Came back from a cheeky August week, here are a few impressions (restaurant reviews coming, in the other thread):
- Island was PACKED! especially the old town at night and as to be expected cala bassa/cala comte. cala bassa was a really terrible experience,
and normally I wouldn't go there in August, but I clearly overestimated the pandemic effect on tourism. I never heard so few Brits though, it was
striking. The island was full of Italians, some Spanish and even more French than I ever heard before.
- People are booking restaurant tables and beach clubs like mad. If you want to check out bigger, fancier places like Carnicero, La Maca, Buddha ..
you'll have no chance unless booking weeks before your actual holiday. I would never do that, just not how I imagine holidays should be, so I
sticked to great smaller restaurants (with calling ahead). Also: Go for a very late lunch/early dinner. We just ate snacks on the beach and then
went into beach restaurants like Sa Trinxa, Jockey Club or Chiringay after the big lunch-rush was over. No problem finding a nice table next to the sea at6 pm. And unless you're Italian or Spanish you won't be used to eating at 10pm anyways. Beach clubs there was just no chance in hell, only at the "first come first serve" ones. Many said they're booked until mid September.
- As beautiful as the island is, I found the vibe and atmosphere so different, without the influence of electronic music. Without billboards, promo teams, outdoor events .. it almost was an island just like Mallorca or a Canary island. There was just something missing. Not least the freaks, the outkasts, the weirdos, the ravers - the guys that make Ibiza Ibiza. It was just a loooot of Italian families and middle aged couples.
- With all the stories around about a shortage of staff and bad service: Without exception, at every place and restaurant I went I had impeccable service: quick, friendly, nice, no waiting - perfect!
- I mentioned the rental car scam somewhere else on the forum. Prices are a scandal, paid 70 euros a day for a panda instead of the usual 12-15 euros. I get the sentiment of locals that the government should restrict the number of cars brought to the island, this is all well to say when you have your own car. But if the number of rental cars stays as low as this summer, it's the normal earners and small families who are priced out of being mobile on the island. The rich who are most polluting and obstructing the island with their SUVs and Hummers won't care and still be there.
anyways, had a fantastic time and the shock upon returning home and to autumn is even worse than usual. Also as someone contantly suffering from FOMO when in Ibiza, this year was really relaxing as there simply wasn't anywhere to go from midnigt
Don't want it to stay like that of course.
so worrying about work is the last thing on my mind! Obvs the fact i’ve already had it and im double jabbed helps too of course!