Europe’s most exciting islands with Coastline
Coastline Villas has featured properties in Mallorca, Ibiza and Corsica for many years. Annually they are asked repeatedly for their top tips on festivals around the islands. Everyone enjoys a good festival and party atmosphere, so where are the best of these for 2013 and where is best to stay? Here are the answers:
1. Nit de Foc, Palma de Mallorca, 23rd June 2013
This is one of the biggest parties in the lively Mallorcan town of Palma with parties on the streets featuring bonfires and fireworks. This is classic late night Mediterranean partying with the event only kicking off at 10pm with the concert featuring the Jamaican born reggae artist Etana starting at midnight. The late night frivolity of the Nit de Foc means Coastline’s superb range of nannies will be much appreciated. Usually available for half and full days they can also look after the kids in the evening.
With Majorca being small and Coastline villas coming with air conditioned cars included any of the villas are suitable. C’an Mir www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Ca’n-Mir is new for 2013 and is a large property able to cater for up to 14, perfect for several families to holiday together. The mature, walled garden is a wonderful place to relax whilst inside it is traditional luxury with thick stone walls to create a haven from the midday sun, although there is of course a pool to cool off. Prices start at £810 per person including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.
2. Tour de France Publicity Caravan www.letour.com, 29th June to 1st July
Everyone already knows about the Tour de France heading to Corsica this year but there is an aspect of the Tour that fascinating even for those with no interest in Lycra and two wheels. It’s the ‘publicity caravan’ that follows the race to every corner of France. It involves a 45 minute, 160 vehicle parade preceding the race start with innovative and extravagant floats by sponsors and free giveaways. 39% of race goers cite the publicity caravan as the reason for their attendance!
The first day of the Tour starts in Porto Vecchio so Coastline is in the perfect location for visiting the Grand Depart. The Bella Marina www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Bella-Marina overlooks the town and start point from a location 3.5 kilometres away. Sleeping 8 in traditional surroundings with a mature garden and a swimming pool jutting out from the hill this feels special, the views definitely are. Starting at £813 per person for an important 7 nights in Corsica’s year including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.
3. Bastille Day, 14th July 2013
A French classic, and despite Corsicans not being particularly patriotic to the Tricolore, the islanders are always up for a party. So the fireworks are prepared and the French national day is celebrated. Any town on the island is going to provide a night to remember but Bonifacio makes for one of the most beautiful. The marina is as pleasant as any Mediterranean harbour town and restaurants around the marina make for the ideal place to marvel at the fireworks that illuminate the area on Bastille Day.
The Stella Candente www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Stella-Cadente sleeps 6 and is a traditional Corsican villa with a swimming pool and its own grounds. Near the village of Sainte Lucie the villa may be the most simple of Coastline’s properties on the islands but the views and the terraces make up for the lack of panache inside. With Bastille Day on a Sunday, like the changeover days for Coastline, a fortnight is in order. Prices for 14 nights over the period start at £1,529 per person including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.
4. Ibiza Rocks www.ibizarocks.com, June to September
One for the younger clientele or those teenagers that still appreciate a family holiday but expect some amount of independence. Ibiza Rocks has been growing each year This year’s line-up is better than ever with The Vaccines, Bastille, Example, Tinie Tempah and Ellie Goulding all on the bill over the summer.
With the events taking place in San Antonio the Son Y Luna www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Son-Y-Luna villa is in an ideal location, a cliff top sanctuary. It is ideally removed from the party area making for relaxing evenings for the older members of families and groups. The villa sleeps 10 and features a terrace the length of the building with a swimming pool and an imposing position on a cliff edge. Prices for a slice of luxury in Ibiza start at £695 per person including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.
5. Fiesta Season, May to October
On any given week in the summer it is likely that Mallorca will be alive with the sights, sounds and flavours of a fiesta. In recognition of saints or local heroes such as the fishermen the fiestas make everyone feel good. Parades, markets, fairs and concerts run alongside each other as a town or as a whole island it’s transformed. Visit www.seemallorca.com for a full diary of fiestas this season.
Coastline has chefs available that can be hired on an evening after shopping in a market accompanying a fiesta. For £70 per couple the chef will transform you fresh buys into a gourmet experience. The Ca’n Gat www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Ca’n-Gat on the island is a fantastic option, sleeping up to 9. A contemporary and statement villa it comes equipped with a large swimming pool, extensive gardens and a covered BBQ area. Inside the design features continue with a chill out area accessed by a spiral staircase. Prices start at £1,069 per person on the week of the event, this includes flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.