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/20657 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20657 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19608 www.villasanraffaello.com]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19608 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19163
First and foremost: the landscape. You can see it coming from a mile off; weird bulbous rock formations bulging out.

On the way up, there's a fantastic Romanesque chapel with amazing frescoes, and the whole area is riddled with hermits' caves.

The church itself is vast, 1000m above sea-level, and (oddly) reassuringly hideous in scale and detail.

Still, it's a mighty impressive spectacle and the surrounding countryside is simply breathtaking.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18716
Fortunately, I chose the right time to go (7.30am) as the light shone on Mont Blanc in just the right way and there were only six tourists on the highest terrace which looks over Mont Blanc, be warned though the cable car does get cramped with all of the skiers with their skis and poles taking up every inch

Note to parents - children under two are not allowed on the cable car.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18639
A hotel which has a great view of Mount Olympus is the Semeli Resort. It's small but cosy and is beside the forests. Great walking opportunities, birdwatching, mountain biking, skiing - when there's snow.

In 20 minutes' drive you can visit Dion, Vergina in one-hour drive, Thessaloniki with a vast collection of Byzantine churches and ruins, museums and the beach is 20 minutes' drive. I love this area - beautiful mountains, small villages with simple but genuine life. It is worth visiting.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18639 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18548
We've been there in winter and also on walking holidays in summer and can't decide which we liked better. The village (Bad Mitterndorf) is really unspoilt by tourism - no package tours go there and the atmosphere is really Austrian. It's on the edge of the Austrian Lake District - great for swimming in the hot summers! We just keep on going back for more. Oh, and they've got mountain bikes that guests can use free of charge, too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18548 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17985 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17772 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17650 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17650 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17536
Near Gangchon, there is a pretty mountain. At the top, try the dakjjim (a spicy chicken dish). You might have to wait a few minutes whilst they catch, kill and prepare the chicken!

This region is famous for the wonderful Korean dish Dakkalbi (a spicy chicken stew with vegetables and rice cakes) if you haven't tried it anywhere else, give it a go here.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17536 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17523 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17448 www.petraroest.nl/images/index0.jpg - made me drool.

The guesthouse has double rooms, rooms with multiple beds, big living room, toilets, showers and medical facilities. Dinner and breakfast are included for the guests.

The guesthouse is run by three brothers (Mohamed, Jamal and Rachid Imerhane). They also helped people plan their treks in the mountains.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17448 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17303
The monks are renovating all of the monasteries (don't know where they found the capital!) and trying to make them self-sufficient, opening ristorante, bars, hotels, and hosting wedding and functions. The monastery is open daily for visitors and adjacent to this there's a bar, which is stocked with a great selection of wines and a menu of quality Belgian beers no less, the ristorante menu is really seasonal and quite different from anything else available locally. At the moment in November and December there's a robust menu based around game, chesnuts, truffles and wild mushrooms - you can go a-la-carte or take a tour de force plate of everything (€35 inc wine, coffee and grappa). It's open most lunchtimes and Saturday and Sunday evenings phone in advance on 0733 694103 or 071 977128. There's also a website with more information on the monasteries and potential itinararies. www.terradeifioretti.it

There are many comfortable hotels locally or you can rent stylish apartments just outside Sarnano at www.villasanraffaello.com
Flights to the area - Ancona and Pescara 1.5 hrs, Perugia & Rimini 2hrs, Rome & Bologna 2h45mins]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17303 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17145 A lovely place amongst beautiful surroundings, let alone the delicious food and drink!

With highly friendly, knowledgeable and English speaking hosts aiding the organisation of our trek, our trip was definitely one to remember.

We visited on reading about this wonderful place in the RyanAir magazine where Dar Tassa was voted in their Top 10 most Eco-Friendly places to visit that won't harm the planet, or your pocket.

With great value for money we will be returning to Dar Tassa for sure.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17145 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17066
Mohammed guided us through the mountains. He spoke English very well and was very kind and told us everything we would like to know

The food was a highlight: they made us some of the best veggie tagines we've had in Morocco and only wish we'd had longer to savour the peace and tranquility of the place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17066 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16336 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16336 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16230
The cottages are located in an area of dramatic landscapes, and within an area renowned throughout Spain for its Iberian cured and fresh meats. The owners of the cottages also run a ham drying facility, and for a very reasonable price you can enjoy excellent Iberian fare in the barbecue.

The cottages make an excellent detour for people visiting Sevilla and Cordoba, and are ideal for people wanting to go walking in the hills. There are very few tourists, but the cottages are often booked by locals for the weekend.

They are both family and pet friendly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16230