Ibiza wellness – Page 3

A pampering oasis

On an island that is constantly evolving and changing, there are few things that truly cause a stir. In fact, this little slice of Balearic paradise is so well-versed in the acceptance of new people, new venues and new ideas that often islanders rarely bat an eyelid when it comes to the arrival of a new venue. But one announcement that had wellbeing lovers positively giddy with excitement was the news that 7Pines Kempinski Ibiza would be opening in summer 2018, and within it, Pure Seven, a dedicated spa and wellness centre designed solely to reconnect individuals with both mind and body. A sprawling space backed by indigenous Ibiza pine forest on one side and a vast expanse of deep blue Mediterranean on the other, 7Pines Kempinski Ibiza boasts a stunning clifftop location between Cala Conta and Cala Tarida. That means sweeping sea vistas, nightly, panoramic viewings of Ibiza’s famous, multi-coloured sunsets, and one of the best views on the entire island of Es Vedrà, the mystical rock steeped in Ibizan cultural reference, jutting out from the seabed.

While all this fabulous natural beauty immediately evokes a sense of serenity and bliss before you’ve stepped foot in Pure Seven, once you’re actually there, it’s all amplified ad infinitum. Because this is a spa space offering a range of treatments unlike any other on the island. Open seven days a week, all year round and to both hotel guests and visitors alike, it’s somewhere you can come to feel safe, restored, and relaxed; rejuvenated, enlightened and invigorated, all while remaining comfortable in the knowledge that you’re in a set of highly-trained, expert hands – the entire team here were hand-picked for their unique set of skills. At Pure Seven, natural and organic elements are blended seamlessly – think local ingredients like Ibiza salt, herbs and citrus, with the very latest in cosmetology. And with every treatment tailored to the suit the needs of the individual, the journey to wellness begins the moment you slide into this unique oasis of pampering. First, you’re taken on Pure Seven relax tour through the steam bath, sauna, cold mist shower and relaxation area – complete with water beds and a magical view of Es Vedrà – and then you’re taken through to one of the six stylish treatment rooms, where in just a few hours you emerge an improved version of yourself.

That’s no surprise when you consider that the range of treatments available at Pure Seven is truly life-affirming. Created with both physical and mental wellbeing in mind, each treatment been created to help assist in whatever you’re coming up against or hoping to let go of in your personal life. From a range of luxurious massages to a sensational set of scrubs and wraps to facials and uniquely designed wellness rituals, there’s something to aid everyone in achieving their goals. Not to mention beauty therapists, personal trainers and yoga teachers who are there to take care of the more aesthetic or spiritual side of things. First up is an innovative range of massages. Those looking to lose themselves in a profound state of relaxation will find solace in the Pure Seven Signature Massage. Using sweet orange, palmarosa and lavender essential oils, this lightly applied massage ensures that stresses and strains gently drift away. Elsewhere, the Seven Hot Stone Therapy is an aromatherapeutic treatment designed for lasting results, and sits alongside favourites like deep tissue, reflexology and Thai massage on the menu. Ayurvedic techniques including Abyhanga and Udvartana massage are also available.

For a more intense, all-encompassing experience, it’s worth exploring the Pure Seven Wellness Rituals, which offer three perfect hours of unparalleled bliss. Working on the premise that your body knows best what your mind needs the most, the type of treatment you receive depends entirely on how you feel on the day. Using Neom organic blends, a therapist performs the Science of Scent Therapy on arrival, in which you choose what particular scent you’re most drawn to, and from there, they decipher if it’s the Scent to Sleep, Scent to De-Stress, Scent to Boost Your Energy or Scent to Happiness that you’ll receive – each has its own benefits, and each sends you into a total, dreamlike state.

There’s also an additional menu for special therapies like ear candling, acupuncture, osteopathy and physiotherapy, as well as an impressive range of revolutionary facials which come with the option to add on express treatments like a focused eye lift. Pilates, yoga, guided meditation and hiking are also offered all year round for residents and guests alike, while in the winter months, the resort plans to host a special wellness retreat program, in which the extreme privacy and ultimate laid-back luxury of the grounds allow you to switch off and focus solely on your own mental and physical wellbeing. Keep your eyes peeled for stunning one-off events like full moon yoga throughout the season, too.

Perhaps the most brilliant detail of all about Pure Seven is that while you’re finally managing to put aside some time for yourself, you’re doing it in a place that’s not only got your best interests at heart, but is also looking after those of the environment. Pure Seven has been built with a conscious ethos, so absolutely zero plastic is used onsite, all beauty products used are organic, and everything is served on biodegradable plates or cups. It’s a nice touch in a venue that’s already provided myriad reasons for wellbeing lovers to stop by for a session. No wonder this place has generated such a buzz.

Visit the White Ibiza spas guide to read more and contact Pure Seven

Introducing Anne Semonin facials

Modern-day life is a challenge. Days are spent constantly running from place to place and the majority of people have a tendency to put others first – often to the detriment of their health and appearance. This is why it’s so important to occasionally allow yourself time for little luxuries. Those moments in which you can take precious time to stop, relax, and just be are essential, for both physical and mental wellbeing. In Ibiza, there’s nowhere better for this than Open Spa – the luxurious wellness centre within Ibiza’s only Five-Star Grand Luxe resort – where an Anne Semonin facial is the current buzzword on everyone’s lips, thanks to its beneficial properties for body and soul. Anne Semonin is a hugely successful, luxury skincare brand renowned internationally for its excellence. With a reputation for giving the best facials in the world, Ibiza Gran Hotel has scored a coup by becoming the only place in Ibiza where you can experience the mind-blowing array of treatments on offer. The secret of the brand’s success lies with eponymous founder, Anne Semonin, who has spent over three decades perfecting the products and technique behind the facials. The result is an incredibly healing range, developed to suit all manner of skin types – regardless of type, age, or condition.

The stresses and strains of everyday life ease into the ether as soon as you enter the elegant surrounds of Open Spa at Ibiza Gran Hotel. A sanctuary away from outside hustle and bustle, this is a space where time and thoughts are forgotten in favour of much-needed rest and recuperation. You’re greeted at the desk by a friendly member of staff and then guided to the relaxation room, where beds warmed to 20 degrees prepare you for the Open Aqua circuit. Here, there’s time to savour a stunning range of high-tech spa pools, steam rooms and a sauna, so once it’s time for your treatment, you’re already immersed in a state of complete relaxation. There’s an attention to detail that really stands out at this spa, too. Slippers are warmed before being placed on your feet, healthy snacks and mint-infused water are laid out for guests, and a lavender-infused pillow is placed on your neck – everything is done to make time here a luxury experience. This continues through to the treatment room, where calming music, warming light and a highly-trained therapist is there to guide you through a process that regenerates and boosts the skin, and along with it, your esteem.

The basis of all Anne Semonin treatments is a revolutionary combination of essential oils, trace minerals and marine active ingredients. Each step of the process is tailored to suit specific needs and skin type, but every facial follows the same regimen. With the Cryo Time Freeze facial, for example, the first step is to cleanse the face with a herb-infused botanical milk, which cleans the surface of the skin in preparation for the further steps to come. Next, a botanical toner is applied. Formulated with witch hazel, this product soothes and rebalances the skin. In the third stage, an exfoliating mask is gently applied, and by this point skin is already beginning to look and feel different. Infused with seaweed and kaolin, the mask removes dead skin cells and visibly brightens the complexion. The next step is where the therapist’s experience really shines. Firming IC and precious serum are applied, and then, using her extensive knowledge of the products and skin types, she combines the perfect mixture of essential oils and trace minerals for your skin. The rich elixir is then smoothed over the skin’s surface and applied using a unique Anne Semonin drainage massage, developed by Anne herself after years of experimenting with the technique. Pressure applied to the face ensures maximum absorption, and simultaneously stimulates other parts of the body, promoting lymph nodes to remove toxins. The mask is left to sit for 10 minutes, while the therapist conducts a relaxing reflexology session, to lull you further into a state of bliss.

Once the mask has been removed, Express Radiance ice cubes are applied to every part of the face. Made using Anne Semonin products and serums, they glide over the skin promoting deep healing of cells. To finish, a contour serum and anti-ageing cream are applied (all chosen to provide maximum results for each individual), and while this ensures healing continues long after the treatment, it’s of course recommended to invest in products and have a home face care plan of your own in order to see optimum results. Nevertheless, the results are instant – smoother, plumper, younger looking skin. You leave with a spring in your step, a renewed sense of confidence and the enjoyable feeling of knowing you’ve taken time out to care for yourself.

Visit the White Ibiza spas guide to read more and contact Open Spa

World class wedding hair

From champagne while you’re hunting for the perfect dress to leisurely spa days taken in the lead up to the event – planning a wedding can be stressful so there’s always an excuse to gift yourself a well-deserved treat. Good news then, that within the walls of the five-star Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay in Talamanca, you’ll find the exclusive John Frieda Salon open for business again this summer, where pampering is all part of the process in the lead up to the big day. John Frieda Salons have earned a well-held reputation across the globe for their pioneering hairstyles, colourists and blow dries, as well as the unrivalled expertise of their talented staff. They have salons in the most cosmopolitan areas of both London and New York, and as a result can count a slew of the jet-setting, stylish elite among their clients. At the most recent salon in Ibiza, you can expect world-class service and exceptional attention to detail, plus a team dedicated to making you feel extra special in the run up to your wedding.

In fact, highly-trained members of staff – who can effortlessly transform wedding hair dreams into reality – is an integral part of the John Frieda DNA. Unlike many other salons, staff here are really put through their paces before taking the helm on the salon floor. “We train for three to five years to ensure we truly understand how to work with different types of hair and different looks,” explains salon manager, Jeffrey Eli. “Every member of our team is incredibly experienced, and of course, has their finger on the pulse when it comes to wedding trends.” Look no further than Serge Normant, John’s New York salon partner, for confirmation of this – he’s the man responsible for Meghan Markle’s wedding hair. And with millions critiquing Meghan’s style, he choose something effortless and relaxed. Because hair trends come and go, and the last thing you want is to look back on photos from the day in years to come and be disappointed by how dated a style looks. That’s where the John Frieda stylists come in. “Over the years, fashionable styles change,” says Jeffrey. “So with wedding hair today, what you want to be looking for is something loose and natural and textured. Nothing with too much volume, because that can be ageing.” It’s worth bearing in mind that the style of dress is also a huge factor.

“If you’re wearing a dress with lots of detailing then naturally you want to show that off, so you keep the hair simple,” says Jeffrey. “And really, most brides want the dress to do all the talking, so it’s important to have a hairstyle that’s not too fussy.” If you’re unsure about what to choose, then the team is happy to give you some gentle guidance. “I have a conversation with all brides to find out what makes them tick,” he continues. “Then we’ll consider the dress, look at some images together and I can give my opinion on what I think will and won’t work.” Naturally, all of this is done in an environment in which the bride can feel totally relaxed. And let’s not forget, this is a celebration, so you’re made to feel suitably special throughout. “Brides are all given champagne when they’re having their hair done,” says Jeffrey. “And if we’re doing a set of bridesmaids too, we’ll actually do the bride’s hair for free. We want the bride to feel as relaxed as possible – coming to the salon should be like seeking sanctuary before the storm!” Indeed, knowing you’re in good hands means one less thing to worry about on the day.

Style and substance

Who wouldn’t trade polluted air, clogged up roads and hot, crowded transport for pine forests, stretches of fine golden sand and a sea breeze to gently cool your face as you wander along them? When Jeffrey Eli was offered the opportunity to leave London and return to the white isle for a second summer to manage the exclusive John Frieda Salon at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, he didn’t have to think too hard about his decision. “I was out here managing the salon for two and a half months last year,” he explains. “But this time I’m back for the whole summer – six months in total.” Housed within the island’s most recent five-star offering on the shores of Talamanca, the salon is a high-end, luxury space where neutral walls are complemented by gold adornments and sleek, streamline chairs. Naturally, this is in perfect keeping with its setting and the demands of its glamorous, clued-up clientele.

In truth, that’s to be expected from any John Frieda salon. In a period spanning over two decades, it’s developed an illustrious reputation for having the most stunning salons and talented stylists in the world, with successful branches in both London and New York. John also has an intimate connection with the island – he’s had a home here for many years – so it’s no surprise that its reach eventually extended to our sun-blessed Balearic shores. “John Frieda has been going since the 70s,” says Jeffrey. “It’s a huge name on both sides of the Atlantic, and so it made total sense to open a space here on Ibiza, especially with a location like ours at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay. There’s really no other salon on the island like it.” There’s no denying the salon possesses an air of chic cosmopolitanism, in look as well as vibe. But what also makes it stand out is the expertise showcased by its team of highly-trained stylists, who go through years of rigorous training before they’re allowed to fly the nest to the salon floor. “I’ve been working for the company for five years,” explains Jeffrey. “I trained with them and I’ve grown up with them, and of course, learnt much along the way.”

For Jeffrey, it was perhaps inevitable that he’d move into the world of hair. As a child, he’d frequently plait his sister’s hair, and his mother had an affinity for the trade, despite it not being her career. But he’s also chosen this path because he gets a genuine buzz from making clients feel good about themselves. “My favourite thing about the job is that I get to be creative while making people happy,” he explains. “Someone can be going through a lot in their life and you and just by doing their hair you can lift them up and make them feel so much better. It’s so satisfying.” It goes without saying that a simple haircut is an extremely simple but powerful thing – we’ve all felt the benefits of having a transformative new ‘do, but it’s good to know that the team at John Frieda are powered by that same motive, while also have the high-level competence to back it up. “We have a lot of stylists who do session work and have celebrity clients,” says Jeffrey. “This gives them a lot of inspiration which they then bring back to the salon floor. We’re really encouraged to unleash our creativity, and we’re all inspired by each other’s work, as well as current trends.”

This summer, the London-based team are on rotation at the Ibiza branch – stylists and colourists among them. Pop in for a colour refresh, have your hair braided before hitting the clubs, spruce up your style, or go for Jeffrey’s signature blow dry. “I like to create a beachy, wavy look,” he says. “A lot of people use tongs but I like to use a brush because it minimises the intensity of the heat and it tends to last longer. A lot of people are fascinated by my method!” That’s the difference at a John Frieda Salon. You’ve got staff who really know their stuff, who are willing to go out of their way to make you feel special and pampered, while simultaneously showing off world-class skills. And here’s a tip if you’ve suffered at the hands of sun, sea and chlorine – their range of treatments is designed to enhance damaged, dry hair. Good to know when you’re living life on an island. “Wave my wand and I can do anything!” laughs Jeffrey. Precisely the kind of magic we’re looking for when it comes to hair.

The science behind the solution

From ground-breaking facials to all manner of health-enhancing therapies, here, you can be sure you’re getting world-class service provided by highly-trained professionals. As the official home of renowned group of therapists, Ibiza Balance, you’ve got everything you need to look and feel your very best, all in one place. Located in Ibiza’s bustling Marina Botafoch area, MedSpa Ibiza is a sleekly designed space, created specifically for delivering the world’s most cutting-edge developments in the health and beauty realm. Each of the pristine, polished rooms is dedicated to a particular treatment, and every specialist has an in-depth background in delivering medical-grade care. So while any time here leaves you feeling pampered, refreshed, and revived, you’re also aware that there’s real science behind the methods – an essential for modern-day wellness.

Take VitaminDrip IV Therapy, for instance. Undoubtedly recognised as MedSpa Ibiza’s signature treatment, this is the only place on the island where you can receive this revolutionary therapy. Designed to give your body a quick, efficient boost it needs after a particularly long week, or if you are just generally feeling tired, it works by replenishing electrolytes and vitamins that have been lost by your body, seamlessly replacing them in a process that takes as little as 30 minutes. Often used by those suffering from sallow skin, stress, and dehydration, it’s the perfect pick-me-up pre or post holiday, and unsurprisingly, has proven to be one of MedSpa Ibiza’s most sought after offerings. There are custom blend VitaminDrip therapies designed for immunity boosting, hydtation, skincare, detox and much more, and your treatment will always be authorised by the in-house medical team at MedSpa Ibiza. Elsewhere, MedSpa Ibiza specialises in a variety of other high-tech treatments designed to suit every need. Those looking for an injection of radiance to the face should look no further than the Hydrafacial, a procedure that offers instant results with no downtime. Combining a unique combination of cleansing, exfoliating and rehydrating, it works by infusing the skin with antioxidants, peptides and hyaluronic acid. The result is a deeply satisfying, clear complexion, with improved tone and texture, and a decrease in fine lines, breakouts and pigmentation. Naturally, a series of treatments can produce truly staggering results. .

For those unafraid of slightly more invasive therapies, there’s Microneedling. A procedure made made famous by the celebrity A-List and its effectiveness combined, this therapy involves using tiny needles to puncture the skin at its very deepest levels, in the process stimulating elastin and collagen, which then work in unison to deliver plumper, more glowing skin. The results are proven to be particularly effective in dealing with acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles – things we would all appreciate a little less of. Choose from a range of three targeted treatments, to really get to the crux of the problem you’re trying to address. Another radical series of treatments spearheaded by the MedSpa Ibiza team is Thalgo’s iBeauty. Coming in sessions of 30, 45 or 60 minutes, each procedure is designed to deeply cleanse, removing impurities that leave the skin looking luminous. The latest generation of treatments from the highly-acclaimed Thalgo brand, it uses a combination of sound vibration, ultrasound and radio frequency – tuning into the industry’s most high-tech, scientific advancements to smooth wrinkles, firm tissue and leave you feeling as fresh-faced as a newborn.

It’s not just skin and face the MedSpa Ibiza team specialise in – they can also help to hone and improve a myriad of other elements on the body. The VelaShape II for example, uses infrared light and radio frequency alongside a vacuuming process and massage to successfully shrink fat cells and tighten the skin. While this may sound like something from Star Trek, you can actually see proven results after only the first treatment, with some patients in clinical studies reporting an incredible surface reduction of 2.5cm in the area they had treated, not to mention generally smoother, silkier skin. You also have the ability to focus on specific troublesome areas, so if you’ve struggled to lose your love handles, or suffer from cellulite on the legs, this could well be an option for you. These are just a few of the key treatments available at MedSpa Ibiza, and for anything else on the pampering spectrum, you can look to the Ibiza Balance treatment menu. Based at the spa, but providing treatments island-wide with their mobile service, Ibiza Balance are experts in their field. Offering a range of feel-good regimens that include lymphatic drainage, pregnancy massage, reflexology, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture and beauty treatments, among many other things, the team can provide everything you need in order to overhaul mind, body and soul, either at the spa itself, or in the comfort of your own home or holiday villa. On that note, there are special packages available throughout the whole of summer 2018, so you can curate your own MedSpa Ibiza package, dependent on your needs. Choose one dedicated solely to detoxing, beauty, or wellness, or mix and match by cherry-picking a handful of treatments that you feel will deliver optimum results for you. Buy six treatments, for example, and you get around a 10-percent discount, saving money and boosting your wellbeing in the process. So whether it’s prep for a summer holiday, revving up for a red carpet event taking some well-need down time after a stressful cycle of events, MedSpa Ibiza practice the science that sparks the solution.

Visit the White Ibiza spas guide to read more about MedSpa Ibiza

A journey to self-discovery

The Austrian-born, Ibiza-based psychotherapist views her role as a therapist as a way to help people navigate the sometimes-fraught journey of existence. “I always say, I can’t promise to fix your problems but I can promise you won’t have to face them alone,” she says. There are many reasons to seek therapy – depression, anxiety, trauma, grief or the day-to-day struggles of living – and Denise’s training and experience has equipped her to treat them all. Originally from Vienna, Denise relocated to Ibiza in 2016 after ten years of spending holidays and working here, feeling a strong connection with the island and its people. Her passion for helping people heal is evident in the way she speaks about her vocation and it is easy to see how she became a psychotherapist. “From a very young age I was interested in understanding people and helping them understand themselves,” she says. “I was always the friend who people came to.”

The journey to becoming a psychotherapist is what has given Denise a particular insight into the human condition – including 12 years spent as a flight attendant, which allowed her to witness people in myriad states of mind. “Travelling and meeting all those different people and experiencing different cultures was really useful for my later studies,” says Denise. In 2013 Denise gained her qualifications in Psychotherapy Science from the prestigious Sigmund Freud University in her hometown, during which time she also worked in the university clinic as part of her academic program. The clinic, open to the public, was subsidised, significantly lowering treatment fees. It was immediately flooded with clients. This experience was a profound affirmation that her chosen path was the right one. During the rigorous demands of her Master’s degree, Denise was drawn to a therapeutic approach called Individual Therapy, developed by Alfred Adler – a student of Freud. The word individual derives from the Latin individus meaning indivisible – a reference to Adler’s ideas around a holistic therapy accounting for personal and societal influences on psychological development. Individual Therapy is thus concerned with overcoming the superiority/inferiority dynamic entrenched during childhood via personal and societal influences. “We all create coping mechanisms throughout our lives,” Denise says. “Therapy is about recognising habits and behavioural patterns that no longer serve you.”

Adler was also an advocate of prevention psychology – a theme Denise is passionate about, believing self-knowledge allows people to cope in times of crisis. “Most people see therapy as something you do when you are at your lowest but actually if you participate in therapy when you are well, you better prepare yourself for what life throws at you,” she says. “You learn about yourself and that knowledge becomes a positive thing you can take into your daily life so you can live a more satisfying life.” The stereotypical image of a psychotherapist is an old man taking notes while the ‘patient’ reclines on a sofa. Thankfully things have changed a lot since the early days of psychotherapy and today Denise works with a number of different tools for one-to-one sessions and couples therapy alike. “I do think lying on the sofa with the therapist sitting out of sight is a good way for clients to focus only on themselves and not be distracted by my perceived responses to what they say,” she says while also noting that it’s not for everybody. “Ultimately my sessions are designed to provide a comfortable and safe space.”

While preventative and long-term therapy provide access to deeper meaning and self-realisation, Denise is also a proponent for achieving more specific goals. Her Lifestyle Analysis method is like a short injection of support around a certain issue that is explored over six to ten sessions depending on the requirements of the client. “This type of analysis is directed at understanding the root and triggers of specific behaviours and building alternative ways of thinking about them,” she says. “For example, it may be a situation with a colleague who is pressing your buttons, or a busy work period coinciding with other obligations. Lifestyle Analysis is a great tool to prevent burnout and is excellent for periods of transition.” This take on the traditional talk therapy seems perfectly suited to Ibiza where tensions run high during the busy months and relationships are crucial to the smooth running of a business. Moments of discord within your relationships can be not only avoided but also understood. And once you understand them Denise can help strategise changes in order to achieve more positive outcomes, and ideally would love to see people participate in therapy before crisis hits. “If people had the skills already, it might not be so hard for them to navigate the tense moments,” she says.

Alfred Adler once said: “The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.” Few people would disagree yet despite the complexities of the human experience so many of us shy away from seeking any form of help to sort out the quagmire of our personal lives. No one thinks twice about getting a broken tooth repaired at the dentist yet a broken heart is often left to fester. The solution, of course, is to find the equivalent of a dentist for our souls… and here in Ibiza, Denise Wolf has the tools and skills to treat you. Sessions are 90 minutes in length and take place in Denise’s lovely light-filled San Jose practice, however for those with very busy schedules, she also offers convenient online counselling sessions. Photography by Gypsy Westwood

Transforming lives one step at a time

In today’s fast-paced society, we dash from door to transport to door and that vital connection to the earth is no longer paramount. Toby Clarke of Walking Ibiza holds a deep understanding of the importance of walking amongst nature, of grounding oneself, connecting with your own thoughts and feelings – as the first person to ever circumnavigate Ibiza on foot, he drew on his own personal life-changing experience when developing the brand that now holds an iconic status on the island. These days, Walking Ibiza needs very little introduction. It does what it says on the tin. Three times a week, Toby and his team of guides lead intimate community walks through nature – from stunning coastal hikes and short and sweet strolls through valleys to discovering lost villages, mystical full-moon walks and much more. In addition, twice a year (in April and October), Toby hosts the 12-day ‘Around the Island’ adventure, leading groups of ten people across the terrain he first conquered in 2010 – an experience he describes as bucket list worthy for any lovers of Ibiza, nature and self-realisation alike. For those with less time to spare but the drive to connect with Ibiza, the 4-Day Challenge covers the same perimeter with the inclusion of kayaking and mountain biking, plus upping the walking pace.

Toby’s love of walking is intrinsically linked with his love for Ibiza. Having grown up on the white isle, he describes his childhood as the best in the world. At the age of ten however, he was plucked from his spiritual homeland and taken to the UK for further education, after which he jumped on “the treadmill of life – money, mortgage, big house and job.” After many years working in the corporate world, a sudden realisation saw Toby re-evaluate his life and priorities. “I gave it all up, sold everything off and went travelling around the world with the aim to end up living back in Ibiza one day, but I didn’t really know what I was going to do here,” he says. Alongside his wife Belinda, Toby began practicing Reiki and as life progressed, a puppy named Cosmo came into their lives. Cosmo was a particularly energetic pooch and needed a lot of walking, which allowed Toby the time and space to reconnect with his beloved island. One particular afternoon in Ibiza town, Toby was struck with the idea that he should walk around the island – and the rest, as they say is history. With nothing but one euro in his pocket, a barely adequate tent and sleeping bag, the wrong clothes and his trusted walking buddy Cosmo at his side, he set off (with enough food and water for one day on Belinda’s sound advice) for an experience that would reshape his future. The island community was buzzing with news of the guy who’d set off on foot to trek across the island and kind residents and restaurant owners would support him with sustenance. 11 days later he returned home triumphant – the universe had delivered.

Walking Ibiza was born through word of mouth requests for Toby to lead walks for small groups of friends based on his newfound reputation as an explorer (“I thought, why not? Cosmo needs a walk anyway!” Toby says reflectively). Eventually it became a regular organised community activity on Friday afternoons. And sure enough, as Walking Ibiza grew in reputation, other people began saying they’d like to follow in Toby’s footsteps, so to speak, and tour the island on foot. “I’d say go on, do it. Get a tent, keep the sea on your right or your left and you’ll be fine. But because I’d done it already, people seemed to think I knew the route and they wanted me to lead them and all of a sudden I was organising a group. The Around the Island Adventure had its own momentum.” The next Around the Island Adventures are scheduled for April 1 to 13 and October 7 to 19, 2018 and spaces are limited to just 12 people per group to ensure the right ambience within the group. The all-inclusive experience (1600€ per person) is now fully supported by the Walking Ibiza team, with daily nutritional food and camping equipment deliveries meaning participants only need carry a standard five-kilogram backpack with their daily essentials (think water, sandwiches and sunscreen!). While most nights are spent sleeping beneath the stars, three nights’ accommodation in hotels are also included to provide a respite from the elements when needed, and each walk is tailored to suit the group energy and fitness levels.

Speaking of fitness, Toby advises potential participants that this is NOT a walk in the park. Ideally, you should already be able to walk around 20 kilometres in one day, carry some light weight and you should be prepared for hills. “I tracked the height climb and we do over 8000 metres of climbing throughout the walk,” says Toby. “That’s actually higher than climbing Kilamanjaro but without the altitude! It’s definitely a do-able challenge.” The entire coastal route is around 280 kilometres in total, with flexible daily walks ranging between 18 and 32 kilometres depending on the climb. “It’s very important to know it’s not a race. We could probably do it in a week, but we take 12 days to give people time to immerse themselves into the act of walking around the island, feel the energy and getting in touch with Ibiza and themselves. If we see something beautiful or want to stop and chill out, we can. We have a destination but it’s about enjoying the journey.” Mentally, you need to be prepared for a life-changing experience. “It turns into so much more than a walk for even the most non-spiritual of people,” says Toby. “By about day six, you really see a transformation in people as they start to get a lot more out of it. It really changes their lives, and that’s the power of it for me.” Toby leads the group through daily sharing circles to get to know each other and discuss any thoughts and feelings that come up, in addition to encouraging bonding within the group and he says the collective feeling by the end of the walk is that of a tight-knit family. For many, it’s an incredible once in a lifetime experience and for others, it’s so enriching they’ve attended the walk for consecutive years.

While the Around the Island Adventure could be compared to a wellness or fitness retreat, the 4-Day Challenge – this year taking place from April 19 to 22 – is more like an adrenaline-fuelled fitness event. “I was getting approached from people, often corporate city people, who wanted to complete the Around the Island Adventure but just couldn’t commit to the full 13-days,” says Toby. “They wanted to know if I could do it faster. I thought the only way to get around faster is by moving quicker, so I introduced mountain bikes and kayaks about five years ago to create the 4-Day Challenge.” Due to the different disciplines, participants need to be more physically fit to take part in the 4-Day Challenge, taking into account Ibiza’s hilly landscape on a mountain bike and the possibility for offshore winds on the water. The route is varied each year, based on the weather conditions and is also fully supported by the Walking Ibiza team in vans and boats, with all meals and equipment included in the cost (985€ per person, with a maximum of 15 people in the group). One night is spent camping at Toby’s most recent development, La Montaña – a mountaintop casita with breathtaking views – and two nights are spent in a hotel. “The energy is different,” explains Toby of the experience. “It’s perhaps less emotional and more of a physical challenge but still has that sense of achievement… there are a lot of high fives at the end!”

For Toby (and Cosmo!) walking around Ibiza never gets boring, though he readily admits he doesn’t feel like a natural born walker – even after traversing the island seven times over. “I definitely feel it if I have done a 30k walk the day before,” he laughs. “If I don’t do a walk, I really feel it,” he continues. “I need to be outside. I need to connect with the island.” But walking is not about fitness levels or distance gained for Toby – it’s about being at one with himself and his beloved island. He recently extended his passion for walking to Ibiza’s sister island, spending four days walking around Formentera – a terrain he says is surprisingly tougher than Ibiza – while fasting for the duration of the walk. Later this year Toby plans to hit Menorca with just a pair of shorts and walking boots for seven days and discover the wonders of another Balearic island. Armed with fountain of local knowledge, the patience of a saint and a warm, laidback character, Toby’s journey has led him to exactly the place he needed to be. One step at a time.

Visit the Walking Ibiza website

Urban chic retreats

When the summer social buzz slowed down and the off-season started to settle in, Sir Joan earned a must-visit reputation for hosting unique events, workshops, talks and soirees designed with the local community in mind. And now – as the island already starts to show its first signs of springtime – the team behind the venue have turned their focus to the wellness and creative community, with a series of retreats set to take place at Sir Joan in March and April. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting to escape the trappings of day to day life really. A cosmopolitan, urban chic setting juxtaposed against the backdrop of Ibiza’s old town in the distance, walking distance to both the daily buzz of the Marina and Ibiza town, plus the recently revamped beach of Talamanca. Rooms are the very epitome of contemporary style, with private terraces, luxe bathrooms and views over the water while communal areas include a sparkling swimming pool and deck downstairs plus a rooftop space ideal for yoga sessions in the glorious Ibiza sunshine.

The first retreat at Sir Joan takes place from March 8 to 11, 2018 with systematic and transformation coach Nina Fischer at the helm. Freeing Your (Full) Potential is designed (as the name suggests!) to guide guests towards self-realisation and higher awareness while unlocking their full potential to be successful on a mind, body and soul level. Fusing a mix of exercises, lectures, tools, experiences and self-learning, Nina – also a trained yoga teacher – works with participants to take responsibility for their own bodies, feelings and behaviours. Ideal for professionals and leaders, or anyone seeking clarity or looking to reconnect with themselves in order to shine. Cost: 950€ per person or 750€ for double occupancy. Just a few days later, renowned Berlin-based yogi Steph Jaksch steps up to the retreat plate at Sir Joan, hosting a three-day Sir Yoga Retreat from March 15 to 18, 2018. When spring is in the air, there’s no greater place to practice yoga than Ibiza, surrounded by the incredible beauty and abundance of nature. Starting with an intimate welcome dinner and intention setting session on the night of your arrival, Steph takes her students through a series of yoga and meditation workshops designed to teach you new techniques and deepen your practice, with an intensive level of personalized attention. The perfect opportunity to unplug, before returning to ‘real life’ recharged and happy. Cost: 950€ per person or 600€ for double occupancy.

Continuing with the theme of transformations is Millana Snow, who holds the retreat space in Sir Joan from April 5 to 8, 2018. Meditation + Energy Healing is designed for meditation practitioners of all levels – from beginner through to advanced. It’s all about empowering yourself to look deep within, where you find your most powerful teacher when it comes to self-healing: you. Millana guides participants in one-to-one and group sessions, ranging from intention setting and guided silent meditations to journaling, energy healing, movement and energy release classes and more. Once you’ve tapped into your higher state of consciousness, you’ll begin to reach deeper and more profound life experiences. Cost: 950€ per person or 750€ for double occupancy. The Other Face of Ibiza with Ivo Von Renner is a retreat with a difference. The internationally acclaimed photographer steps out from behind his lens from April 12 to 15, 2018 at Sir Joan, taking participants through a highly creative and yet also skills-based series of portraiture workshops supported by Leica. Working on location, Von Renner teaches students how to work with the existing light after covering the technical basics, followed by image selection and retouching tips. At the end of the retreat, participants will take home printed versions of their portrait works, plus take part in a Q&A with Von Renner. Cost: 1450€ per person or 1200€ for double occupancy.

Michael Standor of Balearic Sportfishing knows a thing or two about the abundance of the Mediterranean Sea and he isn’t afraid to share his knowledge. From April 19 to 22, 2018 he leads the Hook & Cook Fishing Retreat at Sir Joan, imparting his seafaring wisdom on keen future fishermen or women. Guests will learn all about the process of fishing first-hand on the beautiful Balearic waters, while being educated on the origin of marine life in the Med. After returning to shore, it’s all about learning to prepare your fresh catch of the day, with a local chef joining guests in the expansive Sir Joan kitchen to guide them through filleting techniques in addition to advising on all the right flavours to pair with it – including, of course, an icy cold beer or wine to wash it down! Cost: 950€ per person or 750€ for double occupancy. The final retreat of the series takes place from April 16 to 29, 2018 with experienced yoga instructor Chantal Soeters. Based around the ideal that yoga is all about opening up to the present moment, the Sir Yoga Retreat helps guests pause, slow down and appreciate the fullness of life around them. Chantal leads students through a welcome dinner and intention setting session, plus yoga and meditation sessions that are de-stressing, detoxing and energising, in addition to a beautiful silent guided walk within nature. Afterwards, fresh from experiencing the joy of yoga, you’ll feel more attuned with the joy of life. Cost: 850€ per person or 650€ for double occupancy.

Whether it’s quiet reflection, creative inspiration, personal reconnection, healing or good old fashioned fun you’re seeking this spring, Sir Joan has a retreat to suit. All retreats include breakfast daily, allowing guests the opportunity to explore Ibiza’s rich gastronomic scene at meal times. Set just five minutes from Ibiza town and the busy Marina district, there’s no shortage of places to go and things to do, and then when you’ve had your fill of island life, you can retreat to your world-class room at Sir Joan and drift off into the land of dreams, ready to do it all again the next day.

Cutting-edge expansion

After three successful years providing cutting-edge medical grade health and beauty treatments to Ibiza’s residents and holidaymakers, MedSpa Ibiza has now expanded its Marina Botafoch clinic space to include an all new three-room sophisticated treatment area in the adjacent space to the original headquarters. Here, teams of expert therapists provide a variety of face and body treatments to clients, from the medically oriented styles MedSpa Ibiza built their reputation on, to the holistic, relaxing and aesthetic enhancing based treatments and therapies the Ibiza Balance team are known for. The three new treatment rooms are airy, all-white, spacious and tranquil – the ideal place to relax and take time out not just for the skin and body but also the mind and soul. VitaminDrip infusions – the core of the original MedSpa Ibiza offering – are still offered in the original two treatment rooms, and while many treatments are services are available on a mobile basis, there are new high-end technologies and equipment in the new spaces that are only available as in-salon treatments.

One treatment room is dedicated entirely to hydrating, anti-ageing and contouring facial treatments, including the popular MedSpa Ibiza therapy Micro-Needling, HydraFacials and the all-new Thalgo iBeauty system. An innovative piece of equipment that uses sound-vibration as exfoliation, vibrational ultrasound waves and warm radio frequency to help purify and hydrate skin, with anti-ageing benefits. After the treatment, skin is deeply cleansed and rebalanced, much brighter and clearer and free of impurities. Choose between three new treatments: the iBeauty Skin Purity Reviver – a power 30-minute express experience working to balance the skin and remove impurities with Zinc, dual-sound vibration and sequential ultrasound technologies. The innovative 45-minute iBeauty Hydration Corrector is a dream for those in need of serious hydration. Fusing Hyaluronic Acid and Seve Bleue (an active mineralizing and hydrating ingredient taken from the ocean), sending them directly into the skin’s cells. At the same time, oxygen works to clear the skin and ultrasound technology contributes further to moisturisation.

The premium iBeauty Youth Activator is the star treatment, working with Spirulina-based marine extracts alongside radio-frequency to restore plumpness and firmness. Emerge younger after just 45-minutes, with bright, glowing, younger looking skin. All three of the iBeauty treatments are non-invasive, gentle on the skin and completely safe, starting to revolutionise skin treatments here in Ibiza. The remaining two treatment rooms are dedicated to body treatments, from firming and relaxing to contouring, healing, acupuncture, cupping and other holistic therapies. New to the island, the VelaShape II is the show-stopping piece of equipment at MedSpa Ibiza, a special piece of non-invasive equipment that contours, shapes and slims the body – choose from the butt, legs, love handles, abs, arms or a combination – in as little as six treatments.

Using radio frequency and infrared light energy plus vacuum and massage, cellulite is dramatically improved, skin is tightened and size is diminished with VelaShape – improving body shape by up to 2.5 centimetres per session. The technology used heats up skin tissue, using ‘elōs’ which combines radio frequency heating as far as 20 milimetres deep and infrared light penetrating as deep as five milimetres within the skin. Tissue manipulation, vacuum and massage complete the four-part process, safely reshaping the body gradually (though you will notice a difference after one treatment). The feeling is similar to a deep tissue massage, with a warm sensation caused by the infrared light – it can also be customised to suit your personal sensitivities if needed. VelaShape treatments are suitable for all skin types and colours, and some redness may be experienced in the immediate hours afterwards. Results have shown clients see a difference in smoothness after one session, contouring after two sessions and improved cellulite appearance after three sessions

The recent expansion at MedSpa Ibiza is just the beginning. In addition to the core MedSpa Ibiza activity, IV therapies by VitaminDrip – a highly effective treatment to support immune system and athletic performance, restore micronutrients levels, fight free radicals and severe dehydration – the clinic will also regularly welcome a doctor specialising in aesthetic medicine. Visiting international therapists will also regularly be invited to host guest residencies at MedSpa Ibiza, with the aim being to create a hub of science-based aesthetic treatments, IV treatments, healing therapies, naturopathy and holistic face and bodyworks in the months to come. MedSpa Ibiza connects islanders with some of the world’s best therapists and offers special accessibly priced residents packages, now open all year round.