Briefing
This travel starts from Canada. Please have a look at Part1 section if you haven't.
As you can imagine a pre Olympics crowds, had to wait for more than an hour at Heathrow terminal 3 immigration. London is just on transit, my next flight was departing from London City Airport, so took Piccadilly Line train to city centre.
Day.3 London transit and Sant Antoni (10th June)
London City Airport has no airline lounges nor priority pass affiliated lounges, but you can really enjoy this recently renovated tiny clean airport with some shops and bars.
BA city flyer is a part of British Airways, operates daily flights to the island of Ibiza includng my flight, BA8463.
On the way, you can see the island of Palma on your left just before arrival.
The island is sooo sunny, everyone seems to be relaxed working, some people may say that is rude though...
I was so amazed that my suitcase has been delivered with my previous flight tags still attached!
Hiring a rent-a-car, we rushed to Sant Antoni for the sunset. The sun turned into orange color on the way.
We've tried the best, but it was just after the sunset when we arrived at Cafe del Mar.
Along the cafe, there was lots of seaside restaurant for dinner.
Sant Antoni is a party town, so you'd better avoid the city centre if you like to be quiet, but in fact, it is a really fun place!
Day.4 Wine, old town and a party of Ibiza Town (11th June)
Hostal Marino is the hotel we've stayed in San Antoni. Their breakfast was so yummy.
Driving to the east, we happened to find a little shop at the junction.
Driving further, we found this white church. Wine cellars should be somewhere around.
Sa Cova is the cellar we visited. Although it's not a giant cellar you can see elsewhere, you will be surely explained the story about the winery as well as the island. Must see the photos of grapes displayed, it's superb!
On the way back to Ibiza Town, GPS navigated us to a road with no through traffic. Good! We'll have a walk in this town.
It was a cute little town, so we decided to have lunch at one of its restaurant, Como. It's a kind of Thai restaurant, tasted great.
El hotel pacha, where we stayed, is located the other side to the famous old town. Upon check-in, you will be welcomed with a sparkling wine.
There is really nothing to see or shop around the hotel, so we've walked to Ibiza Town. On the way, you can enjoy the superb view of the old town.
The Pacha shop is located in front of the port, so you can easily find. There was a cute girl at the shop, so I asked her to take a snap shot together :)
Walking through the gate behind the crowded shopping area, you will enter the world of famous old town.
On the way to the top of the hill, there are several view point where you can enjoy a superb view of the island.
The other side of the hill is the direction to the Playa d'en Bossa and the airport.
The restaurant La Brasa was in very unusual style, felt like we were in a forest when it got dark.
There are plenty of places to have a drink along the port. Some of them looks very cool.
The casino is located at Ibiza Gran Hotel. If you bring your passport at the reception desk, you will be allowed to enter the back door room for porker and roulette tables. Never try the machine games at the entrance because you will lose for sure. Instead of playing Casino, I've been to Pacha just behind. There was so long queue at the entrance! :D
Pacha is one of the famous night life spot on the island. It offers free guest list entry when you stay at El Hotel Pacha. The roof top terrace is very comfortable when you are tired downstairs.
The famous DJ Tiësto is performing at Pacha every Monday in 2012. As you can see, he is so famous, there is no space to move around.
Day.5 The Beach, sun and get tanned (12th June)
The buffet breakfast at El Hotel Pacha was more than we expected, but the swimming pool was too small and less than our expectation.
Instead of the tiny swimming pool, we went to the beach near Ses Salines. The beach, Playa de Es Cavallet, is famous for young partygoers, but also famous as a bare beach. They have very comfortable sun beds, so it is really recommended to visit.
There was a girl selling dresses on the beach, really looked like a fashion show.
Back to the city, we went to Playa den Bossa. On the way, we've spotted the club marked DC-10 which is very famous for Circo Loco.
Playa den Bossa is the most famous beach on the island. Bora-Bora, the famous party place, is located at the most crowded part on the beach.
Promoters of some clubs often give you a wrist band on the beach. With the wrist band, you sometimes get free entry when you enter before midnight.
On the way back, there were some people giving wristband for Space, so I took another photo with a girl :D
We've gone back to Ibiza Town for dinner. This time, we went to La Oliva, a restaurant on the hill of the old town.
Day.5 Bye bye Ibiza, Hello Barcelona! (13th June)
Hotel Mare Nostrum, where we stayed is a large basic hotel located at the edge of Playa den Bossa. The location was great for our next flight. Vueling, part of Iberia, is the spanish low cost carrier offering flights between Ibiza and Barcelona. Our flight, VY3511, was only 20 euro plus tax, but departed at 6am. Surprisingly, none of the shops at the airport were open at such early time.
At Barcelona El Prat Airport, BCN, you will need to take a free shuttle bus to Terminal 2, then take a pedestrian bridge to RENFE station for the trains to the city centre.
We weren't able to check in, so we left our luggage at hotel and headed to the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria nearby.
El Quim at La Boqueria is one of the best restaurant in Barcelona, opens from early morning. It was really yummy! I loved it :)
After our breakfast, we've walked to Paral-lel metro station. On the way, passed through the residential area and spotted some artistic and historical monuments.
The metro ticket can be used on the Funicular railway. At the end, you can change to the ropeway, which doesn't accept metro ticket.
Although the fare is very expensive, you will enjoy a nice view of Barcelona from Telefèric de Montjuïc, Montjuïc Cable Car.
At the top of the hill, there is Castell de Montjuïc, the old military fortress. If you climb up to the roof, you will enjoy the round view of Barcelona.
Back to the city, we went to Sagrada Família, which we just saw from Montjuïc. Sagrada Familia has been built in a area where there is nothing to attract. The guide at the hotel explained me that it was built on a cheap and poor land to make jobs and attract people. That is why the church never has to be completed in order to keep the jobs and not to bore the tourists.
From Sagrada Familia, we've walked back to the hotel, and we had more sightseeing on the way. La Plaza de Toros Monumental de Barcelona is the arena where used to have the bull fight in Barcelona.
Passing the Arc de Triomf, we've came to Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, the Barcelona Cathedral. It is located in a crowded shopping district, and the cathedral has an entrance fee.
It was already the time our room is ready, so we've went back to Le Méridien Barcelona hotel located on La Ramblas. According to a cute lady at the hotel, there is a recommended tapas restaurant near the hotel, so we decided to have a try. Watching football, cute little burger was really yummy!
Day.6 Last day in Barcelona (14th June)
After the guide talk about the story of Barcelona at the hotel, we had a little walk around, then we left for the airport to make sure we have enough time to relax before our next flight. Cataluna is the closest rail station to the hotel, and you can change to the airport train at Sants station.
Celebrating Euro 2012 football match, there were some coke girls giving away a special edition of Coca Cola at Sants station.
Taking a shuttle bus back to Terminal 1, I just found out that we were behind the schedule. Since the check in was already closed for BA489 flight, I had to pay additional penalty fare to rebook on the evening flight, BA471. Well, I've got plenty of time before my flight. At Sala VIP Lounge, there were lots of people watching the football Euro 2012 game. The staff even brought in additional TV. I could hear people screaming when there was a goal.
Travel Continues to Part3 in United Kingdom
Terminal 1 is a very clean terminal, has some shops to look around in the domestic area, but you wouldn't really need hours to spend looking around. You will need to go upstairs for the international departures, but you'd better finish your shopping downstairs at domestic departures before you move up to the international level.
