If you’ll be in Scotland in the summer, check the Highland Games schedule before nailing down your itinerary. Need some ideas on my one week (8 day/7 nights) stay in Scotland this Fall. In this age of “devolution” (Scotland gaining more autonomy from London), ask locals what they think about current issues. For one thing, there’s tasting. I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? 8. Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. Rick Steves Scotland, the complete guide, offers more coverage of more destinations in a mostly black-and-white format. Visiting a kiltmaker on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, you learn the difference between top-quality tweed and tacky “tartan tat.” Touring a whisky distillery — or several — cultivates an appreciation for the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) variations in bouquet, flavor, and peatiness. He even wore a kilt for us! (At least Scotland and England still share a knack for witty signs.) Linger in Edinburgh. Everything you need is here. Posted on July 22, 2013 January 5, 2018 by Rick Steves Scotland Tour: All Tours Must Pass It is always a bit emotional at the end of a tour, when we say goodbye to our bus driver and guide. Video: Watch Scotland's Highlands, an episode of the Rick Steves' Europe TV show. We feel as giddy as proud parents. Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves' Europe Show More Show Less 2 of 2 The Isle of Iona is the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. Answer 1 of 11: My family (two adults and one adult daughter) is planning to go to Scotland next year. A second day lets you slow down and explore. They were put up in the morgue that night which was unocupied at that time. Stay tuned for lots of Rick Steves’ Europe this fall — including episodes on Portugal (Lisbon and the country’s heartland), the heart of England, Greek islands, Sicily (Best of Sicily and Sicilian Delights), Scotland (Glasgow, Highlands, and islands), cruising travel skills, and two special episodes on Europe’s greatest festivals. How to choose? And Urquhart Castle — overlooking Loch Ness — is one of the most visited in Scotland. Go Island-Hopping. Rick Steves’ Edinburgh Top Pics. Jump to bottom. I cannot imagine if going on a “tour” type vacation taking anything but a RS! (As for whether all of the above have scientific explanations…I’ll leave that to you.). We never check luggage anymore and have taken two and three week trips with only a carryon bag and a RS Daybag (Civita) each. The shorter Rick Steves Best of Scotland guidebook focuses on Scotland's top destinations and sights, and is in full color. Hello all! From the famous Royal Mile — with its great landmarks and quirky shops — to the underrated New Town, Edinburgh entertains. for must see sights, for pretty great sites, for kinda great sites and naught but a mention for others. Every year, one lucky Rick Steves tour … Scotland — with a West Coast slashed by receding glaciers — has nearly 800 islands. Meanwhile, our Ireland guidebook has long been right up there with Italy and Paris among our top sellers. While both destinations are amazing and beautiful with so much to offer, and I always try to help them make the right choice for their needs, I don’t think this has to be an either-or choice. Real fans can geek out on visiting actual filming locations (we’ve added an Outlander sidebar to the new Scotland guidebook for just that purpose). Are we to infer from Rick’s comments above that Rick Steves himself orchestrated this smooth, efficient, safe tour? Only way to go. I went on this tour last year and Roddie was our driver. Our bus driver, Roddie, greets us every other morning as we load up the bus and travel on (there are no one-night stops on this itinerary). One day gives you just enough time to see the castle and ramble down the Royal Mile. The Isle of Skye, with pretty pastel harbor towns, jaw-dropping scenery, and a vivid heritage of folk tales and clan battles, can easily fill a couple of days. Our group is already planning for the event…and looking forward to sharing a bit of our culture with her. And a third day (or more) really lets you settle into one of Britain’s finest cities. Rick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. Also great to see “Outlander” mentioned – both the TV show and the book series on which it’s based wonderfully showcase Scotland. But on a short visit, visiting just a few will do the trick. Rick uses a system of triangles to rate and prioritize sightseeing. James leads Rick Steves tours in Scotland and is also a photographer offering framed images of Hebridean life, including Highland cows, thatch cottages, Scottish scenery, and wildlife. …But Don’t Miss Glasgow. All that hard work has paid off, as we’ve just received our first shipment of the Scotland book at our Travel Store. Rick Steves England and Scotland tours provide the best value for your trip to Europe. These days, Scotland is as hot as perennially-popular-with-our-travelers Ireland. I love the challenge of orchestrating a smooth, efficient, and safe European bus tour for 25 happy travelers. Or, for a strategic strike, base yourself in the small West Coast town of Oban and spend a day side-tripping to a trio of worthwhile Hebrides: Big and desolate Mull, spiritual Iona, and otherworldly Staffa — an uninhabited bulb of rock where puffins greet arriving boats, and the “other end” of Ireland’s famous Giant’s Causeway disappears into a mysterious cave. But I'd like to consider other options. And, while there’s plenty to see on that loop, with more time it’s rewarding to break free and strike out for the far north. In fact, we rushed breakfast in order to leave our hotel early and beat the hordes of cruise-ship groups that converge on Urquhart Castle late each morning. The Rick Steves travel guides are always informative but the Scotland guide is exceptional. Looks like a for real suitcase snuck onto that tour! If you are starting or ending a driving tour of the UK and Ireland in Scotland, we're happy to organise the Scottish leg of your journey. So last year, Cameron Hewitt (co-author of many of my guidebooks) spent much of his summer researching in Scotland and putting together our new Rick Steves Scotland guidebook — which just arrived in our Travel Store. Take a Hike…and Bring Good Shoes. Go to the Movies. To help you get started, I've listed my top picks for where to go in Scotland and my plan for your best two-week trip. James MacLetchie: Photography. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Scotland. That amazing country topped my must-see list when I first backpacked through Europe over 20 years ago, and I’ve happily returned many times since. Enjoy the Clichés…but Dig Deeper. And Urquhart Castle — overlooking Loch Ness — is one of the most visited in Scotland. But Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most entertaining cities. It goes without saying, but all of this — and much more — is covered in the hot-off-the-press first edition of the Rick Steves Scotland guidebook. These celebrations of traditional Scottish culture fill the summer calendar. Last summer, I spent a month traveling all over Scotland to research our Rick Steves Scotland guidebook. Every year, one lucky Rick Steves tour guide gets me on their bus. (Just don’t run out of gas.) 2. Watching these movies and TV shows — before, during, and after your trip — can enhance your enjoyment and appreciation for Scotland. My wife Heidi was a student nurse in Hemel-Hempstead in 1962. Please sign in to post. Scotland’s biggest city is also its most underrated. In fact, we rushed breakfast in order to leave our hotel early and beat the hordes of cruise-ship groups that converge on Urquhart Castle late each morning. Both books are packed with hand-picked … No bus. They absolutely loved all the sights in Scotland. It’s part of the compensation package, Liz Lister. And if you’re really adventurous, catch the ferry to the Orkney Islands — a world apart, with prehistoric treasures and evocative World War II history. About Rick Steves Guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves is America's most respected authority on European travel. The book contains helpful bits about the usual tourist spots, hotels, restaurants, etc. Ranging from glitzy to endearingly small-town, it’s the one day a year when an entire town turns out to socialize, gorge on junk food, and cheer on the strongmen, footracers, and graceful dancers. There’s much more to experiencing a new culture than sightseeing. It also has some of Scotland’s best 20th-century architecture, a rejuvenated downtown core, and an impressive collection of museums. Scotland Daily Itinerary (Rick Steves Tour) Day 1: Welcome to Scotland We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel in Edinburgh for a "Welcome to Scotland" get-together. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a public television series, and a public radio show, and organizes small-group tours that take over 30,000 travelers to Europe annually. And so it was clear: We needed a full-fledged Scotland guidebook. 1. I’d like to pass around cigars. Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. Plus you'll get all this, too. Hit Scotland's can't-miss sights, bites, and history in two weeks or less with Rick Steves Best of Scotland!. When you travel to Edmonds in January 2014, ask lots of questions. What's the difference between this Best of Scotland guidebook and Rick's complete Scotland guidebook?. The more I read about Scotland, the more I knew I wanted to spend more than a few days there. Travel with Rick on this video guide to Scotland's Highlands and find out what to do on your next trip. Really this looks like a wonderful trip. A Highland Games (or “Gathering”) is like a county fair, dance competition, and track meet all rolled into one. 5. Kilts, bagpipes, whisky, haggis…for such a wee land, Scotland has so many claims to fame. Posted by brad on 10/02/20 06:16 AM. Helen leads Rick Steves tours in Spain and represents her artist husband, Rachid Hanbali, and his oil paintings. scotland itinerary help. But before long, I just ignored my soaked socks to fully appreciate the symphony of achingly gorgeous glen scenery all around me. 10. We’ll be flying Liz to Seattle this January for our annual tour guide summit and tour member reunion. Both Rick Steves Best of England and the complete Rick Steves England exclude Scotland and Wales, and just focus on England (with one exception: Best of England does cover Edinburgh). Seek Out and Celebrate What Makes Scotland Unique. And we all pack light. If rugged scenery tickles your fancy, drive up Scotland’s scenic west coast — called Wester Ross — then along its north coast to John O’Groats. By Cameron Hewitt. 7. Be warned: Cliché-hunting can cheapen a trip, and Scotland is only too happy to indulge tourists looking to buy knock-off kilts. We're happy Rick Steves veterans and may do their 10 day tour there. Scotland Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . The officer gave them a cell with two mats and a bucket if necessary. By Rick Steves. For this late-morning snack, Liz and our bus driver Roddie put out a delightful spread: mackerel, smoked salmon, various Scottish cheeses, oatcakes, haggis-flavored potato chips, traditional tea cakes, and the local ale: Irn-Bru (Scotland’s favorite soft drink). ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Travel Bite: Exploring Soviet East Berlin, The Edmonds Theater — An Extra-Large Bag of Small-Town Memories, Daily Dose of Europe: Monet’s “Water Lilies”, Daily Dose of Europe: Appreciating Milano. If you’re really struggling with the Ireland vs Scotland debate, why not choose both?When you use this itinerary to travel to Ireland and Scotland you’re getting the best of both wo… This was in the valley called Glencoe, but hiking opportunities abound throughout Scotland. I am planning for a Scotland trip when I am able to travel again. But don’t knock it because “branding” is the new world. It seems to hold half of the country’s tourists — and for good reason. But by getting a car and crafting my own itinerary, I was able to see more street art and more coastline than I would have seen had I had strictly adhered to the “must see” sites. She apprenticed for two tours with our senior Scotland guides and, as I’ve seen firsthand, is perfectly ready for prime time. Get in touch if you have a question about our self drive tours, or if you want help creating a customised travel package. Contact us. They went to the local police station said they were two poor student nurses and asked where they could go this was with fluttering eye lashes.. (While Scotland’s top destinations have always been well-covered in our Great Britain guide, this is the first time it’s had its own full-fledged book.) And then…celebrate it. And trying your hand at playing the bagpipes instills respect for musicians who’ve devoted their lives to the instrument. Plan your own trip or take one of Rick's value-packed European tours and vacations. What sets this guide apart are the detailed descriptions of hiking trails and nature areas. Liz has plenty of experience guiding groups for other companies, but this was her first time leading one of ours. Here’s a sneak peek at the new listing for the Tennent’s Brewery Tour in the upcoming second edition of Rick Steves Scotland: Tennents Brewery Tour: Tennents, founded in 1740, is now the biggest brewery in Scotland, filling an 18-acre site. This year, my guide was one of our rookies, Liz Lister. As an 18-year-old, Rick began traveling on his … His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy, Scotland Tour: British Commandos Memorial in the Scottish Highlands, The Edmonds Theater — An Extra-Large Bag of Small-Town Memories, Daily Dose of Europe: Monet’s “Water Lilies”, Daily Dose of Europe: Appreciating Milano. It’s required: Our luggage maximum is what you can carry onto an airplane — 9 by 21 by 14 inches. To celebrate the newest addition to our Rick Steves guidebook family, here’s a list of my favorite Scottish memories…and ways that you can incorporate them into your own travels. Maybe I didn’t completely disobey Rick Steves in Northern Ireland. You can view the entire itinerary of Rick Steves' 10 Day Best of Scotland tour or many other tour choices at: www.ricksteves.com To navigate this site, you can click on the menu at the top or scroll down to the bottom and click on the buttons to go forward or backward. More and more, our guides are making a point to delve into the taste treats of wherever we travel. Our stress-free England and Scotland vacations package together small groups, great guides, central hotels, all sightseeing — and memories to last a lifetime. Sleep in Edinburgh (2 nights). Dec 19, 2016 - Enjoy your Scotland vacation on a Rick Steves tour! She and her friend Iish hitchhiked from school to Glasgow and had no where to stay. A small, friendly group of 24 people — half the size of most tour groups; Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of Scotland come alive for you; All group transportation from Glasgow to Edinburgh; 13 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels and B&Bs Cameron Hewitt/Rick Steves ... giving us a tour … A week into our Best of Scotland tour, it’s clear — we’ve got it all. Our Scotland tours are selling as well as our Ireland tours. Rick Steves Great Britain covers Scotland, Wales, and our top picks of English destinations. Hooray for Scotland getting its own standalone guidebook! Hunt for Ghosts. Scotland Itineraries - Audio Europe: Britain by Rick Steves Audio Europe published on 2015-02-11T02:11:15Z Three tour guides from Scotland offer insider tips for enjoying Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as exploring the Scottish borderlands, Highlands, and islands. A “Lager Lovelies” timeline from the Tennent’s Brewery Tour. Tromping through drizzle, watching my feet settle onto bright-green turf only to disappear under a torrent of brown water, I wished I’d brought my waterproof boots. Knowing we couldn't "see everything," otherwise, we'd be driving long days, and having a stressful trip, I decided to focus on three areas: Edinburgh, Skye, Inverness. 3. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of ghost-themed experiences in Scotland — where each city has its haunted tours, each castle its apparitions, and each B&B room its mysterious creaks. I will be flying out of Dublin and going to either Inverness and make my way to Edinburgh or will fly in and out of Edinburgh. Scotland’s biggest city is also its most underrated. The hit TV show Outlander has thrust Scotland back into the limelight, like countless pop culture moments before it — from Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Braveheart, and from The Da Vinci Code to Harry Potter. We'll gather at our hotel in Inverness at 4 p.m. for a "Welcome to Scotland" … The working-class yin to Edinburgh’s upper-crust yang, Glasgow has the most engaging foodie and nightlife scene I found in Scotland. The Royal Mile, a leisurely and fascination-filled stroll gradually downhill from the castle to the palace, is one of Europ We'll then take a short neighborhood walk and enjoy getting acquainted over dinner. They also hitchhiked to Edinburgh and asked the local hospital if they had an empty room. Keen to Disobey Rick Steves? The shorter Best of Scotland guidebook focuses on Scotland's top destinations and sights, and is in full color.. 10 Things to Do in Scotland So much to see, so little time. Rick Steves' Europe. I enjoyed a ghost walk led by a surprise skeptic in the historic town of Stirling. Welcome to Scotland. (If you're considering adding England and/or Wales, see my recommended itinerary for Great Britain.) I did visit some of his suggested sites and loved them. 6. You'll visit Edinburgh, windswept St. Andrews, the isles of Iona and Skye, Loch Ness, Inverness in … Our itineraries come with a thoughtful balance of obvious sights and Back Door discoveries. There are countless keys to success: a good, modern bus with twice as many seats as tourist; a steady driver with social skills that make him a welcome part of our traveling family; and a low-maintenance group with a positive attitude that is well-organized and packs light. Posted on July 8, 2013 October 14, 2015 by Rick Steves Scotland Tour, Day 1: First-Night Excitement Each year we organize and lead about 500 bus tours, and each year I take one of them. Browse Rick's best England and Scotland tours and vacation packages: Best of London in 7 Days Tour Most tourists in Scotland get stuck in a predictable rut: Edinburgh-Stirling-Glasgow-Fort William-Inverness-back to Edinburgh. But for a more practical way to celebrate, I’ll share Cameron’s blog post featuring his top 10 travel experiences in bonnie, bonnie Scotland. But each cliché also comes with an authentic — and often fascinating — backstory. By the way, if you enjoy Cameron’s take on Europe, be sure to “like” his Facebook page — he leaves soon for more guidebook research in Italy’s Cinque Terre and Dolomites, Salzburg and the Austrian Alps, Bulgaria, Romania, and Budapest. Hit Scotland's can't-miss sights, bites, and history in two weeks or less with Rick Steves Best of Scotland!. Everyone wants to drive along Loch Ness and scan the lake for the monster. Seeing Rick’s blog and pictures brings back great memories from my trip! He was wonderful! Toss a Caber at a Highland Games. Both books are packed with hand-picked recommendations and Rick's travel advice and tips for saving time, money, and hassle. 9. Hooray for Scotland getting its own standalone guidebook! My Account. They slept on two gurneys. 4. Go North to Get Off the Beaten Path. Although those look like some pretty large bags? Even if you’re a closet royalist, check your sympathies at the door and really try to understand what makes Scots Scots. We’re happy to help so please don’t hesitate to … The working-class yin to Edinburgh’s upper-crust yang, Glasgow has… I've spent weeks reading Rick Steves' Scotland book; reading the forums, etc. While it’s still part of Great Britain — for now —  Scotland is so much more than just England’s northern annex. Sure, there’s plenty more to Scotland. And cynics enjoy debunking half-truths (whether in Braveheart or in The Da Vinci Code), which also buys you street cred with the locals…who are tired of explaining that William Wallace was never called “Braveheart” until Mel Gibson came along. Steves ' Europe show more show less 2 of 2 the Isle of Iona is the of! 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