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/23618
Housed in a charming 19th century building, the comfortable private rooms mean this is a great alternative to a souless hotel - the rooms have antique furnishings and bags of character, as well as amazing views of the castle. Loved all the art on the walls as well.

The location is unbeatable (a minute from the Castle, Royal Mile, Grassmarket), and there's a huge lounge and movie screening room.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23618 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23615
Here are some tips for eating on a budget:

- Carry a bottle of water, a few snacks and a packed lunch with you during the day - you can munch during during long queues for tickets, and avoid the premium prices at cafes and sandwich shops in the city center.

- Head to the Edinburgh Farmer's Market on Saturdays for some budget-friendly food. Held between 9am and 2pm at Castle Terrace, it's stalls sell filling hot takeaway food, such as venison burgers and a hog roast!

- Some of the venues have great cafes, but they can get crowded in between shows. Instead, try the street stalls around the main venues such as Johnston Terrace and Bristo Square. The Traverse Theatre Bar and Café has a decent selection of reasonably priced food, and the courtyards inside the Pleasance Dome Theatre are home to stalls selling huge hot dogs and burgers.

- With some shows, food actually comes as part of your ticket. Early risers can catch Shakespeare for breakfast at C Venue at 10am, and watch the Bard’s best plays with a croissant and a cup of tea or coffee.


- For a cheap meal out, check out the Mosque Kitchen (officially called The Lunch Box) where you can pick up huge portions of halal curries for just a few pounds.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23615 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23614
Set up by a group of ethnic minorities in Edinburgh, Mela means ‘gathering’ in Sanskrit and is a celebration of cultural diversity in Scotland.

The festival has a laid-back vibe, with food stalls and a craft market alongside the main line-up of theatre, music, film, and visual art from around the world, from Zimbabwean Theatre to Bollywood Dance.

It's only £2 for an all day pass, but some single events are free.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23614 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23613
Here are just a couple...

The International Book Festival has loads of free events - from the daily free poetry reading at 10am to the free live music in the Spiegelbar. There's also loads of free stuff for children, a daily storytime, nursery rhyme time for babies and free workshops.

The Festival Calvacade is a free parade of 3,000 performers from all the Edinburgh festivals - this year it kicks off in Holyrood Park on 9th August.

The Edinburgh Interactive Festival is a free video game festival, where budding gamers can road test and watch screenings of new games.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23613 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13389
It makes a change from the usual high ticket prices!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7991
With free internet access, an art gallery, vegan and vegetarian food and stunning entertainment and events during and outside of the festival, this is the craziest place in town for dissidents and thinkers.

No matter if you want to watch films, read the latest protesting leaflets, or drop off your clothes and old books in the free shop, the Forest is the space for you. Just around from the university, it constantly changes.

It’s usually open from about 11am -11pm, licensed - sometimes with bring-your-own bottle - and during August it’s open till 3am. Also, it sells famous organic heather ale and seaweed beer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7991 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7797
There is also a mix of ticketed events and free drop-in workshops and storytelling sessions for kids, as well as some great events for teenagers this year, including a debate on climate change with Joss Garman and Sandy Starr from the Manifesto Club.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7797 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7782 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7782