Wales and Scotland
 

Aloha,<BR>I have 7 days in London in early March and am considering spending the first 2 or 3 days in either Wales or Scotland. I'm looking for suggestions in either of these two countries. I'll be travelling by myself (single male). Please limit your suggestions to places that are accessible by train, as I will not have a car.<BR><BR>Since I'll be going in March when the weather will likely be cold and wet, I'm primarily interested in activities I can do inside (ie. museums, castles, theater, shopping, pubs, not interested in the &quot;night club scene or party&quot; scene).<BR><BR>Mahalo

Edinburgh meets all your criteria. Lovely city too

Sheila,<BR>Can you offer some specific suggestions of indoor activities in Edinburgh? How do prices (hotels, meals, pubs) compare to those of London?<BR>Thanks

Edinburgh is fabulous place and only 4.5 hours from London by high speed train. You can visit the Castle, Holyrood Palace, LOTS of pubs and restaurants, the National Gallery of Scotland, the wonderous Museum of Scotland, and many sight seeing tours. The weather may be cold but it could also be nice - don't limit yourself to inside activities.

Edinburgh itself is a mixture of a wonderful late mediaeval city with a planned Georgian New Town. The Castle is a must, and it's also a great shopping city. <BR><BR>A list of things to see includes<BR>The New Town-planned grid Georgian -makes Bath pale by comparison<BR>The Royal Mile -Medieval route between the Castle and Holyrood palace<BR>The Castle <BR>Valvona and Crolla -best deli in the UK<BR>Greyfriars Bobby - statue of dog who sat at his master’s grave for decades<BR>The Meadows - huge park I the town centre<BR>Dean Village - working men’s planned village<BR>The Scott Monument -Gothic Sky rocket memorial to Queen Victoria’s favourite Scottish author<BR>Calton Hill -Observatory<BR>Holyrood- Palace and Park - Queen’s Scottish town house and big garden<BR>The New parliament <BR>The National Museum<BR>The Museum of Childhood - on the Royal Mile<BR>Cafe Vittoria - neiincredible.ghbourhood Tally restaurant. Very down to earth.<BR>St Giles Cathedral - on the Mile. Scene of Jenny what’shername’s tantrum. Crown tower<BR>Parliament House - where the big wigs hang out (what a terrible pun)<BR><BR>Gladstone’s Land, -mediaeval close off the High Street(the Mile)<BR>Plus there are great restaurants, pubs, gardens and parks. My favorite restaurant is The Marque. <BR>Other great restaurants include Stac Polly, Tuscan Square, Caf&eacute; Hub, Browns, Le Sept, Est Est Est, Bann’s, Henderson’s, the Kalpna, Viva Mexico, Shamiana, the Siam Erewan, the Loon Fung.<BR><BR>Other great pubs include the Caf&eacute; Royal, the Barony, Mathers, the Diggers (posh name the Athletic Arms), the Roseburn, Bert’s, and the Abbotsford.<BR><BR>This is a city heaving with museums. I believe I have mentioned the National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Childhood. In addition there are:-<BR>The National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy<BR>the National Portrait Gallery<BR>The Gallery of Modern Art<BR>The Dean Gallery<BR>The Georgian House<BR>The City Art Centre<BR>The Fruitmarket Gallery,<BR>The Collective Gallery<BR>The Printmakers’ Workshop<BR><BR>Or you can go to the Zoo; Dynamic Earth(mixed reviews- haven’t been myself), or the Botanic Gardens.<BR><BR>It’s awash with places to walk, sporting facilities, cinemas, theatres, music venues, and stunning architecture. Why would you not come?<BR>