Doing Ibiza differently

For fear of sounding a bit of a hippy (although I have been labelled one), #Ibiza is my spiritual home. I adore the place. If I were to live anywhere abroad it would be there. I have romantic notions of a little beat-up #finca in the countryside just inland from San Juan where August could roam free, barefoot in the olive groves, chasing geckos. I would teach yoga and offer guest accommodation. I'd have to learn first! There would be a huge outdoor seating area under a vine-covered canopy with a large communal table covered in a checked blue oilcloth. I've got it all planned out you see.

Starting back in 2000, I have visited many times for many different purposes. I love the #diversity that the island has to offer and I'm keen to challenge the #stereotype of it being seen as solely a party destination. You would be misinformed to think that that's it is all it is. For sure, I've done my fair share of partying, but my favourite ever time is to visit over the Easter break, or early May when everything is #calm, #tranquil, and #serene. To me, then it always feels like the calm before the storm. Everything is clean and untouched. To be fair is one of the few places that I habitually returned to time after time, because it fulfils so many purposes for me.

And so, when an opportunity of a free weekend came up for me and my partner, I was keen to challenge his stereotypes that seemed to be fairly deep-rooted. I wanted to show him just how special and #beautiful the island is and allow him to share in some of the things I experience a great deal of #joy from. The only problem is I have two other trips planned this year, although that is not a problem, in no way shape or form. One, later in September with the girls for my 40th celebration and one with August in the October half term holiday. So, we have the potential here to not go, choose an alternative, or do things differently.

I really wanted my partner to see the #beautiful, #natural side of the island and saw the best way to do that is to get off the beaten track, and having your own transport is the best way to do that, be it car, or my personal choice and preference a motorbike. I'm always keen to minimise the cost of travel wherever possible so will always invest significant amounts of time #researching, finding the best #deals, and booking the most reasonably priced accommodation I can find. To make the trip even more appealing, and viable at this time, Ibiza was one of a few places on the #greenlist meaning that barriers to entry and exit were lower. At the time you would need a negative PCR test to board the flight, your Spanish passenger locator form, a further negative rapid antigen test within 72 hours of your return flight and a further negative PCR test on day two of arriving home. We used #Randox for the PCR tests and #BreathAssured for the antigen test. We found them the cheapest available in the marketplace, totalling an additional £122 per person on top of the flight and travel arrangements.

Luckily, the speculation surrounding the Balearics' movement onto the #amberlist influenced flight prices and we bagged a bargain for our flights with Jet2. I deliberated over where we should stay. My favourite location is always #Ibizatown or #Figueretas because I find, for my preferences, it ticks all the right boxes. I love being near historical town and I love long walks along the sea front. #Figueretas is located within easy reach of some of the island's best nightlife, again in my opinion. So, in the interests of doing things differently, an Air BnB search led us to find the option of a converted Ford van camper, offered by the lovely Lauren and Andrea. The price for the rental of the van for the three nights was lower than car hire and accommodation combined so a super option. I had planned to try and find a #wildcamping location near #Salinas or #Talamanca for easy access of Ibiza town sightseeing, near #CalaConte or #CapNegret for the best sunsets and then possibly somewhere near #Benirras. Despite recommendations for wild camping areas on Search for Sites and Park for a Night Apps and various traveller blogs, the options for legal wild camping in Ibiza are quite limited. We found the most beautiful location overlooking Cala Gracio, but a big sign warning of fines for overnight camping deterred us. The eventual camping locations were a campsite near Cala Martina, absolutely amazing but rather pricey at 52 Euros per night when you've already paid the cost of your transport and accommodation.

The next location was on a side street overlooking Cala Des Moro near San Antonio, where the van was used as a public convenience by every passing drunk and their dog. It stank so much in the morning it made me gag. However, a great little location for and midnight swim and early morning dip and also a great chance for a mega long walk all along the coastal path, Sunset-strip right round the Bay to #Kummaras to watch the most perfect #sunset in the most perfect ambience. Not forgetting amazing food and cocktails at Tapas!

The last stop was in the car park adjacent to the Hostal Talamanca in #Talamanca. Again, a great little location right next to the beach; great for late night and early morning swimming. The only problem was that we chose this location because of the toilet and shower facilities on the beach next to the car park. However, be warned the water is off and the toilets are locked until about 9:00 in the morning. I'll leave the rest to your imagination. This stop was great again for an opportunity to walk one of my favourite routes right round from Talamanca through Ibiza Dalt Vila, round the headland to the Figueretas with a quick stop at my all-time favourite Tapas restaurant Home Loos, along the coastal path right through to Playa D'en Bossa ending late with a yummy Paella at Casa Manolo.

A note on nightlife in Ibiza currently. Of course, I would have loved to have been able to share some of the amazing #nightlife with my partner as it was his first time ever to the island. However, that was not to be at this moment. The only club open with any credibility musically, in my own opinion of course, is Cova Santa, and this is a seated dining affair with a hefty price tag although some absolutely amazing DJs are playing there. No dancing allowed at this current moment however. I believe that the likes of Hard Rock Hotel, Nikki Beach and Ocean Beach are open, and in fact I know this because I walked past Ocean Beach but they're not my cup of tea. There is a bit more going on in Playa D'en Bossa, Santa Eulalia and San Antonio of course and there was a little taste of normality in being able to go into #BoraBora grab a drink sit at a table, have a little bop near the table and listen to some great music with a four-four beat. But what I liked most was the incentive and opportunity to have a springtime Ibiza experience, very much like how the island is in April or May.

There's loads going on in Ibiza all year round, it might just take a different form. In particular, the campsite that we stayed at on the first night just near Punta Arabi, called Camping la Playa had a beach bar called Chirincana and they had a Senegalese singer and musician playing that night. The atmosphere was amazing and the music and the setting was just beautiful.

The slight curveball we faced was that Ibiza was shifted onto the amber list from Monday the 19th of July and we would arrive back at 1:00 PM after the new rules had come into effect. Thankfully though, those that are #doublejabbed do not have to quarantine upon return and so the only practical impact was that we flew back on a pretty much empty flight. Checks on our #vaccination status and passenger locator form were done in Ibiza and we were surprised that, considering the change in rule status, there were no further checks upon arrival at Birmingham.

So, similarly to the Porto trip, despite the uncertainty and added layer of organisation required at this time, travel is entirely possible and surprisingly straight forward. It is also far more enjoyable because, in comparison to the trips I've taken in the UK lately places are a lot less crowded and more respectful of the rules except for the lads heading out to Hard Rock Hotel for their first taste of Ibiza on the outbound flight. The penny is yet to drop that a mask worn on your chin is entirely ineffective.

So, fear not and go for it. As long as you're organised, you're likely to find travel significantly cheaper and a lot more pleasurable!