Special things to do in London, Edinburgh and Stockholm
 

Hello! I am taking my dad to Stockholm, London and Edinburgh for some much needed vacation. He's been to London twice, so I'm looking for some things to make his trip really special. I've sent away for Ceremony of the Keys tickets, so hopefully we will get them.

Are there other experiences like that in Stockholm, London or Edinburgh that I can try and incorporate into our plans? He enjoys history and the Tower was his favorite of places we have visited. Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms a close second.

We will be in Sockholm September 6-11, London September 11-15 and Edinburgh September 16-18. Thanks in advance for your help!

In Stockholm the Vasa museum should be on your list: http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/

It's not exactly on a par with the Ceremony of the Keys (I can't think of anything like that in Edinburgh), but Mary King's Close in Edinburgh is good "historical" fun. http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

And perhaps a literary pub crawl or ghost tour might also be enjoyed.
http://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk/
http://www.witcherytours.com/

There's Edinburgh castle, of course, though I suspect that's on your list already.

Hanl beat me to it - definitely do the literary pub crawl in Edinburgh. Also, if you catch a nice day, climb up to the top of St. Andrew's seat.

I can only speak for Edinburgh so here is what I have.
It is Athur's seat that is the Big Hill in Edinburgh but st andrews is close enough.:)
As to Mary Kings Close,it is a wonderful place but I just do not like they way it is presented at the moment,more like a ghost tour than a truely interesting historical place.
The Litrary pub crawl is very good and if he has ever read the Inspector Rebus novels there is a tour based round these.
The former Riyal Yatch Britania is very popular some friends from the Denver area where there last week and very much enjoyed it.
http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/national_museum.aspx
the national Museum of Scotland is well worth and extended visit if the weather is bad but it is worth a stop at any time,from the ancient history to more modern stuff like Dolly the Sheep can be found there.
The castle has been mentioned ,but go for the firing of the One'o'clock gun for a unique experience( it goes off at one'o'clock BTW)
2 of my favourite museums are the Edinburgh Museum and the Peoples Story,across the raod from each other in the Cannongate part of the Royal mile,small museums (free entry) but worht going in just to see the insides of these wonderful buildings.
If he like Scotch whisky then the Scotch Whisky experience near the castle is very good, recently been upgrade and now holds the largest private collection of whisky in the world.
http://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/
the Amber resturant in there is also very very good.
How about taking in a soccer game,Hearts and Hibs are the 2 main Edinburgh teams and there are likely to be ga,mes on when you visit,contact the teams wesites for details.
http://www.edinburgh-royalmile.com/
this website may be of use to you,lots of info on the main historical area of Edinburgh and lots of links to tours,places to eat etc.

We only had a day and a half in Edinburgh so we went to the castle, did the Scotch Whiskey Experience (don't be put off by the first part that is like a really bad Disney ride), walked to Holyrood House (the Royal Archers were there that day having a tournament), had a pint in a pub and ate dinner at a great restaurant called: Wedgewood. So much more to do. Have a wonderful time with your father.
P

Stockholm: In addition to the very interesting VASA, take a tour of the City Hall, quite special. Also, if time allows, Drottingham Palace the royal residence, travel there by boat and Millesgarden,sculpture garden, home of artist Carl Milles - go by subway/bus combo.

Hah, duh - Arthur's Seat! Sorry about that ;-)

lizziea06 ,it is easy done,we all get thing mixed up now and then.
You have actually inspired me to take a walk up there on sunday morning(if the weather is fine.I live less than 2 miles away.

I don't know how special these are, but I believe that you will be in London at the appropriate time for tours of Buckingham Palance and Parliament. I'd take advantage of either or both of those if they are available, because they usually aren't for 10 or 11 months out of the year.

Calton Hill in Edinburgh is less of a hike than Arthur's Seat and has national importance -- it has various monuments honoring important Scots. It provides a real good view of Edinburgh and you can see to the Firth of Forth on a decent day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calton_Hill,_Edinburgh

And if your pa likes whisky, you can also walk down the Royal Mile from the Castle to Royal Mile Whiskies on High Street and the Cadenhead shop on Canongate (which is the name of High Street on the eastern side of North Bridge).

yes Caddenheads is well worth a visit,they often organise special whisky tasting evenings in the pub nearby ,cost is usually around £20 a head,but if he likes that sort of thing it will be a totally special experience.
RoyalMile Whiskies is my second home and a wonderful place,the oragnise the Whisky fringe each year but i am afraid it is too late for you and anyway all the tickest are sold )I've got mine)but still worth a vist just to see the array of whaikies on the shelves.

Your arrival day in London is the last day of "Into the Woods" at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park:
http://openairtheater.org/page.php?p...September+2010

We just saw Comedy of Errors there and had a wonderful time.

The Globe's schedule extends through your time in London:
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/ca...?month=2010-09

You will indeed be in London when the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open:
http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/de...=article&ID=30

Alas it appears you will miss the Summer Opening of the Houses of Parliament:
http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/vi...summeropening/

Actually, if you go to the Tickmaster link, it appears you could tour the Houses of Parliament on your arrival day in London (obviously provided you arrive early enough in the day).

kak: Have you been to the Imperial War museum in London? It came highly recommended and we agree. We spent a couple of hours in the Holocaust exhibit which left us in tears. It is really a big museum and there is so much to see:

http://www.iwm.org.uk/

Edinburgh; history?

Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace- Rizzio's blood stain; (Someone help me out here- castle on the outskirts with ghosts and secret tunnels- name escapes me....) South Queensferry and Cramond Island for the all the "Kidnapped" stuff. Greyfriars churchyard for Greyfriars Bobby; all the body snatching Burke and Hare stuff (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde); Visit the Scotch Malt Whisky people place at the Vaults in Leith. Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Craigmillar castle I think is the place you are thinking of Shelia.

Roger Ebert and Daniel Curley wrote "The Perfect London Walk" - it took me most of a day to do it. The walk includes a pub visit. http://www.amazon.com/Perfect-London.../dp/0836279298

Highgate Cemetery is interesting: http://www.highgate-cemetery.org/

I've enjoyed all of the London Walks: http://londonwalks.com/

Greenwich is a pretty part of London via a trip on the river.

St. Paul's Covent Garden is worth a visit if you're in the area: http://www.actorschurch.org/

St. Martin in the Fields has a restaurant in the crypt; recently a 9 piece group was rehearsing in the church and visitors were welcome to sit and listen in this beautiful church: http://www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.o...home/home.html

Woolwich is WAY out in southeast London - I went to do family history research but there was a museum on site http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Arsenal... the tube goes there.

I thought the O2 was just a concert venue http://www.theo2.co.uk/