FORMENTERA'S MEDITERRANEAN MAGIC. Formentera is best suited for those seeking a quiet holiday in the sun. The absence of an airport and the fact that you have to fly into Ibiza and make the boat journey keeps mass tourism at bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a sense of remoteness and as you come ashore at the little port of La Sabina you get the feeling that you are sharing a well kept secret. The island of Formentera is the smallest inhabited one in the Mediterranean's Balearic Islands. Approaching by boat from Ibiza you pass the golden sands of the low laying island of Espalmador. Its sandy shores contrast with the mountains on Es Verda, which even in the distance may seem familiar. It was used as Bali Hi in the film South Pacific. On Formentera most people hire bikes for the week and cycle peacefully to their favourite beach, and what beaches they are with beautiful powder sand. When you need a drink, you just reach out your hand at a convenient beach bar Sometimes the bays are backed by pine trees where you can leave your bike while you join the rich folk whose yachts lie at anchor is the brightest of emerald seas and since many tan in their birthday suits who can tell how you arrived. If you can tear yourself away the island is well worth exploring and you cycle past ancient farms enclosed in dry stone dykes. The rich scent of Rosemary fills the warm air and green lizards scurry for shade. There are old windmills and where the road ends just beyond La Mola you come to one of the islands highest points, (nearly 200m above the sea.) There you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole of Formentera. It is also the location of “the lighthouse at the end of the world” The title was used by Jules Verne, who, after gazing into the sky at night, was inspired to write about a journey around the Solar System. But for my money there is no need to reach for the stars when what you have at your feet is so wonderful. I treasure my happy memories of lazing on the sand at Formentera and sharing the sea at Es Pujols with the beautiful people who swam from from their floating gin palaces.. Formentera is best suited for those seeking a quiet holiday in the sun. The absence of an airport and the fact that you have to fly into Ibiza and make the boat journey, to a certain extent, keeps mass tourism at bay. Report & photographs by Allan Rogers

FACTFILE.

You can choose your beach according to where the wind is blowing. For example ILLETES and LEVANTE lay on either side of the pinnacle of Formentera; depending on the wind, one side has rough seas and the other smooth. Both boast golden sands. A two week holiday split between Ibiza and Formentera makes for an interesting contrast and can be the most convenient way of getting to the island. If you want to sample the island first there are many boats offering day trips.

Visiting nationalities include a high percentage of German and Italian couples Formentera is located 11 miles from the south-eastern coast of Ibiza. Many apartments only have seawater in their kitchen and bathrooms.