Halo from Edinburgh! If you’ve been following along at DixieTravels, Honey has returned home and I flew from France to Scotland this morning for the second leg of my trip. I met up with my friend Staci and we are beyond excited to kick off our very first Adult Exclusive Adventures by Disney vacation in the magical country of Scotland. I haven’t been here since I studied abroad, and I am just thrilled for the experiences that lie ahead. Over the next week, we will explore the lush countrysides, ancient stone castles and beautiful lochs that decorate the Scottish landscapes. Along the way we will follow the history of royalty and clans (particularly exciting for this Crown & Outlander lover), and experience the food, music, culture and history in a way that only Disney can do.
Adventures by Disney Scotland
Day 1: Edinburgh – Failte!
Day 2: Edinburgh – Wrapped Up in Edinburgh
Day 3: Kelso – The Royal Treatment
Day 4: Inverness & The Highlands – History of the Highlands
Day 5: Inverness – Monsters & Dark Waters
Day 6: Inverness – Alba gu brath
Day 7: Inverness – Caledonian Escapades
Day 8: Inverness – Turas Math Dhut!
Arrive in Edinburgh
After a short an uneventful flight from Paris, I was met by an Adventures by Disney representative and a warm “Fàilte to Scotland!” They loaded up my luggage and then whisked me away to the hotel. It is SO nice to have someone navigate these logistics in a way that makes vacation seem to start the moment you land.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
On arrival at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, I was greeted by my two Adventure Guides, Lauren and Clare. I can already tell I’m going to like my stay here!
The Caledonian has been an icon on Princes Street since 1903, combining modern luxury and Victorian style in a former rail station. This is a Virtuoso hotel, so you can count on the service and experience being top notch. We have a double twin room with a lovely view of Princes Street. We unpacked, freshened up and hit the town!
Afternoon in Edinburgh
I was 21 the last time I was in Edinburgh but the lay of the land came back quickly. I still remember being in awe of Edinburgh Castle, sitting high atop town. We wandered down Princes Street Gardens, The Royal Mile, Victoria Street and Edinburgh Old Town, heading in shops, finding lunch in a pub, and just soaking it all in.
Welcome Reception and Dinner
One of my favorite parts of any adventure is the excitement and anticipation of the Welcome Dinner. It’s here that you first meet your fellow Adventurers and learn about the week ahead. The atmosphere is always electric! After saying halò to my fellow Adventurers, we were escorted up the grand staircase by a bagpiper. Talk about a “wow” welcome moment! I had chills! He played as we settled in for dinner, answered questions and too photos. Dinner was delicious, offering a buffet of local favorites. We raised our glasses and toasted to beginning of an unforgettable trip with a resounding “Slainte”!
All About Adventures by Disney
Adventures by Disney are expertly planned and guided group tours visiting over 40 destinations across 7 continents. You can visit the world’s most iconic locations with Disney as your guide and your storyteller, and enjoy experiences, activities, dining and adventures in a way that only Disney can do. This is not a theme park tour with Mickey Mouse and popcorn buckets. These are trips around the world where you experience the service and VIP treatment that Disney is known for.
Now Booking through 2024! Here are just a few of the destinations you can visit with Disney:
- AFRICA – Egypt & South Africa
- ASIA PACIFIC – Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia
- CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA – Costa Rica, Galápagos Islands, Peru
- EUROPE – British Isles, Poland / Austria / Czech Republic, England and France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Sicily (NEW!), Spain
- NORTH AMERICA – Alaska, Canadian Rockies, Disneyland® Resort and Southern California, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona / Utah, New England
There are so many ways to follow along on our trip and see why I am so passionate about Adventures by Disney!
- What Makes AbD SO Special – blog post here
- Private AbD Facebook Group – join me here
- Dixie Travels Business Page on Facebook – like it here
- Dixie Travels Instagram – follow here
- My Germany AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Montana & Wyoming AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My New England AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Italy & Switzerland AbD Trip Report – read on here
- My Scotland Adult Exclusive AbD Trip Report – read on here
If you’re ready to learn more, I’d LOVE to talk your ear off about YOUR adventure! :-) My job is to handle all of the details so you can enjoy the anticipation of your trip without the stress and time commitment of “figuring everything out”. I am one of very few travel advisors that personally travels with Adventures by Disney – having taken FIVE different trips in just 6 years – and can guide you every step of the way. On top of that, family vacations are expensive and my experience and attention to detail make it possible to get the most out of your vacation dollars. Best of all, booking through me does not cost one cent more than doing it on your own.
DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED