Why People Flock to Ibiza

For half of the potential holiday makers out there, a holiday in Ibiza sounds like absolute heaven.  For the other half however, it sounds like absolute hell on earth. Why the polar opposites in opinion?

They may feel that it is all about the booze and the sex and that it has nothing to do with a relaxing holiday.  You can’t really blame people for thinking this.  Switch on the television and we are bombarded with programs such as Sun, Sea & A&E, Booze Britain, Britains Abroad and so on.  And, in these programs, what we see is people going all the way to Ibiza, only to sleep all day long and get totally drunk during the night.  It seems like such a waste of money, since you could do exactly the same at the local down the street.  But is that really what Ibiza is all about, or does it have other things to offer as well?

Ibiza as a Destination

Of course Ibiza is a party island.  It has more bars and clubs per square yard than anywhere else on earth.  However, it also offers a fantastic climate, meaning you could relax during the day when all the revellers are sleeping.  It has the most amazing beaches that are all picture postcard perfect.  The people are friendly, the food is great, there are great shopping opportunities and there are plenty of things to see and do for people who don’t want to spend the night surrounded by drunken young people.  Just stay away from the bar strips once the sun sets, and you will be fine.

Ibiza History

Ibiza has been inhabited for well over 2,500 years.  The original settlers were the Phoenicians, but the island was invaded again and again over the centuries.  Interestingly, the last invasion was that of the hippies of the 60s.  It was their influence that is said to have changed the culture of Ibiza, turning it more into a hedonistic place.  However, regardless of all the invasions that took place on this island, it seems that the locals have been able to hold on to their local culture and identity, even to this day.

Off the Ibiza Beaten Track

The island of Ibiza boasts some of the most beautiful, pristine, crystal clear waters in the Mediterranean area.  Close to the larger towns, you will find stunning, completely deserted coves, where you could truly lose yourself.  There are some great walking tracks that you could follow to step away from the hustle and bustle of the touristic strips, going along pieces of beach that are completely deserted into thick forests.  Walking along these trails, you will see some gorgeous groves, including fig, almond, citrus and olive trees.  There are some fantastic remote villages where it seems as if time stood still.  Here, you will find ancient churches and truly traditional fincas, which have all been restored.

Homer’s Sirens

When you are in Ibiza and you want to go off the beaten track, you should visit the Es Vedra rock.  This mysterious rock is said to have been the inspiration for Homer’s sirens.  The rock is surrounded with legends and folklore, some stating it was the home of the goddess of fertility.  Others believe it was the site of human sacrifice and many of the hippies from the 60s believed it was a UFO landing place.  In fact, quite a number of mysterious lights have been seen around Es Vedra and sightings still happen quite regularly.  It is also said that parts of the rocks were used to build the Egyptian pyramids and some believe it is actually the tip of Atlantis, the sunken city.

So, next time you see some Jet2.com cheap flights to Ibiza don’t dismiss them out of hand.  Majorca has something for everybody.