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Page 48: Platges de Comte, the most beautiful beaches of Ibiza, Page 49: Ibizan woman bejeweled with traditional emprendades,
and a horizon dotted with islets, which together form part of the gold chains on the chest, and set of rings and stamps with the
Protected Natural Area of Sa Conillera family crest, on all fingers of the hands except the thumbs

No other destination in the world can match the “party-

hardy” mystique of Ibiza. The Spanish island seems to be

the homeland of discos par excellence, like Amnesia and

Pacha, where DJs from around the world—led by David

Guetta—blast EDM into the wee hours and beyond. And

beyond means lunchtime.

Ibiza means escape and partying. It has built itself a and nudists in dreadlocks. The sexy little Spanish en-
solid reputation based on nocturnal club hopping, after clave continues to thrive on its rep for the outlandish,
parties and exclusive enclaves: la movida. But nightlife for endless bacchanalia where the night goes on and
and glamour are just a small part of Ibiza. Actually, the on. But it is also reinventing its image.
island is also a place to find peace and quiet, the classic Ibiza has rhythms and lifestyles that change with
relaxing vacation on restful, laid-back beaches. Ibiza is the seasons. In September, you will find serenity and
a contradiction in terms. Though it is very small, it can peace. You can explore the unspoiled beauty of the
also seem vast; it “contains multitudes,” as Whitman countryside on excursions. The place has been club
said. Different worlds that manage to coexist, some- culture paradise for decades, but a very new wave of
times without ever touching. It’s the island that never hotels, restaurants, and boutiques is now reading the
sleeps, like Manhattan, but lately it is also learning to inland, the “relaxing” section of the island, where you
appreciate the joys of intentional idleness. can savor the most authentic aspects of island life, far
No other destination in the world can match the from the sparkling venues near the beach. Traces of
“party-hardy” mystique of Ibiza. The Spanish island local history still abound. Dalt Vila, for example, is Sunset in Cala Gracio
seems to be the homeland of discos par excellence, a packet of small streets from the sixteenth century
like Amnesia and Pacha, where DJs from around the whose walls were built by Philip II of Spain to protect
world—led by David Guetta—blast EDM into the wee the city from barbarian invasions. The walls and Re-
hours and beyond. And beyond means lunchtime. naissance architecture have earned the town UNES-
It’s the party haven of college kids. Hardly over CO heritage listing, since 1999. There are also secret
twenty, they arrive en masse from campuses all over beaches, the most genuine ones featuring crystal-clear
the world, and they are mad about foam parties where water and breathtaking views: true paradise coves.
they get covered in soapsuds, as in the seaside town of Cala Llentrisca and Es Portitxol are the two
San Antonio. most isolated beaches of Ibiza.
It’s the island of celebrities—Naomi Campbell, Es Portitxol: a beach of somewhat melancholy Dinner and New Year's Party
Mario Testino, Paris Hilton, Puff Daddy, Justin Bie- charm, whose form is like that of a teardrop, cut into at the Pacha nightclub
ber, and Orlando Bloom. Of timeless hippies who have the cliffs to form a natural port of clear, azure water.
dumped everything to live here in a VW bus, surfers, Cala Llentrisca: shaped like a crescent moon, a

50 Travel Protagonist Protagonist Travel 51