Gypset Travel ~ Ibiza: Home of Sirens and Sea-Nymphs

When you’re feeling the itch and thinking about your next adventure abroad, consider is the island of Ibiza. One of the Balearic Islands—an autonomous community of Spain– Ibiza proves to be a place of both beauty and history, and it’s the destination of my next adventure beginning this Saturday! So here’s a glimpse of this sun-soaked island I’ll be posting about next week. 🙂

In 654 B.C., Phoenician settlers founded a port in the Balearic Islands, known as Ibossim (from the Phoenician iboshim–dedicated to the god of music and dance). Ibiza has certainly lived up to its name. However, beyond the widely known nightlife and music lies an island steeped in history. Its rustic beauty and mystical culture have lured photographers, artists, and a myriad of foreigners to call the island home—even if only for a only few days.

Very much a gypset travel destination, Ibiza’s beauty has drawn many gypsetters to soak in its crystal blue waters and visit its mystifying sites. One is Es Vedra (an enormous rock structure), a symbol of Ibiza and one of the island’s mythical places. The history of the island dates back many thousands of years and according to tradition, sirens and sea-nymphs lived around this rock. They tried to lure Odysseus from his ship in Homer’s Odyssey.

Intermixed amongst the  scenic views are towns with local beachfront festivals, where merchants offer a wide array of unique goods. The merchant stands are flooded with beautifully hand-made crafts and clothing. They are a great place to meet and get to know the locals. If you’re lucky, maybe one will tell you how to get to the secret coves that sit in breathtaking seclusion, far away from the clubs and crowds for which the island is famous.