Things to do in Ibiza in winter

Winter is a fabulous time to visit Ibiza, and not only to enjoy the temperate climate and stunning nature in this season. As soon as the summer tourists leave, the winter social calendar springs into life, and new corners of the island pop up for exploration. Whether enjoying the natural surroundings and discovering new walks, or learning new skills with the whole family, the list of activities to keep everyone busy in the off-season is endless and full of variety. From sports and fitness, to numerous educational and craft workshops to more indulgent days and more – there’s even enough nightclubs to fill up a naughty weekend. Our team of island experts (who also happen to be year round residents) have compiled a selection of things to do in winter when you’re planning an island escape – the only difficulty will be fitting everything in.

Creative workshops at Numero 74 L’Atelier

Bring family and friends together while to practicing crafts or learning new skills at Numero 74 L’Atelier in the heart of the cosmopolitan village of Santa Gertrudis. The unique concept store and health food café runs a series of creative workshops and classes for all ages every weekend, all of which are perfect for fun family afternoons, or just dropping in for an hour with a friend. Choose a two-hour introduction to ceramics to get your hands on a potters’ wheel, or pop into a knitting class to get some tips to try at home. Creative Saturdays also include a World Food Buffet for 25€, so you can fuel your creativity with a fab feast. Meanwhile, Family Day Sundays features classes running all day from 11am until 7pm, so you and your little ones can spend plenty of time creating together. There’s also a festive Raclette night every Thursday if you prefer to get cheesy rather than crafty!

Winter walks with Walking Ibiza

With over 300 days of sunshine, the opportunities to get out in nature in Ibiza aren’t simply limited to summer, and Walking Ibiza gives you the chance to enjoy Ibiza’s landscape, and expand your social life at the same time. The weekly guided walks are a chance to make new friends and discover hidden corners of the island. There are four weekly walks including Short & Sweet, around five kilometres, the BIG WALK, more than 20 kilometres, plus mindfulness walks and classic island routes – all include introductions to local flora and fauna and some interesting stories along the way. Be sure to add the Christmas Eve Charity Walk which starts at 10am in San Juan if you want to get a head start on burning off those festive calories, not to mention the New Year’s Eve walk and lunch, starting San Mateu at 11am, to your diary. Those left standing can start the new decade with the New Year, New Guide, New Walk from Can Jordi on Friday January 3, 2020 at 10am. Best feet forward!

Wine shopping at SOMM Ibiza

Chilly winter afternoons are best spent indoors, so head to SOMM Wine Shop in the centre of Santa Gertrudis to combine two of the best out-of-season pastimes – vino and shopping. Tucked up a secluded pathway, behind popular health food café Wild Beets, the owners of this inviting specialist store see themselves as talent scouts for wines, with a team of highly experienced sommeliers selecting the best producers from vineyards around Europe. Whether looking for a particular bottle for a dinner party, or just browsing to discover a new favourite, this is the place to find a passionate wine advisor with plenty of information and fascinating stories behind each supplier to help you choose your tipple. Keep an eye on SOMM Wine Shop’s Facebook page for regular events over the festive period too, including mulled wine evenings, and tasting workshops.

Retail therapy at Blink Ibiza

One of the best things about Ibiza in winter is the exclusive shopping that can be found once the summer fashions disappear. Design store Blink Ibiza in Ibiza town is full of unique pieces from a collection of hand-picked designers that you won’t find anywhere else on the island. From gorgeous jumpers to natural wool ponchos, the careful selection makes it easy to find something you love – or something for someone you love at Christmas. There are simple classic jerseys from SIYU, and urban sweats for him by Barcelona’s Syngman Cucala, plus bohemian antique jewellery made here on island by Circa Ibiza, Italian handbags from MASqueMas, Parisian scarfs from Inouitoosh and ethically produced cashmere by Solopuro. The cream of the crop of European designers, just steps from Ibiza’s main square. Happy shopping!

Cooking lessons with The Ibiza Kitchen

Private chefs and healthy eating gurus The Ibiza Kitchen are ready to transform your winter eating habits with some practical, fun and informative lessons for Ibiza residents running on Thursday December 12, 2019 and Friday January 3, 2020. First up is Eat For Our Future, a two-hour teaching, cooking and eating session that looks at ways to create less food waste, to make your animal produce stretch further than just one meal and to build a menu plan around seasonal and local ingredients. January’s workshop looks at How To Eat Well Without Dieting, finding ways to connect to food in positive way and instil healthy eating habits that make you feel good every day. Considering that so much of the winter season in Ibiza is taken up with dining (when not walking, wine tasting or shopping!), it’s the perfect time to get into the kitchen and learn some impressive new skills.

Spa day at Atzaró Spa

For island residents, summer months are often spent working far too hard, so when winter rolls around, it’s all about indulging in some well-earned me time. Fortunately for those who live here, the luxurious spa at Atzaró Agroturísmo in the heart of the island remains seven days a week all year round, making it a heavenly spot to relax during the quieter off-season months. It’s not just for residents of course – hotel guests enjoy complimentary spa access and visitors can treat themselves to a spa day, complete with lounging around on daybeds in the lush orange groves on those beautiful sunny days and enjoying healthy cuisine from La Veranda restaurant. The sauna, sauna pod and hammam at Atzaró Spa bring the heat whenever the need arises, and wide menu of treatments and massages using organic Atzaró-grown plant-based products are at the heart of your experience. A daily schedule of yoga and wellness classes ensure your wellbeing too. This is one self-care escape that everyone thoroughly deserves this winter.

Walk shelter dogs at Sa Coma

Dedicating some time to charity couldn’t be easier or more rewarding than taking the dogs from local animal shelter Sa Coma out for a lovely long winter walk. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday mornings from 9am until 11.30am, volunteers are invited to just turn up whenever they can, and exercise a pooch. There’s a whole range of rescue pups housed in the centre, behind the fire station on the San Rafael highway – the turning is just opposite Hipercentro – so you’re be assigned a dog dependant on your size and experience. Then through the woods and around the surrounding footpaths, you’ll take your hound for their run of the day. The more regularly you can go, the better you’ll bond with a particular dog, and if you think you could find room for them at home, of course these are all up for adoption too. Just remember, a dog is for life – not just for Christmas.

Winter clubbing at Lío, HEART, Octan and DC-10

Although many winter activities seem focused on being healthy and active, this is still Ibiza, and it wouldn’t be the white isle without a little late-night naughtiness. The major super clubs have closed their doors, but weekends in winter are still buzzing, with at least three discotheques hosting events for those who aren’t ready to hang up their disco (house or techno) boots just yet. Cabaret restaurant and club Lío Ibiza remains open on Friday and Saturday nights, with parties from local promoters Game Over, Zoo Project and Ibiza Talents. The Cirque Du Soleil collaboration club HEART Ibiza also stays open weekends, with events from labels like Moon Harbour and promoters such as La Troya. Ibiza Underground has some sporadic parties planned (keep your eye on their Facebook page for details), while newcomer Octan Ibiza throws a weekly shindig on Saturday nights. On New Year’s Day, you can’t go past the legendary Circo Loco at DC-10 – plenty of opportunity to be led astray if willing.

Winter swimming at Las Salinas

It’s been a long-standing New Year’s Day island tradition that locals unite on the beach at Las Salinas at lunchtime, to plunge into the new year with a fresh and frisky dip in the Balearic Sea before heading down the road to Circo Loco at DC-10. In recent years, the the fun-loving crew behind family-owned wine store Vino & Co have turned the tradition into a more official event in the very best way possible, by very generously bringing plenty of wine, and bringing a sense of order to the thousands of people who come to the beach to participate. The team – who are no stranger to NYD dives, as it’s also a tradition in their native Holland – assemble a gathering in the centre of the nature reserve of Las Salinas, right on the beach between the now-closed beach bars of Malibu and Beso Beach, and organise swims on the hour at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm followed by a communal feast – all swimmers are invited to bring a plate to share. Swimming is optional of course, usually dependant on how much wine has been consumed!

Surrender in paradise

This is why in times of turmoil we find calm in a stroll by the sea, and when we go in search of peace, it’s often found at the top of a mountain. This also explains why the world’s best spas exist in symbiosis with the lush potency of nature, and why in Ibiza, one of the most highly regarded wellness centres is set within the grounds of Agroturismo Atzaró. An effortless oasis of tranquility, Agroturismo Atzaró is located in the natural heartland of the island in San Lorenzo. Surrounded by abundant, pine-topped hills, verdant fields of local herbs and the zesty, intoxicating fragrance of its world-famous orange groves, this green-tinged setting sings with all the elements required for optimum luxurious seclusion. Rooted in rich Ibicenco history – the original Atzaró finca has been in the same family for generations – this is where guests come for rest, recovery and rejuvenation, all to be experienced in an authentic atmosphere that demands total surrender.

The Atzaró Spa insists on further renunciation of the responsibilities that come as part and parcel of busy lives, instead suggesting you leave all stresses and strains at the door. Here is a place where time slips away, replaced only by the present, as well as an opportunity to sink into a state of placid, all-encompassing bliss. Lounge on a rustic wooden daybed, shaded by an orange tree, take a dip in the stunning rectangular pool that stretches the length of the garden, and then succumb to the expertise of highly-trained therapists at the spa – your personal wellness journey begins here. Naturally, this process is different for everyone, but Atzaró Spa caters for every wellness requirement – be it physically or mentally related – and its services are open to both hotel guests and visitors. In fact, such is Atzaró Spa’s dedication to delivering the perfect treatment that the team behind it have developed an entirely unique range of treatments and products, found nowhere else on the island. There’s the Atzaró Mediterranean Ritual for example, an exfoliating and organic treatment applied using products from Ibiza; the Atzaró Integration Massage, inspired by a combination of Swedish, Balinese and Thai techniques, and the Atzaró Hot Stone Massage, a bespoke fusion of the spa’s signature massage and traditional hot stone techniques.

Elsewhere, there’s a lengthy selection of superb wellness and beauty treatments, all designed to leave you feeling refreshed and revived – and importantly, all curated by a team of clued-up skin experts. Facials include the Natura Bissé Diamond Lifting Multisensorial, which brightens and regenerates while improving elasticity – the perfect anti-ageing regimen, plus the Natura Bissé O2 Relax, which flushes out toxins from the skin using pure oxygen, and a range of additional facials tailored to suit every skin type. The massage and therapy menu is equally diverse. Try the deep tissue massage for relieving pent up tension in the shoulders, neck and head; the healing technique of Reiki to help regulate the vital energy that flows throughout the body; or the ancient Japanese technique of reflexology to specifically target problem areas. Guests can also indulge themselves with an Ayurvedic head and shoulder massage, a classic manicure or pedicure and of course, a variety of waxing options are also available. Everything you need to feel refreshed and restored – inside and out – is within easy reach.

It goes without saying that personal wellness doesn’t end there. Long after you’ve left the comforting embrace of the treatment room, you’re able to continue the journey with the range of products available. From Burbujas oils – made from local Ibiza herbs – that relax and restore, to Campos de Ibiza perfumes and Atzaró’s very own orange scented candles, it’s possible to take a little essence of the spa experience home with you so that in moments of need, a gentle waft of subtle scent can transport you back into a dreamlike, meditative state. If you want to take the journey a little deeper, delving deep into what makes your mind, body and soul tick, there’s also a fitness and yoga club onsite to help nudge you in the right direction – also open to the public. From hatha yoga and vinyasa flow to Pilates, tonification and lessons in pranayama and meditation, there are a range of experts on hand to offer guidance. In addition, spa day passes are now available for guests who aren’t using the spa (with a minimum spend required per daybed), so you can work up a sweat in the fully equipped gym before winding down in the sauna, hammam, pool and surrounding luxurious gardens, before cooling off with a freshly-pressed juice or healthy snack from the all-new spa menu.

Much like the treatments offered at the Atzaró Spa, the ethos here is in wellness that extends to every part of the mind and body, all delivered in the kind of authentically luxurious surroundings that you’ve come to expect from Atzaró. Slow down, take some time out for yourself, and relish in the unrivalled ambience created by a true Ibiza paradise.

Retreat into winter wellness

Here in Ibiza some clever philosopher, also probably bearded, came up with the fifth and six elements: retreat and relax. No doubt that particular philosopher had Agroturismo Atzaró in mind at the time. The best way to fully appreciate the six elements of Ibiza is at Atzaró Spa – the beautiful open-air space within the luxurious boutique hotel grounds that is dedicated to health, wellness, pampering and fitness all year round. As the island starts to shift gears, ready for another winter season, it is here you’ll find Ibiza winter living at it’s absolute best. Winter tourism has been slowly increasing over the past few years and now it seems the secret is out. With this in mind, the experts at Atzaró Spa have developed an all-new Open Air Spa concept, adding to the already luxurious treatment menu, yoga and Pilates classes, sauna, hamman and gym at Atzaró Spa. Split into six elements of earth, water, fire, air, retreat and relax, it’s reason enough to live here all year round and if you don’t, it’s even more of a reason to come for a winter jaunt at Agroturismo Atzaró.

When it comes to the earth element, the rugged natural beauty of Ibiza lends itself to hikes of all kinds. Trooping through the pristine forest with friends and stopping for tea and cake at a secret viewpoint overlooking the vast Mediterranean Sea is nothing short of sublime. Those who prefer wheels over feet can join in a mountain bike trip and for the even more adventurous, there’s rock climbing – one of the island’s best kept secret activities with terrain suitable for all levels of climbing. Some prefer a slower pace especially when it involves delicious food and drink – gastronomic tours of the island’s best dishes are just the ticket. No doubt one of the more popular activities on the Atzaró Open Air ticket will be the Enthobotanical Trek, where experts guide participants through the forest foraging for wild food and medicinal plants. Gardening workshops located in the Agroturismo Atzaró vegetable garden will impart tips and tricks for growing organic food at home – whether you’re based in Ibiza or want to take your newfound knowledge home with you, it’s a skill you can utilise anywhere in the world.

The Ibiza climate means year-round water sports are completely accessible and Atzaró Open Air can arrange all types of under and over water activities for its guests. Scuba and snorkelling during the quiet months permits a much broader experience of the marine life of the island, well-preserved and kept clean by the World Heritage Listed Posidonia seaweed native to the Balearic islands. Jumping in a kayak with a professional guide shows a dolphin’s eye view of Ibiza’s secret coves and impressive coastline. Exploring the network of natural caves that dot the coast is the perfect way to channel your inner pirate – by day or by dusk, no two experiences are ever alike. And the buzz of cliff jumping into the crystal sea is unequalled.

Up, up in the air, thrilling romance is the best way to describe hot air ballooning – another of the impressive excursions arranged by Atzaró Open Air. Unlike other modes of transport, hot air balloons still carry a sense of refined dignity about them. In Ibiza, flights leave early and catching an aerial view of the sun rising over the hills and valleys is breathtaking. Despite the early hour, it’s tradition to enjoy champagne and breakfast on board. This is Ibiza after all.

When it comes to the element of fire, Atzaró Open Air look beyond traditional flames and turn their sights on more of an inner burn. Mutli-adventurous programs can be designed to include all the things you love. Start the day with a hot air balloon, move onto a hike with a picnic lunch then afternoon tea on a secluded beach with your kayak followed by a deep, relaxing hamman and massage back at base. Choose the elements you love and enjoy!

Not content with simply providing the means to fully enjoy all the island has to offer, the team at Atzaró Spa takes the element of retreat one step further. This November, the stunning hotel presents two exclusive retreats in which guests can be immersed in the beautiful surroundings while focusing purely on rest, relaxation and rejuvenation with other like-minded guests. From November 5 to 8, 2017 Kelly Morgan hosts the Inner State Retreat, designed to reboot your strengths and revitalise your life. Later that month from November 17 to 22, 2017, the Natural Retreat hosted by Own Experiences aims to rebalance body and mind through the wisdom of nature.

Finally we reach the mythical sixth element – possibly the most important of all – and get to relax. Agroturismo Atzaró does many things very well but when it comes to relaxation, this bucolic boutique hotel is unsurpassed. Chill out on the Balinese daybeds soaking up the gentle winter sun, stretch out your worries in yoga, steam your day away in the sauna and let it all slide away like massage oil off your back with an array of treatments that are amongst the best in the world. Oh, and then cocktails naturally. Followed by dinner, of course, made from organic ingredients sourced from the hotel’s in-house restaurant’s own garden. Health and wellness all wrapped up for winter.

Holistic heart

Madrid born Delia de Miguel’s path in life was written in her DNA. As Wellness Manager at Agroturismo Atzaró, holistic tourism consultant to local government and coordinator of the government initiative Ibiza Is Wellness, she credits her yoga teaching, gym-owning mother as her inspiration. Her studies in cultural affairs and marketing took her from Madrid to Mexico and India, where along the way she began to connect her passion for wellness and her skills in communication. Calmness emanates from deep within her clear hazel eyes and joy plays across her smile with ease. Here is a woman who is following her dream to guide people towards health and happiness. Passionate, dedicated and highly motivated, Delia is helping to weave all the elements of Agroturismo Atzaró towards one holistic entity.

How did you come to live in Ibiza? Like many people, I came here when I was younger for holidays with friends. The first time was 20 years ago. Then, five years ago, when I lived in Mexico, I came here to work in different wellness centres for various summer seasons. Finally, I stayed for good!

How did your role at Agroturismo Atzaró come about? I’ve worked here for a year now but before that I collaborated with Agroturismo Atzaró a lot. I did some master classes with them on integral yoga, where I combined nutrition and meditation with positive psychology and Bollywood dancing! It was so much fun.

What does your job entail? As Wellness Manager, I concentrate on promoting and running the fitness club – exercise, events, courses and retreats. My colleague Santi coordinates the treatments and spa – he has an excellent team. But we are like a family here. We all work closely together. We have lots of packages where you can combine the spa with fitness and nutrition.

Were your studies directed towards wellness? While I was studying Cultural Management I became really interested in people’s healthy habits: what they eat, their exercise routines, the climate conditions, how they live… how healthy habits and conditions are part of culture. I realised there was a way to focus my studies into wellness as part of the local culture.

Tell us a little more about that. My master’s thesis was called ‘Holistic Tourism as a Tool for Developing Health, Culture and Sustainable Economies’. I used Ibiza as a model for the thesis and compared it to other places like Costa Rica, Tulum, India and Bali. I realised Ibiza has an enormous potential for holistic tourism.

What makes Agroturismo Atzaró a centre for wellness in Ibiza? It’s the perfect place for yoga classes, open air exercise and relaxation, healthy food and events – and we have many. We also provide space for master classes and workshops. The doors are always open to lots of different events to share with the people of Ibiza. We work towards being part of the community. Everyone wants to look after themselves and to look after the island. Everyone wants the tourists that come here to look after the island too. That’s what we strive for. We work from four main points – exercise and outdoor activities, wellbeing, nutrition and education.

Tell us about exercise and outdoor activities? The active aspect includes yoga, Pilates and fitness. You can do directed classes or train by yourself. Outside of the hotel we organise hikes, mountain biking, and water sports. So, we combine the indoor and outdoor sides of the island.

What does wellbeing entail? The part for wellbeing is about relaxation, health and forming good habits. Spa treatments include massage, rituals and beauty plus the hamman and sauna. In the spa, all the main products we use are organic and many are made here in Ibiza.

How does nutrition come into it? Our restaurant, La Veranda, has a super healthy and conscious menu. A lot of the produce comes directly from our vegetable gardens. We host workshops on organic gardening and cooking for those interested in maintaining a healthy diet at home.

And how do you educate your clients? The educational aspect comes in the form of master classes, retreats and workshops. Respected teachers from all over the world come to share their knowledge with us.

Yoga is a big part of the wellness activities on offer at Atzaró Fitness Club. Tell us about the styles on offer? We have such incredibly talented yoga teachers here. We offer Kundalini, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hatha Power Yoga, Yin Yang Yoga, which works a lot with the four elements and breath. For a more therapeutic yoga there is Iyengar and Sound Healing Yoga. Then there is Chakra and Mindfulness Yoga, which places a lot of importance on training the presence and Dynamic Yoga, which is combined with Ayurveda knowledge. We also have Dance Yoga and Acroyoga for fun. There is yoga to suit everybody and every mood

What classes do you teach personally? I teach Pilates, Yogilates and Tonification. We also have Abs, Core and Hypopressive classes, which is a type of abdominal gymnastics. It’s very good for the core and post baby. All classes are open to guests and residents. We have very accessible packages for both summer and winter that can include spa access too.

What are the future goals for the wellness concept at Agroturismo Atzaró? Above all, we put a lot of effort in to continuing to improve the quality of the services we provide. It’s a luxury service but it’s also accessible. Anyone can come and do classes and courses here to participate in this lifestyle. We also have plans to extend the wellness space at some point so we can continue to offer interesting and engaging activities for guests and locals.

What makes Ibiza an ideal destination for holistic tourism? The world of wellness has changed a lot in the last five years. Here in Ibiza we’ve spent a few years germinating and now this side of the island is blooming. Daily life here is very clean and ecological. People who live here know that and love it for that. The landscape is beautiful, there is no pollution, and the produce is exceptional. Ibiza is becoming another thing. It’s very special.

How has your work with local government contributed to this change? The local government are now very interested in promoting wellness and holistic tourism. I was approached to develop a platform to help organise this side of the island. Ibiza Is Wellness works as a directory and a map of all the people and places that are providing holistic services. There are 16 categories including organic farms, healthy restaurants and shops, rural accomodation and many more. It’s been online since this year and it is growing fast!

What do you love about working at Agroturismo Atzaró? The team here is more like a family. It’s not like being at work! And it’s such a beautiful place. Sometimes I walk down to the spa and I think: ‘Wow! I get to work here!’ I also love how everyone here is always open to new ideas and projects. It’s very dynamic.

What do you love about living in Ibiza? The thing I love most about Ibiza is the healthy lifestyle we can have here. After living in Mexico City, Delhi and Madrid, you can imagine. You have everything here. A little village, a beach, a mountain; everything is within reach. Ibiza has a creative and magnetic energy.

A day in the life of Atzaró Spa guests

Whether your pleasure is indulging in fresh, healthy cuisine, spending a lazy afternoon basking in the glorious sun alongside a refreshing lap pool, or being pampered by gifted spa therapists within divine Balinese treatment temples, a day at the Atzaró Spa is like no other experience on the island. Whether you are a guest at the hotel, a visitor of the island or an Ibiza resident, Agroturismo Atzaró Spa welcomes one and all to indulge in single treatments or three deluxe spa day packages. Perfect as a gift for a special friend, family member or loved one and also can be for a well-deserved break for an overworked island resident in the thick of high summer.

Veranda Menu & Day Access Package is the basic package, at 70€ per person, however the experience is anything but! Sample fresh, healthy cuisine –much of which is plucked from the onsite garden that morning – with the specially designed three-course ‘natural menu’ in La Veranda restaurant, beneath the beautiful floral pergoda or within the breezy restaurant interior. After lunch (or before, should you be an early bird!), enjoy all of the spa facilities: lap pool, sauna, hammam, gym and chillout areas with deluxe daybeds, plus access to the main pool and bar. Take your package up a level to the Atzaró Full Day Experience for 120€ per person, and in addition to the above you’ll also receive a full body treatment in the stunning spa treatment temples, sending you off to a blissful state of relaxation for the rest of the day. Looking to really splurge? Book the Atzaró Full Day Experience Premium Package and you’ll receive the deluxe dinner menu at La Veranda – the perfect way to end a perfect day. Of course, custom packages can be tailored to suit your desires – enquire directly with the spa for prices. Think full body massages combined with holistic facials, or a hot stone massage followed by a mani pedi… the choice is yours as you relax in the natural surrounds and let the team of highly trained therapists transport you to a higher level of tranquility and wellbeing. Let us set the scene…

Start your perfect spa day on the tranquil La Veranda sun-drenched terrace surrounded by lush orange groves, rosemary bushes and fresh Mediterranean air. Indulge in an omelette made to order, or select from the array of fresh fruit, cereals, cheese, and homemade pastries before floating down to the spa for an Elemis Facial performed by a professional therapist. Your skin is in the very best hands at Atzaró Spa as the facialists use a fresh approach combined with natural, active ingredients to revitalise all different skin types. You’ll leave your first treatment of the day radiating. Now you’re in a sublime state of relaxation, feel free to roam the lavish spa’s grounds. Flowering bougainvillea and lush foliage surround the pool area, and exotic Buddha statues are elegantly appointed in all corners to remind you, this day is just for you. Take a dip in the picturesque property’s long lap pool, or sink back into a plush Balinese day bed under the sun for a read, or to simply allow the time to pass by. The sauna, Hamman spa and all fitness facilities are all available to you during this time. Wrapped in your fluffy white robe – or soaking up the sun in a bikini on those scorching summer days – and laying comfortably by the pool, La Veranda serves up a specially designed healthy three-course meal, inspired by the flavours of Ibiza. Dine back in the restaurant or directly on your daybed… you don’t need to lift a finger, well, unless it’s to bring your fork to your mouth!

Once you’ve finished your leisurely lunch, your personal therapist sets you up in one of the famous Balinese healing temples for a sensational 80-minute detoxifying massage. Fall in love with the intoxicating bodywork techniques as you experience the best of both healing worlds; Western and Asian. Any sore muscles, joints or limbs will be nothing but an old thought by this point. After your deeply satisfying body rejuvenation, you have the afternoon and late evening to do as you please with only one important idea on the memo; continue to unwind and relax. Take a long, detoxifying steam, spend time in the sauna releasing any embedded toxins or participate in a Yin style yoga class. Yin yoga classes perfectly align with a personal day at the spa as positions are held longer and deeper – not interrupting the chosen speed of life for the day. Quench your thirst with an organically made fresh juices and inject yourself with healthy nourishment and your body will thank you! As the late afternoon fades away and the early dusk starts to settle in, get your feet in tip-top shape; ready for a night of dancing or simply energised for the rest of your holiday. A deep foot massage that incorporates the principles of reflexology gives the souls of your feet new life and has lasting curative effects on internal organs. Glam and primp your fingers and toes with a deluxe manicure and pedicure. Attention to detail, gorgeous colours and even more pampering are all part of the package, and will have you arrive at dinner in a state of bliss and beauty. You’ll be ready to sip a refreshing pisco sour at Barra Peruana; the hotel’s newest Peruvian offering. Snack on worldly food choices such as fresh seabass ceviches, red tuna tiradito or feast upon the hearty and delicious octopus entree with sweet red pepper cream, or alternatively, dine on the a la carte La Veranda menu. Whether you choose to book a room to float off to sleep to afterwards is up to you… though reservations are recommended in advance during high season.

Thai Massage at Atzaró Spa

Its cult of devotees are not strictly limited to Asia, but are found all around the world, with therapists and practitioners travelling far and wide to share their healing energies and knowledge. Thai massage in particular, is one of the most highly sought after transformational and rejuvenating therapies and here in Ibiza, you’ll find it on offer within the blissful surrounds of Atzaró Spa in the island’s north. In keeping with the luxurious spa’s ethos of always providing the highest quality treatments performed by highly qualified therapists, award-winning author and internationally acclaimed body and energy healer Juan José Plasencia was enlisted to train the team at Atzaró in traditional Thai massage. Bringing with him a wealth of knowledge on numerous massage techniques, Plasencia personally trained each masseuse to ensure every client at the Ataró Spa is treated at the hands of a certified expert.

Different from traditional western massage, Thai massage doesn’t call for greasy oils or lotions and the client is always dressed in comfortable, loose fitting attire. As your therapist begins to pull, stretch, and rock your body in different ways, the sorest of sore limbs and joints feel immediate relief. Further into the deeply relaxing treatment, the masseuse opens joints and releases deep rooted tension and energy blockages by using their thumbs, palms, forearms, elbows, knees and even feet; quite opposite from your traditional ‘Swedish’ or ‘hot stone’ massage! The Zen that washes over your body is paramount to the treatment’s success, and no other treatment reaches this type of level. In the final stages of the massage, the practitioner performs assisted yoga positions, resulting in an incredible deep stretch not attainable on one’s own.

The reason Thai Massage is gaining such popularity with the masses is that these deep and firm massage techniques can work for anyone; even the most sensitive of muscles and those jumpy to the lightest of touch can benefit. The system heals in a myriad of ways as internal organs are toned, energy blockages are released, flow and harmony are restored to energy lines, all of which results in an increased physical and spiritual state of wellbeing. This mindful state the treatment enters you into offers a powerful mind and body healing experience while opening up every tense and tight part of your body. After your massage, Atzaró Spa can become your base for the remainder of the day, with all guests receiving complimentary access to the spa facilities, including a gorgeous sparkling lap pool, sauna and Hammam, gym and luxurious daybeds dotted throughout the orchard. Enjoy a healthy menu lunch from La Veranda restaurant, in keeping with your day of wellness, while soaking up the peaceful and healing ambience of the spa area.

The cool pool

As readers of my blog would know by now, I live within the beautiful ancient fortress walls of Dalt Vila. And I love it. But I have to admit, there is one thing that my esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site address is missing… and it’s something I can’t live without.

A swimming pool! But of course, I’m not planning on moving… err, EVER… so over the years I have learned to compromise! Sure, I know the beach is great, the beach is close by and Ibiza’s beaches are among the best in the world, but let’s face it – some days you just don’t want to get sand in your shoes (and the rest!). Surprisingly, there are very few swimming pools in Ibiza that are open to the general public (with the exception of the child-filled, over-chlorinated public pools that I wouldn’t dare dip my toe in!)… but there is one, that is considered an islander’s best kept secret, an oasis in the middle of the countryside that I make a point of visiting as often as I can.

Ladies and gentlemen, without any further ado, I give you… Agroturismo Atzaro!

 What? I hear you think. Isn’t that just for hotel guests? No my friends, Atzaro is for everyone! All you have to do is ask*… (click here to request time at the Atzaro pool through White Ibiza) And the best part is, it’s not just one pool you get to use, it’s TWO!

I love Atzaro. To me, it is pure and simple Ibiza magic. As I start driving up the dusty camino that leads towards the hotel, I feel as if I am on holiday. And sometimes, despite what people think, here in Ibiza, we need a holiday from our daily lives!

So it was a sunny Ibiza Saturday when chief White and myself (plus little miss mini-White) decided we were definitely in need of some sun, a good healthy meal and all-round relaxation, so we made ourselves a booking and made haste to San Juan! We could even use the excuse that we were there for research, checking out the location of our upcoming fashion show on July 23!

First stop: Atzaro Spa, where we collected our towels and locker keys and grabbed ourselves the premium spot on the oversized cushions at the end of the pool (well, it’s my favourite of all the day beds, anyway – you can choose your own!). From here, you get a birds eye view straight across the beautiful, glimmering lap pool, finishing with the blaze of bougainvillea that covers the hotel walls. Not a bad place to set up camp for the day, especially once I had a strawberry daiquiri in my hand!

After a quick dip to cool off (high summer is well and truly here now), we basked in the sunlight for an hour or so before our tummies (and our little person) reminded us there was a restaurant awaiting our arrival, so it was off to La Veranda – which now has a much-appreciated cover over the terrace for those who (like us) love an alfresco experience.

Our starters arrived first, a pretty little jar of beetroot gazpacho, a millet and red pepper salad plus a smoked tofu dip with homemade bread – having walked past the Atzaro vegetable gardens just a few moments before, we knew the ingredients were as fresh as they could possibly be, having been plucked from the earth that very morning!

For the main meal, a melt-in-your-mouth ravioli of artichoke and ricotta, with fresh rocket and a coconut brown rice risotto with fresh boletus mushrooms. We were served beautiful flavoured water, with cucumber, strawberry and mint but since it was a Saturday and all… we ordered a lovely bottle of icy cold rose to wash down our meals.

Just for the record, our mini-me tucked into the kid’s menu special penne Napolitana and gave it her mini tick of approval. With a chocolate shake, which, by the sounds of the slurps coming from our little companion, was pretty tasty indeed.

Dessert was a delicious mango mousse, with a side of fresh berries and by this stage I was feeling a serious need for a lie down. Lucky we were just metres from the hotel swimming pool… where we took the closest three sun loungers and proceeded to drift off in the warm late afternoon sunshine (after a hefty application of sunscreen of course).

I cannot tell you enough how much I love this pool. It instantly transports you to that holiday feeling, an escape from reality and has an instantly calming effect on me. Surrounded by beautiful palm trees, with the sounds of frogs in the lily pond, sheep in the field and Balearic music playing on the cabana bar stereo… there’s just something about it that you can’t get anywhere else. Not even Dalt Vila.