Edinburgh fireworks

Edinburgh Festival & The Military Tattoo

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

3 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £580 per person
Best time to go: August
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo

Tickets for the 2022 Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo, one of the most iconic events in Scotland’s calendar set against the jaw-dropping backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Scotch Whisky Experience

Sample Scotland’s national drink at the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. Find your perfect dram and learn about the process of whisky making.

Edinburgh Festival

Experience the incredible Edinburgh Festival in 2022 – the world’s largest arts festival and a hotspot for artistic talent.

City centre attractions

Visit some of Edinburgh’s famous city centre spectacles, such as the St Giles’ Cathedral, the iconic Scottish National Gallery, and the Scottish Parliament.

Old Town

Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to historic sites such as Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

Climb aboard one of the most famous ships in the world, which served as a Royal residence for over 44 years, and is now berthed in Leith docks as a 5* visitor attraction.

A Cultural Escape to Iconic Edinburgh

This self-guided itinerary visits Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. In August the city plays host to the thrilling Edinburgh Festival, with over 50,000 performances of theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, musicals, opera, spoken word, exhibitions and events. Tickets are included in this tour for the wonderful Royal Military Tattoo.

Hop-on and hop-off a City Sightseeing Tour and explore the many attractions, including St Giles’ Cathedral, the National Gallery, Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street, the New Town and Royal Mile. Walk up Arthur’s Seat and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city.

In the evening, you are spoilt for choice, Edinburgh is gastronomic heaven. There are cosy traditional pubs around every corner and along each cobbled street, and they pride themselves on their extraordinary range of real ales and Scottish whiskies.

Tickets are included for the legendary Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo. Set against the backdrop of the city’s imposing castle, the tattoo is one of the most iconic events in Scotland’s calendar and brings together audiences from across the globe. The Edinburgh Tattoo celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from the British Armed Forces, the Commonwealth, and military teams throughout the world.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital city, and enjoy a City Sightseeing bus tour to get your bearings. Visit historic Edinburgh Castle and sample Scotland’s national drink at the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. This truly is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh Sightseeing

Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former floating home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, or hike up to the top of Arthur’s Seat – an extinct volcano which looms over the city – for breathtaking panoramic views. Explore the Georgian grandeur of the New Town, or learn about Scotland’s turbulent and fascinating history at the award-winning National Museum of Scotland.

In the evening, we will provide you with tickets for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the most spectacular show in the world, enjoyed by an international audience of over 210,000 people every year. The Tattoo season on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle is a sell-out every year, but we will ensure that you have excellent tickets for the show with the spectacular fireworks finale.

Against the majestic backdrop of the ancient castle, the action-packed programme will feature exciting contributions from the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Highland dancing, cultural troops, and the stirring music of the world-famous Massed Pipes and Drums.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 3: Edinburgh Sightseeing

Take to the streets and experience the many Festivals that take place in the city each August. Edinburgh has become a hotspot for artistic talent with the International Festival and world-famous Fringe.

The summer programme has grown with the Edinburgh Book Festival, the largest book festival in the world, and the Jazz & Blues Festival. Performances take place throughout the city and there’s always something to suit all tastes.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 4: Depart Edinburgh

Today your magical escape to Edinburgh will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 3 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Tickets for the Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour
Tickets for the late-night fireworks performance of the 2023 Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

Budget

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Proud to be Scottish

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The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Highland Dancers

Best Places to Eat in Edinburgh: A Local’s Guide

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A Day in Edinburgh: An Alternative Guide

With iconic attractions like Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat - Edinburgh is no secret as a world-class destination. However, delve a little deeper and there are plenty of lesser-known sights waiting to be discovered. Katia from the Absolute Escapes team presents her alternative guide to a day in the Scottish capital ... Read more