Edinburgh

If you want to get a sense of what life in the middle ages might've looked like, you go to Edinburgh. Scotland's capital, is hilly, compact, and old. It has a small town charm that is rarely rivaled by any other capital city and is best explored on foot (wear comfortable shoes!). It is usually cold and rainy, but the best time to visit is in the summer months when the weather is relatively warm and there are lots of festivals. Plan at least 4 days, but stay for more if you can.

Where to Stay:

Old town/historic town is best to see all of Edinburgh's historic attractions.
New Town has easy access to the historic town but has great shopping and modern accommodation options.
Leith is a great district for foodies and micro-breweries.
Grassmarket neighborhood is best for exploring medieval market and nightlife scene.

Where/What to Eat:

Try the quintessential Scottish food, Haggis (a mixture of sheep’s offal, onion, seasonings, and oat) which is everywhere!
Try Cullen Skink, which is a delicious creamy fish and potato soup.
Fish and chip is also a thing in Edinburgh.
Steak and ale pies give shepherd's pie run for its money.
England has its breakfast and Scotland has its own, so try a Scottish breakfast (haggis, along with black pudding, sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, and a grilled tomato, along with a tattie scone).
Enjoy a dram of scotch, a pint of beer, Scottish food and live music at one of these timeless establishments: The Last Drop, The Devil's Advocate, The World's End, The Tollbooth, The Sheep Heid's Inn, The White Hart Inn.

What to Do:

Enjoy Edinburgh like anyone should, stroll through the old historic town, sit in a pub, scotch in hand, spoon in mouth, smile on face.
Hike up Arthur's Seat for great views.
Explore the 12th century Edinburgh Castle.
Catch some great sunset views from Calton Hill.
Explore the Georgian House museum, which is a reconstruction of how Edinburgh’s wealthy lived during the 18th and early 19th.
Take a free walking tour and explore the hidden world under the streets.
If weather permits, have a picnic on the Meadows.
Catch a Scottish Ballet at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre.
Climb up the narrow staircase of the Scott Monument for more incredible views.
For art lovers, explore the Scottish National Gallery.
Walk the Royal Mile from the Edinburgh Castle to the Holyrood Castle where the queen stay when in Edinburgh.
Spend a an evening exploring Leith and reward yourself with some water front drinks and dinner.
Visit the Scotch Whisky Experience to learn about, try, and see great whiskies.
Take a day trip to Loch Ness. The lake itself is ok, but the ride and history up the highlands are well worth it. You can even stop by a distillery on the way up.

Glasgow

Details coming soon.