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/19958
You can see the evidence with the occasional Star of David and Hebrew lettering on buildings. There are still three active synagogues out of nearly 30. For a few coins the local kids will show you where the working synagogues are.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19958 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18672
As far as I'm aware they rent the place for visiting tutors so, naturally, the programme varies. These are just examples from when I looked at the website, but some are regular or annual events (drumming, Irish music and yoga).

Anyway, I found it a really relaxing place to just chill and unwind. It is run as an eco community with help from WWOOFers, the people there are lovely and very welcoming and friendly. Quite an international collection!

The best thing I found was the completely natural and homely atmosphere, and also the scrumptious homegrown organic veggie food, all served up there in such a beautiful secluded setting.

There is a stone circle, tonnes of walks in their own land or on the neighbouring Burren landscape (unique apparently and certainly very bizarre and fairytale like), and the coast and beaches are great for surfing too! They are a hostel/B&B too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18672 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18419 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18419 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18264
The staff are wonderful, the facilities (I went there on a memorable long weekend of self-defence training for women only, taught by the owner) are superb. The food is local produce prepared in-house, and the welcome is unbelievable.

The owners have assembled a great team of helpers, and they are really good people. The house and gardens are gorgeous and the surroundings are breathtaking. The cost of a stay with them is low, and is great value.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18264 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12850
It's a bit weird but Soekershof distinguishes itself from all the others by the absolute passion of owners and staff. These people are really devoted to their plants. But for me it's more; it was a very personal spiritual experience, hard to describe.

Being a black South African I learned something about by own country: the meaning of the handshake I grew up with; the meaning of the 'evil spirit' of the Uthikulose which does not have to be evil and what wonders me most of all: I had to learn it from two very nice Dutch people who joined our country seven years ago.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12386
The weekend honours female energy, ancient wisdoms and has a strong environmental theme throughout. It is inspirational, life affirming and energising. Just what every women needs from time to time - a bit of self space!

There is the option to join an all-women tour of this untainted region of Northwest Ireland.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12386 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12333
The cafe also offers evening sessions in its very own meditation room (cost £9.50) - there's even a lunchtime guided meditation (£4.50) followed by soup of the day...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12333 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10868
We did it six months in advance and kept bugging them by email. Bring your passport with you and one camera a group. There are also public meet and greetings, although these are rare. Just turn up and have your passport with you.

As well as this if you go in February or March- check when it's on as it moves - you can attend his month-long teachings in the main temple. If you are serious about your Tibetan Buddhism there are many opportunities to gain one-on-one teaching with monks and masters. Also the university runs introductory courses in Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan language, history and so on.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10868 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3868 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3868 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9101