Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/679293
DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2016 36 hilltop "picnic lunch" at the Belmond La Residencia in the mountain village of Deià, where we learned how to make it ourselves. Plenty of garlic and fresh olive oil was involved but the key ingredient was the tomate de ramallet, a meaty tomato that keeps for three weeks. Each tomato is cut in half and rubbed across the toasted bread until all its juices soak in. One of the most fascinating towns in Mallorca is Soller with its two distinct parts. Its port was once the hub of the seafaring trade and is now the home of luxury hotels including one developed by the Jumeirah chain of Dubai. The town of Soller is set back below the mountains, far enough away from the waters to keep residents safe from the pirates who routinely attacked the har- bour. Nowadays, the town, with its tapas bars, outdoor cafés and ice cream shops, is more about strolling than security. AN ISLAND OF SURPRISES When we left Mallorca I couldn't imagine why I would want to go on another island, especially one known for its partying, loud tourists. However, Ibiza was full of surprises. From our location in the centre of the island, at the peaceful Can Lluc Boutique Country Hotel & Villas, we were able to explore in all directions and experience the many facets of Ibiza. "You can make up your own Ibiza," our guide, Shana Lacroix told us. "While some people come for the nightclubs," she said, "others head for the detox spas. Backpackers can live cheaply in hostels, yet others choose to dine at Sublimotion, which, at about US$2,500 per person, is among the most expensive restaurants in the world." In the "Dalt Villa," the old town of Ibiza city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 3,000 people live within its Renaissance walls; wealthy and poor share space with shops selling the white cotton clothing of Ibiza and pirate T-shirts. Now called the "white island" because of the flat-roofed houses painted with lime, Ibiza was once known for its ochre dwellings, which blended into the land- scape in an attempt to remain undetected by invading pirates. By the 1960s, the invaders were hippies. They left their mark in nude beaches and markets that sell six- ties-style memorabilia and clothing. The Hippie Market, known as Las Dalias, is a great way to spend a Saturday morning. Musicians play old rock songs; long-haired vendors sell leather bracelets and jewellers create the perfect talisman for you. Ibiza has always drawn those seeking spirituality. The limestone island of Es Vedra is said to have been home to sirens that lured Ulysses from his ship, home of a lunar goddess and a landing spot for aliens. Es Vedra is just one of the many spots on the island where people gather to watch the sun set. After two days of kayaking, biking and wine tasting we ended our last day at Platges de comte. We had to push our way through the traffic to make it there in time but it was worth the drive. As the sun set over rocky archipelagos, young people laughed and joked, couples hugged and families ate their suppers from baskets. Then, as the day ended in Ibiza, the sunset audience moved to the beach restaurants for a glass of cava and another five-course meal. DS T R A V E L P L A N N E R For more information on Mallorca and Ibiza, visit infomallorca.net and ibiza.travel. For accommodation, consider: Belmond La Residencia, Deià: belmond.com/la-residencia-mallorca Can Lluc Boutique Country Hotel & Villas, Ibiza: canlluc.com Hotel Nixe Palace, Palma: h-santos.es OD Port Portals, Palma: od-hotels.com BELOW: Ibiza is renowned for its nightclub scene. CENTER: Shrouded in myths and legends, Es Vedra is a famous landmark located off the southwestern shore of Ibiza. BOTTOM: The Hippie Market is a great place to spend a Saturday morning on Ibiza.