Formentera is in-the-know vibe. You reach this tiny Balearic island via a ferry from Ibiza. It is where the cool set head to relax post-party. Bikes are a fun way to see sights such as the lighthouse at La Mola, perched on a dramatic cliff edge. And don't miss Sant Francesc, the former capital. Relax in one of the cafes that in line the main square, then shop for bracelets and white cotton clothes in the pretty boutiques.
The beaches. Illetes, with white sand and lagoon-style sea, is the most famous. Wild Migjorn and a secret cove: cycle the Road of the Dead, ditch the bikes when you reach a sandy path, walk to steps carved into the rock and descend to an amazing beach. If you're lucky, you will have to yourself.
Don't leave without visiting Amore Iodio, a bar on the Es Calo beach. Buy a beer then lie on the white sand beneath an umbrella and listen to the well-chosen tunes.
Pack it
- trainers: hiking through pine forests and biking along dusty, rocky tracks, you need more than flip-flops.
- Spanish phrase book: this is not Ibiza and not all the locals are fluent in English.
- sun hat and shades: it is hot in the Balearics and there are models about, so go for glam.
