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/18449
Once up the top, there's miles and miles of wooded paths to explore, a military museum, spectacular views across Toulon and out to sea, a few cafes, and a weird zoo, which I'd probably give a miss next time. We stupidly went in the middle of the day so most of the animals were asleep (either that or they'd been replaced with stuffed toys), so it might be better in the mornings, but it wasn't anything to write home about.

The walks around the top of the mountain were great though, highly recommended!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18449 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/18255
Every season has something to offer in Gredos – from winter snow and ice, through the verdant and flower-rich spring to the pleasant temperatures of summer and the beautiful colours of autumn.

For those who like to be active, the Sierra offers walking for all abilities, climbing and scrambling on both rock and ice, cycling, mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding and both cross country and extreme skiing.

For others, there are rivers to swim in, historical sites and cities to visit and many beautiful natural spaces rich with an abundance of wildlife and nature to discover and explore.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18255 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17270
From the villages of Oliena and Orgosolo with those beautiful and controversial murales (graffiti) to Mamoiada and its mysterious carnival masks; from the spectacular views of the supramonte of Oliena down to the woods of Gavoi, Tonara, Fonni.

And, if you still miss Sardinia’s blue waters among all this green, head for Tortoli and visit its golden beaches, or go all the way up to the Gulf of Orosei stopping every now and then to enjoy its paradise bays.

There is so much you can do and see in this area of Sardinia, trekking, hiking, visiting some incredible archaeological sites such as Tiscali - yes, this was a Sardinian site long before being a Sardinian web company!

Our last excursion included a visit to Orgosolo and an outdoor lunch with the shepherds - delicious! If you like strong cheese, fresh bread and suckling pig that is.

We also took a guided tour of the mountains (Supramonte of Orgosolo) in an off-road vehicle. It was great, the shape of the rocks, the vegetation and the animals that you can view are unbelievable.

We finally allowed ourselves some time to view the Museum of the Masks in Mamoiada and to discover more about the ancient rite of carnival here. Nothing like you can imagine. Forget about the lovely, elegant masks of the Venice carnival. Here it is a totally different story!

Plan your itinerary very well. Roads are not always very good and because of the mountains you might need to drive much longer than what you expected to cover such small distances.

Orosei is a good place to reach both stunning beaches (e.g. Cala Gonone, Cala Liberotto) and the mountains (Oliena, Orgosolo, Mamoiada and Dorgali) for day excursions.

If you are staying for at least a week, it is worth spending a few nights in a agriturismo (farm house) around here.

From Arbatax you can easily reach the beautiful costs of Tortoli, Barisardo, Santa Maria Navarrese, Baunei and head for the mountains around Tonara, Aritzo, Sorgono where, again, you should spend a few nights.

In both cases you should hire a car, although some places can be reached in the summer season with the Trenino Verde, a tourist train.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17270 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17032
While there I also got to relax at some wonderful natural hot springs and visit the amazing orangutans. Sabah contains one of only three sanctuaries in the world, so I felt privileged to see them. In addition, the people are extremely friendly and everything is cheaper than on the mainland - a top spot!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17032 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16271
You can walk up the mountain too, but take advice and be very careful – it's famous for dangerously erratic weather.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16271 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16270
Get a car and drive up I93, keep going up towards Franconia Notch or deviate and head for the 'Lakes'.

Titlon and Conway have shopping outlets (NH has no sales tax) and there is the Conway Scenic Railroad which will provide you with a steam rail trip through the autumal colours.

Alternatively, head up I 95, stopping for lunch in Portsmouth NH, and up into Maine. Head north to the mountains.

Both are beautiful, inexpensive (especially with the current exchange rate) and away from the usual UK tourist spots.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16270 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15112 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15112 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14500
We have just returned from a week hiking in Jontunheimen and cannot praise the DNT highly enough. I have never seen such an organisation so successful at making the wilderness accessible with minimal disturbance to the natural environment.

The trails are well-marked and maintained and where we used trails not maintained by the DNT, staff were nevertheless able to advise on them. The level of service at the fully staffed lodges we used was extraordinary and not too expensive (by Norwegian standards!). And how good is it to come off a mountain, knowing that a comfortable bed, three course meal, hot showers, and effective drying room are waiting for you? The DNT prides itself in never turning anyone away.

We were walking as a family with two under twelves, so didn't undertake any really major climbs, but the DNT also organises tours of the high peaks etc.

All the activities we undertook, we could have done as non-members, but joining the DNT meant serious discounts on accommodation costs as well as the ability to secure beds when the lodges were nearly full. If you are venturing deeper into the mountains and staying at unstaffed lodges, I think you need to be a member to get a key to the lodges.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14500 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13923
Half an hour from Reus airport, an hour and a half from Barcelona airport, 40 minutes by train or car from the beaches and the Roman city of Tarragona, and under two hours from Barcelona itself.

Martin & Maggie went the extra mile to make our holiday as memorable and enjoyable as possible. Their local knowledge and contacts yield a fantastic range of things to do, places to go and people to meet.

If you want to get away with the kids and be close to the water parks & beaches but not "amongst it", this could be the place for you.

They are calling this area the next Tuscany and I can see why!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13923 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13767
Mountainbiking on mountain paths above 1000m that date from WWI, the natural beauty and the peacefulness of the area makes it a perfect place for enjoying every moment.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13767 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13721
Any mysteries lie buried and long forgotten.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13721 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13701 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13701 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13686
Fantastic hotel Finse 1222 with great views over glacier. The walks along the old navvy road are excellent.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13686 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13677 Use Hotel Finse 1222 as a base for adventures in the Norwegian mountains.

There are excellent walks and cycling opportunities along the old Navvy Road. Ask the stationmaster for the best routes by hopping from station to station - they are spaced about 15km apart.

The walk from Hallingskeid to Myrdal, down through the tree line, is unmissable, while, the railway museum at Finse is incredibly informative.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13677 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13665
From the rolling Basque hills in the west up into the Haute Pyrenees, there are some absolutely stunning views along this trail.

You can do the lot in one go (500 miles) if you have the time, or do as I'm doing and do a little bit each year: I'm hoping to dip my toe in the Mediterranean in 2010...

Alternatively, pick one of the many towns near the route as a base and discover some of the circular walks.

You'll get to see some views that you'd never see from a car.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13665 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13661
Mountains, lakes, walks, cities, trains and lots lots more.

Buy the Tell pass and save a lot of money.

Don't take a car - use public transport. If only we had public transport like the Swiss.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13661 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13619
The via ferratas are protected routes, or climbs, with fixed cables and some ladders and bridges which allow you to get to places normally reserved for rock climbers.

Even so some experience and mountain sense is needed, as well as the correct equipment that can be easily hired.

Arabba is one centre that gives access to a range of routes.

They are graded to degrees of difficulty.

Others are Cortina and Corvara.

One way to get there is to fly to Venice/Treviso followed by a relatively short drive north.

Essential reading are Volumes 1 and 2 of 'Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites' by John Smith and Graham Fletcher and published by Cicerone.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13601
The classic glacial valley, dotted with traditional Tirolean villages, winds its way up to the glacier, where you can use the excellent lifts to reach the Jochdole, the highest mountain restaurant in Austria at 3,150m, with fabulous alpine views to Italy on a clear day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13601 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13600
Arenas de Cabrales is a delightful hill town and a good place to reach Poncebos for access into the gorge. The path is spectacular and threads its way through fantastic scenery to the small hamlet of Cain where refreshment is available before the walk back. The round trip can take about 6 hours and, although the path is entirely safe in good conditions, vertigo sufferers might not find it to their liking.

There are plenty of other more challenging walks in the area for the suitably experienced and equipped, with a number of refugios, Alpine style mountain huts, to allow round trips through the range.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13600