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/15840
It's attached to Bonchurch Manor, a B&B housed in a smart Victorian house with sea views but you don't have to be a guest to eat there. The food is delicious - the masala dosa was the best I've tasted and sea bass cooked in coconut, tamarind and coriander was fantastic.

Standard curry house fare is often too rich and heavy but this food - cooked by B&B owner Shuba Rao - is light and delicately spiced.
The wine list - chosen by Shuba's husband Mark - impressive too and amazingly good value.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15840 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14767
It’s very easy to get completely carried away with the idea of getting an entire wardrobe tailormade. I came back with a bagful of stuff - most of which went straight to the charity shop.

It’s best to know exactly what you want - take pictures from magazine or, better still, a favourite from your wardrobe for them to copy.

Getting shoes tailormade is even more exciting but equally risky - the materials are poor and the craftmanship not great. I spent hours in various shops and had a great time but picking and choosing the cloth/style was definitely the highlight - the final results a bit of a let down.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14767 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14766
Crumbling intricately carved temples and columns being swallowed up by the jungle. Well worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14766 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14765
Squid in lemongrass and chilli was tender and tasty and the Vietnamese spring rolls were gorgeous.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14765 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14761
The huts are very basic - thin foam mattresses on bamboo platforms with mossie net - no windows so the breeze off the sea provides air con. An hour’s trip from Nha Trang, it’s the perfect pitstop if you’re travelling the length of the country and a great place to relax and recharge between cities.

There’s nothing to do except swing in hammocks, go for walks along the beach (swimming is quite dangerous due to strong currents) visit a local waterfall - and eat.

Fantastic home-cooked meals are served around a communal table and at night there’s a lot of swapping of travellers' tales and drinking of beer. During our stay there was a real mix from posh teenage backpackers to an ageing biker. I thought a day or two would be enough but we ended up staying four and didn’t want to leave. It’s amazing how good doing nothing feels.

You need to book the accommodation in advance - so that they can arrange a pick up from Nha Trang airport (getting there independently would be tricky).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12204
A safari across the marshy land - whether on foot, horseback or by jeep - has a surreal quality to it. The Pantanal seems to specialise in oversized nature. It's home to the giant anteater, the giant river otter, the giant armadillo, the world's largest flightless bird (the greater rhea) and the hyancinth macaw (the biggest of its kind) to name a few. I was disappointed not to see an anaconda (the world's biggest) snake or a jaguar but we spotted countless other weird and wonderful creatures - so many caiman we became blase about them - and whole families of the hilarious looking capybara, the world's largest rodent, basically a giant guinea pig.

It's quite a trip - without having to touch any illegal substances. And the amazing thing is not many people go there so you can easily spend a day there without seeing another tourist.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12204 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11676
When you arrive at Marettimo’s tiny harbour you’ll be greeted by locals offering rooms in fishermen’s houses. To guarantee a bed for the night — and more space — book into the Residence, the island’s only hotel. May and September are sleepy; in July and August the Italians pile over.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7081 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7081 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1946
Sunday mass (at 11am) is legendary, but you can visit at any time. The Cape Philharmonic sometimes performs here and on Friday evenings you can listen to jazz in the crypt.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1946 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6776
An idyllic retreat on Europe's favourite party island.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6776 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1952 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1952 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1947
A white polka-dot security gate and bright green faux grass doormat welcome you inside, while a pink metal poodle guards the cash register. If you’re looking for something original to wear, chances are you’ll find it here.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1947 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1551