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/19183
I recommend Zero G for their current-year specialised rental bikes, English speaking staff and good customer service.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19029 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19029 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18818 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18818 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18656
We visited the rarely-traveled north-east of the country. This is Thailand’s rice bowl, which stretches up in a patchwork of rice fields to the mighty Mekong river bordering Laos and Cambodia. It is known as Isaan, and the local dialect is much more akin to Lao than to Thai.

One of the delights of getting away from the tourist centres is the noticeable change in the reaction of locals to the rare visitor. The people here are the most open and fun-loving in the country, perhaps because their lives are based on village traditions where overt consumerism has been much slower to advance than in the other booming parts of the nation. Travel to the north-east certainly rewards those looking for a unique experience, to get away from the tourist crowds, and to immerse themselves in something new.

Whilst there are numerous hotels in the area, these are all situated in the major towns and cities, and do not allow a full immersion into local lifestyles. Thus, we opted to stay in our own private house in the heart of the countryside, near some typical rural villages, in a standalone property called Green Gecko.

This is a Thai style pool villa finished in wood and terracotta tiles, with a large wooden deck and private infinity pool. The house sits on its own extensive rural grounds, with rice paddies, sugar cane plantations and woodlands.

There are two air-conditioned bedrooms and large fully equipped living and dining rooms, and kitchens - both Thai and Western. However, as all our meals were cooked for us (and the washing up done) we only really touched the refrigerator!

When we said we loved Thai food, we were delighted to be taken off around the grounds to pick our own herbs and spices – including strange plants that we had never considered using in the pot – before being shown how to make genuine Thai and north-eastern dishes. The owners seemed genuinely pleased to be able to impart their knowledge and love of food – and we were equally happy to have this cooking lesson provided at no cost!

The property was fully serviced and the rate we paid covered all our meals and even generous quantities of cool beer and fresh fruit juices. And as we were there in the mango season, we were encouraged to simply help ourselves to the fresh fruit straight from the trees…

This has set a precedent for us... no more hotels!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18656 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18509 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18509 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18262
Our main concern is that you are pleased with what you get, because there's no better publicity for us that your own happy experience. (And do remember, that the horror stories are a two-way street...).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17644
We stayed for the whole month of August last year (2007). Fantastic time with our two young daughters (7 and 5). Every day doing different things. If it was hot we borrowed canoes and went for paddle on the river, or just hung out in the cottage's pool. On cooler days we went exploring. We had a car with us, but the train stop is just two minutes' walk away so we often went up to Prague for the day or to visit local castles. Beautiful area, very friendly locals in the pub (and cheap food!), and we managed to see a lot of the country. The place was perfect.

But, not recommended for disabled or elderly. There's a sofa bed in the bedroom downstairs, but to reach the two bedrooms upstairs you need to go up fairly steep wooden steps. No problem for agile people like us (!) and the girls didn't have a single fall during our whole stay, but worth bearing in mind. Also, although the cottage has a bathroom inside, the loo is just outside the front door. No problem in the spring or summer, but I wonder what it would be like in the depths of winter! Although it is under the porch.

All in all, a fantastic place, relaxing, in the countryside yet a short (fun!) train ride into the centre of Prague. Recommended!

Oh! Forgot to mention the bikes! Probably the highlight of our stay. We headed off on rides at least three times a week, sometimes taking the bikes on the trains with us. From the cottage itself there are plenty of options- along the river Sazava, upstream or downstream, into the local town, or up into the forests. Great fun!

And the lovely old people in the next door cottage joined us a couple of times for a barbecue in the evenings. We didn't understand very much, but a nice time was had.

Unique qualities: great views, pool, lots of attention to detail (tourist leaflets, dozens of hiking and cycling maps, board games for children, a collection of DVDs etc).

Very comfortable accommodation with nice clean bedding and firm beds. Small but well-equipped kitchen.

Very quiet surroundings - we had deer coming up to the fence at the back of the garden some evenings! And hares and foxes.

Unpredictable weather - ranging from very hot and dry to pretty cool and showery. But always plenty of things to do and places to visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17644 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16595 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16595 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12821 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12821 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12584 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12584 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12503 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12503 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11963
I also learned how to surf. We went fishing and caught a boat load of Yellowfin Tuna - 27 to be exact as well as one Sailfish which we let go. Also got to see a lot of schools of dolphins jumping all over the place and a whale spouting in the distance. I can't wait to go back and am considering purchasing land and building there. I heard the prices have been going up quickly but from what I saw there are still some good deals to be found.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11963 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11740 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11740 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11734
It has a huge database for all parts of the city and is also used by locals.

Properties are posted directly by the owners or realtors.

The staff at enbuenosaires were really helpful when we called to enquire about particular neighborhoods we were interested in buying in and helped us through the whole complicated buying process.

We recommend it as a resource if you are visiting Buenos Aires and needing accommodations or are wanting to find a property to buy in the city.

Good sample of what' s out there!!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11734 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11713 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11713 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11221
I stayed in a city centre apartment near the Great Synagogue for EUR 70/day. The property manager was very nice a they all speak very good English]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11221 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10492 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10492 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10478 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10478 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10476 RuggedRental.com (approximately $550 per week for a Jeep Grand Cherokee). They will pick your party up at the airport, and within two hours you can be skiing in the finest powder conditions to be found anywhere in the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10476 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10012 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10012