SPAIN

Spain, on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, is really composed of 17 autonomous regions, each with its own geography and culture. The capital, Madrid, is home to the Royal Palace and singular Prado museum, housing works by European masters, and Segovia to the north has a fairy-tale medieval castle and Roman aqueduct. Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, is defined by Antoni Gaudí’s quirky modernist architecture, including the Sagrada Família Basilica.

IBIZA

Yes, you read that right. Ibiza is not just for party-crazed teenagers in blaring nightclubs. Ibiza has been a hot hippie destination since the 60's and still sees many hippie travelers throughout the year. Even though it has become an overcrowded party island, the natural walking trails and whimsical architecture make it a much coveted hippie place.

With the island’s long history, the Hippie period of Ibiza is probably one of the most revolutionary and influential in modern times. This period really started in the 1960’s, even though the island already had a reputation of being a place where freedom of thought or expression reined. Along with the numerous artists and political personalities that have found refuge in Ibiza during the Fascist period of General Franco’s domination which began in 1936.

You can reach the island either by plane or ship. Ibiza has its own airport, Saint Joseph, set in the southern part of the island. Several airlines provide direct access from the Spanish Peninsula and Europe. The three main ports are the ports of Ibiza, Santa Eulària and Saint Antoni. The ferry companies Balearia, Iscomar and Acciona sail to the ports of Ibiza and Saint Antoni from different places on mainland Spain. Apart from the ferry crossings, it is also possible to reach the island by private ship, chartered crossings and various cruises. The regular sea crossings reach the island of Ibiza from Barcelona, Valencia, Dénia and Palma de Mallorca.

The Spanish composer and music theorist Miguel Roig-Francolí was born in Ibiza, as was the politician and Spain’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abel Matutes. Notable former residents of Ibiza include English punk musician John Simon Ritchie (Sid Vicious), Philiac the psychedelic rock band, comic actor Terry-Thomas and Hungarian master forger Elmyr de Hory and not to mention the American fraudster Clifford Irving and film director Orson Welles.

Ibiza's modest population of 132,637 is swallowed whole by the six-million-odd tourists that descend on it each year. But there's more to this sun-kissed, beach-bejeweled, pine-clad island than meets the bleary eye. Step off the beaten track for a spell in a rural hotel, a hilltop hamlet or on a secluded north-coast cove to discover Ibiza's surprisingly peaceful side. Or roam the ramparts of Ibiza City's UNESCO-listed Dalt Vila to immerse yourself in the island's rich heritage.

The official name for this place is Eivissa, but that’s going to be forgotten probably. There’s two major parts to it the Upper Town (Dalt Vila) and the Modern Town, called the Eixample. Hugely popular for it’s nightlife, Ibiza Town’s historical value and natural beauty usually only get mentioned in passing. That’s why most people don’t know that Ibiza Town is actually a World Heritage Site a rather unfortunate thing to miss out on when travelling to Ibiza.

The town was established by Phoenicians looking for a port in the area. These settlers named the place Ibossim, the "God of Music".

The all-night raver, the boho-cool hippie chick, the sexiest babe on the beach – Ibiza is all this and more to those who have a soft spot for the party-loving sister of the Balearics. The cream of Europe's DJs (David Guetta, Luciano, Sven Väthetal) makes the island holy ground for clubbers. And nowhere does sunset chilling like Saint Antoni de Portmany's strip of mellow cafes.

No matter how cliche it sounds, Ibiza cannot be ignored on any hippie list even remotely connected with travel. Taking into consideration that it was the birthplace of raves and the focal point for all European hippies in the 60’s to tune in, turn on and drop out, Ibiza boasts a far from idyllic picture nowadays. For starters, four million tourists visit this island every year, so be prepared to share your paradise with package tourists on charter flights. It’s by no means cheap, but the unique architecture and the wonderful walking trails towards the north make this World Heritage site well worth the visit. Oh, and there are the raves. The Raves.

Tourism development in the 1960’s, combined with the dynamism of the Hippie movement at that time made Ibiza the European equivalent of San Francisco, populated with artists and writers to which they were locally called “hairy” because of their long hair. All areas of the movement were represented, from Bob Dylan to Joni Mitchell.

The main gathering places were Ibiza, San Joan and San Carlos among others. The emergence of the most well known clubs such as Pacha or Amnesia in the 1970’s strengthened this Hippie influence as their parties were completely outlandish and attracted other non-conformists from all over Europe and as far as the United States. A large number of them had even decided to settle down on the island in the 1960’s to which some are still here.

San Joan village is known as the main location of their residence and although the presence of their movement is less noticeable than in the past, there are still some occasional Trance parties in the surrounding hillsides around the village. Today, there are two main Hippie markets; one in Es Cana Punta Arabi which is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Las Dalias in San Carlos which takes place every Saturday.

These two markets are considered as a “must do” in Ibiza during the summer holidays, in particular for those who wish to purchase local jewelry, apparel or handicrafts made locally at a moderate price.

One of the places not to be missed in Ibiza along with enjoying the Hippie influence is Benirras beach. Although the area suffered from a fire in 2010, we hope that it will continue to keep its immaterial ambiance. Also, the fact that this hidden beach is in the middle of a pine forest, it continues to welcome gatherings of people every Sunday evening to admire the magnificent sunsets with the vibrating percussion sounds from Hippie musicians.

While the Hippies have become a historical legend in most places around the world, their presence is always more than visible on the White island. Do not miss this part of the island if you wish to discover what Ibiza is really about.

See You Soon...On Another Famous Hippie Location

Until Then...NAMASTE...

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