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/16337
A must for scenic beauty in a remote location.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16337 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13723
Easily accessible by train from Nice and surrounded by beautiful hills perfect for exploring by foot or cycle.

Great entry point to the Mercantour National Park.

The town has its share of interesting buildings including an ancient bridge and the baroque Saint Michel cathedral set in an impressive town square.

With plenty of places to eat well Sospel is a peaceful haven away from the hectic coastal area.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13619
The via ferratas are protected routes, or climbs, with fixed cables and some ladders and bridges which allow you to get to places normally reserved for rock climbers.

Even so some experience and mountain sense is needed, as well as the correct equipment that can be easily hired.

Arabba is one centre that gives access to a range of routes.

They are graded to degrees of difficulty.

Others are Cortina and Corvara.

One way to get there is to fly to Venice/Treviso followed by a relatively short drive north.

Essential reading are Volumes 1 and 2 of 'Via Ferratas of the Italian Dolomites' by John Smith and Graham Fletcher and published by Cicerone.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13619 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13600
Arenas de Cabrales is a delightful hill town and a good place to reach Poncebos for access into the gorge. The path is spectacular and threads its way through fantastic scenery to the small hamlet of Cain where refreshment is available before the walk back. The round trip can take about 6 hours and, although the path is entirely safe in good conditions, vertigo sufferers might not find it to their liking.

There are plenty of other more challenging walks in the area for the suitably experienced and equipped, with a number of refugios, Alpine style mountain huts, to allow round trips through the range.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13600 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13114
Saturday - head west and into Glen Affric - one of the longest and most beautiful. Narrow lanes, east side of Strathglass, lead to forest track to single track with fantastic scenery. Youth hostel at Allt Beithe in remote spot at head of glen.

Sunday - west past Camban, some bike pushing needed, and Allt Granda Falls followed by long descent along Gleann Lichd to west coast at Morvich. Road to Skye, over bridge and down Sleat peninsula. Fabulous views of Knoydart for free. Youth Hostel at Armadale.

Monday - first ferry to Mallaig and train, via scenic West Highland line to Fort William, Glasgow and back home in time for work Tuesday.

Mountain bikes needed but the route has everything - beautiful forest, lochs, mountains and coast combined with scenic train journeys and great hostels.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13114 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13080
A number of excellent campsites - the one where we camped was linked to the beach by a path through a field of poppies. Good place for the first French camping trip with a young family.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13080 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12712
Great food and drink (lots of venison-based dishes from the local estate) and within walking distance of beautiful lochs and hills. Equally brilliant Loch Ossian eco-Youth Hostel close by.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12712 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12247 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12247