Formentera: sea and relaxation

Travellers: Tano and Caterina

Destination: Island of Formentera from 4 July to 14 July 2007

Before leaving: research on the internet, travel diaries of various travellers Bookings made: return flight Palermo-Milan Malpensa; return Milan Malpensa - Ibiza with Vueling; the hotel Hotel Cala Saona booked online ( Tel 971 32 20 30 Fax 971 32 25 09 e-mail: hotelcalasaona@teleline.es)

Having arrived in Ibiza we took the ferry to the island of Formentera. This destination allowed us to spend ten days in complete relaxation. Since the distances are on a human scale we considered it unnecessary to rent a car, preferring a 125 scooter. The hotel we booked is behind Cala Saona and has a truly exceptional panoramic view (it is worth booking at least two months in advance to secure the sea-view rooms) at a reasonable price (€70.00 per night per room). More economical hotels could be found but without air conditioning (which turned out to be of little use by the end of the trip). The beaches are easy to get around and should be chosen according to the daily weather conditions. Particularly beautiful are: Cala Saona, Illetas beach, the island of Espalmador, and some areas of the long Mitjorn beach (blanco, giallo, etc.).

To reach the wild and solitary island of Espalmador there are two possible alternatives: either arriving at the far end of Illetas beach and swimming to reach the islet, or comfortably taking the little Bahia boat from the small harbour. We tried both. A feature of this little island, besides having pink sand in certain stretches, is that inland, among the vegetation, there is a spot with thermal mud pools. The day usually begins at 9:00 with breakfast and the usual choice of where to go. Having reached the right spot on the scooter and set up the umbrella, we always devoted ourselves to long walks.

In the evening we went in search of nice places, of which I feel I can recommend: - El Mirador for the splendid sunset on the climb leading to the Pilar de la Mola - El Caminito Argentine restaurant with pool on the connecting road between Es Pujols and Illetas beach - El Moli de Sal near Illetas beach - Fondapepe, the hippies' restaurant in San Ferran The island's largest centre, Sant Francesc, enlivened by day by a nice little market, is literally deserted in the evening, so after dinner the only alternative to bed is to go to the small centre of Es Pujols, where you will feel you are in Italy (you will be surrounded by Italians). In Es Pujols there are various little places for after dinner, and it is nice to stroll through the alleys among the various bars and along the seafront.

You must not miss the island's two lighthouses and the "old salt pans", which in summer offer tourists the sight of the salt crystallisation process. In particular, in the Pilar de la Mola area it is not rare to see the characteristic lizard that is the symbol of Formentera. N.B.: The evening temperature is cooler than in Sicily, so I recommend bringing windbreakers and sweatshirts. Tano & Caterina tanocognata@libero.it