Thursday, December 17, 2009

Touring Edinburgh - City Of Edinburgh

By Frederick Hoymer

When planning a vacation to Edinburgh - City of Edinburgh, you will find that this beautiful city offers a diverse mixture of historic and modern architecture and design. The winding streets and wonder walking paths give you a feeling of entering another dimension.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and provides a visitor with an interesting and enjoyable trip through the history of the Scottish people. The city is divided into Old Town which is replete with medieval century buildings, shops, and pubs. The new town provides a mix of'th Century Georgian architecture and modern 21st century buildings.

Whether a person visits Old Town or New Town, a trip to Edinburgh will take some time. It is quite easy to spend several weeks exploring the buildings of Old Town. From the Edinburgh castle located at the top of Royal Mile each building, museum, and gallery offers new adventures and delights. The castle is open to visitors year round and offers you the chance to see many of the objects and items from significant Scottish events.

Although only a mile long, Royal Mile offers something to explore with almost every step you take on a stroll down this avenue. There are a multitude of shops, cafes, and museums that provide a person with the chance to relax and learn about the culture and history of the Scots. When you have finally reached the end of Royal Mile the Queen's official residence will be waiting to be toured. Holyrod Palace has been used as a royal residence for hundreds of years. When the royal family is not in residence, one can explore the castle and grounds of this magnificent building and enjoy the historical objects and items that are to be found there.

Visiting John Knox Home in the High Street section of Royal Mile will give you an opportunity to see the home of this 15th century protestant minister. The home has hand painted ceilings and has been restored to its original splendor. Visiting Canongate will provide you with the opportunity to see the diverse architectural styles of the medieval times. Almost all of the buildings found in Canongate are medieval and many have been renovated and are available for viewing by visitors to Edinburgh.

A commemoration to three famous authors can also be found on Royal Mile. Lady Stairs home provides a visitor with art, history, and books from the works of Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The home is renovated in the classic and elegant design and decor of the period and reflects the love and warmth for these wonderful authors.

Grassmarket Square is a great place to see while you are in Edinburgh. By following Candlemaker Row you will come to the center of the square. There are regular festivals and events held in the square. It is surrounded by five star restaurants, inns, and restaurants. The food found at the square fits any appetite. It may be medieval or modern and from any culture that is desired.

The one half mile long Princes Street provides you with monuments, shops, buildings, and gardens that many residents of Edinburgh enjoy. The gardens provide a view of Old Town and the Castle. A person can rest, relax, and reflect while sitting in the beautiful gardens.

When visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens you find the plants, shrubs, and exhibitions that reflect the entire country of Scotland. The Gardens have been recently renovated and many of the exhibitions are now housed in newly renovated glass houses. A person will have so much to see and do when they are in Edinburgh - City of Edinburgh that there is just not enough time. One way to get an overall view of the city and its sites is to tour through the street on an open-top bus. The bus follows the route of medieval times through modern in the pattern that the city grew.

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