Jan
Decades ago, when Mallorca was sneered at as a downmarket haven for lager louts, Sunflower noticed that King Juan Carlos of Spain holidayed there every summer. ‘If it’s good enough for the king, it’s got to be good enough for “Landscapers”’ we thought. And sure enough – Landscapes of Mallorca was the first ever walking guide to that island and became a bestseller, winning an ‘Oscar’ from the Sunday Times for best travel guide.
This time another Balearic island, Ibiza, has been in the news. Before their marriage, Prince William and Kate holidayed at the home of her wealthy (and rather controversial) uncle Gary, in the south of the island. The tabloid press made much of the name of his house – the ‘Maison de Bang Bang’ – and the goings-on there.
Now Kate’s uncle has been unable to sell the house, so is renting it out. So you really could holiday like the royals … for a mere £20,000 a week. To take a peek, log on to www.rentibizavilla.com.
You’ll pass the house if you do Walk 5 in Landscapes of Ibiza and Formentera, near the airport and the salt pans (where you’ll see huge piles of salt with cranes and caterpillar machines chomping away). The walk mostly follows the gorgeous coastline, sometimes at the foot of the striking red Jondal cliffs.
Just like Mallorca, Ibiza need be nothing like the descriptions in the popular press. Not only are the coastal walks glorious, but the rural inland routes are exceptionally beautiful and gentle. The book describes several cycle tours as well, both on Ibiza and the neighbouring island of Formentera. What’s more, the climate is suitable for year-round walking!