Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site rruxe.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!pyuxww!pyuxv!rruxa!rruxe!debbiem
From: debbiem@rruxe.UUCP (D. McBurnett)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Edinburgh & Munich
Message-ID: <259@rruxe.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Jun-85 12:22:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: rruxe.259
Posted: Wed Jun 12 12:22:24 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 13-Jun-85 03:20:04 EDT
References: <2518@randvax.UUCP> <4205@hlexa.UUCP>, <4207@hlexa.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 57

> Planning on a European trip in September, and I'm hoping some of
> you have recommendations on B&Bs or small hotels in Edinburgh
> and Munich (yes, during Oktoberfest).

The British Tourist Authority distributes a guide published by the
Automobile Association (AA), called "Guesthouses, Farmhouses and
Inns in Britain", which may be helpful to you.  BTA has an office
in New York City with a bookshop, at 40 West 57th St., on the 3rd
floor (zip 10019) where you should be able to get this and a lot
of other information.  (We have used this guide ourselves
successfully in Wales and England, though not in Scotland.  A 
guesthouse is not exactly the same as a B&B, but often in the same
price range and frequently offers amenities a B&B won't have.)
The guide costs about $10.00 but can save you a fortune.  The
descriptions of places are very accuracte and up-to-date, and the
maps are excellent.  All the places mentioned are small and we
have never had a bad experience with any in Wales or England.

BTA also has a book called "Where to Stay in Scotland (Bed and
Breakfast)" for around $5.00, which we have not used, but if it
is of the same caliber as the rest of their publications, should
be helpful.  The telephone number of the BTA in NYC (at least
last year) is 212-581-4700.

I hope you are aware that this year the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
runs from AUGUST 9-31 (NOT SEPTEMBER).  I assume you intend to
attend the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering;  please be aware that
you must make reservations in advance (games date is September 7),
BY LETTER.  According to BTA's Events guide, "overseas payments not
in sterling must include equivalent of 75p to cover bank charges
plus return air postage".  The contact for reservations is:

	Mr. W. A Meston, Bookings Secretary
	Balcriech, Ballater, Aberdeenshire
	(Tel:  Braemar (033 83) 248)

If you have not already done so, you should write straight away.

I'd like to put in a plug for British inns -- try at least one
during your trip.  They are really delightful, and while some
are expensive, many are not.

One place I can recommend, though it is not a B&B, is Banchory
Lodge, in Banchory, situated on the River Dee, on the A93 between
Aberdeen and Braemar (~20 miles west of Aberdeen, ~40 miles east
of Braemar).  The site is lovely, and the lodge is most comfortable
and charming.  It is not cheap (unfortunately, I do not have current
rate information, but in 1980 the price of a single room was around
$22.50 and a double around $45.00 -- with inflation and the sinking
pound taken into account, I would guess the current rate is about
$30-40 for a single, $55-75 for a double) but we felt it was well
worth the money.  It is considered one of the best in its class
by AA, and we agree.  The service was very good, and the fresh fish
(caught in the Dee, frequently) was also very good.

Debbie McBurnett
rruxe!debbiem