Feeling adventurous or romantic, why not treat yourselves to a long weekend in Edinburgh? The summertime crowds are gone, the autumn colors are at their showy best, and Edinburgh awaits with an amazing cornucopia of interesting sights and activities.

There are in fact too many things to do and see in Edinburgh, so the trick is learning how to ignore most of the awe-inspiring amount of culture and history, and content oneself with constructing an elegant and pleasurable stay.

Care for a bit of excursioning? The countryside surrounding Edinburgh is filled with an enticing network of hiking paths and wild areas, and fall is perfect for collecting brambles and raspberries. Happen to be a golfer? Tee times on the area’s numerous historical courses are easier to get in the fall and the greens are far less brutal than in summer. Painfully hip by chance? Edinburgh’s music and art scene is equally so, and the collection of art galleries, night clubs and music spots is second to none.

So how about a long weekend in Edinburgh?

Get away a bit early on Friday and check into one of the hotels in the Old Town near the Edinburgh Castle. Smile at the price. For dinner, walk three blocks east and dine at The Witchery and spend a little of the money you saved on the hotel on an indulgent meal of Angus beef or local smoked salmon. Stop on the way home at one of the many hot nightclubs in the neighborhood if you’re in the mood.

Saturday morning can be a great time for sleeping in late or an early morning stroll around the Castle and the adjoining Princes Street Gardens, which are maintained in the typically attentive Scottish manner. The big event for today is a short trip out to the seashore at Mussleburgh in East Lothian. Musselburgh is a charming place for strolling on the beach and shopping along the promenade, and lots of people like the horseracing track there.

Eat lunch at the Chubara Indian restaurant, which offers excellent food and spectacular harbour views. Your return to Edinburgh is flexible, depending on whether you choose to schedule a night at the Edinburgh Playhouse and see We Will Rock You, the touring Queen musical that’s getting rave reviews. A lower tone evening could include a no-nonsense seafood dinner at the Mussel Inn a few blocks north of your hotel.

Sunday morning you have time for a full breakfast before the bus leaves for your half-day tour of the local whiskey distilleries and rural castles. Lunch on these tours is usually at some quaint café that will serve unpretentious food like rumbledethumps, a Scottish take on bubble and squeak.

Your tour will have you back in the hotel by early afternoon, so there’s finally time for a tour of the Edinburgh Castle. This awe-inspiring edifice is packed with strolling zones and historical exhibits and taking one of the guided tours is a good idea.

An autumn escape to Edinburgh certainly makes you see the city through different eyes. Doesn’t it?

Images courtesy of ipohkia, versevend, http2007, ajanssen, essers, d_wilkinson, http2007, johndal, glamworld (1+2), garysoup,

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