We headed to Ibiza for a quick spring break trip, hoping to explore the northern part of the island and escape the infamous night club and hen party scene that gives the island its reputation as an international up-all-night capital. Since this would be a quick weekend getaway, we sought out the healthy side of Ibiza, including cold water immersion, vegan food and an animal movement class.
Highlights:
We landed in Ibiza on a weekday afternoon and immediately drove out of cool but crowded Ibiza town to Santa Eulalia, which would be our base for the trip. We walked along the coastal promenade as the sun set over the sea, and then shared a dinner of roasted salmon, edamame and crispy yucca at a seaside pan-Asian spot. We went to bed early, planning an early morning hike the following day.
Cala d'Albarca
After a good night's sleep, we rose just after sunset and headed out to explore. Erin had some really sketchy directions to Cala d'Albarca, a seaside grotto we wanted to hike down to for our morning exercise. While attempting to use Erin's directions (turn down the dirt road across from the old white house), we got a bit lost. Eventually, we found the random dirt road among many, parked alongside just one other car, and commenced our hike down to the empty rocky sea grotto, filled with neon turquoise water.
Despite the 59 degree sea temps, Dave jumped in immediately, unable to resist the perfect, majestic water. Dave challenged Erin to join him. Though it took her some time, she eventually waded in wearing Dave's boxers and we were both glad to be floating in the sea off Ibiza on a Saturday morning in April. As we hiked up the path, we discovered an epic rock bridge spanning over a sea cliff, and we spent time taking pictures and carefully scurrying along the narrow rock path before heading back to the car.
Wild Beets
For lunch, we headed to Wild Beets, a yoga-ish raw food spot, where we feasted on Bhudda bowl, veggie burgers, tumeric lattes and fresh juices. We sat outside in the sun and felt like we were really living life. Everyone around us seemed to be in a good mood, and although it was the middle of a weekday, nobody seemed in a rush to do anything.
Las Dalias Hippie Market
After lunch, we hit the Las Dalias Hippie Market, where we shopped for bohemian dresses, jewelry and various other island-vibe goods. Each little shop was run by different cool characters, many of whom were openly smoking giant spliffs. A few shopkeepers looked like they were models who dated members of the Rolling Stones in the 70s, partied in Ibiza and decided to never leave. Erin loved the beachy, Euro-summer aesthetic and could also have stayed forever.
We lounged by the pool and drank local wine in the afternoon sun, and kept it low key in the evening, staying in our little town and walking to dinner (tacos) from our Spanish inn.
Es Vedra
The following morning, we hiked to the viewpoint looking over the sea to Es Vedra, a small rocky island off the south western coast of the island. As we hiked up to a hundred-year-old pirate lookout tower with the best views of Es Vedra, we passed a circle of young yogi girls holding hands, chanting and meditating. Es Vedra is shrouded in lore and mystery, with some claiming it is a major force of magnetic power, others claiming it hides a UFO base and others claiming it contains a portal to Egypt.
We took our hike slowly, luxuriating in the crazy views, and found a secluded spot at the top to chill and rest. On many of our trips, we rush from place to place in an effort to see everything, and here we just took it slow and, like the yoga girls, tried to connect with the energy of the place. We followed our hike with a delicious healthy feast, and in the afternoon visited a few beaches filled with some of the most beautiful, clear, bright, sparkling water we've ever seen in the San Josep de Sa Talaia area.
Animal Flow at Project
For our last morning, we did an animal movement class (yes, you read that right) at a co-working space on an inland farm on the island. This was as out there as it sounds, with a dude named Renj playing a mouth pick instrument, lots of man buns and a positive but super groovy vibe. We spent an hour crawling around, doing handstands and working out hard with a group of fit hippies, and then headed back to Wild Beets for another vegetarian feast (this time pancakes, acai bowls and avo toast) before heading back to Ibiza town for our flight home. Despite its reputation as a party capital, Ibiza has a legit wellness scene and totally untouched nature.
Next up, a Game of Thrones-inspired hiking and road trip vacation in Northern Ireland.
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