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/18347
Providing you have to walk for 30 minutes to reach your beach, often down an old smugglers' path flanked by tall hedges alive with birdsong and wildflowers, at the end you should find, if you have chosen well, a little sandy cove surrounded by rocks and cliffs, with barely a soul in sight.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18347 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18186
The walk is ignored by 90% of tourists and is thus devoid of people most of the time - leaving the sites empty and silent. Perfect for getting to know the soul of the island. Take at least two big bottles of water.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18186 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18184 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18184 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18052 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18052 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17497
There are no tables here and no waiter service, so simply go up to the counter of the little dark bar, choose your wine, choose some snacks and enjoy a taste of real Venice. Don't expect service with a smile, but do expect to feel part of the real city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17497 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16887
Just across the road from the bazaars and the coach-park at the Hatshepsut temple a jumble of mud-brick remains marks the cemetery of el-Asasif, site of some of the largest and most spectacular tombs anywhere in the country.

Three of its tombs are open to the public: that of Kheruef of the 18th Dynasty, and those of Pabasa and Ankh-hor of the 26th. Their subterranean ‘sun-courts’ are unique to this area, and each of the tombs preserves beautiful relief decoration of varying styles.

I would highly recommend taking a walk from here back to the road through the crumbling remains of tombs yet to be investigated; at the road I recommend hailing one of the local service taxis and riding back to the river with the locals for a few piasters, rather than taking a private car for 100 times the price.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16887 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16886
For those looking for archaeological adventures away from the hordes, I highly recommend making arrangements (in hotels or with taxi drivers) to join the daily convoy down-river (north) from Luxor to see Dendera and Abydos. The former is the site of one of Egypt’s best preserved monuments, the Ptolemaic and Roman temple of Dendera, with scenes of Cleopatra VII (the Cleopatra) and her son Ceasarion; at the latter the atmospheric temple of Sety I and his son Ramesses the Great features some of the most beautiful relief decoration anywhere in Egypt.

The drive is fairly lengthy but provides an excellent opportunity to see the Egyptian countryside.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16886 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16479
Stand with your back to the station and head down the road on the left, to the corner. Look for a green metal gate down the side of the rather imposing stone building. It leads into a small ornamental park with a great kids’ playground, and public toilets and baby change on the far side of the park.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16479 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16456
Climb up the hill around the lake, up to the view point. Now the real secret: if you happen to be there on August 30th at about 8.20pm, you'll see the sun setting right behind the Sacre Coeur and the Montmartre hill, now that's a view that will stay with you for a while.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16442
Measuring 1m80, it is said to be the narrowest street in Paris. If you feel that the city is too big for you, then have some rest in this old, quiet and dark street. You’ll be able to imagine yourself in the Paris of the middle ages for a while.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16442 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16413 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16413 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16397 This little heaven away from the roar of the big city is actually a reclaimed elevated railway line, 4.5km long and planted with thousands of gorgeous flowers and shrubs. Instant relaxation guaranteed, instant slowing down of pulse, and another - somewhat secret - addition to this wonderful city's delights.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16385
If you’re lucky enough to be in Paris on the 13th July, find the local Sapeurs Pompiers station from about 22:00 hours.

Pay a voluntary entrance fee (that goes to charity) and enjoy. You’ll realise why they get such a huge cheer at the end of the Bastille Day parade.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16296
This sport and social club was set up by a group of young British businessmen in the nineteenth century; afternoon tea is still served under a picture of the Queen.

Along with swimming pool, squash and gym, the club has eight tennis courts (five clay) and a cricket pitch. Membership is easy to obtain and reasonable, but the club is also generous to guests. Members may invite you to play, and most weekends guests are welcome, by appointment, to try the facilities.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16274 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16274 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16265
Centre piece is the scenic Lake Enghien, cool and resplendent. Picturesquely dotted around the lake are little shops, hotels, a casino, its theatre - all under a relaxed and charming atmosphere. What better start to the day than to wander leisurely around the glistening lake then select a café for coffee and croissants?]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16265 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16252
You can eat good food and drink the wine from the wine shop - very smoky but snug and secretive.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16252 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16202 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16202 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16182
A garden exclusively inhabited by flowers and plants depicted from the heights of British literature. For here is the Jardin de Shakespeare. A fenced-off and beautiful garden, in which you will find only plants mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. Shouldn't this garden be in somewhere in Regent's Park? Well no, because it's in Paris and more.

During the summer month on the natural stage at the end of the garden, companies come to perform repertories from The Complete Works in French and in English with French subtitles. Maybe we should do the same for Alexandre Dumas in Regent's Park?!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16182