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/34296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34018 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33574 Sip a Malawi gin and tonic watching the sunset over Lake Malawi, have a candlelit dinner on the beach, snorkel through the fresh water of the lake admiring the most diverse collection of fish in any body of freshwater in the world. Venture into the island to meet the friendly villagers, visit their textile and furniture workshops or take in the largest cathedral in central Africa. All on a tiny island in the middle of one of Africa's great lakes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33574 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27611 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27611 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27084 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27084 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27046
After the late afternoon game drive, which normally finishes just after sundown, you will be served an evening meal that will definiately impress and be a talking point. Cooking on the barbeque, or brie as the South African's call it, will be a choice of meats including warthog and kuku!

At meal times you eat with your guide and the other guests that will share your vehicle giving you a great opportunity to get to know each other. This reals helps everyone to bond and enjoy a shared experience together.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26978 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26978 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26976 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26976 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26538
Did lots of walking and looked forward to returning to the luxurious bathroom in the cottage. The water came from a private underground spring and my skin felt amazing after a week, due to no chemicals in the water. Ate out at the Three Chimneys and Old School House Restaurant, both fantastic and nearby. Talisker Distillery was also a must-visit, especially the tasting sessions!
I hate to tell anyone of the cottage in case we don't get in next year but thank you to the owners for an amazing week. And thanks, Ally, the owner for getting us a fresh lobster, straight from the sea!
Can't wait to go back!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26538 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26344 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26344 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26054
You get a fantastic location for touring Edinburgh, it's in the middle of the Royal Mile a few minutes from the castle and about a 15 min walk from Princes Street.

The hotel is unlike other five-star propertys in that you get a lot of things free. These include unlimited movies, free wireless internet and a free minibar.

The staff were great, room was comfortable and all in all a great place to stay in Edinburgh.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26054 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25323 I was lucky enough to find it when planning a journey from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

I’ve stayed before at places claiming to be “luxury,” which were anything but - but this is reassuringly expensive and did in fact prove to be more than worthy of the description. Well, if it was good enough for Brad Pitt and Kate Moss I should never have doubted it …

Bungalows are set in milkwood forest spread out either side of the main building. For two of us we had a huge lounge, outsize bathroom with bath you plod across to find the taps. There is a second shower room, and outside shower (for the brave or exhibitionist perhaps) on our own private decking, a kitchenette, dressing and storage area. The canopied bed was six foot wide. I lay in the bath looking at colourful birds inches away through the floor to ceiling window, surrounded by candles, then we lay in loungers on the decking, looking down across dunes to the sea as the sun went down.

But to recap. On arrival you are greeted with drinks and sat down to plan your stay - they like you to stay at least two nights as there is a full programme of activities, most of them included in the price. I was whisked straight off to go riding from the hotel’s own stables, in the “fynbos” - the local vegetation which is very pretty, very diverse and smells heavenly. Botanists go crazy apparently - David Bellamy has signed the visitors’ book.

The next day we went whale watching and had close-ups of southern right whales, cape fur seals and even a great white shark. There were only seven guests, the boat was comfortable and there was no danger of seasickness. We were there in October which is a great time to see whales, while the weather is still pleasant enough to swim.

We had a private guided jeep tour and walk in the extensive grounds with one of the local guides Silence, who pointed out plants, a mongoose scuttling across our path, birds - and even a highly venomous puff adder which had crept into the hotel’s ornamental pond and was being safely removed by an expert for relocation. Silence introduced us to weaver birds, bou bou, drongo, cape bulbul with their white-painted eyes, colourful sun birds and sugar birds, olive pigeons, yellow rumped widow, and the resident black harrier.

The restaurant was a dream, reached along the little wooded path from our bungalow, past the swimming pool and into the main central building. Five leisurely but elaborate courses with superb wine, attentive and friendly staff.

What I loved about the place was the combination of the feeling of absolute pampering, with touches like the soft white bathrobes, massive towels and full size up-market toiletries; but also a real sense of outdoor adventure, riding, sharks and unexpected wildlife encounters - it’s the real taste of how South Africa could be in an ideal world, where the staff are happy to take your round the local township and show you how they live, and the knowledge that the owners of Grootbos are aware of the fragility of the local ecology, sponsoring locals to visit the Eden Project to advise on the Fynbos, and giving much needed employment in one of the most outstandingly beautiful spots in the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25323 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25304
Alpine Walks Zermatt do custom holidays for groups as small as four people. Either stay in a luxury hotel with a spa (as we did) or they will lead walks from mountain hut to mountain hut. Perfect for a family or a couple of couples.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25304 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25293