Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
When to Go
Apart from August, New Year or Hogmanay is a popular time to visit but to be honest the world-famous Street Party does not live up to the hype. Autumn and Spring are good times to visit.
Getting There
Getting to Edinburgh from York could not be easier. By car, head north up the A1, if you prefer the railway most trains to Scotland go through the capital. It takes two and half hours by train and about four hours by car.
Where to stay
Edinburgh is not that cheap but like anywhere bargains can be found in hostels and B-and-Bs. The best known fancy hotels are the Balmoral and the Caledonian. Alternatively, make friends with someone who lives there and invite yourself... most people are very welcoming.
Daytime
The breath-taking castle, preached on an extinct volcano, is the most popular attraction and but is priced accordingly at a nondiscountable £11.
The Old Town and in particular the Royal Mile is a great place to explore. Highlights include a visit to the Whisky Museum (includes free samples), marvelling at the genius of the ‘Thistle-do-Nicely’ souvenir shop, squeezing into the tiny ‘Half-way House’ pub and of course gazing at the wacky new Scottish Parliament building.
A detour to the Grassmarket where you can find the fantastic Armstrong’s Vintage Clothing Shop is also recommended.
For more shopping, the New Town is where two shopping institutions – Harvey Nics and Jenners – compliment the usual high street fare on Princes’ Street. Edinburgh also has plenty of museums, galleries and theatres for the culture vulture in you. The Port of Leith is good if you prefer to stay off the tourist track.
Evening
For an upmarket night out try the cocktail bars in the New Town. Tigerlily, Opal Lounge and Traverse are worth a look. The Dome is a good place for a hot drink or a meal, especially around Christmas when it is brilliantly decorated.
The Old Town has some great pubs, trendy bars and tasty restaurants like Greyfriars’, Bar Kohl and the Outsider. Penny-pinchers should head to the host of generic pubs and bars littered around the city.
For those you want to boogie WhyNot? is the student haunt on Fridays and City is good on a weekend. The Cowgate has some decent places but they are often packed out by hen nights and school children.
If you don’t fancy a night-out, try the Mary King’s Close ghost tour which is far better than any other equivalent in either Edinburgh or York.
Food and Drink
Most pubs serve everybody’s favourite dish haggis, neaps and tatties as well as standard pub grub. In chippies deep-fried Mars Bars are available and food comes with the option of ‘sauce’ – a mixture of brown sauce and vinegar. Tennents lager is nothing to write home about but Irn-Bru is a fine beverage and a genuine hangover cure.
Speak the language
"Pish" - terrible, disappointing, awful. "Pished" - drunk "Blether" - chat, gossip. "Minging" - disgusting. "Radgecase" - an unstable person who is often angry.
The bottom line
Edinburgh is a great place for a student break as it can satisfy most tastes. Whether it is a jack of all trades but a master of none is up to you to decide. Just don't forget your thermals.
Brilliant stuff
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