Latest news with #EsVedrà
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
This party island is slowly becoming the best wellness holiday destination in Europe
Rising dramatically from the serene Balearic Sea, the jagged silhouette of Es Vedrà, Ibiza's legendary limestone monolith, commands attention. This iconic landmark is not merely a geological wonder; it's a magnet for sightseers, steeped in a rich tapestry of myths and legends. Among the most enduring tales, Es Vedrà is famously associated with the sirens from Homer's Odyssey, its imposing form said to have lured sailors to their fate. Beyond ancient lore, it is widely considered one of the most powerful energy spots on Earth, drawing those seeking spiritual connection or simply a profound sense of awe. According to Pablo Léonard, co-founder of Into The Island Ibiza Tours, the island's allure extends beyond its well-trodden paths. Léonard reveals that a specific, lesser-known trail offers some of the most breathtaking and intimate views of Es Vedrà, providing a unique perspective on this mystical landmark. This calm, tranquil scene feels worlds away from the stereotypes often associated with Ibiza's party reputation. But, as Pablo points out, there are so many more layers to the Mediterranean island than its nightlife. We're on the quiet southwest coast, far from the bustling party hubs, and in the stillness of the early morning, it feels as though we have the island entirely to ourselves. For Pablo, who first arrived in Ibiza as a teenager and now calls it his forever home, the island offers a slower pace of life, breathtaking natural beauty, and a deep sense of peace. Thanks to the spiritual significance of Es Vedrà, Ibiza is becoming an increasingly popular destination for wellness seekers looking to meditate, recharge and reconnect. The sky was a vibrant mix of orange, pink and red warm hues at 6am when we started our hike that morning. Sunrise is the best time to see Ibiza in all its natural glory, Pablo reassured us as we rubbed our eyes and do our best to hide our yawns. As we climbed into the 4×4 to begin our early morning adventure, I caught eyes with a group of partygoers returning to our hotel – the glorious Mondrian, which oozes style and sophistication. We represented two very different lifestyles that easily co-exist on the island. Someone who knows both sides of Ibiza very well is beloved British broadcaster and author Fearne Cotton. The BBC Radio 2 DJ and founder and creator of the Happy Place brand, first visited Ibiza in 2007 to film with Dannii Minogue for The Xtra Factor, and fell in love with the island's energy and people. Six years later, after giving birth to her son Rex, she discovered her love for yoga. To mark this long-standing love affair with the island, the broadcaster has curated a half-day Ibiza: Unplugged wellness experience with GetYourGuide which includes a sunrise hike, a beach-side yoga session, sound bath and a boat trip for €40/£34 on select dates in August. 'Doing yoga outdoors is wonderful, especially in the quiet, early hours,' says Cotton, who was on the island ahead of my visit to make final tweaks to the tour. Hiking is another way that the broadcaster has got to know the ins and outs of Ibiza's gorgeous natural landscape. 'A friend here invited me on a hike led by a local guide. It was about four hours long, and he showed us all the local plants and trees,' she enthuses. 'We picked almonds and swam in the sea at sunset. I really got to know the island better during that time.' If Cotton had to sum up Ibiza in one word, it would be 'magical'. 'It's naturally a magical place. You can't really articulate it; you just have to experience it,' explains Cotton. 'Whether you're clubbing or exploring the quieter side, you feel that magic as soon as you arrive. The northern parts of the island are rugged and rural, not built up, and that's heaven for me. You're surrounded by nature, without tall buildings and hotels clogging the skyline.' After our hike, we head to a wellness morning retreat, where orange yoga mats, lanterns and water bottles are thoughtfully arranged on a tranquil, shaded patch of woodland that looks out over a secluded beach. The 45-minute beginner yoga session rekindles my passion for the practice, as our instructor takes the time to check in with each participant and offer personalised modifications. I close my eyes and stretch out widely on the mat during the sound bath which follows to fully immerse myself in the vibrations of the gongs, singing bowls and chimes. When the sound bath practitioner Josie Danielle, who lives within Ibiza's mountains, gently touches my forehead with a tuning fork, any previous thoughts and stresses are instantly zapped from my mind. Her gentle voice, coupled with the soft vibrations of her instruments, creates a deeply full-body meditative experience. Only the sound of curious lizards scuttling across my yoga mat is enough to abruptly bring me back to reality. One of the best ways to discover Ibiza's natural beauty is by sea, and luckily the last part of our wellness adventure is a one-and-a-half hour cruise around the island. In his element, Pablo enthusiastically takes on the role of captain and gleefully wizzes the speedboat away from the port at full throttle. The hum of the engine only fades as we approach a breathtaking, hidden cove. As I glide through the crystal-clear turquoise waters, I daydream about what it would be like to leave my bustling life in London behind to become a yoga teacher and live within the mountains of Ibiza with the mischievous has a special energy to it, and if you look in the right places, you will find a beautiful, slower and soul-nourishing pace of life. How to plan your trip Bookings are now live for Ibiza: Unplugged on the GetYourGuide ( website and app – available on a first-come-first-serve basis for August 1, 8, 15 and 22.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Fearne Cotton looks incredible in a plunging red swimsuit and ab-flashing workout gear in behind the scenes snaps from her wellness trip to Ibiza
Fearne Cotton looked incredible wearing a plunging red swimsuit in behind the scenes images from her recent wellness trip to Ibiza. The telly favourite, 43, looked happy and healthy in the one-piece while posing on a boat as she cruised through the med with the wind in her hair. She later changed into a two piece, throwing a nude crocheted cover up over the top while being shown the sites on her boat trip. Enjoying some 'me-time', the mother-of-two later changed into a two piece, throwing a nude crocheted cover up over the top while being shown the sites on her boat trip. The mental health advocate, best-selling author and long-standing broadcaster took a hike to get a good view of Es Vedrà during sunrise. Es Vedrà is a small rocky island standing at almost 400 metres high where people typically go to practise meditation because it's associated with positive energy and spirituality. Naturally, Fearne added a fashionable flourish to her look wearing a thin scarf around her neck and carrying a crossbody bag for the excursion. Other behind the scenes photos showed Fearne getting the giggles while deep in conversation with handsome Pablo Leonard, co-founder of Into The Island, who was showing her the sights. Fearne, who is a GetYourGuide ambassador, has been finding the balance of letting her hair down and prioritising wellness. She likes to visit Ibiza, an island she considers to be her happy place - every year and has been embracing the single life since announcing she has split from husband Jesse Wood in December 2024 after 10 years of marriage. While there, she celebrated her friend's 50th birthday during her latest trip on the island, where she was pictured wearing a blue sequin mini dress and looking happier than ever. Fearne - who rarely drinks alcohol - completed the eye-catching outfit with silver boots and matching jewellery, posing for photos with friends as they danced the night away. She captioned the post: 'A weekend of dancing and filming in Ibiza. First up celebrating Hedvig's 50th. So many special memories made. Danced all day (shout out to my dance partner Emma. So many memories in the happy box). She took in the sights as she stood atop a rock during her hike 'Then filming something cool with the loveliest team of people which will be out soon. A relentless, vibrant weekend of lovely people. My cup is full and I need some sleep.' Her post came after Fearne's ex, Jesse proved things are getting serious in his new relationship with Gemma Gregory. The musician, 48, went public with his romance with the former Made In Chelsea star, 39, two months ago and they are going from strength to strength. Fearne is keen to urge Ibiza revellers to discover the alternative side of the island given that over a third of British travellers would avoid bars and clubs when visiting and has teamed up with GetYourGuide to serve up Ibiza: Unplugged wellness experiences. Priced at 40 euros, the average price of Ibiza club entry, it features a sunrise hike, boat trip, yoga class and sound bath all in a half-day itinerary. Tequilas or tumeric? It's not just Fearne taking a new approach to holidaying, GetYourGuide and YouGov surveyed over 2,500 British travellers and found 1 in 3 (30%) avoid clubbing and hangovers to ensure they can make the most of their holiday activities. In equal measure it's the cost of drinks (32%) and club entry (32%) which are putting over a third of British travellers off clubbing abroad. With Brits three times more likely to pick a holiday for having a well-known spa (13%) versus a famous nightclub (4%). Fearne said: 'I first visited Ibiza 20 years ago and fell in love with the island's energy and people. There's something truly magical about this place and however hectic my life gets, a trip here will always bring me back to myself. Over the last two decades I've discovered the best secret spots for sunrise hikes, chilly dips and soulful yoga sessions. And this summer I'm going to let you in on some of my hidden gems. With GetYourGuide I've curated the perfect way to unplug and spend a chilled day in Ibiza, guided by true experts that know the island like the back of their hand. And the best thing about it? It's all for the price of a club entry. So treat yourself to a night off!' Ibiza Unplugged, is running on selected dates throughout August, and has been co-created with trusted GetYourGuide partner, Into The Island. Bookings go live on Tuesday for 'Ibiza: Unplugged' on the GetYourGuide website and app available on a first-come-first-serve basis on 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd August 2025.
