Europe: Round-the-World Travel Destinations

Budget Scale: 1-5

1-least expensive; 5-most expensive
4– A large city in western Europe means high prices. It’s difficult to get by on a typical backpacker’s budget, but if you are traveling in Europe, you already know that.

Indie Travel Scale: 1-5

1-not a good Indie Travel destination; 5-a great Indie Travel destination
2.5– Edinburgh may not produce a ton of culture shock for most westerners, but if you come during certain times of the year or certain festivals, you’ll have a great experience. Just because there’s no language barrier and travel is easier than other parts of the world doesn’t mean you can’t have a great indie travel experience.
Indie Travel Tips
Check out these tips for having a true indie travel experience in Edinburgh.

• Festivals, festivals, festivals. Edinburgh has one of the best New Year’s street parties in the world, called Hogmanay, and the largest arts festival in the world in the summer (along with a myriad of other summer festivals).
• The city is drop dead gorgeous, so grab your camera or sketchbook, or just take it all in while wandering around and enjoying the beauty.
• If you are lucky enough to be there at the right time, which is only one day a year, take advantage of the Edinburgh Doors Open Day, where many historic buildings that are typically not accessible are open to the public.
• The Royal Botanic Garden is a great place to chill and hang out, and it’s free.
• If you’re looking to get away from the crowds and city, take a stroll along the Water of Leith.

Why you should add Edinburgh to your RTW travel list

• Who wouldn’t want to visit the Athens of the North?
• Edinburgh has long been known as the literary capital of the English speaking world.
• Getting around the city is rather easy as most of the sites are in a compact area of the city. It’s always nice to only have to use your own two feet to get around.
• You have to visit the Edinburgh Castle.
• Check out some rugby or football (soccer to you Yanks) while there.
• Sample some whiskey while there.

Why you should not add Edinburgh to your RTW travel list

• The high costs can keep a RTW traveler from staying here very long.
• It can cost a lot to get in and out of Scotland when on a RTW trip.
• Lots of crowds during the coolest times of the year (summer festivals).

Are you heading to Edinburgh? What do you need to do?

• Buy an international plane ticket
• Book an Edinburgh hostel
• Book an Edinburgh hotel
• Talk to travelers on the Europe message boards
• Read travel articles on Edinburgh

Back to RTW Travel Destinations
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