Edinburgh has been named Europe's most beautiful and friendly city, positioning it as an ideal destination for a Christmas break. The Scottish capital, rich in history, art, music, and cuisine, continues to attract travellers seeking a memorable getaway.
Travel booking platform Trip.com offers a streamlined way to plan trips to cities like Edinburgh, with options for rail, plane, or car travel, as well as a range of hotels and homes to suit various budgets. Booking a return ticket from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh was straightforward through the platform's built-in travel booking system.
A Luxurious Stay at The Bonham
During a one-night stay, the highlight was The Bonham, a 5-star luxury boutique hotel in the quiet, leafy west end of the city. The experience began with a free glass of bubbly on arrival, and the staff provided top-notch service throughout. The ground-floor room, with a garden view, featured a Roberts digital radio playing classical music, a SMEG coffee machine with Lavazza coffee pods, an array of teas, embossed mugs, milk, and snacks including classic shortbread.
The room also included fresh white robes, a grand bathtub, plush throws and pillows, and four different soaps and hand creams. The hotel's interior, with low, moody lighting from chandeliers and various sitting rooms, lounges, and a library, felt regal and exclusive. In the evening, dining at No.35 at The Bonham offered seasonal and local produce such as Scottish Borders fillet of beef, poached Atlantic cod, and sticky toffee pudding, complemented by an extensive fine wine list. Breakfast, upgraded for £28 per person, was buffet-style with pastries, cereal, granola, fruit platters, and options like a full Scottish breakfast and Eggs Florentine.
Exploring the City's Attractions
The hotel's location, a short walk from Princes Street, Dean Village, and Leith Walk, made it an ideal base for exploring both the quiet, quaint parts of the city and the main thoroughfare. Edinburgh is extremely walkable with well-connected transport links, including foot, tram, and bus options.
Visitors can tour the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the King in Scotland and where Mary, Queen of Scots lived from 1561 to 1567. An audio guide provides insight into its associations with historic figures like Bonnie Prince Charlie. The palace, located at the end of the Royal Mile, features spectacular rooms, a courtyard, Abbey, and lush gardens set against the backdrop of Arthur's Seat. It is situated across from the Scottish Parliament building, where visitors can watch live debates from the public gallery for free by booking online in advance.
Ghost Tours and Festive Charm
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour, led by a costumed guide, took visitors down eerie wynds to the haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge in Edinburgh's Old Town. The tour covered the city's criminals and dodgy characters, including the infamous serial killers-cum-body-snatchers Jekyll and Hyde, and finished in Greyfriars Kirkyard, regarded as the most haunted graveyard in the world. While the tour lacked some captivating storytelling, it was exciting to be in Greyfriars Kirkyard on a gloomy autumn evening.
Edinburgh is a city to be enjoyed year-round, not just during the Festival Fringe in August. After the clocks go back, the city's pubs feel cosier, and walks up Cockburn Street and down Victoria Street are refreshing. Visitors might pop into The Dome, visit a trendy wine bar in Stockbridge, enjoy live music in a pub down the Grassmarket, or take a brisk walk up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill. Edinburgh's Hogmanay Festival, the world-famous New Year Celebration, will see in 2027 with thousands of revellers. Edinburgh has something to suit everyone, regardless of age, making it a perfect trip this winter or New Year.
