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/22802
There's a beautiful little church there which isn't always open, but if it is take a look inside at the gilding and chandeliers - it's a favourite for weddings and christenings.

You can also climb the cobbled lane up to visit the stone Venetian fortress perched on the hill. There's a rather trendy nightclub on the way up if you want to mix with the beautiful people.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22802 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22801
It's an old mansion built in the 1660s and was used in the 19th century as the seat of government on Zakynthos. It was the home of the aristocratic Romas family and has now been opened to show the interiors and furnishing of the home of a wealthy Zakynthian family in the last century.

You'll find beautiful furniture, family portraits, leatherbound books and furnishings which would not look out of place in a stately home in England.

You can see photos of how the house was damaged and rebuilt after the earthquake in 1953 which destroyed most of Zante town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22801 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22518
The Fabisch restaurant serves modern German cooking with locally sourced ingredients, has comfy leather chairs and a great bar area - we enjoyed the cocktails. Breakfast was included and was excellent - a choice of continental croissants, healthy cereals or Berlin style with cold meats and cheese.

We booked a 2 bedroom apartment which had an up-market Ikea look, well equiped kitchen and two shower rooms, overlooking the inner courtyard. We also had a twin room which was stylish and contemporary with modern shower room.

There was wifi throughout and the staff were exceptionally helpful when I asked for restaurant recommendations and advice.

It's in the central trendy neighbourhood of Mitte, with plenty of restaurants and nightlife nearby, train station right outside and a 15 min walk to Hackesche Höfe, Alexanderplatz and Museum Island.

Definitely a great choice if you're after a boutique hotel on a budget.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22518 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22517
The owners have refurbished it to make it more stylish while keeping the roaring fire and ancient wooden bar and made a new dining area at the back.

The meat and veg comes from the organic farm of the owner's family and the menu is seasonal while offering all the favourites of sausage and mash, steak and chips and fish and chips.

Not the cheapest pub food but very tasty and a cut above in terms of style and atmosphere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22517 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20508
This is the place to stay if you enjoy climbing, walking and being close to nature and even in the height of summer the air was refreshingly cool. Many different activities can be organised from the hotel to enjoy the mountain scenery and it is also a good base to visit the town of Nuoro and the murals at Orgosolo.

The restaurant is also very popular, especially at the weekends, and serves pizzas and Sardinian specialities. It's a good place to eat even if you're not staying here, although you would need to book at the weekend.

The rooms are clean and comfortable with wooden furniture and some open directly onto a large balcony. We paid around €75 for a double room including breakfast.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20507
In medieval times it was a prosperous port but over the centuries the river silted up and left it marooned 3km from the sea.

You should definitely take a look at the church of Sant'Antonio off Piazza Sant'Antonio. It dates from the 15th century and is set in a courtyard with a square stone Pisan tower and small dwellings where pilgrims and travellers once stayed.

The church interior has been modernised but there are some colourful medieval frescos on the walls which have been preserved and in front of the altar you can see the old painted tiled floor which is a couple of feet below the current floor level.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20507 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20405
We found a wonderful cool pool to swim in on the way to the well known gorge of Gola di Gorroppu.

You drive from Dorgali towards Gola di Gorroppu and park the car when the track runs out, then cross the footbridge and walk on the right of the river in the direction of the gorge.

After about 15 minutes, the path forks - the right fork will lead you past a barrier into the national park and on towards the gorge, the left fork leads you downhill towards the river, where you can find big boulders and deep river pools to swim in.

After fighting our way through the crowded beaches in August it made a refreshing change, but sadly we didn't quite make the gorge which is a sight in itself.

On the way back, just short of the Dorgali road, you might like to stop for a drink or meal at the hotel Sant'Elene which serves Sardinian specialities and has a terrace with an amazing view over the valley.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20404
It's not on the tourist trail but worth visiting for a half day, especially for the Museum of Costume which is small but outstanding. There you find many beautiful traditional costumes and textiles, roomsets showing objects from daily life and spooky sheepskin outfits and masks worn at the local festivals.

Unfortunately the Museo d'Arte is closed on Mondays, when we visited but it houses modern art and sculpture from Sardinia's best known artists. You can get a taste by looking at the outdoor sculptures in Piazza Satta which commemorate the life of local poet Sebasiano Satta.

Stop for a coffee nearby at Caffe Tettamanzi on Corso Garibaldi and admire the mirrored interior painted with cherubs, where struggling local artists would meet in the past.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20404 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;
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/04/old-town-valencia-and-street-art.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18609 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18607
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 three courses of excellent modern cooking and there are three 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 pineapple and lemon sorbet. It was all delicious.]]> 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"
heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/02/cornish-fishing-village-and-walk.html]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18159 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18158
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