#SummerLove Formentera

If you could turn back the clock and spend the day re-living one holiday memory, what would it be? For me, it's quite a difficult decision. I've been on a few spectacular holidays as of late and I have made so many wonderful memories, but one of my favourite holiday memories has to be visiting the island of Formentera on my honeymoon.

Formentera is the smallest Balearic island in the Medditerean sea, spanning only 83km and is known for it's crystal clear waters, picturesque harbours and past times such as snorkelling and sailing - both of which I thoroughly enjoy. The island is only a short ferry ride away from it's bigger more popular sister island, Ibiza and regularly attracts plenty of party-goers who are looking to chill out and get away from everything for the day. The island looks like paradise and from the pictures it is easy to mistake it for a Caribbean island. The sands are white, the water is tropical green and there's plenty of sea and wild life around the island.

My husband and I decided to take a boat ride from San Antonio to the island of Formentera while on honeymoon. The boat ride cost us approximately €35 each and then when we got to the island we hopped on a coach that took us to the Playa de Ses Illetes, the most popular beach.

It was incredibly hot that day and I burnt within seconds as I stupidly left my sun tan cream back at the hotel, but nevertheless it was a great day. I thoroughly enjoyed my swim and it was great to spend some romantic time with my husband admiring the picturesque views. There were people swimming out to the giant rock formations to take photographs, children swimming gleefully along the shoreline, magnificent yachts sailing in the distance, all soaking up the spectacular weather. I've been to Ibiza many times, but this day in particular was the hottest it has been while I've been there.

Once we finished our swim, my husband and I went to explore the beach and found a series of really cute cafes for lunch. We noticed the language barrier was a little bit harder here than mainland Spain or Ibiza because most of the people live on this very small island, but the nevertheless, it was easy enough to order a few sandwiches, which we ate on the rocks admiring the view of Ibiza in the distance.

As the day progressed, we jumped back on the coach with our return ticket and went back to the port. Formentera has such a lovely port town. You can tell the island attracts the wealthy as many of the yachts were less than 40ft in the marina. We saw yachts with flags from all over the Meditterean, showing us just how popular this small island is to visit. The harbour village had quite a lovely cafes and restaurants as well as a small sports bar similar to what you would see on the strip of San Antonio but of course, a little bit more refined. We also came across a few stalls on the harbour side selling lots of local produce to the strolling tourists.

We only spent a few hours here, but when I think of 'summer love' and holiday memories, it's one of the first places that springs to mind. Formentera really captured my heart and was one of our favourite days on our honeymoon. Many people questioned me when I said we were going to Ibiza for our honeymoon and I think these pictures help explain it all. It is affordable paradise and proves that you don't have to leave Europe for a tropical, sun filled adventure. 

Have you been to Formentera?

This post is an entry to the James Villa's Travel Writing Competition