Archive for the ‘Ibiza & Formentera’ Category

Population on Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

During 2008, the Balearic Islands have one of the highest population increases in Spain, reaching 1,072,844 inhabitants, which has led to an increase of 4.09% compared to last year. This increase is explained by the phenomenon of immigration, and the fact of having a relatively young population.

By islands in Mallorca there are 846,210 people registered, which has led to an increase of 3.92%. The greatest increases are in the Part Forana (the entire island except Palma), with a total population of 449,640 inhabitants, following the saturation of the municipality of Palma, which has 396,570 inhabitants. Palma continues to focus most of the economic activity and services, but may people choose to move to the towns and villages of Mallorca, despite having his job in the city. This phenomenon accentuates the access problems to Palma, where actions are planned to enhance them, not without controversy. Increasingly, the whole island behaves as the metropolitan area of Palma. It highlights the municipality of Escorca, where it has gone form 290 people to 276, despite being one of the largest on Mallorca, and Valldemossa with an increase of just one person. After Palma, the most populous municipalities are Calvià, Manacor and Llucmajor.

Menorca is the island that has had a lower growth, even from 2.44%, with 92,434 people registered, of which 28,904 are registered in Maó, the capital of the island, and 28,696 in Ciutadella de Menorca.

Ibiza has had a growth of 6.25% reaching 124,036 inhabitants, where the increase has been more remarkable is in Santa Eulària des Riu that for the first time has over 30,000 people and Sant Antoni de Portmany up to 21,082 inhabitants. But in absolute terms where the population has grown the most is in Vila (Ibiza city), which has reached nearly 47,000 people registered.

Finally, Formentera is the island with the highest percentage increase of the four islands, an 8.35% up to 9,147 people registered. On this island as in Ibiza, highlights the fact that the proportion of men is significantly higher than that of women, 7.85% in Ibiza and 12,5% in Formentera. Which it is explained by the significant presence of immigrants, from developing countries, mainly male.

Salsa de Nadal from Ibiza

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

The salsa de Nadal (Christmas sauce) is a traditional dessert from Ibiza, which is prepared these days to be taken during the Christmas period. Can be described as a liquid nougat with creamy texture, which is eaten hot by dipping biscuit. It is often said, that for those who didn’t eat it during their childhood, it is better to try it first and then get to know how has been made, as it is elaborated with a mixture of ingredients somewhat unusual. The main ingredient is almonds, accompanied by honey, sugar, spices like cinnamon, saffron, clove or pepper and stock, which is usually made out of chicken or other meats like pork or mutton. Sometimes, instead of stock is prepared simply with water, giving it a smoother taste.

The Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria in the nineteenth century in his work “Die Balearen” describes a very similar dish to the salsa de Nadal of Ibiza, prepared in some homes of Mallorca during the Christmas period, as an ancient tradition almost lost.

Selecting this link, you get to an article in Catalan with images of the salsa de Nadal.

D’En Parra trail excursion in Formentera

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

The excursion along D’En Parra trail can be done on foot or by a bike. It is an interesting rural road, which runs along one of the areas with the best preserved traditional architecture of Formentera. Between stone walls and typical houses, you will see the famous fig trees fastened by stakes. The trail ends at some cliffs by the sea, from which it is enjoyed a splendid view of La Mola east of the island, and the miles of the sandy Migjorn beach in the south.

Fig tree fastaned by stakes in Formentera

To get at D’En Parra trail, from Sant Francesc follow the asphalt road toward Barberia cape, once travelled 2.5 kilometres you will arrive at the crossing of the road leading to Cala Saona, at this point to the left you will find signed D’En Parra trail, which you simply have to follow without any difficulty reaching the sea, in about three kilometres and two hundred metres form this point.

Cold and rainy days in the Balearic Islands

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

The coming days is expected a drop in temperatures in the Balearic Islands, according to the weather forecast a minimum temperature of 1º C is expected in the Monastery of Lluc, in Mallorca, where the maximum is not expected to exceed 6º C. While in Palma temperatures will range between 6º C and 14º C. In Ibiza Island is expected a minimum temperature of 3º C in Sant Joan de Labritja, although the highest temperature on the island could reach 15º C, as well as in the neighbouring Formentera. With respect to Menorca, the weather forecast is similar, with a minimum temperature not expected to fall from 4º C.

The rains during this autumn have been the most abundant in recent years, it has rained almost every day and is expected to continue thus into the next few days. Moreover, in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains has already fallen the first snowfalls of this year in Mallorca. Now the snow level is at 800 metres and in the next few hours could go down to 500. These heavy rains led to the Fonts Ufanes in Campanet (a water source) to flow again, giving us a veritable spectacle of the nature.

Christmas market in Ibiza

Thursday, December 4th, 2008

Tomorrow begins the traditional Christmas market of Las Dalias, in Sant Carles de Peralta, which has been held for more than 20 years. This market maintains its arty-crafty character, like the one held in the open air on Saturdays in summer. Approximately 50 stalls will offer the spirit of the more alternative Ibiza with clothing, accessories, décor, antiques, exotic articles, crafts and Christmas presents.

Until the 23th of December it will be open in the afternoon until 22 pm, except on Saturday that will be open in the morning from 11 am. From December 27th to the 4th of January, will be re-opened with the same timetable as the Magic Kings market, in a smaller area, always within the covered pavilion next to the restaurant.

Hotel reviews

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008
Bouganvilla Park apartments in Sa Coma, Mallorca

Bouganvilla Park apartments in Mallorca

The reviews made by customers about their stay in a hotel, have become an indispensable reference when booking trough the Internet. It is not surprising, given that the descriptions of a hotel characteristics, in travel websites, tend rather to highlight the virtues, and put aside those aspects less favourable. As it could not be otherwise, for texts with a strong commercial orientation. Instead customer feedback, responding to a subjective opinion based on their experience, which inevitable has far more credibility for future guests.

This phenomenon has created a strong controversy among hoteliers, who see how the comments of their guests have switched from private to public domain, with the wide circulation that could reach the informations in a website. One of his main concerns, is to see false reviews published by competitors, or people who for one reason or another, wants to discredit their establishments.

At MCA Travel, this year we have begun to gather hotel reviews, among the customers who have booked on our website http://www.mca-hotels.com. The experience couldn’t have been more positive, thanks to the generosity of people often anonymous, we have some reviews of incalculable value, to better understand the experiences of our customers, which are clearly of great help for future travellers and the hotel managers.

Every Friday, our system looks at all the reservations with check-out date between this and the previous Friday to send an email, to all those who when were registered on our site, expressed their desire to review their chosen accommodation. In this message, they have a link to go directly to the page where they can review the hotel in which they stayed. Most of them never do it, although there is a significant number of people, who spend a few minutes to share their views. One might think that those are the only ones, who have suffered a bad experience, but it does not. Despite being subjective reviews, most people try to highlight in an objective way, both positive and negative aspects. We also notice, that an establishment review is conditioned by the kind of guest. As an example, the stay at a hotel full of young girls waiting to party, could end up being a real bad experience for a couple with young children, or the opposite, a real paradise for a group of young boys waiting to party.

Collection of solid waste in the sea of Ibiza and Formentera

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

When summer arrives, the presence of thousands of tourists on the beaches of Ibiza and Formentera, is an important human pressure for the coastline and sea, which requires a major effort in order to keep the water clean and crystalline. For this reason, maintenance of the coastline is an important part of the works done by the environmental public services. There are specially designed boats, to collect solid waste from the sea. Which from their permanent bases in the ports of Vila, Sant Antoni and La Savina in Formentera, daily travel the coast to carry out their tasks of cleaning. In addition there is a plane to detect large floating objects, which could be found in the sea throughout the Balearic Islands.

The garbage types are very diverse, mostly the extracted materials are plastic and glass, 40% of the total, in addition to wood, organic matter, paper, tar and even appliances, proving the lack of civism from a part of the population. In terms of volume, in Ibiza are taken about 25,000 kilograms of garbage annually, while in Formentera almost reaches 10,000 kg. Those ones, mainly concentrated around S’Espalmador island, from the many leisure yachts visiting during the summer this truly idyllic spot.

Tourists satisfaction in Formentera

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

The Island Council of Formentera has released the results of the annual satisfaction survey, conducted among tourists visiting the island. Among their findings highlighted the fact that most visitors saw their expectations exceeded by a high satisfaction rate.

Formentera with Ibiza at the background

Formentera with Ibiza at the background

The conservation and quality of the beaches as well as the preservation of the environment, are among the main motivations for choosing Formentera to spend a summer holiday. Thirdly, are valued the atmosphere of calm and the cleanliness. It is also highly valued the personal attention i restaurants, and the rest of the complementary tourist offer. With regard to accommodation, the satisfaction about the hotel facilities exceeds 66%.

The Italians are the most numerous nationality, from among whom 37% acknowledged having come to Formentera thanks to the recommendation of a friend, and the vast majority are very satisfied with their experience on the island. Tourists from Catalonia, Valencia and the rest of the Balearic Islands, along with Germans are the ones more loyal to Formentera, as more than 70% states that they have visited the island twice or more times.

As aspects to improve, tourists stressed the signalling and the traffic management. In addition, the Spanish tourist complain especially of what they consider excessive prices for services received in Formentera.

Balance of the visits to the bastions of Sant Jaume, Sant Pere and the Madina Yabisa Interpretation Centre

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Sant Jaume bastion in Dalt Vila, Ibiza

Sant Jaume bastion in Dalt Vila, Ibiza

The city council of Ibiza presents balance of visits during this summer in the areas of Dalt Vila, recently restored to show the historical heritage of the city walls. According to data provided by the tourism department, between July and September these monuments have received 12,622 visits. The vast majority of which relate to the bastion of Sant Jaume, specifically 7,108. Its success is largely due to the permanent exhibition of old weapons, which allows visitors to touch and interact with the objects there exposed. Despite being an exhibition devoted to war, its organizers argue that contains a pacifist message.

For what concerns to the other two centres the bastion of Sant Pere, used mostly for cultural activities, has received 3,600 visits. Finally, the Madina Yabisa interpretation Centre has received 1,914. This is a modern audiovisual exhibition of what was the city during the Muslim rule of Ibiza Island. It is situated in the old building of La Curia on the street Major, number 2.

During the winter months, the three buildings will remain open every morning except Mondays.

Holidays in the Balearic Islands

Friday, October 10th, 2008

The Balearic Islands have become one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. This is primarily thanks to its outstanding location, its mild year-round climate and, above all, the appeal of its captivating landscapes and white sandy beaches, where the Mediterranean never ceases to enchant visitors. Summer is the most intense period on the Balearic Islands, as this is when the tourist resorts fill up with thousands of visitors and famous stars from around the world, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere and meeting point for people who really want to enjoy their holidays.

The Balearic Islands are indeed four different realities, very close to each other at the same time. In Formentera and Menorca they have managed to preserve its natural environment, which is closely linked to the Mediterranean sea and hence includes a number of exceptionally beautiful beaches. In Ibiza in addition, we find a warm and tolerant atmosphere that makes after dark a unique and exclusive experience. Meanwhile in Mallorca, being the biggest of the four island we find a little bit of everything. The city of Palma de Mallorca stands with its historical legacy and cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as the charming villages inland and in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

The accommodation available for your holidays in the Balearic Islands primarily consists of excellent-value 3 and 4-star hotels and apartments. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of all sorts of accommodation, with a variety of luxurious and exclusive hotels as well as budget options. July and August are the hottest months and this is when demand is greatest, meaning that prices are higher and there is less availability, so it is advisable to book well in advance if you plan to take your holidays in this period. The weather is also good in May, June, September and October, and during these months visitors can swim in the sea without the crowds of high summer. During the rest of the year it is worth bearing in mind that many hotels and other types of accommodation close.

Due to the Balearic Islands popularity as a tourist destination, there are many direct flights from most of the principal European cities, especially from Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.