If it wasn’t enough for those who want an active holiday in Ibiza on our post from September 4 (see below) TNT Magazine have come up with more things to do (for the full article and photographs click here):

My remote base for the weekend is Can Lluc, a farmhouse converted into a rustic luxury rural hotel and one of a clutch of ‘agroturismos’ on the island. It is a term used to describe a place of accommodation in Ibiza’s wooded landscape, sustained by its own farm. With huge terraces and the site shrouded with fragrant jasmine bushes, peeling yourself off a poolside deckchair takes some conviction. But the active pursuits in store are lure enough.

Hiking and hippies

Setting off from the remote village of Sant Mateu d’aubarca in the north west, we embark on a three-hour hiking trip near takes in the archaeological site of Torres d’en Lluc, which comprises the ruins of two ancient towers and defensive walls that date back to the middle ages. We spy a portly, elderly village woman plucking almonds from a tree canopy and the scene strikes me as timeless – a snapshot of the 1960s when droves of hippies flocked to this mesmerising outpost.

Our trail meanders through vineyards and cultivated fields, and past raggedy farmhouses. Before long we are greeted by sweeping views of the pristine Mediterranean. Taking in the vista atop a rocky cliff top, I pluck a handful of rosemary from the wild and verdant bushes, and with the herb-infused ocean air in my nostrils, we make it to a charming family restaurant, Can Cires.

Mountain biking off the tapas

We reward our efforts – not least for overtaking a coach-load of plucky German walkers along the way – with a boozy tapas lunch. But there’s little time to beat ourselves up over our gluttony, as we are suddenly astride our mountain bikes and carving a downhill route along the rugged terrain, through villages and fields, towards the south-west coast and the achingly fashionable and bombastic resort of San Antonio. High on athletic self-righteousness, we sweep past tanned beachcombers in their whites and oversized sunglasses.

Kayak adventure

Day two, and with no rest for the wicked or over-indulged (last night we made a serious dent in a seafood paella and the scrumptious traditional Ibizan dessert, greixonera) we slip into kayaks and paddle through the transparent waters off Puerto de San Miguel. Without venturing too far, we duck into caves and skirt rocky islets, then object when the time comes to return to shore.

Beach time

Ibiza is blessed with some 80 beaches and secluded coves that all boast pristine waters and their own distinct atmosphere, shaped by the local communities and the types of tourists who have traditionally visited.

Perhaps one of the island’s most distinguished and idyllic is Benirras beach (above) in the north. It is Ibiza hippydom’s favourite, where folk gather at sunset near the small chiringuito, or refreshment stall, at the far end of the bay. Legendary in Ibizan hippy folklore, the 300m-wide, sandy cove is said to have been the site of wild sex and drug orgies in the 1960s. Head there on summer afternoons to watch bongo players converge to drum down the sunset.

For an Ibiza map visit youribiza.net

If you have plenty of energy and like a bit of adventure on your holidays, and prefer day time to the night scene, the Spanish Tourist Board recently invited a Daily Telegraph journalist to sample what the island has to offer:

All work and no play has made Jack a dull boy, which is one of the main reasons I have come to Ibiza. For the first few days, all I feel like doing is enjoying the sun and the sense of wellbeing that the island always brings with it. But now my spirits are reviving and my energy levels are topped up, so today I have a plan.

I’ve heard that there are riding stables called Can Mayol in the east of the island near Santa Eulària, and a mountain bike company, Ibizasport, that rents bikes and organises guided rides. Feeling the life force surging through me, I decide to go for a double whammy.

In the cool of the morning, I am introduced to my mount, Kala, by David Capdevielle, who runs the immaculate stables and once managed opera stars in Madrid. As we head off through sweet-smelling pine forest, I begin to understand why he made such a career switch. This is perfect riding country, with virtually no roads to negotiate and a network of woodland paths and old farm tracks that quickly reveal the unspoilt agricultural charm of the Ibiza of yesteryear.

Come evening, I am raring to go again, but this time I am donning a helmet and chatting to Bartolo, who runs Ibizasport in the party town of Sant Antoni. He is keen to show me a cycle route that takes in not only the town’s famous bay - its boardwalk running alongside the legendary Café del Mar - but also the coastline further west.

Bartolo renews his stock of hire bikes every season with the latest hi-tech models and as we bowl west I am amazed at how smoothly my machine takes on even the most gnarly bits of terrain.

It’s not long before we arrive at one of the island’s best spots for watching the sunset, the Sunset Ashram at Cala Conta, and with cocktails being served, my day is complete.

Don’t miss out on the wonderful opportunities for adventure sports and activities on Ibiza, which also include walking, diving, kayaking and rock climbing. Here are my favoured options.

Horse riding

Exploring new landscapes on horseback is always a magical experience and nowhere is this more true than in Ibiza. Many people say that Can Mayol are the finest stables on the island and it’s hard to disagree.

There are about 50 horses stabled here, 10 of which are riding school horses. These are used for lessons, along with hacks through the countryside or along the beach. There are also ponies for younger children, three arenas with floodlights, paddocks, a round pen and a small, private wood for mini-hacks.

* Can Mayol: 0034 680 624 911; www.canmayol.com

Mountain biking

A selection of 21 tried-and-tested routes can be inspected on Ibizasport’s website. These are graded from green (nine miles/one to two hours) through blue and red to black (53 miles/eight hours) and include route directions that can be downloaded to a GPS.

Bikes can be hired and an experienced team of guides are on hand if you prefer to have an expert accompany you.

* Ibizasport: 0034 971 348 949; www.ibizasport.com

Walking

Until the Sixties, Ibizans had lived off fishing and subsistence agriculture for centuries and the main routes of communication were along stony tracks linking small villages, which now make superb hiking trails.

There are also more than 120 miles of coastal walks from which to choose. One of the best is a full-moon walk starting in the resort of Port de Sant Miquel on the north coast. The trail winds up and up through pine forest to one of 15 lookout towers built on high cliffs in the 18th century to protect against pirates, before winding back down through a perfumed river valley. Truly unforgettable.

* Ibiza Mundo Activo (organises various activities): 0034 676 075 704; www.ibizamundoactivo.com

Diving

Ibiza’s coastal waters, even in and around the major resorts of Sant Antoni and Ibiza Town, are one of the island’s true marvels and as pristine as you will find anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Crystal-clear seas and the shores of islands such as Tagomago off the east coast make Ibiza an excellent diving location.

For hotels in Ibiza visit youribiza.net

The Daily Telegraph in the UK interviewed Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, who revealed her holiday thoughts.

To read the full article click here

I went to Thailand with my boyfriend earlier this year, and it was the first holiday in about five years that didn’t involve work. We went for two weeks and stayed in Khao Lak and Koh Pi Pi. We ate lots of lovely food, read lots of books, swam in the sea and went scuba-diving. We also spent a couple of days in Bangkok, which is an incredible city – intense and vibrant. I found it a really exciting place. It was my first time in Asia and it’s a whole side of the world that I need to discover.

And the best hotel you’ve stayed in?

I’ve travelled all over the world as a DJ and have stayed in loads of hotels, but the one that I love the most is Es Cucons, on the island of Ibiza. It’s a really beautiful farmhouse that has been converted into a hotel and everything about it is just gorgeous. It’s so peaceful, and the staff are the same each time and know your name. It’s also got lovely gardens and the food is the nicest I’ve eaten anywhere in the world. It’s a proper hideaway and a very nice contrast to the rest of Ibiza.

What do you need for a perfect holiday?

You need to go on holiday with someone you can relax around. It’s also worth doing your research beforehand. Rather than trawl through websites, I always speak to as many people as I can and get tips from people who have been to a place before.

What’s your best piece of travel advice?

Make sure you go away with someone you really get on with. There are so many times that a holiday can be ruined by a person rather than by the hotel room or the weather. And pack light. I go away every week, or sometimes twice a week in the summer, so I’m a mini-break expert and know exactly what I need.

For details of hotels in Ibiza visit youribiza.net

Are you one of many people who work out how much you’re going to need for a holiday, think you’ve got everything covered - and then halfway through your trip realised your financial planning was out?

You’re not alone.

Many people have found the amount of money they thought they would need for a trip overseas hasn’t been enough. And with airlines and holiday companies adding extra on to a lot of items that used to come as standard it’s not a problem that’s going to go away.

In their defence it’s not surprising that airlines and holiday companies do this - the recession has hit the travel industry hard, and they need to increase the amount of revenue per passenger they are carrying on the airlines, and hotels for each guest they accommodate.

But putting the full price on advertised rates could affect their business, as it’s the headline price that catches many people’s attention - and with travel portals searching for the lowest price more popular than ever travel companies have to get around the low prices offered by making money elsewhere.

As an example we looked for a holiday to Ibiza for next summer, June 2011, to see what the holiday companies were offering, based on 2 adults with a reasonable hotel for 7 nights and Ibiza flights included.

Thomson Holidays, one of the UK’s leading tour operators, have available return flights and a choice of two different Ibiza hotels for 320 a person, and they also include getting to and from the airport to either of the Ibiza hotels.

Their main competitor, Thomas Cook, are doing even better with flights, hotel and breakfast from 285 a person for 7 nights. Their main competitor, Thomas Cook, are doing even better with flights, hotel and breakfast from 285 a person for 7 nights.

Great deals from Britain’s two leading holiday companies - but extras available include choosing a seat on the flight, a meal and travel insurance. The first two can be missed for the budget conscious, but travel insurance should never be cut out and can be taken either with the holiday company when booking, or independently.

In some ways the hidden costs that only become apparent when booking a trip, in the above example Ibiza holidays, aren’t surprising given that the cost is often the first feature considered, and many holidaymakers expecting to have 5 star flights, hotels and holidays at 2 star prices - the most reliable companies have to compete at the headline prices offered by others.

Away from the booking itself, once people are on their Ibiza holidays or elsewhere, the cost of mobile phone calls are the biggest cause of complaint, despite the EU having ordered charges to come down in recent years.

Other charges that holidaymakers deemed to be excessive included the cost of a taxi - most commonly used to get from the airport to the Ibiza hotels where most people would be staying.

To keep costs down it’s possible to book a taxi online with an agreed price and a driver waiting for you rather than taking pot luck upon arrival. Keeping luggage weights within the airlines allowance will ensure no surcharges, and some airlines offer half price luggage costs when it’s booked online instead of doing it at the airport.

For more details about 2011 Ibiza holidays with news and articles visit youribiza.net

The Sun has been to Mallorca Rocks, and report:

YOU’RE chilling on your hotel balcony, watching the sun set after a day of sizzling pool action.

And the best is yet to come - you grab a cocktail and prepare to enjoy top seats at one of the hottest gigs of the summer as the best bands around play just below your room!

Welcome to Mallorca Rocks - the coolest way to enjoy music and more this season at bargain prices.

The original, Ibiza Rocks, has been a favourite with celebs and now creator Andy McKay has opened a new budget hotel, bar and concert venue in Magaluf to offer young Brits another option for a music-soaked sunshine break from less than £112 a week. Over the summer, acts headlining at Mallorca Rocks include Dizzee Rascal, The Courteeners and Pendulum and all will be free for hotel guests.

I was invited to the sunny isle for the opening and was pleasantly surprised.

I had my doubts about going back to Magaluf ten years after my original visit as a wide-eyed, binge-drinking teenager.

But the planners have done a great job with the hotel, creating a clean and simple near-replica of the Ibiza Rocks resort. An enormous pool sits in the middle of a square of 12 apartment blocks, with a huge permanent stage for the gigs.

Rooms are basic-but-modern cool, with whitewashed walls and pop art prints. Most sleep four with a twin bedroom and sofa bed in the lounge. There’s also a kitchenette, maid service three times a week and either balcony or terrace.

The resort is a holiday destination in its own right, with three new bars, a restaurant and fashion store.

At the opening weekend gig some fans had to be turned away as the 2,000 capacity crowd, spanning 18 to 50, crammed in to see The Kooks.

Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe and indie band Bombay Bicycle Club warmed things up before The Kooks’ Luke Pritchard launched into an energetic two-hour set.

Later Luke said: “I was chuffed to bits to be asked to open Mallorca Rocks. I’ve really enjoyed playing in Ibiza over the years but this feels like we’re on holiday.”

Mallorca Rocks is right in the centre of Magaluf and just 300 metres from the nearest beach, but there is plenty more on the doorstep if you fancy venturing out.

After a morning of sun worshipping by the pool, we caught a taxi to Camp De Mar Beach, a 20-minute ride away, for a paella and wine feast overlooking the Med at Resturante Illeta.

From there we headed to the capital, Palma, a further 15 minutes in a taxi, to catch a sunset harbour cruise. Back on dry land, we made straight for Palma institution Abaco.

This bar in the heart of the old town is part of a beautiful old mansion and features an eclectic interior as well as serving cocktails to die for.

Feeling slightly light-headed, we soaked up the view of glorious Palma Cathedral before stumbling upon a lovely tapas restaurant called Tast.

The next day we woke up bright and early to catch a two-hour ferry to Ibiza and a date with headliners Biffy Clyro - the first of 15 weekly gigs - at the original Ibiza Rocks hotel in San Antonio.

For photographs and to read the full article click here

For a Majorca map visit yourmajorca.net

The Wall Street Journal (no less) reflect on the island some visitors don’t get to see.

On a narrow country road in Ibiza’s sparsely populated, mountainous north, a longtime resident points at a signpost in the shadow of some knotty pines. “See that?” he says, gesturing at a name on the sign obscured by black spray paint. “The locals did that, so the tourists can’t find this!”

Think Ibiza and solitude probably doesn’t come to mind. But on these islands about 100 miles east of the Spanish city of Valencia, a different world begins beyond the high-rise hotels, the wild club scene and the package tours. Here, the land is a deep reddish-orange, and the smell of orange, olive or almond blossoms alternates with pine and sea salt. Life continues at a pace closer to that of the ancients.

The rutted road to which the illegible marker points winds through hilly, semi-cultivated terraces, where red poppies and Queen Anne’s lace grows beneath olive trees. When the road becomes impassable, visitors park and continue on foot through the pines. After a rainy winter, tiny wild orchids have sprung up in the hard earth.

Crossing Ibiza takes about half an hour by car, so it’s easy to reach many of its more remote areas. (Bicycle is another option.) One place to start is up the hill from the modern, crammed Ibiza town. In Ibiza’s old city, Dalt Vila, one can wander through the still-inhabited stone streets of the fortified acropolis where the Phoenicians, who arrived on the island in the 6th century B.C., first founded the city. The museum by the cathedral tracks the remains of Roman, Vandal and Byzantine rulers who followed the Phoenicians, as well as the two centuries of Arab rule that preceded the Catalan arrival in 1235. Nearby is a Phoenician burial ground with tombs dating from the 7th century B.C. Then it’s off on Route C-733 northeast toward the town of Santa Eulària, with its whitewashed 16th-century church and peaceful cemetery. The short distances make it easy to continue north, then head inland and have lunch at Es Caliu, one of the island’s few restaurants that is open year-round.

Over a lunch of Ibizan aioli (a garlicky olive-oil spread), bean salad, and goat ribs on the terrace, Madrid-based architect Jacopo Monti reflects on the island’s mystique. “This was an island of peasants, farming the land to survive,” says Mr. Monti, whose father, a sculptor and collector of African art, moved to Ibiza from Italy with his family in 1981, when Mr. Monti was seven. As a result, he said, “In Ibiza, you feel close to the land. It’s very sensual.”

A new wave of upscale rural hotels has begun to appear in the less-developed, less-visited northern part of the island. Nine years ago, Margaret von Korff and her Ibiza-born husband opened Cas Gasi, a 10-room luxury hotel down some twisty backroads off the route to Santa Eularia. Cas Gasi, in the hamlet of Santa Gertrudis, offers its star-studded clientele (Richard Gere, for one, according to its website) hiking, biking and sailing along with meditation and yoga.

The two rules of thumb might be: If it’s built up, keep moving. And if it isn’t, keep exploring. In Saint Joan, up Route C-733 in the island’s northernmost reaches, the battered sign for “Balàfia” looks highly unpromising. But the bumpy dirt road leads to a five-house town where footpaths wind through fig trees beneath stone towers. In the 16th century they served to warn of frequent pirate attacks. Or explore tiny beach coves, with sunbathers close by fishermen’s boathouses built into the cliffs.

At Cala Mastella, a tiny gem of a beach on the island’s northeastern side, the island friend who pointed out the blacked-out signpost suggests walking out along the rocks of the gently sloping cliff that lead away from the beach, hugging the land. Around a corner there’s restaurant Cala Mastella, with chairs and tables set up on the edge of a second cove, not visible from the first beach.

Fishing boats moored here bring the day’s catch right up to the grill. The pale green seawater is so clear that it reveals its sea life as if in an aquarium. On Saturdays, in nearby Sant Carles, it’s open house at Es Trui de Ca n’Andreu, a home a local man keeps in the same condition it had been in since the 17th century, when his forefathers lived there.

Moving west, another set of back roads leads to the Santa Agnes valley, filled with almond groves whose blooms in January and February draw pilgrims from all over the island, especially during the full moon, which shines on the snowlike white blossoms. Just on the other side of the valley, the steep cliffs overlooking Ses Margalides offer fine sunset views. To read the full article click here

Holidays in Ibiza are available with Thomson Holidays who have all inclusive packages available, or just flights or Ibiza hotels can be booked seperately.

American Metro offers this advice to readers making their way to the island this summer:

Ibiza and its legendary dance floors have been the undisputed king of cool vacations for a quarter of a century. 

Here’s what to do as the sun goes down.

WHERE TO LUNCH
Es Torrents
estorrent.net
As one of the island’s best seafood (and seafront) restaurants, Es Torrents offers no-fuss classics, including gambas, lobster and tuna as well as the catch of the day. Sip a crisp white wine as you dip you toes in the sea after a relaxing lunch.

WHERE TO SPEND THE AFTERNOON
Salinas Beach
jockeyclubibiza.com
The select shore of Salinas is where the beautiful come to bathe. Get yourself a sun lounger at hip beach bar Jockey Club Ibiza and order up a cocktail as you listen to the DJ spin classic summer hits while you slip into party mode. 

WHERE TO HAVE DINNER
Las Dos Lunas
lasdoslunas.com
Let the bougainvillea and vines conceal you as you dine at the secluded Dos Lunas. Food is a fusion of Mediterranean cuisine, mainly Italian, featuring pallet-pleasers such as focaccia (baked in the outdoor wood fire oven), chocolate mousse and ice cream.

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHT
Pacha
pacha.com
Forty years of sleepless nights and Pacha club hasn’t a wrinkle to show for it. The heart and soul of Ibiza’s party scene, the rule is to dance until your feet can’t take it anymore. On your way home, stop at Croissant Show for strawberry, foie gras and champagne.

The Irish Times ran a very good article recently about Ibiza, and to read the full article click through to them here

IT’S 20 YEARS since the Ibiza clubbing craze went global and this small Spanish island in the Mediterranean carved out its own very particular niche.

Now, all grown up, those same clubbers are coming back but with their families in tow and, while they still like their highs, they prefer them to be legal. Without attempting to diminish the clubbing culture (it still brings in huge revenues) tourist chiefs on the island are setting out to reinvent Ibiza as a location for adventure sport, including cycling, diving, kayaking and horse riding.

But can an island that is still attracting so many night-time revellers really co-exist with the demands of the adventure tourist? There’s only one way to find out.

I like my sports and I like my food so signing up for a package of cycling, diving, and kayaking while enjoying the best of Ibiza’s restaurants isn’t too difficult. I’d never been to the island before but I’ve heard the stories and had a one-dimensional image in my mind. I was wrong.

Despite being spooked by a group of young Irish women on a hen party who were so drunk on landing that they literally couldn’t stand up, and had to support each other to show their passports at the airport, I didn’t see much evidence of the hedonism I had heard of.

The first reason for this is the choice of accommodation. Ibiza has a huge range of hotels and apartments on offer and the best are those tailored for families. Most of the people on the packed flight from Dublin seemed to be in this bracket and they were all heading to family type accommodation away from the main centres of the island. I checked in to the four-star Sirenis Seaview Country Club, a large resort hotel with incredibly friendly staff and in a great location.

The second reason is the timetable you keep when on an adventure holiday. While I was out exploring the island by day the clubbing set were sleeping off the night before and by the time they were up and about again I was already in a restaurant or bar building myself up for the following day and, although I had promised myself a night in the clubs, I was too exhausted to take them in. A good night’s sleep promised more kilometres covered the following day.

And you do need your sleep. I packed loads into my few days in Ibiza and discovered an island I simply didn’t know. The landscape is outstanding, the food was some of the best I’ve ever had and the friendly welcome I got everywhere was incredibly refreshing. I charged through it all with abandon and even got time to lie by the pool. Ibiza has built a new string to its bow and with luck the adventure has only just begun.

Diving

I’ve never dived before. I love the water but the idea of staying beneath it for more than one lungful of air makes me a little nervous. I could have taken the easy way out and just gone snorkelling but I was there for new experiences so swallowed my fears and strapped on my wetsuit and oxygen tank for an introduction course with Arenal Diving.

Sensing my fears, Siobhan, my diving instructor, decided my first lesson should be in a pool. But weather permitting (and it usually does) you can safely take your first lesson in the sea. It really is hard to describe the feeling that diving creates and it is immediate. As soon as I dropped beneath the surface and took my first breath underwater my fears fell away. And this first step really is the hardest.

Telling your brain to start breathing is most difficult and most liberating part. It really is another world.

The instructors at Arenal are naturally passionate about Ibiza. Their eyes light up when you ask them about the water, the sea life or the coastline. They talk about the caves and coves that lie beneath the surface the way others talk about their children.

The walls of their offices are covered in incredible photographs of sea life from the waters around Ibiza and they can give you a camera and teach you how to capture them too.

Photography is particularly popular here because of the tremendous visibility in the water, with an average of 30-40 metres or more on a good day.

A diving event worth planning for : free-diving underwater photography festival, September 12th.

Where I ate to recover : El Olivio is in the heart Ibiza town near the old walls of the city. It is the place to be and its terrace was thronged with the bold and the beautiful all night long. People queued for tables – a great sign given that there were plenty of quieter restaurants nearby.

On my menu : Sardines marinated in ginger and grated parmesan cheese; Tuna steak with roast vegetables and potatoes; Nougat ice cream

• Arenal Diving, arenaldiving.com

Kayaking

Kayaking is my sport. I love it and will talk about it with anyone who lets me. There is simply no more satisfying feeling than driving a kayak across the sea, into caves, through coves and into the unknown.

I’m a big wave, strong wind, winter weather kind of guy – at least in my head. So to simply turn all that off and push out into a calm sea, in warm waters and under a sun that is never going to get lost behind a blanket of cloud, is a terrific change.

The coast of Ibiza is highly serrated, creating lots of rock gardens and inlets for the kayaker to explore. There are plenty of caves and smaller islands dotted around and the sea almost invites you to capsize. My tour guide Domingo took us on a short paddle from Es Canar to Cala Nova beach to give us a taste of what the island could offer.

His company Ibiza Mundo Activo offers guided tours, all levels of training and expeditions.

For Irish kayakers looking for an alternative to the Atlantic or the Irish Sea this really is the place to go. It’s a perfect winter training ground and a fantastic place to warm those weary muscles in preparation for taking on the Atlantic all over again. And for those who would like to give the sport a try there can be no safer or more enjoyable place to start: no wetsuits, no winds, no fear of the cold – just pure unadulterated pleasure.

A kayaking event worth planning for : around Ibiza by kayak – an international sea kayak festival from October 4th to 10th circumnavigating the island.

Where I ate to recover : I’ve been to beachside restaurants before but none of them prepared me for the elegance and minimalist beauty of the Zen Sea restaurant – or for the food. Overlooking the Cala Nova beach, it is a destination in itself and an easy way to lose half a day in the best of food and drink.

On my menu : salmon and salmon eggs, goats cheese salad with asparagus; marinated chicken; seafood paella

Cycling

Ibiza has made cycling a priority in its tourism drive. There can be no better way to truly see what the island has to offer and to take a break from the coastline.

A new series of cycling routes have been developed and are organised on the same principle as ski runs: green for easy, black for very difficult and other levels in between.

I was taken on a moderate/easy route of about 8kms along the coast. It comprised a combination of rocky mountain bike trails, rough paths and roadway.

We were led in a group by Bartolo Planells Saez, who works with Ibiza Sport, a company that offers guided tours of the island, bike hire and an all-in cycle tour of Ibiza (organising your accommodation in a different place each day and delivering your luggage there while you take a more leisurely route by bike). Ibiza is a hilly island with a great diversity of terrain and is really well suited to all sorts of cyclists. The easiest green routes all take in the coastline and aim to finish on a beach. Route 12 is a black one called Ibiza Extreme. It takes you along a 58km route touching the tops of the highest points on the island, some of which are nearly 400m high and with steep drops on either side. According to some, going up is hard but coming down can be terrifying.

Inland, the rural landscape is great to see and for those not suited to off-road mountain biking terrain the recently re-laid major roads are much better than any in Ireland, and much safer for cycling too. It’s also a great way to see the real rural life of Ibiza up close.

Built upon the fusion created by the Ibizian wife (Victoria) and French husband (Francis) who run it, the couple only prepare food which is in season and they are are undoubtedly in love with the land it comes from, as well as very obviously with each other. From the moment we sat down to the moment we left we were treated like old friends and will certainly return.

On the menu : olives and garlic paste; roast peppers and anchovies; octopus, vegetables and fried potatoes; prawns in garlic; chocolate con churros

The magic of the Med

The sea surrounding Ibiza really is as crystal clear as photographs suggest and it’s created by nature. In 1996 one of the largest living organisms, an 8sq km plant called Posidonia Oceanica, was discovered. A sea grass that grows in meadows on the sea bed, it filters impurities from the water and creates the conditions that give divers and swimmers around the island 40-plus metres of visibility under water.

It also acts like a natural reef because it can grow to 4 metres high and become what some people call a tropical forest, protecting the coastline from heavy storms and high seas. It is also suspected to be over 100,000 years old, prompting the question of why it took so long for the scientific world to find it. Now part of the World Heritage Sites on Ibiza it is, like most natural resources, under threat from development and pollution. But meanwhile it continues to pump oxygen into the sea and filters impurities from it, helping to create the crystal clear waters that we all crave.

While you might be thinking about booking a package holiday to Ibiza where your meals are included in the price, it’s always good to get out and about and helpfully the UK newspaper The Sun made some suggestions in their travel section recently - to read the full article click through to them here - included are more suggestions along with photographs - well worth a read, along with the rest of their well written travel articles.

It will also be of interest to those who don’t have all their meals included or are taking Ibiza villa holidays.

1. Casa Thai

Located in San Antonio, this Thai restaurant (as clearly stated in the name!) is great for a good informal pre-party stomach lining.

At about 20 euros a head - including appetizers and drinks - this will leave you with enough change to hit the clubs and party all night long, with enough energy to go watch the sunrise in the morning too.

Remarkably cheap and fit for a Thai king.

2. Fatsos’s

This is the place if you’re looking for some cheap and cheerful English grub.

Whether it’s a filled Yorkshire pud or a full English, they have it all.

Located about 10 mins from Calle Gracia beach in San Antonio it’s ideal for a laid back breakfast, lunch or dinner and a real taste of home.

BEACH SIDE

3. Blue Marlin

Enjoy a delicious meal, slurp on refreshing cocktails, catch a tan and listen to some chilled house music. … does this sound like a perfect afternoon? This supreme beach bar in Cala Jondal is for you.

With comfy beds and table service there’s no need to lift a finger. Unless you fancy a dip, after you’ve let your food go down of course!

SUMPTUOUS AND SWANKY

4. Las Dos Lunas

If you’re having trouble finding this place, just look for the Amnesia light, as its located just before the super club!

Somewhere that has seen the likes of supermodels and even Royalty as guests - this is definitely a hang out for the beautiful people.

The food is a combination of traditional Spanish meets fine Italian - a combination that is absolutely divine.

With true Spanish service this is somewhere to go if your planning on taking your time in fancy surroundings - oh and don’t forget to check out the boutique!

5. Ama Lur

Located in SANTA GERTRUDIS DE FRUITERA is a basque influenced restaurant thats somewhere to go if you fancy treating yourself like like a true Ibiza jet setter.

It’s not cheap but has a cracking wine list and the homemade desserts are something everyone should try.

SNACKS

6. Piadina

The ultimate snack-stop, this is the best flatbread bar in Ibiza Town.

Located by the steps of Calle de la Virgin, it’s great for people watching too.

Try the parma ham, rocket and mozzarella number - yum!

7. Viteaminas

Five minutes from Ibiza Rocks and open 22 hours a day, you cant go wrong when you need a quick fix after a hefty night out.

With home-made Chinese rice and noodles ready to go this place is perfect for a quick bite when you’re running on low fuel.

London’s Metro Magazine has run a report on the people behind the parties in Ibiza - to read the full article and a great photograph of Ibiza click here

Simeon Friend, 38, is director of The Shop, an events and marketing agency. He has lived in Ibiza for ten years.

‘Nowhere beats Ibiza for long, lazy lunches and El Chiringuito ( www.elchiringuitoibiza.com) on Es Cavallet nudist beach has to be top of the list. Ten minutes from Ibiza Town, it’s set among the sand dunes with views of the crystal sea.

Crisp table linen, billowing curtains and white wood complement the menu, which includes lobster rice and a selection of quality salads (hard to find in Ibiza). Every friday from June 4, it will host a classic Ibiza beach party combining DJing and live music.

‘Hitting the island on May 28? Head to Ibiza Town for The Grand Finale Festival, the last day of the Ibiza International Music Summit. The huge open-air concert is held in Dalt Vila, a Unesco World Heritage Site, with live performances from Buraka Som Sistema and David E Sugar, and DJ sets from Mark Ronson, Sasha, Pete Tong and Skream, it offers a rare opportunity to dance in one of the best preserved walled towns in Europe. www.internationalmusicsummit.com

‘Swedish House Mafia, a trio of DJs and producers, were an instant success at Pacha last summer. Their weekly Dark Forest night captured imaginations with a sexy and naturalistic theme – think wolf’s head glitter ball. Their residency this year, Masquerade Motel, is hotly anticipated and promises further dressing up in the world’s most famous club.’ www.theshop.com

James Fowell, 25, has lived on the island for eight years. He arranges summer parties at Pacha and the superclub’s world tour during the winter months.

Ibiza’s restaurants are often overlooked because the focus is generally on the bars and clubs, which is a great shame because I’ve had great food here. My favourite place is La Bodega (+34 971 19 27 40), a tapas bar in Ibiza Town. I always order the provolone and the salmon – the menu is pretty cheap so you can fill the table with plates. I catch up with friends at Rock Bar ( www.therockbaribiza.com) in the port of Ibiza Town but for a more sophisticated night I’ll head over to El Ayoun, ( www.elayoun.com) a sushi bar in San Rafael.’

Mark Broadbent, 41, has lived in Ibiza for the past six years. He promotes the infamous We Love… Space parties, which are held at the superclub every Sunday.

‘Keep an eye out for the free parties happening during the day on Playa
d’en Bossa beach – Ushuaïa ( www.ushuaiaibiza.com), a beach club and restaurant, is a great place to see and be seen.

Last summer’s place to be was early morning at Sands Beach Bar ( www.sandsibiza.com). Watching the sun rise over the Mediterranean while sipping a Bloody Mary will set your Balearic spirit free. ‘My current favourite beach for sunning and a light lunch is the nudist beach Aguas Blancas. It offers clean seas, soft sand and the best sausage sandwich this side of Berlin. You’ll find it at the marvellously back-to-basics beach hut tucked into the side of the cliff just above the beach. ‘Head to San Antonio Bay to watch the sunset at chilled bar Kumharas ( www.kumharas.org). Set among the many allinclusive hotels, which are located in this much-maligned area
of Ibiza, it’s not easy to find. Risk-takers, however, will be rewarded with an experience straight out of 1960s Goa. You’ll find beautiful young locals chilling to the new sound of the Balearic underground. ‘Last year’s new kid on the block, the simple but chic Boutique Hostel Salinas ( www.hostalsalinas.com), is set in the nature reserve Ses Salines. Their food starts at €10 for pizzas. And, if you ask nicely, they will also provide discount tickets to We Love… Space parties.’

Kim Booth, 28, is co-founder of Rebel Butterfly, an international music and event PR company. Booth has been visiting the island for the past 12 years and has spent six full summers there.

My favourite restaurant is La Paloma ( www.palomaibiza.com). It’s set in the middle of an orchard and is run by an Italian family – I love their fig and goat’s cheese on flat bread. I also love the food at Talamanca Club
(+34 971 31 35 74). They take ages to serve you but they do great pasta and pizza. I love the owner too – she’s kind of scary. ‘As for beaches, try Cala d’Hort in the south of the island. It’s next to a mythical rock, Es Vedra, and really is the most cosmic place on the island. Sunday’s drumming sessions on Benirras in the north of the island (left) are also
pretty special. ‘We Love… Space has amazing guests and residents this year, such as
Aphex Twin, Simian Mobile Disco, Hot Chip and Groove Armada, while DC10 is back, bigger and better, with residents Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones and Dyed Soundorom.’