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'The most beautiful of all the capitals of Europe.'
Sir John Betjeman, First and Last Loves, 1952
Edinburgh is a beautiful, historic city that combines its heritage with vibrant, modern facilities and first class service, presenting conference delegates a unique opportunity to take part in a memorable event in an absolutely stunning city.
Why Edinburgh?
With world-class hotels and venues, such as the award-winning Edinburgh International Conference Centre, an international airport only eight miles from the city, good road and rail links and a compact city centre with almost everything within walking distance, it's easy to see why Edinburgh has earned its place as the world's most popular UK conference city after London. And for the social programme, delegates are spoilt for choice. The city enjoys a thriving arts and festivals programme, internationally renowned galleries and museums, underground vaults, royal castles, palaces and even a royal yacht, and is home to the stunning new Scottish Parliament. Surrounded by rolling hills and a fascinating shoreline to the north, the city also has spacious leafy parks and a beautiful botanical garden, and offers almost endless possibilities for taking up new activities or simply relaxing and unwinding.
While you are attending Clinical Rheumatology State of the Art 2013, why not stay for the weekend and explore all that Edinburgh has to offer? The Edinburgh Inpsiring Capital website contains a wealth of useful information on where to go and what to see in Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians.
Centre of excellence
Over centuries, Edinburgh has fostered excellence in both science and the arts, helping to develop some of the greatest scientific minds (Charles Darwin, James Young Simpson and Alexander Fleming) and the most creative writers and artists (Robert Burns, R L Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, Muriel Spark, Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith). Today its four universities continue this tradition of innovation and it’s a global leader in many areas of research and development in medicine, new technologies and the life sciences - now conveniently networked in the Edinburgh Science Triangle - see www.edinburghsciencetriangle.com.
With this illustrious background, Edinburgh has always attracted international meetings which have helped to push the boundaries still further.With over sixty galleries, five major performing art theatres, a host of wide-ranging visitor attractions, there really is something for everyone in this vibrant city. Visitors can take advantage of the Edinburgh Pass, a European style pass offering for 1, 2, or 3 day free entry to over 30 of the city's most exciting attractions and exclusive offers from some of Edinburgh's top retail and leisure operators, as well as free bus travel in the city.
Eating out
Edinburgh has more restaurants per head of population than anywhere else in Britain, with everything from African and American, Italian and Indian, Mexican and Mongolian, Thai and Turkish to, of course, traditional and modern Scottish food using the best local produce from Scotland's natural larder – smoked salmon, venison, seafood, cheeses, oatcakes and soft fruits being particularly popular!
Shopping
Shopping in Edinburgh is a wonderful eclectic experience, which encompasses the magnificent Georgian splendour of the internationally renowned department store, Jenners to the contemporary and stylish Harvey Nichols as well as designer boutiques and curiosity shops tucked away in quiet hidden streets.
Haste ye back!
With such a unique blend of traditional and modern it is not surprising that recent delegate research found that over 60% of delegates who visit the city on business intend to return as a leisure visitor within two or three years. Not only is there always a lot to explore and experience in Edinburgh, it also acts as the gateway to the rest of Scotland's breathtakingly beautiful countryside.
With world-class hotels and venues, such as the award-winning Edinburgh International Conference Centre, an international airport only eight miles from the city, good road and rail links and a compact city centre with almost everything within walking distance, it's easy to see why Edinburgh has earned its place as the world's most popular UK conference city after London. And for the social programme, delegates are spoilt for choice. The city enjoys a thriving arts and festivals programme, internationally renowned galleries and museums, underground vaults, royal castles, palaces and even a royal yacht, and is home to the stunning new Scottish Parliament. Surrounded by rolling hills and a fascinating shoreline to the north, the city also has spacious leafy parks and a beautiful botanical garden, and offers almost endless possibilities for taking up new activities or simply relaxing and unwinding.
While you are attending Clinical Rheumatology State of the Art 2013, why not stay for the weekend and explore all that Edinburgh has to offer? The Edinburgh Inpsiring Capital website contains a wealth of useful information on where to go and what to see in Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians.
Centre of excellence
Over centuries, Edinburgh has fostered excellence in both science and the arts, helping to develop some of the greatest scientific minds (Charles Darwin, James Young Simpson and Alexander Fleming) and the most creative writers and artists (Robert Burns, R L Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, Muriel Spark, Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith). Today its four universities continue this tradition of innovation and it’s a global leader in many areas of research and development in medicine, new technologies and the life sciences - now conveniently networked in the Edinburgh Science Triangle - see www.edinburghsciencetriangle.com.
With this illustrious background, Edinburgh has always attracted international meetings which have helped to push the boundaries still further.With over sixty galleries, five major performing art theatres, a host of wide-ranging visitor attractions, there really is something for everyone in this vibrant city. Visitors can take advantage of the Edinburgh Pass, a European style pass offering for 1, 2, or 3 day free entry to over 30 of the city's most exciting attractions and exclusive offers from some of Edinburgh's top retail and leisure operators, as well as free bus travel in the city.
Eating out
Edinburgh has more restaurants per head of population than anywhere else in Britain, with everything from African and American, Italian and Indian, Mexican and Mongolian, Thai and Turkish to, of course, traditional and modern Scottish food using the best local produce from Scotland's natural larder – smoked salmon, venison, seafood, cheeses, oatcakes and soft fruits being particularly popular!
Shopping
Shopping in Edinburgh is a wonderful eclectic experience, which encompasses the magnificent Georgian splendour of the internationally renowned department store, Jenners to the contemporary and stylish Harvey Nichols as well as designer boutiques and curiosity shops tucked away in quiet hidden streets.
Haste ye back!
With such a unique blend of traditional and modern it is not surprising that recent delegate research found that over 60% of delegates who visit the city on business intend to return as a leisure visitor within two or three years. Not only is there always a lot to explore and experience in Edinburgh, it also acts as the gateway to the rest of Scotland's breathtakingly beautiful countryside.
