Ibiza

Ahhh Ibiza. Crystal clear sea, sunny beaches, nightlife… and a baggage full of expectations. Ready for departure, backpack on your shoulder (or suitcase like ‘weekend with the dead’ depending on the type of trip or gender of the traveler :)), and off you go to your dream destination.
Let’s face it: who doesn’t start looking for a little confirmation of what he imagined? As if the dreamed place had to necessarily respond to what we have in mind; otherwise, we would feel a little bad about being too surprised.

The ‘Batism of the Island’: When I Almost Broke My Arm

Well. Ibiza. I arrive loaded and ready to rock everything. I rent a scooter and go!!! And yes, I rock, and badly! Boom! Motorcycle accident! They say it’s the ‘baptism’ of the island! I get by with some slightly deep abrasions and wounds that shouldn’t be exposed to the sun. NOT TO BE EXPOSED TO THE SUN? And how is it done in Ibiza? Okay, don’t panic.
I remember that I have a month and lots of things to do and see. A half-broken arm certainly won’t stop me! It’s just a matter of doing one thing: erase/rewind. Review – in fact – your holiday expectations, reset them, and start again from scratch with the wind in your sails.
After all, Ibiza is a loving and docile mother: she lets you do whatever you want, because it’s sun, sea but much, much more!
Here is a small itinerary to do best with your means: bus and foot. Are you ready?

On the Road by Bus

Some background: Ibiza is a large island with many neighborhoods to visit. It is indeed the white island, the color that unites the landscape of each of these neighborhoods, yet each place is a little magic to discover.
My itinerary winds between San Rafael, San Antonio, Cala Bassa, and Platges de Comte: an explosion of white, blue, and magic of the Isla Blanca!

We start our tour from San Rafael, a quiet residential neighborhood in a strategic area halfway between Ibiza Center and Sant’Antonio. It’s small but holds some surprises, especially for good palates (already your mouth is watering? Scroll Down!). A strategic bus leaves from here, the L3, which connects San Antonio with Ibiza City, passing through San Rafael. With the L3, we can easily reach (and from 3 to 5 Euros) San Antonio, a neighborhood full of life and adrenaline 24 hours a day.

Ibiza City: The City Center

In the streets of the center, hippie and artisan markets, along the coast, along the Carrer de Vara de Rey, dozens of clubs host the most exclusive DJ sets (at the Cafè Mambo, the first DJ we find is Bob Sinclair… lucky, uh?), while going up the bay towards Cala de Bou, many souvenir shops, fast food outlets and restaurants. There is even a little hidden but very nice place for those who are vegetarian or vegan, Bio Karma (now closed :(). In short, there is something for everyone!
Finally, for those who want to visit the neighborhood originally, there is the San Antonio Express, a nice bright red train that will take you around the center like on a carousel! Is it ideal for families and children or hardcore Peter Pans?

Cala Bassa

From the San Antonio bus station, we leave with the L7 bus towards Cala Bassa. The beach, as well as the 2nd stop, Platges de Comte, and many other areas of Ibiza, is a UNESCO heritage site, and as soon as you arrive, you understand why.
Although it is crowded with tourists in August (there is also a campsite not far away) the cove is a real spectacle for visitors: platforms of red rocks and small caves with emerald green water below open towards the beach real, not so big but with white sand and crystal clear blue water.
I want to dive in and die there, but then I remember my bandages, and I give up… after all, Ibiza still fascinates you, even if it just fills your eyes! After taking dozens of photographs and after dreaming of my beautiful blue scooter with nostalgic background music, I look for the path that will take me on foot after an easy hour of walking to the other top beach of Ibiza: Platges de Comte, ideal for relaxing while watching the sunset.

Platges de Comte

The sun is still high, and the heat is felt. Luckily, the walking route is well signposted, with the inevitable brown signs reminding us that we are in a protected and natural place despite the hordes of tourists. The last stretch, to be honest, is a bit uncomfortable for pedestrians: in fact, there are no sidewalks, so I have to make do with offal to get to the beach (NB. Well, here you would need a nice scooter, in 10 minutes you are on the second beach suffering less from the heat with the wind in your face).
Finally, I see some people and realize I have arrived. I’m following the sun, and we’re almost there: Platges de Comte, in addition to being beautiful, is, in fact, famous for the magic of the sunset, the most evocative puesta del sol on the island.

Best Sunsets Ever

While waiting for the show, in the meantime, you can enjoy the view of the bay from the Sunset Ashram, a very nice place, red like the rock surrounding the beach, or buy some souvenirs in the small shop inside. Do it before the sun sets, however, because then you will only have eyes for the spectacle of colors you have never seen: intense yellow, blue, pink, red. The sunset at Platges De Comte: a riot of colors immortalized in the 1000 photos on your smartphone to capture every nuance of this magic.

Sunset lasts until 9/9.30pm. And the Ibizans know these things and are optimally organized: in July and August, the last direct bus to Sant’Antonio is around that time p.m. Good for enjoying the sunset in absolute relaxation, as the mood of Ibiza requires!
Returning to San Rafael, I continued to observe the changing sky and colors. Even a few clouds, all things considered, can be forgiven. After all, nothing can go wrong when you follow the sun!

Souvenirs. What to Bring With You

Nature. Colours. Beauty.
And also, a counterintuitive idea: Ibiza is not just that disco island, the undisputed kingdom of perdition. It is also a place to get lost, savoring the colors, devouring the beauty of the rocks, closing your eyes, and breathing life. It is a magical and hypnotic place, apparently peaceful but full of places to discover. I also carry scars, so be careful with your personal ‘baptism’!

Karma: The Place of the Heart

Sunset Ashram, already the place is worth everything!!! Sunset Ashram, if you have followed the itinerary, you already know it. If you have ended up in Platges de Comte, this is the right place to stop and enjoy the puesta del sol while savoring a kaleidoscope of colors and flavors.
Sunset Ashram offers Mediterranean, sushi, and Hindu cuisine to satisfy different types of palates. Day and evening menu and dozens of typical dishes with many influences from different parts of the world: focaccia, hamburgers, salads with many different cereals, sea and land flavors, and typical food such as the delicious bravas potatoes.