Mallorca and Ibiza had topped my bucket record for years, however the journey getting there was simply as essential. I really like highway journeys, so as an alternative of heading there immediately, we took our time winding via Portugal and Spain, from the Algarve to Madrid and Valencia, earlier than ferrying throughout to the Mediterranean coast. Alongside the best way, we checked into six unimaginable luxurious inns. Portugal was a spot I’d lengthy wished to revisit as a photographer, whereas it was my husband Niall’s first time there. Spain, in the meantime, was someplace we’d every visited earlier than—however by no means collectively. That is the route I’d advocate to anybody with 19 days to spare.
Days 1-5: Algarve
We touched down in Lisbon and wandered straight into Alfama, letting the Previous City’s maze of cobblestone lanes, colourful tiled buildings and classic trams climbing steep hills set the scene. After breakfast at Magnolia beneath its Rococo-style ceiling fresco, we left town behind and adopted the highway south to the Algarve, the place sun-drenched seashores, rugged cliffs and sleepy fishing villages welcomed us into 5 blissful days by the ocean.
What to do within the Algarve:
- Seize a few beers at Praia do Zavial and watch surfers carve via the Atlantic swells.
- Order the freshly caught shrimp, native clams and briny olives at Pont’a Pé in Aljezur—the sort of meal value planning a return journey round.
- Step again in time at Silves Fort, the place historical stone partitions and sweeping countryside views inform the story of Portugal’s Moorish previous.
- Spend a day at Praia de Carvoeiro, the place golden sand, dramatic cliffs and turquoise water seize the Algarve at its finest.
The place to Keep within the Algarve
Our first few nights at Vila Vita Parc couldn’t have been a greater introduction to the Algarve. Perched excessive above the rugged Atlantic shoreline, the Moorish-influenced resort immediately slowed us down with its sweeping ocean views and immaculately manicured gardens tucked round each nook. Certainly one of our favourite components was the stroll right down to the seashore, following staircases carved into the cliffs that led to secluded stretches of sand under, making even a easy seashore day really feel like an journey. Mornings began with espresso framed by palm tree views earlier than giving technique to afternoons beneath thatched umbrellas overlooking the ocean, spritz in hand, and dinners of contemporary seafood at Arte Náutica Seashore Restaurant, simply steps from the seashore.
For the second half of our Algarve keep, we headed inland, passing grazing cows and rolling countryside earlier than arriving at Praia do Canal, the place the surroundings felt wilder with each flip. Surrounded by 220 hectares of protected nature, the resort’s sand-coloured buildings appeared to vanish into the panorama, whereas floor-to-ceiling home windows and daring structure body the outside. From our room, the view stretched throughout the Parque Pure do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina—considered one of Portugal’s largest protected coastal landscapes—with bougainvillea climbing outdoors the door and an enormous marble lavatory I fell in love with. As a photographer, I cherished wandering the grounds with my digital camera, capturing the dramatic shoreline and native fishermen perched excessive on the cliffs above the Atlantic. Between scrumptious brunches, one of many finest massages I’ve ever had and swims within the infinity pool, every day introduced a brand new technique to recognize the fantastic thing about this wild nook of Portugal.
Days 6-8: Madrid
Leaving the Algarve behind, we hit the highway for Spain. The eight-hour drive took us throughout Portugal and into Andalusia, with a well-timed cease in Seville to wander the sun-soaked Previous City, admire its lovely structure and revel in a glass of vino earlier than persevering with on to Madrid.
What to do in Madrid:
- Begin the day with a stroll via Parque del Retiro, town’s iconic inexperienced oasis and a UNESCO World Heritage Web site crammed with gardens, fountains and row boats.
- Wander the tree-lined streets round Mercado de La Paz, an exquisitely restored 140-year-old market, and choose up picnic necessities from its charming native stalls.
- Spend a day at Museo Nacional del Prado, dwelling to one of many world’s most celebrated collections of European artwork.
- Step inside La Dolores, a beloved Madrid establishment since 1908, for conventional tapas served beneath authentic marble bars and old school interiors.
- Sip sherry at La Venencia, the legendary bar as soon as frequented by Ernest Hemingway, the place little has modified since 1922.
The place to Keep in Madrid
We checked into Nômade Temple Madrid within the coronary heart of town, fortunate sufficient to be among the many first company to expertise the newly opened resort. Housed in a fantastically restored historic constructing, it strikes a gorgeous steadiness between outdated and new, preserving its authentic architectural particulars whereas layering in wealthy supplies and tactile textures all through the house. The moody interiors, thoughtfully designed rooms and rooftop views (finest loved with a glass of vino, after all) shortly grew to become highlights, however the evenings introduced their very own pleasure. We even received a sneak peek on the resort’s soon-to-open nightclub, earlier than ending our nights with Negronis within the foyer, taking within the environment of an area that felt each bit as trendy and filled with vitality as Madrid itself.
Days 9-13: Mallorca
After a couple of days of metropolis adventures, it was time to chase the Mediterranean. We left Madrid behind and made our technique to Valencia, a scenic 3.5-hour drive away, the place we spent the afternoon taking within the metropolis earlier than boarding an in a single day ferry to Palma. Arriving simply after 6:00 a.m., we had been greeted by a spectacular dawn that painted Mallorca‘s shoreline and honey-colored buildings in mushy golden mild. Earlier than setting off for our subsequent resort, we roamed Palma’s quiet cobblestone streets and fueled up at Fika Farina, the place a number of the finest pastries of the journey had been ready behind the counter, together with a cardamom bun that shortly grew to become my favourite.
What to Do in Mallorca:
- Uncover Mallorca’s hidden calas, making time for Cala Llombards, a quieter stretch of shoreline that’s nicely value looking for out.
- Comply with the path to Caló des Moro, the place each step is rewarded with one of many island’s most spectacular shades of blue.
- Seize lunch at Restaurant Nautilus for contemporary seafood served alongside Mediterranean views.
- Wander the postcard-perfect fishing village of Cala Figuera earlier than stopping at Bon Bar Cala Figuera, the place colourful boats bob within the harbor.
- Finish the day at Bar Blau Portocolom, pairing contemporary seafood and native rosé with front-row views of boats gliding via the harbor.
The place to Keep in Mallorca
Someplace alongside the best way, we noticed a person using a moped carrying a T-shirt with the phrases “Stay Gradual” printed throughout the again. It grew to become our unofficial motto, and nowhere embodied it higher than Sarena de Muro Resort Mallorca. Set on the sting of the Mediterranean, the resort felt as if it melted into the ocean, with views that made it appear doable to step straight from the room into the water. Days drifted between walks alongside the white-sand seashore and afternoons by the pool, rosé on the prepared, stretched out on the resort’s signature green-striped loungers. It was the sort of place that made doing little or no really feel like the proper technique to expertise Mallorca.
Days 14-19: Ibiza
After absorbing Mallorca’s laid-back allure, we continued our island-hopping journey with a fast two-hour ferry experience to Ibiza. Whereas the island is legendary for its nightlife, Northern Ibiza revealed a totally totally different facet, one outlined by wild landscapes, hidden coves, turquoise waters and sea-kissed days removed from the crowds.
What To Do in Ibiza:
- Set sail on a personal boat day to discover Ibiza’s most secluded corners, from hidden calas and crystal-clear waters to spontaneous swims within the Mediterranean.
- Be part of the sundown gathering at Cala Benirràs, the place locals and vacationers come collectively for a celebration of drumming, music and island custom (and for those who occur to be there for the Summer season Solstice like us, even higher).
- Guide forward for a lunch at Xiringuito Xuclar, somewhat sand-side chiringuito serving up a number of the freshest fish on the island.
- If the timing traces up, catch a sundown DJ set at Cantera Can Coix, a former quarry the place towering rock partitions create considered one of Ibiza’s coolest live performance settings.
- Don’t depart with out making an attempt the croquettes at Con Domo, the place farm-to-table cooking and seasonal substances make each meal really feel particular.
The place to Keep in Ibiza
From the second we arrived at Six Senses Ibiza, we knew it will be one of many defining stays of the journey. Tucked into the island’s rugged northern shoreline, the resort feels utterly at dwelling amongst wildflowers, rocky cliffs and the infinite blue of the Mediterranean. The infinity pool seems to spill straight into the ocean, making it troublesome to inform the place one ends and the opposite begins, whereas each sundown painted the shoreline in a unique shade of gold. Mornings began with delightfully ready breakfasts, earlier than giving technique to swims within the sea, afternoons stretched out by the pool and serene moments merely taking within the extraordinary fantastic thing about this nook of Ibiza.
For the second half of our Ibiza keep, we remained within the island’s north, the place the tempo was calmer and the shoreline felt magnificently untouched. Cala San Miguel Resort grew to become our base for exploring rugged cliffs, secluded coves and the area’s wild magnificence. Our room’s panoramic view was unforgettable, trying over a personal cala that felt like a world away. Between swims within the resort’s three swimming pools and afternoons by the ocean, each second revealed another excuse to fall in love with this quieter nook of the island.
Till Subsequent Time
Each nice highway journey ultimately reaches its closing stretch. The ferry again to Dénia marked the start of the journey dwelling, however neither of us was able to say goodbye. Driving via Portugal and Spain grew to become some of the memorable components of the journey, with winding roads lined by historical olive groves, rolling hills and landscapes that appeared to alter round each bend. We left with hundreds of images, a protracted record of favourite meals and 6 extraordinary resort stays, but in addition the sensation that we’d solely scratched the floor. Northern Ibiza, particularly, has an vitality that’s onerous to explain till you’ve skilled it for your self. We’ll be again subsequent yr. I’m certain of it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CHRISTINE FLYNN IS A VENERATED KIWI COLLECTION PARTNER AND CELEBRATED MIXED MEDIA PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER. HER WORK CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF A PLACE, EVOKING ITS MEMORY AND SPIRIT RATHER THAN SIMPLY DEPICTING IT.
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