 Like most people, my initial introduction to Ibiza were blow-out parties, mainly because our company used to hold DJ residency at one of the most popular clubs on the island. Wild nights! However, on this 2018 occasion, I had 12hrs to experience a different side of it and did that by enjoying some down time. Just enough to prove that exploring and partying are not mutually exclusive. I mean, Ibiza has awesome beaches, award winning restaurants and amazing sunsets. Here are are a few spots I had fun discovering:  PLATJA ES CAVALLET Totally instagrammable! An experience which begins with taking in the salt flats and scenic views of Formentera and Ibiza Town. The beach with its white sands and rolling waves. Perfect place to lounge under the sun and sip on yummy cocktails. It is also an official nudist beach, if you are into that sort of thing lol  LA CAVA Vara de Rey, right in the middle of Ibiza Town, is where this trendy restaurant is located. Making it a perfect spot for lunches or dinners, people watching too. At La Cava, we indulged in a variety of Mediterranean fusion dishes with zero regrets. Everything on the menu was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious.  First, ordered a selection of flavoursome tapas:
 Followed by main plates, which comprised of succulent Salmon paired with pickled vegetables and Chicken Breast with a side salad that had a citrus twist. I really dug into the Salmon! Then came the chocolate brownie and vanilla ice-cream, which ended our night on a sweet note.  BOHEME This boho chic boutique store has to be one of my favourite finds. Boheme had all sorts beach attire, unique in every sense and a cool Bougie hippie vibe about them. Also, got to connect with the owner Alessandra, over chats about print fabrics and fashion trends, which made this an even more pleasant experience as it felt personal. Walked out of the store with a bunch of amazing hats, and trust it will remain my Ibiza fix forever. This island always promises a good time! 
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 During our Mediterranean tour, we had the opportunity to make a quick stop in Sète, France. A modest port city with a unique streetscape laced with streets, canals and bridges. Hadn’t done any research on this place, so walked blindly and took it in with each step. Also, this was just a day trip, so I will only detail a few things to do. REQUIREMENTS Entry into France can be obtained with a Schengen Visa. Applications can be made through a trusted travel agency or one of the many visa application centres in South Africa i.e. VFS or BLS.  SHOOT The old port served as a good location to take some dope pictures, with a lovely backdrop of painted houses, historic warehouses, boats and the like.  SHOP The narrow streets were brimming with boutique stores. One, unmarked store I liked, was one that sold handcrafted straw basket bags with leather strap details on Rue Gambetta. All of us ladies ended up buying these.  EAT When in France do like the French and go hunting for croissants. We were luckily with a friend, who knew these neck of the woods and could not stop hyping decadent “Croissants au chocolat” from l’Epi d’Or Boulangerie Patisserie, I didn’t end up trying these due to a lack of appetite, but the homies seemed to find them irresistible.  Also, spotted a street food market that boasted an array of delicious food like seafood paella and other items like dry spices.  Would have really loved to visit the beach and museums like Musée Paul Valéry, but ran out of time. Till next time!   Europe is where I go for both work and play. This particular end August - early September trip saw us in Barcelona, located in the northeast of Spain on the Mediterranean coast. A totally exciting cosmopolitan city full of culture, architectural delights and FREE WIFI. Honestly, could not wait to explore the small narrow streets, filled with musicians, merchants and restaurants. REQUIREMENTS A Schengen Visa is required to visit Spain, South Africans can apply via BLS International and it will be processed within 15 working days.  WHERE TO STAY Our chosen hotel was Silken Ramblas, a place which offers modern accommodation in the fantastic location of Las Ramblas, a popular main street in Europe, characterised by trees and cool artisanal shops. Everything and I mean everything was a walk away, from the commercial stores to food markets. CURRENCY R1 = 17,28 Euros Credit card and cash were the best methods of payment.  WEATHER 30°C on average. We had some good weather, humid during the day and a bit nippy at night with a few showers. Do note that, the months of April, May, June and October are also very good for travel. TRANSPORT Used Globalia Corporate Travel to book return transfers from the airport to the hotel. Otherwise, walking was the most convenient way to discover the city. Other options were bikes, cabs, city buses, the subway or trains.  FOOD Tapas everywhere! I love this Mediterranean diet made up of several types of food in small portions. A total taste bud festival! For 100% authentic local food we checked out La Boquería, the most famous traditional market in the city.  Also, enjoyed lunch at Nuria, the following dishes must be ordered with multiple servings of Sangria:
 Iposa is another food spot to try, stumbled upon it on one of my random walks. It looked like a place to simply relax and that is just what I got: a chilled place without an extensive menu to look at. Ordered a lot of different great tasting dishes, but what stood out for me were their beautifully seasoned Mussels.  Look, Barcelona is dynamically vibrant, brought to life by its people, architecture, art, music and food. The only way to completely get its vibe is to go there and immerse yourself in the splendour...  |
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