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/17347
Both are in the heart of the city and have jaw-dropping views where you feel as close to the aeroplanes overhead as the ground below. The Moon Bar, especially, seems to hover over the city. Brilliant fun and very surreal — like sipping cocktails on the set of Bladerunner.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17347 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17345
Some of the best are the elegant garden at the Nacional and the rooftop bars of the Moorish-style Sevilla (the setting for Our Man in Havana) and Ambos Mundos (where Hemingway wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls). The two more famous Hemingway haunts (Floridita and La Bodeguita) are just tourist traps these days.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17345 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15066
An old diesel pulls out of both stations simultaneously at 7pm and dinner is served immediately — the waiters trying not to spatter soup on their tunics, or you. The rattling of the carriage rocked me to sleep immediately, but make sure you wake early for sunset to see animals on the savannah if you’re coming up to Nairobi or the Manugu plains as you descend to the coast and Mombasa.

After the cool of Nairobi and the highlands, when you disembark in humid, tropical Mombasa it feels like you’ve arrived in a different country.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15066 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15065
As it’s on the equator but rises to 5,199m in effect you go through several climate zones in a couple of days and see plants straight out of Day of the Triffids that only exist here, like the “water-holding cabbage”. From the top you can see for miles over much of Kenya. Take all your hiking gear with you as it can be hard to find there and take plenty of warm clothes and a good sleeping bag — it’s freezing at night.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15065 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13501
The water is turquoise and the sand fine and white.

The only place to stay on the island is an idyllic campsite shaded by pine trees. It has a decent shop, bar and cafe and, this being Spain, even a proper restaurant that serves great seafood.

The park is open to the public only in summer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13501 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13195
You can cycle from the old town and through cycle paths in the park and on to the revamped port, seeing everything in half a day. Hire bikes (including tandems) at Cycletour, next to the fab Gulliver’s playground in the park, or in town at the excellent Orange bikes.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13195 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13194 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13194 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13040
The coquilles St Jacques, huge sweet scallops, were fantastic and ridiculously cheap compared to back home. If you're visiting the Normandy beaches this is a good spot to stop for lunch.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13040 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13039
The 15th-century stone terrace has been lovingly restored by its owners to reveal the original wooden-beamed ceilings. Breakfast and dinner can be served in the flower-filled courtyard.

The charming rooms are great value, as is the all-inclusive dinner: aperitif of pommeau (a liquer made from apple juice or cider, and calvados) dinner came with cider and was followed with a digestif of calvados, chicken casserole was cooked in cider, then tarte aux pommes. Yes, this is the land of la pomme.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13039 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13038 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13038 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13037 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13037 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12381
The Patterdale Hotel, 10 minutes’ walk away does good food in huge walkers’ portions and fine real ale.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12381 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12380 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11907 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11907 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11906 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11906 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11905 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11905 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11902 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11902 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8475
Apart from the famous La Guarida, some of the best are: Cocina de Lilliam (Calle 48 #1311, Miramar, +7 209 6514); Casa de Adela (Calle F #503, Vedado, +7 832 3776); Le Chansonnier (Calle J #257, Vedado, +7 832 1576). Book ahead.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8475 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8472