Edinburgh, Scotland - best festival city in the world

Our roof has a leak, the deck needs refinishing, moles are tearing up the lawn, pine needles are everywhere, the car transmission is going "clunk"...I need to get away!!

Music, theatre, events, museums, cultural sights, good food, mild weather, bagpipes and haggis, escape to Edinburgh, Scotland! Last year, 12 festivals ignited Edinburgh, over 2.5 million tickets were sold in August alone!

Why go? How do you get there? What is there to do?

Let's start with the "why go?" Mainly, it is the festivals (www.edinburghfestivalcity.com) in August, my favorite time to go!

Edinburgh Military Tattoo -  August 5-27 http://www.edintattoo.co.uk:

With the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, performers from across the globe entertain on the floodlit esplanade of the city's top attraction. Some of the finest Highland dancers and musicians join international performers in an exciting spectacle of color, sounds and movement.

Edinburgh International Book Festival - August 13-29 http://www.edbookfest.co.uk:

More than 800 authors and 700 events, including novelists, illustrators, cartoonists, historians, musicians, biographers, environmentalists, economists, Nobel and Booker prize winners are all there for your enjoyment. "Meet the author" sessions, animated discussions and debates on global affairs are featured.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival - August 5-29 http://www.edfringe.com:

The largest arts festival in the world has exploded with both organized and impromptu events. Over a million tickets are sold each year for exhibitions, theatre, music, and the largest category, comedy acts. Last year there were 50,459 performances of 3,314 shows in 313 venues. The Fringe presents shows for every taste.

Just one day after departing from your international airport you can be hiking, golfing, whisky-tasting, visiting Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse Palace, St. Giles Cathedral, the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Scottish Parliament, going on underground tours, feasting in excellent restaurants, and having a "wee dram" in the pubs!

Weather

August is generally the best weather in the year - 64 degrees in the daytime, but it can be a "wee bit cooler" in the evening. Layer clothes, bring an umbrella, and be ready for any type of weather. As a Scottish friend advises... "bring shorts and rain gear!"

Food

Haggis...don't ask "what's in this?!" Despite what you may have heard about the food in the UK being less than stellar, Edinburgh is a foodie's delight, from Michelin 3-star to takeaway fish and chips. The pubs and restaurants are numerous, varied, and worth a taste. Shop at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays to mingle with the locals. Scottish people are very friendly and chatty so this is a perfect opportunity to get to know the local people.

Start planning your trip...and go!

Go online and review the various routes, airlines, and costs. The flight from Portland to Edinburgh, Scotland via London...a typical total travel time is 13 hours 8 minutes. (Google PDX to EDI.) If you want a more leisurely route, you can fly to London, then take the train to Edinburgh. It's 4.5 hours of beautiful scenery, and will help you acclimate yourself to life in the United Kingdom. (www.nationalrail.co.uk)

Next step, accommodations

Whether you book a luxurious accommodation or something more modest, there is a wide range of independent hotels, hostels, B&Bs, guesthouses and apartments. (www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/planning-your-trip) Book the flight first, then book your accommodation.

Your flight and accommodations are booked, now for the fun part - a plethora of activities await you in Edinburgh! Make a list of the wide range of "things to do," then choose a few specific venues that are a "must- see/do" based on your interests and style. Be flexible. Keep an open attitude and if you have the time, proximity, and inclination to see/do additional things on your list while out and about, you will know what to expect. (www.visitscotland.com) (www.edinburghguide.com/venues/visitor-attractions)

A few sights to consider are: The Scott Monument, the Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile with it's shops, museums, pubs, a free walking tour of the "Old Town," the 1 p.m., canon firing at the Castle, the Scottish National Gallery and the Scotlandspeople Centre where you might find a distant royal relative.

Most of these sights are within easy walking distance. Edinburgh has an excellent public transportation system of buses, trams and taxis. More details about what to do and how to get around later.