Ibiza 2013: Part 5 – Back to the White Isle

This is the fifth post in a series about my 2013 trip to Ibiza for the closing parties. Part of the free plane tickets were funded by the 40,000 point sign up bonus of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. I redeemed 135,000 points for First Class flights from Miami to Ibiza on Lufthansa.

Even though it was my third trip to Ibiza, I was still filled with butterflies as we landed and I waited for my bags.  And waited… And waited.  But after all the bags had come out, mine was still nowhere to be found!  Since I had a bunch of connections (MIA->CLT->JFK->MUC->IBZ) I had checked my bag all the way through to Ibiza so I wouldn’t have to lug it around through 3 airports.  I didn’t know that if your bags had gotten checked through from a country outside of the EU that there was a completely separate baggage carousel in the Ibiza airport where I would collect my bag.  When I went in that area, it was there. Whew!  My friend was waiting for me at the airport and we had to wait for another friend so we grabbed a beer at the outdoor cafe at the airport (yes there is an outdoor cafe at the airport, Ahhhh Ibiza!) and waited for our third friend to arrive.

IMG_6933You know I am normally all about using miles and points for everything, but Ibiza doesn’t really have any of the big chain hotels.  Everything is small Spanish brands or independent condos, so my friend had found this condo on VBRO.com which is where owners can list their vacation properties for short term rentals.  I really think this is the best way to find somewhere special for a trip to Ibiza.  This place was 4 bedrooms so could have slept 8 and was $2800 for the week.  It was in a great location walking distance from the famous Pacha nightclub and also a beautiful beach.  As soon as I walked in I was taken aback by the incredible view.
Ibiza ApartmentThe apartment was fully equipped with a gorgeous kitchen and everything you would need including wifi.
IMG_6936But I didn’t come to Ibiza to sit in a gorgeous condo (or did I?), I came to hear some great music so after getting settled, we ate dinner, had some drinks and headed to the Solomun + 1 party which was right down the street at Pacha.
IMG_6937Things got a little fuzzy later in the night, but here is Solomun doing what he does best.
IMG_6942A trip to Ibiza isn’t complete without a visit to the legendary Bora Bora in Playa D’en Bossa.  This place reminds me a lot about Nikki Beach in Miami.
IMG_6951The next day our other roommate arrived from New York and things quickly became a whirlwind of parties, food, and music. Here we are at DC-10.
IMG_6955I didn’t end up taking as many photos as I usually do, but that is a good sign because it means I am having too good of a time! This was Carl Cox B2B Loco Dice at the Carl Cox closing party.IMG_6975I ran into my friend David Diego, Mr. Ibiza, at the Jamie Jones Paradise after party at Sirroco.IMG_6984Since I had some Ibiza virgins staying with me, going to check out Cafe Del Mar in Sant Antoni on the other side of the island.  The sunsets here are some of the best in the world!
IMG_6982We went to the Music On closing and luckily a friend had a VIP table so we didn’t have to be down with the masses on the main floor.IMG_7001 IMG_7005IMG_6990This was my favorite party of the week and it got even better when we went to the afterparty at a Cova Santa.IMG_7006I know I missed a bunch of my parties (Enter Closing, Cocoon Heroes), but those are the photos I ended up with.  Like I said, I was having too good of a time.  One last photo: you know you are in Ibiza when there is a club in the airport!  Although the music is a bit suspect, listening to some electronic music while you have a cocktail and wait for your flight isn’t something you can do many places in the world.
IMG_7013After the hectic time in Ibiza I had, I was ready to get pampered, and what better way than a Lufthansa First Class flight home including the legendary Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt! Details in the next article.

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Author: John Butler

I live in Miami Beach but love travelling all over the world.