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        <title>Been there | Tips</title>
        
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        <description>
            Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love,
            live in or have just visited - are what make this guide.
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                <title>After the Tears</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20463</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[What does one say about a restaurant that hands you a drinks list when you arrive... with 68 different vodkas on it? And when you turn the page over there is a list of vodka cocktails... more than 25 of them!<br><br>The food menu (after you have finished looking through the vodkas) is very European-based with a Polish flavour. Borsch? Yes, it's on the menu. Goulash? Of course! Bratwurst and sauerkraut is included as expected. Come with an empty stomach as the servings are large. The service is cheery, the entertainment fun (a trio dressed as gypsies playing a violin, a piano accordion... and, of all things, a cello!) and if you really want to make a night of it, there is always the theatre next door. <br><br>Prices are reasonable and despite the alcohol, 'After the Tears' is kid-friendly. My grandkids loved their meals.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Romance in the city</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20189</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Romance in the city create your romantic getaway with what you desire. They work with you or do all the work. <br><br>They booked my accommodation and all activities, set up our suite and even went out of their way to find a great gift for my wife... She was incredibly happy which made me happier ;-)]]></description>
                
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                <title>Montsalvat</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20169</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Montsalvat is an eclectic collection of European-style buildings set in bushland in Eltham (a suburb of Melbourne).<br><br>Built in the '30s by Justus Jorgensen, it was a retreat for artists and sculptors. These days it's a nice place to visit on a quiet Sunday afternoon to view the various art exhibitions and sculptures (or in my case a celebration of a wedding in the Great Hall).]]></description>
                
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                <title>Milano's Brighton Beach</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20047</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[A daggy old longstanding hotel (robbed by bushrangers in the 19th century!), Milano's has gone through a renovation and rejuvenation<br>and today it has decent dining facilities (new bistro) and new function areas (for receptions or parties). The bay and city views from the upstairs function area is amazing.<br><br>In addition, Milano's is gaining a reputation as a great place for live music featuring local acts Dining and entertainment deals make this a great night out.]]></description>
                
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                <title>The Wet Fish Restaurant</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19143</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Strange name... nice restaurant. The Wet Fish is a small intimate place that serves excellent mezze, tapas, great Turkish food and other Mediterranean fare. Seafood is a speciality. The range of Turkish dips and bread is rather nice. Also nice too are the prices, this is a cheap eating experience. The service is excellent.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Hotel Phillip Island</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17982</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Hotel Phillip Island is centrally located in Cowes on the esplanade with simply one of the best views from any eatery I have been in. The food is good with a quite extensive menu with plenty of seafood listed.<br>Quite a nice spot to while away the time with a drink, a meal and the view.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Eureka Tower Skydeck</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17791</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Melbourne's tallest building now has a viewing platform on level 88 which is approx 300 metres above sea level. The view from there is amazing, being able to see across to the Dandenong ranges or across Port Philip Bay.<br><br>However, for the adventurous and definitely not the faint hearted, there is the 'Edge', a box of glass (with a steel frame) which slides out about five metres from the viewing platform, so you can also look DOWN! <br><br>Go for the view at the Southern Hemisphere's highest look out!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Vic's market</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17645</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Great for lunch. Go to the deli section, order a pie, sandwich, coffee etc. They have Greek, Italian, Vietnamese - you name it. Then find a seat in the alley out back and they will bring it to you. It is a sunny spot if the weather is fine. Afterwards you could stock up on bargain souvenirs to take back home. There is often some kind of street theatre going on too. It is a lively, vibrant place and definitely should be included on a visit to Melbourne.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Yarraville Village</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17632</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Yarraville Village is an area about 7km from the CBD (Inner West). The village is fantastic little hideaway and very cute with loads of little cafes, restaurants, art deco cinema, unique little designer shops and  fantastic jazz bar.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Sarands</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17327</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Another nice little find in my local neighbourhood... Sarands presents a Mediterranean-based menu of seafood or meat dishes. The restaurant itself is light and airy (with an upstairs private dining area for functions), service is pleasant, the wine list small but well chosen and the (mains) servings huge. The prices are reasonable too. Coffee is excellent.]]></description>
                
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                <title>The Gin Palace</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17316</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Ten years old this year, makes the Gin Palace a venerable old man among Melbourne's hip young cocktail bars. It has lost none of its greatness though. Well trained bartenders, a bookshelf of cocktail books, hundreds of bottles (including dozens of types of gin) means that if you want to stray from the ten martinis printed on their cocktail list, you can have just about anything. Also, the chairs are stuffed with goose feathers, the music is never too loud and it is open every day of the year (including Christmas). I don't live in Melbourne any more but if I did, I'd be there right now.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Dandenongs National Park</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17271</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[A beautiful temperate rain forest. Rolling hills covered with magnificent tree ferns and mountain ash (a form of Eucalypt and also Australia's tallest). The freshest air you could imagine and wildlife (including Lyre birds) to boot!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Madame Brussels bar</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16989</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Named after a notorious Victorian brothel keeper, Madame Brussels has a deliciously kooky garden party theme, complete with grassed interior, trellising and parasols. <br><br>Bright young things in tennis whites will bring you iced Pimms and cucumber sandwiches. Scrumptious in every way.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Mirka at Tolarno</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16911</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Dining at Mirka is a tasty visual experience. Surrounded by murals by Mirka Mora, you dine on food from the kitchen of Melbourne's famed Guy Grossi. Based widely on a mediterranean style (Grossi is Italian), the menu here is about making one feel cosseted and at home.<br><br>The wine list is superb with wines from France and South America as well as the best of Australia. Superb service along the art of the dining room makes 'Mirka' one of Melbourne's best culinary experiences. We will be going back.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Rialto Tower Observation deck</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16901</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[There are two Melbourne observation decks, both giving you amazing views over the city and the bay.<br><br>However, I prefer the Rialto. There is a coffee shop and place to sit and hang out for a while - it is quiet.<br><br>The Eureka overwhelms you with an artificially created noisy Melbourne soundscape. This takes away from the viewing experience.]]></description>
                
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                <title>The Shrine of Remembrance</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16811</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Armistice day (was Nov 11) and so the Remembrance day ceremonies at the Shrine have passed but Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance is still worth a visit as it hosts a number of exhibitions throughout the year. The latest exhibition is 'Passchendaele: the Australian and New Zealand experience' and it's very good, very simple, very powerful in its message and very moving. ANZACs involvement in the 3rd battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) cost many Australian diggers their lives and this exhibition lets us not forget. <br><br>The Shrine was built over six years from 1928 to 1934 as Victoria's memorial to the men and women who served Australia in all armed conflicts throughout Australia's history.<br><br>Our Shrine is worth a visit for the<br>simple message it tells...Lest we forget.]]></description>
                
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                <title>The Sandy</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16775</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[A pub with a view, a great view across Melbourne's bay. A pub with decent food in the bistro, a TAB, a lounge bar and accommodation all within 15km of the CBD. <br><br>A pretty good local pub with one of the best outlooks in Melbourne.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Peninsula Hampton</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16744</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Strange name for a new restaurant in suburban Hampton. However, it's one with an upmarket atmosphere, very good food and superb service and that makes for a very fine dining experience. It's a touch above our other local Chinese restaurants.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Salix at Willow Creek</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16631</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Salix restaurant at the Willow Creek Winery on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne is simply superb.<br><br>Local produce and seafood, a great view and the fine wines from the winery and other areas create a high-class dining experience. Go for lunch or dinner and enjoy!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Queen Victoria Market</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16552</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Melbourne might be addicted to great coffee bars and a second rate form of football, but to really taste its gritty, multicultural heart visit <br>the Queen Vic. It’s enormous – it claims to have 1,000 stalls and be the largest in the southern hemisphere – with Greek, Italian, <br>Vietnamese and Yugoslavian flavours of local flogging everything from fresh fish and pets to rugs and furniture. <br><br>The food stalls are unforgettable: every variety of olive, glistening slabs of fresh fish <br>and walls of cheese. So that’s why Melbourne has so many epic restaurants.]]></description>
                
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