Popular Gardens in Sands

"On your way there, take a slight detour and check out the beautiful Princes Street Gardens. Personally, I love the Mac and Cheese or the grilled Halloumi but they have other great items to choose from too. And don’t worry about missing dinner since the kitchen is open until 10:30 pm daily. Oh, and join their website mailing list if you want a discount!"

"Right next to the train station, not far from the National Gallery of Scotland is the gorgeous Princes Street Garden. When I went in April, the tulips were bursting with color, even though the weather was dreary."

"Princes Street Gardens is the most important public park in the heart of Edinburgh. Created in the 1820s after draining the Nor Loch."

"Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden is the second-oldest institution of its kind in Britain (after Oxford), and one of the most respected in the world. Founded near Holyrood in 1670 and moved to its present location in 1823, its 70 beautifully landscaped acres include splendid Victorian glasshouses (admission £6.50), colourful swaths of rhododendrons and azaleas, and a world-famous rock garden. There's a second entrance to the gardens at 20a Inverleith Row."

"Explore Britain's largest rhododendron and azalea gardens at this beautiful 70-acre botanical garden. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden,…"

"A quiet suburban sanctuary just off Leith Walk, this elegant four-storey Georgian townhouse is a hidden secret behind Calton Hill. Appealingly simple, its snug doubles and suites are the place to whisper sweet nothings; in particular, the two Georgian Suites, with fit-for-two roll-top baths, feature wallpaper and four-poster beds that cry out for pillow talk. The ground-level Brasserie offers a classic Scottish tasting menu, but another close-at-hand option is Roberta Hall’s the Little Chartroom, where the cooking will have passions running high."

"With its mercat cross, cobbled streets, tolbooth, and narrow wynds (alleys), seaside Culross is a picturesque little town. It's also…"

"The 15th century buildings are tucked away in the east corner of the city, on the edge of Auchinlea Park. A category A-listed building probably isn't what you'd expect from the neighbourhood, and it's a pleasant, and beautiful surprise."

"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."

"If you love gardening, you will love the Archivists’ Garden located in between the General Register House and the New Register House. Home to 57 different plant species, the Garden is not only beautiful, but all the plants are connected to Scotland’s history, be it through folklore, heraldry or association with famous Scots. Child friendly: yes Address: HM Register House, 2 Princess Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm More information on this green space"

"Last but certainly not least we have Artisan Gelato Edinburgh in the Old Town, with their authentic Italian-looking store that is the perfect backdrop for a shot of your Instagrammable ice cream. Their hand crafted ice cream is to die for and some of their most popular flavours include pistachio bronte Sicily, chocolate orange and cheescake...we will take ten scoops please. One reviewer said it is the "best gelato outside of Italy" and, like their neighbours Over Langshaw Farm, they offer vegan, gluten free and dairy free options."

"Established way back in 1962, this affordable veggie restaurant sits pretty on a sloping New Town terrace, a stroll away from Princes Street. Diners queue to have their plates piled high with salads, quiche, vegetarian haggis, crepes and more, followed by surprisingly indulgent puddings. Hendersons runs a deli upstairs from the basement restaurant, as well as a couple of vegan offshoots elsewhere in town, but – especially when there’s live jazz on a Friday night – the homey cosy vibe makes the Salad Table in particular an Edinburgh stand-out."

"Henderson's is a well-known and very popular vegetarian restaurant on Hanover Street but they also have a presence in the west end under St. John's church on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street. This fantastic location caters for up to 80 people in an atmospheric, barrel-vaulted dining room. Whether you want a light snack and a coffee, soup and a sandwich, or a tasty veggie lunch with a glass of wine, you can find it here."

"(Score: 90%, address: 102 Constitution St, Edinburgh EH6 6AW). There was always going to be at least one steakhouse on this list and in Leith's Chophouse, which opened its doors on Constitution Street in 2015, Gaby Soutar found her winner. Offering up to 90 day dry-aged cuts of British beef,  Gaby described the rib-eye as a cross-hatched beauty that was "almost as soft as fillet” as well as praising the seafood dishes like the monkfish scampi and lobster bisque."

"Leith Chop House is a stylish restaurant in Leith which above all sets out to be the capital's best steakhouse. The interior is chic but relaxed with some lovely design features, such as the large glass dividers offering a view of the open grill. The menu is packed with delicious carnivorous offerings, but also manages to do enough to welcome lovers of seafood and vegetarians."

"Zen Lifestyle began with a small salon in Bruntsfield, and now operates from three locations in the city including the flagship salon in Hanover Street. Twice awarded the UK Salon of the Year at the British Beauty and Spa Awards this prodigious salon offers over one hundred treatments for men and women. Zen Lifestyle is one of Scotland's most advanced cosmetic medical clinics and has a full range of beauty treatments such as waxing, manicures and pedicures."

"For that bit of added luxury to your stay- the Waldorf Astoria spa is the place to go. The Exclusive Guerlain spa comprises five tranquil Guerlain Cabins, one VIP Dual Suite, a relaxation lounge, a full service nail bar and two makeover stations, as well as an aquatic area with a 12.5 meter pool, steam room, sauna and whirlpool. Awarded Best Luxury Hotel Spa in the UK at the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards, the spa at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian is the first and only Guerlain Spa in the U.K., utilizing the very finest Guerlain products with patented methods and protocols dating back to the inauguration of the spa's esteemed Parisian counterpart, L'Institut Guerlain, in 1939."

"The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian – ‘The Caley’ as it’s known by locals - is an Edinburgh institution. Once a grand Victorian railway hotel, it opened in 1903, above the now closed Princes Street railway station. Generations of visitors from near and far have enjoyed had unforgettable moments in the hotel for everything from such as choosing discovering a favorite whisky in the Caley Bar, to being married in lavish style."

"Besides being a wonderfully romantic hotel, Waldorf Astoria is also amongst the Top Gay-Friendly Hotels In Edinburgh. It also happens to be one of the most romantic hotels with hot tub in room. Located in a former Victoria-era railway station, the hotel oozes romantic grandeur."