Lifestyle Travel
ALL ABOARD
If the sunny, blue skies (yes, we are being optimistic) are making you want to leave the grimy city streets behind you, then why not scoot off on a one-day trip to some of the greener parts of Scotland? Boat trips set sail at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick (seabird.org/boat-trips) throughout summer – check out its range of cruises, including trips to Bass Rock. Close to Glasgow, go island-hopping around Loch Lomond with a surprising 32 islands around the area, full of hidden beaches, forest walks, ruined churches and cliff-top views going begging. Choose one of the varied boat-tours ranging from the adventurous to the more laid- back (lochlomond-scotland.com). Alternatively, go Nessie-spotting. Scotline
For more lifestyle visit list.co.uk/travel EasterDAYSOUT
and crannies to explore (maidoftheforth.co.uk). DEAR GREEN PLACES
The public gardens have many free events taking place this month, including More than a Smell (18 Apr) at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden, and Bugs and Beasties (21 Apr) at Logan Botanic Garden, complete with ‘mini-beast hunt’. At Edinburgh’s Georgian House check out the Cadbury’s Easter Egg Tr a i l (21–27Apr) with its epic stock of chocolate eggs to be won at the end. For a tree- lined wander out of the city centre, visit Garscadden Wood in the northwest corner of Glasgow. The wood promises to be bursting with flora and fauna mid-April and is also home to the Red Fox and multiple species of butterflies, making it ideal for an Easter walk.
offers a one-day return bus trip from Edinburgh to L o c h N e s s, so take the opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle or opt for a cruise along the Loch. The day trip includes a scenic journey with stops at other picturesque route (scotlinetours.co.uk). landmarks
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For a more adventurous day out, try White Water Rafting in Perthshire. Into the Blue Centre has a range of routes you can discover – and the Aberfeldy to Grandtully half-day trip is excellent for the sport (intotheblue.co.uk). those new
to
Finally, take a trip to Inchcolm Island for the day by hopping on the Maid of Forth ferry from South Queensferry. The trips are three hours in duration allowing you plenty of time to enjoy the cruise and coastline scenery. The island has a beautiful abbey to visit and plenty of nooks
A W AY
ICE, ICE BABY As the lighter nights
come calling, Reykjavik springs into action, finds Anna Millar Nestled down a sloping side street, trendy little tippling-hole Kaffibarinn feels like downtown Reykjavik in miniature. Part owned by Blur’s Damon Albarn, this stylish bar and candle-lit loft oozes the laidback, quirky charm and musical eclecticism that Iceland’s capital is so often celebrated for. Hip bars and cool live music spaces co-exist with the most stunning of natural backdrops, from the beaches, parks and outdoor swimming pools of Reykjavik to the extraordinary natural landscape beyond the capital – in Iceland anything can, and does, go. And with the fabulously crazy Arctic Circle daylight hours in play (meaning you can watch the sunset as midnight strikes), and new flight routes direct from Scotland on the horizon, spring and summer couldn’t be a better time to experience it first-hand.
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coming off it. Those looking for gigs and club nights should get their hands on local, free paper Grapevine for listings. There’s plenty on offer culturally,
including the ever-popular Reykjavik Arts Festival in May and the Independence Day and Summer Solstice Festival celebrations in June, complete with parades, street theatre, music and local food. Music and film lovers can check out
the capital’s Jazz Festival and International Film Festival, from September through to October, making the most of the city’s incredible live music venues as the dark nights slowly begin to creep back in. Finally, complete a trip with an
excursion to the once visited, never forgotten Blue Lagoon – prepare to be amazed. ■ Iceland Express will run flights from Edinburgh to Reykjavik twice weekly between 14 Jun–30 Aug, starting at £101 one-way.
Once you’ve dumped your bag at one of the local guesthouses (reasonable if you’re on a budget), enjoy a stroll to the Tjornin Lake, or for great panoramic views of the city below, a climb up the stairs at the Hallgrimskirkja Church Tower is more than worth the exertion. If R&R is more your arctic objective, opt for
one of the city’s outdoor thermal pools. Seafood caught from the local harbour is often the top menu choice, while the city’s reputation as a nightlife destination does little to disappoint. Head for Laugavegur in the centre of town and you shouldn’t have problems finding plenty of life happening down the side streets