I’d like to pass around cigars. Rick Steves Great Britain covers Scotland, Wales, and our top picks of English destinations. Rick took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. The working-class yin to Edinburgh’s upper-crust yang, Glasgow has… Rick Steves’ Edinburgh Top Pics. Browse Rick's best England and Scotland tours and vacation packages: Best of London in 7 Days Tour And then…celebrate it. Our group is already planning for the event…and looking forward to sharing a bit of our culture with her. From the famous Royal Mile — with its great landmarks and quirky shops — to the underrated New Town, Edinburgh entertains. Looks like a for real suitcase snuck onto that tour! The shorter Best of Scotland guidebook focuses on Scotland's top destinations and sights, and is in full color.. Kilts, bagpipes, whisky, haggis…for such a wee land, Scotland has so many claims to fame. Only way to go. (If you're considering adding England and/or Wales, see my recommended itinerary for Great Britain.) 6. 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. Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli/Rick Steves' Europe Show More Show Less 2 of 2 The Isle of Iona is the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. And we all pack light. 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. 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). 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. She and her friend Iish hitchhiked from school to Glasgow and had no where to stay. 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. 10 Things to Do in Scotland 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. While it’s still part of Great Britain — for now —  Scotland is so much more than just England’s northern annex. Toss a Caber at a Highland Games. 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. This was in the valley called Glencoe, but hiking opportunities abound throughout Scotland. ©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. 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. 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. Also great to see “Outlander” mentioned – both the TV show and the book series on which it’s based wonderfully showcase Scotland. These days, Scotland is as hot as perennially-popular-with-our-travelers Ireland. By Cameron Hewitt. Scotland’s biggest city is also its most underrated. 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. …But Don’t Miss Glasgow. 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). Maybe I didn’t completely disobey Rick Steves in Northern Ireland. Scotland’s biggest city is also its most underrated. These celebrations of traditional Scottish culture fill the summer calendar. We’ll be flying Liz to Seattle this January for our annual tour guide summit and tour member reunion. But don’t knock it because “branding” is the new world. A second day lets you slow down and explore. And so it was clear: We needed a full-fledged Scotland guidebook. Contact us. I love the challenge of orchestrating a smooth, efficient, and safe European bus tour for 25 happy travelers. They also hitchhiked to Edinburgh and asked the local hospital if they had an empty room. 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. Jump to bottom. But I'd like to consider other options. I've spent weeks reading Rick Steves' Scotland book; reading the forums, etc. I enjoyed a ghost walk led by a surprise skeptic in the historic town of Stirling. Travel with Rick on this video guide to Scotland's Highlands and find out what to do on your next trip. Our itineraries come with a thoughtful balance of obvious sights and Back Door discoveries. What sets this guide apart are the detailed descriptions of hiking trails and nature areas. Both books are packed with hand-picked … Rick Steves is America's leading authority on European travel. By Rick Steves. Even if you’re a closet royalist, check your sympathies at the door and really try to understand what makes Scots Scots. How to choose? 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. They slept on two gurneys. This year, my guide was one of our rookies, Liz Lister. Plus you'll get all this, too. 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. Hit Scotland's can't-miss sights, bites, and history in two weeks or less with Rick Steves Best of Scotland!. 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. We're happy Rick Steves veterans and may do their 10 day tour there. Posted by brad on 10/02/20 06:16 AM. It seems to hold half of the country’s tourists — and for good reason. Linger in Edinburgh. 1. Rick Steves Scotland, the complete guide, offers more coverage of more destinations in a mostly black-and-white format. He even wore a kilt for us! Scotland Travel Guide by Rick Steves For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, see our FAQ . It’s part of the compensation package, Liz Lister. But on a short visit, visiting just a few will do the trick. Every year, one lucky Rick Steves tour … The Rick Steves travel guides are always informative but the Scotland guide is exceptional. Welcome to Scotland. 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. The shorter Rick Steves Best of Scotland guidebook focuses on Scotland's top destinations and sights, and is in full color. In this age of “devolution” (Scotland gaining more autonomy from London), ask locals what they think about current issues. for must see sights, for pretty great sites, for kinda great sites and naught but a mention for others. And a third day (or more) really lets you settle into one of Britain’s finest cities. Watching these movies and TV shows — before, during, and after your trip — can enhance your enjoyment and appreciation for Scotland. We'll then take a short neighborhood walk and enjoy getting acquainted over dinner. Sleep in Edinburgh (2 nights). My wife Heidi was a student nurse in Hemel-Hempstead in 1962. I did visit some of his suggested sites and loved them. And Urquhart Castle — overlooking Loch Ness — is one of the most visited in Scotland. 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.. A week into our Best of Scotland tour, it’s clear — we’ve got it all. For one thing, there’s tasting. But each cliché also comes with an authentic — and often fascinating — backstory. All that hard work has paid off, as we’ve just received our first shipment of the Scotland book at our Travel Store. 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. Both books are packed with hand-picked recommendations and Rick's travel advice and tips for saving time, money, and hassle. Cameron Hewitt/Rick Steves ... giving us a tour … More and more, our guides are making a point to delve into the taste treats of wherever we travel. 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). 10. 3. 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. The book contains helpful bits about the usual tourist spots, hotels, restaurants, etc. Be warned: Cliché-hunting can cheapen a trip, and Scotland is only too happy to indulge tourists looking to buy knock-off kilts. 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. A “Lager Lovelies” timeline from the Tennent’s Brewery Tour. And Urquhart Castle — overlooking Loch Ness — is one of the most visited in Scotland. His mission: to empower Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. About Rick Steves Guidebook author and travel TV host Rick Steves is America's most respected authority on European travel. The working-class yin to Edinburgh’s upper-crust yang, Glasgow has the most engaging foodie and nightlife scene I found in Scotland. We feel as giddy as proud parents. Really this looks like a wonderful trip. Hunt for Ghosts. No bus. I went on this tour last year and Roddie was our driver. If you’ll be in Scotland in the summer, check the Highland Games schedule before nailing down your itinerary. 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 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. A Highland Games (or “Gathering”) is like a county fair, dance competition, and track meet all rolled into one. But before long, I just ignored my soaked socks to fully appreciate the symphony of achingly gorgeous glen scenery all around me. Video: Watch Scotland's Highlands, an episode of the Rick Steves' Europe TV show. Hooray for Scotland getting its own standalone guidebook! Go Island-Hopping. Get in touch if you have a question about our self drive tours, or if you want help creating a customised travel package. We'll gather at our hotel in Inverness at 4 p.m. for a "Welcome to Scotland" … Rick uses a system of triangles to rate and prioritize sightseeing. I cannot imagine if going on a “tour” type vacation taking anything but a RS! Rick Steves England and Scotland tours provide the best value for your trip to Europe. I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? 8. Seek Out and Celebrate What Makes Scotland Unique. 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. Liz has plenty of experience guiding groups for other companies, but this was her first time leading one of ours. Go to the Movies. 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… The officer gave them a cell with two mats and a bucket if necessary. 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. They absolutely loved all the sights in Scotland. He was wonderful! Hooray for Scotland getting its own standalone guidebook! James MacLetchie: Photography. 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. Our Scotland tours are selling as well as our Ireland tours. 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. It also has some of Scotland’s best 20th-century architecture, a rejuvenated downtown core, and an impressive collection of museums. Everyone wants to drive along Loch Ness and scan the lake for the monster. Are we to infer from Rick’s comments above that Rick Steves himself orchestrated this smooth, efficient, safe tour? 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. 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. You'll visit Edinburgh, windswept St. Andrews, the isles of Iona and Skye, Loch Ness, Inverness in … Plan your own trip or take one of Rick's value-packed European tours and vacations. (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.) Go North to Get Off the Beaten Path. So much to see, so little time. Helen leads Rick Steves tours in Spain and represents her artist husband, Rachid Hanbali, and his oil paintings. Enjoy the Clichés…but Dig Deeper. The Royal Mile, a leisurely and fascination-filled stroll gradually downhill from the castle to the palace, is one of Europ What's the difference between this Best of Scotland guidebook and Rick's complete Scotland guidebook?. When you travel to Edmonds in January 2014, ask lots of questions. 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. Every year, one lucky Rick Steves tour guide gets me on their bus. Hello all! Since 1973, Rick Steves has spent about four months a year exploring Europe. We never check luggage anymore and have taken two and three week trips with only a carryon bag and a RS Daybag (Civita) each. I am planning for a Scotland trip when I am able to travel again. 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