Exploring Edinburgh

Exploring Edinburgh...

As soon as you arrive in Edinburgh, you are immersed in a city of beautiful stoned architecture, winding streets of dusty unexplored secondhand book stores, and quaint coffee shops, each with a life and pulse of its own. Home to the Fringe Festival, Unesco's first City of Literature and numerous art galleries, it's a city with culture, creativity and progression bursting from every seam of its archaic backdrop, ever watched by the eye of the 12^th century castle high above the city. It is a timeless capsule whose energy is perpetuated equally by the nurturing of the past, and with the flourishing of the creative.

Here's a guide to what not to miss on a quick weekend break to this stunning city.

For a lunch with the girls...

The Outsider.

Spacious, light, airy, good food, good price, great views.

For a quick bite to eat...

Oink

Infamous in Edinburgh, this delicious one-of-a-kind hog roast cafes is always popular for city dwellers and tourists alike. Pick up a classic hog roast roll for just £3.80, but a tip is to avoid the peak lunch time as it can get busy.

See http://www.oinkhogroast.co.uk/

For a drink...

Brew Lab

This artisan coffee shop in the heart of Edinburgh in its own words aims to 'meld traditional and innovative brewing techniques and local artisan produce to create a new coffee shop experience.' As the name suggests it relies on brewing its coffee to bring out its best characteristics. Not only is the coffee making this shop famous, but it's modern but cosy brickwork décor makes it the perfect location for a catchup with friends, or a hideaway to work in.

See http://www.brewlabcoffee.co.uk/

For shopping...

From tweed shops in old town, to high street favourites on Princes Street, Edinburgh really has everything on offer. Not to miss are also the vintage shops should you wish to enter a treasure trove of unique and exquisite pieces, one of the best being Armstrong's.

See http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/

Also not to miss...

Writing on the 'Before I die' wall.

National Museum 

Adventures in Thailand

Riding elephants, getting lost in Bangkok, snorkelling in the waters of Phi Phi, I discovered what this exquisite country has to offer no matter how tight your hold on the purse string is.

For the sun-worshipper...

If it is turquoise seas, and golden beaches you are seeking, travel to the beautiful Thai islands to soak up the rays. Not to be missed are the snorkelling trips on Koh Phi Phi. For the cost of about 10 pounds for the day you can explore the islands most beautiful spots. Highlights of this included seeing the island's Monkey Beach and Maya Bay, which famously seduced the likes of Leonardo di Caprio in the movie The Beach.

For the explorer...

Go beyond the touristy areas to the stunning backdrop of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Here there is ample opportunity for the traveller to immerse themselves in cultural activities such as Cooking School, Mahout Elephant Training, White Water Rafting, and trekking to see the many beautiful waterfalls. Check out the elephant places online before you go to ensure you choose an ethical place. Ranked top on trip advisor is Woody's Elephant Training in Mae Taeng. Fairly inexpensive, this was an unforgettable day riding, feeding and washing the elephants in the river. www.woodyelephanttraining.com/blog/

For the city breaker...

Full of noise, colour and smells, Bangkok is a vibrant bustling city which marches to the beat of its own drum. Stay on Khao San Road at the inexpensive D and D Inn, to be right in the heart of the bars, restaurants, street sellers and local cuisine. The hotel even comes with its own roof top pool; perfect for soaking up the city's nighttime skyline after you have viewed the stunning temples, floating markets, and the Grand Palace in the day. www.khaosanby.com/DD-Inn

For the party goer on a budget...

An obvious choice for many is to head to Koh Phangan for the famous Full Moon Party and join the tens of thousands filling the Haad Rin beach each month. Book your accomodation as soon in advance as you can to avoid getting somewhere inexpensive, far away and less than luxurious. Not to be overlooked is the beach nightlife on other islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi and Phuket (although steer clear of Patong) where impressive fire shows are often performed by locals at night.

To get there...

Look on skyscanner.net for the cheapest flights. A top tip for students is to use statravel.co.uk as it provides discounted prices for those studying. Our return flights were under £500 and I'm sure the savvy online shopper could reduce this further by booking further in advance.