Posted : 07 May 08
As you know by now I am on a continuous pursuit to bring forward sounds from around the world. Together we have embarked from the United States to Brazil, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Austria, the Nordic Region, Japan, and now I’d like to take you on a musical ride to the Mediterranean Sea. Join me as we hover to the sounds of the ultimate party space…
The Balearic Islands, an autonomous division of Spain and the most popular destination in the whole of Europe, are located between the east coast of mainland Spain and the North African coast.
The three main islands are Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca. There are also the two tiny and unspoiled islands of Formentera, to the south of Ibiza, and Cabrera, off the southern coast of Mallorca. The islands are a favourite holiday haunt of royalty, the seriously rich and famous and package tourists from all over the world. Each has a different landscape and distinct character; between them, the Balearics offer something for everyone.
All of these Islands have an excellent climate with around 300 days of sun per year, wonderful golden beaches and a rich cultural offering. There are more passengers passing through the airport of Palma de Majorca than at the airport of any other Spanish city making the Balearic Islands one of the top destinations for many people.
All of the Balearic Islands are different from one another so no matter what you are looking for on holiday you will be sure to find it within the Balearic Islands.
Majorca (Mallorca) - Majorca is the largest of the Balearic Island and one of Europe's top holiday destinations attracting some six million visitors a year. The island is about 100 kilometres from east to west and 75 kilometers from north to south. It's an island of huge contrasts with frantically busy international tourist centers in the south west and a beautiful, unspoiled mountainous region in the north. The capital, Palma de Mallorca, is fast gaining a reputation as one of the Mediterranean's most exclusive holiday resorts whilst nearby Magaluf is a magnet for package holidaymakers, particularly "the lads" who snap up the "Shagaluf" T-shirts on sale at the beachfront kiosks.
Claudia Schiffer, Michael Douglas and King Juan Carlos of Spain are among the many celebrities and jet-set types who own holiday homes on Mallorca.
Most tourists head for the south of the island but if you take the time to explore the hinterland and northern coast you'll find a rural heartland virtually untouched by tourism and dramatic, rugged mountains concealing lovely unspoiled beaches.
From the southeast tip of Mallorca, you can take a boat trip out to the beautiful archipelago of Cabrera which has been declared a National Maritime Territorial park. The crystal clear waters here are a paradise for divers and snorkellers.
Minorca (Menorca) - is the second largest of the Balearic Islands. Although the second largest Menorca has been able to keep a lot of the traditional settings and managed to avoid over development. is the easternmost of the Balearic Islands - it's also the most lush, tranquil and unspoilt of the three main islands. It's not a place for party animals. But if you're looking for endless miles of uncrowded beaches, delightful fishing villages and historic towns, you've come to the right place. King Juan Carlos pops over here on the royal yacht from Mallorca for fresh seafood lunches.
Visitors to the Balearics should note that a fiercely resisted "eco-tax" was introduced in May 2002 to combat the increasing threat to the environment posed by mass tourism. You pay per night at a rate dependent on the style of holiday accommodation. Five star hotels attract the top rate of two Euros per night and environmentally friendly rural accommodation, classed as "agrotourism", has the lowest rate of 25 cents. Children under 12 are exempt.
Ibiza - is the third largest Balearic Island and is best known as the "Party Island". Although Ibiza lives up to the reputation of all night parties there is also a lot more to this Island. Ibiza offers a lot of tourist attractions and many golden beaches so you can escape and just relax.
Ibiza is the nearest to the mainland, 100 kilometres off the Costa Blanca coast. It's just 45 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide at its central point but this is the party capital of Europe. It has some of the biggest and best nightclubs in the world, attracting big name DJs, a celebrity clientele and hordes of Britain's most hardened partygoers. The wild antics of Ibiza's clubbers have attracted plenty of media attention - notably in 1988 when the British vice-consul resigned in disgust over the "degenerate" behaviour of the lager lout element from his homeland.
But travel a short distance from the two club land areas of Ibiza town and San Antonio and you'll find the other, lesser-known Ibiza - an island of traditional Spanish villages amid the orange and lemon groves, stunning mountains, cliffs and delightful hidden coves. There are colourful street markets, local fiestas and Spanish tapas bars where the locals gather but foreigners rarely tread.
The island is just over two hours flying time from London and can also be reached by ferry from the Spanish ports of Denia, Valencia, Alicante and Barcelona. If you take a trip over to Formentera (an hour by ferry from Ibiza town) you'll discover one of the Mediterranean's best-kept secrets - an island paradise of dunes, cliffs and coves with some of the cleanest unspoilt beaches and clearest waters in the Mediterranean.
Formentera - is the fourth largest Balearic Island, this smaller Island offers some of the best and un-spoilt beaches the Balearic Islands has to offer.
Quick Facts and Figures
Official Name Balearic Islands, a territory of Spain since 1349
Capital City Palma de Mallorca
Languages Spanish (official) and Catalan
Latitude/Longitude 39° 34'N, 2° 39'E
Official Currency: the Euro
Religions Catholic, others
Population 796,000
Land Area 5014 sq km (1935 sq miles)
Are you ready to party yet? World Music all night long…
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