I didn't really have a preference of where I was going so I just checked online to see the cheapest flights. Edinburgh came up as the best deal and although I had been before when I was a child, I didn't get a chance to properly explore the city. However, with current guidelines surrounding COVID testing (plus the extortionate luggage fees) it actually worked out cheaper, and less stressful, for me to go via train. Luckily I wasn't restricted to dates/times and I also have a railcard which meant I had the freedom to do a bit of tweaking until I found the cheapest price. I managed to get return tickets from Leicester to Edinburgh for £71 and the flights, including luggage and taxi transfers, would have cost around £100.

I stayed at the Frederick House Hotel which couldn't have been in a more perfect location. It was just over a 10 minute walk away from Waverly train station and Princes Street. I paid £122 for 3 nights without breakfast through booking.com. The hotel was quiet and my room was very spacious and comfy. The room was also cleaned every day and there was a water machine on each floor which I thought was a nice added touch. The reception staff were friendly and I felt completely safe in the hotel and the surrounding areas, which, as my first time travelling solo, was very important. 

I started my last day with breakfast at Stack & Still. They do sweet and savoury pancakes and the menu includes every kind of topping that you could ever think of! I opted for the buttermilk double stack with Nutella and strawberries and an apple juice. I then walked back into Old Town and visited the cat cafe, Maison de Moggy. The entry fee was £10 for an hour and you could buy a variety of cakes and hot drinks whilst inside. My favourite cat was this gorgeous, fluffy Maine Coon named Pauline. Unfortunately she wouldn’t fit in my case, so I had to leave her behind and make my way back to the train station to travel home.