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/19163
First and foremost: the landscape. You can see it coming from a mile off; weird bulbous rock formations bulging out.

On the way up, there's a fantastic Romanesque chapel with amazing frescoes, and the whole area is riddled with hermits' caves.

The church itself is vast, 1000m above sea-level, and (oddly) reassuringly hideous in scale and detail.

Still, it's a mighty impressive spectacle and the surrounding countryside is simply breathtaking.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19078
Go up the (steep!) staircase on the right as you go from the narthex into the main body of the church. It's worth the effort, though.

The real horses of San Marco are up here too – the other ones are only modern replicas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19078 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18765
There are many small villages and historic cities that are a reflection of the prosperous mining boom of the early 18th century. This vast economic wealth transformed the region and resulted in the Brazilian Golden Age, a movement purely distinct of the Minas Gerias state.

When you walk down the cobble-stoned streets lined with ornate cathedrals painted in pure gold, imposing colonial mansions, and intricate fountains you’ll be transported back to one of the most prosperous times in Brazilian history.

The mountains, prehistoric caves, rivers and national parks of the area are also great places to experience the natural beauty of this historic region.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18765 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18558
There are many side chapels where private prayer and contemplation can be done, it's also so quiet inside that you wouldn't think that you were only 10 minutes away from the tourist crowds.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18558 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18555 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18555 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18529
Out of thousands of synagogues in Poland, there are only about 245 remaining. All of the unique wooden synagogues were destroyed, although some 17th century wooden Catholic churches remain to this day. The Nozyk synagogue was named for the man who founded it in 1900, Zalman ben Menasze Nozyk, and his wife Rywka bat Mosze (some guidebooks say it was founded in 1902).

Today services are held here every Friday night and every Saturday. Inside, you will see the interior of a moderately wealthy synagogue from turn-of-the-century Warsaw, with the cabinet containing the Torah scrolls and the bema (or pulpit) in the nave. The upper galleries are set aside for women.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18529 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18482
A university was founded in medieval times, which made the former Polish capital a leading intellectual centre. There is a long list of buildings from throughout the centuries to explore. Don’t forget about the influence of Jewish life and culture. To get an idea of the amount of things to explore and the variety, start with a hike along the royal route.

But what makes Krakow so special? Its living and lively urbanity. Some grand old cities appear like a museum with inhabitants as living accessories, but not Krakow.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18159
The chapel dates back to the 12th century but until 1864 it was virtually buried by the dunes that surrounded it, and to hold a service the vicar and parishioners had to descend into the sanctuary through a hole in the roof. In the 19th century it was finally unearthed and the church restored.

Today you can find everything you might hope for in an old Cornish church but in miniature; the cut-down medieval rood screen, the mellow wooden pews and the memorials to those who died at sea.

The former poet laureate John Betjeman lived locally and is buried here - he wrote a poem about the church 'Sunday Afternoon Service in St. Enodoc Church'

You can read my account of the walk to the church on my blog"
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/02/cornish-fishing-village-and-walk.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17646
The church is a fine building and its stained glass is remarkable for the consistency of its design. Most of the windows were made in the studios of Ballantine and Allen of Edinburgh. Where the appearance of most churches has evolved over many centuries, St John the Evangelist offers a concentrated view of largely Nineteenth century Scottish style and design.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17646 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17527 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17527 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17381 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17381 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16326 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16326 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16220
It is in a poor district, but the church is superb, and not well-known. It is where the Gothic style was invented by the Abbe Suger from 1138 to 1144 (the East end), while the nave and transepts are even more spectacular.

It has some of the most beautiful stained glass in France, some of it at eye level, far easier to appreciate than Chartres, and it was the burial place of the French royal family: 46 kings, 32 queens, and 63 royal children were buried there, including Marie Antoinetee and Louis XVI, and there are many superb effigies, though the bodies were thrown out at the Revolution.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16220 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16049
An earlier fantastic memory was walking along the day before and suddenly seeing St Giyorgis sunk into the rock.

A less pleasant memory was fleas in the carpets of the churches! Do take something for the fleas as they can migrate to the bedding.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16049 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14649
From central Brussels, take the metro to Montgomery and walk down Av. Tervueren. Turn in to Av. Jules de Trooz and stop to pick up lunch at the Patisserie Goossens.

The park contains giant sequoias, and cypresses. Visit the church, Saint Peter; built in 1755, it still contains parts of an older building over which it was built. Off the tourist track, the park is worth a visit at any time of year.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14649 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14137 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14137 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14116
Java Monkey: cafe, wine bar, poetry readings.

Brickstore Pub: a bajillion beers, good food and great atmosphere.

Bluebird Cafe: great, great great food, very veggie-friendly.

Little Five Points is a nice area to walk around in.

Also, the most moving tourist sight in my opinion is a trip to Ebenezer Baptist Church downtown, where Martin Luther King Jr used to preach. His grave is right next door.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14116