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/18842 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18842 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17950 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17950 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16130
There are very attractive gardens and a little museum which has exhibitions of the photographs and films that he commissioned between 1909 - 1931. This remarkable man sent photographers to remote areas of the world to record the people and how they lived. There has recently been a documentary on television about him and the amazing collection.

It is possible to purchase postcards and posters in the small shop. Unfortunately, the salon de the in the Palm house is not open because the building needs urgent renovation, but there are bars and brasseries next to the metro entrances. This was a fascinating place to visit and is off the usual tourist trail. Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16130 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15621
This major European chain sells general electronic devices plus a fair selection of CDs but excels with its choice of DVDs at competitive prices. Art-house and world cinema titles which would be hard or impossible to find in the UK are well represented, though remember to check that foreign language films have English sub-titles!

There is also a branch of Media Markt in Antwerp on De Keyserlei close to the Central Station.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15621 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15484 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15484 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15420
You can kick back and relax on the lovely, beaten up sofas (instead of the uncomfortable chairs normally found in this type of establishment!) There is even an old shell of a car, decked out with cushions, which you can sit in!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15420 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14954 Travel company Riga Out There have just launched this exciting activity as part of their new 'unusual things to do in Latvia campaign'.

Once each film group has made its film, it is given the opportunity to present their film at one of Riga’s leading cinemas with critical feedback given by one of Latvia’s top film directors.


You do not need to have any film background - just turn up in Riga with a group of friends and start dreaming of film stardom!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14954 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13101
The real find here is a tiny cinema and cafe called Mini-Cine, which is run by an English guy from Brighton and his Icelandic wife. If you want a decent cup of tea and some fruit cake, then this is the place to come to!

The films are great as well. When I visited I caught a screening of an old Russian film, Man with a Movie Camera, which makes a refreshing change from the offerings at my local multiplex.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12843
Now it's a stop for a coffee, or lunch, because everyone wants to see the film location. Apart from the tobacco counter, everything is just as it was in the film, including the miniscule 'toilette' where the earth-shaking sex scene took place.

When I made my visit it was full of art students rather than tourists, perhaps you need to go there in the evenings to find out if the locals still actually use it. As a rare example of a real life film set though, it's priceless.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12843 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12482 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12475 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12475 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11108
Serves a daily changing menu of light modern European food, e.g. excellent fresh cheeses, alongside some Bavarian staples.

The "filmmuseum", consisting of an inexpensive rep cinema and restoration/research department is located in the basement. There are retrospectives year round, along with the Munich film and documentary festivals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11108 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10962
They publish an online magazine, screen films and run a funk, soul, hip-hop & rare groove session at Apolo. During summer 2006 it proved the ideal venue for Spain vs France in the World Cup. Don't lose heart as you head up Calle Fontrodona, it is there and the cava is at knock down prices.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10962 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9911 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9806
Palolem, the next beach along, has come a long way over the years and the strip is now lined with beach huts from the Cozy Nook to the Bridge and Tunnel. The Dream Catcher (behind the Banyan Tree) is great for morning Yoga or breakfast with the buffalo.

This beach was made famous by Matt Damon in The Bourne Supremacy with his (very sexy) run sequence.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9806 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9609
I wouldn't normally go to the cinema when I'm abroad, but Utopia would have to be an exception. It has a good cafe and five screens showing good films from all over - France, the UK, the US, Bosnia, Algeria, Hungary, Italy, Egypt, Iran, Tunisia, Japan, Finland, Mongolia, Spain, Romania, and China were all represented by films within a couple of months when I last checked. The architecture of many of the salles just adds to the atmosphere and convinces you that you are somewhere special. Films are normally subtitled.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9241 When we took the tour 10 years ago, Richard Thomas, star of the 1970s TV family drama "The Waltons" waved and said "Hi" as the tour van passed his movie backlot.

Since it's a working studio, Warner's limits the number of visitors to time-entry tours every half hour to reduce disrupting productions. Unfortunately, they don't allow children under 8.

Tickets are $42. Consider buying them in advance. Sometimes, same-day tickets sell out.
T-T-That's all Folks!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9241 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9146 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9146 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9121
Warners is far smaller but it is quieter and it is a working studio but most of all the moment you go round the back lots you can immediately see the sets for the familiar 30's and 40's films like Jimmy Cagney's 'Public Enemy', Bogart's 'Maltese Falcon' and Flynn's 'Robin Hood'. While these will mean nothing to the 'Sponge Bob' or 'The Shrek' generation, who will doubtless prefer to enjoy the hussle and bussle of the Universal tour, old fuddy-duddies like me will enjoy the 'WB's. They don't make'm like that anymore. Go enjoy!

Also, don't miss the small movie and TV museums on Sunset, Hollywood and Vine either. Many sadly do, you'll never forgive yourself.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9121 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8948 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8948