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/32003 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32003 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31717 I love taking the ferry over on a hot summer day; the wind blowing in my face; the gentle rocking motion of the waves, the sounds of the birds, and the view of the islands in the distance, all offer a wonderful respite form the city. The islands are a great getaway.
The main island is home to the Centreville Amusement Park and a petting zoo. With over 600 acres of parkland, there are various rides and attractions for families with children. Also on Centre Island is the Franklin Children’s Garden, based on stories by Franklin the Turtle, it is an interactive garden where kids can participate in gardening and storytelling.
I like to head over to Ward’s and Algonquin Islands, where there are about 250 residential homes, all very different from each other. From the Victorian to the eclectic, with sizes ranging from estates to toolsheds, some of the homes are conservative, while others boast pink shutters with purple trim, brightly coloured doors, one even has flowers sprouting out of a toilet bowl on the front lawn.
And there’s Hanlan’s Point Beach, well-known to nudists in Toronto, where clothing is optional.
All of these islands are connected to the mainland by several ferry services.
Once on the islands, you can rent a bicycle or a canoe, take a leisurely walk through the
gardens, or even have a picnic.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31717 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30278 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30278 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30255 Chester Zoo is just five minutes drive from the city centre and makes for a great day out. It is one of the best zoo's I’ve visited in Europe with many large enclosures and a sky train that allows you to view many of the animals from a unique perspective. Tip: Arrive early - the zoo is pretty big and can easily fill the whole day to see everything.
Staying on the animal theme, the Blue Planet Aquarium is about 10 minutes drive from the city centre. This is one of the largest aquariums in the UK and has two amazing underwater tunnel experiences. This is a great idea for any ‘wet’ days as it is all inside!
The Aquarium is located along side the Cheshire Oaks retail park, with lots of restaurants and a huge cinema to keep you entertained well into the night. Tip: this is also a great place to get some credit-crunch retail therapy underway, with many designer brands and hugely discounted prices – stock up your summer wardrobe.
For a more historical day out, you can explore the roman side of Chester. You can take a walk around the original city walls, taking in many of the sights of the city and views across north Wales. Stop off at some of the small shops and restaurants on the two-mile round trip. There is also the cathedral, Roman amphitheatre and many historical buildings in the city centre, including the original two-level medieval high streets. If you looking for a more relaxing day, try a ‘Roman High-Tea’ cruise along the canals (pick up the boat from next to the Mill Hotel). Tip: you can get a great (free) map from the city tourist office in the centre of town which highlights many of the historical buildings in the city and walking routes to take.
For a more relaxed day you should head down the small hill to the banks of the river Dee (also on the wall walk), where you can sit in riverside pubs and cafes enjoying the views, or take a relaxing river cruise on one of the river boats.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30255 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27019 Well worth a trip out of the city centre.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27019 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27017 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27017 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24988 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24988 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23474 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23474 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19869 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19869 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18449
Once up the top, there's miles and miles of wooded paths to explore, a military museum, spectacular views across Toulon and out to sea, a few cafes, and a weird zoo, which I'd probably give a miss next time. We stupidly went in the middle of the day so most of the animals were asleep (either that or they'd been replaced with stuffed toys), so it might be better in the mornings, but it wasn't anything to write home about.

The walks around the top of the mountain were great though, highly recommended!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18449 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18224 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18224 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18093
Together they constitute a representative set of ocean environments. And I will never forget how cute a baby sea otter can be.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18093 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12994 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12994 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12805
Friendly and well informed staff will be happy to tell you all you need to know. Great family day out a few minutes from Brisbane.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12805 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12012
Pattaya Park is a Water World amusement park that offers all the usual water rides plus a revolving restaurant and some hair-raising ways of getting up there and back down.

Mini Siam is a miniature tour of Thailand - full of busloads of tourists with a MacDonald’s at the entrance.

Million year-old Stone Park has beautiful gardens - feed the 5ft long catfish! And cringe at the abysmal treatment of tigers and crocodiles.

Further afield is Sri Racha tiger Zoo (to be avoided at all costs), and Kao Keow Open Zoo, a refreshing change from the usual callous way animals are treated in Thailand. There is also the Water World Aquarium on Sukumvit Rd. Any hotel or travel shop will arrange to take you there.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12012 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11444
From Robin Odell (age 9) and Lucy Odell (age 6).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10996 I might add, nightime at the zoo is NOISY!
Breakfast is served next morning before more walks around the zoo.
This is simply a wonderful activity that has to be experienced.

For adults and families with children 7+]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10241
Next to this is a great amusement park (Vidám Park) with an old-fashioned feel which could well have have kept us amused for a full day, if we'd had the time. The wooden rollercoaster is great, even for our four year old. Do bear in mind that Hungarians have a more relaxed approach to health and safety that in the UK!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10241