Edinburgh Christmas Markets

Seasonal Scottish Celebrations

Enjoy a special festive break in one of Britain’s most beguiling cities, transformed into a magical winter wonderland by twinkling lights, seasonal scents and colourful Christmas markets. Join us in the glorious ‘Athens of the North’, where, beneath the great Castle, alongside elegant Princes Street, the Scottish capital sparkles with Christmas cheer, its markets full of seasonal merchandise and delicious treats. From your city centre hotel, you’ll have ample opportunities to explore Edinburgh and soak up the unique festive atmosphere, with the chance to visit Loch Lomond on an optional tour.

Highlights

Enjoy three nights in the Scottish capital
Take in glorious Edinburgh, ‘Athens of the North’
Free time to explore the city and its Christmas markets at your leisure
Optional tour of stunning Loch Lomond with whiskey tasting

Inclusions

Three nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre
City tour of Edinburgh
Return flights to Edinburgh
Coach transfers and travel included throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day

1

Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of the day is yours to spend relaxing and exploring your new surroundings, perhaps choosing to dine in one of the Edinburgh’s many fine eateries, or enjoy a drink in a cosy café or bar. As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight. Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.

Day

2

Join your friendly tour manager for a short, guided introduction this morning, which will bring to life Edinburgh’s major sights, including the lanes and wynds of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the impregnable Castle atop its rocky promontory. Wander along Princes Street, with its shops, stores and colourful festive markets, stopping to explore the Traditional Highland Village in Princes Street Gardens, where the gifts, handicrafts and foodstuffs showcase the best of Scottish fare, together with an authentic German Market – a great place for a light lunch. This afternoon is free to spend at your leisure, perhaps revisiting some of your favourite spots from this morning’s tour, finding a cosy restaurant for dinner.

Day

3

Today you have the choice of joining an optional tour to Loch Lomond or continuing your exploration of Edinburgh under your own steam, perhaps returning to Princes Street and its colourful Christmas markets. Loch Lomond is located at the heart of the Trossachs National Park. Join your fellow guests as you enjoy a scenic drive around its southern shores, home to loch-side castles and stately homes, with the possibility of catching a glimpse of magnificent Ben Lomond. A stop at the chic loch-side shopping centre Lomond Shores provides ample opportunities for some souvenir shopping and a spot of lunch (payable locally). Continue to a local distillery, where you will enjoy a brief tour and learn about the history of whisky, one of Scotland’s principle exports, followed by a tasting session and the chance to buy a bottle of the good stuff to take home. Return to your hotel, and perhaps venture out to a local restaurant to enjoy your last night in Edinburgh.

Day

4

Depending on the time of your return flight, you may have some free time this morning to look around Edinburgh one last time, before you transfer back to the airport for your return flight, rounding off a marvelously festive few days.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 30 minutes.

Luggage Allowance

As this is a short break, we don’t include checked-in hold luggage but do include the airline’s base-level hand luggage so you can choose how much luggage you want to add on when you check in for your flight. Some airlines include a bag under the seat as their base luggage, others include overhead cabin bags – it varies from airline to airline – and there are always different options to increase the allowance. You may wish to add a hold bag if you anticipate buying lots of gifts at the Christmas markets or consider booking one hold bag between two people. The choice is yours, as we know everyone has different needs.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Commencing in late 2023 or 2024, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.