Explore: Edinburgh

Hey foodies,

Haven't the first two months flown?! I mean March, really? 

At the end of February I took a short, weekend break to Edinburgh. I've never really explored Scotland and as a belated birthday pressie for the bf, I thought a bit of Scottish, city culture would be a welcome break.

Being the organised person that I am, I researched restaurants, walks and activities and read review after review. With it being a city of great tourist attraction there's so much to see, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Art Gallery and all the beautiful garden walks. So to give you foodie explorers a heads up, here at my five Edinburgh highlights:

1. The Scotch Whisky Experience

This was part of George's birthday treat, as he's definitely more of a whisky drinker than me! However, I also really enjoyed the experience. The tour started on a ride! I was rather shocked and so excited, as we sat coupled on a journey through the making of Scotch whisky. As we disembarked the ride, we were greeted by our tour guide and taken into a brief seminar on whisky, using scent cards to embody the tasting notes of whisky from the different regions. We then got to pick our favourite to sample. Being the sweetie that I am, I opted for a blended whisky, with honey. More of a liquor really, compared to all the other hardcore whisky drinkers in the room. As we took back the notes of our chosen sample and swirled the golden liquid in our glasses, our guide walked us through the largest collection of Scotch whisky in the world. It was huge! Our tour ended with a look at some of the most unusually designed and sought after whisky bottles, from chess pieces to Big Ben, there were some beautiful whisky works of art.

We upgraded our tour to include a platter of tasters from the different Scotch whisky regions. A very sensory, but relaxed experience and it's safe to say I needed a glass of water before leaving to help me get back down the stairs!

Tours start from just £14 and it's a must! www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

2. Afternoon tea at the Dome

It was my Dad who actually suggested this. Being a lover of luxury and I think it's obvious that I'm a lover of delicious food, afternoon tea in this stunning building was also high on my priority list. With its impressive grandeur, who wouldn't want to spend their afternoon eating petite finger sandwiches, macarons and of course - scones! I mean even George enjoyed it, so it must have been tasty.

Prices start around £18 and book in advance to avoid disappointment. www.thedomeedinburgh.com

3. Thai banquet at Time for Thai

I must have spent hours searching for a restaurant. I'm quite difficult to please and with internet reviews so easily accessible, it only takes one comment to put me off booking. When going to new places, I always try to eat somewhere local and avoid most chain restaurants like the plague. George and I have a particular love for Thai cuisine and I wanted somewhere which wouldn't disappoint. After numerous phone calls I finally got us a table at Time for Thai. The decor looked modern and elegant, so I booked a table for 8pm. When we arrived the restaurant was packed, which although meant a short break, I knew I'd made a good decision! With complimentary drinks for our patience and faultless service, this was one of the best Thai meals I've ever had. I will certainly be going back, even if only for the generosity of the front of house staff.

Set menus start at £23.95 and you definitely need to book as far in advance as possible for this one! time4thai.co.uk

4. Evening drinks at the Jazz Bar

With the dark, atmospheric lighting in this place I didn't get any pictures, but all the more reason for you to visit it for yourself! This little gem, hidden away in a basement off Chambers street, is home to the very best of funk, soul and blues. Holding up to four live sessions a day, you really have no excuse! The bar was packed, but we managed to get seats, and the live band were fantastic, especially as they were a mix of solo artists. It was like an open house rehearsal, so anything could've happened!

It was incredibly relaxed and you could tell all of the musicians were fully immersed in the music. Check out their online calendar for a little inspiration...www.thejazzbar.co.uk

5. Camera Obscura

Now this is an odd one really, for me anyway. I tend to stay clear of the typical tourist attractions, but with George not being a fan of history and castles, we thought we would try out Camera Obscura. With incredibly high ratings for being family friendly and fun for all ages, we though WHY NOT?

With several floors full of fun, obscure activities, including a rotating tunnel walkway, mirror maze and photo booths which simulate your face as a monkey, we spent hours walking round in hysterics.It really was a great laugh and we took loads of silly pictures too, see my big head below!


The original main attraction, is the camera obscura itself, where you can view live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table, through a giant periscope. With 360 degree turning facility, this intriguing projected image allows you play games with the image, lifting people up on paper bridges and dropping them back onto the table. Although this is more exciting and interactive for the little ones, I found it fascinating and it has been a major attraction for over 150 years in Edinburgh.

Here's me on the top of the building, in rather dismal weather, but nonetheless taking a selfie the waving 'Hello' flag. General admission is £13.95 and you can come and go as you please! You will need to leave plenty of time for silly selfies! www.camera-obscura.co.uk

So all you need to do now is book a city break!

I'm really looking forward to going back to Edinburgh in May and super excited for all my upcoming city break plans through 2015. Where will your adventures take you?

Say it with experience, go explore.

Love,

Jess

xo