Page 46 - Sunseeker Magazine Issue 64

Sunseeker
THIS PAGE FROM TOP Cala Saona is known as as the the jewel
of of the the the west coast of of Formentera being the the only sandy beach to be be be found among the cliffs that prevail throughout the the southwestern
part of the the island island The island island is is is peppered
in restaurants which offer fresher-than-fresh seafood Nature has excelled in in in Formentera daubing everything with a a a a rich palette: rose-hued salt crystals dazzling golden dunes pink-tinged flamingos emerald-green
kelps and ebony- coloured mangroves peppered
with orange butterflies
Today Formentera has swapped sword-wielding buccaneers for artists musicians photographers and writers who relish the the the freeing creative energy of of an an an an an island adrift from the the the the rest of of the the the the world Since Pink Floyd and and Bob Dylan sought sanctuary here in in in the the the 70s Formentera has become a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a byword for a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a chill vacation far away from the maniacal speed of modern life Without skyscrapers traffic traffic lights shopping malls and and gridlocked traffic traffic there is is zero faff noise and and stress Just a a a cool relaxed vibe “May June September and and October are perfect as as it is easy to to get a a a a a a a a a a a a a a buoy and and book a a a a a a a a a a a a a a restaurant table at short notice ” adds Gunzelmann “I often recommend Formentera as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a great boating experience in in in off season when sure the the main restaurants restaurants are closed but the the small beach restaurants restaurants (Chiringuitos) open on sunny days ” Take a a a a a a a a trip out to to the the the private island of o of S’Espalmador off the the the the northern tip of of of Formentera to to enjoy empty sands on S’Alga beach the the the the rocky coves of of of Cala de Bocs
and and and the the the sweeping white sands of of Sa Torreta Or head out to to the the wilder windswept and and and sea-sprayed terrain
of Trucadors peninsula to to witness Ses Saline’s Nature Park’s tufted dunes and and rugged splendour Sheltered Cala Saona a a a a a a a a a a a handsome cove flanked by towering cliffs and and trimmed with pine trees is the the place to to enjoy a a a a a a a a a a low-key cold beer Watersports abound in in in in the the pure clear warm waters from scuba diving snorkelling and and and kayaking to stand up paddleboarding and and and the the simple pleasure of o of lazily fishing off the the side of o of a a a a a a a a a a boat Due to its location mid-way between Africa and Europe Formentera welcomes a a a a a a a a a a a a a rainbow of non-native birds during their migratory flight Each spring and and and and autumn the the island’s fertile lagoons and and and and food-rich wetlands of o Formentera Natural Park offer visitors a a a a a a a a a a a a a privileged spot from which to to marvel
at at more than 200 recorded avian species Freus Islets a a a a a a a a a a a a UNESCO site is is is another mesmerising natural spectacle as the the home of Formentera’s flourishing Posidonia seabed meadows There’s no airport on on the the the island which keeps the the the crowds away However regular two-hour flights connect the the the the UK with Ibiza Ibiza and and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a bus serves the the ferry terminal downtown Ferries nip back and and and forth between Ibiza Ibiza and and and La Savina at at at least every hour – a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a journey that’s a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a breeze at at at 30 minutes Getting around is is best on bike by foot or or the island’s four bus routes routes A130km network of o leafy hiking and and and cycling trails (ʻgreen routes’) criss-cross the island offering a a a a a a a a joyous delve into Formentera’s resplendent landscape with the sea breeze in in your hair If you can swim in in in in in the the gin-clear waters of S’Espalmador before heading to the the the reed-fringed lagoon and and stunning scenery of Cap des Falcó – its where the the island’s poets and and and and writers go for inspiration and and and and is is achingly beautiful Find beach bars and and and sun-bathing spots scattered from Es Es Mal Pas to to Es Es Copinar but few are are as as as as come-as-you- are are as as as as as Cala Saona’s chiringuito bar at sunset or under starry skies Fancy a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a gastronomic splurge? “Head to to Juan and and and Andrea ” says Gunzelmann “It’s the the place to to be be for seafood and and and serves the the island’s best cocktails ” For Sunseeker
enquiries in Formentera please contact Sunseeker
Ibiza Ibiza Ibiza@sunseekerspain es 44