by Sheetal Ahlawat

Created on: February 08, 2009

It was raining heavily when we arrived in Edinburgh after a gruesome night journey on mega bus. Before moving further, my advice to young and old alike is that plan your trip in advance and opt for cheap easy jet deals than bus travel. Buses are totally medieval in form and seats. Even in India we got a better deal when we went from Bangalore to Ootty. At least seats could be pushed backwards and there was space to stretch legs.

What to see

Anyways, after arriving at our destination we ( my family and the our couple friends) went to watch the Edinburgh Museum which is at royal mile. It is very absorbing and meticulously organized. The artifacts and models trace the history of Edinburgh.

Museum of Childhood

It is some what similar to Doll museum in Delhi. There are toys and games of all kinds from many parts of the world. My daughter went berserk with joy on seeing so many of her favorite items (which include dolls, teddy bears, train sets and cycles). It was very difficult for me to keep her under control and she doesn't lend an ear to her father's soft don't-do-it pleas. The museum is a treat for "young" adults also.

We had time to explore only these two museums, but Edinburgh is a treasure for history lovers. There are 'People's Story', Writer's Museum, Lauriston Castle, The Brass Rubbing Centre, Queensferry museum, Newhaven Heritage Museum.

The Royal Mile

The Royal mile is the backbone of the Old Town of Edinburgh and no other part of Edinburgh is as rich in folklore and historic significance as this ancient street. Some of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh can be found here. Sightseeing the Royal Mile should be done at a leisurely pace mainly because there are many sights to take pictures of and stories to learn about at every step but also because it's going uphill.

Princess Street

One of Edinburgh's most famous attractions is the Scott Monument right on Princess Street. The monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott is one of the most recognizable tall buildings in the city. The entire length of the north side of Princes Street is crowded with shops. The south side has Princes Street Gardens and is an excellent vantage point for admiring the Old Town, Castle Rock and Edinburgh Castle.

Advice

The cheapest food to find on Princes Street is from any of the 3 Gregg's bakeries on Rose Street, the street that runs parallel with Princes Street or in Marks and Spencer. There are also many affordable pubs and cafes on this pedestrian Edinburgh Street.If you're

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