Edinburgh, Scotland

July 3 - July 7, 2010

Through the overcast skies and rainy days, there is something exciting about Edinburgh. Unable to diagnose whether it may be due to the history towering over the city, such as Edinburgh Castle, the history layered underneath the city, such as Mary King's Close, or the intricacy of Medieval and Georgian architecture alike composing the city, I know I definitely could have spent more than just three full days wandering this Scottish gem.

Having spent the past two weeks dominantly out on desolate countryside may definitely have been a fueling factor to the excitement Edinburgh portrayed too. The noise pollution of traffic, the crowds moving at a consistent rate along this street and that...there is no doubt that I am a city girl. Then again, Edinburgh is also home to a multitude of universities which bring masses of young adults. I'll say no more. 

The two distinct areas, the Old Town and the New Town, create Edinburgh as it is seen today. From what I experienced, pick anything to do in this city and it will impress in some way or another.

When finding a bite to eat, we were never let down. From cafes to pubs to restaurants, deciding which to grab a meal at in the first place was the most difficult challenge to overcome. I must inform you, however, of two fantastic restaurants; 'The Glasshouse Off the Mile' on St. Giles Street is composed with a modern atmosphere featuring delicious, light lunch eats. 'Cucina' at Hotel Missoni is strikingly chic with a menu inspired with Italian cuisine. Champagne bottles popped and three-course black truffle summer menus were served all around; I ate incredibly well on my sixteenth birthday.

Princes Street in New Town has plenty to offer when it comes to shopping, situated central in the city next to Edinburgh Castle. So does 'The Centre' at Livingston; half an hour west of Edinburgh, in addition to the mall itself, is also a designer outlet mall (with fantastic bargains if I may say so myself) and movie cinemas.

If you happen to be visiting the area with younger kids, apart from the carousel in the Princes Street Gardens, make a visit to Camera Obscura. Alongside the obscura is a museum full of fun illusions to twist your mind around, while at the same time being very family-friendly.

Historically, Edinburgh has so much more to offer than I initially expected when first arriving in the area. Stroll down the Royal Mile in the Old Town and you're spanning the eminent mile of street between two of Edinburgh's spotlighted historical structures, Holyrood Abbey and Edinburgh Castle. Climb the Castle Rock, once volcanically created, up to Edinburgh Castle and discover its origins, back to when David I ruled in the 12th century. Return to earth and watch as tartan weaving mills, in working condition, create the kilts that only bagpipers can pull off. Move underground and you're in for an incredible surprise - that, the reason, of Edinburgh's haunted reputation. 

From Mary King's Close, a tour through the now underground, Plague-stricken, narrow streets of what used to be Edinburgh in the 15th century, to Ghost Tours under South Bridge, bringing you to the exact locations of where plague victims were locked up to rot and die, then exposing you to the paranormal activity which is said to still remain, never a moment will pass where you won't let down your guard.

Princes Street Gardens looking up to Edinburgh Castle

Tartan Weaving Mill

St. Giles' Cathedral on Royal Mile

Bank of Scotland Head Office off of Royal Mile

Hotel Missoni

Lake District, England

June 26 - July 3, 2010

Not a hint of noise pollution to be heard for miles, we had come upon the Lake District of Great Britain. For a week we were greeted with chirping birds, buzzing bees and cows and sheep in paddocks. For a week we were also greeted with limited internet access, for half a week, no running water, and for a day, no power...due to woodpeckers. Nonetheless, Summerhill Cottage at Cartmel Fell was very cozy, and the Masons' Arms pub had lovely food to offer just a short walk down the hill, as did The Swan pub at Newby Bridge, too.

Like Snowdonia, the Lake District has rolling countryside and greener than green views across the landscapes. In addition, as its name states, it also features over eighty lakes nestled among mountains, or fells. These lakes made perfect walks and picnic spots as did Fell Foot Park in Staveley-in-Cartmel. Those visited included Coniston Water, Rydal Water, Ullswater (where we spent Mum's birthday dinner at the Sharrow Bay Hotel with a gorgeous six-course taster meal) as well as Derwent Water, the location in which the quality art utensils originate (only those interested in visual art, like myself, would currently understand what I'm babbling on about). Furthermore, we also spent time in Bowness-on-Windermere on Lake Windermere. If you ever happen to be in the area and believe that it is a spectacular idea to rent out a little wooden motorboat, well...it isn't. Especially when you're speeding at a max of 5mph and you're stuck out in the middle of the lake with a bloodsucking tick attached to your arm (personal experience and incredibly unenjoyable).

Spending one lunch at Grasmere, the burial site to William Wordsworth, the famous English Romantic poet, we also explored other villages such as Hawes, Keswick and Buttermere. Penrith also made a place on our itinerary one day, however, quite unpleasantly, much of this particular village had boarded up storefronts as well as rubbish littering the streets. If you happen to come across Sizergh, don't miss a visit to Sizergh Castle which has been home to the Strickland family for more than 750 years, and still is. The original structure of this medieval castle dates back to the 14th century and has been extended since, in the Elizabethan era, with features such as detailed interior oak-panelling.  

As for scenic drives, the Yorkshire Dales are astounding in natural landscape, while Wrynose and Hardknott Passes provide some incredible photo-worthy locations. Definitely worth a hit!

Train track through Yorkshire Dales

Sizergh Castle

Rydal Water

The Swan (pub) at Newby Bridge

Snowdonia, Wales

June 21 - June 25, 2010

There's a catch to renting a farmhouse cottage, dating back to the 1600s, tucked away in the countryside of Wales. Yes, there are gorgeous views from hilltop of the surrounding luscious, green landscapes, but what the booking website won't inform you of are the chickens who will invade your quiet abode if the front door is left open with intention to simply let in a fresh morning breeze. May I introduce to you, Bets-y-coed.

Four days in Snowdonia were spent without any phone reception or Internet connection and an incredibly limited variation of television channels. So with as much optimism as I could perk myself up with, I kept with the family flow, waiting to see what we would get up to. On some days, I was impressed with what we discovered, that is, if you find history and landscapes appealing.

Within the immediate area of Bets-y-coed, we discovered Conwy Castle as well as Bodnant Garden. Situated on Conwy River, Conwy Castle dates back to the 1200s to the time of King Edward I. Its crumbling interior foundations still remain inside its first set of castle walls which stand proudly, along with its second set, the gateway into its surrounding town. In addition, the castle's bridge, spanning across the river, is definitely a work of art. If you're looking for an afternoon escape, Bodnant Garden makes a great visit; a large variety of exotic, international plant species can be found sprawled out over 80 acres of land.

Just like Conwy, we found that Gwynedd had a few gems to offer as well. Caernarfon Castle is situated high on the coastline, up the river from Conwy Castle, and was erected by King Edward I himself. An impressive sight worth seeing, its initial intention as a seat of power still lingers in its atmosphere. Definitely not to forget, especially for those creative hearts like myself, is Portmeirion. This small and architecturally-vivid town was created by a Welsh man, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, in the Early 1900s. His aim in constructing this village was to show that architectural designs from other cultures could be successfully incorporated into the Welsh landscape. And is it charming!

The Llechwedd Slate Caverns, active since 1836 and found in Blaenau Ffestiniog (thank goodness this isn't a video blog, I wouldn't be able to pronounce some of these names to save my life), provided an informative tour one afternoon through two different slate mines. Northwest Wales is very well known for their abundance in slate which is imported all over the globe.

As if we hadn't done enough already, we also took a ride up the Snowdon Mountain Railway in Llanberis. Unsurprisingly, we were greeted with nothing more than clouds at the very top, but still managed to snap a few breathtaking scenes of the rolling landscape mid-way up and down on the rack-railway.

Four days was more than enough time required to inhale the ambiance of Wales (as well as feeling incredibly deprived from any connection with the outside world).

Welsh Flag

Top of Mt. Snowdon

Portmeirion

Bets-y-coed

Bodnant Garden

Conwy Castle