Edinburgh - Top 5 Things To Do On A #ukdayout

 

Top 5 things to do in Edinburgh

There are plenty of exciting things to do in Edinburgh, from stunning architecture and endless winding streets to an awe-inspiring castle perched on a dormant volcano.

By day you can admire artworks in galleries and treasured wonders in museums, and by night you can enjoy tours, musical and theatre performances, or find your favourite dram in a charming whisky pub.

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital; a city filled with history, culture, engaging attractions and beautiful architecture. Spend your time exploring its cobbled streets, hidden closes, world-class festivals and lively food and drink scene. Find out what makes Edinburgh so special, from its status as a UNESCO City of Literature and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to being named one of Time Out's top cities in the world. 

1- Explore Edinburgh Castle

Perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city, this should be a must-see on your list of places to visit in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle houses important Scottish artefacts, such as the Honours of Scotland -  which are the oldest crown jewels in the UK - and The Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of the Scottish monarchy. Explore the vast castle grounds, take a guided tour with a castle steward, or listen to the audio guide, which is available in eight languages.

#ukdayout tip: Tickets often sell out quickly, especially during the summer months. Make sure to book early to avoid disappointment! Listen out for the firing of the One O'Clock Gun from the castle grounds, which can be heard daily (except on Sundays). Ships in the Firth of Forth once set their maritime clocks according to the sound of the shot.

Get Your Tickets: Edinburgh Castle

2- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

This top attraction in Edinburgh is fun for all the family - we dare you not to be amazed, whatever your age. There are five floors of interactive curiosities and illusions to explore, so lose yourself in the puzzling mirror maze or try to keep your balance in the exhilarating Vortex Tunnel.

#ukdayout tip: Be sure to get an allocated show time so you don't miss out on seeing the 169-year-old Camera Obscura in action. This Victorian spectacle is a truly unique way to see Edinburgh and takes sightseeing to the next level.

Get Your Tickets: Camera Obscura

3- Taste the finest drams at Johnnie Walker Princes Street

The flagship Johnnie Walker Princes Street is spread across eight floors and is the capital's newest hotspot, perfect for whisky lovers and novices alike. 

Complete with dining experiences, bars and a whisky retail area, book your personalised whisky experience where you can explore the flavours of Scotland. 

#ukdayout tip: Enjoy world-class cocktails and incredible views of the Edinburgh skyline at the 1820 rooftop bar.

Get Your Tickets: Personalised Whisky Experience

4- Brave the Edinburgh Dungeon

Looking for things to do in Edinburgh that are a little unusual? For a thrilling alternative adventure, visit The Edinburgh Dungeons, where you'll learn about the city's gruesome history. 

Walk the plague-ridden streets of 1645, evade the murderous duo Burke and Hare, and even face trial - good luck! With live actors, underground rides and special effects, you're guaranteed a 'spooktacular' time.

#ukdayout tip: The Edinburgh Dungeon often holds Dungeon Late events for adults, so if you're looking for things to do in Edinburgh at night, this could be it.

Get Your Tickets: The Edinburgh Dungeon

5- Climb Arthur's Seat and stroll through Holyrood Park

Perhaps one of the most iconic places to go in Edinburgh is Arthur's Seat, located within Holyrood Park. This ancient volcano sits 251m above sea level and offers 360-degree views of Edinburgh and the Lothians. You can see the medieval remains of St Anthony's Chapel or feed the ducks and swans on Duddingston Loch. 

There's an array of paths and trails to follow, suitable for all, including the trail to St Margaret's Loch which is both wheelchair and buggy accessible.

#ukdayout tip: Climbing up to the top of this dormant volcano is hungry work! Why not pack a picnic and enjoy it from the best 'seat' in Edinburgh?

Explore the best of the UK with our comprehensive guide to attractions, boating, cottages, days out, holiday parks, hotels and spa breaks.

Whether you’re planning a relaxing getaway or an adventurous trip we have everything you need to make your UK holiday unforgettable.

Find out more at The British Holidays Booking Office - Home of the #ukstaycation

Haven Holidays "Clean and Safe Charter" - #ukstaycation

Miles of beaches, parks with wide open spaces and self-contained, self-catered accommodation are all guaranteed at Haven with their holiday homes spaced well apart, making social distancing standard at their parks. With access to some of the most beautiful beaches on our coastline, a great break is awaiting you.

However Haven know that due to the Coronavirus pandemic you may have concerns about some aspects of your holiday. Their new Clean and Safe Charter, designed to ensure guests feel safe and secure, provides reassurance that throughout all areas of the park – from your holiday home to the mini markets, from arrival to departure, all areas will be scrupulously clean and social distancing guidelines will be in place.

Each of the areas of Haven's Clean and Safe Charter are highlighted below, including the brand new and industry leading Haven Caravan Cleanliness Guarantee. If your caravan is not cleaned to the standards we expect, you will receive a full, no-quibble refund for the cost of your holiday. Haven hope you'll feel confident with the changes they have made and look forward to welcoming you to their parks.

The Haven Clean and Safe Charter covers 6 key areas:

1. Arrival Experience

2. Wayfinding around the park

3. Public Area Cleaning Teams

4. Enhanced Accommodation Cleaning Standards

5. Haven's Caravan Cleanliness Guarantee

6. Ordering & Collection of Takeaway Food & Drink

Find out more: Haven Holidays

It's been a long time coming, there's been plenty of preparation, months of waiting but Haven are almost ready to reopen their parks!

They are pleased to announce that they will be welcoming holidaymakers back to their parks in England on Monday 6 July and in Scotland on Friday 17 July.

They're also preparing to welcome holidaymakers back to the Welsh Parks from Monday 13 July and are just awaiting final Welsh Government confirmation.

Haven cannot wait to welcome guests and start the summer!

There's so much to look forward to on a Haven holiday. From miles of beaches, to parks with wide open spaces, each of their self-contained, self-catered holiday homes are all well spaced apart, so each one is already designed for social distancing.

Whilst their parks were closed they've been busy, making sure they are safe and secure for everyone when they open.

The new Clean and Safe Charter has been designed to ensure they are protecting guests in these uncertain times, and giving reassurance that all public areas and private caravans will be scrupulously clean whilst adopting social distancing guidelines in all public areas.

They've also introduced a brand new and industry leading Haven Caravan Cleanliness Guarantee. If your caravan is not cleaned to the standards we expect, you will receive a full, no-quibble refund for the cost of your holiday. Haven hope you'll feel confident with the changes they have made and look forward to welcoming you to their parks.

Where will your #ukstaycation take you...

The British Holidays Booking Office - Home of the ukstaycation - Come and join the “Great British get away” on a #ukstaycation and take a great family holiday in the UK

With 100's of great locations throughout the UK, a Holiday Park is the ideal get away for Family Holidays and short breaks

#ukholidayparks #summer2020 # ukholidays

Covid19-UK Aria Resorts

#covid19uk #AriaResorts #update #ukstaycation - When it’s over & it will be, these places will be back - Stay Safe - Stay Healthy

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE - Updated 11.05.20

It’s not goodbye… we’re just pressing pause on holidays until 4th July.

We hope that you are all safe and well and following all the Government's instructions

After the latest Government’s announcements today (11 May) extending the UK Covid -19 restrictions, our resorts will now remain closed until 4 July.

Please keep checking back here as we’ll review this as and when the Government next changes its current advice.

Our decision is based on the Government’s clear advice for the Hospitality industry to remain closed until July 4th, which explicitly included Hotels and all Holiday accommodation and facilities in England.

For guests booked to stay between now and up to 3 July only

We’d like to reassure you that your holiday is important to us and your booking and all monies paid are safe and secure. To be as flexible as we can in these uncertain times, we have set up some very simple ways for you to alter your holiday online and of course our call centre team is on hand too to help.

Please choose one of the following options:

- REBOOK - Same Dates 2021- You can move your holiday booking to the same arrival dates in May or  June 2021 for the same value as you paid this year, so there are no extra costs for you.

To choose this option, please click here and fill in the form, we will do the rest and you will receive the new confirmation in the next few days.


- CREDIT VOUCHER -We provide you with a holiday credit voucher to the value of what you have currently paid toward your holiday. This means that you don’t have to choose your replacement holiday dates right at this moment, you are free to rebook your stay for any time up until 31 December 2021 but you need to book this by 31 December 2020 to get it in the diary. The credit will stay on your holiday account with us until you choose to rebook.

To choose this option click here and fill in the form, we will do the rest and you will receive your voucher in the next few days.


- CALL US -If you’d rather rebook your holiday for another date in 2020, we will need to do this over the phone, but by all means search for your preferred dates on the website first. If the date of this holiday is less than you paid, we’ll refund the difference back to you. If the value is higher then you’ll need to pay the outstanding balance. You’ll need to speak to our reservations team to do this or to discuss any other aspect of your booking.


Please be patient and bear in mind that we wish to deal with every guest booking to the best of our ability, our call centre staff are now all home based and have secure access to all our systems but they remain incredibly busy and we are speaking to as many of our guests daily as we can. We will have or shortly will be emailing you about your affected booking and please only call if your arrival date is in the next 7 days.


For holidays arriving from 4th July onwards, what should you do?

Currently, if you are due to arrive anytime from 4th July onward, the Government have given the clear indication that we should be able to open the Resorts. Your booking remains valid and our booking terms and conditions of your holiday do fully apply.  If that date changes due to further Government instruction we will naturally let you know prior to your arrival date.

So right now we ask you to please just bear with us as the call centre is very busy, and keep an eye on this page and your emails and we’ll update you when and if the Government’s advice changes.

If you receive a letter reminding you that the balance of your holiday is due, (Arrival from July 4th Onward) please pay it in line with our booking terms and conditions as these are still valid for your booking, your monies paid are safe and secure.

When the resorts do open, we will continue to follow the latest Government’s advice regarding our self catering accommodation, leisure facilities, bars and restaurants, as we always hold the safety of our guests and our staff as our number one priority.

This isn’t the last you’ll hear from us as we expect further advice from the Government in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on this page and we’ll update you if anything changes as soon as we can.

Thank You!

We’d like to take this moment to say thank you for your support in these challenging times, stay safe and we hope to see you at one of our resorts soon.

Aria Resorts

*****Ends*****

The British Holidays Booking Office home of the #ukstaycation - Come and join the “Great British get away” and take a great family holiday in the UK. With 100's of great locations throughout the UK, a British Holiday is the ideal get away for Family Holidays and short breaks

👊😎 #StayHomeSaveLives

UK holidays can include trip to music festival

Music fans looking for something to do this summer might be wise to book a UK holiday to coincide with one of their favourite festivals.

UK Music and VisitBritain have teamed up to unveil a comprehensive map of the country's events, showing more than 500 festivals in total.

The shows will entertain about 7.7 million people and add £864 million to the nation's economy, emphasising their importance to a great number of individuals.

Jo Dipple, chief executive of UK Music, said: "The music industry makes a huge contribution to the economy and tourism, and I am glad this is recognised."

Among the most acclaimed festivals on the calendar are Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds, T in the Park and End of the Road.

People who book holidays in Devon, Sussex or Yorkshire could be just a few of those who are handily placed to attend the venues and enjoy the top-quality music on offer.

Looking for a Short Break in the UK let The British Holidays Booking Office help you find your perfect location.

Olympic boost to UK tourism

About 22% of the population attended the Olympic torch relay.

And a further 9% plan to visit sites where the torch was paraded, VisitEngland said today.

The tourist body added that around 21% of the adult population intend to take at least one holiday or short break in the UK by the end of this month.

This tourism is likely to generate around £2.3 billion.

But VisitEngland said that around 22% of people are undecided about their summer holiday plans, with 39% of these worried about the financial situation and 28% concerned about the weather.

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said: "I'm delighted that more than 10 million people are planning to holiday at home this summer.

"If we convert even half of those who are undecided about taking a summer break in England, we could potentially contribute an additional £600 million to the UK economy."

VisitEngland is already looking forward to another big sporting event to be staged in the UK - the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The Rugby League World Cup in is taking place in England next year, while England will also host the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

VisitEngland said today: "The impact of these events, particularly the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will benefit generations for years to come."

Looking for a Short Break in the UK let The British Holidays Booking Office help you find your perfect location.

Camping holidays in the UK less stressful than exotic holidays

People who go on camping holidays in the UK will find their break less stressful than those who opt for a exotic holidays abroad, a study has revealed.

Researchers have found families who stay local instead of jetting off to sunny foreign climes are more likely to arrive relaxed and ready to enjoy their holiday.

Holiday-goers also find it easier to unwind without the worries of passports and visas, the language barrier and bugs and insects.

The study of 2,00 people found almost half of families who have been on both local camping and international breaks believe a foreign jaunt is more stressful, with just 20% saying the same about a camping trip.

The study also found that 57% people reckon not having to deal with passport control or navigate their way through airports make things less stressful on a camping holiday.

Louise White, spokeswoman for Jungle Formula which commissioned the research, said: "When looking at glossy holiday brochures, a holiday abroad can seem like a dream. But sometimes, it is much easier and less stressful to stay in the UK.

”Not only is the journey usually shorter, but you don’t have to navigate your way around airports, worry about delays and cancellations or deal with the endless queues at check-in and security.

Top ten most stressful things about holidaying abroad:

1.   Having to deal with airports/passport control
2.   The expense/cost
3.   it’s stressful packing everything you need to go abroad
4.   The language barrier
5.   Having to deal with animals/insects which aren’t an issue in the UK
6.   Having to have vaccinations
7.   Being so far away from home
8.   Not feeling confident about letting my kids explore as much as I would in the UK
9.   The kids are still able to watch TV/play their computer games
10. Children want to join kids clubs so don’t want to do anything as a family

Looking for a UK Holiday Park or Campsite in the UK let the British Holidays Booking Office help you find the best deal.

Are campsites in a field of their own

The rain won’t last forever, and even if it does, you’re sure to stay snug on a British Campsite.

Camping is no longer the preserve of the hardy backwoods-type; over the past few years, tepees, bell tents, yurts and gypsy caravans have been popping up across the fields of Britain to satisfy the nation’s urge to get back to nature in style.



And when the rain clouds roll in, this new breed of camping experience offers added warmth and comfort.

To meet the demand for this glamorous take on the great outdoors, bookshelves and the internet now swell with dedicated guides. See campingninja.com, canopyandstars.co.uk, coolcamping.co.uk, pitchup.com, getonmyland.co.uk, goglamping.net and ukcampsite.co.uk.

Looking for a UK Holiday Park or Campsite in the UK let the British Holidays Booking Office help you find the best deal.

Looking for a Holiday cottages with swimming pools

A lovely addition to your chosen holiday cottage is your very own swimming pool. Here, are five of the best holiday cottages with swimming pools recently reported in a national online article.

New Inn House, Abbots Salford, near Stratford-upon-Avon, Worcesterhire
Sleeps: Ten
Price from: £1132 per week
A unique development in the heart of the Cotswolds, the Lower Mill Estate offers a holiday opportunity for families seeking a range of activities and watersports. The gated nature of the communal area allows children to play and explore.
Wood-burning stove
Dishwasher
Garden with furniture
Shared heated swimming pools

Tregarthen, Helford Passage, nr. Falmouth, S. Cornwall
Sleeps: Ten
Price from: £1638 per week
Tregarthen is a wonderful detached holiday property set in a prestigious location on the banks of the River Helford. Enjoy the huge outdoor swimming pool or relax and enjoy the picturesque setting from the balconies and patios - perfect for watching the sun set over the creeks.
Two TVs (one flatscreen)
Gas range with double oven and 6-ring hob inc
Large enclosed garden with patios, terrace and furniture
Built-in BBQ
Outdoor swimming pool



The White House Estate, Little Laver, Ongar, Essex
Sleeps: 14
Price from: £3295 per week
The White House Estate has a large drawing room with period fireplace, antique furniture, sofas, bay windows and French doors overlooking the landscaped garden.
Large flat screen satellite TVs
Aga
Broadband connection
Indoor heated swimming pool
Flood-lit tennis court

Tuckenhay Mill - 2 Castle Cottage, Bow Creek, near Totnes, South Devon
Sleeps: Four
Price from: £407 per week
Tuckenhay Mill is the centrepiece of a cluster of country homes and cottages with leisure facilities including two indoor swimming pools and one outdoor pool, making it ideal for a family holiday.
Jacuzzi/Hot Tub
Games room
Indoor and outdoor pool
Tennis court
Wifi internet access

Moorecroft, Buxton, Derbyshire
Sleeps: 10
Price from: £1492 per week
This large, detached, Scandinavian-style house is situated just 400m from the heart of the spa town of Buxton. With its own large indoor heated swimming pool, cinema area with 7ft screen, games room, as well as open-plan style of living, Moorecroft offers the perfect family holiday base.
42” plasma satellite TV
Indoor heated swimming pool
Games room
Fridge freezer with ice-maker and wine cooler
Dishwasher.

Looking for a UK Holiday Cottage with a difference in the UK let the British Holidays Booking Office help you find the best deal.