november-2012

Brussels Airlines’ newest destination is a thriving hub of creativity,
Michelin-star cuisine, luxury hotels and some serious shopping.
Andrea Pearson welcomes you to Scotland’s vibrant capital,
home to the biggest arts festival in the world
W
CAPITAL DESTINATION
hen Italian design supremo Rosita
Missoni decided to open her first
luxury hotel to showcase the
label’s trademark patterned fabrics and
colourful designs, which stylish location
did she choose? London? New York?
Milan? Well actually, it was Edinburgh, a
city once better known for its draughty
castle, ancient streets and kilted bagpipers.
Thanks to its role in the European
Enlightenment, Edinburgh is associated
with great thinkers such as David Hume,
Adam Smith and the national poet himself,
Robert Burns, and all helped to ensure that
the city’s intellectual reputation is as solid
as the rock on which the mighty castle is
built. Today the medieval castle and
adjoining 18th-century New Town is a
Unesco World Heritage Site.
The ultra-modern Missoni family fell
for Edinburgh’s charms during a working
visit to provide costumes for a concert at
the Edinburgh International Festival. So
impressed were they by this handsome
city and its world-beating arts bonanza
that they opened the company’s first
seriously luxe hotel, bar and restaurant
just off the Royal Mile.
CORBIS