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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

Edinburgh Festival

12 replies

Haribosmummy · 27/05/2009 18:19

Can anyone tell me about Edinburgh and the festival?

It's my sis and BIL's 40ths this year and the festival is right in the middle of both of them...

So, I'd like to send them to Edinburgh for a couple of days, get them a nice hotel, nice dinner reservations and send them to a show or two at the festival...

Nothing too arty - more funny / mainstream, I suppose...

They live in NE England, so going to get 1st class train tickets for them to travel...

Anyone got any suggestions of places to stay / places to eat / events to see?

I don't have any specific dates in mind, but can book something IYSWIM.

TIA, HM

OP posts:

DLI · 27/05/2009 18:33

Me and dh have been to edinburgh a few times. If your sis and BIL like italian then i can recommend Vittoria, if you google it you will find it. the one out of town is a bit more quiet than the one right in the centre. we went to the one in the centre and it catered more for families. Food is very good and not too pricey. we had a main course each, a dessert each and a drink each and it only came to £45. (Its not a romatic place though). There are many hotels in the city and they range from about £100 a night upwards. for entertainment have a look at the playhouse in Edinburgh. We have stayed at Herald House Hotel but it is a bit too far out of town. We have also stayed at Jurys Inn. location was fantastic for the train but i don't rate it too much. We live in the North East and went by train. a normal ticket at a special rate cost us just under £80 for the two of us.

Have you got a budget in mind?

Original poster

Haribosmummy · 27/05/2009 18:41

Thanks DLI

I was thinking around £500 for 2 nights (hotels and dinner, and [hopefully] ents too}

THen trains on top of that.

Do you think that's reasonable?

I was thinking of Hotel Du Vin? Is that close to the centre of things?

OP posts:

DLI · 28/05/2009 09:54

hi, had a look on a map and it looks pretty central. It appears to be south of everyting, and all they need to do is walk north along George IV bridge and they are on the royal mile. further north (about 5-10 min walk) they have princess street where all the shops are. £500 should be enough. You may want to warn them that if they go out drinking it can be quite expensive compared to North East. It cost us last time (a few weeks ago) about £5 for a pint and a half of larger. Up the round from the hotel you picked is a museum (i am not into museums) which is worth a look. it looks very deceiving as it is on 7 floors when you get into it. What they really do need to do is the Mary Kings Close Walk. It takes about an hour and they take you underground to a whole new city (the old city. it is a must!

SheherazadetheGoat · 28/05/2009 09:58

you can't get much closer to teh action that hotel du vin. book soon cos festival time gets crazy. there are millions of things to do and see so it would be good to book one thing at least before they go. what sort of stuff are they into? clasical music, dance, comedy, mime, naked motorcyclists performing opera?

how much money on the meal? one of the best restaurant in edinburgh is on the top floor of the museum (name escapes me) but they do a fairly reasonable pre theatre menu.

fatjac · 28/05/2009 10:54

You sound like a great sister.

The earlier you book the accom and train the more choice and value you'll get. Seriously book the hotel NOW or there will be nothing avaliable.

Original poster

Haribosmummy · 28/05/2009 12:47

Ooh... thanks..

OK, hotel and dinner sorted (I think you mean The Tower restaraunt, STG)

So, what about ents? Something comedy / light hearted... quirky would be OK (but not TOO quirky, IYSWIM!!) Nothing too high brow / arty

What are the best days to go?

(You guys are great, BTW... I really appreciate the advice!)

I really want to get them a cool pressie!!

OP posts:

SheherazadetheGoat · 28/05/2009 12:51

the fringe programme doesn't seem to be out yet. but it is good to wait until closer to the time and book something that gets really good reviews but isn't overly famous.

i love camille - seh is a caberet type singer and fabulous not sure if she is here this year.

SheherazadetheGoat · 28/05/2009 12:53

mid week is best cos it is still buzzing but not as manically busy

SheherazadetheGoat · 28/05/2009 12:58

camille gigs here

meep · 28/05/2009 13:13

ricks is in the centre of the New Town - has a barand does food

Tigerlilly is quite swanky and in the same area

Hotel du vin is in the Old Town area - so right in teh hub of the Fringe - E4's udderbelly tent (a big purple upside down cow) is just accorss the road - 2 mins from the high Street where all the street theatre is

I would wait until the Fringe catelogue is out then pick a good comic for them: here

Original poster

Haribosmummy · 28/05/2009 13:15

OK, thanks!!

Will get the trains, hotels and dinner reservations made now for mid week and keep an eye for the fringe programme!

Thanks again!

OP posts:

skramble · 30/05/2009 00:06

There is really somthing for every one. Difficult to know what some things will be like, been to a few weird things LOL.

There are official and unofficial stalls all over the place selling allsorts of crafts and art work. Wandering along the Royal mile and ajacent streets is great fun and there are lots of street performers and things going on, its good to take the time to ewander on a nice day and soak it all up, you never know what you will see.

Book everything early as you can, incl;uding meals as everything central gets booked up.

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