canny good: Day 4: Welcome to Scotland

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9
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What a day! Checked out of our Dublin hotel around 11am and had a few hours to kill before we needed to head to the airport to catch our RyanAir flight to Edinburgh. So we walked around in the shopping center/mall next to our hotel and grabbed a bite to eat in the food court. We chose seats that overlooked the streets below, so we got a good vantage point of some of the street performers break dancing and juggling. We took one last stroll through Stephen's Green then headed to the Dublin airport via the 757 Airlink bus.

A short 50ish minute flight later, and we landed in Edinburgh around 6pm. The bus route was affected a bit by the preparations for the New Year's festivities - "Hogmanay" as it's called in Edinburgh. We headed toward our hotel from the bus stop. And we were interrupted by the COOLEST thing ever: the Hogmanay torchlight procession. Essentially, thousands and thousands of people with torches marching down the street (it was a good thing, not a protest). I knew the procession would be happening as we came into town, but I didn't expect it to be right in front of us!

Scattered throughout the mass of torch bearers were groups of bagpipe players and drummers. The streets were PACKED and it was difficult to navigate the sidewalks with all our luggage. Plus, the main street was gated off and we couldn't cross to get to our hotel just on the other side. But seeing the torchlight procession and bagpipe players was 100,000% worth the interruption and hassle and delay, in my opinion! I actually cried from happiness while we were standing there watching it all happen. Hands down the best way to be welcomed into Scotland. And also the best birthday present for Steven :)

Tomorrow, New Year's Eve, we'll visit Edinburgh castle in the morning. Then enjoy 11pm dinner reservations that should *hopefully* give us a decent view of the fireworks shooting off the castle at midnight. Can't wait to ring in the New Year!

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Edinburgh Accommodations:

Travelodge, Edinburgh Central Hotel

33 St. Mary's Street

4 nights

Same company as our Dublin hotel, but so much better. Still cheaper than most of the other hotels in Edinburgh, despite the price hike for the days surrounding Hogmanay. The restaurant/bar downstairs had a great breakfast spread and was a convenient place to eat dinner when we were exhausted at the end of the day. Good prices on food, too. Located right off the Royal Mile, so just a short walk to everything. We could see Arthur's Seat from our 5th-floor window. Like the Travelodge in Dublin, they will hold your luggage for free for a few hours, so don't bother with early check in / late check out.

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Travel Tips:

Accommodations: Hostels are a great option if you want to save money and don't mind sleeping in a room with other people and using communal showers. The last time I was abroad, we stayed in hostels. We met so many interesting people from around the world. Air BnBs give you a more personal feel, since you're probably staying in someone's house. Hotels are the nicest option with the most amenities, but usually the most expensive.
I'll fly away: Once you land overseas, it's pretty affordable to fly to other countries. RyanAir is a cheap, no frills airline that can take you to the major cities within Europe. How cheap, you ask? I once flew from Paris to Pisa for less than 20 bucks. However, their carry-on size & weight requirements are smaller & lighter than the USA's. If you plan to country-hop, make sure you do your research beforehand so you don't get stuck paying fees for your bag being too big.
Public transit: Before you go, know exactly how you plan to get from the airport to your accommodations. Buses are cheap but take longer. Taxis are pricey but get you there faster. Google Maps and the airport website are your best resources. If you take a bus, know exactly which one to get on, which stop to get off, and how much it costs. Have exact change ready, because the driver won't give you change.