Edinburgh & Dublin

I think I've stayed at that Edinburgh hostel right across from the castle!  I liked it.   If it is the same one (the rooms are all themed and each bed has a different name), then there are 2 common rooms to hang out in, including one that is quieter and good for reading or relaxing.   When I was there (this was 3 years ago, mind you) there was even a little library of donated paperbacks. And I also remember that the bathrooms were very clean.

Regardless of whether it is the same one or not though the hostel I stayed in was definitely in the same area of Edinburgh and I didn't find it to be horrifically noisy at night at all.

I think I've stayed at that Edinburgh hostel right across from the castle!  I liked it.   If it is the same one (the rooms are all themed and each bed has a different name), then there are 2 common rooms to hang out in, including one that is quieter and good for reading or relaxing.  

This one?
http://www.castlerockedinburgh.com/

I really liked the location of this one. I went during the Tattoo. I saw it the first night and relived it the second.

Gattaca, I think you will thank yourselves later if you just slow down and enjoy your travels. That is part of the fun.

I was wondering what hen night was. The hostel says these are not welcome lol.

We are only planning these things ahead of time to avoid the costs of travling getting higher. Everything else is going to be completely unplanned and we'll just relax and let what happens happens. But I'm glad we did eurostar ahead and the train becuase I know that will get a lot more expensive.

I was wondering what hen night was. The hostel says these are not welcome lol.

A Hen Night is a Bachelorette party.     

Edinburgh is a really nice city to visit. I have been to Dublin three times on 'day trips' and it can definately be done in a day (well, the city centre at least!) and an open top bus tour is probably the easiest/quickest way to see everything. You can get cheap flights there from most airports in the UK. Ryanair (ryanair.com) usually has flights for 5-10 pounds each way including tax (i'm not joking. i paid 5 pounds last time including tax each way!) if you want to go budget airline and the flight is around 40 minutes, though security can take a while depending which airport you go to. Aer Lingus also has inexpensive flights, and you can fly to Edinburgh from London easily too, though the train is much more scenic! You ought to go to Ireland if you get a chance, I heartily recommend Belfast if you can't do Dublin...they are both very different but fun cities to visit... Good luck!