Recommend me somewhere to go on hols ...
Discussion
Chaps,
As the title says; Mrs zcacogp and I have the first week of October booked off, with no plans.
We'd like to go on holiday!
Priorities would be reasonably warm (mid 20's, or thereabouts), a decent beach or two to sit on, some history to see, good quality food and local beer that doesn't cost a fortune. Oh, and we don't really want to be flying long-haul to get there (not worth it for only a week.) Probably no more than four hours flight time. Four-and-a-half tops. We don't want to be tripping over other Brits at every opportunity, and are not really after a city break. We'd happily consider self-catering or half-board. We will happily not consider anywhere that is a large, modern-built complex of holiday apartments around a central swimming pool (you know the sort of thing.) We also dislike kids, so 'family friendly' resorts would be out. (In fact, anything that calls itself a 'resort' would probably be out!) Several of our last holidays have involved booking places from ownersdirect.com, and this sort of thing appeals this time.
We're sort of thinking about Northern Cyprus, but was wondering what other options there are. While this sounds nice, it's a bit mainstream, and perhaps not terribly unusual. Greece generally seems to to stuffed at the moment (and tourist prices in Greece seem to still be high, according to friends who have been there recently.) We've done (and highly recommend) Croatia and Montenegro recently.
All suggestions welcome.
Thanks!
Oli.
As the title says; Mrs zcacogp and I have the first week of October booked off, with no plans.
We'd like to go on holiday!
Priorities would be reasonably warm (mid 20's, or thereabouts), a decent beach or two to sit on, some history to see, good quality food and local beer that doesn't cost a fortune. Oh, and we don't really want to be flying long-haul to get there (not worth it for only a week.) Probably no more than four hours flight time. Four-and-a-half tops. We don't want to be tripping over other Brits at every opportunity, and are not really after a city break. We'd happily consider self-catering or half-board. We will happily not consider anywhere that is a large, modern-built complex of holiday apartments around a central swimming pool (you know the sort of thing.) We also dislike kids, so 'family friendly' resorts would be out. (In fact, anything that calls itself a 'resort' would probably be out!) Several of our last holidays have involved booking places from ownersdirect.com, and this sort of thing appeals this time.
We're sort of thinking about Northern Cyprus, but was wondering what other options there are. While this sounds nice, it's a bit mainstream, and perhaps not terribly unusual. Greece generally seems to to stuffed at the moment (and tourist prices in Greece seem to still be high, according to friends who have been there recently.) We've done (and highly recommend) Croatia and Montenegro recently.
All suggestions welcome.
Thanks!
Oli.
I know of place just outside Washington DC that offers free accommodation (includes beer and fine blended scotch whiskey) and a car to drive (they only do VAG). Only about a five hour flight. You may have heard of it. Goes by more than one name. Jennings Road VAG. Autohaus Wheaton. I heard they even take the English to a local gun range for a bit of fun...
Funny you should mention Cyprus. ladyquattro was mentioning the very same place...
That's some coincidence, isn't it? Isn''t it, though?
Funny you should mention Cyprus. ladyquattro was mentioning the very same place...
That's some coincidence, isn't it? Isn''t it, though?
SirQuatt,
Yes, I remember the place well, and it's one of the very few places we would return to on holiday (there always being new places to see and explore.) However I understand that the climactic conditions are not really what we are looking for; less sitting on beaches, more battening down the hatches.
Was LadyQuatt really talking about Cyprus as a possible holiday destination? Well that is a coincidence. Random. What dates were you thinking about? (It's a long 'ol haul from your end of the world ... )
MBH - a cool one mil bounty if you get to M.Gadaffi before the rebels, I understand ...
Oli.
Yes, I remember the place well, and it's one of the very few places we would return to on holiday (there always being new places to see and explore.) However I understand that the climactic conditions are not really what we are looking for; less sitting on beaches, more battening down the hatches.
Was LadyQuatt really talking about Cyprus as a possible holiday destination? Well that is a coincidence. Random. What dates were you thinking about? (It's a long 'ol haul from your end of the world ... )
MBH - a cool one mil bounty if you get to M.Gadaffi before the rebels, I understand ...
Oli.
Ibiza. Just returned. Wonderful place. We stayed at Es Vedra, very peaceful, lovely beaches and great restaurants. I would recommend renting a car at the airport to see the island properly. The weather is perfect now and it's only a 2 hour flight from London.
Nice article below which gives an accurate overview.
I first visited Ibiza in 1995, a little later than many British DJs, so I'd heard a lot about it. I went to play a club called Ku in San Rafael, which is now called Privilege. At the time, it had a roof that opened up and let the morning sun flood in on to the dance floor and the pool area - it was the most amazing introduction to the island.
Ibiza really reminds me of the Dominican Republic, where my parents come from, in that it feels like a tropical island. What makes the place special to me is not so much the clubbing side but the fact that the island has a vibe that echoes my Latin roots. Spanish is my second language, so I feel completely at home on the island - even the taste of the air seems familiar. For other Ibiza lovers, I think it's the air of tranquillity and spirituality juxtaposed with the excitement of the nightlife that draws them to the island.
In recent years, Ibiza has been much maligned and has received bad and misleading press about being a den of drunk or drug-crazed youths. Essentially, the press has narrowed down the entire scope of the island to four blocks in San Antonio, which is populated by the lowest element of lager louts. It's insane - like rubbishing the entire state of Florida. Because of the antics of the kids who go on spring break to Daytona and get off their heads.
For most visitors to Ibiza, if you don't know where the half-dozen superclubs are you won't necessarily come across them. Especially if you head for the northern side of the island towards Portinatx and Cala Jondal, which tend to be very chilled and family oriented. There are so many places like that across the island.
Ibiza for me is about visiting tiny coastal villages and exploring the densely wooded and hilly interior. Drive from Ibiza Town to San Antonio along the San Josep road and you're surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains, with the ocean in the distance - it's almost like being on a nature retreat. Get off that road - or take a ride down the Sant Joan de Laritja road - and you'll drive through lots of tiny pueblos, or hamlets, with their small terracotta Spanish-style low-rise houses and fincas, humbly made but beautiful inside. It's like stepping back in time.
At the opposite end of the scale, head towards the east coast, near Cala Vedella, to find a tiny beach resort called Es Xarcu, with its amazing millionaires' villas. Athina Onassis Roussel has one that is on five levels cut into the cliff. All the really cool people who go to Ibiza either rent or have villas in the countryside or near the water.
One of my favourite places on the island is Cala D'Hort, the small beach that overlooks Es Vedra, a huge rock that juts out of the sea off the west coast. The local legend says it's the most magnetic point on earth. To get to Cala D'Hort you have to drive along dusty twisting roads through a wooded area before suddenly breaking out on to the cliffside and then driving down to the beach. It has some great beach restaurants where you can eat sensational freshly caught seafood.
Sa Talaia is the highest mountain on the island. Drive up to the antennae at the top and, just at its side, you'll find a beautiful, secluded wooded area - a great place to have a picnic. You can almost see the entire island from up there, it's stunning. Just beyond Talamanca, outside Ibiza Town, is a nudist beach and beyond that is Sa Punta, where there is a wonderful seafood restaurant I go to called Chiringuito (00 34 971 348 338). It's a great place to spend the day.
If you want to get away from it all, one of the best beaches is Atlantis, near Cala Vedella. It used to be a stone quarry. You can either get there by boat or take the hard route and climb down this insane cliff to reach it. From Torre des Cap des Jueu, the old pirate watchtower at the top, there are great views of Es Vedra.
When I started visiting Ibiza I used to stay at Pikes (00 34 971 342 222; pikes hotel.com), the rock'n'roll hotel that was used as the backdrop for the Wham! video for "Club Tropicana". Tony Pike, who owns the place, is a wonderful guy. He knows everyone in the music industry and is such a superb storyteller. One of the other great properties is Na Xamena (00 34 971 334 500; hotelhacienda-ibiza. com) set on a cliff on the north coast near San Miguel. It is Balinese in style with a terrific spa and it has great chill-out terraces that are perfect for watching the sun set into the sea - so romantic and peaceful.
In Ibiza Town I like La Torre del Canonigo (00 34 971 303 884; elcanonigo. com), an intimate hotel above the medieval ramparts in Dalt Vila, the Unesco-protected old town. The tower dates back to the 16th century - it's a fabulous spot for lunch even if you're not staying there. Dalt Vila is reminiscent of such medieval places like Eze in the south of France. There are some stunning old houses that have been converted into lofts that you can rent. Up at the top is a magnificent cathedral: it's humble on the inside but gorgeous on the outside.
There are also some amazing restaurants. Cana Joana (00 34 971 800 158; canajoana.com) is a little known place just outside San Josep in the countryside, with great views from the garden. It's family run and Joana is a terrific Ibizan chef. One of her signature dishes is eggs with potato purée and ruffles in pastry - delicious. Her husband and the maître d', Jean Michel, is always welcoming - he reads the menu and talks about the food like it's a novel. You need to book in advance because it's quite small and romantic and those in the know make a beeline for it.
The best place for seafood is Es Xarcu (00 34 971 187867), which is on the beach in a kind of shack. It serves the most amazing gallo de San Pedro, a white fish that tastes like it's melting in butter and comes with a white wine sauce. Everything is made right on the spot from what they've caught that morning. The view is phenomenal. Again you have to book ahead. Last year, I took a couple of other friends of mine there and we had such a great time.
For the finest Italian food in the world - and I'm including Italy - I go to a restaurant called Trattoria del Sole (00 34 971 800 006). It's on the Ibiza-San Josep road just before you get to San Josep. What makes this place unique is that it's run by a bunch of Neapolitans. They are my favourite people; they are so madly passionate about everything. These guys fly over their ingredients weekly from Italy. They make the pasta on site and one of my favourite dishes is paccheri di crostacei, which is pasta with lobster, prawns and homemade tomato sauce. It's fantastically fresh. I love it. They also do great carpaccio. My favourite Moroccan restaurant on the island is called El Ayoun (00 34 971 198335). It has a wonderful garden. The signature dish is lamb couscous.
In town, I like going to the Rock Bar, at Calle Garijo 14, in the port beneath Dalt Vila. It's run by people I know and frequented by a really funky crowd. I always see friends there and the people-watching is fab. Depending on when you want to pop in, the bar in the El Hotel Pacha (00 34 971 315 963; elhotelpacha.com) by the marina in Ibiza town is kind of cool. Wednesday evenings are the best. It's very minimalist - a bit like the Delano in Miami.
Just before you get to San Rafael, on the San Antonio road, you'll spot a sign marked Km5 (00 34 971 396 349; km5-lounge. com). Don't be fooled. It's not a road sign but the name of one of the coolest bars on the island. It's a bar-cum-lounge and it has this wicked tented area where you can chill out on day beds. The owner, Patrick Soks, and his partner, Philip, are great hosts and put on interesting events, such as art shows. There's a small club that's enclosed if you want to dance and there's a restaurant that does great steaks.
Outside San Antonio, there's a wonderful place on a cliff called La Torre (00 34 971 342 271; hostallatorre.com). It has a sublime restaurant on a terrace. The sun sets directly in front of it. One of my happiest memories of the island is sitting there with two of my very close friends talking about life. It was one of those deep, deep conversations you have while watching the sun go down. The owner put on some sunset music - those wonderful overtures and tracks. We stopped talking and just sat there listening. It was pure magic.
My dream drive
This runs from Ibiza Town towards the cliffside end of Talamanca beach. As you motor up to the cliff's edge it becomes more secluded. You can drive right up to the top with someone you are in love, or in lust, sit and just watch the sunset.
My favourite view
In January, the cherry blossom blooms in San Mateo, a small town near the north coast surrounded by mountains. It has a 14th-century church and there is a huge field of cherry trees with these beautiful pink and white petals. It's one of the most amazing sights and the scent is intoxicating.
My favourite shopping
I love going to the hippie market on Saturdays at Las Dalias. It's set within the grounds of an old manor house. You can find incredible bargains; there's everything from arts and crafts to homemade jewellery, leather goods, tie-dye hippie gear, hats and a million different kinds of incense and burners.
Roger Sanchez
Nice article below which gives an accurate overview.
I first visited Ibiza in 1995, a little later than many British DJs, so I'd heard a lot about it. I went to play a club called Ku in San Rafael, which is now called Privilege. At the time, it had a roof that opened up and let the morning sun flood in on to the dance floor and the pool area - it was the most amazing introduction to the island.
Ibiza really reminds me of the Dominican Republic, where my parents come from, in that it feels like a tropical island. What makes the place special to me is not so much the clubbing side but the fact that the island has a vibe that echoes my Latin roots. Spanish is my second language, so I feel completely at home on the island - even the taste of the air seems familiar. For other Ibiza lovers, I think it's the air of tranquillity and spirituality juxtaposed with the excitement of the nightlife that draws them to the island.
In recent years, Ibiza has been much maligned and has received bad and misleading press about being a den of drunk or drug-crazed youths. Essentially, the press has narrowed down the entire scope of the island to four blocks in San Antonio, which is populated by the lowest element of lager louts. It's insane - like rubbishing the entire state of Florida. Because of the antics of the kids who go on spring break to Daytona and get off their heads.
For most visitors to Ibiza, if you don't know where the half-dozen superclubs are you won't necessarily come across them. Especially if you head for the northern side of the island towards Portinatx and Cala Jondal, which tend to be very chilled and family oriented. There are so many places like that across the island.
Ibiza for me is about visiting tiny coastal villages and exploring the densely wooded and hilly interior. Drive from Ibiza Town to San Antonio along the San Josep road and you're surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains, with the ocean in the distance - it's almost like being on a nature retreat. Get off that road - or take a ride down the Sant Joan de Laritja road - and you'll drive through lots of tiny pueblos, or hamlets, with their small terracotta Spanish-style low-rise houses and fincas, humbly made but beautiful inside. It's like stepping back in time.
At the opposite end of the scale, head towards the east coast, near Cala Vedella, to find a tiny beach resort called Es Xarcu, with its amazing millionaires' villas. Athina Onassis Roussel has one that is on five levels cut into the cliff. All the really cool people who go to Ibiza either rent or have villas in the countryside or near the water.
One of my favourite places on the island is Cala D'Hort, the small beach that overlooks Es Vedra, a huge rock that juts out of the sea off the west coast. The local legend says it's the most magnetic point on earth. To get to Cala D'Hort you have to drive along dusty twisting roads through a wooded area before suddenly breaking out on to the cliffside and then driving down to the beach. It has some great beach restaurants where you can eat sensational freshly caught seafood.
Sa Talaia is the highest mountain on the island. Drive up to the antennae at the top and, just at its side, you'll find a beautiful, secluded wooded area - a great place to have a picnic. You can almost see the entire island from up there, it's stunning. Just beyond Talamanca, outside Ibiza Town, is a nudist beach and beyond that is Sa Punta, where there is a wonderful seafood restaurant I go to called Chiringuito (00 34 971 348 338). It's a great place to spend the day.
If you want to get away from it all, one of the best beaches is Atlantis, near Cala Vedella. It used to be a stone quarry. You can either get there by boat or take the hard route and climb down this insane cliff to reach it. From Torre des Cap des Jueu, the old pirate watchtower at the top, there are great views of Es Vedra.
When I started visiting Ibiza I used to stay at Pikes (00 34 971 342 222; pikes hotel.com), the rock'n'roll hotel that was used as the backdrop for the Wham! video for "Club Tropicana". Tony Pike, who owns the place, is a wonderful guy. He knows everyone in the music industry and is such a superb storyteller. One of the other great properties is Na Xamena (00 34 971 334 500; hotelhacienda-ibiza. com) set on a cliff on the north coast near San Miguel. It is Balinese in style with a terrific spa and it has great chill-out terraces that are perfect for watching the sun set into the sea - so romantic and peaceful.
In Ibiza Town I like La Torre del Canonigo (00 34 971 303 884; elcanonigo. com), an intimate hotel above the medieval ramparts in Dalt Vila, the Unesco-protected old town. The tower dates back to the 16th century - it's a fabulous spot for lunch even if you're not staying there. Dalt Vila is reminiscent of such medieval places like Eze in the south of France. There are some stunning old houses that have been converted into lofts that you can rent. Up at the top is a magnificent cathedral: it's humble on the inside but gorgeous on the outside.
There are also some amazing restaurants. Cana Joana (00 34 971 800 158; canajoana.com) is a little known place just outside San Josep in the countryside, with great views from the garden. It's family run and Joana is a terrific Ibizan chef. One of her signature dishes is eggs with potato purée and ruffles in pastry - delicious. Her husband and the maître d', Jean Michel, is always welcoming - he reads the menu and talks about the food like it's a novel. You need to book in advance because it's quite small and romantic and those in the know make a beeline for it.
The best place for seafood is Es Xarcu (00 34 971 187867), which is on the beach in a kind of shack. It serves the most amazing gallo de San Pedro, a white fish that tastes like it's melting in butter and comes with a white wine sauce. Everything is made right on the spot from what they've caught that morning. The view is phenomenal. Again you have to book ahead. Last year, I took a couple of other friends of mine there and we had such a great time.
For the finest Italian food in the world - and I'm including Italy - I go to a restaurant called Trattoria del Sole (00 34 971 800 006). It's on the Ibiza-San Josep road just before you get to San Josep. What makes this place unique is that it's run by a bunch of Neapolitans. They are my favourite people; they are so madly passionate about everything. These guys fly over their ingredients weekly from Italy. They make the pasta on site and one of my favourite dishes is paccheri di crostacei, which is pasta with lobster, prawns and homemade tomato sauce. It's fantastically fresh. I love it. They also do great carpaccio. My favourite Moroccan restaurant on the island is called El Ayoun (00 34 971 198335). It has a wonderful garden. The signature dish is lamb couscous.
In town, I like going to the Rock Bar, at Calle Garijo 14, in the port beneath Dalt Vila. It's run by people I know and frequented by a really funky crowd. I always see friends there and the people-watching is fab. Depending on when you want to pop in, the bar in the El Hotel Pacha (00 34 971 315 963; elhotelpacha.com) by the marina in Ibiza town is kind of cool. Wednesday evenings are the best. It's very minimalist - a bit like the Delano in Miami.
Just before you get to San Rafael, on the San Antonio road, you'll spot a sign marked Km5 (00 34 971 396 349; km5-lounge. com). Don't be fooled. It's not a road sign but the name of one of the coolest bars on the island. It's a bar-cum-lounge and it has this wicked tented area where you can chill out on day beds. The owner, Patrick Soks, and his partner, Philip, are great hosts and put on interesting events, such as art shows. There's a small club that's enclosed if you want to dance and there's a restaurant that does great steaks.
Outside San Antonio, there's a wonderful place on a cliff called La Torre (00 34 971 342 271; hostallatorre.com). It has a sublime restaurant on a terrace. The sun sets directly in front of it. One of my happiest memories of the island is sitting there with two of my very close friends talking about life. It was one of those deep, deep conversations you have while watching the sun go down. The owner put on some sunset music - those wonderful overtures and tracks. We stopped talking and just sat there listening. It was pure magic.
My dream drive
This runs from Ibiza Town towards the cliffside end of Talamanca beach. As you motor up to the cliff's edge it becomes more secluded. You can drive right up to the top with someone you are in love, or in lust, sit and just watch the sunset.
My favourite view
In January, the cherry blossom blooms in San Mateo, a small town near the north coast surrounded by mountains. It has a 14th-century church and there is a huge field of cherry trees with these beautiful pink and white petals. It's one of the most amazing sights and the scent is intoxicating.
My favourite shopping
I love going to the hippie market on Saturdays at Las Dalias. It's set within the grounds of an old manor house. You can find incredible bargains; there's everything from arts and crafts to homemade jewellery, leather goods, tie-dye hippie gear, hats and a million different kinds of incense and burners.
Roger Sanchez
OGP -
This is me, yeah. You know ladyquattro, yeah. She was really talking about Cyprus and I'm not even lying.
Dates? Good question. I'll ask her.
As for the weather in the area of Mid-Atlantic states, my sources confirm that the heavy weather has passed and the power has been restored at the Autohaus Wheaton resort location.
And beaches. Overrated.
This is me, yeah. You know ladyquattro, yeah. She was really talking about Cyprus and I'm not even lying.
Dates? Good question. I'll ask her.
As for the weather in the area of Mid-Atlantic states, my sources confirm that the heavy weather has passed and the power has been restored at the Autohaus Wheaton resort location.
And beaches. Overrated.
Edited by sirquattro on Sunday 28th August 15:51
zcacogp said:
Toasty,
Looks lovely, thanks for the recommendation.
How ridiculous are prices in Greece these days?
Oli.
Prices were not as cheap as they used to be but you can still eat out well for 10-15 euros a head as long as you don't need a view while you eat in the centre of Ia or Fira. If you do, triple or quadruple that for the same dishes. Looks lovely, thanks for the recommendation.
How ridiculous are prices in Greece these days?
Oli.
Car hire was just over £100 for a brand new Citroen C1 with aircon for a week.
Overall pretty cheap really for the Euro zone.
NDA said:
Mallorca. I went there for the first time this year and loved it. Great island, lovely people, not expensive.
Seconded.It depends what you want from the holiday. If you're looking for some great driving, I can recommend staying somewhere like Roquetas de Mar in Almeria (or nearby Almerimar if you like it quiet and "boaty") and spending a day driving up through the Alpujarras to visit the Alhambra Palace. After, take a drive up the nearby Sierra Nevada where car manufacturers like to take their prototypes for a blast.
On other days, you can go east to the beautiful Cabo de Gata National Park which has a lovely deserted beach and some great driving roads.
Roquetas is "resorty" but generally quiet out of season having still not got into it's full tourist stride and you can hire bikes and quads.
If you fly to Murcia, like we did, you can drive the coast road down or back to the airport which is fantastic scenery. Almeria is technically a desert in terms of rainfall and remains one of my favourite areas being relatively under-developed and not suffering the many tolls of the northern parts.
zcacogp said:
Chaps,
As the title says; Mrs zcacogp and I have the first week of October booked off, with no plans.
We'd like to go on holiday!
Priorities would be reasonably warm (mid 20's, or thereabouts), a decent beach or two to sit on, some history to see, good quality food and local beer that doesn't cost a fortune. Oh, and we don't really want to be flying long-haul to get there (not worth it for only a week.) Probably no more than four hours flight time. Four-and-a-half tops. We don't want to be tripping over other Brits at every opportunity, and are not really after a city break. We'd happily consider self-catering or half-board. We will happily not consider anywhere that is a large, modern-built complex of holiday apartments around a central swimming pool (you know the sort of thing.) We also dislike kids, so 'family friendly' resorts would be out. (In fact, anything that calls itself a 'resort' would probably be out!) Several of our last holidays have involved booking places from ownersdirect.com, and this sort of thing appeals this time.
How about Morocco ? Get a private 'hotel' (cant remember what they are called) ... Went last Oct ... nice weather, lots to see. Beer was cheap but check if you can buy it ... If you are in sight of a mosque then it's dry.
We're sort of thinking about Northern Cyprus, but was wondering what other options there are. While this sounds nice, it's a bit mainstream, and perhaps not terribly unusual. Greece generally seems to to stuffed at the moment (and tourist prices in Greece seem to still be high, according to friends who have been there recently.) We've done (and highly recommend) Croatia and Montenegro recently.
All suggestions welcome.
Thanks!
Oli.
As the title says; Mrs zcacogp and I have the first week of October booked off, with no plans.
We'd like to go on holiday!
Priorities would be reasonably warm (mid 20's, or thereabouts), a decent beach or two to sit on, some history to see, good quality food and local beer that doesn't cost a fortune. Oh, and we don't really want to be flying long-haul to get there (not worth it for only a week.) Probably no more than four hours flight time. Four-and-a-half tops. We don't want to be tripping over other Brits at every opportunity, and are not really after a city break. We'd happily consider self-catering or half-board. We will happily not consider anywhere that is a large, modern-built complex of holiday apartments around a central swimming pool (you know the sort of thing.) We also dislike kids, so 'family friendly' resorts would be out. (In fact, anything that calls itself a 'resort' would probably be out!) Several of our last holidays have involved booking places from ownersdirect.com, and this sort of thing appeals this time.
How about Morocco ? Get a private 'hotel' (cant remember what they are called) ... Went last Oct ... nice weather, lots to see. Beer was cheap but check if you can buy it ... If you are in sight of a mosque then it's dry.
We're sort of thinking about Northern Cyprus, but was wondering what other options there are. While this sounds nice, it's a bit mainstream, and perhaps not terribly unusual. Greece generally seems to to stuffed at the moment (and tourist prices in Greece seem to still be high, according to friends who have been there recently.) We've done (and highly recommend) Croatia and Montenegro recently.
All suggestions welcome.
Thanks!
Oli.
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