Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s city-break appeal is all about its blend of old and new, and the same selling point applies to its hotel stock. Properties like the Radisson Blu Hotel (80 High Street) are lauded for mixing stylish modern accommodation with a history-rich location, in this case just off the Royal Mile. Close to Waverley Station, the Balmoral Hotel (1 Princes Street) has been drawing discerning guests for over a century and boasts a spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant. And for those keen to stay outside of the city centre, the 23-room Prestonfield House (Priestfield Road, Newington) is an upmarket retreat 3km from the Royal Mile.

Souvenir shops and gift stalls sell shortbread biscuits and tartan thread all year round, with varying degrees of quality. Harvey Nichols (30-34 St Andrews Square) offers a more international flavour and an upmarket shopping scene, featuring designers such as Gucci and Prada. With over 150 years of heritage, Jenners (48 Princes Street) is located not far away. Districts such as Stockbridge, Bruntsfield and the West End offer more unique shopping opportunities

Edinburgh lays claim to having the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any UK city outside London, so fine dining options are not in short supply. Enjoy the local ingredients at the superb Castle Terrace (33-35 Castle Terrace), and the Scottish meat and fish at The Grain Store (30 Victoria Street). Wander away from British cuisine and sample the excellent examples of Indian, Thai and Japanese restaurants. Bring it right back to Scotland’s most famous thirst-quencher, and head to The Albanach (197 High Street) to try one of their 250 malt whiskies.

Burns Night

25 January

Celebrate the birth of national poet Robert Burns with lashings of food, drink and song. Enjoy haggis and a good old knees up each January.

Edinburgh International Festival

August

Part of the Edinburgh Festival that adorns the city each year, the International Festival celebrates the performing arts with a prestigious concoction of theatre, opera, dance and classical music.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

August

The Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival. Hundreds of shows take place on any given day encompassing theatre, comedy and street performance.

Royal Military Tattoo

August

Some 200,000 spectators flock to the iconic Military Tattoo each year to observe a spectacular showcase of military ceremony, complemented by fireworks and dancing.

Hogmanay

31 December

You'll struggle to find a more famous New Year’s Eve party the world over. Hogmanay brings thousands of people together on the streets of Edinburgh to enjoy the carnival atmosphere lit up by live bands, dancing and of course fireworks, plus the un-missable midnight rendition of Auld Lang Syne.