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For a majority of American travelers, Europe is best experienced as a sunny getaway.
Scenic coastal drives, gelatos in Italy, sunbathing in the Mediterranean and long balmy afternoons exploring cobbled towns make the perfect summer combination: why would you be willing to opt for an off-season transatlantic trip and do it a different way? , However?
Right…?
Did you have any idea that Scotland’s capital was so beautiful?
European winters may not be everyone’s cup of teaespecially as the days get colder and shorter, but trust us when we say that some destinations are best experienced in the darker months and really come to life when covered in glistening white snow.
After all, the Old Continent isn’t just about beach trips, and when it comes down to it Edinburgha vastly overlooked destination in Britain is winter when tourists will find it at its most magical.
Edinburgh is the financial and cultural heart of Scotland, one of the four historic nations that form the sovereign state of Great Britain, and has distinguished itself as one of the best preserved Gothic cities still standing.
‘Auld Reekie’, as it is informally called by the locals themselves, is home to approximately half a million inhabitants and is one of the most beautiful national capitals in Europe. It’s a magical winter destination with a tourist offering that rivals seasonal favorites like Prague, Budapest and Berlin.
Still not impressed? Be here five reasons why Edinburgh should be on your winter wish list:
Lively Christmas markets
Although Germany, Austria and Switzerland have monopolized Christmas tourism in recent years, the British Isles have quietly kept their winter traditions alive, and Christmas markets are now popping up in several British cities.
Edinburgh does no exceptionas it hosts one of the largest in the country, running for seven weeks this season, from November 17, 2023 to January 6, 2024.
Seeing Scotland’s capital in festive attire should be on every avid traveler’s bucket list, especially when the city center, which combines elements of both medieval and Georgian architecture, has been transformed into a vibrant fairground full of outdoor events, rides and attractions. food stalls.
Most of the activities are concentrated around the Princes Street Gardensopposite the Grade II listed Balmoral Hotel, and sandwiched between the castle-dominated old townfounded in the Middle Ages, and the New Town, an extension of the historic city that began construction in the 18th century.
@lydia.rich almost that time again… #fyp #Edinburgh #Edinburgh, Scotland #Christmas #Christmas market #snow #holidays #winter #holiday countdown #Scotland #hiddenscotland #visitscotland ♬ The Christmas Carol (Merry Christmas To You) – Nat King Cole Trio
From eggnog to mulled wine to delicious sausages and haggis, and every Scottish delicacy in between, the market is the ideal location to eat your way through the Edinburgh winter, embrace the cozy atmosphere and experience the culture.
Winter suits Scotland better
Unless it’s increasingly warmer Sicily, you wouldn’t visit Italy in winter as it just doesn’t suit the overall atmosphere.
It’s windy, it rains occasionally, and eating ice cream while strolling through a pastel-colored Amalfi town on a stormy day in late November doesn’t sound very appealing.
On the other hand, Scotland isn’t exactly known for its subtropical weather, and while it’s undeniably beautiful in summer, there’s no denying that the temperature on any given day is high enough to shed those extra layers. it is made for winter.
It may sound redundant to say, but Edinburgh looks its best at this time of yearespecially when it snows and the dark sandstone buildings with conical roofs and pointed spiers that dot the hilly Old Town are covered in the white stuff.
This is a capital that is a World Heritage Site precisely because of its range of Gothic monuments, and that darker atmosphere simply cannot be beaten, with shadows cast on already gloomy-looking old buildings and dimly lit narrow ditches shrouded in mist on the other side of the street. a crisp December morning.
The British themselves love it
What’s more, Edinburgh has been named the second best ‘staycation’ in the UK, beating London into the top spot.
Based on trends observed on TrivagoAfter the British capital, the jewel in Scotland’s crown is the average Brit’s favorite British destination, with bookings peaking over the Christmas and New Year period.
You know what they say: go where the locals go, and Edinburgh sounds like a pretty good choice if you want to combine cultural immersion with some sightseeing and food tasting this winter, and escape to somewhere sunny instead. not non-negotiable.
Are you still in doubt? It’s worth noting that Edi was voted the best city break in all of Britain last year, with a whopping 71% of visitors reporting a high level of satisfaction after their stay, regardless of the sunny weather.
That is because Edinburgh has a lot to offer visitors, even on a rainy dayincluding quirky cafes, such as The Elephant House, where Harry Potter was conceived, state-of-the-art museums, with the National Museum of Scotland, home to the world-famous cloned Dolly sheep, and Camara Obscura, one of the first illusionist museums to have a few and the imposing Edinburgh Castle.
One of the best times of year to visit this natural wonder
If you visit Edinburgh in winter, don’t miss the opportunity to take a day or weekend trip to the city Scottish highlands.
This dramatic mountain landscape covers 33 percent of Scotland’s landmass and is rich in folk legends and age-old myths, relating to the conquest of the Scottish interior by Nordic rulers, the rise of Scottish clans and their subsequent wars against invading English kings.
Apart from the mountains, including Britain’s highest Ben Nevis, the area has a high concentration of medieval castles, picturesque lakes, which occasionally freeze over in winter against the dreamy backdrop of snow-capped peaks, and remote islands that feature through their Gaelic language and culture.
@johanna.gssl I never thought Scotland was so beautiful even in winter. Have you ever been to Scotland during this time? ❤️ #celebrateyoupage #fyp #Scotland #scotlandhighlands #scotlandroadtrip #Scottish highlands #scotlandaesthetic #bucketlisttravel #jacobitetrain #scotlandmustsee #winter vacation #winterurlaub ♬ September – Sparky Deathcap
While you can easily explore the Highlands as a standalone trip, you can certainly tick off some of the key highlights as part of an organized tour departing from Edinburgh.
These include Ben Nevis itself, the mysterious Loch Nesshome to the elusive monster, Glencoe, the infamous site of a painful massacre that shook Gaelic society to its core centuries ago, and Pitlochry, a charming village with a long tradition of whisky-making.
Finally, Edinburgh is one of the most accessible European destinations for American travelers this winter, with flights available on United Airlines for just $601 cruisedeparting from Newark (EWR), a major transit hub on the East Coast.
Americans can travel to Scotland and Britain visa-free for up to six months, and all they need to present upon boarding is a valid passport that is valid for at least another six months.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
