee this time of year, whether its crowded airports, bad weather or mechanical problems causing them. There's a way to plan ahead so that getting stuck behind infrequent fliers and families of five at airport security doesn't cause anxiety. First, avoid connections if you can when booking, even if it means paying a little more. If a connection is a must, then ensure there's a long enough layover in case your first flight is late to land. On the day of travel, get to the airport earlier - way earlier - than you typically would. Worst-case scenario: You spend extra time with your Kindle at the departure gate or relaxing at the airport bar.Health: Invest in hand sanitizer: The most wonderful time of the year is also the most sniffly time of the year for many travelers. Keep that in mind before you head for the airport, and pack plenty of hand sanitizer to help fend off germs.There's nothing worse than realizing during ascent that you're stuck in a cabin full of recycled air with a sickly seatmate. Fill your prescriptions, drink lots of water, wash your hands often - whatever it takes to guarantee your holidays will be spent both joy- and health-filled.
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