Ibiza - Somewhere for everyone to enjoy

Well, Ibiza you certainly surprised me! Having only ever ventured to the Island on a day trip whilst on a cruise, I’d only ever seen Ibiza for a few hours and only experienced a small part of the Old Town and Port. This time I travelled over there courtesy of the Palladium Hotel Group, to the beautiful and quiet resort of Playa d’en Bossa, staying in the Grand Palladium. I say “quiet” as it was at the end of the season (end of Oct), and only a very short taxi ride from the airport. In total, it only cost around 11 euros. A great tip to get a taxi and a must if you are staying in this resort, rather than waiting for the coach transfer, you’ll be at your hotel in under 10mins. This is great, especially if you are travelling with a young family. Playa d’en Bossa - There is a frequent bus service which takes you into the Old Town, at around 2.50 euros per person it only takes around 15mins. The Beach is stunning, with plenty of sun loungers available to hire. If you‘re into your "Chilled Ibiza" scene in the daytime then Playa d‘en Bossa is for you. You can relax on one of the many day beds that sit in prime locations in all of the Beach Clubs that are dotted along the shoreline. Great for a relaxed afternoon on the beach with a Mojito in hand, listening to the chilled Ibiza tunes whilst occasionally taking a dip in the sea to cool off. Whilst in Ibiza you have to visit Ibiza's Old Town and Port. I would highly recommend taking a guided tour to appreciate the history of this place and of course the Island. I enjoyed our tour of Ibiza Town and our guide was extremely knowledgeable and provided us with plenty of history and information on the area, something I certainly would never have found out myself by just walking around. One is the nuns who live in the walls of the Old Town. There is so much of a contrast in Ibiza Town, from the old ruins and famous monuments to the designer shops, bars, and restaurants down in the port. There certainly is so much to see and do in Ibiza Town. If you're planning on seeing it all, I would highly recommend comfy shoes, as you will need them. The Port of Ibiza Town is relatively flat and easy to get around. There are plenty of eateries ranging from your typical Mcdonald's and Burger Kings, Tapas restaurants, and of course fine dining. All varieties to suit any budget. When I visited here last year with my partner, we spent a good hour trying to decide where to eat. We were lucky that we were on a cruise at the time, that had docked overnight in the port, so we had plenty of time, but there is so much to choose from, we just didn't know where to go. We chose the right and settled for a lovely little tapas restaurant in the heart of the town overlooking the port. It was a beautiful scene in the evening. There was hustle and bustle of the busy evening trade, music in the background, and laughter from all around. In all everyone and everything about Ibiza Town had a buzz about it. The next time I visited I took myself off for a wander around Ibiza town and found this absolute gem of a place. It was down a side street. You'd be hard-pressed to find it, but thankfully I did. I enjoyed a lovely few pinchos and a glass of vino for only 7 euros, a steal of a price, as you should be prepared to pay anything around 10-15 euros in the main port of Ibiza just for a glass of wine. My tip is to mix it with the locals. If you see locals eating/drinking there then it's worth it! and of course, for my little gem of a place, I just stepped away from the main drag of the port and wandered slightly away from the port. Only a 10-minute walk, but the price difference was huge! and worth the walk. For me, it was more about absorbing more of the local way of life than the tourist trail. I also ventured across the other side of the Island to San Antonio, which if you don’t know, is famous for its Sunsets. From Play d’en Bossa/Old Town it's around 45 euros in a taxi and takes around 25-30mins. You can also take the local bus which will cost you around 2.50 euros. It’s a straight drive so easy to get to and from. Ideal for those wanting to spend the evening watching the sunset or even if you are only there for the day visiting the Island on a cruise, it's very accessible to be able to hop a taxi across to San Antonio and back in no time. It's also where a lot of the boat trips will set sail. I love the harbour with an array of different boat trips on offer. When I visited it was towards the end of the season, so for the party-hard crowd who love the likes of the big Super Clubs like HI, USHUAIA, IBIZA ROCKS, PASHA, etc, the closing parties were just wrapping up. Café Mambo in San Antonio was still open but closing that weekend (21st Oct). I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by San Antonio; I can see the pull to the area with the spectacular sunsets, but the harbour itself is a lovely area, and of course, the promenade which hugs the coast, has plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants to keep everyone entertained. It was fairly quiet when we visited, and the beaches were deserted, however, in the peak of summer, I can see how this would be a wonderful place to visit for families, couples, or friends wanting a more active and entertaining holiday. I had my doubts about visiting Ibiza. My clubbing days are long behind me, but there was something about Ibiza, that just made me not feel old! (I know I'm not) but there was just something for every age and every taste. Whether it be heading into Playa d'en Bossa for the nightlife of the super clubs, or chilling on the beach in one of the many beach clubs, the views I had about Ibiza certainly changed. Don't get me wrong, it still attracts those looking for a party club scene, but as someone in their 40s travelling with family, it opened my eyes to what Ibiza has to offer. I suppose the big pull there for me, is the flight times. 2 hours, morning flight, and you can relax on your sun lounger by Midday! It's an ideal location to go to for almost a "City" break. A couple of days with the girls, or a relaxing few days with your partner. It's so accessible for everyone and such an easy Island to get around. The Island isn't an "all year round" destination yet, but the Ibiza Tourist Board is working hard with airlines to look at introducing an extended season, meaning that hopefully in time, Ibiza can become an over-year round destination, much like Barcelona has now become. The weather in winter is typically 17-20 degrees, so even in the coldest of winters, it can still be a great destination for some summer sun. I was fortunate when I visited, at the end of October, and still in my high 20s! Yes, not as much was open, but if you are planning on going there to relax for a few days it's ideal. I was so impressed with Ibiza town, I've booked our family holiday there next year! Staying at The Grand Palladium Palace Resort and Spa. A recently refurbished hotel, which caters so well for both families and couples. It has a great mix of dining options, like Mexican, Italian, and buffet. Kids club, Spa, Outside Entertainment, and one of my partners - A 24-hour Sports Bar!