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/19693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19692 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19692 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 After, go to the café/restaurant for some great food and of course a bottle of wine from the Ribera Del Duero region, superb.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19631
The other one in Castelo de Vide with two great slides for the kids, large swimming pool, small children's pool, sun loungers, shades and grass areas with small olive trees and a cafe/restaurant.
A respite from the hot Alentejo sun and the kids will love it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19631 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19617
There are buses to take you to the chateaus from Tours Gare and cost around 49 euros per person for a full-day tour- you'll visit Chenonceau, Amboise then Chambord which is quite a lot in one day.

While I would recommend a full day for each of these attractions, if you haven't the time it's a great day for the whole family and no need to drive or hire a car. Lunch is usually at Amboise which has lovely cafes, nothing really really gastronomic but good for lunch.

You can probably organise tickets for the chateaux pick-up via SNCF (gare) or www.tourevasion.com for more Loire Valley activities]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19617 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19414 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19414 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19412
The cottage has two bedrooms (sleeps up to seven), an equipped kitchen, lounge with wood burner, sofas and TV, free use of a gas barbecue and fabulous views of Mt Fyffe. Towels and bedding are included, and it only costs $100-180 a night (depends on numbers and time of year).

We spent two nights in a more expensive motel, before staying an extra night in the rental cottage. We enjoyed it so much, we chose cottages for the rest of our NZ trip!

Ask them about a lovely walk to a nearby river, less than a mile away, with two huge natural swimming pools - it's a local secret!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19411
The aminals are super-friendly, and come right up to you. They offer free pony cart rides, and you can help bottle feed their younger animals. It's a cute, small, personal kind of place, with magnificent views of snow-topped Mt Fyffe.

We ended up there when our Whale Watch trip was cancelled and, to be honest, our kids are still talking about it, and have long forgotten the whale trip which they didn't appreciate at all (amazing when you consider the whale trip was about ten times the price!). It's not as 'flash' as another park we visited in the UK, but the hands on experience was truly memorable, and became one of the highlights of our NZ holiday. They've also got a small beautiful self-catering rental cottage - we loved the place so much, we stayed an extra night in their cottage and benefited from free access to early morning feeding and free farm park entry. The kids loved it - shame we didn't know about it before we arrived.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19395
They will take you to the cathedral stone roofs (don't wear high heels!), where you get great views of the old city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19395 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19366
Stayed in Carla Sant Vicens which is a quiet family resort in the north of the island, but having a hire car meant it was easy to visit all parts of the island. Es Torrent beach in south near Port Roig (we went to it as it was recommended as a reader's tip) is very small, very beautiful and very exclusive (ie expensive restaurant on the beach and expensive beach loungers to hire). Also strongly recommended is Cala de Serra - but if you want to visit this one go early in the day as it's very small and gets very busy.

Excellent food is available from the beach shack. We would go in mid-afternoon for a late brunch and an afternoon sleep in their deckchairs.

Highlight of our trip was going to Formentera, a stunning island with Caribbean style beaches - white sand and blue water. Ferries go every half hour from Ibiza port. It's expensive - 40 euros each, but well worth it. Just go early to make a day of it. We hired a moped to get around the island so don't forget your driving licence! We had lunch in Flipper and Chiller beach bar - very trendy. The afternoon was spent at yet another stunning beach, Playa Trocadors at the northern tip of the island. If you can organise it, spend a night on the island and watch the sun go down at the Big Sur bar near the beach as the last ferry back is 9pm.

Back on Ibiza island, if you are feeling flush, have an evening meal in Santa Getrudis - lots of very nice restaurants. The harbour area of Ibiza town is also great fun with lots of bars and buzzy night life - we spotted Kate Moss, much to my daughter's excitement. Only place to avoid is San Antonio - a real dump! One place we didn't get round to going to was Playa den Bossa which has all-day discos on the beach - I'm sure my daughter would have liked it more than me though.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19366 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19278
A very small shop but apparently is world famous amongst chocolatiers. Well worth a visit. Black and white pictures of previous generations line the walls.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19278 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19258
Accommodation consists of simply furnished bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms overlooking the garden.

Carlos has created the only tobacco museum in Argentina full of artefacts and is passionate about the history of the plant. He was endlessly helpful and nothing seemed to be too much effort to arrange. The family could not have been more hospitable and friendly and when we next visit north-west Argentina we will most definitely be staying here again.
Warmly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19258 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19218
The food is fabulous - every evening we ate out on the terrace and kids played in the garden and bounced on the trampoline. And when it cooled slightly in the evenings they went inside to the playroom to play or watch DVDs.

Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19218 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19211