Crete Blog

If you’re considering a holiday on one of the Greek islands for this year or next, Paxos might be worth considering for a family holiday, or for a romantic getaway for couples.

According to Greek legendy, the island was created by Poseidon when he struck Corfu with his trident in effort to gain peace and quiet. The pebble beaches of Paxos are surrounded by sheer, precipitous cliffs that create scenery that is both breathtaking and expressive.

The sea around Paxos has vivid colours; it is pleasantly clean, clear, and cool. Dramatic fauna and flora are abundant, especially in spring. Ancient olive trees line the hillsides allowing the mind and senses escape to the treasure of comfort and beauty that awaits holidaymakers.

Seeing The Island

Paxos is charming and quaint and can be seen easily in a couple of days by motorbike or car. The three main towns on the island are Logos, Laka, and Gaios. All of which exhibit the classiul ac Hellenic Ionian style with bright and colourful homes lining the promenades.

The rural area environment has a landscape that features low stone homes surrounded by bountifnd lush gardens. There is always something beautiful to see and many photo opportunities while you’re sightseeing or walking. For those who like Crete holidays it’s familiar but at the same time unique enough to enjoy.

The three main resorts all have natural harbours - Gaios being the biggest and busiest.

Travelling further inland there are old churches and buildings and many hiking or biking trails if you seek to further explore the island’s rich history.

Hotels In Paxos And Things To Do

Travel around the entire island on a day or half day cruise. Picturesque wind-carved limestone cliffs, sculptural rock formations, and caverns line the way. Crystal clear, calm waters surrounding the island only add to the exquisite beauty. The weather and climate on Paxos is similar to the weather in Crete.

A bit of history from World War II is just off the island. Inside the cave called Papanikolis, a Greek submarine found refuge and hid during the war.

There is plenty of opportunity to swim, snorkel and relax. This island is wonderful for holidaymakers seeking relaxation and to get away from the rest of the world. The locals are all very friendly and happily greet visitors. A spectacular sunset can be seen by traveling to Erimitis, a bar which sits above the cliffs of the west coast.

Paxos is a worthwhile day trip if you don’t have a lot of time, but want to escape for a bit. There are many hiking and biking paths that go around the island via trails, coves, and beaches. There’s a few travel sites that have a map, often the same ones that have a Crete map.

You can easily take in the unhurried, traditional, and tranquil Greek lifestyle. Many people visit this wonderful island because of the miles of pathways that lead to unspoiled, secluded beaches and coves.

Hotels in Paxos fill quickly during peak travel season. Villa holidays are popular. Many villas have private pools and various villa companies include Paxos in their brochures, James Villas for example.

The island also has two hotels that often receive rave reviews from happy guests. The island of Paxos might be small compared to some islands like Kefalonia, but it offers an intimate charm and beauty for those who crave quiet, peaceful relaxation. Retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday modern living and escape from it all.

More information about the Greek islands are available on social media like reddit

Minorca Blog

The biggest of Cala En Porter’s hotels has just opened after an extensive refurbishment - it’s good news for the village and for holidaymakers making their way to Menorca for their holidays.

The village has been out of favour with some of the tour operators, perhaps because it’s a little quiet for some, but the hotel will provide a great base for those wishing to visit the island and book their flights and accommodation seperately.

With views of the Mediterranean, the Azul is within an easy stroll of the resort’s amenities, including a choice of restaurants and bars, many with evening entertainment, but for those preferring a quiet week away they are catered for too.

The most recent reviews on tripadvisor from those who have been on their Menorca flights and stayed there have been glowing, and include comments such as this one from Switzerland:

We stayed 1 week in playa azul and took the hotel as a last minute offer for around 350Eur/pp including flight. For the price we paid, the hotel offered much more!

Overall we got much more then we paid for and we are really happy with Hotel Playa Azul.

And from a UK tourist who had their Menorca holidays recently:

Just got back from a week at this fab hotel, from the moment we walked through the hotel reception till the day we left it was brilliant, the staff especially the resturant and bar staff were very freindly and attentive - nothing was too much trouble, the food was first rate.

And as well as for independent travellers booking their trips online the good news for the hotel is that Thomas Cook are now offering it either seperately or as part of a package.

New photographs for Cala En Porter are due soon at yourmenorca.net and photos of the hotel are at social media like stumbleupon

The Ibiza Tourist Board is promoting the ‘alternative side to Ibiza’ for those considering family holidays on the island.

easier.com report:

Whilst many UK holidaymakers visit Ibiza to enjoy the sun, beaches and the infamous nightlife, there is another side to the island which is quietly growing in popularity.

For 2010, the Ibiza Tourist Board continues to promote the ‘alternative side of Ibiza’ through three key themes; Learn, Explore and Indulge.

There is no doubt that Ibiza continues to impress party-goers with the increasingly elaborate opening and closing parties that kick off and end the main holiday season. Just minutes away from the parties however lies a quiet and traditional island which is easy to travel around and offers a wealth of opportunities to learn, discover and indulge.

With holidaymakers increasingly looking for more than just a sun kissed glow, Ibiza is the perfect place for experiences that challenge the traditional concept of a beach/sun destination. Visitors can learn a new skill such as speaking Spanish, cookery or yoga, explore the hidden side of the island with the recently inaugurated network of cycling and hiking paths and indulge with some of the many pampering treats and experiences available on the island.

Learn Ibiza

Ibiza town is the ideal place to learn Spanish and the Instituto de Idiomas de Ibiza offers guests the chance to take part in a week long extensive Spanish course giving the confidence needed to be able to converse with the Ibizencos and enjoy a different holiday experience. Located in the heart of Ibiza Town, the intense week-long course includes 20 Spanish lessons focused on speaking, listening, writing and reading and will leave students feeling confident and able to experience a different side to the island. The Insitituto de Idiomas can also arrange accommodation for guests with the option of staying either with host families (recommended for quick learning) or in shared or private apartments, hostels or Ibiza hotels.

Far from the club scene, Ibiza Retreats offers a range of wellbeing courses to help cleanse the body and mind. Courses include yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, meditation, detox, dance and much more. For 2010 Ibiza Retreats has teamed up with some of the rural agroturismos such as the boutique hotel Cas Gasi to offer a range of tailor-made wellbeing weekends, perfect for getting to grips with the basics of yoga and meditation or simply to enjoy a relaxing treat . For more information, visit: ibizaretreats.com

Explore Ibiza

Ibiza offers an interesting terrain of rocky coastal paths, authentic whitewashed villages and two vast parks of particular ecological interest. The Ses Salinas National Park features salt lakes, beaches, cliffs and coastlines and offers a wonderful place to explore. Here flamingos are a common sight and the odd peregrine falcon or fishing eagle is often spotted making it a popular place for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts.

The nature reserve of Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell is a protected area made up of small islands with an abundant marine environment as well as the highest point on the island, sa Talaia, which sits at 487 metres above sea level. This is a fascinating place to explore and there are a number of myths and legends surrounding Es Vedra. Many claim that it is the tip of the sunken valley of Atlantis, an ancient valley from which the stone was extracted for the construction of the Egyptian Pyramids.

Most areas in Ibiza are accessible by bike and Ibiza has recently developed a series of well sign-posted routes for those that want the freedom to explore independently beyond the typical tourist trails. Cycling in Ibiza can be enjoyed all year round, many choosing Spring and Autumn over the summer months when temperatures can soar to up to 40 degrees. To meet the increasing cycling and mountain bike demand in Ibiza, there are a number of associations and companies based on the island offering cycling holidays and rental services. For more information visit: ibizasport.com

For water lovers, Ibiza offers a fantastically diverse sea bed and marine life which in 1999 was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The prairies of underwater sea grass called Posidonia form part of the natural landscape making Ibiza a unique diving destination. For those looking for more of a challenge, the Don Pedro wreck which sunk in 2007 is now open for exploration. The wreck which lies just outside the port of Ibiza has already earned the status as ‘Monster of the Med’ and thanks to its unique ecosystem is now considered home to many large fish. For more info, visit: puntadive.com

Water enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in Ibiza and the Estación Náutica based in Santa Eulalia offers more than twenty different water sports from which to enjoy. Activities include snorkelling, sailing, motorboat hire, sea kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing and much more. For land lovers, the centre also arranges land activities such as bike riding or horse riding which are fantastic ways to explore the island. For more information, visit: ensantaeulalia.com

Many people are surprised that for an island with such a big reputation, Ibiza is just over 50km from one end to the other. In just ten minutes, visitors can go from beach to village or from party spot to rural hideaway. For any transportation needs on the island, Cosmacar offers a range of services such as private air conditioned mini-bus services, daily excursions and airport pick-ups and drop offs. For more information, see: autocarescosmacar.es

Indulge Ibiza

Whether it is a long walk across a deserted beach, a day in one of the new start-of-the-art spas, or a delicious cocktail in a trendy beach bar, Ibiza is an island that stretches beyond expectations and offers an indulgent experience for everyone, irrespective of budget.

For a real treat, eco-luxury hotel Aguas de Ibiza has recently opened their Bodyna Natural Care centre which oozes elegance and sophistication. The Spa offers a range of treatments to soothe, cleanse, relax and nourish. The Puree de Papaya Radiance Scrub combines the natural extracts of papaya, coconut vitamin E and essential oils leaving the skin illuminated and radiant. Alternatively the Plantar Reflexology stimulates reflex points on the feet to mirror the body’s major organs to promote deep relaxation and healing of tired bodies and feet.

For those that prefer to soak up the surroundings and make the most of the warm Mediterranean climate and Ibiza weather, the roof-top chill out bar at Aguas de Ibiza is the ideal way to start the evening. Complete with pool and loungers, this stylish haven offers fantastic views over Santa Eulalia’s marina and serves up a tantalizing selection of cocktails and aperitifs. For more information, visit: aguasdeibiza.com

For a glitzy and awesomely indulgent evening, Ibiza Gran Hotel plays host to the only casino on the island which is open throughout the year from 6pm until 5am. With an impressive gaming room complete with American Roulette, Black Jack, Caribbean Poker, Baccarat and Texas Hold’em Poker as well as slot machines galore, this is the perfect place for a real blow the budget experience. Non guests pay a €5 entrance fee and ID must be shown. For more information, visit: ibizagranhotel.com

For more details of holidays in Ibiza visit youribiza.net - for the weather in Menorca visit yourmenorca.net

The famous Ibiza Rocks hotel brand is expanding - to sister island Majorca.

The new Mallorca Rocks Hotel will have 330 bedrooms, and be in Magaluf. It’s set to open in May.

For more information about Ibiza hotels visit http://www.youribiza.net

For details of Majorca hotels visit yourmajorca.net

British and mainland Europeans are spending less money and less time on holidays as the recession takes grip, and one holiday destination certainly being affected is Ibiza.

Ibiza hotels experienced lower than normal occupancy rates from July to September of 2008 than for the same period in 2007, and many Ibiza hotels have dropped their rental rates for 2009 in response. The hope is that dropping rates will lead to less of a loss than not being able to fill rooms at all.

Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, located about 80 kilometers off of Spain’s coast. Ibiza has a rich and colourful history. It isn’t for a history lesson that most tourists visit the island, however. Decades ago tourism promoters decided to market the island as a place to dance and party. The island is famous for its clubs, some raucous and infamous.

Ibiza was able to successfully portray itself as an endless party. The island is frequented by tourists who are mainly young people in their 20s and 30s. The island quickly became synonymous with more than just dancing and drinking. Ibiza currently battles prostitution and a thriving illegal drug trade.

Authorities, business owners and tourism officials have made deliberate efforts in recent years to clean up Ibiza’s shady image. The law has cracked down on the trafficking and sale of illegal drugs. Some towns have imposed mandatory closing times for local clubs and bars to shed the “party all night long” image. By-laws have been passed or are in the works to legislate the types of new Ibiza hotels that can be built. Many are even requiring that all new hotels be five star only.

The new Ibiza hopes to emerge with a cleaner image and plans to market itself as a place full of heritage and cultural activities. It has made efforts to attract more families. More family style attractions are being built. Ibiza hotels are offering better family rates to encourage bringing the kids along on holiday.

Ibiza was just starting to shed its raucous party image when the recession hit. Families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford travel to the island despite all that it has to offer them, including the glorious weather in Ibiza. Besides the worldwide recession, the depreciating British pound is also keeping regulars away.

It’s something of a vicious cycle. Airlines have been forced to cancel some flights to the island because there are too few visitors to fill airplanes. Fewer visitors are landing in Ibiza, but the number of hotel rooms has remained the same. Hotels have had to become creative and highly competitive in drawing those few tourists into their hotels.

Many hotels have simply slashed prices across the board. Most, though, have created gimmicks targeting specific types of tourist. Many have offered special deals aimed directly at British tourists. Still others have tried to recapture the family visitors by offering special prices for families. Some have offered free stays for children accompanied by an adult. Others are offering free room upgrades. Still others are giving four or five day stays for the price of three.

What 2009 brings remains to be seen. It’s too early in the New Year to give an accurate report about 2009 tourism. It won’t likely be until March that a truer picture of Ibiza tourism will emerge. Ibiza hotels must simply keep the deals fresh and hope that it will be enough to lure holidaymakers back to the once popular island.