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/32199 The books closes with a stanza from a most beautiful poem; Ithaka by C.V Cavafy. The poem describes how the journey and adventures on the way to Ithaka, are more important than any destination. A great motto for anyone who loves travel, and one that inspired my husband and I to choose it as a reading at our wedding.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24837 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24837 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22266 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22266 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16829
So it's cheap to get to and onward travel to the ski resorts of the east Pyrenees - Font Romeu, Ax, Les Angles and Andorra - is relatively simple - a 90 minute drive. Rather than fight with the crowds in the big ski airports of Geneva, Lyon or Grenoble here is a charming and cheap alternative.

We've been doing this for three years now and wouldn't go back to the Alps.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16829 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15704 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15704 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13537
Excellent breakfast with home-made preserves. Charming hostess.

Close to old city walls, convenient for sightseeing.

Would visit again any time.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13537 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13248
It's the best way to see the canal and you can detour onto routes through the vines and the foothills of the Black Mountains.

There are plenty of canalside restaurants and chambres d'hote.

Or stay in Paraza and hire bikes from Mellow Velos; Phil will provide routes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13248 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11673
The meals continue to delight and reach new heights on each visit. (If a meal is offered on the evenings when you stay - make sure that you take the offer. Usually four courses with aperitifs, quality local wines and coffee - excellent value and delicious food!) Evening meals here are a joy and the owners make sure that everything goes with a swing! There is much to see nearby and the owners will advise on some excellent local restaurants for the evenings when they are not cooking.

The owners clearly have high standards but still find ways of making everything even better. Without exception all the guests who visited, during our stays, praised this unique haven! Congratulations to Le Domain aux Quat'Saisons.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11673 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10704 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10704 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10654
It is an ideal base for travelling to Toulouse, Carcassonne (an ancient city), Narbonne (close to the beach), and taking a day trip to Spain or Andorra.

There are many local places of interest, vineyards you can walk in, abbeys, churches, and sports like sailing at a nearby lake, boating, cycling. There are local restaurants and many adjoining villages. The mountains are 30 minutes' drive away, with wonderful views and picnic spots.

A car is essential, but can be easily hired from Toulouse (EasyJet flies there) or Carcassonne Airport (Ryanair flies there).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10654