We will be in Edinburgh May 1-4 (3 nights). I'm with 2 teenage girls (17). I'm thinking 1-2 night in Edinburgh with 1-2 nights in the country somewhere maybe even in a castle hotel? Or should we just take a day trip or 2 ? Can anyone give me suggestions for this short trip? Thanks in advance for your help! Michele

Assuming you won't have a car, it might be difficult to stay in a castle hotel.

I think you'd be best staying in Edinburgh and making one or 2 day trips. Possible trips are St. Andrews and the scenic east coast villages, Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and so on. Plus there's quite a bit to see in Edinburgh.

There are lots of castle hotels - but most will not be accessible by public transport (or easily anyway)

So let us know if you plan on renting a car for your time outside of Edinburgh, and what is your hotel budget?

There are LOTS of places you can go as day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus tours.

I would consider renting a car if that's the best way to go.. although train is a bit preferred. hotel budget is about $500 per night or so...

How are you arriving in Edinburgh and where from? Also, what time of day? Similarly, what time to you leave and where and how are you traveling from Edinburgh?

Also, what kinds of things are you - and the girls - interested in?

Without knowing more, I'm tempted to say that with just 3 nights and two teen-aged girls, I'd stay all nights in Edinburgh and plan one day trip. Gives you more flexibility to plan around weather, interests, energy levels, etc.

I traveled to Scotland numerous times when my girls were teens (they are 20 and 22 now) and they always had fun.

Just saw an early post of yours with your preliminary itinerary. If you are still visiting lots of cities for 1-3 days each, I'd definitely recommend staying all 3 nights in Edinburgh. Sounds like this is at the end of a trip and they may well be tired of moving lodging. You can see a lot via one or two day trips, if everyone is in the mood. Otherwise, Edinburgh can certainly keep you busy.

Last summer, we spend 5 days in Scotland:

- 2 full days in Edinburgh (including a side trip to Roslyn)

- 1 day driving from Edinburgh via Stirling, Lake Menteith and the Trossachs to Loch Lomond

- 1 full day at Loch Lomond, driving around the Loch

- 1 day driving from Loch Lomond back to Edinburgh, with stops in Callander (watching the Highland Games) and Linlithgow

At Loch Lomond we stayed at Cameron House, a nice castle hotel.

However, I can not image doing such a trip without a car.

Thank you all so much.. yes, this is a very busy trip. it looks like this:
4/16-4/19 NYC
4/20 London
4/21-4/24 Prague
4/24-4/26 Vienna
4/26-4/28 Amsterdam
4/28 Bruges
4/29-5/1 Paris
5/1-5/4 Edinburgh
5/4-5/6 London then home! We've been to Paris and London many times so they're just little visits... We arrive in Edinburgh at 4pm or so via air on 5/1 and depart noon on 5/4. So if we just do a day trip on 5/2 or 5/3 i think that would be good. Which do you suggest to get a feeling of the beautiful country and maybe hit a castle or loch?

I'd forget about a day trip from Edinburgh. There are lovely places you <i>could</i> get to - but after rushing about like that you'll need to catch your breath.

The way you spell out your itinerary is slightly deceiving - since you list the same dates in both your departure and arrival cities. In essence you are only scheduling 2 (or less) days in each city

If you do it by &quot;night&quot; it really is

4/20 London
4/21-4/23 Prague
4/24-4/25 Vienna
4/26-4/27 Amsterdam
4/28 Bruges
4/29-4/30 Paris
5/1-5/3 Edinburgh
5/4-5/5 London