As the world has slowed down this summer 2020, so too has Spain’s magical island of Ibiza. Mostly known for its golden sunsets and renowned DJ sets, the island has so much more to offer than just hedonism and parties. Here are five inspiring things you might have not known about Ibiza yet.

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The Myth of Es Vedra

For many, a visit to Ibiza is all about energy and rejuvenation. Some see part of the island’s “pulling power” as having a link to the monolithic limestone rock formation of Es Vedrà which you find on Ibiza’s south coast just off Cala D’hort. Geologists recognize it as the world’s third most magnetic point and it’s an intriguing thought that it somehow contributes to Ibiza’s seemingly inexhaustible energy. Many island myths and stories find their origins at Es Vedra with some believers saying that the rocks have healing powers. The intensity heightens at sunset as heat and energy radiate from the rock and respectful crowds gather to experience something special.

The Natural Park of Ses Salines

It is not an automatic association to link Ibiza with the pristine natural world. But that is what you find at Las Salinas, a protected area which includes parts of South East Ibiza, the North of Formentera and all the sea and islands lying between. Of its 16,000 hectares, 13,000 are marine with all having the protection of National Park designation since 2001. Recognition of the unique biodiversity began when the area became a nature reserve back in 1995 and parts of Las Salinas have now received UNESCO World Heritage status. Well before tourism, the main industry in Ibiza was salt extraction where the emphasis is on purity and provenance.

Fresh and tangy sea salts offer therapeutic and healing properties with many believing that they can play a part in reducing stress and giving a boost to our underlying health. With salt in such abundance, Ibiza can claim to be a healing island and a place to take time to unwind and step back from daily pressures. It’s easy to observe the “Ibiza effect” – you see it in the faces and demeanor of those returning from their vacation feeling relaxed and reinvigorated. They may well have a new outlook on life too.

Yoga & Wellness Retreats

There are a number of yoga retreats on the island of Ibiza with the most exclusive being the 7Pines Kempinksi Resort.

With the pine-scented air from the adjacent woodland filling the gardens, the resort looks over the sea towards the magical limestone island of Es Vedrà. Comfort, relaxation and privacy are central to the ethos at 7Pines where all guests stay in clifftop suites which blend into the landscape. It’s typically Mediterranean but delivered with Ibizan style and panache. The Pure Seven spa delivers at every level with treatments matched to the needs of individual guests and their well-being. Time spent here can spark a connection between mind and body.

The comprehensive range of therapies both ancient and modern draws on natural and locally-sourced products and features Ibiza sea salts, fresh herbs and citrus blends.

Wellness experts at the Pure Seven spa will take the time to shape an individual program for each guest including personal training, yoga and meditation. The objective is always to ensure that a vacation here will bring lasting benefits and a feeling of renewal. To make this happen, 7Pines provides four complete wellness programs covering Detox, Weight Loss, Get Fit and Rejuvenation.

Agroturismos – A rural idyll on Ibiza

For a real feeling of escape and authenticity, Ibiza has embraced rural tourism with a number of luxury Agroturismos such as you find at Atzaro Ibiza. Staying in a stylish hotel amidst beautiful farmlands is all about being in touch with nature and having a real experience. With Agroturismos dotted all around Ibiza, guests can encounter a sense of the island’s history and heritage while still enjoying the 21^st century facilities to make the vacation complete. Each morning, you wake up to amazing views across Ibiza as sunlight brings the landscape to life – it is hard to imagine a better way to begin the day enveloped by calm and natural beauty.

It is often established local families who own and manage Ibiza’s Agroturismos giving travelers a true homely experience. It’s like a family welcome when you arrive and guests are free to explore all of their little piece of the island and its surroundings. A lot of thought goes into the surroundings with spaces and places to unwind in the beautiful gardens and swimming pools to cool off. What’s more, it’s only a few, short steps to walking trails ready to lead you out into the countryside perhaps to take in the sunset.

A Scorpio Island

It seems fitting that the island of Ibiza has a close link to the water sign of Scorpio. Is there indeed an astrological impact on what happens here and is this a part of where the island’s “invisible energy” emanates from?

The belief that the zodiac sign Scorpio and Ibiza are integral to each other comes from the sense of energy which astrologers encounter here. There is a magical quality to the island – hard to define but worth taking the effort to discover. Regeneration is possible here as is the idea that you can have a transformative experience on the island. Opening our minds to this natural magnetism may represent a step outside our areas of comfort but it is one that is worth taking; perhaps the light and life of Ibiza can be the catalyst to plan a vacation with just a little more meaning. There is real scope for personal development in this place. If we see death and birth as part of a cycle where something has to end before something new can begin, this explains the transformative powers of Scorpio.

With its mix of contrasts so typically associated with Scorpio like euphoria and tranquility, like intensity and calm, like depths and heights, it is possible to have a life-changing encounter on Ibiza and emerge “on the other side” feeling much more than just refreshed after your holiday on the magic island…

Note: Spain welcomes European tourists this summer. National restrictions, regulations, quarantines and quarantine times for travelers to and from Spain keep changing given the current situation related to Covid-19. Please check the local and national government website for all relevant updates before you travel.