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/18354 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18354 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17182
After a week or so of preparation the market is now in full swing. Stalls selling spicy mulled wine, roasted meats and grilled mountain cheese served with cranberry sauce help keep the cold at bay long enough to get some good Christmas shopping done.

Those looking for something a bit different for the loved ones back home have plenty to choose from the huts selling festive ornaments, wooden toys, woollen clothing from the highlands and delicious soft gingerbread from Torun. The old cloth hall (Sukiennice) on the market square also has a plethora of stalls hoping to tempt you to part with your cash. Here you will find items such as amber jewellery from the Baltic coast, hand-stitched embroidery and other bits and pieces such as wooden chess sets and even swords!

Shopping aside, it is the magic and the old town and surrounding cobbled streets that make Krakow so special this time of year. I can’t recommend it enough.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17182 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13736
Yes, and I recommend it!

The locals are full of bonhomie; every pub or eatery with a fireplace is welcoming; and the locals, who act as tourist guides at the castle and other touristy places, are happy to see you and have a chat.

Crowds? No ... have have the castle and the whisky tours all to yourself.

You can even venture out of town and maybe have a hit at St Andrews ('cos there is noone else there playing).

There is also the added bonus of Scottish New Year celebrations. Something everyone should do at least once in a lifetime: Hogmanay.

Downside? It's cold - very cold; sleeting and snowing, but hey, nothing a couple of jackets, coats, mufflers, gloves and hats can't fix.

Seriously: go and visit in winter;
it is a different place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13736 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10884
A 2 1/2 hour flight to Stockholm from London and then 1 1/2 hours internal flight to Kiruna. Where daylight is at a minimum and snow at a premium.

At Christmas this was a perfect way to dream the dream - white snow, huskies, reindeer, snow mobiling and the chance to stay in the Hotel at the Edge of the world - the world famous Ice Hotel.

From harnessing the huskys and travelling through beautiful countryside, to snow mobiling across a frozen lake there is so much more to do given the time - ice sculpting, fishing (drilling through the ice to find some tasty morsel), snow shoeing, cross country skiing, fine dining or literally just chilling out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10884 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10731
We flew BA to Basel-Mulhouse, hired a car and stayed for 3 nights at the (cheap) Novotel on the edge of Colmar.

The town was breathtakingly decorated and boasted not one but five Christmas markets selling festive produce from decorations to outdoor food and lots of vin chaud. Yes, some of the merchandise was a bit tacky, but the markets were fabulous for families and Christmas lovers like us! The weather was cold but gloriously sunny.

All in all a great little pre-Yuletide trip and a much more cost effective way of getting in the mood than Lapland!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10731 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10715
It's a brilliant night, for meeting Cubans and enjoying the real fiesta experience. Everything is in Cuban pesos too, so it's mind-bogglingly cheap.

Staying in Remedios is a bit tricky - as everyone has their families over for the festival, but being Cuba they'll squeeze you in somewhere. There is also a small hotel in the main square - Hotel Mascotte.

Rent a car on Christmas Day, and drive along the stunning causeway out to Caya Santa Maria and spend Christmas on the beach!

But remember your passports, immigration control is heavy on the causeway to the islands.

Santa Clara is the nearest big town to Remedios - just get a local bus, or taxi, although getting back out on Christmas Day is difficult - far easier to go to the beach, and wait for Boxing Day.

We travelled from Trinidad, where we stayed at Casa Alicia y Miguel, Frank Pais street.

We finished our two week trip in the Hotel Santa Isabel, Plaza Armas, Havana - after so many casas, it was pure indulgence to spend one night in a nice hotel and well worth the vast expense!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10715 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7953 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7953 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3817 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3817