From first home to family home… and an island connection spanning a lifetime.

Maria has been coming to Ibiza since she was 6 years old. From summer holidays to elongated stays to permanent residence on the island, it’s now time for Maria and her husband to move on, but the memories will always remain.

We spoke to Maria to find out more about her history with the island and about the amazing Villa Valentina.

You previously bought and sold a house through Villa Contact. Can you tell us more about your experience?

Clea helped us find and purchase our first property here on the island in 2013. When buying for the first time there is a lot to learn about the Spanish system and Clea held our hands through the entire process. She understood that we were looking for something more rustic in style with a small plot of land and the potential to be our home in the future and she found it!

After 6 years in that property, we decided to look for something larger that would now be our main family home as we had decided to leave the UK totally following Brexit and selling my business – our dream of living permanently on the island was becoming reality.

Once again, we reached out to Villa Contact to not only sell our property but to find our next home; we love their personal service and know how well connected they are being a local family-run agency. They found our buyers and also showed us a property that we may not have considered had they not recommended it – we knew it was the right home for us the moment we saw it.

Rarely do you sell and buy/complete on the same day in the Spanish system but due to unforeseen circumstances with our buyers this was the situation we found ourselves in, as well as being at the start of the COVID situation and looming lockdown. Thankfully Clea held our hands once again to ensure everything was pushed through and here we are today in our lovely Villa Valentina albeit sadly (but excitedly) selling to be closer to family in Africa.

What is your favourite thing about Villa Valentina?

It’s tough to choose, but I really love the spaciousness and light throughout the house with views of the garden from every window. We have the morning sunrise at the front of the house and then the evening sun setting at the rear of the property with terraces to enjoy for either sun or shade depending on the time of day and time of year. The house sits in the middle of the 3-acre plot and I love how the garden wraps around it.

When did you first visit Ibiza?

I was 6 yrs old, so actually 50 yrs ago, when my parents brought us on a family holiday to Ibiza and stayed in Es Cana, a small resort back then with just one hotel. My parents fell in love with Ibiza and 6 years later bought a property in the very undeveloped Es Cana as it was then. So, from the age of 12, my school holidays were spent in Ibiza and many, many happy times were had. Then, as myself, my brother and my sister had our own families, we all enjoyed holidays on the island together.

What made you fall in love with the island?

Honestly, I just always knew Ibiza would be in my life forever, definitely from the age of 12 when my parents bought their house.

Back then of course I loved the family holidays, beaches and being so fortunate to holiday here. Only as I grew older, had my own family and then own business did I truly understand and fully appreciate the magnetic hold that Ibiza has, the special light, the smell of the pine trees and herbs in the air, the gorgeous secret coves, the red of the soil, the ruggedness of the rocky coastline. It feeds my soul and the more busy and stressed I became in the corporate world the more I needed Ibiza to balance me and recharge me.

My husband who was born and grew up in Africa until moving to the UK found that Ibiza gave him the space, sunshine and more rural life that he missed from Africa. We love the mix of people we have on the island; the non-judgemental ‘anything goes’ attitude, the loud sound of the Spanish chatter amongst families on a Sunday at a local chiringuito, the slower pace of life, the farm-to-table restaurants, the understanding of the need to conserve local traditions and the history of the island, all mixed with amazing music and fantastic clubs. I truly just love it.

What are your suggestions for the best places to visit around Villa Valentina?

Oh wow – so many to mention as we are so centrally located

Firstly, the restaurants; we are located just off the main San Juan road with so many great places to eat just minutes away when we are not enjoying eating at home in the garden. Literally at the top of the lane and within walking distance is the lovely Es Caliu with summer dining in their gorgeous gardens and great grill menu.

We love Can Muson which is open all year and family run and super cosy in the winter with a roaring fire. Cana Pepeta is lovely and of course, we also have renowned Nagai and Bambuddha 3 mins away.

Just 5 minutes to La Paloma and Casa Lhasa in San Lorenzo and Lydia’s North is great fun with live music at the weekends and the best burgers, we also love Can Garage which is a similar vibe but just off the main St Eulalia to Ibiza road.

The gorgeous organic farm Terra Masia is also just a few minutes drive away and well worth a visit to collect your veggie boxes or have brunch.

Villa Valentina is just 10 mins from Santa Gertrudis with its super shops, restaurants and bars; 15 mins from Benirras, 10 mins from San Juan itself and of course 10 mins from St Eulalia and 12 mins from Ibiza Town. We love the location as it enables us to get anywhere super easily whilst still feeling we are a little in the campo. There’s so much close by to enjoy.

Do you think that Ibiza is a good place to start or raise a family? Why?

That’s a tough question for me as one of my regrets is that we didn’t make the permanent move to Ibiza when our children were young – but the answer is a resounding YES.

I believe there is so much less pressure put on children here in schools and they grow up surrounded by nature and the simple things in life; playing in the sea, long days in the sunshine, greenery and forests etc. They are surrounded by children with like-minded parents; less judgemental and those that want something different for their children who have chosen to move to Ibiza as well as the local Ibizan and Spanish families.

I love seeing all the Spanish families out together dining late in the evening and the Spanish culture that so loves children. Our son, now 28, has chosen to make his home here on the island and has truly found his “tribe”. It’s a very special place in my opinion – a softer, more nurturing and calmer environment.

If you’d like to learn more about Villa Valentina or arrange a viewing, feel free to contact us.

Taking 2023 in a new direction?

Following several years of continual disruption across the globe, people are now actively looking to incite change and discover a more relaxed approach to leading their lives. We are seeing more business owners abandoning their traditional city-led lifestyles and opting to live abroad. Ibiza in particular is seeing an increase of entrepreneurs investing in property, so they can reap the benefits of better work-life balance. Who wouldn’t want to increase work productivity whilst prioritising health, family and of course enjoy the benefits of 300 days of sunshine?

Credit: Origen Ibiza

Work-life balance adds up

So where are we now? Today, statistics show that up to 48% of people already work from home and fully remote work is expected to triple in the coming years, compared to figures first published back in 2019. The UK census revealed that 47% of people working from home reported improved well-being, so why not take it one step further? In 2022 alone, 90,000 citizens moved abroad to work and an astounding 560,000 moved abroad long-term, saying goodbye to the UK and hello to freedom.

Health is the new not so cryptic currency

Stress is becoming the number one pandemic, contributing to over 5 million deaths worldwide annually, with 90% of all diseases and illnesses being sickness-related. Creating flexible work patterns that combat stress at work noticeably improves levels of turnover, productivity and sickness related absences. With employers and employees actively prioritising health as a necessary pillar of their business culture moving forward, we can expect to see far more people moving abroad. Spain’s recent Digital Nomad visas makes the move even more attractive, with non-EU citizens given the chance to work in the sun and enjoy a lower cost of living with tax breaks thrown in for good measure.

Can you be ‘busy’ and balanced?

Busy used to be the buzzword, often overused and bandied about like a proverbial badge of honour. We have previously regarded ‘busy’ as a measure of success, but this meaning is now changing. Business News Daily found that although 40% of people who worked abroad and remotely worked longer hours, 75% said their work-life balance had improved. Furthermore, a recent article by media giant Forbes suggests that remote workers are in general more productive than those who regularly work in an office scenario.

Credit: The Hub

Rise of business based in Ibiza

We are seeing Ibiza become a melting pot for business, conferences and industry events. Already in 2023 we have the well-established Hospitality Conference Fitur coming to the island.

Credit: Six Senses

At the end of 2022, we saw Six Senses Ibiza launch its wellness festival Alma, bringing a myriad of influential CEOs and health luminaries from across the world including Mindvalley’ Vishen Lakhiani, celebrity chef Jasmine Hemsley and Biohacker Dave Asprey leading the way for expanding well-being in Ibiza. TED Talks also brings the first TEDx ‘Dalt Vila’ to the island this March, showing a thirst for knowledge on the island and celebrating its innovative worldly approach.

Where to work from Ibiza
There are a number of dedicated co-working spaces housing digital nomads from across the globe and remote working has become an integral success story for many businesses including theHub.Ibiza, The Business Space Ibiza, Momo 13 and Origen Ibiza. All spaces have complete offices to rent and hot desking options for those that want more flexibility when they work. As Ibiza fluently adapts to the influx of people craving their own work-life balance, we will continue to see new and even more exciting opportunities for businesses and people to relocate on the island.

Ready to relocate? Speak to one of our team about the steps you need to take to make Ibiza your next home.

Credit: Six Senses

Buyers are spoiled for choice when it comes to #islandlife. There is a veritable patchwork of lifestyles on offer, from hippy and alternative to cosmopolitan and sleek. Lifestyle is the very first thing the Villacontact team determine when sitting down with a client. The question is not where do you want to live but how do you want to live? In order to squeeze the various options into manageable groups, Villacontact splits lifestyle into three categories – village, country, city.

Village life in Ibiza

The island is dotted with picturesque villages replete with whitewashed farmhouses and formidable churches surrounded by lush farmland and forest. Some villages consist of a church and not much else, while others boast a diminutive village square and a scattering of shops and restaurants. Of the former San Agnes, San Mateo and San Lorenzo are prime examples, although the latter is also home to the iconic La Paloma restaurant and Santa Ignes’ lone eatery boasts the best tortilla on the island. These lovely hamlets often contain some of the island’s most traditional architecture while the surrounding landscapes conceal gorgeous country villas of varying styles.

The more substantial villages such as San Carlos, San Joan, San Jose, Santa Eulalia and Santa Gertrudis each have their own character. Here you find a vibrant, year-round village lifestyle with shops, schools, restaurants and all the amenities required for daily living. Homes within the villages might consist of lovely traditional townhouses to modern apartments and multi-storey mansions.

Pros: Village atmosphere surrounded by natural beauty and amenities close by.
Cons: Busy is the summer months.

Country life in Ibiza

If solitude is what feeds your soul, then living in the Ibiza countryside is a bountiful banquet. The good thing about Ibiza is that you are never more than 20 minutes away from a lively gathering or excellent restaurant, making country living the ideal lifestyle for those who like to dip in and out of social situations.

Country homes cover a range of styles from über traditional farmhouses and converted ones modified to modern standards to high-end minimal estates. Architecturally, there is something for all tastes. Country living comes with its set of pros and cons and takes a little adjusting to. Home maintenance becomes paramount to stay on top of climatic fluctuations and forgetting to buy milk might mean a 20-minute trip to the nearest shop. However, the pros outweigh the cons by 100 to one. The beauty of Ibiza’s landscape is tantamount to a religious awakening and when it comes to holidays you’ll have the room inside and out for beautiful gatherings with family and friends.

Pros: Soul cleansing benefits of nature.
Cons: Don’t forget the milk.

City life In Ibiza

Urban life in Ibiza can be split into two areas: Marina Botafoch and Dalt Vila. The Marina is a relatively new area that channels a little bit of French Riviera, crossing it with Miami via Santa Barbara. Home to some of the island’s most celebrated nightclubs and restaurants, life here is a mix of indulgent socialising with penthouse chic. Views stretch right across the bay to the ochre glow of the old town while Talamanca beach is a short walk away. This neighbourhood has everything at your fingertips including a short commute to the airport. Homes here consist almost entirely of luxury apartments many of them sporting swimming pools, gyms, concierge and other amenities.

Dalt Vila is steeped in medieval history. This is where romantics thrive, meandering through winding cobbled streets catching the scent of jasmine and bougainvillea. For those from the New World, living in the old town is like a historical European fantasy. Homes here consist of refurbished apartments updated to modern standards – some maintaining the character of years gone by, others transformed to warehouse style lofts. Many feature gorgeous views across the city towards the sea while others boast Juliet worthy balconies overlooking the historic lanes and alleys. Parking can be a challenge occasionally but a resident’s permit makes things easier. Naturally, in the summer, the streets are teaming with tourists but it won’t be long before you establish yourself as a local, finding your secret ways to avoid the hoards.

Pros: Vibrant and lively living.
Cons: Tourists

1. Sunshine all year round
In the first position of the five best reasons to live in Ibiza – sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine. Ibiza wakes up blessed in the golden rays of the sun all year round. When you start your day like that how can anything go wrong?

2. Foodie heaven
The rich red earth of Ibiza is so fertile you can grow almost anything. The produce on the island is second to none – flavourful, colourful and plentiful. The historical cuisine of Ibiza has its roots in Moorish flavours with a robust dose of local tradition. Centuries of farming culture have created a deep connection to the natural world and a new generation of producers are combining the old-knowledge with new technology and ecological methods. Entrepreneurs of all stripes are taking this abundant natural produce and creating new taste sensations, from locally produced wines, beer and vermouth to kombucha, teas, fermented foods, chilli, chocolate and crisps.

3. The variety of life
Stick around long enough and you’ll soon graduate from the party scene to the wellness scene or maybe straddle both. Naturally, the beach is a focal point for many as the host for paddle boarding, kite surfing, long-distance open water swimming, diving, snorkelling and anything else you can do in the water. Beyond the sea, there’s every single type of holistic therapy at your fingertips from yoga and crystal healing to sound baths, shamanic drumming, healing circles and equine therapy, not to mention the many walking trails along the coast and through the pristine pine forests. Any time of the day or night, there is something for your body and soul.

4. Party beyond the party
Ibiza never ceases to amaze and the longer you stay, the more there is to discover. Everybody knows about the party scene but only locals know about the scene behind the party scene. While a blow out booty shake on the best dance floors in the world is always a possibility, there’s nothing more nourishing than the smaller private affairs that pop up throughout the annual social calendar. These are invites you can only score if you’re a native.

5. Access all areas
Ibiza is just 45 minutes to Barcelona and Madrid and a mere two hours to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and numerous other European capitals. With flights all year round, it’s easy to be a Euro commuter. With Mallorca a mere 20-minute flight away and Formentera just a short ferry ride, you can have a blissful inter-island lifestyle and still go shopping in Paris on the weekends.

Homeowners have a constant battle with Ibiza’s humidity and this time of year is perfect for a fresh lick of paint both inside and out. Local maintenance companies often have lower rates in the winter so getting in early could save you money. Make sure you inquire about anti-mold treatments to give your home long-term protection.

Wood decking can take a beating in the colder months so in preparation for outdoor meals and days by the pool, give your deck a facelift with a coat of protective sealant. Get repairs done early and seal with the correct product for the wood type. You’ll need to leave it for a few days to thoroughly dry and don’t forget to protect any nearby plants with a sheet.

Your air conditioners have been sitting idle all winter so if you want to avoid a rush of dust and pathogens, it’s a good idea to get them cleaned. Removing the filters is easy and a gentle wash in mildly soapy water before leaving them in the sun to dry should do the job. Run the vacuum cleaner around the unit to pick up any recalcitrant dust and a soft, damp cloth over the fans and the outer case will have it spic and span in no time.

Ibiza summers are an outdoor affair so now is the ideal moment to show your gardens some love. Replant, replenish and refresh your outdoor areas to create a welcoming ambiance. Have your pool company do an inspection and get any loose tiles fixed as soon as possible because finding someone to come for pool repairs in the summer is akin to the proverbial needle in a haystack. Get your shade cloths out, cleaned and installed to avoid having to do it in the summer heat.

So make a checklist, call the professionals or make the pilgrimage to the hardware store for all the DIY supplies you might need because now is the time to get to work! Just as they say summer bodies are made in the winter, so too our summer houses prepped in the off-season. And if you keep yourself busy enough, the glorious Ibiza summer will be here before you know it.

Most Ibizaphiles would consider moving here at the drop of a hat but once you throw kids into the life mix, those kinds of decisions need a little more structure and a whole lot of guts. Plenty of families have done it, lived to tell the tale and ended up creating the kind of family life city-dwellers only dream of. Making the move is highly recommended but like most big changes, the key is in the preparation.

There are many reasons to move to Ibiza with kids – the paradisiacal weather is up there on the list for northern Europeans but the other enchanting factor is the respect Spanish culture has for childhood. Children are welcomed into adult spaces in a way that is inconceivable in say, London, Paris or even Amsterdam. The inclusion of children in most aspects of life strengthens familial bonds and the relaxed atmosphere helps to create stress-free childhoods. Here are a few tips on how to make the move.

Before you go

Prepping the kids well in advance will provide them with a sense of security. Obviously getting to know the island by taking a few holidays is ideal but when you get home you can reinforce the concept by getting your hands on some of the excellent children’s books set in Ibiza and start bringing the island into your daily lives.

Language is going to be a big concern for the whole family so taking a series of lessons before you make the move will help get things rolling. If kids see their parents putting in the effort to learn the basics they’ll be more likely to get on board with the idea, helping to reinforce the move as a family adventure. Kids are like sponges and it won’t be long before they become the family translator.

The paperwork

Hiring the services of a respected gestoria will relieve a lot of the stress around the bureaucracy of moving to Spain. A gestoria is a cross between an accountant and a fixer. They can help with all the nuances of the Spanish system, smoothing the path for your residency paperwork, school enrolment, health care registration and myriad other things. They’ll also provide advice on taxation and banking ensuring that the financial aspects of your move are above board in both countries.

Healthcare

The Spanish healthcare system is rated as one of the best in Europe. New residents are required to obtain private health insurance but it’s important you find a pediatrician you can trust. There are several private options as well as the excellent doctors working in the public system. Ask around to get some recommendations and remember that you have a right to change doctors at any time.

Schooling is likely to be of concern but moving from the British system to the Spanish one is not as daunting as it might seem from afar. There are plenty of educational options in Ibiza, which we’ll be covering in part two of this series. Stay tuned!

Five bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, are distributed over two levels. The upper level contains four double bedrooms that open out to a beautiful courtyard encircled by Jacaranda trees and scented by jasmine. The view from here is absolutely stunning with white walls framing the tourmaline sea vistas. This slice of tranquillity is the perfect place to meditate on the beauty of Ibiza.

The lower level comprises of a double bedroom, salon and kitchen. Double height ceilings create a bright spaciousness that opens to the pool terrace and outdoor lounge area guarded by a centuries-old olive tree. A gleaming kitchen is outfitted with high-end fixtures and the outdoor dining terrace will no doubt host many a summer meal.

The tones throughout this lovely villa are gentle blends of white, grey, wood and blue with just a touch of beach house chic crossed with rustic modernity. Sitting on 30,000 square metres, this property allows a sense of peacefulness. The gardens are bursting with mature fruit trees including lemon, orange, almond and quince.

San Juan village is just a stone’s throw away – close enough to enjoy its neighbourly vibe and far enough to relish the privacy afforded by this gorgeous villa. Known as the bohemian capital of the island, San Juan has just enough amenities for comfort while maintaining a village atmosphere. Host to the Sunday hippie market throughout the year, the sense of community is strong while the wildness of the surrounding countryside is food for the soul.

Villa Sebastian is most definitely an Ibiza dream come true. Absolutely nothing needs doing to this lovely home – move in straight away and start your island life.

Sticking your head in the sand is always an option but whether you ostrich it out or not, Brexit will happen. From the outside, this does appear to be a historic event that is grinding on as slowly as arctic glaciers; oh, wait that’s right, those are moving pretty fast these days. Jokes aside, British expats living in Spain would be well advised to put a few things in order before the big day arrives.

1. Update your empadronamiento at your local town hall.
If you’ve been here a while, you have probably forgotten all about this piece of paper. It would have been one of the first official documents you acquired when you moved here and the reasons for having it varies across provinces. Here in Ibiza, you need it to apply for your NIE (Numero Identidad Extranjero – Foreigners Identification Number), to buy a car and even to register your child in their local football team. The certificates are valid for five years and as Brexit approaches, it would be a good idea to make sure it’s up-to-date.

2. Check the validity of your green residency card.
If you’ve been living in Spain for more than five years, you’ll want to make sure your residency cards states residente comunitario permanente en España’ which means you have the legal right to permanent residency. If this statement is omitted from your card, make an appointment to have it updated.

3. Gather your paperwork
It’s a good idea to gather all your important documents in one place. If you own property, make sure it’s registered in your name by requesting a copy of the nota simple from the property registry. For Spanish born children, ensure you have their birth certificates or request copies from the civil registry. For those who are or have worked in Spain get a copy of your vida laboral from social security. This will help prove your status as a long-term Spanish resident.

4. Change your driver’s license.
By law, anyone living in Spain for more than six months is required to obtain a Spanish driver’s licence. For EU citizens it’s a simple process of handing over your homeland licence to the trafico and getting a Spanish one in return. For non-EU citizens, you have to actually take the driving test again, and nobody wants to do that.

5. Get private health insurance.
EU nationals of retirement age and those working in Spain paying into the local tax system qualify for free state-funded healthcare. The Spanish authorities have recently said that this will continue after Brexit but only on the condition that Spanish nationals living in the UK receive the same. Given the precariousness of the situation, the best contingency is to get private health insurance – at least until things have settled down.

It’s unlikely that life will change that dramatically but being prepared will mitigate the need for undesirable wrestling with bureaucracy. Get your paperwork sorted out now so when D-Day comes you can sit back with a lovely glass of Rioja.

Formentera

Just a short boat ride from Ibiza, this gorgeous island is easy to visit for a day but those who stay a little longer soon become thoroughly enraptured. The partying chaos of Ibiza is exchanged for luxurious slothfulness. Hire a vintage Citroën Méhari to tootle down caminos leading to secluded turquoise bays, pick up a handmade trinket at the Pilar de la Mola market and grab a selfie on the long, straight road to the La Mola lighthouse before sipping sundowners as the sun, erm, goes down.

Mallorca

It’s possible to visit the Balearic capital of Palma for a day and be back at your Ibiza villa for dinner. Excellent restaurants, funky bars, boutiques and a blazing art scene make Palma a great stopover. But stay a little longer and get to know the vast diversity of the Balearic’s biggest sister. Mountain villages boast incredible views over the valleys; lunch at Ca’s Patró March overlooking the crystal waters of Cala Deia is essential. Do a wine tasting at one of the island’s vineyards and a guided hike through the striking Tramuntana Mountains and of course, there’s the sea, the ultimate playground.

Menorca

It’s still possible to find ‘virgin’ beaches in Menorca where the only other beings are a pair of seagulls. Untouched coastal trails, lush green gorges where rare flowers blossom, traditional farmhouses converted into discreet luxury hotels and a series of Bronze Age monuments makes Menorca a dreamlike destination. Pick up hand tooled leather goods, wander the cobbled streets of the island’s two towns, Mao and Ciutadella, try out the local’s favourite tipple, the pomada, island-distilled gin with lemonade and explore the caves dotted along the coast surrounded by turquoise waters.

Resolution is a funny term. It can create motivation or dread depending on whom you are talking to. Suffice to say, here we are at the beginning of a new year and while the team at Villacontact can’t help you with losing those extra holiday pounds or de-cluttering the storage room, we can help you find your ideal home and get you on your way to creating your perfect lifestyle here in Ibiza.

With a history going back to 1983, Villacontact is uniquely positioned to assist buyers and sellers. A deep knowledge of the island’s geography, a vast network of local and international collaborators plus being an active member of the island community means Villacontact is reliable, trustworthy and transparent, taking clients step-by-step through what can be a daunting time. We’re more than an agency; Villacontact is part of the fabric of the island.

Ibiza’s uniqueness makes working in the property sector immensely interesting, challenging and exciting. This year is definitely going to be a good one. We have lots of new properties on our lists plus more to come. Each client presents a different set of requirements. We take listening to those needs seriously, spending the time necessary to provide a comfortable framework for the best results.

The thing that keeps the team going is a profound love for the beauty of Ibiza and her inhabitants. This New Year will see changes, naturally, but it will also see a coming together of this distinctive community, as usual. There really is no other place like it and when you decide to make the move or change your home, we’ll be here. The Villacontact resolution for 2019 can be summed up in three words: foundation, support and honesty. Come talk to us today.

It’s hard to believe that just ten years ago, Spain was reeling from one of the worst financial crises in recent history. Despite the shock, the Spanish recovery has been remarkable. While the politics of recent times rival the dramas of even the best telenovelas, the actual financial situation appears to be on the up and up. Spain has the world’s second highest life expectancy, excellent public health services and infrastructure, not to mention the best weather in Europe. Why would you live anywhere else?

The strength of the Spanish economy is definitely reflected in the property market. Demand for property from foreign buyers has increased by 11% this year with the overall market reaching 12%. People seem to be taking Brexit in their stride and are continuing to choose lifestyle over politics, with the British again taking in the number one spot for foreign purchases – in fact, British investment in Spanish property has almost doubled.

The numbers show that those with a bit more to spend are investing in European assets, assuring a foot in the Euro market before Brexit is finalised. While the French and Germans come next in terms of foreign interest, in the Spanish market the big surprise is a 47% increase in Irish investors. Generally speaking, Spain is still a big draw card for Europeans looking to relocate or take on a second home. For the Balearics, that means a doubling of transactions since 2013, keeping the local market tight yet lively.

The recent kerfuffle in the Spanish Supreme Court has cast an ambiguous veil over mortgage taxes. A new ruling subscribed that the payment of notary inscription taxes should be footed by banks and not borrowers. The process was meant to tidy up uncertainty left by previous court decisions and in an almost comic twist, the actual President of the Tribunal put in charge of sorting out the mess found out about the ruling from the nightly news. Naturally, the mortgage market has emerged from the melee in confusion, creating even more uncertainty. On publication of this blog, the situation has yet to be fully resolved but predictions see this as a blip with things normalising within the next few weeks.

Spanish bureaucracy aside, Ibiza and the Balearics are still a paradise for property owners. Lifestyle, for one thing, is unbeatable and a low supply and high demand means current owners are in an excellent position while those looking to buy are coming into a strong market with room to grow.

Let’s take a moment to send some love to those poor souls battling the crowds at various malls and high streets at this time of year. While would-be revellers across the rest of Europe confront the edges of their own humanity amongst the throngs of last-minute Xmas shoppers, here in Ibiza, as usual, we take it all in our stride. Blessed with a joyful lack of homogenous chain stores, it’s possible to find the perfect gift for even the most humbug of relatives at one of the island’s cute boutiques.

For the homebody

There is no lack of interior design stores across the island. The Aladdin’s cave of Es Cucons La Tienda in the heart of Santa Gertrudis is perfect to pick up tableware, candles and lovely bits and pieces for a Christmas centrepiece. The one-off ceramic pieces at Ibiza Interiors on the San Juan road are like pieces of art while the bigger pieces of furniture are beautifully crafted – there’s enough decorative bits and bobs ideal for those with a hint of Scandi rustic about their house. Happinez Ibiza in San Jose is dripping in bright boho-chic splashes of colour. Pick up a throw, some cushions or one of their gorgeous plexi-framed artworks.

For the fashionista

Another area where there is no lack of choice in Ibiza – just stroll around the streets of Ibiza town to find an array of unique boutique. Alternatively, Ibiza Code, set just outside Ibiza town, is set in a 300-year-old farmhouse and stocks gorgeous leather bags, shoes and accessories among other sartorial treasures for women and men alike – in fact, there’s an entire casita dedicated to men’s fashion and accessories. If it’s going to be one of those really special Christmases, then stop in to Natasha Collis’ workshop in San Miguel to pick up beguiling handcrafted jewellery for your sweetheart.

For the kids

Moi & Toi is where all the island kids go to be dressed in head-to-toe cool. All the top brands with children’s lines are stocked here including Lanvin, Fendi and Dsquared among others. Barco de Papel in Ibiza town is a dedicated children’s bookshop that also stocks loads of games, puzzles and just about everything required for crafting. Arbol de las Risas in Santa Eulalia is great for little ones and stocks an excellent range of high-quality wood toys from brands such as Melissa and Doug.

For the DIY junkie

Anyone who loves a power tool will know the delights of spending a few hours browsing the aisles of a hardware store. Fita on the cusp of Ibiza town is do-it-yourself heaven, as are the professional suppliers Servicios Palau – don’t be daunted by the proper looking tradespeople perusing the aisles; it’s open to everyone. Crossing over from DYI to green thumbs, you can’t go past Eiviss-Garden for all your planting needs.

For the beauty queens

There are some people who think gift certificates are a cop out, but anyone who loves a good spa will be overjoyed to receive a voucher for a special treatment. Can Curreu has a thermal circuit to swoon for but throw in a massage or facial and the lady in your life will love you forever. Medspa Ibiza offers Vitamin Drip sessions and a menu of non-invasive, results-based beauty treatments and massages. Atzaró Spa boasts some of the island’s most luxurious body rituals and relaxing in their sun-drenched daybeds is the icing on the spa cake.

Sometimes architects have the uncanny skill to build something new that encapsulates the historical and cultural traditions of the land and people. Villa Calma is a fine example of how the highly esteemed traditional architecture of Ibiza can be utilised in contemporary designs. This divine villa appears steeped in the romantic history of island farming life when in fact, it is a modern, functional familial home.

Surrounded by 13,000 square metres of pristine rural land, the main house provides a whopping 314 square metres of light-filled space while a guesthouse supplies the perfect luxury accommodation for visitors. While the property enjoys the tranquillity of the country surrounds, it also boasts easy access to the convenience and buzz of San Jose, San Antonio and the gorgeous coastline of Ibiza’s southwest.

Each of the five double bedrooms features en-suite bathrooms and built-in wardrobes. Natural light floods in from wood-framed sliding glass doors. The main suite boasts a wall of sliding doors opening to a quiet corner of the garden and pool area. A huge egg-shaped bathtub sits at one end of the room, making a perfect spot for long, luxurious soaks. The living space has a polished micro-cement floor and a wood burning stove in the corner for adding extra winter warmth over the underfloor heating system though out the property.

An elongated skylight illuminates the kitchen, where the breakfast island opens to a casual dining area. Bright and homely, the beamed ceilings add a rustic vibe to the super modern kitchen. Doors open from this space to an outdoor lounge area and covered porch boasting a long dining table for summertime gatherings. Here, the stone paving and rustic exterior finish recalls the past providing a leisurely, romantic ambience.

A lush lawn surrounds the pool, beyond which a further outdoor chill-out zone is ripe for growth. Mature gardens stretch out from the main house, filled with ancient olive trees, pines and fruit orchards. Good orientation means the property gets sunshine until late into the day, providing the perfect blend of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. This property is the epitome of the classic island life.

For more information on this dream property please visit our website Ref#217.

Taking time off to stay at home is an underrated way to take a break, especially in Ibiza. Of course, there’s staying home and then there’s staying home elsewhere. Several boutique and five-star hotels stay open all year round with some of the smaller ones becoming more like family homes but with a maid service. Taking a cheeky few days to drive down the road to a hotel feels like being a kid locked in a sweet shop overnight. Long baths, fluffy robes, hotel sheets, room service and a movie – there’s not much more one could want.

The only thing missing to that kind of stay-cation is a spa, obviously. If that’s your preferred type of getaway, gather a bunch of friends and organise a spa stay-cation. Choose just one of the many high-end spas across the island or organise a three-day spa crawl with a new treatment in a different location every day. Get to know your island better while treating yourself to well-earned pampering. Spa-cation!

Surprisingly, there are actually people who want to do more than mooch around in a bathrobe and binge on television while eating room service. Luckily, low-season Ibiza offers a myriad of options to add a little action to your stay-cation. Walking Ibiza runs community walks and bespoke adventures right through the year. They can organise anything from a family trek to a romantic stroll with champagne and violins at the end. If that’s not active enough, throw in a mountain bike and a kayak to spice things up.

When one lives in beauty, it’s easy to forget what’s right there on your doorstep. Stay-cations are a brilliant way to reconnect with the deeper parts of this beautiful island – from the plethora of art and history museums and the many traditional restaurants that keep their doors open and fires roaring, there is a lot to love about winter in Ibiza. Take advantage; take a stay-cation.

Retreats abound and every type of yoga and yogi is catered for. From beginners’ retreats to teacher training, there’s a sanctuary for all levels. Nutrition plays a big role in most retreats, with group and private sessions with renowned nutritional gurus providing the key to unlocking bad habits and health issues. Learn how to make vegan cheese, solve your gluten intolerance, juice your way to glowing skin and spruce up your go-to fave dishes with the know-how of local chefs and the freshest produce plucked right out of the earth from organic farms.

Those looking for more esoteric experiences can partake in shamanistic rituals, colour and light work, meditation, drumming workshops and ecstatic dance. The Tantra scene is thriving in Ibiza and while many assume the practice revolves around sexuality, teachers assure there is more to it, allowing people to rediscover their inner sensuality and confidence. Another recent addition to the healing scene is Watsu – a type of deeply relaxing massage given while floating in a specially designed pool.

While local therapists cover the gamut of traditions from yoga, Gestalt and Family Constellations to conventional counselling, artistic retreats are becoming more popular too. Feeding the soul through creativity is just as important for health. Life and photorealistic drawing retreats are popular amongst amateur and professional artists and photography, painting and poetry are all delivered by professional teachers with the natural beauty of the island as an inspirational backdrop.

Sports feature heavily on the island calendar with four-day hikes around the island include biking, kayaking and walking. Cycling tours and boot camps, open sea swimming and stand up paddle – there’s no difficulty finding something for your inner athlete. But for those more inclined towards indulgence, cooking retreats are the way to go. Learn how to make traditional paella while sipping on local wines, visit beekeepers, farmers and markets while taking in the abundant flavours of Ibiza.

Whatever you seek, this plethora of deeply satisfying experiences are truly designed to enrich the soul.

Lighting should never be an afterthought and when this essential element is considered from the outset, the result can be impressive. Luckily in Ibiza, there is plenty of sunshine to play with and the island’s architects are adept at harnessing the power of sunshine to create a lustrous home. As night falls, thoughtful lighting can be used to create an illusion of space, bring cosiness to a dark corner, warmth to a cold zone and highlights for architectural features.

Functionality is a critical element to all design processes and lighting is no different. There is nothing more frustrating then not having enough light to work with, which is why consideration of the uses of space is an important part of the design process. Yet, functional lighting need not be in congruent to the overall design. Carefully considering the needs of the space from the outset can mean the difference between choosing a lighting option purely on function and finding a solution that also brings beauty.

An often-overlooked part of lighting is bulb type. Recent advances in the technology have provided designers with a plethora of sustainable choices. Thankfully style and functionality are no longer independent and the new era bulbs are both efficient and chic. The cold bluish light of the early power efficient bulbs has been replaced by a spectrum of warming colours. Ensuring you have the correct bulb type for your purposes can make all the difference.

Finally, texture plays a critical role in lighting choices. Ibiza’s farmhouses look gorgeous when fitted with oversized natural fibre pendants but the juxtaposition of industrial choices play nicely against traditional whitewashed walls too. Empty stairwells can be brought to life with huge glass chandeliers, porches made pleasant by a cluster of lantern-style floor lamps and corridors lit via a concealed radiance. The choices are limitless but keeping lighting at the forefront of design will ensure your home is bathed in a warm glow.

There’s nothing arbitrary about putting a value on a property, however the Ibiza market does present some peculiar elements to the process that requires a keen eye and lots of experience. The process undertaken by Villacontact to find the best price for a property takes into account several factors that agents in other markets rarely need to consider.

An initial visit to the property allows the agent to collect basic information, starting with the condition of the home. Age of the building, renovations, orientation, and plot size will all inform the valuation. On top of these elements, there’s the proximity of neighbours, zoning, the location of electricity pylons, flight path trajectories – all of which are standard across most markets. Ibiza presents other more nuanced features to take into account including access to well water and the legality of existing structures.

The history of construction in Ibiza is rather chequered. Just 50 years ago, very little documentation was required to buy and sell a property. The fiscal structures were either non-existent or not enforced and permissions for additions or renovation were rarely sought. The value of a property may be determined by a lack of paperwork. As the system has modernised, collating missing paperwork has become one of the most important roles of the real estate agent. Only a true expert is able to navigate the intricacies of officialdom.

Unlike other markets across Europe there is no central registry of sales prices so finding accurate comparable properties comes down to the expertise of the agency. Villacontact’s principal partners were all raised on the island and have an intimate knowledge of the value of each area. Their vast network of colleagues and clients deepens their understanding of how the market is functioning. It’s old fashion who-you-know sleuthing that sets them apart from their competitors.

Once the property has been viewed and the paperwork aligned Villacontact also considers the needs of the sellers. There are those who wish for a quick sale and others who don’t mind taking a bit longer to see where the market might take them. The personal situation of the individuals informs the sale price – a quick sale might require a competitive, less-negotiable valuation while someone with more time has the luxury of having a less aggressive approach.

Marketing also effects valuation, and sellers have different reasons for choosing different strategies. Some require the utmost privacy and marketing is done solely through the agencies’ networks while others choose a cross-platform international campaign. Villacontact determines which style works for the seller and proceeds accordingly. Each and every marketing campaign is completely bespoke.

Finally, each seller is provided with a checklist of fundamental tasks which may include some cosmetic sprucing up of the property such as a fresh paint job, minor repairs and de-cluttering before the Villacontact photographer comes in to take professional architectural images for use in the marketing campaign. While this is the final stage before finding a buyer, the valuation is constantly assessed as Villacontact receives feedback from individuals and the market as a whole.

While there are many components to evaluating a property, the key is consistency. The Villacontact team prides themselves on the long-lasting relationships with clients that span decades. Open and timely communication is the cornerstone for their business model, bringing clients into the process as little or as much as they desire – the comfort of the client is the most important factor when it comes to a Villacontact property.

Long-term residents of Ibiza often find themselves hosting friends keen to partake in the festive hedonism for which Ibiza is famous. The closing season is upon us and while so many residents guide their guests towards the bigger parties, they themselves have learned from experience that the fun times are to be had at smaller affairs. Closings are not just for the big guns.

Our favourite bars and restaurants also celebrate the end of the season with gatherings that feel more like intimate get-togethers with long lost friends who were subsumed by the busy season. It’s a chance to finally take a deep breath and pat ourselves on the back for surviving another summer. Like all the best parties in Ibiza, these ones require a bit of investigating to discover when and where they occur.

Across the island little revelries pop up under the radar of the tourists. El Chiringuito – on the beach at Es Cavallet – hosts a lovely closing that feels like a long deep sigh. Pikes presents a more eclectic event that attracts workers and residents encouraging them to camp it up on the dance floor, complete with bathtub karaoke, a fancy dress boudoir and 2am spontaneous piano singalongs. Amante Ibiza, with its sweeping views over Sol d’en Serra, throws an elegant bash designed for the late summer languid evening and BEACHOUSE Ibiza kicks up its heels in the sands of Playa d’en Bossa.

The weather in September and October moves away from the heat of summer into a more pleasant less sweaty atmosphere. The sea is still sweet for swimming and the hordes are starting to leave. It’s the time of year where true Ibiza lovers let their hair down. But unlike the big clubs, you won’t see billboards or magazine ads for these closings. Make sure you keep an eagle eye on social media and keep your ear to the ground to tune into the island’s secret communications network.

Ocean Mania

Everyone loves a water park but Ocean Mania takes it to the next level. It’s a floating, bouncy, obstacle course of slides and trampolines in San Antonio bay and it’s 45 minutes of pure, unadulterated summer fun.

Agua Mar

For those who like their water parks in the traditional style, Agua Mar has been serving up crazy slide fun for as long as anyone can remember. Highlights are the Black Hole – a totally enclosed pitch-black slide, the Spiro Tubo – which comes accompanied by an inflatable boat and the Kamikaze, not for the faint-hearted.

Cap Blanc Aquarium

Located inside a natural cave the Cap Blanc Aquarium provides a close-up view of the Mediterranean’s most colourful sea life. Multi-coloured fish, rays, starfish, octopus and loads more populate the small tanks and viewing ponds – perfect for young and old.

Parasailing

Flying high over the sea is quite possibly one of the most thrilling activities on the island. There’s no age limit on this but it’s probably best left to the teens and adults of your group. Reach heights up to 400 metres and get a birds-eye view of the island.

Seabob

Another one for the teens and grown-ups. A Seabob is like an underwater scooter – something right out of a James Bond movie. Grab on and let the little underwater rocket whizz you through the crystal seas.

Can Marça Caves

Everyone will get a kick out of exploring the Can Marça caves near San Miguel. Stalactites and stalagmites reach majestically in this naturally formed cathedral. Sound and lights add drama along the passageways and inner sanctums.

Petit Vermut

This hole in the wall at the base of the ancient drawbridge to the old town is a lovely respite from the surrounding tourist traps. House-made vermouth plus a full bar is accompanied by traditional homemade tapas.

Soul Good

Tucked into the corner of the little visited Niu Blau beach in Santa Eulalia, this little terrace has spectacular views and a local’s vibe. Cocktails taste like summer and organic homemade snacks make for a perfect post-beach, early evening tipple.

Boat House

If Captain Bluebeard were around today, he would most definitely be spending his days off in this decadent pirates lair. Strewn with hammocks, ottomans, seagrass mats and parasols this bar and restaurant is the perfect sundowner location.

Pershing Yacht Terrace

The bar in the brand new Seven Pines Resort Ibiza on the west coast of the island is the epitome of modernity. Sleek design based on a Pershing yacht is matched with spectacular sunset views plus a superb drink and snack menu.

Hambre

Serving up a menu of American faves scattered with Middle Eastern bites this little café tucked into a residential complex in Siesta is the perfect antidote to the summer heat. Grab a cocktail and a snack before sliding into the pool for a cooling dip.

This gorgeous traditional finca is the epitome of the Ibiza dream. Lovingly and sensitively restored this lovely home oozes with traditional charm while providing all the essentials for a contemporary Ibiza lifestyle. Located in a tranquil part of Santa Eulalia this property is close enough to all the amenities of the town and far enough for total privacy.

Unfolding over 377 square metres across one level the property consists of a main residence plus two independent guesthouses. Flooded with natural light from sunrise to sunset this is the perfect home to create your ideal island life.

Following the traditional style, the finca boasts a grand Ibicenco entrance ‘sala’ into the main living area. The large fireplace delivers glowing warmth in the winter months. Whitewashed walls provide a gorgeous texture while the exposed Sabina wood beams reflect the beauty of the ancient design.

Bright and brand new the galley style kitchen opens to an informal dining area. Wood beams and shuttered windows overlooking the garden add to the farmhouse appeal. Many a gourmet meal will be prepared and in the summer months enjoyed alfresco under the covered porches.

The master suite features double height ceilings and an ensuite bathroom while the other two double bedrooms have ensuites and access to the terraces. Decorated in shades of white with lovely wood finishes the interiors are simple and fresh.

Having two guesthouses on one property is a real treat. The first guesthouse consists of a double bedroom with ensuite, kitchen, private terrace and separate parking. The second guesthouse is annexed to the first and has a double bedroom. Perfect for visitors and entertaining or for a multi-generational family.

Lush and mature gardens surround the villa providing a gorgeously green contrast to the whites and woods of the house. Fig trees, orange groves and blushing Bougainvillea add to the charm of the Mediterranean garden. Here the pristine pool sits surrounded by terraces and palm trees and the sparkle of the distant sea beyond.

Situated near some of the east coasts favourite beaches, this gorgeous family home is a real Ibiza gem. Move in and start your island life straight away!

Over the last 15 years spent DJing, holidaying and residing in Ibiza, techno power couple Adam Beyer and Ida Engberg developed a strong connection with the white isle – strong enough to decide to enter the property market so they could ‘officially’ call the island home. With the help of Villa Contact, the duo recently negotiated the purchase of their ideal family villa in Santa Gertrudis. Adam talks us through the experience…

What was your first experience of Ibiza?
It was the early 2000s. I played at Eden in San Antonio. Back then, in terms of music, what I played wasn’t really represented on the island. There wasn’t much techno so I came with an open mind. I didn’t have a name on the island yet so it wasn’t that easy at first. Then I came back a few years later for Cocoon and that was when I really fell in love with Ibiza.

What made you and Ida decide to finally move here permanently?
We were basing ourselves mostly in Ibiza anyway and renting houses. That’s how we met Tom [Gray, Villa Contact partner]. We both have such a close connection to the island. We’ve been coming here for 15 years and it feels like I grew up here. There’s a special energy – the island gives a lot and you can give a lot back as well. We said, let’s try it, and in 2015 we started to really look at places.

What was the process of finally making the move?
The idea was to rent for a year or two before buying something. We put the wheels in motion and six months later we arrived. We got a long-term rental from Tom. Then we came across this house and it was exactly what we were looking for so everything happened faster than we planned. I had found it on the internet and asked Tom about it. He pretty much knows every house on the island.

The house is in Santa Gertrudis. What drew you to that area?
We asked around and friends explained the different areas. Santa Gertrudis is very hipster, there are lots of organic cafes and most importantly it’s close to our kids’ school. We wanted to be near so we weren’t in the car all the time. And the village really suits what we are after in life. I wanted to be close to the airport and the clubs and wanted to limit the driving time.

How would you describe the style of the house?
It’s a modern house, only nine years old. It’s very cubic with minimalistic lines. I’m really into big spaces. It needs a bit of love, but it was what we were looking for as we can add our own touches and add value to it for the future.

Does the house provide the lifestyle you dreamed of?
One of the reasons for moving was to work less. That’s not happened yet! It’s the general idea though. Being here, I get to be at home a lot more and I get to spend more time with my kids. I have a trainer and a pool. We have an outdoor life that we couldn’t have in Sweden. Ibiza is a great place for me. It makes sense to be here now while I am still working. It’s perfect – all my friends come through in the summer.

How do you enjoy the island when you are not working?
We love to go hiking. We love to explore the island that way. There are so many different hikes you can do here. I like to train and want to take up tennis this autumn. I’m quite into sports in general. And eating good food, that’s what we do these days! The DJ life can be unhealthy so I need to find the balance and stay fit and healthy. For me personally, this is a good move.

How did you find working with Villacontact?
Tom has been extremely helpful. Even at the times when he didn’t have to help me he has. He has taken me through the whole process. Without him, it would have been a big struggle. This house was not the easiest negotiation and it has been so good to have him throughout the stressful moments. He’s very patient and understanding. I cannot recommend him enough. There are so many unprofessional people doing business on the island, you need to find someone you really trust. I trust these guys completely.

The billboards that run along the highway from Ibiza airport are unique. There is nowhere else in the world where roadside advertising is the exclusive domain of nightclubs and superstar DJs. The sight of them looming out of the hard shoulder adds further excitement to those arriving and a sense of nostalgia for those leaving.

Villacontact has entered this hallowed ground and joined the likes of Sven Väth, Pacha Ibiza, David Guetta and ANTZ with its very first billboard dedicated to fine island living. Situated just outside of Ibiza town on the right-hand side of the highway, it is unmissable.

Featuring one of Villacontact’s most impressive properties with views across the sea, the billboard is advertising a different side to the Ibiza lifestyle than its other highway counterparts. While the white isle is still a magnet for music lovers and party goers, a sense of maturity has started to seep into the local scene.

People who once visited are now considering a full sea change and Villacontact’s billboard is out there to greet them.

What spurred your lifestyle change?
I lived in our family home for 20 years. I always thought one of my children would live here but they both ended up moving to Australia. I spend a lot of time travelling now and it felt like it was time to sell up and get an apartment so I can just lock the door and go. Villacontact helped me sell my house and also found me my dream apartment.

How does it feel to move from country to town?
The family home was a big house. I loved it, the kids loved it, but on my own, the upkeep just took too much time. I ended up in Santa Eulalia, which I never thought I would. I thought I would stay in San Carlos. I thought it would be awful because I’ve never lived in an apartment but to my amazement, I have not looked back. Not a minute. I love it. I’ve become a city girl! It was the right time and the right place.

What was the process of finding the apartment?
I had started to look on my own at what was out there. I sold the house through Villa Contact but at the time, they didn’t have many apartments on their books. One day I saw Robbie [Gray – partner at Villacontact] having a coffee and asked him about Santa Eulalia. He said, “Well, what do you want?” and I said, “I want it to be on the top floor with an elevator. I want sea views, a terrace and parking.” He just rolled his eyes!

Then what happened?
Well, the very next day Robbie found out about an apartment in Santa Eulalia. I asked him to describe it and it was exactly what I had asked for. He rang and told me that it wasn’t on the market yet but it would be very soon and I should go see it.

Were you able to move in right away?
I could have but I had made an agreement with the buyers of my house. We wanted to spend one last summer in the old house together as a family. I saw the apartment in August and luckily they accepted a deposit and were happy to wait. It worked out really well. I moved in November.

What is life like now?
The apartment has two bedrooms, a gorgeous roof terrace with a winter garden, parking and views of the sea. I just walk out the door and go – it’s so easy. It has changed my life completely. People say to me, “I don’t know what you’ve done to your hair but you look so relaxed!” All I did was get rid of a lot of responsibility.

What advice would you give to others looking to buy in Ibiza?
I would advise first of all to really find out what you want and write it down and really visualise it. Be really clear because that way when you walk into an agent it’s helpful for them too. Also, eliminate the things you know you don’t want. Then get good advice from an agent. Villacontact are always lovely and they are very knowledgeable. I would always recommend them.

The very first swimming pool was built by the ancient civilisation of the Indus Valley sometime in the third millennium. Since then, the swimming pool has become an essential part of the lifestyle kit, especially here in Ibiza where the summer heat requires the kind of quick cooling off that only a pool can provide. Whether it’s set in a lush lawn surrounded by cypress or clinging onto a cliffside, melting into the sea, the modern pool as imagined by island designers is nothing short of stunning.

An expertly designed pool can bring a touch of romantic glamour to the Mediterranean garden. Whether traditional rectangular shapes or matched to the curvature of the scenery, the pool is no longer the forgotten element of landscape design. Materials vary from ancient stone, modern polished concrete to Venetian tile, while the cabana and outdoor furniture are indispensable garnishes.

Thankfully pools no longer require masses of chemical cleansers. Gone are the days of blonde hair turned green by the end of summer and skin smelling like your granny’s linoleum floor on cleaning day. Nowadays, there are so many different options to make beautiful, chemical-light swimming pools.

The natural swimming pool is filtered via a clever assortment of water-dwelling plants and stones. There’s zero chemical usage and once the system is established there’s very little maintenance required. Go for a tropical rainforest watering hole look complete with miniature waterfalls and loads of greenery or hide the filter system in garden beds and keep it minimal.

Salt crystal technology has revolutionised pools in recent history with some systems needing just one dose of salts per year. But even if you stick to tried and tested chlorine, these days the technology means that the process is straightforward and the chemical content as low as possible. No more green hair!

Summer in Ibiza is usually focused on immersion in water, whether at the beach or in the pool. Either way, coming home to a crystal clear, pristine pool is one of modern life’s delights.

Surrounded by mature gardens including an abundance of fruit trees, this five-bedroom villa is the perfect family home for year round living. Set on a vast 41,200 square metre plot in Santa Eulalia, there are a generous 560 square metres of living space and the house itself has been lovingly restored by the renowned Blakstad architectural firm situated.

Many traditional features create a farmhouse feel with the advantages of modern comfort. Underfloor and central heating plus large fireplaces guarantee cosy temperatures throughout the winter while cleverly placed skylights and air-conditioning provide respite during the summer. Sabina wood beams, whitewashed walls and exposed stone are all original design motifs that effortlessly combine with all the comforts of modern living.

The layout and size make this home perfect for quiet family evenings as well as entertaining. An outdoor kitchen and bar with a covered porch leading from the living spaces provide the perfect spot for alfresco dining. The views sweep across the verdant valley towards the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. The swimming pool has natural stone boulders protruding from the water for sunbathing lending a rustic ambience to the outdoor areas.

A separate guesthouse is ideal for additional visitors, staff or as a home office or studio. With gasoil capabilities and private well , the property is efficient and easily maintained. Proximity to town matched with total privacy makes Finca Curt a perfect island hideaway.

There’s a theme that runs through most of the architecture in Ibiza. It encapsulates what the music industry calls the Balearic Beat – a style of sound that emerged from Ibiza and has reverberated across global dance floors. Perhaps it’s a push to stretch that concept to architecture but it really is the best way to describe local design. Ibiza, as always, dances to the beat of its own drum.

While the common motifs of island architectural styles are almost always respected – think white washed walls, dry stone work, cubic design, native landscaping – there are unique innovations in the many examples of contemporary architecture. New build villas in Ibiza are all about luxury, spaciousness and efficiency.

Modern architecture in Ibiza is all about augmenting the lifestyle. Outdoors and indoors are designed to become one and the same during the summer months. Suntraps create pockets of warmth to be utilised even in the winter. Views, be they of rolling mountains, lush farmland or the sparkling sea are treated like art, positioned, framed and lit to maximum brilliance.

Unlike other areas of Spain, developers and homeowners have almost always respected the natural environment ensuring villas complement rather than overpower the landscape. While many of these homes are beautifully opulent they are also true to their island home’s personality – stylish and chic on the outside and imprinted with a rebel soul on the inside.

Seven years ago, Belgian entrepreneur Chantal first contacted Villacontact to help her find her dream home in the northern part of the island. In those days Montse Gray Amat, the founder, was still at the helm of the agency and with her many years of experience set out to find the perfect home.

“Chantal knew exactly what she wanted,” says Tom. “They searched for a long time until my mother found an unfinished structure on a stunning plot that ticked all of the boxes. Chantal saw how she could create her perfect home and decided to go ahead with the purchase.”

Fast forward 8 years, Chantal’s beautiful six-bedroom home has given her and her family many great times and fantastic memories but with the kids grown up now she decided it was time to move on and put the house on the market.

Chantal had such a wonderful experience with Villacontact´s personal and warm manner that she contacted them straight away. “It was really touching to welcome Chantal back into our office and work with her again after so many years”, says Tom.

The very first client that Tom brought to view the house​ immediately fell in love and made an offer to buy the property. “We completed the sale within a month, which is pretty quick for Ibiza standards. The buyers had been looking for many years and were losing faith in finding their dream home, so it was a real triumph for all parties involved​​ to complete the sale.”

“We don’t have a short-term mentality here at Villacontact,” Tom says. “All our interactions are based on a strong ethical foundation and ensuring that we give the right advice​.
Maintaining a long-term sustainable business is all about​ nurturing great relationship​s, like the one we have with Chantal.”

This little jewel of a village belongs to the municipality of Santa Eulalia. Surrounded by lush countryside and farmland while also being just minutes away from some of the east coast’s most lovely coves, San Carlos is an excellent location to experience all that Ibiza has to offer.

The village
The legendary Anita’s Bar is no doubt the village’s hub for local coffee breaks and gatherings. San Carlos is also host to an award-winning ice creamery, the best pizza joint on the island and a load of cute boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Add in the conveniences of bank, pharmacy, Pilates studio and two health food stores and you’ve got yourself the perfect village lifestyle.

The vibe
San Carlos was once the hippy centre of the east coast and still proudly boasts an authentic rustic boho vibe. Las Dalias is just down the road with its markets and live music and Cala Llenya is host to a handicraft market on Sundays. This area is at the crossroads for Cala San Vicente, San Joan and Santa Eulalia, making it the perfect gateway to the rest of the island as well as a charming escape from the crowds.

Properties
Thankfully architectural styles within the village have kept to a traditional theme and the whitewashed walls of newer buildings blend in beautifully with the ancient church and surrounding farmhouses. Towards Pou des Lleo and Cala Boix properties consist of larger estates and a scattering of modern villas. The area is untouched and still retains pristine forest and country vistas.

Why live there?
Everything you need to lead a comfortable island lifestyle is within reach of San Carlos. An excellent primary school and a new high school in nearby San Lorenzo plus a local sports pitch make it a great place for families. The village itself has a cute playground and lovely patch of lush lawn for impromptu picnics. Proximity to the services of Santa Eulalia and only 25 minutes to the airport means this area is brilliant for year-round living.

After decades of witnessing people being ripped off by fly-by-night middlemen and dubious agents, some of the island’s more prominent real estate companies took action. Robbie Gray of Villa Contact has been involved in creating two organisations with an aim to protect buyers, sellers, holiday renters and agents from dodgy deals and disappointment.

Every year the local tabloids and Internet are abuzz with the latest story of holidaymakers showing up to their rented accommodation only to find that it does not exist. Five years ago, a group of agents banded together to create AVAT – Asociación de Viviendas Turisticas Vacacionales (Association of Touristic Vacation Homes). Membership to AVAT means a guarantee that every property has passed the legal requirements to be rented seasonally.

“Previously there was a disconnect between villa owners, agents and consumers,” explains Robbie. “Holidaymakers had no protection from scams and legitimate agents had no way of guaranteeing consumer safety.” AVAT members are obliged to list legal rental properties thereby protecting short-term holiday renters and villa owners from substandard service. It’s a hot topic across the island and as lawmakers double down on illegal rentals AVAT’s role will no doubt expand, especially as companies such as Airbnb and Homeaway are forced to take a more active role in self-regulation.

It’s not just the holiday rental market that has been plagued by rogue dealers in the past. Property sales have also had their fair share of rip off merchants and disappointed buyers. It was clear that in order to maintain a decent reputation, the legitimate agencies would have to do something. Robbie, along with other colleagues, created APIBIZA – Asociación de Profesionales Inmobilarios de Ibiza (Association of Professional Real Estate Agents of Ibiza).

APIBIZA started with five founding members and now counts upward of 20 agents on its roll. “We wanted to bring an ethical code of conduct to the Ibiza property market,” says Robbie who is Vice President of the organisation. “Each member has to meet certain prerequisites that are designed to protect both buyers, sellers and the agents themselves.” Some of the prerequisites may appear quaint but until now there was nothing stopping rogue opportunists from cashing in without the slightest knowledge and ethics of the profession.

“It is actually as basic as having an official business address and storefront,” says Robbie. “But it then goes on to cover liability insurance, data protection, anti-money laundering processes and so on. All of which ultimately protect the consumer.” Each member publicly displays the APIBIZA ensign, which lets consumers know they are dealing with a trustworthy and accountable agent. “We want to encourage an atmosphere of transparency and higher standards across the local industry,” he concludes.

It’s especially important for foreign buyers, who are often seen as easy targets. Engaging with an APIBIZA member is a guarantee of quality. As founding members of both organisations, Villa Contact are dedicated to providing continued support to consumers and local business.

The past year has had many successes and the market continues to provide exciting new projects and opportunities. Ibiza is a place that is accustomed to change, taking it all in her stride. The team at Villacontact are well used to embracing the vicissitudes of island life. In fact, 2018 is set to be the best year yet.

All indicators show Ibiza is still the hottest property market in the Mediterranean. Local interest rates remain low, which means a more active market. Also, Ibiza remains a singular entity on the national property stage with a personality and drive all of its own. Protected by its economy and reputation, Ibiza will continue to move from strength to strength as we roll into 2018.

The Villacontact team would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients, colleagues and collaborators. It really has been a fantastic year and the new one coming is set to be just as thrilling. Stop by and say hello and find out what’s in store – life in Ibiza has never been more exciting.

Ibiza is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. Never are the various multicultural aspects of life here more obvious than at Christmas time. Everyone partakes in the local traditions alongside customs brought over from their homelands. The best way to know a culture is through food.

The Ibicencos
The big family dinner takes place on Noche Buena, Christmas Eve and much like most meals in Spain, starts late. It starts with a table groaning with appetisers featuring prawns, jamón, croquetas and paté. Mains are heavy on the seafood delicacies and the traditional dessert is Salsa de Navidad, which is quite possibly the oddest pudding ever invented. It’s a soupy mix of meat stock, eggs, ground almonds, spice and sugar. Thankfully Spanish style nougat called ‘turron’ often follows.

The English
Traditional roast dinner is served up on Christmas Day regardless of the outside temperature. There’ll be the usual pre-Christmas discussion about whether to roast a turkey, a joint of beef or a ham before everyone settles on exactly what the family have eaten for the past ten generations. Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and bread sauce all make appearances on the table. Christmas crackers and mince pies are essential and dessert is plum pudding or trifle followed by a snooze on the sofa.

The French
The Réveillon is Christmas Eve dinner and constitutes the big family get-together of the season. The far more delicate and tasty capon replaces the ubiquitous turkey and the French generally fill the rest of the table with expensive delicacies. Oysters, scallops, sea urchins, lobster plus foie naturally followed by masses of cheese. The seasonal dessert is a rich and creamy bûche de Noël – a decadent chocolaty yule log shaped hunk of deliciousness.

The Germans
The Germans traditionally enjoy a roasted goose, duck or turkey accompanied by apple and sausage stuffing, red cabbage and potato dumplings. While the main meal is decidedly over the top, the Germans truly excel in Christmas desserts. Platters of gingerbread and any number of flavoured Christmas cookies sit alongside the traditional Stollen – a light yeasted fruit and nut cake dusted in icing sugar.

The Dutch
The Dutch indulge in a traditional turkey, goose, hare or venison roast but more often than not dinner consists of gourmetten. An individual or communal hotplate sits on the table. Diners take miniature pans filled with meats, vegetables and sweets and cook them to personal taste. Breakfast almost always features kerststol –a fruit and nut filled almond bread.

Every property market in every country has its own quirks and peculiarities. To the inexperienced it could seem that Ibiza excels in this area. Suffice to say, the ins and outs of buying a property in Ibiza can be… well, interesting. Putting it lightly, it’s all rather like a labyrinth that requires an expert to guide you through.

The main issue is one of history. Back in the olden days, property was passed from parent to child without so much as a piece of paper being exchanged. There were little building regulations as most houses were built to the same plan and without electricity or running water, there was little need to plot anything at all. This means that many properties in Ibiza lack the official paperwork required to make a sale in the modern day.

The team at Villa Contact were born and raised on the island and have a very clear understanding of all the eccentricities of property law in Ibiza. Wanting to share their knowledge, they created the Villa Contact Buyers Guide. The Guide covers in detail the various stages of buying a property, including planning permissions, paperwork, mortgage costs, due diligence, information on renting your home and even an area guide.

They also say it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. Take care of those two important factors by checking out the Villa Contact Buyers Guide and making an appointment today.

Mastering a new language is never easy. The key to arriving in Ibiza and landing on your lingual feet is to hit the streets. In continuation with our ever-popular street Spanish posts, here is the next instalment of essential Spanish phrases to get you in and out of trouble.

1. Chaval/a
Kid, dude, annoying teenager – use this when describing someone who is a bit wet behind the ears or when you pass by a bunch of surly teenagers.

No entiende nada, es un chaval – He doesn’t understand anything, he’s just a kid.
¡Hasta luego, chaval! – See you later, dude!

2. Ser majo/a
This word describes good people.

María es maja – Maria is lovely.

3. ¡Mola!
Cool! I like it! This is an exclamation describing something super cool.

¡La musica me mola! – This music is cool!

4. Puente
Literally it means bridge but it also means long weekend. You’ll definitely need to know this one especially if you have kids in school. Nothing worse than showing up on a Monday just to realise what puente really means.

Este fin de semana hay un puente, salimos? – It’s a long weekend, shall we go out?

5. Mala leche
Bad mood

El chico del banco esta de mala leche. – The guy in the bank is in a bad mood.

6. Chulo
Cool, cute, lovely – you’ll hear this to describe all sorts of objects and situations. It translates as cool, cute, great or fantastic.

¡La bolsa de María esta chula! – Marías bag is cute!

7. Porqueria
Rubbish. Not literally but figuratively, when something is bad quality.

¡Este coche es una porqueria! – This car is rubbish!

8. Hombre
Dude. Often heard at the end of a statement.

¿Que pasa, hombre? – What’s happening dude?

9. ¿Cuanto tiempo llevas aquí?
How long have you been here?

This is important, as it’s a question that gets asked of almost everybody in Ibiza.

10. Guiri
Foreigner – don’t get too offended if you hear this word.

The traditional Ibicenco farmhouse has been studied by some of the world’s most well-known architects, designers and bon vivants. Exalted figures such as architects Le Corbusier, Germán Rodríguez Arias, Josep Lluis Sert, Erwin Broner, photographer and Dadaist Raoul Hausmann and even philosopher and writer Walter Benjamin have all been beguiled by the beautiful simplicity of traditional island architecture.

One of the reasons for the fascination with the finca is its unadulterated form. Unlike other places in Europe there is scant evidence of Roman, Greek or Islamic influence and the unit of measurement used until very recently was the ‘long cubit’ – last seen somewhere during the Biblical era. Adding to the mysterious origins of the design is a lack of any official school – architectural and building methods were passed down, word of mouth, through the generations.

Built by the farmer, his family and the local community each finca is different yet shares common elements. The home was centred on a main entrance hall known as a porxo. The south facing front door would open onto this long, narrow room, which served as dining room, workroom and storage. From each of its three sides, more cubic rooms would be added as required by a growing family. Thick walls and small windows kept out the heat and local materials were used such as clay, Sabina wood, sea grass insulation and rocks from the land where the house was built.

The style is function over beauty and yet in the simplicity of the design, the sparse use of decorative elements and functional handmade furnishings exists something so authentically guileless that upon entering a home, one is overcome with a sense of purity. These were the very first minimalists – albeit ones that managed to exude warmth and familial comfort.

These days a legion of brave, design conscious souls have taken on some of these 300 to 500-year old homes and lovingly, painstakingly restored them to their full glory. Adding in modern comforts such as enlarged windows, skylights and heating as well as technological advancements in sustainability, these gorgeous slices of the island’s ancient heritage live on.

There has been a big shift in the way people travel. Many eschew the hotel experience seeking out different ways of taking a break. Some like to embed themselves in local culture by taking an apartment in the heart of a city. Others prefer to pursue privacy via a villa on the coast or in the countryside. As the trend ebbs and flows there is no doubt this way of travel is here to stay. The big question is, how are communities going to cope with the change?

These issues have reared up recently in the Balearic Islands, leading to big changes in legislation. For locals and foreigners alike, the new laws can be confusing. When buying in Ibiza it’s important to get a grasp on local law. Villa Contact utilises their extensive network of contacts to stay abreast of all the latest news. Here’s a summary of the three main points that will affect home owners in Ibiza who intend to make some money on their investment in the summer months.
 
Tourist licences
In the past, the act of applying for a tourist licence allowed owners to start renting before receiving the paperwork. At the moment, a moratorium has been placed on the granting of all tourist licenses to allow time for local government to revise their individual systems in order to remain within the law. Licenses have always and will continue to be only granted to free-standing, single-family homes. Apartments will continue to be omitted from the law.

Zoning
The Balearic-wide law allows each municipality to choose different zones for tourist rentals. Properties that fall within those zones will be permitted to apply for a tourist licences and as long as the property meets the criteria, there should be no problem. Properties that already possess a tourist licence should not be affected at all, even if they fall outside for the zone chosen by local lawmakers.

The future
It appears there will be a slight exception made for owners of free-standing homes within the correct zones that allows them to rent to tourists for a maximum of 60 days, as long as the owner can prove the house is the habitual residence and not operated by a rental company. It is as yet unclear if homes that fall into this category will also require the tourist license. Suffice to say, there is a total moratorium on unlicensed tourist rentals for one year from July 2017.

“A surveyor friend called me in 2014 about a property near Santa Agnes that came with some complications,” says Clea. “Naturally, I was curious.” She’d been on the lookout for plots without licenses in special locations on the island. “There are lots of plots without licenses but none of them as beautiful as this place”, she says. “It’s an agricultural piece of land that has panoramic views over a beautiful large fruit orchard, great orientation towards the south with beautiful dry-stone wall terraces surrounding it.

The minute she arrived she saw the beauty and potential of the plot. “This was a really special place and I knew that it would need special clients,” says Clea. “The paperwork attached to it was, let’s say, dated.” Back in the day, land was registered with little descriptive information, sometimes nothing more that a caption saying ‘piece of land with a well’. These days the authorities require more than that and Clea set about rectifying the documents.

Comprised of two plots set over 32,000 square metres of verdant countryside, it was owned by a local Ibicenco family who had negotiated a deposit with a previous buyer but were not happy with how negotiations were proceeding. On top of that was the issue that there was very little paperwork in existence.

After reaching out to interested parties, Clea finally found the ideal buyers. “The original owners were very concerned with maintaining the local environment and protecting the land.” she says. “They still farmed the neighbouring land and they had strict ideas as to what kind of house they wanted to be built and what materials should or shouldn’t be used. Luckily the buyers were also looking to create a property that would blend in to the natural environment in a sensitive way and create something luxurious and contemporary but keeping true to the traditional finca style and architecture.

Clea worked with a great team, including renowned local architect Rolf Blakstad. “It was really interesting to take this beautiful piece of land, passed down through three generations, and take it through the planning process to the stage where a build could begin. It was complex, but also very exciting.” The project was one of the last private homes through the planning system before government mandated footprint restrictions. Currently under construction, the completed luxury property will be 800m2 in size.

Everyone came away happy at the end of the long process. The sellers felt confident that the construction would remain sympathetic to the environment and the buyers were excited to begin the new project.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the final property come to life when its completed.”

The beauty of the Ibiza summer is that it stretches right into September and October. Breezy days and mild nights mean the indoor/outdoor lifestyle that is so adored is accessible even while the rest of Europe starts to shiver. Designers and architects in Ibiza have mastered the art of the outdoor living room with a panache that only comes from knowing how to live well.

Sofas, sunbeds and low coffee tables merge with neatly trimmed lawns or reach out across sun-filled terraces towards the pool. Pergolas streaming with green foliage provide dappled shade while other spaces find relief via gleaming sailcloth. As night falls, those with inbuilt outdoor fireplaces or braziers will love to cosy up under the stars. Get those marshmallows onto sticks kids!

Many homes in the Villa Contact portfolio are already well appointed with wonderful outdoor living spaces. But those unable to resist adding a personal touch can dip into the Villa Contact little black book of architectural and landscaping contacts for top-notch advice. Build in defined seating and secluded nooks, go for smooth poured concrete or soft lush grass underfoot and for added convenience, pop in a hidden outdoor refrigerator for easy access to cooling drinks and snacks.

Seating can take so many different forms, from enormous day beds to oversized bean bags and L-shaped sofas. Throw in some plush cushions and the outdoor living room will become the focus of your home right through to the first glimpses of winter. Go for a sleek minimalist vibe, Balinese pavilion style or rustic Mediterranean – whatever suits your taste and your home. Whether it’s a covered porch, small patio, sprawling garden or roof top terrace, well designed outdoor living rooms are an essential element for fully enjoying your Ibiza home.

Visitors to Ibiza are often well versed in the lovely homes dotted around the coast and interior. But only experienced visitors and true locals understand the charms of the highly sought after area of Morna Valley. Situated between San Joan, San Carlos and San Lorenzo, the lush, green valley has a tranquil ambience and beautiful countryside with easy access to towns, villages and the coast meaning properties here are rarely available, as people never seem to move.

Can Cosmi is a stunning four-bedroom villa set on a hillside close to San Carlos. Designed to emulate a traditional farmhouse, without losing any of the modern luxuries expected of homes of this calibre, the villa is set on one level and flows with natural light and open spaces. Various covered porches provide plenty of room for lazily passing the day while the interior living spaces and bedrooms are elegantly casual with a neutral palette and subtle wood finishes allowing for the new owner’s personal taste to flourish.

The beautifully landscaped gardens feature a vineyard, orange grove, vegetable garden, lawns, 100 rose bushes and numerous fruit and palm trees including olive, apricot, almond, and lemon. The pool area boasts a large chill out area creating a tranquil serene oasis. The well-appointed guesthouse expands the potential for entertaining or multi-generational living. Can Cosmi is key ready, waiting for the right person to walk in and start living the Ibiza life.

Markits Economic’s PMI survey, published in January 2017, showed that Spain is still one of the ‘big four’ Euro-zone economies, alongside Germany, France and Italy. Nationwide property sales across Spain rose by 15-percent last year. Naturally, Ibiza remains in its little bubble, barely touched by the crisis resulting in a tight, fast moving property market.

The Spanish National Institute of Statistics have reported increases every month since March 2014 with sales improving steadily year on year. In the first two months of 2017, the Balearic’s showed an annual growth rate of 17-percent compared to the same period in the previous year.

“2017 has been an extremely busy year for us”, says Villa Contact co-director Tom Gray Amat.

In early August, the SPO House Price Index Tracker published their latest report. For the second month in a row all the main points were positive, a major shift from how things were a decade ago. And it’s not only houses that are piquing interest.

“People are looking more into mixed use investments,” says Tom.

“Be it apartments with commercial areas, hotels or creating new interesting spaces and cultural meeting points. These are very exciting times.”

Despite a dip in post-Brexit British buyers, properties in Ibiza are in high demand.

“There’s a real diversity of clients,” says Villa Contact co-director Clea Gray Amat.

“Many more buyers from northern Europe are coming to the island as well as people from the US and the Middle East.”

Ibiza is becoming recognised as an excellent base for a new generation of global workers. It provides a safe investment market plus access to all of Europe’s major cities, and it’s a unique lifestyle that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.

Even though it’s a sellers’ market, it is clear that the property market in Ibiza is going from strength to strength.

Chambao at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay

Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay was the most anticipated opening of the 2017 season. Sitting proudly on the shores of Talamanca beach, the hotel boasts poolside bars and the expected Nobu Japanese fusion restaurant but Chambao is the chiringuito, bringing a new stylish touch to this iconic beach. Freshly prepared seafood, jugs of sangria, artisanal wines and if you’re up early, they even serve breakfast.

Pershing Bar at 7 Pines Resort

Nestled between the divine beaches of Cala Conta and Cala Colodar, 7 Pines Resort is a brand-new luxury resort. The Pershing Terrace Bar was designed to replicate a Pershing 70 yacht. Think Craig era Bond, with a touch of Ibiza insouciance – signature cocktails, top-notch liquors and an excellent cigar menu.

La Imprenta Grand Café

Located in the 1898 building that once housed the island’s only printing press, La Imprenta Grand Café is a theatrical homage to a certain era of Parisian life that centred on art, philosophy, poetry and wild times. You’d be forgiven for thinking you could bump into Toulouse Lautrec amongst its plush velvets and lusty dishes. The menu reflects the decor – rich, decadent and delicious.

Wasa.b

Perched under the walls of the old town, in the bustling newly redeveloped Plaza del Parque, this lovely terrace offers the most incredible Japanese fusion cuisine. Sushi, sashimi and all your Japanese favourites plus some inventions of pure genius are served up with a warm smile and the best sake available on the island. Oh, and they do home delivery and takeaway too!

IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar

Located in the plush Sir Joan Hotel on the Pacha roundabout, IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar serves up modern Japanese with a South American twist. The concept is shared plates meaning there’s opportunity to have a little bit of everything. The restaurant’s motto is: ‘It’s always worth trying one dish you’ve never tried before.’ This shouldn’t be difficult, as the menu is full of too-hard-too-choose delicacies.

This season we see a new super club rise from the ashes of our beloved Space Club in Playa d`en Bossa.

The new super club ‘Hi’ owned by the Ushuaia Group has been the talking point for many people on the island these last few months since the closure of its famous predecessor.

The rumour has it that a huge team of constructors and top notch architects have been working around the clock to redesign what is set to become the snazziest super club on the island!

Although the nostalgic Space-lovers will find it hard to forget the beautiful moments Space gave them on the sun-kissed Terraza, thousands of new and old party people are looking forward to the unveiling of the club this weekend.

Hi´s Opening party … this Saturday 28 May with a bumper line up including Apollonia, Black Coffee, Luciano, Nic Fanciulli, Joris Voorn, Andrea Oliva, David Squillace, Matthias Tanzman, Anna Tur and many more. Don´t miss out!

Ibiza has traditionally been all about fish paella and grill meats, but the island has had a surge in fantastic new vegetarian restaurants that you should try out. Many of these delightful eateries also offer non-veggie options, but veggies are king of the crop on the majority of these menus. We have picked out some of our favourites for you.

Ecocentro – Santa Gertrudis
www.ecocentro.es

Wonderful delicious vegetarian dishes served in a lovely old finca with a sunny terrace. This place is located in centre of Santa Gertrudis and also has a fantastic organic wine list to enjoy and a lovely ecoshop next door. Heaven!

Aubergine, San Miguel
www.aubergineibiza.com

Lovingly reformed finca turned into a veggie restaurant with a lovely outside dining area and garden a few minutes’ drive of Santa Gertrudis. They use seasonal fresh local ingredients from their own gardens and combine these in a tasty and creative way. Lovely decor and ambience make this a romantic spot to dine in the countryside day and night.

Cicale Roots, San Lorenzo
www.cicaleibiza.com

Cicale Roots is set within its namesake garden restaurant in San Lorenzo – it is an all-new breakfast and lunch concept embracing raw, vegan and macrobiotic cuisine. Leading this new kitchen revolution is passionate Vegan Satvic chef Erika Tangari, with a healthy and delicious menu designed to balance the body and mind.

Wild Beets, Santa Gertrudis

Home

Sophisticated hangout for a coffee or raw veggie lunch or dinner. This stylish place is the in spot for a little more of a luxurious plant based, raw, vegan and paleo approved dishes. If you want glamour along with your food this is the place for you!

Passion Café, Various locations
www.passion-ibiza.com

Juices, smoothies and salads sit alongside big breakfasts, burgers and yummy desserts – something to suit all appetites. Creating an even healthier, happier, bigger buzz around the island this season is Passion Café, an Ibiza restaurant concept dreamed up by Lana Love in 2002 that has now expanded to include six hot Ibiza locations. These include Playa dem Bossa, Santa Eulalia, Marina Ibiza, BeFit and the Passion Pantry and Juicery in the Marina area offers a selection of amazing healthy deli products and groceries, plus those scrumptious cold-pressed fresh juices.

Can Caos, Santa Eulalia
www.facebook.com/caosibiza

Lovely, healthy food and natural fruit smoothies cafe. The menu is small, but offers plenty of choice for vegetarians, vegans and meat lovers alike. Great staff who pay a lot of attention to detail, check it out!

A little knowledge can take you a long way in a foreign country and mastering a few phrases in the local lingo could make the difference between making a lifelong friend and getting a confused stare. Here are our top ten Spanish phrases to get you talking like an Ibiza local when you most need it.

1. Qué pasa tío?
Literally translated this means ‘what is happening uncle?’ – not so practical in your day-to-day life. However, the colloquial meaning is “Whassup bro?” – definitely something you’ll use every day.

2. Cual es el codigo WiFi?
What is the WIFI code must be the number one question upon entering any establishment across the globe. Memorise it now.

3. Donde esta la Ferreteria/la Farmacia?
‘Where it the hardware store/pharmacy?’ You never know when you might need to repair something or find a cure for your insufferable sunburn.

4. Una media de tomate por favor
Half a piece of toast with tomato please. This is the breakfast of Spanish champions – half a toasted roll with crushed tomato, salt and olive oil. If you want to really get down with the locals order it with a carajillo – a short coffee with a shot of brandy.

5. Encantado/a
Pleased to me you. The o or a ending refers to the speaker not the person you’re meeting. So, boys say encantado and girls say encantada regardless of the gender of your brand new friend.

6. Por favor me das un…
When translated directly this phrase sounds rather rude in English. You would never say to a waitress give me a coffee without warranting a slap in the face. In Spanish it has a softer edge and is totally acceptable, more like ‘Could I please have a….’

7. Esta abierta la cocina?
‘Is the kitchen open?’ may seem like an odd phrase to need to know but Spaniards love to eat late and if you haven’t quite adjusted your belly clock you may find yourself arriving too early at cafes and restaurants and need to know the answer.

8. Vale
Quite simply, this means ‘OK’. This a catch all for almost any situation most closely related to the English okay.

9. Hostia
This is the communion wafer that priests press onto the tongues of the faithful at mass. Like so many churchy words however, it has other slang meanings. It’s rather harmless thankfully and is most like saying damn! or bloody hell!

10. Cuanto valen las hamacas?
Sunbeds lined up like soldiers on the sands of Ibiza beaches are somewhat of a premium luxury and therefore priced as such. ‘How much are the sunbeds?’ is therefore an important question, as it’s best ask before setting up camp.

It’s impossible to be surrounded by this azure, crystal sea and not take a day or two to explore it on a charter boat. So, grab a few buddies and a boat and head out to some of the more secretive and secluded corners of this beautiful island.

Tagomago

This privately owned island is dotted with caves and some of Ibiza’s best snorkelling. You can rent the only villa on the island for you holiday if you’re happy to part with upwards of 100k per week. It comes with its own chopper so it’s totally worth it.

The north

Touring the north via the sea presents the most magnificent coastline. Completely undeveloped and totally magical; this is Ibiza in the raw.

Es Vedra

Sure you can see this mythical monolith from the shore but there is nothing like getting up close and personal. Just watch out for the mermaids, they’ve been known to lure sailors to their death.

Atlantis

Is it the lost city or an ancient Phoenician quarry? No one really knows but it’s beautiful, especially from a boat (and much easier to access this way rather than the rocky hike from Sa Pedrera on a hot August day).

Cala Llentrisca

There’s a little wooden jetty here perfect for jumping or lounging. This lovely little cove is practically deserted even in the height of summer.

Es Xarcu

Don’t confuse it with Es Xarco one bay over (although a stroll there for lunch is recommended). Es Xarcu is tiny and gorgeous. You’ll need flip flops to traverse the shoreline but the water here is pure bliss.

One of Ibiza’s most loved characters and private chefs, Sid Shanti arrived in Ibiza in 1998 and loved it so much he never left. Food has been the centre of his life for as long as he can remember. As a primary school kid he convinced the teacher to let him cook a full English breakfast in front of his class and since those days his repertoire has covered a spectrum of cuisines in a career spanning restaurants, private cheffing, event catering and a cookbook inspired by all the memorable meals he has cooked during his years in Ibiza. Sid stopped by for a quick chat about life, eating and his exciting new ventures.

How did you get your start in the food world?
I started from quite a young age. At 17 I worked in professional kitchens peeling vegetables and washing pots for a country wide catering company based in Leeds in the UK.

Where on the island do you live?
I live in a Spanish barrio in the bay of Es Codolar, in the south of the island.
Since 2001 I’ve enjoyed the sun and moon rise and then set either behind mountains or into the ocean depending on the time of year. Migratory flamingos come and go to the salt flats just down the pebble beach and the locals are friendly and authentic to the core!

Tell us a bit about your new venture.
The new venture is an expansion my current business, so continuing to offer private catering services to the many visitors to Ibiza. We started a picnic service, Shanti Picnic (read more about it here: www.shantipicnic.com), which proved extremely popular. We use biodegradable packaging and offer healthy and vibrant food that’s an alternative to the many restaurants that are so busy in the summer. It’s perfect for beach, boat and villa. We source our vegetables from our two island farms and hope to expand year on year.

And we hear you’ve branched out into retail products too?
Yes, we are also creating products utilising island produce. We have a chocolate range coming out for Christmas – think chili chocolate, almond thins, Ibiza salted caramel and Mari Mayans Hierbas Ibicencas liquid centre chocolate truffles! These have been in development for two years and are thankfully now in production. And finally we are growing organic chili plants, some of the hottest in the world, and are aiming to have the first Ibiza chili sauces on the market for 2017. These will contain around 85% ingredients grown on Ibiza.

Will you still be offering private chef services?
For some existing clients and a few new clients. I am focused now on agriculture in Ibiza and creating ways to help this local heritage to grow and flourish.

Which local produce excites you the most when it comes into season and why?
There are many. Wild garlic, asparagus and nisperos all signify the onset of summer. Figs and pomegranates are also firm favourites. Raones when the season begins in September and squid in November.

Other than a knife, which kitchen tool can you not do without?
A chopping board!

What’s your favourite comfort food?
Tuna spaghetti Bolognese.

Any plans for another book?
Yes, I’ve started work on it but sadly it has taken a back seat for the moment.

What do you love most about Ibiza?
The people, climate, tolerance and beauty and distance in spirit that it has from the ‘real’ world.

A sleek, contemporary apartment or a luxurious chic villa? Each option is appealing, offering a lifestyle that is guaranteed to be the envy of your friends back home. But what’s right for you? Let’s break it down.

Ibiza apartment living

There are some super luxe apartments on the market at the moment. Apartment living is a convenient way to enjoy dropping in and out of the island.

It’s especially suited to people who commute or only live part of the year in Ibiza. Very often there is a building manager who lives on site to look after everything and can be entrusted with mail collection and other small tasks. One of the beauties of apartment living is having all the conveniences without the effort.

Swimming pools and gardens are magically taken care of, broken hall lights are fixed and common areas regularly cleaned all without you even lifting a phone to your ear.

The downsides are close proximity to neighbours and a lack of privacy when it comes to enjoying that immaculate pool and garden.

Ibiza villa living

Once you get a taste of one of Ibiza’s luxury villas, it’s pretty hard to turn back.

These homes can encompass everything Ibiza stands for – luxury, elegance and magic.

A villa has the space to accommodate friends and family and entertain without bothering neighbours. You’ll enjoy the bliss of privacy with few or no neighbours around and either gorgeous country or sea views – or both if you’re lucky. On the downside, if something goes wrong you’re responsible for fixing it, as well as having to coordinate the various people to maintain the property to its highest standard. However, villas can also obtain a tourist rental license meaning your home can provide an income during the busy summer season while you’re not in residence.

Each option has its pros and cons and perhaps the best way to make the decision is to sit back with a cool drink, close your eyes and imagine yourself living in Ibiza.

What do you see? Relaxed days in a villa or the more active lifestyle of apartment living? Rest assured, which ever you choose, it’s going to be a dream come true!

You can’t really go wrong wherever you end up, as Ibiza is gorgeous from top to bottom. However, it’s not a generic scene and each area possesses a unique personality that suits various lifestyles. Suffice to say, whatever you’re looking for you’ll find it here. Check out our area guide to find the perfect location to buy your dream Ibiza villa.

North east/north west
Bohemian, rugged and less developed than other areas of the island, the north is home to some exquisite hidden coves and boasts stunning views over the expansive Mediterranean Sea from forested cliffs tops. Ibiza’s wellness community is well ensconced here due to the inordinate number of residents involved in the healing arts.

The hippy vibe is alive and well amongst the hills and in the main town of San Joan which hosts a Sunday artisanal market packed with musicians and crafters from all over the island. Towards the east, San Carlos is a small yet refined village that is crossroads to the beautiful Cala Mastella and Cala Llenya beaches and the iconic Las Dalias market and restaurant.

To the west is the picturesque Sant Agnes and her extensive almond groves that blossom every February into a delicate pale blanket of white flowers. The diminutive San Mateo hosts an annual wine festival featuring the abundant tasty goodies from island producers, while the famous Benirras beach with its Sunday drummers is one of the most beautiful places to witness sunset. The north is the place to be if you love to really get away from it all and zen out in nature.

South east/south west
Cosmopolitan, chic and stylish. From high-end beach clubs to rustic seaside eateries there is something about this zone that just oozes cool.

Here you’ll find the airport just beyond the salt flats where flamingos elegantly hang out at the tail end of the summer season. Es Cavallet beach is a long stretch of silky sand with celebrated eateries such as El Chiringuito and La Escollera, with Experimental Beach on the outskirts of the salt flats. Nearby Cala Jondal is home to the legendary Blue Marlin.

Down the way is the lovely Sa Caleta beach with its rustic chiringuito serving up the freshest seafood on the island with UNESCO listed Phoenician ruins right next door. Then there is Las Salinas, a seemingly never-ending stretch of sand crowned by bars and frequented by the bold and the beautiful.

Ibiza town glitters between the UNESCO listed old town of Dalt Vila and the glamorous marina. Two lifestyles are on offer here – the romantic cobbled streets of the old town and the slick chicness of Marina Botafoch. The south is glamorous, and exciting with lovely beaches and access to a full social life.

Centre and Santa Eulalia
The lush centre of the island is dotted with charming white washed farmhouses, olive groves and orange trees. Great place to live all year around and has all the amenities at a stone’s throw away.

Santa Gertrudis is the cosmopolitan village that hosts a lively cafe society. To the east is the bustling town of Santa Eulalia and its white sand beach right in the centre. There’s everything you need within walking distance and loads to do for kids.

The San Joan road is known as ‘restaurant road’ with one after another of Ibiza’s top eating spots peppered along its smooth, winding curves. Further to the west is San Rafael, home to Privilege and Amnesia. This area is well suited to for multi-generational family life.

Hjordis Fogelberg’s parents were Ibiza pioneers, coming to settle on the island in the late 1950s. The island based designer and author grew up traipsing across fields of wild flowers and swimming in hidden coves – a childhood that set her up well to write and illustrate the island’s premier travel guide – My Ibiza and Formentera. She lives and works here dividing her time between Ibiza and her beloved Formentera and has taken a little time out to talk island life.

How did you get your start as a designer?
I was born and raised here but went to study design in the UK. When I came home I met a producer at German record label Logic. He suggested I do a design internship there. I went and ended up becoming the art director and staying there for two years. Then I came back to Ibiza and set up shop as a designer. I worked for Pacha Magazine for 11 years then started to have the idea for the book.

My Ibiza and Formentera is completely different to anything on the market. What gave you the impulse to produce it?
After working in publishing here I saw that there was a gap in the market for information that wasn’t advertorial or paid content. I wanted to produce an honest vision of Ibiza, to give people an idea of what it’s really like, a helpful resource that was quirky and personal. The updated second edition will come out in 2018 – I’ll update it every two years.

All the illustrations are your own. How did that come about?
At first I was going to get this amazing photographer to provide beautiful black and white images. I started to draw things out and then realised that the illustrations really worked. I got into it, the drawing…

Any other projects in the pipeline?
Lots! I’ve got quite a few ideas in the making; it’s all top secret at the moment. Doing the guide has brought me into a whole new space of portraying the island in a different way.

What do you love about Ibiza?
I live in the country and I love how I can dip in and out of the social scene. I can go to a club with the most amazing sound system and the best DJs and also just retreat and be where it’s peaceful and untouched. I love how you can arrive at the airport and be driving down a dirt track see a payesa out with her sheep within five minutes. It’s a gem.

Secret beach?
Oh, that’s hard to choose. I like to take people to Cala San Miguel, to the little shack there, Can Tothom.

Favourite place to eat?
Another hard one! I love Can Suldat in Es Canar and Bar 1805 in Sa Penya, its hard choose! Cala Conta… the small chiringuitos and I love all the menu del días in all the Spanish places. I’d love to do a menu del día guide. In Formentera it’s Macondo without a doubt.

Best time to be in Ibiza?
I love October and November, just before it gets really cold, but I also love March, April and May before everyone arrives.

You have found your dream Ibiza villa and you’ve made the offer. The ballpark figure to take into account is 12-percent on the purchase price to cover all the extra costs.

Here is a quick run down on all the related fees involved in buying a home in Ibiza.

Property transfer tax – Impuesto sobre transmisiones patrimoniales (ITP)
This is similar to UK Stamp duty and Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido (IVA) the Spanish Value Added Tax. The ITP is only applied to second hand properties. New builds are charged the standard IVA. The ITP is charged at between 8% and 10% depending on the purchase price.

Local property taxes (IBI) – Impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles
This tax is similar to the UK’s council tax. It is raised by the town hall (Ayuntamiento) of the area of residence and is calculated on the basis of the notional rental value (Valor Catastral) of the property. The amount charged is the rental value multiplied by the tax rate fixed in the locality.

Mortgage costs
Buyers opting for a mortgage will have to pay additional costs such as the cost of valuing the property (up to 500€) and the cost of the mortgage itself, which varies from lender to lender.

Legal fees
It is advisable to always use an independent lawyer to conduct the requisite checks. Legal fees usually cost around 1% (including VAT).

Notary expenses
The buyer always covers these expenses and you can expect to pay 0.5-1% of the purchase price declared in the deeds of sale.

Property registration
Expenses related to inscribing the sale with the land registry are also nearly always paid for by the buyer and are calculated in relation to the purchase price declared on the deeds of sale. To be safe you can calculate this to be 1% of the purchase price.

Banking costs
To pay for the property, you will most likely need to write a bank cheque. In order to do that, you will need to set up a Spanish bank account and transfer the money from the bank in your country. The cost of the transfer can be as much as 0.4% as can the cost of the bankers cheque.

Even the most un-festive person will find it difficult to resist Christmas in Ibiza. Here’s a run down of the who, what and where of an island Christmas.

Gifts
Lots of our favourite stores are open all through the year. Check out Es Cucons in Santa Gertrudis, Sluiz and Co Coq for the most unique gifts and fun stocking fillers. Then of course there is Las Dalias’ famous Christmas market, from December 16 to January 5 held on Fridays through Tuesdays. Ibiza Town moves the Christmas Market to Plaza de Antoni i Nieto from December 1 until January 6. Perfect for finding that special Ibiza-inspired something.

Lighting up
Kids love to witness the lighting of the street lights and the enormous Christmas tree in Ibiza town followed by a whirl and twirl at the Christmas fun fair. The heavy construction work along Vara de Rey cannot stop the festivities, with the tree being relocated and the route of the Three Kings revised. This year the Christmas cheer fans out from the Plaza de Antoni i Nieto where there are storytelling sessions, folk dancing recitals and kids craft workshops. Check out the program online or in print for all the fine details. The lighting of Santa Eulalia’s tree attracts the whole town and the weeks leading up to Christmas and Three Kings day is choc full of activities for kids, teenagers and grownups including a chocolate festival, live music, markets and more.

Dining
Given the huge amount of expats and ‘orphans’ on the island, hosting a Christmas lunch in one of the island’s best restaurants sure beats doing all the washing up and family squabbles you may experience back home! Christmas on the beach is a luxury here, and places such as Sir Rocco Beach Club, Atzaró Beach, Cala Bonita, La Escollera and Yemanja all offer unique Christmas day set menus. Alternatively, hit the popular ‘Pete the English Butcher’ in San Antonio (you need to get your orders in early) for turkey and ham and do it yourself, with all the trimmings!

Party
Pacha Ibiza has always stayed open throughout the off-season and is famously known as the place to congregate with your island friends on Christmas Eve before heading off to your individual events the next day. With new flights coming in from many major European centres this winter, plenty more places are also keeping the home fires burning. Expect to see winter parties at Sankeys Ibiza, Underground, Avenue Ibiza, the new Cotton Lounge Club in Figueretes, Nassau Tanit Beach on Playa d’en Bossa and many more.

Three Kings
Christmas in Spain hasn’t really happened (for kids, anyway!) until the Three Kings show up on January 6. In Ibiza they often arrive by boat and make their way through the villages and towns on elaborately decorated floats throwing sweets and gifts to kids and grownups alike. The route (changed due to the aforementioned construction) for this year’s parade will be advised in the Ayuntamiento online guide to seasonal fiestas.

Ibiza is definitely a place of joy where people come to holiday and yet it is also an island filled with everyday folk going about their lives just like anywhere else in the world. And just like any community, the people of the island band together when and where it counts most. Here is just a preliminary list of some of the island’s most active charities.

Caritas
This vast international organisation’s mission is to serve the poor and promote charity and justice around the world. Here in Ibiza, Caritas runs a network of solidarity stores where people can access clothing and household supplies as well as dining rooms and day centres for the homeless and families in need.

Can Dog
It’s an unfortunate fact of the island that many animals, especially dogs, are frequently abandoned. Can Dog accept all animals, even the odd lost sheep.

Food For Ibiza
Taking its cues from similar organisations around the world, Food For Ibiza collects excess or almost out of date food from supermarkets, restaurants and individuals for distribution to Ibiza’s homeless and economically challenged.

Casita Verde
Casita Verde is the flagship project of Green Heart Ibiza. The inexhaustible team there educate the island on ecological issues and conservation. Projects include beach clean up days, eco building workshops and their legendary Sunday lunches.

Ibiza Preservation Fund
Set up by a group of Ibiza’s highflyers, the Ibiza Preservation Fund aims to preserve Ibiza and Formentera’s natural environment through grants for sustainable initiatives. Projects include activism, wildlife protection, water protection and organic practices.

Age Concern
The Ibiza chapter of this UK based charity is dedicated to providing care to the island’s ageing population. They organise everything from medical equipment to rides to the doctor, help with paperwork and, of course, parties (this is Ibiza after all!).

In 2002 Navine and Craig Colligan decided to leave London behind and seek out a place to live that would allow them to enjoy a lifestyle that was unattainable in the UK. With their sights set on Spain they packed their bags and headed off on an adventure of a lifetime. Expecting to settle somewhere on the mainland, they broke the journey with a quick two week holiday in Ibiza. The holiday never came to an end and here the couple discuss their most recent adventure, the purchase of a new home.

How do you spend your time here on the island and what keeps you here?
We run our own company in Santa Eulalia, a bespoke events services business called Cardamom. We have stayed in Ibiza over the years because the island continued to encapsulate everything we wanted from life. This includes the international mix of people who are drawn here, the serenity of the island, the beautiful beaches and it’s a wonderful environment to bring up our two children.

What were you looking for in a house?
This is actually our second home in Ibiza, the first was in Santa Eulalia which enabled us to be close to the Cardamom Club (our business at the time). Now however, with two children, we wanted something a little more rural which suited our peaceful family lifestyle.

Tell us a bit about the process of searching for a new home?
We work with properties all the time so we had a good understanding of buying in Ibiza. We only saw a few houses and knew this was the property for us, mainly due to Villacontact fully understanding our brief.

Did you attain a mortgage through a Spanish bank?
Yes we did, through Banco Santander and they have been amazing, I would highly recommend them.

Were there any issues along the way?
Things can often be a little complex in Ibiza, no matter what you are doing, however Villacontact were amazing and guided us all the way.

How important was it to have a trusted agent?
Without Villacontact, we wouldn’t have this property. Much like having a good event planner in Ibiza, it was worth every penny to invest in this element of the process, it meant we had an expert on island that knew the process of house buying well and guided us, as well as took our needs into consideration.

What advice would you give to others about to buy their first property in Ibiza?
Go and speak to the banks first as they have different criteria for the mortgage process, also find a good gestoria and an on island trusted agent like Villacontact.

You may be ready to upsize or downsize but either way there are some things that are indispensible to create the perfect conditions for a swift and agreeable sale. Here’s the low down on what you can do to your property to get the price you want, fast.

Get great photos
iPhone photos are a big no no. Not only is the quality terrible, especially when it comes to printing out information packs for potential buyers but the colour, lighting and framing is all wrong. If you can’t afford a professional photographer, at least take your images with a decent camera.

De-clutter
No one wants to see dirty underwear, piles of Lego or stacks of fading newspapers in the aforementioned pics or at viewings. Get rid of as many personal items as you can and throw out anything that is broken, has no use or is just plain ugly… yes, even that commemorative plate you bought at your child’s nursery graduation.

Paint walls neutral
That turquoise feature wall with the gold flecks probably looked great eight years ago in the pages of Architectural Digest but bold colours are not everyone’s cup of tea. Make it easy for people to imprint their own lives onto your home by repainting in neutral colours.

Air and light
Open up the house early to get rid of any musty closed up smells and let in as much natural light as possible. You want to emit a feeling of healthy wellbeing; a dark stale environment will turn off many people, except for the odd vampire.

Clean the pool!
A murky, leaf filled pool is not a great way to induce people to part with wads of money. Do it yourself or hire a professional, whatever it takes, tidy up the pool and garden before anyone sees it.

Back then Spanish law required clubs to close for at least two hours a day. Taking full advantage, Pepe closed up shop for just enough time to obey the law and clean up before the next party started. Spain was emerging from the constrictions of the Franco regime and young people were discovering music previously banned. It was a revelation and once it tasted the freedom to party, Ibiza never looked back.

In the early days Space was a mixture of variety shows (Miss Ibiza contest included) and boasted an eclectic mix of Flamenco and live music. Then in the 90s an English DJ set up on the terrace and was later joined by others and Space as we now know it came into being. This iconic club has hosted some of the world’s best DJs and parties. The likes of Carl Cox, John Digweed, Steve Lawler, Erick Morillo, Giles Peterson, Armin Van Buuren, Basement Jaxx, Danny Tenaglia and so many more have pumped out nights of memory making music, with the legendary We Love Sundays party being the star of the weekly show.

A sad day is dawning in Ibiza as Space comes into its very last season. Pepe is now 80 and his long-term lease on the property is up. He says it’s time for retirement. Who knows exactly what will happen to this iconic part of Ibiza? Some say a mall is on the way; others say an extended version of the neighbouring club across the road. Even more say Space will simply relocate, but as for now, let’s just all take stock and remember the good times. Lest we forget.

It’s a great investment.
The market here is very stable. Despite what happens in the rest of Europe, Ibiza has always maintained a steady growth.

It’s a healthy lifestyle.
With 360 days of sunshine, there’s no chance of a vitamin D deficiency here. Life is lived outdoors doing things rather than indoors watching television.

Ibiza is light years ahead of rest of Spain market wise.
There’s no dip in value here. While the rest of Spain suffers dropping markets Ibiza is as buoyant as ever.

The island is only two hours from Europe.
You can get to all the major European capitals easily.

There are many exclusive villas on the market.
That dream home with the pool, view and Mediterranean garden is yours for the taking.

It’s a beautiful place to live all year round.
The natural beauty of the landscape is totally captivating.

All year good weather.
Banish grey, wet days forever. Summers are fun filled and sunny – in fact, the island boasts over 300 days of sunshine while winters are mild and cosy.

It’s great for all generations.
There is such a broad community living on the island. Everyone from the littlest to the oldest is well catered for.

There’s a huge rental market.
Your property can be easily rented all year round or only during the summer. Either way, your investment will see returns immediately.

Good schools and nurseries.
With load of schooling options and all kinds of nurseries available your kids will be will cared for.

Ibiza presents some excellent investment opportunities. First of all, unlike the rest of Spain, the housing market has steadily increased over recent years with the higher end of the market remaining strong and the middle and lower end currently booming. The chance to create income off your investment is also an attractive prospect. The holiday market will probably never falter in this island of sun, sea and fun and the rental season can be an alternative and lucrative income stream.

Understandably, the Balearic government have put in place legislation to protect both property owners, holidaymakers and of course taxes. If you intend to buy in Ibiza with the idea of renting to tourists there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First up, only detached and semi detached properties are allowed to obtain tourist licences. At this point, apartments are not covered by the Estancia Turistica en Viviendas (ETV). This doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot rent your apartment out short term but the so-called loophole that allows that is a rather big one to jump through. For the point of this article lets stick to the stuff that is easily recognisable as legal rather than a little bit grey.

Before you even start to think about buying a property to rent in the summer, you need to be sure that all the paperwork is in place. If your intention is to rent to tourists then one of the most important pieces of paper is the Cedula – which is a certificate of habitation. It might seem strange that a home would be put on the market without one but this is Ibiza and well, stranger things have happened.

Once you have the property the next step is to get the tourist licence. The home must have no more than six bedrooms and accommodate a maximum of 12 people. There must be at least one bathroom for up to five people, two bathrooms for six to eight people, three for nine to 11 people and four for 12 people. And although it doesn’t seem to be a prerequisite (oddly), public liability and property insurance is a must have.

If you’ve come this far you’ll probably be aware of Spain’s adoration for long and convoluted bureaucratic processes. At this point we advise enlisting the services of a good gestoria or lawyer to help wade through the paperwork. In a nutshell, there are two rather tiresome forms along with all the key information about the property that must be submitted to the Island Council Tourism Department. Calling on the professionals takes away all the stress (and man hours) involved.

Once the application has been made you can start renting to tourists while you wait for the inspectors to come… which may take a while as, predictably, there is rather a huge backlog. But, you’re in business!

Ibiza’s more fashion conscious beaches get a lot of attention especially in July and August. Lots of beautiful bodies and gorgeous bikinis and cocktails and beats… However, the coastline of this Mediterranean paradise is also dotted with some outrageously lovely hidden coves and private swimming spots. When you’ve had enough of the buzz head to one of these quieter Ibiza beaches…

Cala Xarraca
A tiny, idyllic, tranquil spot in the north with a delicious chiringuito and hardly a tourist in sight.

Cala Saladita
A stone’s throw along from the popular and equally lovely Cala Salada is this little slice of paradise, accessed by an almost hidden staircase.

Cala Gracioneta
Another little sister to a big popular beach (Cala Gracio), this cove is great for kids with a gentle, sandy incline into the water.

Sa Caleta
Crowned by imposing red cliffs, the dark sand and crystal water is the perfect bathing spot before a seafood lunch at the chiringuito.

Cala Olivera
Close to the golf course and the plush homes of Roca Llisa, this lovely little practically private bay doesn’t know what rush hour is.

Es Cuco
Pretty hard to get to, making it a super secret and discreet beach. You’ll only meet locals and the odd fisherman. But we can’t tell you where it is!

Cala Llentrisca
Another hidden gem especially loved by snorkelers and divers for the clear water teeming with life. Pretty nice for doing nothing on too.

Alla Dins
There is a path but it’s much easier by boat. This place is like nature’s swimming pool. It’s surrounded by a few other sweet coves ripe for exploration.

Aguas Blancas
Take a wade through the clear water to reach the tiny satellite beach of the ever-popular Aguas Blancas. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the stone towers built by long ago hippies.

Enjoy!

Ah, cocktail hour. What joy to find a spot where you can witness the kaleidoscopic skies of Ibiza with a drink in hand. Of course you should really watch a sunset from one of the iconic San Antonio bars like Mambo or Cafe del Mar at least once in your life. But really, the true sophisticates will have moved on from there. Try out one of our top ten favourite Ibiza bars with a view…

Calma
Smack bang in the centre of Paseo Juan Carlos I, is Marina Ibiza and the gorgeously yachty La Calma. Oozing a sophisticated jet set vibe the view of Dalt Vila from here is spectacular.

Patchwork at Sa Punta
This is a food, drink and view emporium! But Patchwork, the rooftop restaurant and bar of the Sa Punta complex in Talamanca is where the view is OMG-out-of-this-world. Have a few cocktails and share some Lebanese plates while gazing across the rippling med to the old town.

Elements Ibiza
Benirras beach is the ultimate egalitarian hang out and the best place to grab a drink and check out the soft white sands that reach down into the crystal sea is Elements Ibiza, the sprawling restaurant dominating much of the beach.

Hacienda Na Xamena
This is the stuff dreams are made of. Palm trees sway in front of the glistening sea that stretches on forever at the bar of this five star hotel and spa set in the hills of San Miguel in the island’s north. Heaven.

Hostal la Torre
The terrace bar has a breathtakingly uninterrupted view across a rocky outcrop towards the horizon on the outskirts of San Antonio. Recently refurbished this subdued corner of Ibiza has become a sunset institution for those in the know.

Kumharas
With its chic hippy vibe, stone pirate tower, fire dancers and incredible sunset view, this beach bar in Cala de Bou on the island’s west coast is where everyone dances barefoot in the sand, carefree and happy.

Vi Cool, Aguas de Ibiza Lifestyle & Spa
Atop the five star Aguas de Ibiza Lifestyle & Spa hotel in Santa Eulalia is Spanish celeb chef Sergi Arola’s newest Vi Cool instalment. Sup on quality wines and cocktails accompanied by Arola’s unique take on tapas while overlooking the beautiful view.

Las Puertas del Cielo
The little village of Santa Agnes is nothing more than a road, a bar and almond groves. Drive up through the hills to the dramatic clifftop and you’ll come to this lovely locals hangout with one of the most remarkable views in the world. The name translates to ‘gates of heaven’ – need we say more?

Heart Ibiza
Those Adría brothers know how to put on a show. Set in the swanky Ibiza Gran Hotel, Heart Ibiza is a cornucopia of molecular tapas and theatrical surprises supplied by Cirque du Soleil plus the world’s best DJs until dawn.

S’Escalinata
This old town bar is so cute and tiny, and the best (in fact, the only) place to sit is on the staircase outside on comfy cushions and beanbags. Grab a cocktail and a plate of nibbles, sit back and soak in the medieval ambience of the old town.

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union raises some important questions. Here’s how it will affect British buyers in Spain.

Can I still buy a property in Spain?

Yes. Britain is still a member of the EU and British citizens enjoy the same rights today that they did last week.

It is likely to take at least two years to leave the EU, and many more years to settle the resulting changes in trade agreements. British buyers are unlikely to feel the impact for some years.

What does a fall in Sterling mean?

A weakened Pound is the most immediate effect of Britain’s referendum. In effect, Spanish property has just become more expensive for UK buyers.

The exchange rate is expected to be volatile over the coming months, but buyers can take steps to insulate themselves from currency risk.

It is also worth setting this in a wider context: While Spanish house prices have been steadily recovering over the past 2 years, they remain 32% cheaper than their peak in 2007.

Spanish property remains excellent value.

What will happen to my property when the UK leaves?

Spain has a long history of welcoming buyers from overseas, who now account for 1 in 5 house sales. Non-EU buyers are extremely active in the market and enjoy very similar rights to EU nationals.

Leaving the EU/EEA is highly unlikely to impact the rights of British citizens to buy property in Spain. Overseas investment is too important to the economy.

Will I still get a mortgage?

Yes. Spanish banks typically ask foreign buyers for a deposit of up to 40%. While there is scope for this to rise, it is already at a level that provides banks considerable protection and is unlikely to see much adjustment.

Meanwhile, the economic climate in Europe is wedded to low interest rates. Borrowing costs remain good value.

Will the Spanish property market crash?

British buyers are important to the Spanish market and they are the largest single nationality among overseas investors. However to put this in context, Brits form 4% of the market.

There are two reasons Brexit is highly unlikely to trigger a crash. Firstly, foreign buyers are a diverse group: German, French, Belgian, Italian and Swedish (among many others) are all an extremely active, growing part of the market.

There may be some localised pain, but even a complete collapse in UK demand (again, totally unlikely) would only put a small dent in the market.

Secondly, the market has nowhere to go. Spanish property has been recovering steadily since 2014, but remains a very long way off its peak. The worst we expect from Brexit is restrained growth.

What about my pension?

Under single market rules, UK citizens living in Spain (and indeed the whole EEA) have their pensions and social security payments automatically uprated each year in line with local inflation. This system is a mutual EU arrangement and is likely to become a negotiating point in Brexit talks.

In the worst case, British pensioners in Spain could get similar treatment to those in Canada and lose their automatic right to pension increases.

How will inheritance work?

British citizens (and indeed all EEA residents) currently get very good tax treatment in Spain, paying the same inheritance tax as locals.

One of the best things about buying a new property is getting to deck it out with handpicked designer pieces to turning it from a house into a home. Ibiza is like a decorating paradise, chock full of amazing furniture and decor shops all over the island. Here are our current top ten shopping hotspots to find the most stylish pieces with which decorate your Ibiza villa

Box 3
As well as housing the architectural studios of Jaime Romano, the Box 3 team provide design and decor consulting. A walk around their shop will no doubt inspire your creative eye.

Sluiz
It’s a warehouse of fun, quirky and distinctive pieces. Come here to add bright sparks of colour to your palette in the form of oversized throw cushions, candles, tableware and myriad other beautiful objets.

Le Pigeon Voyager
This vast store is resplendent with gorgeous furniture and art. One-off pieces and a selection of international brands fill the shop floor.

Moonk and Figus
These new kids on the block specialise in beautiful outdoor furniture. Think super comfy sun beds, sofas and table sets. They also have an amazing collection of the best rugs.

Co Coq
This is a cornucopia of design. Each corner of this vast showroom is dedicated to a different brand or designer. Absolutely everything you need to beautify your home.

La Maison Blanche
Packed to the rafters with excellent quality furniture, art and soft furnishings La Maison Blanche specialises in rich textures and complete looks.

TANIS Ibiza
If there is any store that personifies Ibiza it’s TANIS Ibiza on the road to Santa Gertrudis. Furniture, decorative pieces as well as a selection of beautiful rugs and a reupholstery service plus a full interior design service, it’s a one stop shop.

Lotus
This Ibiza institution has one of the best selection of beds on the island. It’s also a treasure trove of all things decor and features a huge collection of fabrics for bespoke soft furnishings.

D-Shop
After dressing Ibiza’s most stylish homes for the past 30 years, D-Shop is one of the most respected décor destinations. Specialties include exclusive fabrics and wallpapers.

Katrina Phillips
An interior designer and London transplant Katrina Phillips’ style can be summed up simply – things should last for generations. Think modern classic design, built well, and everything has a story.

“If anyone asked you the directions to Pacha from Ibiza town you simply pointed to the lights on the other side of the harbour; they were the only lights.”

When Pacha opened in 1973 it was surrounded by fields and considered to be on the outskirts of town. The Urgell brothers, Ricardo and Piti, had found success in their small club in Stiges and made the move to Ibiza to try their luck on the white isle. Back then the only word people had to describe what the brothers were doing was ‘boîte’ which means box in French. The word nightclub had yet to be invented.

It was just a small farmhouse with a bar and a dancefloor surrounded by cushions. There were no multimillion euro lighting and sound gear, no superstar DJs, although the go-go dancers were a regular fixture from the start. For the locals and young Spaniards from the mainland, Pacha was an anomaly. Decades of living under the cultural void of the Franco regime had left an enormous gap in how young people had fun. Stepping into Pacha was like stepping right into freedom and the minute you crossed the threshold you started to dance.

When Franco was still alive Piti Urgell used to smuggle records in from Paris. Nowadays record companies are falling over themselves to get tracks to DJs playing in his institution. The DJ booth is kitted out in the latest technology and the little farmhouse has been transformed into a megaclub known the world over. Pacha is now a brand that covers fashion, perfumes, hotels, restaurants, resorts and 25 franchises all over the world. What started as a little local nightclub has become the unofficial global ambassador for Ibiza clubbing.

More recently the Urgell family have pared things back to return to a less complicated time when it was all about dancing. A more underground scene has replaced some of the superstar DJs, lesser known acts with a little more cred are taking over where over indulged DJ divas once reigned. Having said that, David Guetta still rules the floor every week during summer to a banging crowd of hardcore funsters. Pacha will always be the jewel in the clubbing world’s crown. If knighthoods could be given out to nightclubs it would most definitely be dubbed Sir Pacha.

May is such an exciting time of year in Ibiza. The island wakes up and shakes off winter, people start to prepare for the summer and the streets are positively buzzing with anticipation. Exciting new venues pop up all over the place and old favourites get a new lease of life. Here are our top ten places to eat, drink and be merry in Ibiza this season.

1. La Belle Ibiza

Technically this is the second season for this gorgeous new dining destination in San Rafael (old school Ibiza goers will recognise it as the old El Ayoun space) but we feel like it needs further exploration. Think super chic Riviera style crossed with a fresh and delicious cuisine concept.

2. Aubergine

Another restaurant that quietly opened last year and needs further taste testing. The concept is campo life meets boho cool. The decor is light and breezy farmhouse vibe and the food is divinely healthy.

3. El Olivo Mio

Rita Sachs of Sa Punta fame has opened up a brand new venture in the heart of Dalt Vila – the legendary El Olivo becomes El Olivo Mio. Expect a passion for Mediterranean cuisine of very high standing.

4. Ibiza Food Factory

Headed up by Danish chef Boris Buono, an alumni of Noma and Formel B among other Michelin starred venues, this cute as a button private dining room is all about creativity in cuisine and ingredients so seasonal and local they are foraged for daily.

5. Passion Good Food & Wine

The Passion brand is constantly reconfiguring (and expanding) to fit in with the needs and desires of its fiercely loyal customers. Entrepreneur Lana Love’s newest venture is in San Jose and called Good Food & Wine. More restaurant than café, it maintains maintain the love and ethos of the original Passion.

6. Picadeli

Not quite new this season but another that had to be on the list. Picadeli is the quirky little sister to the iconic La Paloma, situated in Santa Gertrudis and the go to place for amazing takeaways and picnic essentials.

7. Cotton Lounge Club

Figueretas beach, in the heart of Ibiza town, is getting a well-deserved breath of fresh air with the second venue for the acclaimed Cotton Beach Club opening up in a stylish terrace lounge setting. A sushi bar, Mediterranean restaurant and Fay – Cotton’s amazing Asian eatery make up this new complex of cool.

8. La Muella

Israeli Chef Gome Galily comes direct from Goa to San Lorenzo in Ibiza’s north. Not sure what to expect of his new project here but the anticipation is building!

9. Project Social

Santa Eulalia’s brand new eating and drinking space comes under the direction of James and Kate Parffit, veteran London publicans and restaurateurs. It’s exactly what we all want; cool vibes, burgers, craft beers, cocktails and breakfast.

10. Rincon Peruana

Another exciting new venture within Agroturismo Atzaró. Part of the terrace will be transformed into a Peruvian gastronomic wonder, with the chef being flown in from Peru especially for the season.

When trying to understand the rental market in Ibiza, it’s important to recognise the many different individuals who make Ibiza their home.

Year round residents

As the name implies these people live on the island all year round. They may or may not work in the tourism industry with many of them making up the ‘normal life’ workforce, such as doctors, construction workers, teachers, and everyone that makes our towns or villages functioning places to live. This group is increasingly interested in buying a house in Ibiza.

Seasonal workers

A huge number of seasonal workers are required to facilitate the tourism industry. Often they come early in the season to secure accommodation and employment. They’ll then return to start working seven days a week from May until September before heading off to the next seasonal job or going back to their country of origin.

Non-resident property owners

Perhaps this group have purchased a family holiday home or an investment property. They may come once a year or even less. Instead of leaving their property empty many will rent seasonally to tourists with very few of them renting annually. Fewer still will be renting legally.

Resident property owners

Some properties in Ibiza have a guesthouse or apartment to rent seasonally, or the owners (and even renters) move out for the months of May to September to take advantage of the high season rental rates to be made from tourist visiting the island. Others have bought an investment property to rent seasonally.

What does this mean for the property market?

No doubt people looking for long term and seasonal leasing opportunities are facing a difficult time. The market is tight and local authorities are putting resources towards curbing the ilegal rental offer. Local residents are starting to eschew the instability of renting for buying their first home instead. Whether you are a resident or a regular visitor, it’s making more and more sense to buy a house in Ibiza.

You might have heard the Ibiza property market is moving fast these days. While that may be true and things are slightly more competitive then recent times there are still some much-coveted gems to be found. The three properties below are all unique, divine and luxurious having been very lovingly built or renovated to the current owners’ keen and specific eye for style.

Finca Piedra, Santa Gertrudis “https://www.villacontact.com/en/properties/4-bedrooms-villa-for-sale-ibiza-finca-piedra/”
Tranquil, serene, warm and welcoming. This four-bedroom, three-bathroom villa is surrounded by lush countryside in the heart of the island. Within walking distance to thriving, bohemian village of Santa Gertrudis, this beautiful home is distributed over a main house and two guest apartments. Contemporary with hints of traditional Ibicenco design coming through exposed beams, stone work and wood finishes, huge windows and glass doors throughout allow the golden Ibiza sun to stream through. Vast gardens, numerous private terraces and a gorgeous pool create opportunities for entertaining or long lazy days in the sun.

Finca Can Terra, San Carlos “https://www.villacontact.com/en/properties/6-bedrooms-finca-for-sale-santa-eulalia-ibiza/”
Brand new and totally gorgeous, Finca Can Terra is a six-bedroom, six-bathroom beauty set amongst lush countryside between Santa Eulalia and San Carlos. The highest quality materials were employed to create this contemporary home that retains many traditional features. The main house features three spacious bedrooms while an independent guesthouse boasts two bedrooms, all with ensuites. Light-filled, capacious spaces are enhanced with wood finishes and state-of-the-art fixtures. Lush lawns surround the villa and pool where outdoor entertaining and chill out zones are plentiful.

Villa Sebastian, San Juan “https://www.villacontact.com/en/properties/5-bedrooms-villa-for-sale-ibiza-villa-sebastian/”
Absolutely nothing needs to be done to the magnificent five-bedroom, six-bathroom villa in the heart of bohemian San Juan. It has been so exquisitely designed you’ll want to move in straight away. Set over 30,000 square metres of lush country with sublime views of the sparkling Med, this contemporary home features private terraces, outdoor dining spaces and gardens filled with fragrant jasmine, figs, olive, almond and jacaranda trees to create a deeply romantic ambience.

Ibiza architecture is many things to many people. One person may conjure up images of rustic fincas surrounded by farmland; another dreams of sleek and chic modern villas while yet another thinks of the white-washed walls and terracotta rooftops of Ibiza’s old town. Here is our definitive list of the top ten sought after architectural styles of Ibiza.

1. Rustic finca
AKA, the traditional Ibicencan farmhouse. The rustic finca is one of those dreamlike properties where history is etched into the dry stone walls, white washed wells, Sabina wood ceiling beams domed bread ovens and massive thick walls, surrounded by ancient olive trees.

2. Hi-tech Marina apartment
Martini anyone? Shaken or stirred? Think sleek lines and views across Ibiza’s yachting harbour. This style is for those with a super modern jet setting lifestyle – think early adapters, movers and shakers.

3. Modern classic
With a nod to tradition, these contemporary villas combine all that is good about local architecture with the latest technology and design. In keeping with their surrounds through classic white washed walls they feature free flowing open spaces, a modern take on stone work and lush lawns.

4. Dalt Vila romantic
Cobblestone streets and pirate ramparts create a super romantic ambience in Ibiza’s UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site, Dalt Vila. These gorgeous apartments in the heart of the old town hide their surprising spaciousness behind winding lanes and Roman mythology. Impeccably renovated to modern standards with a soul firmly set in the past.

5. Minimalist chic
Open, bright and liberated from the architectural baggage that weighs down other kinds of homes the minimalist Ibiza villa encompasses style beyond fashion and a singular aesthetic. Clean, sleek and taking full advantage of the natural beauty of the island these homes are a meditation manifested in a house.

6. Mountain hideaway
A winding and bumpy camino will inevitably lead to this bucolic cottage topped by a puffing chimney. The address will include mentions of painted stones (‘turn left at the blue rock’) and hidden turns and the overall ambience will be like a big warm embrace.

7. Spiritual seeker
Ibiza has a long history as a spiritual centre. The spiritual home is one that is steeped in this deep knowledge of a higher force and its concentrated presence on the island. Harmony is the predominant design factor and these homes feature plenty of space to practice yoga and meditate.

8. Village vanguard
The people that you know in your neighbourhood are the ones that will be there when things go wrong and when things need celebrating. The village home is resplendent with visitors and love. Neighbours are the keepers of spare keys, the providers of tea, the minders of pets and the fount of all gossip.

9. Party pads
Rumours abound about villas with secret tunnels to underground boat ramps and private nightclubs buried deep in rocky vaults. Well, some of these rumours are actually true and those who like to entertain at home will definitely consider a nightclub, private golf course and exclusive yacht access a must-have.

10. Eco-cool
These homes encompass all that is cool about the island. Without forgoing on the chic style and tech advances, the eco-house features a pristine natural swimming pool and the ability to live totally off grid.

For such a small island there is a plethora of things to see and do – many of them not found in guidebooks, on websites or in travel magazines. Here is a distilled Top 10 to take you off the beaten track and into the heart of Ibiza.

1. Walking Ibiza
This family run business offers walks all over the island for all levels including kids and overnight stays. There is no better way to experience the island’s beauty…

2. Mountain biking
Kandani is a one stop biking extravaganza based in Santa Eulalia. Owner Dani knows all the routes, has the bikes to rent and is just an all round lovely guy.

3. Mushroom picking
There are a few different groups offering mushroom hunting (go with a professional), which is always followed by a delicious, freshly picked brunch.

4. Kayaking
Kayaks can be rented from many of the beachside sports clubs with or without a guide. Seeing the island from a dolphin’s perspective is unforgettable.

5. Scuba diving
Then there is what’s under the sea. From wreck dives to aquatic wildlife, the coastline is brimming with excellent scuba locations.

6. Formentera before the crowds
Popping over to Ibiza’s sister island is super easy – charter a boat with a captain or hop on the ferry. Get there before or after August and miss out on the masses.

7. Museums
Ibiza’s rich and varied history will soon grab the attention of even the littlest ones. Museums abound – ethnological, archaeological, contemporary art, history – it’s all there.

8. Catacombs
The Necropolis del Puig des Molins is suitably spooky with real life (dead) skeletons and loads of info; it’s a fun family day out.

9. Ruins
Speaking of Phoenicians, get up close to the various ruined Phoenician villages and structures, including those at Sa Caleta, and imagine what life was like before the Internet.

10. Lighthouses
It might not be an obvious thing to go and check out but these majestic and often historic buildings are located in some of Ibiza’s most stunning areas.

Ibiza enjoys an amazing 360 days of sunshine a year, making it one of the most pleasant places in Europe to live. And while the inhabitants relish the sunshine it can sadly also play havoc on a garden. Environmentally sensitive landscaping will not only help save water, it will also provide a home for all kinds of local pollinators, butterflies and the many beautiful birds of the island.

It’s important to define what native means in this context. Ibiza has long been a port of call for people from all over the world. The ubiquitous olive, pomegranate and carob trees originally came with the Phoenicians, the agave from South America and the lemon from Asia. Think more in terms of water conservation and landscaping harmony when it comes to planting. Here are some firm favourites in the water happy and native arsenal to make your garden part of your island home.

Trees
Some plots will come with mature orchards of olive, almond, orange, lemon or other fruit trees already. If your property doesn’t then consider planting the ever-useful lemon tree at the very least. Other natives include the sabina (Juniperus Phoenica), carob, pine (Pinus Halepensis), fig and pistachio.

Herbs
Every garden should have these basic Mediterranean kitchen herbs; rosemary, thyme, lavender, bay laurel, lemon verbena and sage. All of these herbs do very well in the Ibiza climate.

Bushes and ground cover
The cistus or rock rose has many different sub species. The Artemisia lanata is prolific in Ibiza with is bright pink or white flowers. It’s low maintenance, an easy one for any garden. The Rodondo creeper or dew-flower (Drosanthemum candens) has a pinkish purple flower that is particularly suited to overhanging walls. Myrtle develops a lovely white flower in late summer and can be grown into hedges. La Favorita (Aloysia gratissima) produces a sweet smelling elongated flower, which does well with good drainage against a wall.

It’s pretty easy to make friends in Ibiza especially if it involves food, wine, cute kids or cats! The Ibicencos are a warm and welcoming bunch but having a few words under your belt definitely smooths the way for deeper connections and easier communications.

1. Vale (va-lay) translates as okay but can also mean fine, right on! and all good!

2. Venga (ven-gah) means c’mon, let’s go, you don’t say, no way!, chop-chop, yeah right, say what! This is really a catch all word you’ll hear all around you.

3. Hierbas (ee-yer-bas) You’ll be offered a shot of this fragrant liqueur after dinner in most restaurants and homes. Native to the island it’s a mix of local herbs said to aid digestion. Delicious and easy to down. Beware of overindulging.

4. Asesoría (ass-es-sore-ia) means consultant… of bureaucratic life. An asesoría generally works out of a gestoria, which translates as an agency that undertakes administrative work (read: smoothes the way)

5. Abogado (ah-bow-gah-doe) is a lawyer. Hopefully the only time you need one is when you are buying a property.

6. En venta (en-ven-tah) For sale. An important phrase to know when browsing the property market.

7. Ibicenco (ee-bee-then-co) a native to the island. Once you become friends with an islander, you have a friend for life.

8. Mariscos (mar-iz-cos) equals seafood, when served with paella (pay-eh-ya) or in a bullit de peix (boo-yit de pay-sh) – it’s a dish to die for.

9. Caña (ca-nya) is draught beer. Very important.

10. Licencia de Obras (lee-sen-sia de oh-brass). You need one of these to doing any kind of building work in Ibiza. See numbers 4 and 5 for more clarification.

*BONUS WORDS

Chiringuito (cheer-ing-ghee-toe). This is a beachside restaurant, most of which serve up delicious local dishes, predominantly seafood and ice cold drinks.

Genial (hen-ee-al) means everything is super fantastic hunky dory!

Fatal (fa-tal) means the opposite of above unless you using to describe a love interest, then it’s more like, a super hottie.

Que guay! (ke-gwai) Awesome!

Chulo/Chula (choo-low/choo-la) is cute, cool and awesome.

Que fuerte! (ke-fwer-teh) Unbelievable! No way! That’s crazy!

Ibiza’s history of ancient cultures, pirate rampages, hippy hedonism and raver madness has created a solid repertoire of crazy urban legends over the years. Here are the top 10 insane myths about Ibiza.

1. UFOs fly above us
On November 11, 1979 a pilot flying from Mallorca to Tenerife made an emergency landing in Valencia. He reported a strange light moving hostilely towards the aircraft, coming from the direction of Ibiza. Despite a thorough investigation the light was never identified so it must have been a UFO piloted by aggressive aliens, naturally.

2. Es Vedra is the third most magnetic point in the world
You’ll hear many people say Es Vedra is one of the most magnetic points in the world and that watches and compasses go haywire on approach. Locals love this myth and perpetuate it to no end, because take one look at the huge rock coming up from the sea and it just looks magnetic. It’s not though; no scientist has ever been able to prove it, and it’s made of pure limestone – no magnetic properties in sight.

3. Pirates leaving pots of gold and treasure
There were dozens of pirate rampages in Ibiza throughout the middle ages. The island got used to defending itself from the marauders and created a pretty clever system of watchtowers and church bells to sound the alarm. But as the pirates moved through the Med they would have surely had to deposit their loot somewhere. But where? Perhaps it’s still out there buried beneath a secluded cove… somewhere… out there!

4. The hermit on Es Vedra
So, it seems this is actually rooted in truth. Francisco Palau y Quer was a Carmelite friar who was banished to Ibiza in the 1800s after getting into some hot water with his bosses. He moved onto Es Vedra and lived there as a hermit sporadically where he wrote his masterpiece and saw ecclesiastical visions – which some people attributed to his diet of lichen (algae) but the good friar saw it as (a) signs from God. He also established the hermitage at Es Cubells which is still in use.

5. Goblins living under the Santa Eulalia bridge
In Santa Eulalia under the old bridge and in the new fountain you’ll come across little brass statues of ugly goblins with mischievous grins. They’re called Barrugets and are responsible for all sorts of shenanigans. They can’t usually be seen by the human eye and like to hang out in the water cisterns, dry stone walls, under bridges and in little caves by the sea. When something goes missing or something illogical happens it’s always the fault of those pesky Barrugets.

6. Space goats
Es Vedra is home to a sub species of mountain goat. It’s hard to tell where the Space goat phenomena started. Perhaps it was the hermit who lived on the island in the 1800s or the supposed UFO sighting or something about the rock’s alleged magnetism but at some point some people started to think that the goats weren’t just ordinary goats but special, intergalactic, interplanetary Space Goats. How cute is that?

7. Tanit
She was the revered goddess of the Phoenicians, the top deity of Carthage and also worshiped by the Berbers. As the goddess of fertility her home base was said to be Es Vedra, which is why women seeking a baby are advised to hang out at the rock. You’ll see her image used on everything from beach club posters to Hierbas bottles.

8. Bes
This Phoenician god has been around the traps; he’s an early relation of Dionysus and Bacchus – the gods of hedonism. It naturally makes sense that Bes should have a home in Ibiza considering his love of dancing and wine.

9. Es Vedra as the tip of Atlantis
This renowned rock has been so many things to so many people. Homer set his sirens here, it was a back drop to the kitschy late 50s film South Pacific, it’s had space goats and UFOs and a hallucinogenic hermit live on it. It makes sense then that it is also said to be the very tip of the lost city of Atlantis. But local boat captains won’t drive through or past the monolithic structure, so your chances of diving to find out the truth are slim to none.

10. Orange juice man
This is one of the most weird (and also kind of sad) urban legends about Ibiza. A group of lads came over for a holiday. One of them smuggled in a sheet of acid trips by sticking it to his chest under his clothes. He was so nervous that he started to sweat profusely, which made him absorb the whole sheet of acid into his blood stream. It’s said that he sat up straight for days on end trying not to move because he thought he was a glass of orange juice and didn’t want to spill. Poor guy.

Building your dream home gives you the opportunity to design the perfect space to fit your lifestyle. There are four major steps involved – let’s take a closer look.

Plot

First up is finding your piece of land. Things to consider are:

Licenses – does your plot possess all the necessary permits and documentation to build? If not, it can take up to a year or more to obtain them.

Noise – make sure you are not under a flight path, near a major thoroughfare or especially important in Ibiza, next door to a nightclub!

Orientation – always choose south facing plots.

Utilities – is the plot already connected to electricity and water? Does it have its own well? Is there the potential to drill for one? All of these things will affect the final cost of your build.

Neighbours – check the right of way rules and access roads for your plot. Are there neighbours close by?

Choosing your architect

Your architect will put together the project for submission to the authorities in order to obtain a building license. Take time to meet as many architects as you can. Get to know their different styles and interests. Seek recommendations from friends. Once you have chosen your architect you need to start discussing the details of your home. Questions to consider are what kind of home will it be? Family? Holiday? Retirement? You want to make sure that the final design is one that you can grow with.

The build

You should feel free to shop around for a builder. Obviously, your architect will know who is good but also seek out recommendations from others. Take your time to talk with the builder extensively to make sure you feel comfortable right from the start. Ask for clear quotes and costs and discuss what kind of contingency should be in place. If you are unable to be present regularly then consider hiring a project manager to be your eyes and ears on the ground.

Moving in

Once the house is built there is still a way to go before it becomes a home. There are many professional interior designers on the island who can assist you in finding just the right pieces to furnish your new abode. Landscaping is sometimes overlooked in the excitement of building a house, so make sure you factor that in from the start so that the natural surroundings of your home becomes part of the whole.

Without breaking into song there are more than just a few favourite things about Ibiza in winter. Luckily, snowflakes that stay on one’s nose and eyelashes are not one of them! While the rest of Europe is shivering under blankets of sleet, ice and snow, here in Ibiza things are still bright and sunny, only ever requiring the odd scarf or a pair of woolly socks. It’s an island wide secret that we are keeping from the rest of the world. Shhh! Ibiza in winter is glorious! Here’s out top ten things to love about Ibiza in winter – you’re welcome!

1. Long walks under crisp bright blue skies. Either on the beach or in the forest, winter is one of the best times of year to commune with the natural beauty of Ibiza.

2. Peace and quiet. Now that all the hoards have gone home there is a serenity that descends across the island even in the most popular places.

3. No traffic! You seriously can get anywhere in 20 minutes.

4. Having the island all to yourself. Seriously, there is nothing more beautiful than an early morning walk along Salinas or even Play d’en Bossa. Deserted and stunning.

5. No reservations. Ah, finally, you can just walk into your favourite restaurant without having to book a week in advance.

6. Time. The summer is full of action whether you are working or on holiday. There are so many friends and family, parties and gatherings to attend. It’s all great fun but gosh it’s nice to have a bit of time on your hands once winter rolls around.

7. Traditional winter food. Hearty estofados, tasty arroz de matanzas, churros con chocolate, lentil stews with chorizo – all the gastronomic delights best served in winter.

8. Fiestas. The winter is often the time of year where the villages will hold their annual fiestas. They almost exclusively revolve around food, wine and dancing. Is there anything else to life?

9. San Mateo Wine Festival. Its wine, its a festival and that’s that. Oh, and the wine is free.

10. Almond blossoms. No matter how long you’ve lived here the almond blossom walk from Santa Agnes under a full moon is nothing short of magnificent.

Ibiza has a style that is unique to its shores. It’s a mix of insouciance, classic elegance, party mania and beach bum and that goes both for fashion and interior design.

Unknown to many, Ibiza is actually a mecca of interior design and there are many opportunities to pick up lovely things for yourself and those who just want to bring the outside of Ibiza, inside. Here are a few of Villa Contact’s favourite places to kit out an Ibiza villa in style.

Es Cucons La Tienda, Santa Gertrudis
Es Cucons is a treasure trove of little bits and pieces that make a house a home. Whimsically shaped coat hooks, hand woven baskets, printed porcelain vases, glassware and knickknacks; it’s a great place to pick up a gift.

La Galeria Elefante
It’s all about colour, form and texture in this cavernous and magical store. Chaises lounges upholstered in luscious velvets, gorgeous embroidered cushions, wooden plaques hand painted with inspiring quotes, crochet throws, scented candles and so on. There is also a wonderful collection of clothing and jewellery.

Sluiz
It’s a warehouse of wonder where you will find gifts for both the practical and impractical people in your life. There’s everything from tableware to porcelain rhinos, rugs, cushions, candles, tea and teapots. Shop till you drop then plonk down in the cafe for refreshments.

CoCoq Ibiza
This new homewares store is set out gallery style with each designer having his or her own little nook within the cavernous warehouse space. Beautiful ceramics, soft furnishings and larger pieces at the back – the style is chic and elegant with a touch of eccentricity.

Magazin
This furniture and décor showroom is a bit of an Ibiza institution and the go to place for revamping homes each season. Here you’ll find your perfect Ibiza sofa and you can match it with a wooden side table and arched standing lamp, not to mention fabulous lighting and modern art.

Silla
Another warehouse of wonderful is Silla, where you will find that perfect wooden dining table, the best ornament for your friend’s Christmas mantelpiece, a mirror for the hall or even a Balinese style pagoda for the garden – there’s something to suit all tastes and styles.

D-Shop
The furniture and decorative pieces here are fab but the speciality of D-Shop is fabric. You’ll find everything and anything in a million different shades and styles to upholster anything you can think of. They are also adept at outfitting yachts and with 30 years experience you can rely on their knowhow.

Casa Turquesa
In the heart of Santa Eulalia, Casa Turquesa has been fulfilling interior design dreams for decades. The style here is subdued, but don’t be fooled by the intimate storefront – everything housed within is comfortable and extremely luxurious. Lots of great gift opportunities too.

Pigeon Voyager
This is an interior design store where you will find some beautiful pieces of furniture, lighting and ornaments for yourself or gifts but the main difference about this stylish store is that it’s also a portal for art shows from all over the world.

Lotus
If you’re looking for a romantic four-poster bed or a certain kind of curtain fabric then Lotus is the place to come – specialising in the aforementioned but also chock full of other essential home décor, bedding and accessories. It’s also brilliant for gifts with a huge range of smaller, lovely objets d’art.

Just like the song says, you will indeed find chestnuts roasting on an open fire in Ibiza – you’ll also find them in some delicious winter dishes. Christmas in Ibiza can definitely fulfil everyone’s fantasy of a feliz navidad, without the bitter cold experienced by the rest of Europe.

Robbie, Tom and Clea have many fond memories of beautiful family Christmases in Ibiza, where the traditions make this time of year one of pure, childhood bliss: crisp winter afternoons under an intensely blue Ibiza sky collecting pinecones to decorate, creating the Spanish version of the nativity scene (Belén in Spanish) with moss, tree bark and homemade figurines and picking out presents from the various Christmas Markets and helping to prepare the amazing traditional ‘Catalan’ turkey stuffing, with brandy soaked prunes, toasted pine nuts and local pork salchichas (sausages).

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) is usually spent with family, sharing a meal with hearty side dishes of laughter and song. The big day itself involves an enormous lunch and a long and lazy afternoon while Boxing Day, inevitably sunny, is spent on the beach, of course, with sandcastles, ice creams and games. When the clock strikes midnight everyone gets 12 grapes ready to be eaten with each gong of the clock, signifies the New Year. Children particularly look forward to January 6, when Spain’s festive season celebrations culminate in the biggest event of them all, the arrival of the Three Kings.

Here in Ibiza, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar arrive by boat. The moment their silken robes graze the ground they start to throw handfuls of sweets down to the wide-eyed children lining the streets of every single town. Unlike other countries it’s the Kings that deliver the Christmas gifts to the little ones and thus the next day is spent unwrapping boxes of delight.

The entire Christmas period is one of the loveliest series of celebrations on the island. The combination of local traditions with those of other cultures makes this time of year very special. Many expat families who purchase a second home here end up spending their Christmas holidays on the island – once you’ve experienced an Ibicenco style Christmas, it’s hard to go back to anything else!

In 1956 a Canadian art history student called Rolph Blakstad sailed into Ibiza with his young and very chic bride, Mary. An instant bond was made between the island and the young couple, a bond that continues to this day through their progeny. Blakstad Design Consultants was created as an avenue for Rolph to express his deep respect and love for Ibicenco architecture as well as a way to preserve building traditions and cultural history. Rolph soon became the foremost expert in Ibicenco architecture and today his son, Rolf, continues this quest to create, preserve and nurture the architectural culture of the island.

Blakstad Design Consultants have developed some of the most iconic homes on the island, many of which have been featured countless times in books and design magazines. Their designs marry the beauty and simplicity of traditional styles with contemporary expectations and needs. Rolf runs the company today with his brother Nial, keeping the family name going with passion and gusto. He took a moment out of his day to speak with Villa Contact about all things Ibiza and architecture.

What is your Ibiza story?
I was lucky, and was born here, my parents arrived in 1956, and my mother founded the Morna Valley School in the house where I was born. It’s my home, my children’s home; I couldn’t live anywhere else.

What should people wanting to buy property to renovate look out for?
One of the most important things is the legality of the property as very often, especially with older properties, there can be large parts of the building without a license. All of that needs to be looked into before making any purchases. Years ago people would just build without permits. It can make it tricky when buying older properties.

What should people doing new builds look out for?
I would not recommend purchasing plots with no license, unless it is under a conditional contract that the sale is completed only once there is a building permit.

Who or what are your inspirations?
I find inspiration both in whom, and in what, and it could be anybody and everything. The landscape, a particular piece of art…

What would your perfect house include?
Again, everything and anything, depending on my mood or needs and the time of day. The essence of a good design must cover as many different aspects and needs of life into a condensed space, taking into consideration all the compromises necessary to obtain the optimum result.

What turns a house into a home?
Living in it. Every family is different and will make their home their way, they will add their own stories to the house.

What do you love most about Ibiza?
That there are so many different Ibizas, everyone can find a part of the island that they can relate to.

Here at Villa Contact we have a passion for the preservation, restoration and protection of the natural environment and cultural heritage of Ibiza. Being born and raised here has given each of us a connection to this island that goes far deeper than simply just living here. That’s why being loyal to businesses and organisations that hold the same philosophy as us is important. Here are a few of our favourite business and partners who take the health of our island idyll seriously.

Casita Verde
This is the cute eco headquarters for the GreenHeart Ibiza Eco Logic Association. It’s an experiential education and study centre for permaculture techniques and other ecological methods and theories. But behind all the science and ecology is a super fun organisation that holds cooking classes, workshops and hosts one of the best and most relaxed Sunday lunches you’ll ever eat.

http://greenheartibiza.org/casita-verde/about

Passion Santa Eulalia
It’s terrific that Passion Cafe has basically turned in to a chain over the past few years. A chain of healthy and delicious cafes across Ibiza – exactly what the island needed. The Santa Eulalia outlet is bright and warm. The menu is filled with incredible juice combos, lots of veggie and raw dishes as well as some classics. But don’t worry meat eaters, there is meat on the menu but it will be hard to choose from all the other amazing offerings.

http://passion-ibiza.com/locations/santa-eulalia/

Herbasana
This cute and well-stocked health food store in Santa Eulalia is a local’s hub. There is always some interesting conversation happening. The staff here are super knowledgeable on all things healthy and are always open to making special orders for hard to get items on request.

http://www.ibizaherbasana.com/

The Ibiza Preservation Fund (IPF)
The Ibiza Preservation Fund aims to help preserve Ibiza’s exceptional beauty and natural value, currently threatened by mass tourism development, and to promote sustainable initiatives. The Fund will raise money from people from all over the world who care about Ibiza’s future. Now is the time to support them and to capitalise on the growing public interest in green issues.

http://www.ibizapreservationfund.org/

Terravita
With a team of landscape designers, gardeners, architects and renewable energy experts Terravita is the only company offering comprehensive services in green building, gardening and renovation. They follow the tenets of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a set of criteria developed by the US Green Building Council. It’s a rigorous standard that guarantees top rating green properties without compromising on design, function and comfort.

http://www.grupoterravita.com/en/index.php

Can Rich
With a slew of national and international awards under their belt the Bodegas Can Rich is Ibiza’s very own ecological winery. Their rosé is particularly delicious and goes very well on an Ibiza summer evening, while the reds are hearty and perfect to accompany many traditional dishes.

http://www.bodegascanrich.com/eng_principal.htm

Now that the party has actually stopped it’s the time of year to look inwards and do a bit of maintenance on the body, mind and soul. Ibiza has long been known as a European centre for healing and wellbeing. The natural beauty of the island and the abundance of wellness professionals make Ibiza a blissful place to stop, relax and re-energise. Be it the simplicity of clearing the mind with a wintery forest walk or beach ramble or getting together with close friends for intimate chats over steaming cups of tea to going all the way with a professional detox, caring for the soul is easily done on the white isle.

Juice Cleanse at Potion
Cold press juicing is the best way to extract the maximum nutrients from fruits and vegetables. The process uses a hydraulic press, which avoids oxidation and keeps enzymes alive resulting in a raw, ‘living’, silky juice. Potion has several detox and cleansing programs and can also tailor-make cleanses to suit your needs. There are numerous sale points around the island as well as a home delivery service.

Please find out more here:“http://www.potionjuicery.com/” 

Yoga and Pilates
The ever-growing popularity of yoga and Pilates has helped create so many new ways to practice. Yoga set to upbeat dance music or designed as a deep spiritual healing, outdoors, indoors, hot, slow, fast – there is a style for every body and every soul. Pilates is similar in the fact that you can choose between mat, machine, indoor, outdoor, one-on-one or group sessions. While there are massive physical benefits to a regular yoga and/or Pilates practice you may not be aware of how both of these methods can aid the body’s processes to release toxins and promote health as well as offering lessons in mindfulness.

Find out what’s on in the Yoga and Pilates world with Larah and Susie at: “http://www.ibizaretreats.com/”

The Workout Club
Virgil and Marisa from The Workout Club run a tight ship. With group sessions on several beaches around the island as well as one-on-one sessions TWC has steadily become the number one fitness collective. It’s a full body workout supplemented with yoga. Private sessions are great but the groups have a special family feel where fellow participants cheer each other on.

Find out how you can get fit with TWC team here: “http://twc-ibiza.com/”

Raw Food at Wild Beets
Walking into Wild Beets and looking at the food you’d be hard pressed to guess which dishes are raw and which are cooked. This light-filled restaurant in the heart of Santa Gertrudis is serving up raw and cooked food as well as cold pressed juices and smoothies. Everything is organic and designed to be as nutrient-dense as possible. The dishes come out looking almost too pretty to eat. Studies have shown that adding more raw food to the diet helps maintain overall health and frees up the kidneys and liver to work more efficiently. With Wild Beets’ expert knowledge on ingredients and supplements raw food can also heal.

Check out what Wild Beets are offering here: “http://wildbeets.com/“

Growing up in Ibiza is an idyllic way to spend one’s childhood. Weekends on the beach, exploring rock pools, caves and pirate towers and evenings spent frolicking in the countryside as the sunset casts a rainbow of colours across the sky – it’s nothing short of a fairytale. But even on this paradise island, every childhood must contend with the spectre of school. Luckily for the families of Ibiza, school on the island is definitely part of the fantasy.

During their school years, Villa Contact directors Clea and Tom Gray, were enrolled at Ibiza’s only English language school, Morna Valley School. Back then lessons took place in an old rustic farmhouse, teachers were called by their first names and the staff room was open to both faculty and students. Classes were often held outdoors, under trees and in the campo.

The school was founded by Mary Blakstad – mother of renowned Ibiza architect Rolf Blakstad – as a way to educate her own five children and those of her expatriate friends. It wasn’t long before Mary was running a proper school. When Mary retired the school was taken over by John and Helen Tunks, both dedicated educationalists and esteemed members of the local community. Nowadays the school is run by a board of trustees with backgrounds in both education and business.

The atmosphere at Morna Valley School was relaxed, joyful and very symbolic of the times. Both Clea and Tom have vibrant memories of their time there, filled with creativity and friendship. Clea recalls a teacher named Don, who would come in with guitar in hand and strum all the classics of the 60s and 70s for hour while the kids sang along. The twins still remember most of the words to the songs today.

As the years rolled on the needs of local families changed and the school moved to bigger, purpose-built premises near Santa Gertrudis. Enrolments grew as more and more foreigners moved to Ibiza and locals also wanted their children to learn English with native speakers. The institution became an international school offering the UK National Curriculum to students from the ages of three to 18 years of age.

Morna International College (MIC) is undergoing another transformation to keep up with the needs of its students. More classrooms are currently being built along with specialist science labs, a library and an extension of the sports facilities. Graduating students have continued their education all over the world at universities in the UK, Barcelona, Madrid, Netherlands, the USA and Switzerland.

The school boasts over 20 different nationalities amongst its population and that original ethos of inclusion still permeates today. There is a feeling of dynamism and excitement as MIC continues to expand. The variety of languages and cultures that make up the community supplies a truly international experience creating a tolerant and broadminded environment. Not unlike the island itself.

Whether you’re a dedicated party person, or not much of a clubber at all, attending a few closings parties should be on every Ibiza bucket list. While all the clubs throw major league closing extravaganzas, if you prefer a more mellow night the beach club closings might be more your thing. Don’t get us wrong, even those parties can go on into the early hours and be full of magic and mischief. Closings start in late September and stretch out right through to the middle of October. Here are a few of the Villa Contact team’s favourite closing parties based on past experience – the ones we’re most looking forward to revisiting in 2015!

Where: Elements Ibiza, Benirras
Why: Just the location alone is enough to entice even the most hesitant partygoer. This chilled beach club with a boho rustic edge on Benirras is just the perfect place to say adios to summer.
We love: The menu is sublime and the cocktails incredible. But the best things of all about parties at Elements Ibiza are the amazing performers and light shows. Oh, yes, and the sunset. That famous Ibiza sunset complete with hippy bongo drumming.
Who goes: Northern locals, visitors in the know, cool kids and chic families.
When: Mid-October… after the last club closings.

Where: Amante Ibiza, Sol Den Serra
Why: Perhaps it’s the moon rising out of the endless sea. Or maybe it’s just the lovely people. Maybe it’s the famous DJs playing in the intimate booth on the sand. Amante is romance personified. And the parties here are just full of love.
We love: The vibe. Lots of smiles, lots of dancing… and lots of people!
Who goes: Best friends, lovers, A-listers and everyone who’s anyone on the island.
When: Usually around the first weekend in October.

Where: Agroturismo Atzaró, San Lorenzo
Why: The Atzaró closing encapsulates the true essence of Ibiza. It usually starts in the afternoon with activities, workshops and delicious food – a real family event. Then the night falls over the stunning venue and the whole place segues into a spectacular cornucopia of performers, music and dancing until the early hours.
We love: That you can go with your kids in the afternoon and then return without them later.
Who goes: Pretty much everyone. When: Late October… even though the venue remains open all year, the party is an ‘official’ summer closing.

Where: Underground, San Rafael
Why: For something a little more intriguing. Underground is a favourite of the island’s hospitality workers, which means hard-core partying.
We love: The sense that you’re tucked out of the way and have discovered an Alice in Wonderland vibe… and that after 6am, it’s like a lock-in that goes until, well, who knows?
Who goes: Workers, committed party heads, DJs, underground music lovers. When: Underground are notoriously secretive about their closing party dates, usually releasing them on Facebook about a week beforehand. You can expect the announcement in the first week of October some time.

It’s the most spectacular show on earth and it’s on every single day of the year. Sunset in Ibiza is famous for its colours and soundtracks. Here’s a run down of some of our favourite spots to witness nature’s daily gift – known and unknown.

1. Cafe Mambo
Some of the world’s most famous DJs have put music to the sunset from this iconic Ibiza institution. Grab a cocktail and a snack, sit back and enjoy the view and the tunes.

2. Sunset Ashram
Perched on the gorgeous beach of Cala Conta, Sunset Ashram is another iconic island venue. With its fantastic location and bohemian vibe it’s sure to make a few of your chakras pulsate with joy.

3. Hostal La Torre
There is something so elegant and old-school about this traditional Spanish style hostel, bar and restaurant. The crowd here is low-key but sophisticated and the view is uninterrupted and flawless.

4. Punta Galera
The waters around this natural rock formation is crystal clear and the sunset is divine at this out crop of smooth flat rocks between San Antonio and Santa Agnes. Wonderful for sunset meditation, yoga or swimming.

5. Benirras
Benirras is the sunset jewel of the island’s north west. Once boasting a strong hippy enclave, there are still remnants of the summer of love, particularly on Sundays when a group of hippy drummers descend to the sand to salute the setting sun.

6. Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena
It would be hard to decide on the best vantage point for sunset at this glorious hotel. The poolside bar? Eden Restaurant? The famous Cascadas in the spa? Or the hot tub on your private terrace? Oh, decisions, decisions!

7. Sa Punta
It’s not on the west coast but the colours of the sky at sunset are still splendid, and the venue now offers three different vantage points (and styles of cuisine) to enjoy sunset. Sa Punta is classic Mediterranean fine dining, the roof terrace called Patchwork serving Lebanese light bites and the Cliffside Ginger offering Asian sharing plates. All the more reasons to watch three sunsets here.

8. Cala D’Hort
Witnessing sunset at the small cove of Cala D’Hort is akin to a spiritual experience. Es Vedra, the magnetic and mysterious rocky outcrop rising from the sea makes a dramatic backdrop to the last rays of the sun.

9. Cap Des Falco
Sitting on the rocky beach of Es Colodar is roughing it, or indulging in a daybed or dinner at stylish restaurant Experimental Beach Ibiza is the ultimate in luxury. Watch the rays dip over the tip of Es Vedra in the distance – divine.

10. Las Puertas Del Cielo
This humble bar and restaurant is a short pilgrimage from the quaint village of Santa Agnes. The name translates as The Gates To Heaven and once you’ve seen the sunset from here you’ll understand why.

Ibiza’s culinary delights are starting to garner more and more attention as the years go by, with the island’s gastronomy scene now booming. It’s no surprise – the fertile lands of this little paradise produce some of the most delicious produce in Europe. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to try many a restaurant (some over and over again) together and these are our top 10 favourite dishes you’ll find in Ibiza’s restaurants.

1. Arroz de Matanzas, Cas Pages, San Carlos
This is as about as traditional as you can get. Cas Pages is a family run restaurant that has been feeding the hungry of Ibiza for over 40 years. Home cooked with loads of love the food here is simply wonderful. Arroz de Matanzas is a typical local dish of pork, fish or squid, chicken, sobrasada and saffron rice. Each family has their own secret recipe and the one from Cas Pages is out of this world.

2. Lamp chops, Balafia, San Juan Road
This is another place where it doesn’t really matter what you order because it’s all delicious. Balafia grill their meat over olive, carob and almond branches and every dish is served with a fresh tomato and onion salad and their thinly sliced, crunchy house chips. First timers – order the lamb chops. You won’t be disappointed (or o home hungry!).

3. Paella de mariscos, Es Xarcu
For over 20 years husband and wife Mariano and Caridad have been serving up simple, authentic and classic dishes. Their focus starts and ends with quality produce and they are famous for their seafood paella. Tucked into the sands of Cala Es Xarcu they follow traditional methods with their own personal touch.

4. Mero al horno, Yemanja
There is no shortage of cool places to go along Cala Jondal but the baked grouper (mero al horno) at Yemanja has to be one of the best dishes you’ll have along this stretch of super sociable sand.

5. Gambas de Formentera, La Noria
Sitting under the shade of the tree filled terrace overlooking the stunning Cala Boix is almost enough but when your waiter at La noria brings out the Formentera prawns with a chilled glass of wine you really start to understand the concept of heaven on earth.

6. Pan con tomate, Can Mayol
This is a classic Spanish breakfast dish. Crusty bread, rubbed with fresh tomato and a healthy splash of olive oil. Tasty, delicious and filling it goes down so well with a cafe con leche it really is the breakfast of champions. And for us, eating it at Can Mayol in Santa Eulalia is just like coming home to mama.

7. Jamon de Bellota, anywhere on the island
So, lets just have a quick rundown on ham. There is ham and then there is bellota. Jamon Iberico is the best cured ham in the world (let the Italians think that prosciutto is but we know better). Jamon serrano is not bad but once you’ve tasted the real thing it’s hard to go back. And bellota – that the bee’s knees of ham. Made from pigs fed exclusively from acorns it’s creamy, melty and divine. Trust us…

8. Bio salad, La Paloma
This delightful family-run restaurant has such a wondeful menu it’s hard to choose. The produce comes mainly from their own gardens and everything that can be made by hand is, and the staff are very knowledgeable. The Bio Plate is a vegan and organic dish of gorgeous dips, salads and crackers – healthy and delicious.

9. Tortilla Española, Can Cosmi, Santa Agnes
Spanish tortilla is the most comforting and tasty dish, perfect for breakfast or a light snack. Making the perfect tortilla is ultimate test of a very good cook and the tortilla at Can Cosmi in Santa Agnes is the best on the island. Who knows how they manage to consistently make the lightest and most magical of dishes? Does it matter when it’s so enjoyable to sit on the terrace overlooking the almond orchards?

10. Mixed seafood grill, Fish Shack
Maybe this little restaurant nestled in to the rocks around the side of Talamanca beach has a real name but everyone on the island just calls it the fish shack. It literally is a shack overlooking the sea across the formidable vista of Dalt Vila. Serving up the freshest of fresh seafood it’s a true Ibiza experience.

With around 90 beaches in Ibiza – some only accessible on foot or by boat -it’s pretty hard to choose just ten, but we gave it our best shot!

1. Cala d’en Serra This diminutive slice of sand in the north is just so… cute. It can be tricky to find, navigating derelict hotel ruins but that’s all part of the charm. Once you do it’s simply perfect.

2. Aguas Blancas The water here is so blue and pure you can see right through to the sand below. The sand stretches out white and soft and as the sun sinks in the afternoon the overhanging cliff provides some much-needed shade. And the tiny chiringuito makes the island’s tastiest bocadillos.

3. Las Salinas Possibly the best people watching in the world. Lined with funky beach bars each pumping out their own soundtrack to summer, parades of skimpily clad young things stomping up and down the white sand advertising various club nights and many more beautiful, suntanned (and occasionally naked) bodies frolic in the sea.

4. Sa Caleta Tucked around a dramatic bend is this little beauty of a beach. Towering red cliffs give it a dramatic backdrop and the famous restaurant serves some excellent seafood. It’s also home to Cafe Caleta – a heady brew of coffee, citrus, spice and brandy.

5. Cala Conta This gorgeous cove actually contains three beaches. Sunset Ashram sits in the middle of two of them and across a rocky outcrop lays a smaller beach used by naturists. Clear waters, beautiful sunset and views of the twin islands of S’Espartar Illa des Bosc and Sa Conillera make the experience nothing short of breathtaking.

6. Benirras This really is a must do beach on the Ibiza map. The view out to sea is just divine, from dawn until sunset and the numerous eating spots are all excellent, particularly juice bar Sejuiced for a quick hit of fresh and healthy. On Sundays a group of hippy drummers descend from the hills to drum in the sunset – an amazing experience.

7. Punta Galera Not exactly a beach but this spot just has to go on the list. This natural rock formation of smooth, flat rocks reach out over the clearest waters in Ibiza. There are some excellent jumping spots and some terrific snorkelling opportunities. And the sunset is perfect. translate There is no restaurant so bring your own drinks and snacks unless you’re happy to buy warm drinks from the naked German guy who sits day in day out under a sun umbrella, with a strategically placed cool box.

8. Cala de Boix This is an amazing black sand beach, the only one on the island. Make sure you wear flip flops, as the dark sand absorbs the heat and can get hot but the lovely, clear water is very soothing. A tranquil escape from the summer hustle and bustle.

9. Cala Jondal White sands, blue water and some of the coolest beachside bars and restaurants on the island. It’s no wonder the who’s who of the jet set crew make this beach their summer hangout.

10. Moon Beach Secret, mystical, magical and hard to find. Only the intrepid will make it to Moon Beach but those who do will be rewarded with a secluded paradise in the island’s north… but we can’t give away the directions! Seek, and ye shall find… hopefully!

Ibiza is a fantastic place to bring up kids or even just to holiday with them – and we know from experience, as we grew up here! Not only does the climate mean there is an excess of outdoor activities but there are also myriad other organisations and events directed to children. More than enough to fill an entire summer…

1. Visit Kids In Ibiza www.kidsinibiza.com

This is the go to website for everything kid-related on the island. A comprehensive calendar can help you plan ahead and they also organise nannies, birthday parties, child friendly accommodation, kids activities at special events and equipment hire.

2. Pirate’s day out

The caves of Can Marça in San Miguel are bathed in a mysterious golden light. Take the 40-minute guided tour through this multi-leveled smuggler’s paradise that ends with a light and sound show featuring a enormous waterfall. Channel your inner pirate.

3. Zip through the tree tops

Acrobosc in Es Canar is a park crisscrossed with zip wires. There’s a kids section with appropriately sized lines and safety gear and for the grown ups there’s a circuit which starts at a thrilling nine metres high.

4. Air Zone

Hop into a gigantic clear plastic orb and roll yourself down an astroturf hill or onto the water in San Antonio bay. This activity is for kids and adults alike and one of those things you have to experience at least once in your life.

5. Aguamar Water Park

Who doesn’t love a water park? With The Kamikaze, Black Hole, super toboggans and seven other groups of various sized slides and swimming pools it’s a great day out for kids and adults alike.

6. Hit the high seas

There are so many water based activities to choose from it’s hard to know which to do first. Jet skis, stand up paddle, wind surfing, kite surfing, sailing or even surf the artificial waves at Surf House in San Antonio.

7. Ocean Mania

Keeping the water theme going this is an inflatable water park on the sea in San Antonio. It features trampolines, slides, balancing beams, bridges, rope swings and high dives. Monitored at all times by lifeguards it’s another one of those activities where you can’t tell who’s having more fun, the kids or the grown ups.

8. Eat and play

Many Ibiza restaurants have dedicated kids areas and teams of face painters, clowns, magicians and other entertainers. Favourites include the amazing eco-adventure playground at Babylon Beach; the Kids In Ibiza crew keep things fun at BEACHOUSE Ibiza, El Chiringuito and Pura Vida while Sa Punta has some unique ideas about how to keep the kids occupied while the grown-ups relax.

9. Bush whacka

Take a child friendly guided walk through beautiful forests and breathe taking cliff tops with Walking Ibiza. There are forts, ancient crystals, lighthouses and pirate caves to be discovered.

10. Sand castles

When it comes down to it, is there anything as fun as helping your kids design and build the best sand castle ever? We think not!

Originally from the UK, much loved island character Victoria Durrer-Gasse spent her childhood summers in Ibiza on idyllic family holidays, and 20 years ago finally decided to purchase her own home on what she calls ‘the Indigo Island’.

After studying textile design in Geneva Victoria went on to design her own clothing, from which her business grew organically. Walking through the maze of rooms of La Galeria Elefante it becomes evident Victoria’s luminous character is imprinted on every shelf, corner and cabinet.

She is committed to combining her artistic talent and business acumen with a social conscience and has many of her wares handmade by women’s groups in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Cambodia and also here in Ibiza.

Many of the pieces are one-off unique designs, some even made by Victoria herself in her home studio. She once worked at the Alice In Wonderland Museum and the influence of that strange and wonderful tale is obvious. Victoria likes to twist everything until she finds the beauty, whimsy or happiness in the object – whether is it an elegant bolero jacket copied from one her grandmother owned and embellished with hand embroidery or a cute boho lamp festooned in feathers and beads. Colour is everywhere and Victoria says everything is made with love and laughter.

When asked about the philosophy behind her business and her life she answers with a smile in her sparkling eyes and says “We are colourful beachcombers, nomadic drifters, star gazers, mothers of sons, weavers and traders and lovers of beautiful things”. Poetry, colour and above all love is what defines La Galeria Elefante and, without a doubt, Ibiza – a place that wouldn’t be the same without Victoria in it!

What this means for you is that, when you transfer money from the UK to your Spanish bank account, to buy an Ibiza property, you’ll get more euros. For example, let’s say you transfer £250,000 to Spain. With that sum, you’ll now get +€56,000 more than if you’d bought a property in Ibiza back at the start of 2014, when the pound was far weaker.

In other words, that’s an extra +€56,000 sitting in your Spanish bank account, at no additional cost to you, just because the exchange rate has strengthened! With that sort of money, you could buy a more luxurious property in Ibiza, decorate the place to your taste, or just pocket the sizeable saving for a rainy day!

Moreover, it could soon become even better value to buy a home in Ibiza, if sterling continues to climb versus the euro. The pound could exceed this 7-year high, first, if Greece exits the Eurozone, as looks entirely possible. Second, the pound may also continue to climb, because the UK economy is easily outpacing the Eurozone’s.

With this in mind, make the most of this advantageous exchange rate while it lasts, and buy your Ibiza home today!

No doubt you’ve been sitting at an office somewhere in the city – be it London, New York, Sydney, Amsterdam, Hong Kong or anywhere else in the world for that matter – and looked out the window and thought “What am I doing here?” Or perhaps you’ve struggled with strollers and a toddler on crowded streets, buses and Tubes thinking, “Is this really it?” And surely there have been tipsy dinner party games of “If you could have three houses anywhere in the world where would they be?” One would definitely have to be in Ibiza – and in case you needed any more convincing, we’ve got the top ten reasons why should move to our beautiful Balearic island.

1. Proximity. Ibiza is close to everything. Less than an hour from Barcelona, only an hour from Madrid and two hours from London. You can get anywhere in Europe whenever you need to from this island idyll.

2. The weather. With average winter temperatures of 15 degrees, around 360 days of sunshine and world-famous summers – do you need anymore convincing than that?

3. Beauty. Ibiza is truly spectacular. Crystalline seas, breathtaking views, pretty whitewashed villages, winding country roads, blossoming fruit trees. The commute to work and the school runs are magnificent and sure beats battling traffic or overcrowded trains.

4. Lifestyle. Working here in Ibiza never really seems to feel like work. A full 40-hour week slips by like a cool drink on a hot day thanks to laidback attitudes and happy outlooks on life. And after work? It’s all about the beach, pool, spa, cocktails, dinner, and best of all, sunshine.

5. Family life. Childhood here is celebrated like nowhere else and the friendly cooing and cheek squeezing is contagious. There are a plethora of activities for families with youngsters on offer plus wonderful international schools and nothing beats growing up surrounded by the great outdoors. Villa Contact have many family friendly properties for sale in Ibiza – contact us for more information.

6. Gastronomy. Not every one thinks of cuisine when they think of Ibiza but there are some of the best food experiences in Europe here. From seaside fish restaurants serving up only one item on their menu to high-end, five-star fine dining with some of the world’s leading Michelin starred chefs, Ibiza has it all. And the fresh produce available here is a foodies dream come true.

7. Business opportunities. Ibiza is a wide open door for people with drive and ideas. With a burgeoning local market and the ever-increasing tourist dollar there is money to be made.

8. Romance. Young couples and old timers alike find it hard to resist the romance of this island. Whether it’s a starry-eyed, candle lit, beachside dinner or a fast-paced night out on the dance floor, the love in Ibiza is palpable.

9. Health. Getting healthy and changing bad habits is made simple by a plethora of therapists and fitness gurus offering an assortment of health options from yoga, beach training to shamanic healing and tantric massage in Ibiza.

10. It’s just not London. Or Frankfurt. Or Amsterdam or… you see where we’re going with this? It’s Ibiza, baby.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Here’s a rundown of Ibiza’s most wanted properties as of April 2015 – contact us for more information.

Can Bella, San Lorenzo

The villa: Situated down a country lane along the road to San Juan this seven-bedroom property is nestled amongst lush, mature gardens filled with aromatic flowering plants, fruit trees and pinewoods. It’s a relaxed and stylish family home with the main house consisting of five bedrooms and various outdoor spaces well suited to alfresco dining or little nooks of sun-trapped serenity. Exposed Sabina wood beams lend warmth to the interior and the melding of traditional Ibicenco architectural features with modern fittings is seamless. Visitors are well looked after with a studio and an independent guesthouse. The pool is enormous and sunk into an established and lush green lawn.

The area: Near the quaint village of San Lorenzo and therefore the popular La Paloma restaurant and cafe (one of the best places on the island), Can Bella is also not far from San Juan – a funky, bustling village that hosts a weekend market and features banks, supermarket and cafes.

Perfect for: A family with regular guests or live in grandparent. Foodies will particularly adore the established fruit trees and the opportunities for alfresco dining.

Finca Laurel, Santa Gertrudis

The villa: This is a Blakstad house. You only need to have been in Ibiza for a short while to know that the name Blakstad denotes a high level of quality, luxury and design. In a quiet country setting between Santa Gertrudis and San Lorenzo this property is spacious and elegant, having recently been decorated by designer Ralph Lauren. The finishes and colour scheme are sublime and an abundance of guest accommodation makes it a great hang out for friends and family. The indoor/outdoor lifestyle and gorgeous garden creates a quintessential Ibiza living experience.

The area: Near Santa Gertrudis with it’s thriving social scene, cute boutiques and excellent eating spots, with the beautiful rural area of San Lorenzo close by.

Perfect for: Entertainers. Seamless outdoor and indoor space and ample room for guests make this property perfect for couples that love to entertain.

Villa Azul, Roca Llisa

The villa: This 22 bedroom, clifftop estate with tennis court, sea access and private jetty is undoubtedly one of the islands most unique and exclusive properties. The modern design and architecture of the villa are a pleasure to the eyes as so too is the backdrop of the Mediterranean sea behind. The villa is set within a tropical forest and comprises of four independent buildings: main house, two guesthouses and a large staff house providing ample room for family and friends.

The area: Perched on the private and secluded north eastern cliffs of Ibiza in San Juan. A real escape to the hustle and bustle of Ibiza town.

Perfect for: A large family that loves entertaining guests and enjoying the comforts of their own home. The panoramic sea views and large pool deck are quite simply to die for.