http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ 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. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19459 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19459 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16113
Then head to "Het Park"in the town square for fantastic cuisine.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16113 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16105
This major European chain sells general electronic devices plus a fair selection of CDs but excels with its choice of DVDs at competitive prices.

Art-house and world cinema titles which would be hard or impossible to find in the UK are well represented though remember to check that foreign language films have English sub-titles!

(There is also a branch of Media Markt in Antwerp on De Keyserlei close to the Central Station.)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16102
Not so big and overwhelming, with so many "must sees," as Paris, but more than enough to keep you busy.

And there is loads of great chocolate - need I say more?

Don't miss MIM, with more than 1,000 ancient and rare instruments from around the world.

There is a lovely cafe overlooking the city on the top floor.

The best place we've found to stay with kids: Novotel Centre/Tour Noire. It has a cool hammam/indoor swimming pool surrounded by rocks which creates a very cool atmosphere. It is walking distance to Grand Place, also to many waterside restaurants and off-the-beaten path neighborhood places and playgrounds, good ethnic restaurants nearby, easy access to train station.

If you have more than a weekend, take a day trip to Bruges, Antwerp, or any other place in Belgium: distances are short!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16102 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16064
Following extensive refurbishment, it reopened in 2006 to reveal a stage that sits inside a vast ball encased within the walls of its 19th Century building.

Most performances support the Flemish language, and shows in French or English are not uncommon. But if you can’t attend one of these, try having a drink in the gorgeous second floor bar.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16064 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14895
This statue is much more difficult to find and much less famous. Janneken stands in a very narrow, dead-end street in the Rue des Bouchers. I only remember seeing one very small signpost!!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14895 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14890 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14890 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14796 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14796 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14772
If you walk that through you will see a very small alley at your left.

Walk it right till the end and you will come to one of the two entrances of Theatre Toone. This place consists out of several rooms and one is the theatre room where you can enjoy a traditional local puppet show.

If there are no plays performed then the whole establishment is open as pub.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3901
The décor is composed of insane clowns, grinning pirates, a nice poster of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and various other head toys that will both amuse and fascinate the casual observer. Some nice runework in the loos is representative of the anarchistic spirit of this counter-cultural icon.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3901 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3846
The best bit, though, is the free 72-hour travelcard and route map that comes with it, which is invaluable, letting you travel on metro, tram and bus. The metro is fantastic - clean, airy, easy to follow and very quick, but the trams are best if you want to watch the way the landscape and architecture change as you travel through the different areas of the city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3846 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3799 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3799 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/315 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/315 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/334 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/334