Post by Kim on Dec 26, 2001 11:11:00 GMT -5
Holyrood Palace is the 'official' residence of the Queen when she is in Scotland (normally one week a year they told us) so guided tours only and then of only a few rooms. But they are impressive for the history they contain. Although having seen Windsor Catle I can surely see why she'd prefer to be there. 
The 'Royal Mile' is a wonderful walk indeed, but you want to be going from the castle towards Holyrood as it is pretty darn steep! The street is filled with shops, cafe's, exhibits and such. Becoming rather touristy, but a great look into the old town and the history. Several of the 'specialty' museums are
closed, but overall I have seen more tourists here than anywhere else I have been and generally most everything is open here.
Took a morning and went out to the Royal Yacht Britannia. It is on display now since they decided it was just too expensive to use any longer. Actually I was rather surprised by this. It was no nearly so 'regal' as I would have thought. The formal dining room and drawing room were quite fabulous, but not overly so. And the bedrooms and other quarters actually a bit bland. The Queen and Phillip have seperate bedrooms, connected by a door between them, but both have one twin
bed in their room, and trust me, there is not room for there to have ever been anything other.
There are some excellent museums here, the National Gallery, the Royal Museum of Scotland, and the National Scotland Museum. All have taken up several hours of time for each, and I could easily have lingered longer in any of them. I am
finding I do greatly enjoy visiting them....alone....so that I can stop and look at whatever interests me, for as long as I please.
The crowds have been unbelievable here. Of course I did arrive the weekend prior to Christmas, but I swear even London did not show me such thronging masses of people! It was impossible almost to walk on the 'shopping' streets,
but the tourist areas were not nearly so bad. A bit more crowded than I have encountered elsewhere, but still relatively empty. About the only folks I see here and about, visiting like me seem to be Orientals.
Leaving tomorrow morning for London, but only to catch the Eurostar. Then to Brussels for a couple of days, Brugge over New Years and then I am not altogether certain. Plan is to head across north Germany toward Poland, but they are having some horrific storms all through Europe these past few days and seems likely to continue. Loads and loads of snow. So I will wait a few more days before deciding for certain which was to go.
Till my next 'installment' I hope this finds you all well, recovering from Christmas and nearly ready for New Years. Thanks again to all who have written. It is wonderful to hear from you!
ging
The 'Royal Mile' is a wonderful walk indeed, but you want to be going from the castle towards Holyrood as it is pretty darn steep! The street is filled with shops, cafe's, exhibits and such. Becoming rather touristy, but a great look into the old town and the history. Several of the 'specialty' museums are
closed, but overall I have seen more tourists here than anywhere else I have been and generally most everything is open here.
Took a morning and went out to the Royal Yacht Britannia. It is on display now since they decided it was just too expensive to use any longer. Actually I was rather surprised by this. It was no nearly so 'regal' as I would have thought. The formal dining room and drawing room were quite fabulous, but not overly so. And the bedrooms and other quarters actually a bit bland. The Queen and Phillip have seperate bedrooms, connected by a door between them, but both have one twin
bed in their room, and trust me, there is not room for there to have ever been anything other.
There are some excellent museums here, the National Gallery, the Royal Museum of Scotland, and the National Scotland Museum. All have taken up several hours of time for each, and I could easily have lingered longer in any of them. I am
finding I do greatly enjoy visiting them....alone....so that I can stop and look at whatever interests me, for as long as I please.
The crowds have been unbelievable here. Of course I did arrive the weekend prior to Christmas, but I swear even London did not show me such thronging masses of people! It was impossible almost to walk on the 'shopping' streets,
but the tourist areas were not nearly so bad. A bit more crowded than I have encountered elsewhere, but still relatively empty. About the only folks I see here and about, visiting like me seem to be Orientals.
Leaving tomorrow morning for London, but only to catch the Eurostar. Then to Brussels for a couple of days, Brugge over New Years and then I am not altogether certain. Plan is to head across north Germany toward Poland, but they are having some horrific storms all through Europe these past few days and seems likely to continue. Loads and loads of snow. So I will wait a few more days before deciding for certain which was to go.
Till my next 'installment' I hope this finds you all well, recovering from Christmas and nearly ready for New Years. Thanks again to all who have written. It is wonderful to hear from you!
ging