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/18634 On the first floor of the Palacio you pass through room after room smothered with colourful plasterwork and marble decoration with enormous chandeliers sparkling in the gilded mirrors. The Palacio dates back to the 15th century but the exterior was remodelled in the 1740s and and the interiors redecorated in the rococco style in the 1850s. When you've progressed through the many delightful rooms and admired the beautiful paintings and decorations, you reach the ceramics collections themselves. The highlights for me were the colourful painted Spanish tiles and ceramics, including the replica of a tiled Spanish kitchen on the top floor, and there are also some plates decorated by Picasso.

The museum is free on Saturday morning and Sunday but otherwise it costs €2.40
You can see my review and photos on my blog;
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/palacio-de-marques-de-dos-aguas-in.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18634 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18635 There was a bright red self-catering kitchen where breakfast was served and a sitting area with large TV and 2 free internet stations. There is 24-hour reception and internet facilities as well as underground parking which would be useful if you were driving through Spain. The multi-lingual staff were efficient and helpful. We paid €70 for a double and €100 for a triple room for a mid-week stay - it's slightly more at weekends.
You can see my review and photos on my blog
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/hme-rooms-deluxe-hostel-in-valencia.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18635 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18633 Because of its position in the heart of this area, it's a great place if you're in your 20s, on a tight budget and value a great nightlife over an early night.

You can see my review and photos on my blog:
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/hme-backpackers-hostel-in-valencia.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18609
The area is a well lived in and slightly scruffy old quarter of the city and the centre of the nightlife in Valencia. There is a lot of development going on and round each building plot you find cement walls, usually covered by some great street art. Take your time to wander round the area in the day, you'll find some nice street art round every corner.

You can see my review and photos on my blog;
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Inside it's decorated with painted Spanish tiles and you can see the food being prepared in the open kitchen. There's a range of typical tapas, seafood and meat dishes - it was good for children as they had some plain dishes like steak, grilled chicken or fish and also some more adventurous things including Paella.

It's tucked down a small street behind the ceramics museum in the Palacio Marques de Dos Aguas but is worth hunting out.

You can see my review and photos on my blog; heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/evening-out-with-angel-in-valencia.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18606
Service starts at 2pm although I'd arrive a little earlier and have a drink as it is very popular with the locals.

For €9 you get 3 courses of excellent modern cooking and there are 3 choices per course. To give you an example of what we ate; Salad of salt cod, chicken in a curried sauce with wild rice (or Valencian Paella), Coconut cream with pieapple and lemon sorbet. It was all delicious.

You can see my write-up and photos on my blog: heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/lunch-at-la-beneficencia-in-valencia.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18275 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18275 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18159
The chapel dates back to the 12th century but until 1864 it was virtually buried by the dunes that surrounded it, and to hold a service the vicar and parishioners had to descend into the sanctuary through a hole in the roof. In the 19th century it was finally unearthed and the church restored.

Today you can find everything you might hope for in an old Cornish church but in miniature; the cut-down medieval rood screen, the mellow wooden pews and the memorials to those who died at sea.

The former poet laureate John Betjeman lived locally and is buried here - he wrote a poem about the church 'Sunday Afternoon Service in St. Enodoc Church'

You can read my account of the walk to the church on my blog"
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The hostel is open all year round and especially popular in the summer, but also great for an out-of- season break.

They have a cafe and a bar where you can sample Cornish real ales, or you can self-cater in traditional hostel style. The sitting and dining areas have trendy orange and blue walls, surf boards hanging from every surface and the work of local artists on the walls.

The rooms sleep from 3 to 6 people and are all kitted out with pine bunk beds and cheerful curtains - some even have en-suite bathrooms. It's ideally suited to families, out-door types and surfers.

You can read my review on my blog
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/02/bright-skies-and-blue-seas-in-cornwall.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18158