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        <title>Been there | Tips</title>
        
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        <description>
            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.
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                <title>fascinating website</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18386</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[This website is about the real Budapest, and gives very interesting background details about the history, culture and architecture of this beautiful capital which is slowly losing some of its unique features (old presszo bars, neon signs, dingy borozos) as it changes into a modern European metropolis. Written by a Hungarian speaker, the articles featured go behind the facade and into much more detail than a guide book could manage.<br>It has a wealth of information for people who really love Budapest and want to know the city better.<br>Check out the recent story on the Trabants - really interesting!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Slovensko camping map</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13493</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[I picked up a great map for free in one of the tourist offices but I think you can order it from the Czech cartographer company SHOCart. <br><br>It's called 'Slovensko Kemping, Termalne Kupaliska' which means 'Camping and Thermal Pools in Slovakia'. It details every pool and campsite in the country and is very useful and inspiring for planning a trip.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Slovak campsites</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13491</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[The Slovak tourist board is based in Banska Bystrica, one of the most fun towns in Slovakia, and has lots of information on campsites all over the undiscovered countryside.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Borová Sihoť campsite - a natural paradise</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13490</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Autocamping Borová Sihoť is open all the year round and it's very popular with those who want to explore the High and Low Tatra mountains or take part in white water rafting, canoeing, cycling or hiking.<br><br>The large campsite is situated amongst trees in a beautiful rural setting and facilities have been updated this year.<br><br>Outdoor fireplaces with firewood are prepared for guests to cook their own meals on - it's lovely!<br><br>You can also hire bikes and other sports equipment from the campsite.<br><br>I suggest flying to Poprad on budget SkyEurope (<a target="_new" href="http://www.skyeurope.com">www.skyeurope.com</a>) then hiring a car at Poprad-Tatry airport (<a target="_new" href="http://www.hertz.sk">www.hertz.sk</a>) to explore this fabulous country which is unspoilt and gorgeous.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Slovak cycling website</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13126</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[This website for the Czech company TopBicycle is useful for anyone who wants to go cycling in Slovakia. It has details of bike tours with details of sights to see en route.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Slovakia: cyclists' paradise</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13125</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Cycling is massively popular in Slovakia and the stunning countryside is criss-crossed with a 5,400km network of cycle routes, all well-marked with destinations and distances. One route follows the Danube river from Bratislava to Sturovo, from where you can peddle into Hungary, if you like. There's another great route that follows the Small Carpathian Wine Trail so you can try all the great Slovak wines and not worry who's the designated driver!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Slovakia: excellent first travel guide</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13124</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[I have just bought this guide because it's the first one I found that writes just about Slovakia, not in a few pages at the back of the Czech Republic guide book. It really goes into detail about the country with lots of little unknown villages, hidden treasures and things that only the locals know about. There is lots of information about accommodation, food and drink, sport (like skiing, hiking, rafting, football, tennis), caves, castles, mountains, nature, culture. It packs a lot in and it's fun to read with boxes about history, famous Slovak people and unusual items like the Warhol museum and the Dracula countess. Great photos too and useful maps. I recommend it to everyone who wants to discover this jewel of a country.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Getting there</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12193</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Banska Bystrica is right in the heart of the Slovak countryside. Trains depart from Bratislava or Budapest (<a target="_new" href="http://www.busy.sk">www.busy.sk</a> or <a target="_new" href="http://www.elvira.hu">www.elvira.hu</a>). Flights to Sliac airport nearby.]]></description>
                
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                <title>The SNP museum</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12192</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[The SNP museum is unique architecturally (it looks a bit like a deep pan pizza sliced down the middle!) and the exhibits are fascinating.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Poprad - gateway to the High Tatras</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12182</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Poprad is so much more than a 'nondescript town in south-west Slovakia' as called in a recent Guardian travel piece. This is both incorrect geographically and unkind. <br><br>For a start, Poprad is in the north-east of the country, nestling at the foot of the mighty Tatra mountains making it an ideal base for family skiing, hiking, spa holidays. The town has an industrial past and some blocks from the sixties that are not too pretty but the town centre square has been pedestrianised and painted and is lined with excellent bars, pubs and restaurants. <br><br>There are several good museums and the Tatra mountain resorts are 20 minutes ride away on the wonderful elektricka electric train. There is also a 'suburb' of Poprad, the beautiful medieval town of Spisska Sobota which contains some of the best restaurants and pensions in Slovakia. <br><br>All in all, Poprad has everything and SkyEurope flies from the UK several times a week.<br><br>There is also the fabulous AquaCity, one of the most environmentally friendly spa lido hotel complexes in the world. The Slovak people are really welcoming and the food and accommodation are world-class. The Slovak beer, wine and slivovica must be tried!]]></description>
                
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                <title>Ice cream is best in Blava</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12138</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[It's a little known fact that Slavic countries do fabulous ice cream, especially eaten in sub zero winters!<br>Bratislava's friendly, pedestrianised Old Town is packed with places to find superb ice cream, made with real fruit and no artifical additives, from stalls on historic squares to little hole-in-the-wall spots. Try varieties like lemon,strawberry, apple, hazelnut, coffee, After Eight, Bounty, cappuccino, vanilla, nougat and one that looks like bright carrot gelato but is, apparently, vitaminova!<br>Two great ice cream bars are at:]]></description>
                
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                <title>Bratislava's Old Town centre</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12057</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Bratislava's Old Town centre is completely pedestrianised and has wall-to-wall bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs. <br><br>It has a much more relaxed, easy-going and friendly ambience than many other European capitals and, because there are no cars, you can try all the superb Slovak beers, wines and fiery spirits, tottering from one bar to another without fear of being mown down by a Skoda in a hurry. <br><br>Highly recommended for gourmets and bon-viveurs everywhere.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Malecon restaurant</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12056</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[A superb Cuban restaurant on the banks of the Danube, found in the pistacchio ice cream-coloured Esterhazy Palace. <br><br>The Slovaks have done a fantastic job of recreating a steamy Havana atmosphere and the elegant domed ceilings and walls are covered with black and white photos of Cuban nightlife. <br><br>Great mojitos (175Sk) with Angostura bitters. Pricey but superb food and live music every night from nine pm. There's a friendly Cuban guy who welcomes visitors at the door.<br><br>Typical of the relaxed, welcoming and laid-back atmosphere in Bratislava's pedestrianised Old Town.<br><br>Don't listen to comments from boorish, drunken stag partyers from the UK: Bratislava is one of the safest, friendliest and cheapest city break destinations in Europe.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Bradt guidebook</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4946</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[I have just found the Bradt City Guide to Bratislava, which apparently is the first guidebook on the city published in the UK. I found it an insightful guide with great tips on where to stay and eat, details on the complicated history, walking tours, trips out of town plus restaurant and bar listings. I can heartily recommend it to anyone visiting the city.]]></description>
                
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