36 hours in Edinburgh- ideas please

*manda*

It is my fabulous OH's 40th next month and we're flying to Edinburgh for a 1 night weekend break- we arrive around 10.30 and fly back sunday at 20.30. Hotel is booked, and fairly central. We aren't going to have a huge amount of time to do anything so I think it'll probably be walking and "sightseeing" rather than going in or doing as it'd probably be too rushed.

So what do we really need to aim to see?

Where is best to eat and drink for the evening? We want a decent meal without spending a fortune, and probably bobbing in and out of a few pubs/bars.

Best way to get from the airport and back again?

Best place for quirky shops rather than bog standard high street stores that we could pass en route while out and about?

Tesco have Camera Obscura on their deals- it is worth it? It sounds like it can easily be done in 2 hours, and is meant to have good views at the top?

All hints/tips/advice greatly appreciated! The flights unfortunately have cost a small fortune so I really want to moneysave where possible from now on!

Bigmoney2

I'd do an open top bus tour. There are several different ones. We did the royal tour whch included entry to royal yacht britania and holyrood house.
We also did the castle. Would go up Arthurs seat if we went again.
Some suggested itineries here
http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/itineraries/weekend

VfM4meplse

*manda* wrote: »

All hints/tips/advice greatly appreciated! The flights unfortunately have cost a small fortune so I really want to moneysave where possible from now on!

I'd love a weekend in Edinburgh, what has stopped me so far is the weather (freezing I magine ) and the cost of good quality hotel accomodation! You said the flights were pricey, does that mean you got a good rate one the hotel? If so I'd love to know which one.

custardy

VfM4meplse wrote: »

I'd love a weekend in Edinburgh, what has stopped me so far is the weather (freezing I magine ) and the cost of good quality hotel accomodation! You said the flights were pricey, does that mean you got a good rate one the hotel? If so I'd love to know which one.

its 9 degrees today
we aren't in the Artic up here you know

custardy

*manda* wrote: »

It is my fabulous OH's 40th next month and we're flying to Edinburgh for a 1 night weekend break- we arrive around 10.30 and fly back sunday at 20.30. Hotel is booked, and fairly central. We aren't going to have a huge amount of time to do anything so I think it'll probably be walking and "sightseeing" rather than going in or doing as it'd probably be too rushed.

So what do we really need to aim to see?

Where is best to eat and drink for the evening? We want a decent meal without spending a fortune, and probably bobbing in and out of a few pubs/bars.

Best way to get from the airport and back again?

Best place for quirky shops rather than bog standard high street stores that we could pass en route while out and about?

Tesco have Camera Obscura on their deals- it is worth it? It sounds like it can easily be done in 2 hours, and is meant to have good views at the top?

All hints/tips/advice greatly appreciated! The flights unfortunately have cost a small fortune so I really want to moneysave where possible from now on!

Airport bus is the most cost effective really
£6 each for a return
http://www.flybybus.com/buy-online.html

plenty of storage space on them,also valid on the N22 night bus if you had a very early flight

VfM4meplse

custardy wrote: »

its 9 degrees today
we aren't in the Artic up here you know

It's an entrenched impression I guess. Inverness - which I've heard is great - is so far north it scares me!

The only time I travel north of London for pleasure is during the height of the summer, if you pick the hottest 2 weeks in England it's often very pleasant in Scandinavia. But still very expensive .

louise_1981

bf and I are going in two weeks, although we have a little longer we are going to the zoo and to see some friends who have a rescue up there

*manda*

Thanks for the ideas so far- I have thought about an open top bus tour- get to "see" everything even if we don't go inside anywhere. I don't want to pay a fortune for the priveledge though if we could "see" the same by foot?

We're staying at the Sheraton Hotel which was £110 for the night. Thought it was a fair price for a 5*. They are doing some work there but that's due to finish shortly and I'm not too worried about any impact it would have on us, but it may account for it's reasonable price.

I thought the bus would be the cheapest, I only had a quick look but £6 seems pretty good thanks.

Any suggestions on where to eat/drink

Edinburghlass_2

The open top bus allows you 24 hours hop off and on and is a pretty good way of getting about, yes you can see the sights by walking but its pretty hilly and the bus takes you round by the parliament and Holyrood Palace. Camera Obscura, yes nice view but you can walk a bit further up on to the castle esplanade and get the same view without paying to enter the castle.

On the High Street at one of the open top bus stops is Deacon Brodies pub, nice lunch in the restaurant upstairs and just across from the Sheraton there are a few restaurants including Jimmy Chungs a chinese buffet.

Shops, to be honest Princes Street and the High Street are all tacky tourist shops, walk along George Street for trendy shops and trendy bars.

GillianY1

Open top bus tour is a good way to see the sights. The Sheraton is very central and only a 5 min walk to Princes Street and the gardens. George Street does have more designer shops but Princes Street has all the high street stores. If you are coming to Edinburgh then you have to visit the Castle. The Royal Mile is really nice to walk along if the weather isn't too bad (not had too much rain here recently so fingers crossed it stays that way!) Loads of pubs along the Royal Mile/High Street and there is a Prezzo or a Pizza Express nearby - theres always vouchers online for those places. Vittorias on the Bridge is also a nice Italian restaurant which has plenty of bars nearby. Would also recommend a visit to the museum - its just been refurbished and is free to get in. Hope you have a great trip!

*manda*

Thanks- the bus tours actually aren't as expensive as I thought- only £12 each so we may well do that. Especially if the weather is a bit rubbish, don't mind cold or rain, it's snow and ice I can't cope with so fingers crossed!! If we have time to do the castle, we'd like to, but I don't want to feel like we're rushing too much. It may be something we leave until another time, guess we'll have to see on the day how we feel and whether we want to commit to an entry fee for somewhere or just walk about, eat drink and relax. Will have to let him have his opinion too I suppose seeing as it's his birthday....