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he 'White Island' has a well-earned reputation for being the ultimate party destination, with hedonistic tourists and serious music lovers flocking there every summer for decades. But amongst the throng of the party people, it's easy to overlook the history and culture soaked into the fabric of the island's buildings and beaches. Ibiza has a well kept secret; it is riddled with idyllic quiet corners, and in reality, as long as you avoid staying in Ibiza Town or San Antonio, you’ll succeed in escaping the madding crowds and finding your own calm and alluring slice of the island, discover the rich tapestry that is the island’s colourful history and find your own personal paradise. Travel back in time a handful of decades and Ibiza was a true escapist paradise. Wild, natural unspoilt and full of special magic. During the swinging sixties, hippies settled on the island that had already enjoyed decades of writers, painters, bohemians and other artists working and enjoying life on Eivissa. Hollywood stars came to escape and search for privacy and this Mediterranean island that shines with creativity eventually became an important music Mecca. The 'flower power' revolution bought with it a whole plethora of rock stars, lured by the friendly, open-minded, easy, laid-back vibe, unspoilt beauty and the sun which shines for 60% of the year. Ibiza was the island the place for those 'in the know'. When the tourism boom in the 1970s reached the white isle, cheaper travel came hand in hand, as well as newly built accommodation. With the influx of finance that tourism brought upon the isle, discos started to make their appearance. These define the history of recent times. Pacha quickly became the mecca of Ibiza nightlife when it opened in 1973. The end of the 70s brought Wham! to shoot 'Club Tropicana' and a whole new generation of young British holiday makers followed. To cater for all types of European taste, the soundtrack was wide and eclectic. The Balearic musical spirit was born. This wasn't missed a years later by visiting UK DJs Danny Rampling, Paul Oakenfold, Johnny Walker and Nicky Holloway who promptly took the attitude back to London. The early 90s saw this osmosis all come together. As European holiday makers came en masse, large clubs such as Amnesia and Ku Club easily filled to cater for this massive tourist industry.
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The word and reputation of these 'super clubs' quickly spread attracting the fashionable, rich and famous to experience the magic of Ibiza's amazing nightlife. Change was in the air, however. Change that would see the face of tourism change forever. Increasing prices and government regulations mounting all led to shifts in the dynamic of the island and true party clubbers started venturing to such alternative destinations as Malta and Croatia. The legendary but now closed forever super club Space most definitely represented the old days of freewheeling' clubbing. The open roof, jets flying over to a screaming dancefloor, in parallel to a relaxed yet hedonistic vibe are scribed into history. However, the wild spirit of Ibiza ever continues. It has simply evolved with time. The parties may be smaller than the superclub, but they are every bit as hedonistic as the spirit of the 'wild days'.
