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/37707 www.tourism-midi-pyrenees.co.uk (which has dedicated cycling section) I arranged a tour gastronomique of excellent gastronomic chambres d'hotes in the midi-pyrenees. Designed as a four day car tour, we stretched it to a seven day cycling tour. The tourist board booked the chambres d'hotes and we took 'pot luck' in the days in between, sauntering, meandering and discovering the sights as we went, which meant we had plenty of time to get to the next destination. Epic scenery, gloriously quiet roads, beautiful historic cities and magnificent food enjoyed without guilt, as the calorie usage was so high. The website now has a section on Michelin chefs in the area so you could plan your trip around their restaurants, but to be honest the local workaday restaurants were sublime anyway. Truly a "cyclists' eldorado". Even cycling in and out of Toulouse airport was OK, though we arrived and left on a Sunday.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37707 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37687 The rice needs to be shared (it's for two people and the shellfish paella is about £17/person), if you order a paella they will bring to the table the paella special pan and they will serve you directly from the pan.
The restaurant is located in Huertas street, a beautiful area to walk around and discover the history of Madrid.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37687 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37682 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37682 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37671
El Refugi 307:

This 400-metre tunnel offers a rare experience to understand what the living conditions were like during the Spanish Civil War. Based in Poble Sec this two metre underground tunnel is where people had to live during the war for protection from the bombings. There were thousands of similar tunnels built throughout Barcelona. This particular tunnel is now part of the Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat, a project devoted to restoring and teaching the history of the city. Inside of El Refugi 307 it’s possible to see the different rooms and to walk the full length of the tunnel. Visits are assisted by a guided tour and it’s highly recommended to book tickets in advance.

Palo Alto:

This Poble Nou based industrial complex was established in 1875 by businessmen Ramon Gal and Joan Puigsech and it was designed my Antoni Vila i Bruguera. In the 1970s it was reconverted in to light creative studios. Its been used for film sets, artists work space and events and currently there’re twenty different creative companies using the space. Visitors can enjoy wandering through the beautiful gardens and have lunch at the Cantina restaurant.

Poble Nou Park:

Near by to Palo Alto lies this eco-friendly park, which was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel in 2008. Nouvel’s aim was to create a winter sunshine spot. As the park is eco-friendly weeping willow trees have been utilised to absorb water and there is an irrigation system that collects ground water. There are two islands in the park and the old factory of Oliva Artés dwells on one of them. The gardens are made up of herbs, shrubbery and interesting architecture. Another part of the park is made up of purple plants and a crater that points towards the centre of the earth and connects with Guayaquil in Ecuador.

Sala Montjuic Open Air Cinema:

This is a great spot for film lovers. It’s open annually from 4th July until 5th August on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and is set within the walls of Montjuic Castle. There is live music before film begins. The films are classics and shown in the original versions with subtitles. Most people take a picnic, which can be enjoyed on the hill where there are magnificent views of Barcelona.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37671 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37620 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37620 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37589 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37589 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37583 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37583 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37582 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37582 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37581 Walk off the indulgences of the evening with a stroll along the adjacent beach.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37581 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37579 There is no menu, or prices, but they ask for your preference of fish or meat, or if you're vegetarian. And then start bringing food to your table. Delicious local food - boar pate, steak tartar, aubergine tart, fish vol au vent just for your starters. The menu changes according to the season.
The bill came to around 40 euros for one including a great bottle of Nebbiolo d'Alba. I think the set menu is 25 euros. Not dirt cheap, but very good value for a seven or eight course meal. Unfortunately the website is only in Italian and fails to do justice to the food. Just trust me!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37579 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37578 There is no menu, or prices, but they ask for your preference of fish or meat, or if you're vegetarian. And then start bringing food to your table. Delicious local food - boar pate, steak tartar, aubergine tart, fish vol au vent just for your starters. The menu changes according to the season.
The bill came to around 40 euros for one including a great bottle of Nebbiolo d'Alba. I think the set menu is 25 euros. Not dirt cheap, but very good value for a seven or eight course meal. Unfortunately the website is only in Italian and fails to do justice to the food. Just trust me!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37578 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37569 The trattoria is within the market, and after lunch we bought the best fruit and veg we found in the city, and some great prepared meat, and some top pecorino. The market is so much better than Mercato Centrale, which is basically just for tourists and sells awful fruit (we actually had to throw away the strawberries and peaches we bought there). And if you don't want the trattoria then Semolina, a very good pizzeria, is just outside, and just down the road is Sancho Panza, another great pizza place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37565 It has a unique hippie charm, stunning architecture and artist ateliers. The slow pace of Bussana Vecchia is a dream come true for any traveller who wants to experience something unique while visiting the Italian Riviera, without breaking the bank.
Go there now, and you may be able to check out - for free, however offers are appreciated - one of the largest railroad models in Italy, with hundreds of metres of tracks winding through tiny stations, fly-overs and mountains. Truly spectacular. To find it ask locals for the "plastico ferroviario", or follow the signs if you are lucky enough to find them.
There are also a couple of B&Bs in town, with rooms starting from €70. Drive down the hill and you will find some of the best beaches in the area, some of them with free access.
If you work up an appetite after exploring medieval alleys and church ruins, head for the Relax Cafè - when my friends and I sat down during a recent visit and ordered a glass of local white wine, we were brought an entire bottle. Afraid we were getting ripped off, we mentioned that it was only one glass we were after, and the woman serving us said: "Didn't you read outside? This is an experiment we are running. You pay with a free offer. If you want a glass you drink a glass, if you want a bottle you drink a bottle. You can give whatever you want, even just one euro!" I thought about the cost of living in London, and had to restrain myself from crying of happiness in front of everyone. My friends too were barely able to mask their surprise.
Have I mentioned you also get delicious pizza straight from the wood oven? (Which you can also make yourself, if you like). How about the stunning views over the Ligurian hills? Sounds too good to be true? Well go to Bussana Vecchia and see for yourself.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37565 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37553 It frequently gets rave reviews, and it's clear why - their delicious menu has something for everyone, from a good old fashioned burger (called "incredible" by Source magazine) to cuttlefish in an ink vinaigrette!
They also have one of the only Josper ovens in the UK, so their steaks are amazing - perfectly cooked and melt-in-the-mouth.
The only downside is that it can get really busy in the evening, but as it's much quieter at lunch, you're far more likely to get a table then.
Highly recommended!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37553 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37532 There are places in Prague where you can eat food with a touch more flair – and it needn’t cost the earth. Located a one minute walk from Hradčanska metro station (and therefore around fifteen minutes from Prague Castle on foot), Argument is a restaurant which can’t easily be pigeonholed. It’s upmarket without being pretentious; modern without resembling an airport lounge.
I went for the degustation menu – six small courses which allow you to sample the best of what the restaurant has to offer. The tiger prawns were tasty – I wasn’t brave enough to try sweetbreads but the grilled octopus was delicious. Best of all was course number five – roast duck with ginger – which was so tender it almost melted in the mouth.
While certainly beyond the budget of the average backpacker, Argument is worth a visit if you’d like to treat yourself to quality cuisine without completely breaking the bank.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37532 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37444 Advertised as an ‘artistic and socio-cultural project’, the venue has a small bar and performance space. It offers music events (including flamenco), art exhibitions, children’s theatre and storytelling workshops. Cheap snacks (€1 for a homemade empanada or slice of pizza) and bottled beers are on sale when events are on. The €3.50 deal is available from 2pm till 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays, with vegetarians catered for well.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37409 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37409