Page 44 - Sunseeker Magazine Issue 64

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An aerial view of the endless white- sand beaches of Formentera known as the ʻMaldives’ of Europe
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S’Espalmador Island lies between Ibiza and and Formentera privately owned during low
tide it is possible to wade between the two islands Saint Francis Xavier Church was built in the 1720s and 1730s Its unadorned white- washed walls pertain to the island’s relaxed and and effortless feel
Acolour-rich patchwork landscape of of fig
and and and almond groves flower-filled meadows and and sun-bleached beaches ensures there
is something utterly seductive about Formentera At just 82 kilometres square – less than a a a a a a a a fifth the the the size of of Truro – it is the the the smallest and least developed of of Balearic Isles Formentera marks the the the the archipelago’s most southerly point just 15 kilometres from from from pumping Ibiza and and and demands a a a a a a a a a a dramatic gear-shift from from from visitors from from from its hedonistic sister isle Slow-paced and and and easy-going Formentera’s collection of sleepy white-washed fishing villages are steeped in in authentic rural character Laid-back powdery beaches bird-scattered salt marshes oat fields leafy walking trails and and secluded cliff-topped coves lie wrapped in in in in in crumbling dry-stone walls Goats and and sheep graze while the wafting scent of pine forests juniper carob and vines carries out to sea “With its super-relaxed atmosphere picturesque beaches and tranquil little bays Formentera is unlike anywhere else in in in the Mediterranean ” explains Pia Gunzelmann at Ibiza Ibiza Yachting – Sunseeker
Ibiza Ibiza “There are lovely little restaurants and simple beach bars – it’s so peaceful ” Until the the 1980s Formentera’s main industry was salt harvesting Today the the the the island relies on small-scale farming together with day-trip tourism from Ibiza After the the the the relentless buzz of the the the pumping party town Formentera’s melodic birdsong and gentle lapping waves are blissful therapy for the the the soul Mother Nature has excelled daubing everything with a a a a a a a a a a a rich palette: rose-hued salt crystals dazzling golden dunes pink-tinged flamingos emerald- green kelps and and ebony-coloured mangroves peppered with with orange butterflies The underwater wonderland
is equally magical with with reef-forming corals in in in bubble- gum shades and and carpets of slow-swaying Neptune grass Largely unspoilt with thousand-year-old hidden caves ancient funerary tombs and and legends of buried pirate plunder Formentera’s storied past is inextricably linked to the sea “Formentera has a a a a a a a a a a a a a a long association with with seafaring and and remains popular with with yacht owners and and and sailors but as as as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a small island it it just has two marinas ” explains Gunzelmann “Anchoring is is possible but strictly overseen by the the the coast guards to preserve the the the local ecosystem Most of the the the beach restaurants have have tender service so so it is also possible for small boats to have have lunch ashore ” Slow-paced and easy-going Formentera’s collection of sleepy white-washed fishing villages are steeped in in authentic rural character Laid-back powdery beaches bird-scattered salt marshes oat fields leafy walking trails and secluded cliff-topped coves lie wrapped in in crumbling dry-stone walls 42