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/34713 A godsend! Calm, pleasant environment with extremely tasty meals and wine. The serving staff were pleasant and helpful.
We will be back!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34713 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34667 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34667 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34467 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34467 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34436 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34436 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34420 This is an energetic trek taking in the best of the French, Italian and Swiss alps, crossing three high mountain passes, sleeping in a variety of remote mountain huts such as Lac Blanc, Rifugio Elisabetta and Refugio Bonatti to boutique guest-houses in the busy towns of Chamonix and Courmayeur. Be flexible and organise your own trek using the cicerone guide written by Kevin Reynolds - he became a bit of a hero to us. Then to top it off, why not paraglide from the Aiguille du midi - I thoroughly recommend it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34420 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34395 After this day you deserve a diner at Chez Francois simple and delicious meals based on local products grilled over a wood fire in his antique chimney.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34395 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34394 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34394 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34382 Avoid airport tantrums and restrictive baggage allowances and instead, jump in your car, throw in the children and their paraphernalia then cross the channel and drive south until you reach the Med but don’t turn left and follow the hordes to Nice and Provence but instead head right towards the Pyrenees where, tucked between the Med and the mountains, you will find the Cote Vermeille region basking in the sun, where even in August, you can find space on a beach and a table in a restaurant.
Port Vendres is a deep sea port and marina, crammed with rows of gleaming motor boats and yachts, yet still a working harbour edged by a tangle of nets and ropes. Rows of terracotta topped town houses tumble down its hilly flanks to the palm tree lined streets where a healthy smattering of bars and seafood restaurants host a mixture of primarily French tourists and the odd crusty local sea dog. The morning’s fresh fish and seafood can be purchased from the quayside or sampled al fresco in one of the eateries.
Within an easy drive of the long sandy beaches of Argeles sur Mer or inland Larqoue des Alberes where old houses cluster about a hill topped with a small tower and a meal can be taken on the sun dappled square next to the church from Hotel Le Catalan.
Take a jaunt on the road train to picture perfect neighbour Collioure home to a fine fortress returning via a vertiginous route through the vineyards or travel along the cornice road and over the border into Spain, (you can tell you’re in Spain as the road disintegrates into a pot holed track) and down into Portbou for some tapas and dos cerveza por favor.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34382 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34376 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34376 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34375 Buy local produce at the bustling covered market where there’s an array of attractively arranged fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables. Tour the local salt marshes, which are situated a few miles out of town, by boat.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34373 Superficially, Nice can seem like an expensive city, but it does not have to be as there is plenty to see and do for free. One of the most fulfilling things you can do here – and a great way to take in the feel and the atmosphere of this beautiful city – is to just walk around taking photographs. There is joy to be found here in every corner: relaxing in Jardin Botanique on a tree-shaded park bench to stay cool in the midday sun; or people watching from one of the many authentic cafes in true Gallic style! Just grab a coffee and a freshly prepared sandwich, then sit back on Promenade des Anglais and simply watch the world go by.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34373 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34372 Grand Balcon Nord 6.5 km – allow three hours.
Chamonix in the French Alps is one of the best known centres for walking in the summer and rightly so.
One of the most spectacular yet easiest walks is the Grand Balcon Nord which has you strolling through a veritable rock garden at 2000 metres and even offers the possibility of meeting a marmot or two.
From Chamonix take the Aiguille cable car to the half way point at Plan de l’Aiguille which is the starting point for your route - although it is spectacular, and literally breathtaking, due to the altitude, to take the cable car right to the top station – and then start your walk on the return journey.
The well signposted rocky mountain trail undulates north east, meandering through miniature rhododendrons, gentian and azaleas, with stunning views down to Chamonix and over the narrow valley to Plan Praz and La Flegere standing at 1877m - this is the Grand Balcon Sud and another fine walk affording views over Mont Blanc and Les Aiguilles (the needles).
As you reach the junction of the path to Montenvers mountain railway you can take the route directly there or turn right and zig zag easily up the extra 150m to grab great views of the stunning pinnacles of the Aiguille Vert at 4122m, Les Drus and the Mer de Glace (sea of ice).
Catch the picturesque little train from Montenvers back down to Chamonix. Remember to check what time the last train and cable car operate as it’s a long walk down!
This walk can be done in reverse and an early start will give you the opportunity to watch the sun come up from behind Les Aiguilles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34372 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34371 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34371 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34367 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34367 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34366 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34366 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34362 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34362