Estany Pudent

Estany Pudent, or stinky pond as it is termed, is the largest salt lake on Formentera Island. The name actually translates as stagnant and on a hot summer day the combination of sulphur fumes and decomposing algae can whip up quite a stench. Not to mention that the accumulated rainwater makes it an ideal breeding ground for swarms of mosquitos.

Hold on a minute, isn’t this an article about the paradise of Formentera?

Well, yes it is, but during the summer Estany Pudent isn’t always most people’s definition of paradise. It is not all bad though. Despite the fact that the salt concentration is far higher than that in the sea, up to three times higher, it sustains many beautiful freshwater plants, and the surrounding wetland are rich in wildlife. The birds that you might spot include: the spotted redshank, great reed warblers and the black-winged stilt. In fact this place used to known as the Flamingo Lagoon because of the large numbers of flamingos, but these days it is more of a rarity to spot one of these.

Estany Pudent sites south of the Port de la Savina, and just behind the coastline of Es Cavall d’en Borras from which is takes in fresh seawater. You can cycle around this inland lake via the Circuits Verds, or Green Tours, which are the designated cycling and hiking paths of the island. Green Tour Number One is what you need to go around Estany Pudent.

The lake is right next to Ses Salines – the salt beds. These are the site of the traditional salt manufacture which used to support the islands. These days they are just there for display really, although occasionally one of the older generation might step out and do a bit of salt harvesting for old times sake.

After you have visited Ses Salines you can continue up to the northern peninsula and the most amazing beaches on Formentera Island. The shape of the island has create Es Trucadors as such a thin peninsula that you can enjoy lying on a beach with the ocean on both sides. If this isn’t enough of a wonder, there also a series of Islets on the western coastline which you can swim out to – this coastline is aptly named Platja de Ses Illetes, and the coastline on the east is Platja de Llevant. You are a world away from the stinky pond out here, but only twenty minutes by bicycle. If you are considering cycling in Spain then the Estany Pudent area is well worth considering.

You can get more information at http://www.formenteraguide.com

Boutique Hotels Formentera

These days it seems that staying in a high quality hotel in a great location is not enough; increasing numbers of travelers are looking for the boutique experience. But what does this mean, and is there such a thing as boutique hotels Formentera?

The term boutique hotel basically means a hotel that is particularly luxurious, quirky, or intimate, but it need not be all three. This means that within the category there are many different types of hotel and varying standards of service. One common thread that they all have is a high standard of personalized service. The trend to boutique hotels started in the UK and the US, and has now extended as far as Formentera Island.

Hostal Residencia Illes Pitiuses might be called a hostal, but this family-owned place has twenty four bedrooms, is tucked two and a half kilometers away from the main beach of Es Pujols and has its own high quality restaurant. Really it meets all the requirements of a boutique hotel, with its bright colors, local charm, and attention to detail.

The larger Balearic island of Mallorca has a broader range of boutique hotels that you may want to consider staying at, and you won’t need quite as deep pockets as you would at the more expensive sister island of Formentera.

Esplendido is a very trendy hotel in Mallorca’s Puerto Soller. It is located in the northwest on the mountainous coast, and affords the visitor some with incredible views. Hanging out by the pools, restaurant and lounge bar you will meet some interesting characters. The hotel was actually built back in 1954, but has been completely refurbished to a very high standard. Because of its older age the looms are larger than a modern hotel and the retro décor is appreciated by hippies and modernists alike. It has eight rooms, but still manages to give that personalized service that you expect from a boutique.

Can Simoneta is another of Mallorca’s well known place to stay. It’s right next to a nature reserve, so you tend to get quite a few Bill Oddie characters staying here. It’s reminiscent of boutique hotels Formentera because it is a converted nineteenth century farmhouse. You look out onto the Bay of Canyamel from the infinity pool, and would never realized that you are only one hour away from Palma airport. What makes this place really exclusive is that it has just eighteen rooms and a private beach. The restaurant isn’t bad either. Thumbs up.

Formentera Rooms

When it comes to the summer season then Formentera rooms are few and far between. This is such a popular island, with a flood of young Italian and German tourists pouring in each year, that the real trick for a great vacation on Formentera Island is finding somewhere decent to stay. There is a range of options, from farmhouses to penthouses, and everything in between, but be prepared for disappointment because you may just have to take what you can get!

There are also many different parts of the island to choose from, each with its own characteristics. There is the party resort location of Es Pujols, the charm of an old fishing village at Es Calo, peace and desolation around El Pilar de la Mola, the unspoiled coastline of Platja de Mitjorn, and the natural cove of Cala Saona. Wherever you do decide to stay you won’t be very far away from anywhere else as the island is only thirty two square miles in area.

Accommodation is very expensive as dictated by the laws of supply and demand: this is a very small island with around 7,000 houses and everyone wants to visit at the same time: between May and September. You might think you are doing yourself a favor by visiting outside of those peak months, but it can be just as challenging to find somewhere as a lot of places just shut down outside of the peak months.

There are a few large hotels on the island, notably Hotel Rio and Es Arenals. And there are a few boutique places also such as Club Gecko. But by far the most common option for Formentera rooms is the hostels. These are not hostels in the British sense of the word, but instead are the equivalent of two and three star hotels. If you are looking for luxury then really Formentera is the wrong place for you anyway. It is all about the natural beauty of the island, the access to great hiking and cycling, and water sports.

If you do decide to visit Formentera then it is highly likely you will return. The island gets a lot of repeat visitors who are amazed at how different it is from the other Balearic Islands and the relaxed atmosphere, and unspoiled coastline. The ignominy of high rise hotels and fish and chips displacing tapas has altogether been avoided. It’s yours to enjoy.

Hotel Savina Formentera

The entry point to Formentera island is its port of La Savina. It has a compact and attractive marina which is stocked with some pretty expensive yachts during the summer. It’s not really the best place to stay on the island though so most people searching for Hotel Savina Formentera, probably shouldn’t be! With that said, this article will discuss some of the options, along with the things that you can do in and around Formentera.

One really popular option is Hostal La Savina which recently some new sunshades and blinds installed. The food served is aimed at the Italian market, with some fare for the British and German traveler. With that said the restaurant is not really the strong point of this place so you will probably want to dine out most of the time. The hostal has all the features you would expect: satellite TV, hairdryer, air-conditioning, fridge, and balconies. The hostal has the advantage of being close to the ferry terminal and is built around a courtyard, and is near a saltwater beach.

Near to La Savina are the two inland salt lakes, Estany Pudent and Estany des Peix. Estany Pudent is also known as stinky pond, and the sulphur that bubbles to the top can indeed make it somewhat aromatic during the summer months. It is well worth cycling around though as the wetlands are a rich nature reserve and you may even see some flamingos. Estany des Peix is less exciting, but it also has some wetlands and isn’t a bad place to take a swim in shallow, warm waters.

There is a tourist information office at La Savina just as you come of the ferry. They are always happy to answer your questions and give you some tips on how to rent transport in La Savina to go and explore the rest of the island. There are plenty of motor car and motor bike rental stores, but really all you need is a bicycle. It is only a twenty minute cycle to the stunning beaches of Es Trucadors, and you have the added benefit of being able to take in the views of the Es Cavall d’en Borras coastline at leisure.

La Savina also has some cultural points of interest, including Es Campenment, which is the concentration camp of Formentera island – if you are looking for Hotel Savina Formentera, and end up there you have taken a wrong turn to far less attractive accommodation.

Formentera Pujols

Formentera Pujols is where the action is at: Es Pujols is really the only resort on Formentera island, and it has everything from great shopping to beautiful beaches. To get there you head straight through the village of Sant Ferran (also known as San Fernando), and go north. After ten minutes on a bicycle, or five minutes in a car, you will reach the village of Es Pujols itself. The first thing you will see opposite Café Volta is the Tourist Information Office, which is a great place to stop in and find out what this part of the island has to offer.

Es Pujols Formentera is a young person’s part of town and this is where you want to come in the evenings to socialize. The Indiana Café is a popular choice, with its ambient beats, cocktails, and the ever popular DJ Dieter. It’s been going for fifteen years and it looks like another fifteen year could easily be on the agenda. Pachanka is another music club with a decent reputation, and as the closing time of 6am gets ever closer it seems like it should have an indecent reputation! Nobody comes to Es Pujols without hearing about Bar de Noche Piratabus, and most people pay it a vist.

Besides the clubbing and bars of young Italians and Germans, Es Pujols has two perfect crescents of white sand and turquoise waters. The water is extremely shallow and in the summer you feel like you are in the Caribbean. You can also take a stroll up the coastline to Platja de Ses, which is really made up of two beached that are worth exploring: Platja des Canyers and Platja de sa Roqueta.

If you decide that you want to get away from the beaches and resort atmosphere then there are plenty of choices nearby. You could retreat into the village of Sant Ferran de Ses Roques for a coffee or tapas; the ever famous Fonda Pepe is still there basking in the glory of days gone by when Bob Dylan is said to have paid it a visit. Another alternative, suggested in a guide to Formentera, would be to head up to Ses Salines and take a look at the famous salt flats which were the main industry on the island for many years.

Formentera Pujols is also just down the road from Punta Prima, which is hope to one of Formentera island’s defense towers. The island used to suffer constant attacks from the island to the point where it was no longer inhabitable. These days it just faces an invasion of tourists every summer.