I'm Going On Holiday!

My last holiday was about two years ago to Glasgow with a friend of mine. We stayed in a hotel in the city centre for a couple of days. My previous holiday before that was in about 2006, so this one is long overdue. I'm really quite excited about it!!! I've been talking and thinking about a holiday for a few years but not done much more than a bit of research into hotels and some things to see and do as well as a few places to eat out.

A few weeks ago I was talking with a customer at work who was heading off on a city break in Europe (I can't remember where) she was looking for a 20l rucksack to carry all she wanted with her for the few days she was away for. It just reawakened the want and need in me to be more proactive in my life. To plan things. To be able to go away on a holiday on my own. This lady was doing it, so, why the heck couldn't I??

I realized that hotels were too clinical and sterile, I was going to be going somewhere on my own for a few days, why would I want to pay to sit in a hotel room alone for part of it? I could sit around at home alone for part of my days, surrounded by my home comforts. I changed tack and instead of looking at hotels, I looked at holiday apartments to rent in Edinburgh. I looked at a couple of different places and also at train times but that was all I did holiday wise that week.

Then, about a week later, I was thinking about it again and I just suddenly thought,

"Just book it! Stop looking and just do it!!"

I needed to get away, get out of my usual routines and usual places and see new things, experience new routines, even just for a few days. Or, should I say, some places I've seen before but just having more time to see them. I've been to Edinburgh three times before, twice with work and once on a day trip while I was in Stirling with work. There was never time for proper sightseeing, however. The first time I was there for nine days without a day off, the second time I was only there for a couple of days and the last time I was looking around some of the shops in the Old Town with a friend and colleague.

So there I was, looking at trains and holiday apartments and before I knew it, I'd not only booked the train, but also an apartment for three nights! *gulp* I couldn't believe it! I'd just stopped thinking and just did it! I'm travelling up on Wednesday and coming back on Saturday. It's about a half-hour walk from the train station and therefore, not that far from the city centre.

I've looked in more detail at a few things to do since; The Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, (it's closed while I'm there...) as well as the Museum of Scotland, the National Gallery and The Georgian House, to name a few...  There really is a lot to see and do in Edinburgh.  I even found a Harry Potter Trail. OMGOMGOMG!!!  There's a Harry Potter trail?!?!?!  It's unofficial and takes in some of the places that inspired J.K. Rowling while she was living in Edinburgh and writing the early Harry Potter books.

I'm not going to pack too much into my days though.  There's always the option of me going again so, I don't need to see and do everything this time around.  I'm thinking; sightseeing in the morning, and some shops after lunch in a cafe or one of the tea shops they have.  Then I'll head back to the apartment to read, write, nap or watch something on TV.  Whatever I need and fancy doing that day.  The Castle is about £1.50 cheaper if pre-booked.

I've already put a couple of things into my case that I'm planning on taking with me, as well as making a list of things to take.  Yeah, I'm VERY excited :D