Ibiza Hotels, Majorca Hotels, Apartments, Accommodation

Olives have been one of the most valuable ingredients in the Mediterranean diet for thousands of years - since people discovered how to extract the valuable olive oil from the small bitter fruit of the ancient olive trees. It is unlikely that the early harvesters of the olive were privy to this much information, but the humble olive tree can certainly claim to be one of the main pillars of the renowned 'healthy Mediterranean diet'. Olive trees of all ages are abundant all over Ibiza and many are reputed to be over 1,000 years old. However, they are not a crop that offers a quick return and were traditionally planted to provide for the next generation. Their most productive years are considered to be between 25 and 100 years during which time they can produce between 30 and 50 kilos of olives each year. Traditionally the olives that had dropped during the night were collected each autumn morning when the peasants took their sheep or goats to pasture. If it was a windy day they would take a second tour of their trees expecting more fruit to have fallen. Nowadays, as the flocks of sheep have largely disappeared, you are more likely to see the farmers beating the trees with long sticks and catching the olives with nets spread on the ground beneath. Since each family would have only a few trees, they would then take their precious fruit to a neighbouring finca that possessed an olive press. There are two main components to an olive press; the first is the horse drawn millstone with its huge stone trough into which the olives are tipped and crushed into a pulp by the millstone, as it is interminably dragged around by the blinkered horse. The resultant pulp is then crammed into big wicker baskets a metre across, which are piled under the business end of the press.Come to Ibiza, not only for clubbing or dancing, but also to enjoy the Ibiza nature life. So that enjoy your stay in our selection of Ibiza hotels and Ibiza apartments.

Although most tourist activity is based around the coast, Ibiza has much to offer inland. Journey off the beaten track to find untouched villages that still reflect much of the incredible history of the island. Many are just a cycle ride away from your Ibiza apartment or your hotel in Ibiza. As to the coast, you'll feel amazed the island's beautiful sunsets and the special magnetism of some islets as Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell. The Natural Reserve of Cala D'Hort and Las Salinas, the later partly located at the south of Ibiza and partly in Formentera, including the sea strip that separates them and the islets called Es Freus, are the two main areas of environmental value.These are Ses Salines of Ibiza and Formentera, salt pans and marshes which were designated a Natural Reserve in 1995. Endemic plant and animal communities co-exist here in a rich ecosystem where salt is a dominant feature. All this makes their landscapes and beaches unique and unrepeatable. In earlier times, Ibiza was called the island of salt, and it is so to such an extent that its inhabitants were guaranteed a supply of the condiment by law. The first ones to exploit the marshes were the Carthaginians, towards the 5th Century BC. After the re-conquest of Spain from the Moors, they passed over to being the property of the University and became one of the most important saltworks in the Mediterranean. For various centuries they belonged to the Crown, until they passed into private hands with the sale of Church lands by Mendizábal in 1835. Today the extraction of salt continues as in the past, using traditional methods and creating a landscape of white mountains which seem to have come from another world. Since 1995 this area has formed part of the Sea and Land Natural Reserve of Ses Salines. It includes almost all the southern tip of Ibiza, the north of Formentera and the islets which separate both islands. It is an ecosystem with a rich diversity, designated an Area of Special Protection for Birds. Among the 124 catalogued species are herons and flamingos which are easy to sight on their migratory journeys from July to October and from February to May. The vegetation is conditioned by the salinity of the ground. There is a predominance of the endemic sempervivum, reeds and plants which thrive in brackish water. The hills, with a lower concentration of salt, are covered with savin juniper bushes, pine forests and shrub land of rosemary and rock roses.

The island of Formentera...a meeting place for the world?s best windsurfers ? FormenteraMany world-class windsurfers are coming to the island of Formentera and its crystalline and transparent waters to prepare for the coming season, prior to the 2008 Olympics.The links between windsurfing and the island of Formentera are growing by leaps and bounds. The popularity of this water sport in the smaller of the two Pitiusan Islands is soaring, good proof of which are the many world-class windsurfers who are coming to the island of Formentera and its crystalline and transparent waters to prepare for the coming season, prior to the 2008 Olympics. Windsurfing in Formentera is popular all throughout the winter season and its superb conditions have not gone unnoticed by several of this sport?s stellar figures. José Luis Piñama, member of the Spanish Olympic windsurfing team, has been the main advocate for this initiative to bring together the world?s greatest windsurfers on the smaller Pitiusan Islands, including Germany?s Wilhelm (eighth place in the latest international championship), Italy?s champion Fabian Giheideggen, Portugal?s Joaop Rodrigues (two-time Olympic champion), Austria?s Thomas Kargl, Greece?s Byron Kokalanis and Switzerland?s Richie Staffacher (sixteenth place in the latest international championship), in addition to four more windsurfers from the Austrian youth team along with their trainer, Peter Krimbacher. José Luis Piñana was also Spain?s Olympic class runner-up and placed ninth in Holland?s 2006 Olympic Week and first in the 2005 National Freestyle Championship. Formentera has become a first-class destination for many internationally famous racers, all of whom emphasise the enormous importance of being able to train with people from other countries in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. According to Piñana, the island of Formentera boasts excellent infrastructures and superb conditions for windsurfing. He also stressed the excellent sailing conditions in the smaller Pitiusan Island, which make it a privileged place for this sport. As Formentera is a very small island, it is possible to come by boat one day and to settle on a hotel in Ibiza or an apartment in Ibiza or to find an accommodation in Mallorca. Enjoy your stay in Balearic Islands!

Figueretas beach is a well made central beach, divided into smaller parts sits in front of Figueretas apartment blocks and Figueretas hotels, and is bordered by a palm fringed promenade which extends along back towards Ibiza to the left and Playa d'en Bossa to the right.Water temperatures range from 18º C in May to 26º in August making the island ideal for all sorts of watersports, including waterskiing, jetskiing, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, bananaboat or even a relaxing pedalo. Most of the larger beaches have kiosks where you can rent pedaloes and have a go on a banana boat. There are several sailing schools around the island (Playa d'en Bossa, Las Salinas, San Antonio, Cala Martina, Cala Pada) offering Catamaran hire and occasional windsurf hire (you will probably need a licence). There are also several beaches offering waterskiing and jetskiing (San Antonio Bay, Cala Bassa, Playa d'en Bossa, Santa Eulalia) and parasailing. WindsurfingThere is rarely enough wind for planing conditions in the high season (but easily enough for beginners). In early and late summer, the South wind (Scirroco) can pick up to a good force 4 once a week, and the West wind (Mistral) sometimes comes howling in at force 6. The most popular beaches are Cala Martina, Cala Conta and Playa d'en Bossa. Of these, Cala Martina is the easiest to surf with plenty of flat and shallow water. Playa d'en bossa is all sand, but choppy when the South wind blows directly onshore. Cala Conta is for the more advanced surfer, and is trickier to get in and out. A shorty will be enough in the high season months of July, August and September (also gives good protection from the sun). For earlier and later months, as well as winter, think about taking a longer wetsuit, especially for the legs.

One of the major benefits of living on a small island in the middle of the sea is the daily availability of fresh fish. To emphasize that freshness Ibiza has a tradition of fishing that still includes the blowing of the conch to announce the daily arrival of the day's catch in a few of the island villages. In Santa Eulalia this ceremony used to take place under a tree known as the 'Fishermen's Tree' opposite the Bar Cosmi on the Paseo. The hotels in San Juan it still takes place on the road alongside the church on a daily basis. A part of the tradition that made the islands self sufficient since time immemorial. Nowadays the islands' fishing fleet have sadly been made largely obsolete by 'modern' methods which have largely raped the natural resource of our surrounding seas. Drastic action to preserve the balance of nature is being discussed in all of the sea areas around most of Europe, as fishing technology has improved to the point of taking species, such as cod, to the point of extinction in the North Sea . Closer to home, the French fishing industry has received much negative press for fishing for the Blue Fin Tuna, close to Figueretas accomodation, using aircraft to guide their fleets' nets to the biggest shoals, innocently using their historical migratory routes. However, there is a third category of fishermen - almost as rare as the cod nowadays. Sports fishermen are an elite club of nature lovers who maintain their own set of rules of engagement, which are pretty much set in stone. There are probably no more than 200 members of this sport, the world's second most expensive sport/hobby (behind polo), but these few view their prey as potential gladiators and treat them with incredible respect.

Nestled in the heart of the Tramuntana mountain range, Mallorca is a great base from which to explore the surrounding countryside by mountain bike. There is a wide variety of trails to explore, including great single tracks which wind through the olive groves and over mountain passes. With the Mediterranean never far away, the views are always spectacular.A wide selection of bikes for hire, including race, mountain, trekking, city and children?s bikes. All bikes are hired with a helmet and a pump. A lot of shops offer the following accessories for hire free of charge cycle computer, spare inner tubes, locks, water bottles, child seats, lights and racks.You can pick up your rental bike in the center of Soller, or if you prefer, bikes can be delivered and picked up to and from your accommodation.From your hotel in Soller, Biniaraix, or your appartment in Puerto Soller, this service is free if renting for one day or longer.The team of enthusiastic local Mallorcan cyclists - enthusiatic about cycling and their country - takes you to places which only they and a few other locals know about. Flexibility is the key with these rides and they can be varied depending upon the demand from the group. The number of days can be extended to include some other rides in the easier categories.Ride 1 Duration 3hrs Distance 30km This excursion takes place in the south face of the Serra de Tramuntana. The highest point of the commune of Bunyola at 819m above sea level is called Penyals d?Honor and borders on the region of ?Es Raiguer?, which gives us the possibility to enjoy an excellent view over PalmaRide 2 Duration 4hrs Distance 40kmThis excursion takes place in the Serra de Tramuntana, on the northeast slope of the island. The first sector goes along an old paved cart track that used to join the Monastery of Lluc with the village of Pollença. This 700 hundred-year-old and 14km long path crosses the Fincas (country houses) of Menut, Binifaldó and Muntanya, always uphill before we reach 700m above sea level.Ride 3 Duration 4hrs Distance 20kmThis is one of the classic mountain bike rides in Majorca. Right in the middle of the Serra de Tramuntana, Es Teix offers you the possibility to ride at heights of 900m, with fabulous views to the north and south sides of the island