The main spoken language in the islands is a dialect of Catalan. The Island ‘s history dates back to to trade development troughout the Mediterranian where the main island was made a staging port for ships returing to Africa. It has a history of conquest including Phoenicians, Greeks, Corinthians, Moors, and Catalans. Islanders have a reputation for being open and friendly with newcomers and tourist.
Ibiza is referred to as ‘Isla Blanca’ or ‘ White Island ‘. It is located 52 miles from the peninsula and streches 41 kilometers. It is covered with mountains and pine trees and features an indented shorline with high cliffs and rocks out to sea. The architecture reflects North African traditions as well as European, including many white wash walls and flat roof terraces.
Some places of interest include:
El Catedral ( Ibiza ), a cathedral containing many interesting works of art built upon a ‘holy ground’, the previous site of a Moorish mosque and Roman temple.
Cala d’ Hort ( Ibiza ), a small bay on the southeastern coast steching 200 meters, encompassed by large rocks with a backdrop of steep cliffs and pine trees facing the sunset.
Las Salinas (Formenta), pools for the extraction of salt that form a beatiful lake with irregular patches of color and a fringe of old salt heaps.
Some things to do:
For clubbers, check out Amnesia, Eden , El Divino, Pacha, Pin Up, Priveledge, and Space. These are most of the largest party places on the island, A couple are argueably the largest clubs in the world, some including restaurants and indoor swimming pools. For everyone else, other activities include bungee catapult, casinos, diving (in very clear waters, with high temperatures and visibility), golf, horse racing, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking, tennis, and watersports.
A list of festivities:
- January 17th : The festival of Sant Antoni in the town of Sant Antoni , Ibiza
- Februrary: Carnaval season where the main event is on the 12th at Santa Eulisia
- Easter: Include processions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday
- First Sunday in May: processions in Santa Eularia
- May 30th : Festival of Sant Ferran, Formentra
- June: Senona de a Moda, Add Lib fashion shows
- July 16th : The festival of La Virgen del Carmine, the patron saint of sea fearers, includes parade of boats
- July 25th : Festival of San Jaime, patron saint of Formentra
- August 5th : Festival for the patron saint of the Pine Islands
- August 8th : Festival of San Ciriaco, the patron saint of Eivissa
- August 24th : Festival in Sant Antoni
- September 8th : Fiesta de Jesús, Santa Eularia
- Septemeber 29th : Festival of St. Michael at Sant Miguel
- October 12th : El Pilar, Formentra, A procession to the highest point of the island in honor of Our Lady of Pilar
- November: 1st : All Saints Day on both islands, consists of cake baking and eating
- December 3rd : Bonfire and barbecue in Plaça de la Iglesia in Sant Françesa de Formentra to celebrate the patron saints day
References: Ibiza and Formentra – The AA Essential Guide, The Green Guides: Spain Balearic and Canary Islands
