I have visited Ibiza twice so far this year, firstly in june and secondly over the weekend last (11th -15th July). The first visit was for a friends stag do, and was very much a “boys” holiday – lots of drinking in San An , few clubs, not much in the way of restaurants or beaches visited. It was still a great holiday though, and despite its really rather poor image on here by many, I quite like the West End. Ive had MANY great times down there, met some people who’ve become great friends for over ten years. Not everyone who goes down there acts like a buffoon, but some people cant get their heads round that. Anyways shortly after I had recovered from that madness , I had the chance to go back for a four night stay. It was to be uncharted territory for me as it involved staying in Santa Eulalia, which I had visited only very briefly before.
So my friend and I flew in on Friday night and were picked up at the airport by our Spanish friend at around 2am. We visited a bar called Izay, I think it wasn’t far from El Divino. It was only a small place really and was not very busy. I think my friend and I were the only English people in the place, where a oldish guy on guitar and keyboards was playing some ‘interesting’ covers including Killer by Adamski. After a few games in the pool and a bit of ogling the exceptionally pretty barmaid , we headed off to Guarana in Sta Eulalia. I had only seen this bar on spotlight before, but it was really good. It was around 3am Sat morning and it was really busy. By now it was getting a bit blurry but we sat on the terrace (with occasional visits inside to check out the tunes) drinking until the bar shut which was around 6.30am if memory serves me rightly. Remember seeing island ‘face’ Alistair outside on the terrace with his little doggy! Staggered to the apartment which luckily enough was only a stones throw from Guarana!
Woke up around eleven am in the apartment we were staying in. Beautiful views of the marina with all the yachts in glorious sunshine.Decided we needed some stodge for our hangovers so had a walk round the prom to a place called Pier 1 where we breakfast which was a pretty standard full English. Had a walk round Sta Eulalia, which is such a gorgeous place. The marina has some incredible yachts in it and took a walk down the street of restaurants which we hoped to visit later on. We decided to have little drive round the island but somehow ended up in San An (I guess we were on autopilot!). Decided to park up and have some refreshment and try and meet some friends working over there. Had a few drinks at Bar M and Itaca and just people watched on the San An front. Some messy people where about even at 3o clock! Never managed to see any worker friends, so decided to head back to Sta Eulalia. After chilling on the balcony , we picked Marco up and headed to Es Caliu (which I think is on the San Joan road?). Sat in the garden which was really rather lovely, and started with some gorgeous red wine. The main course was something else. A large clay hot plate was brought out and a tray full of steaks, and we just cooked our own the way we wanted. The meat was exceptional , it was served with vegetables and potatoes, and was certainly one of the finest meals Ive had anywhere. In fact just thinking bout it makes me hungry!
We had arranged guestlist for Hed Kandi@El Divino, but after such a large meal in relaxing settings, we decided getting crushed was the last thing we wanted so headed off to guarana again. Sat with Marco and his Spanish friends chatting on the terrace, and ended up having many “saluts” with Hierbas and Chupitos and literally falling out of the place at 6ish again – great night! We had had two late ones so we chilled/slept most of the Sunday. After we woke we headed into Ibiza town for a walk. I hadn’t been into Ibiza other than to go clubbing for a few years so it was great to revisit. I love the cobbled streets, and the interesting little shops etc, such a great setting. We sat down at La Bodega just under the entrance to Dalt Vila and had some Tapas whilst watching the world go by. Great stuff, I think I could do that every night of my life! The tapas was good too, washed down with a couple of beers. Had another walk round the port, the bars like Base, The Rock etc seemed pretty quiet , although it was only ten-ish which was perhaps a little early. We decided to head into San An to track down some friends again. West End seemed really busy and also Bar M . itaca etc. Had a few drinks in Hush where Jimi Deja was playing a mix of old stuff and new tunes, so just sat and had a few beers listening to this, whilst chatting to some worker friends. Headed back to Sta Eulalia and had a few in Guarana (again!) then headed to bed around four.
Woke around one and headed to Cala Boix which is in the north East of the island, to a restaurant called La Norida (I think!) . Had a fabulous paella in the garden overlooking the beach, another lovely meal in a lovely setting! Headed off to a recently re-furbed beach bar (who’s name escapes me)near Es Cana – I think it was on Cala Martina. Sat on the plush sofas drinking cocktails before heading back to the apartment for a siesta!
Went out around nine for dinner, to a place called Cas Pages. I cant remember where it is on the island but Im sure someone will know on here! Sat in the terrace (which was VERY busy) and we each had an amazing dinner of steak and potatoes washed down with beers and the obligatory hierbas! At this point we thought as its our last night what harm could a little clubbing do!? So we headed off to get changed before we would go to Release Yourself. As we headed down the road to Sta Eulalia disaster! Flat tyre! After much messing with the spare and various tools we decided to give it up as a bad job. Called for a cab and headed back to the apartment. Decided to give Pacha a miss as we would need to sort the car out in the morning before we flew home. We did just that after waking and headed to the airport. Made a refreshing change to be on a flight home feeling great (if somewhat heavier after all the food!), surrounded by casualties!
So two trips, both very different. I cant really say I preferred one to the other, they were just different. I saw a lot of the island which was good, and relaxed a lot again which was good. Sta Eulalia was lovely, and I could certainly spend more time there. But I still love San An for all it “faults” and I am going back there in September for another four nights – which I cant wait for!
If I hadn’t been reading spotlight I would not have really given any thought to whether the island was quieter than usual, and to me San An was really busy. I cant compare Sta Eulalia as I have never been before although a few people who live there said it was quiet.
I had a great time on both trips, and Ibiza still hasn’t lost any of its magic for me. You would think the more you go somewhere on holiday would make you want to try new places, but for me with Ibiza the more I go the more I want to return! Roll on September…….
So my friend and I flew in on Friday night and were picked up at the airport by our Spanish friend at around 2am. We visited a bar called Izay, I think it wasn’t far from El Divino. It was only a small place really and was not very busy. I think my friend and I were the only English people in the place, where a oldish guy on guitar and keyboards was playing some ‘interesting’ covers including Killer by Adamski. After a few games in the pool and a bit of ogling the exceptionally pretty barmaid , we headed off to Guarana in Sta Eulalia. I had only seen this bar on spotlight before, but it was really good. It was around 3am Sat morning and it was really busy. By now it was getting a bit blurry but we sat on the terrace (with occasional visits inside to check out the tunes) drinking until the bar shut which was around 6.30am if memory serves me rightly. Remember seeing island ‘face’ Alistair outside on the terrace with his little doggy! Staggered to the apartment which luckily enough was only a stones throw from Guarana!
Woke up around eleven am in the apartment we were staying in. Beautiful views of the marina with all the yachts in glorious sunshine.Decided we needed some stodge for our hangovers so had a walk round the prom to a place called Pier 1 where we breakfast which was a pretty standard full English. Had a walk round Sta Eulalia, which is such a gorgeous place. The marina has some incredible yachts in it and took a walk down the street of restaurants which we hoped to visit later on. We decided to have little drive round the island but somehow ended up in San An (I guess we were on autopilot!). Decided to park up and have some refreshment and try and meet some friends working over there. Had a few drinks at Bar M and Itaca and just people watched on the San An front. Some messy people where about even at 3o clock! Never managed to see any worker friends, so decided to head back to Sta Eulalia. After chilling on the balcony , we picked Marco up and headed to Es Caliu (which I think is on the San Joan road?). Sat in the garden which was really rather lovely, and started with some gorgeous red wine. The main course was something else. A large clay hot plate was brought out and a tray full of steaks, and we just cooked our own the way we wanted. The meat was exceptional , it was served with vegetables and potatoes, and was certainly one of the finest meals Ive had anywhere. In fact just thinking bout it makes me hungry!
We had arranged guestlist for Hed Kandi@El Divino, but after such a large meal in relaxing settings, we decided getting crushed was the last thing we wanted so headed off to guarana again. Sat with Marco and his Spanish friends chatting on the terrace, and ended up having many “saluts” with Hierbas and Chupitos and literally falling out of the place at 6ish again – great night! We had had two late ones so we chilled/slept most of the Sunday. After we woke we headed into Ibiza town for a walk. I hadn’t been into Ibiza other than to go clubbing for a few years so it was great to revisit. I love the cobbled streets, and the interesting little shops etc, such a great setting. We sat down at La Bodega just under the entrance to Dalt Vila and had some Tapas whilst watching the world go by. Great stuff, I think I could do that every night of my life! The tapas was good too, washed down with a couple of beers. Had another walk round the port, the bars like Base, The Rock etc seemed pretty quiet , although it was only ten-ish which was perhaps a little early. We decided to head into San An to track down some friends again. West End seemed really busy and also Bar M . itaca etc. Had a few drinks in Hush where Jimi Deja was playing a mix of old stuff and new tunes, so just sat and had a few beers listening to this, whilst chatting to some worker friends. Headed back to Sta Eulalia and had a few in Guarana (again!) then headed to bed around four.
Woke around one and headed to Cala Boix which is in the north East of the island, to a restaurant called La Norida (I think!) . Had a fabulous paella in the garden overlooking the beach, another lovely meal in a lovely setting! Headed off to a recently re-furbed beach bar (who’s name escapes me)near Es Cana – I think it was on Cala Martina. Sat on the plush sofas drinking cocktails before heading back to the apartment for a siesta!
Went out around nine for dinner, to a place called Cas Pages. I cant remember where it is on the island but Im sure someone will know on here! Sat in the terrace (which was VERY busy) and we each had an amazing dinner of steak and potatoes washed down with beers and the obligatory hierbas! At this point we thought as its our last night what harm could a little clubbing do!? So we headed off to get changed before we would go to Release Yourself. As we headed down the road to Sta Eulalia disaster! Flat tyre! After much messing with the spare and various tools we decided to give it up as a bad job. Called for a cab and headed back to the apartment. Decided to give Pacha a miss as we would need to sort the car out in the morning before we flew home. We did just that after waking and headed to the airport. Made a refreshing change to be on a flight home feeling great (if somewhat heavier after all the food!), surrounded by casualties!
So two trips, both very different. I cant really say I preferred one to the other, they were just different. I saw a lot of the island which was good, and relaxed a lot again which was good. Sta Eulalia was lovely, and I could certainly spend more time there. But I still love San An for all it “faults” and I am going back there in September for another four nights – which I cant wait for!
If I hadn’t been reading spotlight I would not have really given any thought to whether the island was quieter than usual, and to me San An was really busy. I cant compare Sta Eulalia as I have never been before although a few people who live there said it was quiet.
I had a great time on both trips, and Ibiza still hasn’t lost any of its magic for me. You would think the more you go somewhere on holiday would make you want to try new places, but for me with Ibiza the more I go the more I want to return! Roll on September…….
