Edinburgh, Scotland

I have a zoom meeting with my sister every week and it was depressing to hear about all the problems in the United Kingdom. All the train services are on strike. The bus services have been out, and now the postmen. No doubt the bin men will be next. Everyone is upset with the rising cost of living so the unions are speaking up. Don't rent a car. Petrol is now 11 pounds a gallon.

If you do go to Scotland, go by train from London. Go up the West Coast, its a much prettier journey. An option is to fly into Glasgow, and take the tram to Edinburgh.

I went to Edinburgh University for my master's so know the town well. Edinburgh is the second most popular place to visit in the U.K. after London. Although its small, with about half a million people, its bursting with art and culture.

You can get anywhere you want on foot and the winding, largely cobbled lanes are full of traditional pubs, quirky shops and independent restaurants. The most famous part is the Old Town with its historic streets and the Royal Mile which runs from the ramparts of the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. In the summer, this part of the city is crowded with tourists and street performers during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, is now in its 75th year. Locals often complain about it, but when I lived there I loved the variety of highbrow and lowbrow shows that were staged in every conceivable venue.

Smashing architecture in all districts and be sure you look at some of the windows in the lovely building which are boarded up. They brought out a tax a hundred years ago, you had to pay by the number of windows you had, so of course, many people closed up lots of windows.

I noticed how Edinburgh has changed. The obvious development is the tram, which currently runs from the airport to the city center. The new hubs now seem to be George Street and also St.Andrew Square which is where the tram ends.

Must do in Edinburgh - Eat. Try Fishers in the City for tasty seafood in a buzzy setting and Contini George Street, a bustling Italian in a grand Georgian hall. You can't go wrong in going to one of the many good pubs. Drink. Find out about Scotch whiskies at the Scotch Whisky Experience on Royal Mile, and try the chocolate and wine experience at the Chocolatarium on Cranston Street. Do visit the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (5 to 29 August) or the International Book Festival (13 to 29 August. If you like bagpipes, go to the Military Tattoo, first week of August held in the castle grounds. Year round attractions including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Yacht Britannia where the Queen and her family spent many happy holidays. Stay at Malmaison Edinburgh City (malmaison.com) has comfortable rooms, a central location and friendly staff. I also use the George Hotel regularly. For more ideas and lots of information see visitscotland.com

You can't go wrong with fish and chips, a bacon butty, and of course, a shandy. Always carry a brolly.

Maureen Jones

Travel Consultant

650-961-2340