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/19696 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19696 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19533 It's available from 6am to 6pm every day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19533 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19183
I recommend Zero G for their current-year specialised rental bikes, English speaking staff and good customer service.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19155
You can choose to visit Florence by bike, following the cycle tracks that reach the most famous historic sites.

What to see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)
- The Bargello Museum
- Ponte Vecchio: To one side of the bridge there is the majestic bust of the most famous Florentine goldsmith, Benvenuto Cellini.

Scenic views:
- Bike along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the wonderful landscape of Florence
- Panoramic view of the Boboli Gardens

Bike rental estimated prices:
1 hour - about 3 Euro
1 day - from a minimum of 14 Euro to a maximum of 27 Euro]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19155 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19139 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19139 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19105
At first, there was only one choice to rent bikes in Valencia and that was Orange bikes but nothing ever stays the same for long. Of the four main rental services Valencia Bikes is the most expensive but great for very large groups over 20 but be prepared to pay a lot.

Next, we move on to Do You Bike, who have decent bikes but do be choosy as some of them are lousy plus they are five euros more at the weekend. Orange's bikes have a wide range of bikes at a decent price but charge a whopping €250 deposit so make sure you check the bike over before you go or get bit where it hurts.

The newest is Soul Cycles run by a Dutch girl. Their bikes are different all together with an emphasis on fun and comfort such as City & Beach cruisers or the choppers for the easy riders out there - the same prices as pretty much everyone and cheaper at the weekends than some others. To say bikes are dangerous in the Turia is ludicrous as it is 11 kms of flat block-paved path suitable for all types of transport from roller bladers and skaters to MTBs and little folding bikes.

To sum it up, if you want a good MTB for long-distance jaunts into the interior go to Orange Bikes, if you want fun and comfort and some extra information or a chat go to Soul Cycle and then Do You Bike for availability as they have a large amount of bikes but they are pretty much a get them in and out kind of affair. All in all, there is something out there for all tastes.

On a friendliness scale: 1. Soul Cycles 2. Do You Bike 3. Orange Bikes 4. Valencia Bikes. Just my two cents' worth!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19044 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19044 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18593 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18593 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18570
www.bikeforums.net is a good source of info. See info on avoiding bike theft. Hint: get a strong U lock and take the seat post with you.

Consider buying a folding bicycle in NYC and returning with it. bfold.com, nycewheels.com and others have folding bikes. Strida would be a good bicycle for touring NYC. Dahon make very nice general purpose folding bikes. Folding bikes can usually be brought on the subway and trains. A bit iffy on crowded buses.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18570 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18548
We've been there in winter and also on walking holidays in summer and can't decide which we liked better. The village (Bad Mitterndorf) is really unspoilt by tourism - no package tours go there and the atmosphere is really Austrian. It's on the edge of the Austrian Lake District - great for swimming in the hot summers! We just keep on going back for more. Oh, and they've got mountain bikes that guests can use free of charge, too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18548 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18415
Spectacular scenery, unique cultural experiences and a wildlife safari on top! How can you resist?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18415 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18072

Our guide, Paul, founded Bike About Tours with a friend and gives a charming and personal view of a city he clearly loves. Some of his enthusiasm rubbed off on the kids who particularly relished spotting locations from Ratatouille, or finding out how many Parisians slip in dog poo each day. Paul takes only safe back streets and cycleways, stopping for lunch at a boulangerie on the way.

Every so often we would park the bikes and explore a secret garden or a hidden alleyway on foot, letting Paris work its magic on children and adults alike. By the end of four hours we felt like we belonged. Try it, you won't be disappointed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18072 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18049 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18049 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18010
Another tip, avoid the hordes and head for the back streets - the Rick Stein Cafe (his 'third' restaurant) has his trademark great food, is very child-friendly, and doesn't take bookings. On the day we were there (a gloriously sunny August day) we had to wait for 20 minutes, which was a shorter than the queue for his fish and chips takeaway!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18010 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17588
With only 11 beds, it is important to book ahead but well worth a few days' stay to relax and enjoy the surrounding award-winning vineyards.

Those who enjoy cycling and wine (or even just a good day out) should book themselves on the 'on yer bike' wine tour for a unique and entertaining wine tasting experience (bookable through the hostel). The relaxed owners with a small, toy, farm holding and soon-to-be vineyard are a pleasure.

Birdwatchers, or those who enjoy another good day out should try Gannet Beach Adventures to get a background to the area, excellent views and a chance to see around 17,000 gannets.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17588 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17460 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17460 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17438
One of the best things I did was to take a bicycle around the backstreet hutongs of the city, true Chinese style. The architecture is from Imperial times and it really feels like you're stepping back in time to when the Forbidden City was still really forbidden to mere mortals. This way you can escape the crowds too, and find some street markets where you can bargain to buy anything from knockoff designer clothes to Chairman Mao alarm clocks and the ubiquitous Little Red Book. And make sure you have your hotel's business card so you can show it to someone when you get lost!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17367
While passing through Penpont on your way to visit it, stop at the tea room for a decent cup of tea and reasonably priced food, then pass by the old smithy, which was where Kirkpatrick MacMillan lived and worked, then on to the parish church to visit his grave (which you will eventually find has a plaque next to it).

There's lots more to see and do in the area. For example, Joseph Thomson a native of the village of Penpont was a world famous explorer of the African continent. There is a monument to him in the nearby town of Thornhill.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17367