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We went to Formentera in late September 2005. We booked a self catering package to Es Calo via Astbury Travel (http://www.formentera.co.uk) which seems to be the major package company serving the island. I'd recommend the island and the travel company to anyone who is looking for a relaxed holiday in a place which is truly clothing optional.
Either Formentera or Astbury seem to generate a very high degree of repeat business? So much so that many people seem to book the same accommodation in the same weeks each year. On the way out there we met up with two other couples who were returning to the island for the umpteenth time and all raved about the place. It must say something about the place to generate this commitment!
We stayed at Campanitx villas on the edge of Es Calo. There are five villas dotted around a small wooded area (to the extent that anywhere in the island qualifies as being wooded) each sleeping two to four people. The accommodation was basic but quite adequate for our needs. The village of Es Calo is on the main road through the middle of the island and although not noisy most of the time we could occasionally hear traffic. There are shops nearby and a few local restaurants - all very convenient for self catering or eating out. Apparently Es Calo had a reputation as a hippy centre at one stage, although there is little sign of it now.
The local beach (called Ses Platgetes) is very near to the villa and the village. It is easy walking distance or even easier on the bicycles that we hired and everyone else seems to use. Nearly as easy to get to is Migjorn beach on the other (south) side of the island, accessible via one of the very nice "green routes" for bicycles or walkers or cars. In each case we could easily hire sun-beds (I recall at €3 each per day but I may have misremembered). The beaches are not spectacular to look at - there is some sand but lots of rocky outcrops also.
We found that every beach we went to was clothing optional. About a third or a half of the people there were naked and the rest covered up. At no stage did either I (naked) or my wife (bikinied) feel out of place. People tended to don something to go to the beach bars, but no-one bothered about this when paying the chap collecting cash for the sun-beds or when swimming or when walking on the beach. We dressed to get to and from the beach and this seems to be the norm (although I gather that folk staying at some places on the beach - Talaya and Ses Platgetes villas for example - do not bother to do so). We were also hidden away enough to be naked in and about the villa as the mood took us.
Don't go there if you are looking for nightlife (we didn't find any). Note also that there is no direct flight from the UK - flights are to Ibiza and then a ferry is needed to get to the island. All of this is very well organised organised but late or early flights can mean that an overnight stay is needed.
I'd recommend the Island for a truly clothing optional holiday - for example if you would like to go naturist but your spouse or family does not wish to.
In addition to the photographs of the island on the Astbury Travel website of photographs taken there is a good collection to be found at http://www.pbase.com/davel/form_escalo
Ross
"Yes it is a great island, and no - you do not need to book a package. Get a flight to Ibiza, a taxi or bus to the town and from there a boat to Formentera. There are quite a few travel/accommodation agents on the island who can help you find somewhere to stay when you get there. We used one in Es Pujols (just a few minutes from the port) which I think was called Viejes Islamar, but you would probably be able to find agents in the port as well. Many people hire bicycles but we hired a car - we found the very first bar when you get off the boat had the best price. There are quite a few Hostals (see below) dotted around the island - you could book into one for a night or two while you visit a couple of agents and sort somewhere nice. We visited in early June and found no problem getting a nice cottage - but in the last couple of days of our stay there seemed to be a large influx of Italian visitors, every one of whom seemed to be on board a noisy scooter! It may be that if you travel in July or August you may be safer with a package but I would still be tempted to take my chances."
"My tips for Formentera would be as follows: Don't miss Fonda Pepe bar in San Ferran (middle of the island) for atmosphere, Pasquale's restaurant in Es Calo for seafood, the last place on the left at the southern tip of the island for nice tapas and a glass of Fino, any beach except Es Pujols, lunch at beach restaurants on Mitjorn and Salinas. Also, the first bar when you get off the boat is good, and some of the small Hostals have great restaurants."
"I remember that most of the restaurants give you a bowl of olives and some bread with a green garlic mayonnaise before your meal - fantastic washed down with some lovely Rioja!"
Hostal ... "essentially a small hotel where you can take a bedroom with or without breakfast. The major snag with a hostal room is that you will not have a fridge to keep milk and fresh food - so self-catering is impractical. Prices are reasonable but vary according to establishment and time of year. The better ones have swimming pools and bars for socialising at night. These are probably more appealing to singles looking for company . However, for a couple happy with each other's company a self-catering studio apartment in a quiet, rural location is probably the best buy".
If you have any comments about this report or wish to add further information
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neffupdate @ ada-augusta . demon . co . uk
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