Getting around Europe’s party destination, Ibiza is the island to top all islands. Belonging to and boasting a colourful culture as well as lush natural landscapes, Ibiza is a great place to be for lively nightlife and great food. Its reputation for nightlife doesn’t mean that that’s all there is here, and the party atmosphere certainly won’t ruin your holiday if you choose the right place to be. The resort towns such as Ibiza Town are where the wild parties are at, but peaceful mountain retreats and tiny fishing villages as yet untouched by tourism are perfect for a tranquil getaway on Ibiza.

Getting there Ibiza Island is served by just one airport, Ibiza Airport (code IBZ), which is also the airport for neighbouring island . It lies around four miles to the south of the island’s main town, Ibiza Town, and there are transport links to all major towns on the island as well as the ferry port, where you can catch ferries to the other . All flights to the airport originate within Europe, with a few from the Middle East. There are a good number of direct UK flight routes operated by such airlines as Thomson Airways, , Thomas Cook, Jet2, Flybe and Monarch Air. These airlines operate from a number of UK airports; London (Stansted, Gatwick and Luton), Belfast International, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Norwich, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle.

Climate Ibiza’s climate is warm, and even in the winter months, temperatures only drop to around 12°C at the lowest, and rarely ever drop below 10°C. Summers see temperatures of around 30°C, while spring and autumn have pleasant temperatures of 20°C, making this one of the best times to visit for those who prefer to avoid the hottest period. Sun worshippers flock to the island in the summer, making it one of the busiest times of year. Ibiza does not see much rain, so you do not have to worry about heavy rain at any time of year.

Culture The island, as with many places of Spain, has two languages; Spanish and Catalan, but it also has its own distinct dialect used by many locals, and which can throw people off a bit if they expect to hear Spanish or Catalan. The local dialect is generally not written on signs, menus or other things, but listen out for it as it is a unique part of the Ibiza culture. The best way to experience something of the Ibiza culture is to try the local food. The cuisine of Ibiza is the same as on the other Balearic Islands and is based mostly on seafood. Fresh vegetables and olive oil are also in many dishes. Food is simple as it was developed by farmers and fishermen, but it is healthy, delicious, and you get generous portions to fill you up.

Eating out There are so many different places to eat in Ibiza, especially in Ibiza Town, which has both Spanish and Balearic restaurants and a number of international eateries. Many of the Spanish restaurants serve Balearic cuisine, and tapas bars are also popular here. If you want some true Balearic cuisine, then it is best to head out to the small towns which have not been developed for tourism, where you can try fresh food cooked the

www.carrentals.co.uk ______traditional way. Due to the large expat population as well as the large numbers of visitors from across Europe, the resort towns have many international restaurants to cater to visitors. These are mainly British, Dutch, German and French restaurants, cafés and pubs, though there are also some Italian, Greek and South American restaurants.

Sightseeing Many of the wonderful sights of Ibiza are natural and few people know that most of this famed party island is protected by UNESCO for its rich natural landscape and rare wildlife. Sightseeing around the natural parts of the island means visiting mysterious caves, seeing beautiful salt flats and swimming at untouched beaches. There are also spectacular mountains in the centre of the island which offer peaceful retreat areas and gorgeous island and sea views. For historical sightseeing and fun things to see, visit Ibiza Town with its medieval castle, and the pretty churches of the island’s towns. More unusual sights to see include the ‘pirate towers’ and the island’s windmills.

Attractions Ibiza Town’s Dalt Vila Dalt Vila means ‘High Town’ and is the old part of the island’s main town. It is surrounded by ramparts and fortified walls, and is up on a hill, so be prepared for a bit of a hike up here. Entrance to Dalt Vila is over a medieval drawbridge, and once you are inside, you can explore the wonderful squares and cobbled streets which have barely changed for hundreds of years. There are lovely cafés and restaurants in Dalt Vila, as well as gift and handicraft shops. Walk along the old walls for amazing views of the city and sea. Can Marca Caves In the north of the island, close to Puerta San Miguel, are the beautiful Can Marca Caves. The caves have amazing views over the sea and town from the entrance, and once you head inside you will see stunning natural rock formations such as yellowish coloured stalagmites and stalactites. Head farther into the cave and you will see some still slowly being formed. It is a lovely and mystical place to visit and there are even some streams and waterfalls inside the caves. There are regular tours of the caves, and entrance fee plus tour costs €5.50, or €3 for children’s tickets. Beaches of Ibiza Ibiza is well known not only for its nightlife, but also for its beaches. The beaches are made up of golden, soft sands backed by cliffs or plant life in the quieter areas, or bustling promenades in the resort towns. If you are visiting a resort town beach such as those at Ibiza Town, Playa den Bossa or Puerto San Miguel, then you will find great facilities for a fun beach day, from sun loungers and beach front bars and restaurants to water sports companies with fully trained instructors and a number of water sports to choose from, including jet- skiing, windsurfing and even sailing. Heading out of the resort areas, you can find remote and little visited beaches where you can enjoy peace and quiet surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery. Hippy markets One of the most famous things to do in Ibiza is to visit one of the hippy markets. There are hippy markets in most of the large towns and resorts which were set up in the famous hippy period of the 1960s and ‘70s. These markets offer many different things including unusual jewellery from Spain and Asia, clothing, scarves and accessories, most of which are hand-made. Some of the hippy markets are also flea markets, where you can pick up unusual trinkets and vintage items at bargain prices. San Carlos and Es Cana have the best hippy markets on Saturday and Wednesday, respectively.

www.carrentals.co.uk ______Excursions Formentera The island of Formentera can be reached easily via ferry from Ibiza Town and makes for a great day out in a quiet natural haven. The island is the smallest of the Balearic Islands and is known not only for its unspoilt and undeveloped beaches, but for its historical sites. Visiting Formentera may be the best opportunity you will have to explore the history of the islands. Head to the southwest of the island for three amazing archaeological sites which show how people lived almost 4,000 years ago, with houses and various day-to- day items on display. Terra Mitica Theme Park Take the ferry from Ibiza Town to the city of Alicante on the coast of mainland Spain. This city is famous for its beaches and its theme parks, so visit for a thrilling day out. Terra Mitica is the best theme park in the area, and arguably in the whole of Spain, and designed to look like various countries of the Mediterranean including Italy and Egypt. Each country has its own thrilling rides, realistic themed surroundings and fun things to do, from giant roller coasters to calm rides for children, huge drop rides to fun water rides for everyone to enjoy. There are restaurants and shops on-site as well as fun themed shows. Admission to the park costs €35 per adult and €26.50 for children. Family tickets are available. Palma Palma is the main city of , also one of the Balearic Islands. There are regular ferries between Ibiza Town and Palma de Mallorca, so it is easy to travel here in around an hour. Palma is the cultural heart not only of Mallorca, but of the Balearic Islands, and visiting it will really take you by surprise, especially if you have always imagined Mallorca and the islands to be of beaches and nightlife only. This is the best place for sightseeing and history in the Balearic Islands, and taking a tour means seeing such beautiful and astounding sights as the massive cathedral, the Arab baths and the Old Town’s colourful houses.

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