There's been some storms brewing in Ibiza, bringing with them a fresh feeling in the air and much more familiar February climes. So winter activities become centred on the indoors. There's still plenty to do! But also, the storms bring with them promises of an off-shore swell which is getting the surfers very excited. But more about that later...
Monday - Dalt Vila Walk
Sometimes it is easy to forget what lies right on your doorstep! So we decide to talk a stroll up to the top of Dalt Vila at around sunset to try and catch another spectacular February sun down. As we walk up through the deserted cobbled labyrinth, we take some time to check out the haphazardly arranged homes and buildings. It's not surprising that the walled town was awarded UNESCO heritage status in 1999 and is a breathtaking example of classic Renaissance military architecture. Not a bad place to call home! And as we gaze over the marina from the cathedral square at the top, we realise how very damn lucky we are to call this place home.
Tuesday
A work filled day and another personal training session with Peta on Talamanca beach!
Wednesday - Pool and Cubar
Winter birthdays are great! As we all have so much more time on our hands, any excuse for a celebration means that we get the chance to come out of hibernation for one night only! This week marked the birthday of Big L - ex-We Love and 2015's best newcomer on the local DJ scene. We meet up at Illusions pool hall in Plaza De La Paz and soon, our group is 18 people strong. We commandeer a pool table and play some rowdy doubles over a few beers. 2 hours of pool and a fair few bevvies comes in at just €10 each. Bargain! We merrily tumble across the square to what is swiftly becoming a fave winter hangout - Cubar. Our mate and proprietor Steve has brought in a cocktail waiter who was trained in Havana for the occasion, and the mojitos flow freely. We get through over 40 plates of Cuban racions which just keep on coming. White rice with black beans, pulled pork, plantain, yukka and slow cooked meats keep appearing. The food here is just delicious! No frills, just food for the soul. We end the night with a specially designed shot called ‘Castro's Revenge'. I reckon we will be feeling his wrath tomorrow morning...
Thursday
Castro certainly did get his revenge and I stay in the quiet of my home working and nursing a bit of a sore head!
Friday - Can Terra
Another place that is now firmly on our winter map is the delightfully bustling Can Terra - a small restaurant and bar located just off Vara De Rey in Ibiza Town. We get there early, which is necessary if you want to get a table, and watch as the place quickly fills up with the post-work and weekend crew, mainly consisting of Spanish locals. The kitchen doesn't open until 8, so with a little while to kill, we attack the huge selection of pintxos (snacks stuck to slices of bread with a cocktail stick) which are on show on the bar. Smoked salmon, peppers stuffed with bacalao (salt cod), jamon, queso... We just can't stop! By the time we order our dinner, deliciously cheap grilled steaks cooked to perfection, we are already feeling pretty stuffed and we take our leftovers home with us! With the pintxos coming in at €1.50 each and a rare steak with potatoes costing just €16, we can see why this little bar is so popular with the locals!
Saturday - Surf Watch
So it looks like the forecasts are right and we take a tour to the south of the island where we have heard there are going to be some surfable waves. We take the car along the coast from beach to beach checking out the action - Cala Jondal, Es Codolar and Sa Caleta all look like they may have potential. But we soon realise that the place to be is Es Torrent where there are at least 15 avid surfers in the water waiting in the line up for the breaks. BINGO! I sit on the shore line under a towel as my surfer mad boyfriend gets straight to it. It is so rare to get any surfable waves in Ibiza and it looks like the island is taking full advantage! It's really special to see so many enthusiasts enjoying this unique occurrence.
Sunday - Valentine's Day
As a special Valentine's treat for my love, I have booked us in for a romantic break at the gorgeous Atzaro Spa Hotel. Open throughout the winter, it is always worth asking about their special offers. We enjoy a warm welcome from the impeccably friendly staff and we are escorted to our ridiculously beautiful suite, located in the grounds in its own individual bungalow. We enjoy a 3-course Valentine's dinner complete with gospel-style live band in the restaurant and retreat to our room where we light a fire in the open fireplace and crack open the pink champagne. These guys have romance buttoned down! The next day we go for breakfast which is served from 8:30 until midday - just ideal for those lazy mornings! Perfect poached eggs greedily devoured, we head off for an afternoon at the spa where we leisurely hang out in the sauna and hammam before being treated to a duel relaxing massage in one of their Moroccan themed treatment rooms. A flawless way to end the week - a holiday within a holiday almost! We felt a million miles away from civilisation, yet Atzaro is only 30 minutes from my house! An utterly sublime Valentine's Day...
WORDS | Leena Sharma
