Every August Edinburgh comes ablaze with its yearly festival of the arts. Though the main component of the festival is a fringe theater event there is much more than that going on in the city. In a shout out to the arts, the fringe is accompanied by a comedy festival, a literary festival, a film festival all at the same time. Despite the perpetual gloomy skies of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh becomes a vibrant place for this month. Here are a few reasons you should go to the Edinburgh festival at least once.

There is a festival for all types of art

Whatever the art form that you love there will be plenty of opportunity to explore it. The festival also is the ideal locale in which to explore different art types that you previously haven’t been strongly acquainted with. Now is the chance to see Irving Welsh give a book reading, or watch famous actors and directors discuss their newest films. Art in all of its pedigrees is here and it on you to explore it as thoroughly as you can.

 The Nightlife Extends

During the festival Edinburgh extends it already thriving night life by 2 hours. This means pubs that would ordinarily stop at 11 pm are now open till 1 am and bars and night clubs go longer also. The result is that you have a whole slew of culture lovers getting drunker for longer together. Many people rave about the full bars during the Festival. The extended bar times and the mayhem that ensues because of this is yet another solid reason to be at the Edinburgh festival come August… even if art is only sort of your thing.

The city expands with art lovers

 The diversity of different arts represented brings a wonderfully eclectic mixture of art lovers into the city which provides a great chance to meet some really interesting artistic people. As comic con in San Diego brings slews of comic and pop culture lovers to San Diego the Edinburgh festival brings many an art lover to Edinburgh. The increased crowds bring a dynamic quality to the streets that can be easily seen on a walk up Edinburgh’s famed Royal Mile, on Princess Street, or while wandering through the meadows. Be sure to say hi to the person in the pub chair next to you and meet an interesting person.

When you’re from the United Kingdom, there’s a natural tendency to want to strike out for the continent from time to time. Sure, Britain will always be home, but the knowledge that you live in a nation that is considered a part of Europe but not connected by land makes you feel like the perpetually forgotten uncle at a family reunion. There’s only one way to right this wrong – and that is to get across to the mainland whenever possible!

You have many options open to you, be it by land, air or sea, but we’re going to recommend taking the sea route if for nothing more than a change of pace (and it gives you an excuse to head to Dover – if you’ve never done so, shame on you!). Ferries have seen a resurgence in appeal for travel but there are still some unfortunate misconceptions going around that need to be addressed. Take a look as we disprove some of these falsehoods below:

It’s a Pain to Travel By

Who knows who started this outrageous falsehood – maybe it was someone from the airplane lobby! Regardless of this, travelling by ferry may be the easiest way to cross the sea, particularly compared to air travel. The ports are located in easy to get to areas and depart on a shocking regular schedule – the same can’t be said for airplanes! Add in the fact that most rates are a fraction of what it would cost for a family of five to travel by plane, even on the discount airlines, and you won’t travel any other way.

It’s Slow

Crossing the Atlantic to North America may take a while but the English Channel is a tiny strip of water that can be traversed in about 90 minutes. Compare this with the headache of taking the Chunnel during peak traffic times or hassle of getting to the airport and you’ll understand why taking a drive to Dover to depart for Calais is actually the smarter used of time.

Ferries are Boring

Travelling by ferry is anything but boring, especially compared to travelling solely by car or plane. On a ferry you can walk around, stay inside or get some fresh air above deck, watch the sea roll by and the landscape change as you depart and arrive. Unlike cramped cars or planes, you have the freedom to do what you want – the time will fly by!

There’s Nothing Worth Seeing in the North of France

For the travel snobs who think the only things worth seeing in France are Paris and along the Riviera, you’re in for a shock. On top of being a great point of history for the landing of the troops during WWII, the beach towns of Calais, Outreau, Wimereux and many more have a feel all their own and a much more relaxed pace than the built up areas to the south. It’s great for a day trip of exploration or a weeklong jaunt – you won’t regret it!