Going to Scotland is always bitter sweet for me. Much of my family is from there, so while it reminds me of my heritage, it also reminds me of the people I've lost over the years. I fight back tears upon hearing bag pipes, I think constantly of my Mimi & Papa, but I also really enjoy the people and beauty of the country. If you haven't been before, do add Scotland to your travel wish list. It's green, it's gorgeous, and they know how to eat & drink. They also do this thing called "golf" that I'm not particularly interested in.
C and I wanted to experience Christmastime in Scotland, so off to Edinburgh we went! There's no place more magical...
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| Entering the Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, looking up a the Sir Walter Scott monument |
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| Ice skating under the monument |
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| Just a couple of the many, many booths at the Christmas market-- hot wine, bratwurst, sweets, little gifts... |
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| Looking down the Royal Mile as we hiked to Edinburgh Castle |
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| A little chilly at the castle! |
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| C was pretty happy about his Scotch tasting |
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| Me and C in front the of National Monument of Scotland atop Calton Hill |
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| Whisky burger with angus beef and haggis. Judge away. I have no regrets. |
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| Mimi's Bakehouse, literally steps from our flat. My Mimi is always with me, especially in Scotland! |
Our trip to Edinburgh also marked our first
AirBnB experience. AirBnB is basically a vacation rental site, offering homes, apartments, and even spare rooms to vacationers. Full fledged apartments, believe it or not, are usually cheaper and more flexible than hotels; plus, you have the convenience of a kitchen (and washer/dryer, etc. depending on the place). Our experience in Edinburgh was wonderful-- great location, great price, very friendly host. We've since used AirBnB in Madrid and Barcelona, with plans to book in a few other locales. Check out AirBnB
here!
Ciao!
B + C
