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/19267
Sounds tacky? I thought it would be, but it wasn't! Swimming in the lake in the height of the summer with city views all around, the jet d'eau in the background and the snow-capped mountains in the distance is really something else.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19267 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19105
At first, there was only one choice to rent bikes in Valencia and that was Orange bikes but nothing ever stays the same for long. Of the four main rental services Valencia Bikes is the most expensive but great for very large groups over 20 but be prepared to pay a lot.

Next, we move on to Do You Bike, who have decent bikes but do be choosy as some of them are lousy plus they are five euros more at the weekend. Orange's bikes have a wide range of bikes at a decent price but charge a whopping €250 deposit so make sure you check the bike over before you go or get bit where it hurts.

The newest is Soul Cycles run by a Dutch girl. Their bikes are different all together with an emphasis on fun and comfort such as City & Beach cruisers or the choppers for the easy riders out there - the same prices as pretty much everyone and cheaper at the weekends than some others. To say bikes are dangerous in the Turia is ludicrous as it is 11 kms of flat block-paved path suitable for all types of transport from roller bladers and skaters to MTBs and little folding bikes.

To sum it up, if you want a good MTB for long-distance jaunts into the interior go to Orange Bikes, if you want fun and comfort and some extra information or a chat go to Soul Cycle and then Do You Bike for availability as they have a large amount of bikes but they are pretty much a get them in and out kind of affair. All in all, there is something out there for all tastes.

On a friendliness scale: 1. Soul Cycles 2. Do You Bike 3. Orange Bikes 4. Valencia Bikes. Just my two cents' worth!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19074
Recent events in the north of the province mean those areas are out of bounds for leisure, but contact them for recommendations for other areas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19074 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19044 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19044 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18059 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18059 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16646 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16646 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13863
In fact, Canal Pride is a three-day festival to rival The Netherlands' other big weekends during Karnaval in February and Queensday in April - but with more chance of good weather.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13863 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13714
The Eisriesenwelt is a labyrinth of ice caves, high in the mountains, which stretch over 40 km. The caves are only open during the summer months, and the guided tour takes you deep into the heart of mountain, where you can see some spectacular ice formations.

You really need to dress sensibly for this though. Even though it gets hot walking up to the caves, it’s often below freezing even in the summer, and there are many stairs to climb up and down. So make sure you don’t wear sandals and someone’s borrowed socks, like me!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13705
It's a three-hour round trip taking in great views of Alghero, the local vineyards, the bay of Porto Conte and the distant hills.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13705 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11804
Our family stayed in a camping site called Torvaig near Pontree for two nights. It was cheaper than the one we had stayed at near Ben Nevis. The services were the same; showers, bathrooms, clean drinking water for free, although at Ben Nevis there was a shop. The ground was hard, but there was a beautiful view at sunset.

We liked cooking so we didn’t eat out much. But when we did there were big portions. The food was similar to Irish food; haggis is just like a mix of black puddings and mince meat. If you asked for an apple pie you would expect to get a slice but there you get a whole pie. The Pike Hotel had particularly big portions.

When we cooked it was easy to find the supplies to cook on our own in any supermarket. There are also shops on the Isle of Skye so don’t fret.

We didn’t stay long, so we only got one trip done; a boat trip.
We saw a brochure in the campsite and my dad thought it would be a good thing to do. The boat left Armadale and got to Mallaig in 45 minutes. When you get there you can stay or you can walk back to the pier. It takes a couple of hours to get back on foot. It was a great boat ride. I even got to drive the boat. The view was spectacular. It was so spectacular - that I had a dream about it. When we pulled into the bay, it was lovely and calm. To the left of me there was a mountain sheltered under a beautiful white cloud. The bay had lovely turquoise water, warmer than the sea because of the surrounding rocks and big boulders. Just right for swimming. If you don’t like salt water there is a river up beside it.

The overall view from the high rock over looking the bay was really pretty, and one you don’t see everyday.

I would recommend the holiday to outgoing people and families with teenage kids.

I had a wicked time.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11804 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9364
They have courses for absolute beginners to high level climbers and are happy to make a "bespoke course" for you and your friends if you ask. They offer a very high-quality experience where you can learn a new sport, laugh a lot, and also get out somewhere incredible!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9364 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7182
Cycling is also the quickest and cheapest way to get around the city, and the cycle path goes along the river Pegnitz.

Down at "Woerther Wiese" there is a nice beer garden and a sensory garden for kids. Community sports like football and juggling take place there too - just ask, and most of the time you are very welcome to join in.

At "Woerther See", the little lake near the inner city meadows you can rent a boat, and it's also a good place for jogging and keeping fit - running round the lake usually takes about 30-45 min if you are fit.

Of course, cycling is also good during the World Cup. Especially if you want to avoid traffic jams around the stadium.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7182 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7163
The ride should take about three hours, but took our group around five with the low river and larking about. Take sun cream. Great fun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3409 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3409 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3408 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3153 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3153