Need some ideas on my one week (8 day/7 nights) stay in Scotland this Fall. From the famous Royal Mile â with its great landmarks and quirky shops â to the underrated New Town, Edinburgh entertains. And then…celebrate it. A second day lets you slow down and explore. Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. But I'd like to consider other options. If you’ll be in Scotland in the summer, check the Highland Games schedule before nailing down your itinerary. I cannot imagine if going on a “tour” type vacation taking anything but a RS! (Just don’t run out of gas.) Posted on July 8, 2013 October 14, 2015 by Rick Steves Scotland Tour, Day 1: First-Night Excitement Each year we organize and lead about 500 bus tours, and each year I take one of them. And cynics enjoy debunking half-truths (whether in Braveheart or in The Da Vinci Code), which also buys you street cred with the locals…who are tired of explaining that William Wallace was never called “Braveheart” until Mel Gibson came along. So much to see, so little time. The Rick Steves travel guides are always informative but the Scotland guide is exceptional. 8. Hooray for Scotland getting its own standalone guidebook! While both destinations are amazing and beautiful with so much to offer, and I always try to help them make the right choice for their needs, I don’t think this has to be an either-or choice. The Royal Mile, a leisurely and fascination-filled stroll gradually downhill from the castle to the palace, is one of Europ The shorter Best of Scotland guidebook focuses on Scotland's top destinations and sights, and is in full color.. What's the difference between this Best of Scotland guidebook and Rick's complete Scotland guidebook?. (If you're considering adding England and/or Wales, see my recommended itinerary for Great Britain.) My Account. For one thing, there’s tasting. ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Travel Bite: Exploring Soviet East Berlin, The Edmonds Theater â An Extra-Large Bag of Small-Town Memories, Daily Dose of Europe: Monet’s âWater Liliesâ, Daily Dose of Europe: Appreciating Milano. Seeing Rick’s blog and pictures brings back great memories from my trip! Cameron Hewitt/Rick Steves ... giving us a tour … The working-class yin to Edinburgh’s upper-crust yang, Glasgow has the most engaging foodie and nightlife scene I found in Scotland. Scotland Itineraries - Audio Europe: Britain by Rick Steves Audio Europe published on 2015-02-11T02:11:15Z Three tour guides from Scotland offer insider tips for enjoying Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as exploring the Scottish borderlands, Highlands, and islands. Are we to infer from Rick’s comments above that Rick Steves himself orchestrated this smooth, efficient, safe tour? What sets this guide apart are the detailed descriptions of hiking trails and nature areas. When you travel to Edmonds in January 2014, ask lots of questions. Although those look like some pretty large bags? Get in touch if you have a question about our self drive tours, or if you want help creating a customised travel package. Last summer, I spent a month traveling all over Scotland to research our Rick Steves Scotland guidebook. It also has some of Scotland’s best 20th-century architecture, a rejuvenated downtown core, and an impressive collection of museums. As an 18-year-old, Rick began traveling on his … They went to the local police station said they were two poor student nurses and asked where they could go this was with fluttering eye lashes.. Seek Out and Celebrate What Makes Scotland Unique. Scotland Daily Itinerary (Rick Steves Tour) Day 1: Welcome to Scotland We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel in Edinburgh for a "Welcome to Scotland" get-together. If rugged scenery tickles your fancy, drive up Scotland’s scenic west coast â called Wester Ross â then along its north coast to John O’Groats. It goes without saying, but all of this â and much more â is covered in the hot-off-the-press first edition of the Rick Steves Scotland guidebook. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. Go to the Movies. Sleep in Edinburgh (2 nights). So last year, Cameron Hewitt (co-author of many of my guidebooks) spent much of his summer researching in Scotland and putting together our new Rick Steves Scotland guidebook â which just arrived in our Travel Store. There’s much more to experiencing a new culture than sightseeing. 1. Our itineraries come with a thoughtful balance of obvious sights and Back Door discoveries. for must see sights, for pretty great sites, for kinda great sites and naught but a mention for others. Ranging from glitzy to endearingly small-town, it’s the one day a year when an entire town turns out to socialize, gorge on junk food, and cheer on the strongmen, footracers, and graceful dancers. Be warned: Cliché-hunting can cheapen a trip, and Scotland is only too happy to indulge tourists looking to buy knock-off kilts. Rick Steves’ Edinburgh Top Pics. Toss a Caber at a Highland Games. 9. And so it was clear: We needed a full-fledged Scotland guidebook. Hello all! By Cameron Hewitt. I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? Rick uses a system of triangles to rate and prioritize sightseeing. But by getting a car and crafting my own itinerary, I was able to see more street art and more coastline than I would have seen had I had strictly adhered to the “must see” sites. Our bus driver, Roddie, greets us every other morning as we load up the bus and travel on (there are no one-night stops on this itinerary). A week into our Best of Scotland tour, it’s clear — we’ve got it all. But before long, I just ignored my soaked socks to fully appreciate the symphony of achingly gorgeous glen scenery all around me. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. I enjoyed a ghost walk led by a surprise skeptic in the historic town of Stirling. But each cliché also comes with an authentic â and often fascinating â backstory. Both books are packed with hand-picked recommendations and Rick's travel advice and tips for saving time, money, and hassle. 4. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. Scotland â with a West Coast slashed by receding glaciers â has nearly 800 islands. Rick Steves Great Britain covers Scotland, Wales, and our top picks of English destinations. The hit TV show Outlander has thrust Scotland back into the limelight, like countless pop culture moments before it â from Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Braveheart, and from The Da Vinci Code to Harry Potter. Posted on July 22, 2013 January 5, 2018 by Rick Steves Scotland Tour: All Tours Must Pass It is always a bit emotional at the end of a tour, when we say goodbye to our bus driver and guide. 5. My wife Heidi was a student nurse in Hemel-Hempstead in 1962. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Looks like a for real suitcase snuck onto that tour! The working-class yin to Edinburgh’s upper-crust yang, Glasgow has… No bus. Every year, one lucky Rick Steves tour … While it’s still part of Great Britain â for now â  Scotland is so much more than just England’s northern annex. Helen leads Rick Steves tours in Spain and represents her artist husband, Rachid Hanbali, and his oil paintings. But don’t knock it because “branding” is the new world. For this late-morning snack, Liz and our bus driver Roddie put out a delightful spread: mackerel, smoked salmon, various Scottish cheeses, oatcakes, haggis-flavored potato chips, traditional tea cakes, and the local ale: Irn-Bru (Scotland’s favorite soft drink). Take a Hike…and Bring Good Shoes. To help you get started, I've listed my top picks for where to go in Scotland and my plan for your best two-week trip. (While Scotland’s top destinations have always been well-covered in our Great Britain guide, this is the first time it’s had its own full-fledged book.) 2. Even if you’re a closet royalist, check your sympathies at the door and really try to understand what makes Scots Scots. Real fans can geek out on visiting actual filming locations (we’ve added an Outlander sidebar to the new Scotland guidebook for just that purpose). And trying your hand at playing the bagpipes instills respect for musicians who’ve devoted their lives to the instrument. More and more, our guides are making a point to delve into the taste treats of wherever we travel. We’re happy to help so please don’t hesitate to … Sure, there’s plenty more to Scotland. 3. Watching these movies and TV shows â before, during, and after your trip â can enhance your enjoyment and appreciation for Scotland. Spent about four months a year exploring Europe pictures brings Back great memories from my trip selling!, ask locals what they think about current issues and naught but a RS â. His first trip to Europe trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland Europe in 1969 visiting... 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