ibiza, Balearic islandsOver time, the Spanish islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera have seduced the Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors and been fought over by the British and the French. No wonder. They combine almost every quality that gives the Mediterranean its unique appeal— superb beaches and tranquil coves, quaint villages and humming cities, rugged mountains and idyllic retreats. More recently, the Balearics have cast off a reputation for wild partying and mass tourism and built on their natural assets, encouraging agrotourism, preserving historic landscapes, replanting ancient vineyards, and joining the Slow Food revolution. With Spain in economic distress, these iridescent outposts of Iberia have become a bargain.
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There are places on this Earth that can be compared to Paradise, and Ibiza is one of them without a doubt. Famous all over the world for its unique charm and beautiful climate, this Balearic Island combines entertainment with sex, parties, women, sun, beaches, and alcohol. It has all the right ingredients for the perfect recipe to fulfill fantasies. The British rock stars, writers, artists, and travelers meandering home from India were onto something when they colonized the White Isle in the 1960s, and it wasn’t just the dope. Even the Phoenicians thought there was a spiritual vibe to Ibosim, as they called the island, and it’s hard not to be seduced by the lush, rippling interior; the olive, orange, and almond groves; and the varied coastline, which features cliffs just begging to be leaped from and dirt roads leading to sandy beaches that are alternately sceney, draped with inked-up Spanish hipsters, movie stars, and models—and family-friendly. Ibiza has been maligned for its party-going propensity, but the crowd that clubbed here in the eighties has grown up and come back with children in tow (and nannies, chefs, and chauffeurs). Consequently, the island has excellent small-scale accommodations (agroturismos, sprawling staffed villas), fine seafood restaurants, and a sophisticated, serene atmosphere that doesn’t exist elsewhere in Europe. May and September are quieter—and more beautiful—than the sizzling summer. The foam parties are still pumping, but they’re localized, just outside Eivissa.
Away from pulsating lights and repetitive beats, Ibiza offers more than enough natural beauty spots and tranquil coves to keep those less interested in the nightlife thoroughly entertained. The Island has around sixty beaches, an abundance of hills, forests, cliffs, and pretty villages, as well as stunning architecture, traditional restaurants and an increasing number of chic eateries and hotels. Charming Ibiza Town bubbles with boutiques, bars and an enticing marina lined with clinking yachts and high-end cuisine. And whether there to dance til dawn or hike the greenery, all visits to Ibiza can be enjoyed beneath long hours of sunshine and one of the most breathtaking sunsets to be witnessed anywhere in the Mediterranean. Everything you do during the day is in preparation for the nightlife in Ibiza. It does not disappoint.
Away from pulsating lights and repetitive beats, Ibiza offers more than enough natural beauty spots and tranquil coves to keep those less interested in the nightlife thoroughly entertained. The Island has around sixty beaches, an abundance of hills, forests, cliffs, and pretty villages, as well as stunning architecture, traditional restaurants and an increasing number of chic eateries and hotels. Charming Ibiza Town bubbles with boutiques, bars and an enticing marina lined with clinking yachts and high-end cuisine. And whether there to dance til dawn or hike the greenery, all visits to Ibiza can be enjoyed beneath long hours of sunshine and one of the most breathtaking sunsets to be witnessed anywhere in the Mediterranean. Everything you do during the day is in preparation for the nightlife in Ibiza. It does not disappoint.
Hippy Market
Have you heard about Ibiza's famous Hippy market? It’s one of the island top attractions and a must-see for every holiday-maker. But that's not the only market you can visit, there are many happening all over the island so where ever you stay you can enjoy a fabulous shopping experience. Ibiza has strong artistic roots going back to the early '60s when artisans, painters and designers flocked to the island to experience its unique atmosphere, light and freedom of expression. All this comes through in the markets held on the island where handmade items of clothing, jewellery, artefacts can be bought. |
Es Vedra Rock Island
Located off the Southwest coast of Ibiza lies the mysterious rock island Es Vedra, almost 400 m in height, made of limestone and surrounded by many myths and legends. Due to extremely high concentrations of metals and minerals the rock creates a highly magnetic field, resulting into ’3th most magnetic spot’ on the globe, that may disturb compasses in the surrounding area and also may influence more sensitive individuals. A boat excursion, often with glass-bottom, to admire the crystal clear waters, can bring you along the mysterious rock formation with its high rising and almost straight up going sides |
Can Marca Caves
The Can Marca caves and Puerto de San Miguel are well worth exploring. Located to the north of Ibiza. You will be amazed at the beauty of the caves, with their stunning views. The beach at San Miguel has deep clear water and golden sand. The beach is lined with pine trees which are perfect for walking. You can hire pedaloes here and enjoy watersports. The cave is over 100.000 years old. It was formed earth faults and has suffered ice ages and tropical heat waves. At the present time, it is almost fossilised, except for the deepest galleries, where the dripping still forms stalactites. |
Aguamar
The biggest water park on Ibiza, with its impressive slides and activities. This amazing water park in Playa d'en Bossa is a fun day for all the family. There is also a great range of pools where you can relax and enjoy the sun and an excellent bar and cafeteria. With this ticket you can stay as long as you wish, the ticket is open-dated and can be used on any day of your holiday. Be surprised at the cleanliness, efficiency and quietness. It has thrills, spills, slides and rides for everyone! There are seven sets of water slides, some straight and slow, some steep and fast and some lots of curves and corners. |
Formentera
With its quiet shoreline and wonderful countryside, this beautiful island has majestic beaches that are unmatched. With a population of just over 7000 and no airport, Formentera is usually quieter than its neighbor Ibiza. The island is flat and sandy with magnificent, unspoilt beaches. There are a few places where the land rises to present spectacular cliffs to the sea. It is perfect for cycling, walking, snorkelling and sailing. Original unspoiled landscapes, miles of clean sandy beaches, sparkling crystal clear waters below an azure blue sky. The simple beauty of Formentera |
Mallorca
The more secluded pockets of this, the largest Balearic island, have attracted big artistic talents for decades: Robert Graves lived in Deià, in the Tramuntana Mountains, for much of his life (his home is open to the public); Hollywood royalty past (Grace Kelly) and present (Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones) have been drawn by its alpine interior and coast, which alternates between blunt cliffs and calm coves. Megaresorts, like high-rise-ravaged Magaluf, on the west coast, still draw package tours. Start with a couple of days in or near the capital, Palma, often likened to a little Barcelona. The city has narrow streets of fine, faded, wrought iron balconied buildings, handsome squares, and restaurants doing nouveau riffs on tapas. Then, head northwest to Deià, a sandstone village whose dramatic coastal location is reminiscent of an unspoiled Amalfi, and add forays to Alaró and the surrounding villages. |
Menorca
Make space at the top of your best beaches list: Mini Menorca’s coastline has quality (unspoiled gems with soft sand and peerless, pellucid water) and quantity (more beaches than Ibiza and Mallorca combined). With the greatest concentration of prehistoric monuments in the world—enigmatic megalithic stone structures, overgrown with fig and wild olive trees and prickly pears, are sprinkled all over the island—and fine port cities with cobbled streets and Baroque architecture, it’s the Caribbean in Europe. In 1993, UNESCO designated the whole island as a biosphere preserve, which has kept tourism low-rise and low-key. With fine food and an easy atmosphere, Menorca is an underrated isle that won’t be so for much longer. |
Formentera
A 30 minute ferry ride from Ibiza, this 12 mile long slip of an island has not much more to it than white sand licked by cerulean sea, which is absolutely fine. Most visitors come for the day by ferry or private yacht, but to appreciate the unflashy, utterly tranquil nature of the island, stay for a few days, rent a scooter, and set out on a beach crawl. With its quiet shoreline and wonderful countryside, this beautiful island has majestic beaches that are unmatched. With a population of just over 7000 and no airport, Formentera is usually quieter. The island is flat and sandy with magnificent, unspoilt beaches. There are a few places where the land rises to present spectacular cliffs to the sea. It is perfect for cycling, walking, snorkelling and sailing. Original unspoiled landscapes, miles of clean sandy beaches, sparkling crystal clear waters below an azure blue sky all form the simple beauty of Formentera. |