Page 21 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  19

A PORTRAIT OF THE

BALEARIC ISLANDS

The Balearic Islands are blessed by a hot Mediterranean sun that is tempered
by cooling sea breezes. Holidaymakers crowd onto the beaches every summer,
while the young make the most of the numerous clubs and bars. Away from
the resorts, time seems to have moved at a gentler pace, and inland the islands
are quiet and undeveloped.
An ideal staging post between Europe Even before the influx of tourists, the
and Africa, these beautiful islands islands’ climate attracted celebrities. The
have had their fair share of invaders, composer Frédéric Chopin journeyed to
including the Phoenicians and the Mallorca with his lover George Sand in the
Romans, who made the islands winter of 1838–9. Other artists, including
part of their Empire. In recent times, the painter and sculptor Joan Miró and the
the islands have fallen to a full-scale English poet Robert Graves, liked it so
invasion of tourists, which began much that they settled down here.
in the 1960s. Menorca is quieter than Mallorca or Ibiza.
The islands’ nightlife, particularly It has low-key resorts, golden beaches and
on Ibiza and Mallorca, is legendary a rocky landscape that is rich in fascinating
and attracts a young crowd. There is prehistoric remains.
far more on offer than clubs however, Formentera, 4 km (2 miles) south of Ibiza,
and if chic cafés are more your thing, is the smallest of the Balearic Islands.
the Balearic Islands supply these too. Living in the shadow of its party island
Indeed, the islands have proved to neighbour, it remains the hippy haven that
be popular with the rich and famous, Pink Floyd and Bob Dylan retreated to in
many of whom have homes on the the 1970s. Few tourists stay on the island
hillsides, away from the prying lenses and, despite the numerous summer day-
of the paparazzi. trippers, Formentera remains a rural haven.

Cala Tarida on the western shores of Ibiza
Charming old fishing neighbourhood of Sa Penya in Eivissa, Ibiza

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