How long is the program?
The program runs 12 days, from Thursday, August 6 (the day you arrive in Edinburgh) until Tuesday, August 16 (check-out by 10am). If flying from the U.S., you will need to book your flight for the evening of August 5 to arrive on on time. Limited activities are planned for arrival day, so you can rest from overnight travel: also, we cannot access our accommodations before 2pm (although we can leave luggage there).
What is the housing situation?
Jenny has found that shared housing is the best way to experience the fringe festival. We currently book 32 Gilmore Place in Edinburgh, a 6-bedroom, 6-bath, fully appointed Georgian house within walking distance to everything. Unlike a hotel room, your lodging offers a full kitchen, a washer, dryer, and large living and dining room. The house has two double-bed rooms and four twin-bed rooms.
What is the program cost?
$3,500. per person with airfare not included.
Cost includes housing, 22 theatre tickets, two group dinners, and transportation from the airport.
A $1,000. deposit secures your place. Full payment is due by Feb. 15. Pay with Zelle (413-221-8802), Venmo (jennyram), or a check to Festival Getaway, 1713 Kilruss Dr., Venice, Fl 34202.
Optional add ons:
10 extra theatre tickets (Jenny’s itinerary): $250.00
One-day Highland Tour: $140.00
Skip the Line Castle Tour: $75.00
[These options are available for advanced booking only.]
What about other costs in Edinburgh?
Restaurants and grocery costs are similar to the U.S., even during the festival. However, inflation is up everywhere, and the dollar is not as strong as it was two years ago. A range of restaurants are available, as well as take-out and eating-in options since we have a fully stocked kitchen.
Everyone ends up purchasing additional performance tickets in Edinburgh, which is why the “advanced ticket add-on” is available. Jenny usually sees 3-4 shows a day, and the add-on option covers you if you want to join her. You can also wait and see how you feel in Edinburgh, and add your own shows there. Or you can spend the extra time doing your own thing in Edinburgh and relaxing in the house.
The National Art Museum and Portrait Gallery, the Scottish National Museum, The Writer’s Museum, and the Scottish National Library exhibitions are all free. The Royal Mile boasts additional small museums as well as the castles on either end–with entrance fees ranging from $20.00 to $45.00. And of course, there are the pubs where it’s easy to drop a few for a pint or a whiskey, and listen to some good music.
Why do I book my own airfare?
Participants come from different places, and some come to Edinburgh as part of a longer travel vacation. Group airline bookings no longer save money; getting your own ticket does. Direct flights to Edinburgh are available on Delta from Boston, Atlanta, or NYC, but there are often cheaper flights available on other airlines that stop in Dublin, London, Paris, or Amsterdam. Please bring no more than ONE carry-on and ONE personal item, like a backpack. Baggage claim in Edinburgh is chaotic at this time of year. Jenny can consult on flight options and is happy to book tickets for you if you prefer.
What happens when I arrive in Edinburgh?
You will depart from the U.S. on the evening of August 5, and be met by Jenny at the airport when you arrive August 6. She will put you in a taxi or Uber for the ride to 32 Gilmore Place. Once there, you will be encouraged to simply unpack and rest. At 6pm, the group meets for dinner at a nearby restaurant. An evening show will be available for those eager to keep going…
How do I get around the city?
Edinburgh is a very walkable city; but taxis and Ubers are easy, and busses are cheap. Most venues are a brisk 20 minute walk away, but 30-40 minutes at a strolling pace. You can walk from one end of the city to the other in 45 minutes. The city is very safe, and no one should be concerned about walking on their own, even at night. Jenny makes sure there is enough time between shows to get easily from one place to another.
What does a “normal” festival day look like?
Showtimes vary from 10:30am to after 9pm at night. But there will be a block of time each day where you won’t be seeing a performance. Jenny tries to schedule shows between noon and 6pm. The group will assemble at the scheduled venue 30 minutes before a performance. Latecomers are not allowed into the venues. Our detailed itinerary/diary from last year can be found under the 2025 Program summary. (However, not all participants attended every show.)
During the week, specific activities–a lunch, drinks after a show, a whiskey tasting, an exhibition, a parliament tour, the Scottish Museum–may be organized, but optional. The group dinner on our fist and last nights are paid by the program. Otherwise, participants are on their own for activities, meals, and entrance fees. Jenny and returning program “alums” can help you plan your own adventure, whether alone or with others in the group.
How do you choose the performances we see?
Jenny was a professor of contemporary and modern drama for over 30 years, and has attended the festival more than 25 times. That helps. It’s easier to choose interesting work when you are familiar with the venues, the production companies, and current trends in performance. When the full program comes out, she reads through hundreds of blurbs, checks reviews, researches interesting shows, and discusses recommendations from other faculty members traveling to Edinburgh with the study abroad program she founded 15 years ago at UMASS.
We usually see two performances at the the International Edinburgh Festival: these heavily subsidized performances have high production values, are more expensive, and often sell out early. On the Fringe, Jenny looks for new writing and socially relevant work in a variety of genres: physical theatre, political theatre, comedy, site-specific or immersive theatre, docu-drama, puppetry, and international performances. Student productions are avoided; international work is preferred over performances coming from the U.S.
We usually don’t see musicals, revivals, or stand-up comedy. Nor do we see the Military Tattoo. Rather, our focus is on contemporary, cutting edge, drama and performance. Having a basic itinerary of pre-booked shows is really the only way to efficiently experience this festival without being overwhelmed!
What kind of activities do you recommend while in Edinburgh?
Visit the markets: St. John’s craft festival has dozens of booths featuring local artist’s wares; a farmer’s market takes place in the parking lot near the castle every Saturday morning.
Visit the museums: the small Writer’s Museum on the Royal Mile is free, and the People’s Museum on the Mile is also interesting. The Scottish National Museum is huge with everything you can imagine–worth visiting more than once. The Scottish National Library always has interesting free exhibits.
Visit art exhibitions: Edinburgh’s National Arts Museum is free to the public, but there are also interesting exhibitions at The Fruit Gallery Art Museum near Waverley Railroad Station and the Contemporary Art Museum near Stockbridge. The Fringe catalogue has pages of references to art exhibitions at other places in the city.
Visit beautiful Bow Street: with its the artisanal shops, Cheesemonger, and Harry Potter World. Wander on High Street and experience nonstop street theatre. Visit the food trucks and gardens on George Square near the University of Edinburgh. Experience a whiskey tasting, available throughout the city.
Experience nature: in Prince’s Gardens beneath the Castle, or the Meadows and Links, near the University. Take a 10 minute bus ride to the Royal Botanical Gardens or a 20 minute bus ride to the coastal town of Leith.
Visit the city’s two castles, but go early to avoid the crowds. The famous Military Tattoo? Only if your heart is set on it (let me know, and I can help you get tickets).
Take a bus to Leith to see the Royal Britannica Yacht or visit the small seaside town.
What should I bring?
Most people overpack on international trips; PLEASE pack as lightly as you can. We have a washer and dryer available in our house. I bring ONE carry-on suitcase (that I can easily carry up staircases) and a backpack (and a small purse that fits in the backpack for the flight). If you want to shop in Edinburgh, pack a small duffle bag that you could check separately on your way home.
Necessary items:
- Sturdy, comfortable shoes that can handle wet weather.
- A waterproof jacket and umbrella.
- A sweater, long pants, and layers for changeable weather. Pack for brisk weather (60’s during the day, 50’s at night).
- A smart phone. (Getting an e-sim, using your carrier’s international plan, or simply using your phone with wireless, is a topic for later).
- An ATM debit and credit card: ATMs are everywhere and are the cheapest way to get pounds. Make sure your bank is alerted to your travel plans, or your ATM card may be blocked. Debit cards get better ATM rates than credit cards, but the latter are accepted everywhere. And even the busses take Apple and Google Pay.
- Most important: a current passport!
Participants will get a packing list and more specific information about our ticketed itinerary later in the spring.
What happens if something comes up and I am unable to attend?
Since most of the program costs (housing and tickets) are prepaid, deposits and final payments are not usually refundable after April. This includes being prevented from attending because of medical or family emergency reasons. However, should someone take your spot, your deposit and/or payments will be fully refunded. In 2020, all participants were fully refunded their money because the festival itself was cancelled. Trip insurance is always advisable.
How do I sign up?
Space in the program is limited, especially since some guests return every year. The sooner you let Jenny know you are interested, the better. Email your interest to Jenny at js041751@gmail.com, and she will follow up.