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/19536 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19536 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19440 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19440 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19200
- Do not carry large amounts of money when you leaving your apartment or hotel.
- Don’t let anyone invade your personal space while walking down the streets (whether they seem suspicious or not).
- Wear your bag diagonally across your chest and avoid wearing it on your shoulder. If possible, keep a hand on it at all times. If you must have a backpack, wear it on the front and not on the back as it should normally be worn.
- Even though it is important that you have a valid ID such as a passport with you, in case you decide to go shopping and you need to pay with your credit card, it is not recommend that you carry your passport with you. Take a photocopy of it and keep it somewhere safe in your bag.
- If you still want to take your passport or other ID documents with you, remember to photocopy them and leave the photocopy in your apartment or hotel.
- Carry your wallets and purses in your front pockets and never the back pockets. You will be surprised at just how easy it is to take a wallet or purse from a back pocket and before you realise, then perpetrator will be long gone.
- Whenever you leave a bus, metro or taxi cab, please remember to take all your belongings with you. If you are carrying a laptop, always keep it close to you and never leave your luggage or any other valuables unattended.
- It cannot be stressed enough that even in the busiest, safest looking places (bars and restaurants included), you are a potential target, so be aware at all times.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19200 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19106
On www.abcprague.com I have found helpful guideline how to avoid problems with parking in the centre of Prague.

Prague has parking zones now and there are 3 types of zones:
* Blue zones - just for residents and local companies
* Orange zones - short time parking (up to 2 hours) for 40 CZK per hour (8 AM to 6 PM) and
* Green zones - parking up to 6 hours for 30 CZK per hour (8 AM to 6 PM).

This is just brief info, for more information try original www.abcprague.com/2008/05/28/parking-zones-in-prague]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18983 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18983 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18982 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18945
This site is of religious importance so I was surprised be the subject of sexual harassment there. I actually conducted an experiment whereby I stood perfectly still and allowed the leering men to circle me ever-closer, in an effort to see just how close they would actually get right inside the busy compound of the mosque.

Before my experiment was really completed my companion returned, and so it only behoves me to say if you are female and visit this place do not be lulled into thinking you will be any less harassed once you get there. After living in Istanbul for one year I can honestly say it was the most dangerous place to be female I have ever been to.

If groups of dodgy-looking men jingling change in their pockets and calling 'How much? How much?' as you nip from your house round the corner to the supermarket in broad daylight on a busy street would bother you then you might want to give Istanbul a miss. If you would be annoyed at being ripped off for every item you try to purchase (forget taking a taxi anywhere), sexually harassed by every man at every opportunity or stopped by police to be relived of your passport and then receive demands of payment for it to be returned, then I'd thoroughly recommend you to go somewhere else. A huge pity, because the city itself is unforgettable.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18945 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18763 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18743
The main problem is that for the same money you could get a decent enough meal elsewhere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18743 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18722
Money changing is against the law in Bulgaria. When approached by a street money changer, just say, "No thank you". They won't hassle you, because they don't want to draw attention to themselves. I have not heard of changers snatching money and running off. What they would do is give you out-of-date Bulgarian or Russian money that is worthless or count out 10 notes into your hand in full view. It is only later that you find you only got six notes.

Change your money in the city centre, where you get a much better rate than at a seaside resort. And lastly, don't change your money in the UK, especially at the airport where the exchange rate is really bad, for you. I love Bulgaria, I love Varna, and I love its people. They are like the British used to be. Courteous, well-mannered, polite and a credit to their country.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18722 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18629 the Cathedrale de Notre Dame. Thiefs loiter here - especially at night, so women don't walk alone in this area!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18629 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18587
On top of this there is a lovely view from the balcony of major building works in progress in the street opposite. The 'owner' Andrea Scarpi tells you that the 'other flat' is unavailable but still expects you to pay the same price you were quoted for the smart one. The breakfast is not worth having - all long-life products, nothing at all fresh, and three people share coffee from an espresso maker for one. A complete rip off.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18587 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18464
The local lads gather in the streets and have water fights - with coloured water and western tourists are a prime target.

The papers were full of warnings about the chemicals used in the colouring (I wrote off a pair of trousers and T-shirt) They contain some pretty nasty chemicals that can cause skin complaints.

All the taxis and rickshaws (if you can find one) will charge three times the normal rate as "danger and damage" money.

Sit tight (it's only one day) and watch the mayhem from a balcony or rooftop!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18464 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18318
Also they have miles and miles of shops on Florida and Avenida Santa Fe where you can buy anything for one third of the price in the US or UK.

We stayed at the art hotel in Recoleta which was a boutique hotel with contemporary art in the foyer, free internet access, great rooms and wet room bathrooms.

Beware the fake taxis in Buenos Aires. Because we'd been there for four days we realised that if they don't have a proper meter in the right hand corner and photographic id on the back of the driver's seat then don't get in. We used a taxi which charged us three times the price of a journey from the airport. We refused to pay and threatened to call the Policia!
If this happens to you get to your hotel and ask the concierge to translate... avoid at all costs.

Otherwise, BA is one of the safest cities in the world and the people are very nice. Palermo is great and so is Recoleta. Avoid San Telmo if you have to. Use taxis rather than buses as they are very cheap and the metro is great for getting around centrally. In taxis from the Newbery internal airport it should cost you no more than $14 and to the international around $50.

Try and go to the best steak restaurant in the Palermo area called La Cabrera, it's economical but BOOK AHEAD as it gets very busy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18318 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18317
For example, they will try and give you a poor seat with a bad view for you to upgrade to the 'VIP' area. They include a poor dinner with horrible house wine then con you to have a photo taken with two of the tango dancers who they say appear in the show then you never see them again.

They'll also offer you a cocktail for 40 pesos which is three times the price of any cocktail anywhere else. Bar Sur charges 210 pesos per person for the dinner and show in one of the tightest floor spaces in BA. Then the drinks are double the price of anywhere else in BA. If you want to see tango choose very carefully.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18317 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18174
Not ATOL or ABTA registered (be warned).

I am a 28-year-old female who has been forced to live in somewhere worse than a male university digs (and that's truly saying something! When doing a season, go self-catered (as Nielsons, Crystals, Thomson unfortunately do not do seasonal accommodation).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18169 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18169 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18101 Some of them are so cheeky - they try to take your money out of your pocket hoping you don't notice! So bear in mind where you are while admiring wonderful nature.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18101