Edinburgh

Edinburgh
The buzz of Scotlands capital city - Edinburgh - sits in perfect contrast to the serene surrounding of Lothians region. In Edinburgh, you will be spoilt for choice from the world famous Festivals to top-class restaurants and bars, and to the fabulous shopping.

With the most amazing cityscapes in the world, the region has turned into a great city break destination. With Scotlands most famous castle propelling the city skyline to dominate, there is plenty to see and do.

Edinburgh is the capital and the second largest city of Scotland. The city lies on the east coast of Scotlands Central Belt, along the Firth of Forth, near the North Sea. Owing to its rocky setting and vast collection of Medieval and Georgian architecture, Edinburgh is often referred to as one of the most wonderful cities in Europe.

Edinburgh was one of the major centers of the Enlightenment, led by the University of Edinburgh. The city goes by many nicknames; the most popular being Athens of the North. As of Census 2001 estimates, the city had a total resident population of 448,625. Edinburgh receives a temperate maritime climate. Winters are marked by mild temperature and summers by moderate temperature.

Edinburgh is considered as one of Europes major tourist destinations, attracting around 13 million visitors each year. Culturally, the city is best known for the festivals. Also discover world-class museums and galleries and experience a perfect balance between traditional and contemporary things.

Festivals
The City is well-renowned for the annual Edinburgh Festival, lasts for about 1 month. It is a collection of official and independent festivals held in July/August. The festival attracts visitor in number roughly equal to the settled population of the city.

The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe - the largest performing arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

The International Festival features a program of high-profile theatre productions and classical music performances, where directors, conductors, theatre companies and orchestras from around the globe participate.

The Edinburgh Fringe began as a program of marginal acts and today has become the largest arts festival in the world. The festival featured about 1867 different shows in 261 venues in 2006. With numerous notable comedians, Comedy is now one of the major features of the Fringe.

Other festivals include the Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Tigerfest is an independent music festival which ran alongside with the Fringe in 2004 and 2005.

Performing Arts
Edinburgh has vibrant and rich performing arts scene. People are provided with ample opportunities to treat themselves to the world-class theaters, concerts and other entertainment genres. The city also has a healthy popular music scene.

Typical large gigs are featured at Murrayfield, The Liquid Room, Meadowbank, and the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. The Usher Hall is Edinburghs best venue for classical music, as well as the special prestige popular music gig.

The city continues to support a number of theatres and production companies and the Royal MileOutside festival is an evident of it. The Kings Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, and Edinburgh Playhouse feature large touring shows and present both traditional and contemporary program of plays. The Bedlam Theatre, Church Hill Theatre, and the Kings Theatre are known for presenting the productions of amateur theatre companies.

Nightlife & Shopping
Edinburgh has a wide array of pubs, clubs and restaurants. Areas like Grassmarket, Lothian Road and surrounding streets, Rose Street and its surrounds and the Bridges are the hub of nightlife entertainment.

With a large number of new, upscale public houses and nightclubs opening, George Street in the New Town has risen to prominence in recent years. Stockbridge and the waterfront at Leith are also busy areas concentrated with a number of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

The city also has a large number of shops, from upscale department stores to a vast array of charity shops in Stockbridge. With Harvey Nichols, Multrees Walk makes up the upscale shopping district in Edinburgh. Multrees Walk endorses brands such as Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, Mulberry and Calvin Klein.

Princes Street is another favorite shopping spot, hosting a wide range of stores, from pound shops to Jenners. Most of the national-level chain stores such as Boots and New Look have their shops in the uptown district of the Street.

The street leads on to the St. James Centre, which deals in discount clothing, homewares and books The Center also plays host to the Edinburgh branch of the upmarket department store chain, John Lewis. Come and explore the majestic scale of Edinburgh for yourself, making it truly an amazing spectacle!