Best of Edinburgh Scotland Tour

As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is an excellent representative of the hearty clan culture and warm hospitality of this Northernmost region of the United Kingdom. After you arrive at the city's main international airport, you can enjoy a scenic driving tour of the city's main highlights before making your way to your comfortable accommodation. After surveying the stone beauty and numerous monuments of the city center, it will come as no surprise to learn that the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Situated at the estuary of the River Forth, Edinburgh enjoys a close relationship with the sea. As the morning light begins to penetrate the narrow lanes and cobbled alleys of the old town, you will be able to see the city rouse itself into its daytime hustle. Later, you will be able to enjoy a close encounter with vibrant Scottish gastronomy during a food tour of the dishes that make this city a must-see for foodies who tour the British Isles.

A trip to Scotland is not complete without witnessing the rugged beauty and hearty communities of the highland region. With lush meadows that cascade down the sides of mountains like green waterfalls and the mossy ruins of long-lost castles, it is hard not to fall in love with the romance of these highlands. Later, your tour will trace the contours of the banks of Loch Ness, whose famous depths are believed by some to contain a sea monster fondly referred to as Nessie.

The Scottish capital is truly an apogee for fans of history because it seems around every corner and curve of the city is imbued with some form of historical significance. It is this significance and the many tales and secrets of Edinburgh that will come to life today as you enjoy a guided tour of the city accompanied by a local historian. Your tour will continue into the afternoon with a subterranean excursion into the labyrinth of vaults, crypts, and chambers that wait below the feet of the city's unsuspecting visitors.

The environs of Edinburgh also offer the more active visitor plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Today, you will be able to visit the area's highest peak on a stroll to the scenic slopes of Arthur's Seat, a nearby peak that overlooks the mouth of the River Forth. This accessible route requires no alpine certifications. Comfortable clothes and an appetite for adventure is all that you need to make the most of the picturesque hike. After you have worked up an appetite, the remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy the city's warm hospitality.

After enjoying a leisurely morning and a delicious breakfast at the hands of your attentive hotel staff, you will be able to enjoy an engaging exploration of the legacy of good food throughout the Scottish capital. A few steps from your conveniently located hotel, you will embark on a cooking class that will reveal the secret traditions and ingredients that make Scottish cooking unlike anything else found in Europe. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

For your final full day in Edinburgh, you will be able to chart your own course through the city and indulge in those spontaneous impulses. You can follow your nose into that aromatic bakery you passed the day before or take a turn down that alluring alley you feel must certainly end with some untold adventure. Two other options for today include the famous Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, which is situated in the old town and presents visitors with an entertaining array of interactive visual exhibits. You can also visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse to explore Scottish royal history.

After enjoying a full week in the Scottish capital, you will have learned much about this proud nation of caber-tossing clansmen. Along with this illustrious past, you will have also enjoyed an exploration of contemporary Edinburgh and seen how well the modern era suits this city. After enjoying a final breakfast from your hotel staff, a private transfer will escort you to the nearby international airport for your departing flight.