THE OTHER SIDE OF IBIZA

Ibiza - is there any other place in Europe that has a greater hype around it?

We very much doubt it. Lured by a string of recommendations, we flew out there to check it for ourselves. However, EBM decided to go in search of a different scene… other than the nightlife and its world-renowned DJ line-up. Along the way, we met up with some fantastic individuals who embody the Ibiza way of life.

As luck would have it, our visit was guaranteed the very best guide the island has to offer – Alexea Grech, founder of Ask Alexea. With a spectacular history in the world of luxury travel, Alexea Grech has curated events and experiences for names such as Dua Lipa, Vogue and Jean Paul Gaultier. It is her business to know everything that needs to be known about Ibiza and all it has to offer, and if she doesn’t know about it, then it’s probably not worth knowing.

Born in Malta, Alexea had permanently moved to Ibiza back in 2000, after years of working in the luxury and travel industries. “People become more of what they are when they come to Ibiza.” That’s a pretty bold statement, followed by an even bolder philosophy. “Ibiza magnifies everything, the good and the bad… the legendary stories of the island include the magnetic forces of Es Vedra and the prophecy by Nostradamus that Ibiza shall be the last refuge on earth. They say that if the island wants you, it will support you in your journey. If it doesn’t, it will eject you. All who live here feel this in our day-to-day life.” A rather foreboding divination for a few days in the sun, but nonetheless we felt most welcome throughout our stay.

The purpose of Ask Alexea is to inspire and awaken the sense of her clients throughout their stay in Ibiza. She compiles a range of experiences for the more discerning traveller, and she’s so far curated some of the most original vacations for some of the island’s most VIP visitors. “I organise trips focusing on wellness travel, with activities such as hiking, sound baths, farm-to-plate dining experiences, yoga and beach days. I like to incorporate unexpected moments in nature and on the dancefloor. I’ve done surprise secret gatherings in the hills, and long lunches at fisherman shacks.”

To make the magic happen, Alexea works in tandem with the wonderful Manu, who spends his days guiding groups across Ibiza, after having given up the grind of the corporate world. He knows the island like the back of his hand, and includes wholesome experiences such as meditations and silent moments during all his hikes. Many find his input to be the highlight of their trip.

Speaking of city boy slickers who’ve left it all behind, we also got to meet Luke, another collaborator of Alexea’s. Luke is a London city boy no more, and he’s swapped the Saville Row suit for the surfer look as a stand-up paddle board instructor. Paddling boarding at sunset around Portinatx Bay was a magical experience, and it should really be on your to-do list if you’re here for a romantic getaway.

Another Londoner is Sebastian Devonshire. Having pretty much grown up on a sailing boat in Ibiza, he’s now returned to his roots, and has proudly brought Ibiza Foils to the island. Sebastian had invested in the first 50 e-foils back in 2017, believing in the future of this product. He is now one of their main distributors, selling and renting them all over Europe. You can literally learn to fly on water with just a few lessons! And, here’s a fun fact: their battery lasts for about two hours, so you can just about make it to Formentera and back onboard one of these.

If you’re not keen on getting wet, there is of course the option to hire a boat, be it sailing or motor. As expected, peak season is upon the island during the summer months, and demand is immensely high for hotels, taxis, boats and clubs. As a result of this influx, locals have learned to retreat to the hills during this period for private gatherings. Alexea is now very familiar with this ritual “There’s no better feeling than finding your tribe at a gathering in the middle of a chaotic summer…” So, how has the community avoided the pursuit of tourists? Well, there is a selection of very exclusive, very cool events which only the locals would know about… “and we keep these to ourselves, wink wink.”

On our first night, we had the pleasure of dining at the hands of Boris Buono, a half-Danish half-Italian chef who runs the wonderful Ibiza Food Studio. Despite not having a Michelin star, Ibiza Food Studio comes highly recommended by the Guía Repsol, and Boris himself is an alumnus of NOMA in Denmark. The inspiration behind the cuisine served here is of course Nordic, but it’s all rooted in local produce supplied by local organic farms. As is the spirit of this part of the world, there is a convivial vibe to the restaurant and how they serve their dishes, and as the chef states, “the food is only as good as the ones you share it with.”

Alexea also treated us to Ibiza’s finest spa at the Aguas de Ibiza Grand Luxe Hotel, which is led by skincare giant Clarins. After a few therapeutic treatments to invigorate our already relaxed states, we dined on the rooftop as the sun set on the island, sipping the most delicious (and hangover-free) cocktails, paired with Peruvian cuisine by Chef Chef Omar Malpartida. His ingenius take on all items on the menu will definitely leave an impression on your tastebuds.

Although our stay was bountiful to say the least, Alexea was generous enough to make her own person recommendations for prospective visitors: