How long is the program?
The program runs 12 days, from August 5 (the day you arrive in Edinburgh) until August 17 (check-out by 10am). If flying from the U.S., you will need to book your flight for the evening of August 4 to arrive on time. Limited activities are planned for arrival day, so you can rest from overnight travel.
What is the housing situation?
What is the program cost?
$3900. per person for single room. $3500. for shared accommodation. Airfare not included.
Cost includes high season housing, at least 28 theatre tickets. and two group dinners, some shared transportation.
Full payment is due by Feb. 15. Pay with Zelle (413-221-8802), Venmo (jennyram), or send a check to Festival Getaway, 1713 Kilruss Dr., Venice, Fl 34202.
Optional add ons:
One-day Highland Tour: $140.00
Skip the Line Castle Tour: $75.0
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.
Jenny usually sees more shows than are booked for the group. You can ask her to book additional shows in advance (she will let you know the cost), or you can wait until you get to Edinburgh and add your own shows there. There should be some free mornings and evenings for you to explore Edinburgh, shop the charity shops, or relax 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, and 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 3, and be met by Jenny at the airport when you arrive August 4. She will put you in a taxi or Uber for the ride to 32 Gilmore Place. If you arrive by train, you will go directly to 32 Gilmore Place (and use a code to get in the house.) Once there, you will be encouraged to simply unpack and rest. At 6pm, the group meets for dinner at a nearby restaurant. The first evening, we will see an improvised musical.
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, or 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 from one place to another.
What does a “normal” festival day look like?
Showtimes vary from 10:00am to after 9pm at night. But there will be a block of time each day where you won’t be seeing a performance. The group will assemble at the scheduled venue 30 minutes before a performance. Latecomers are not allowed into the shows. Our detailed itinerary/diary from last year can be found under the 2026 Program summary. (Note: not all participants attended all 42 shows).
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.
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 refundable after March 1. This includes being prevented from attending because of medical or family emergency reasons. Trip insurance is always advisable.
What if I get sick in Edinburgh?
Every participant should bring with them a mask, and should wear it on their international flight. COVID, flu, RSV, and just plain colds are always a possibility when traveling and attending performances in close quarters. One free emergency room visit is allowed under Scottish National Health rules, COVID and flu tests are available at pharmacies, and pharmacists are great resources of information.
Our house is large enough that we can usually isolate someone who is sick (this has, unfortunately, happened in the past). But best to be careful and not risk your own health or that of the group!
How do I sign up?
Space in the program is extremely limited, especially since several guests return every year. The sooner you let Jenny know you are interested, the better. Contact Jenny at js041751@gmail.com, and she will follow up.