All-Inclusive Alternatives

Heading to Spain because it came up quite cheap for when you wanted to go? Found yourself booking Ibiza or Menorca when the dream was actually Cuba? If you’re happy to lay back, read an entire series of crime novels, head down to the buffet at 7, and repeat for seven to fourteen days then you’re in the perfect spot. The Canary and Balearic islands are well-known for their ‘everything at your fingertips’ vibe. But if you’re getting a bit disillusioned by all this and fancy just a smidgen of adventure, you should absolutely go looking for it.

For a start, European destinations always seem to have an ‘old town’. It’s usually an older looking town (shock!), with shops and restaurants giving you a more authentic feel of the area. They usually feel more ‘local’, the kind of place that hasn’t been built specifically for the tourist. Of course, you’ll still find those magnet-and-ashtray-style places, but you’re also much more likely to head down an alley and find yourself a decent plate of legitimate patatas bravas.

Ibiza has a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yes, really! Aside from the nightlife we all expect of such a party-central location you can find Dalt Villa, chock-full of historic charm, museums, Renaissance architecture, and as always, plenty of cafes and eateries. Take a wander at your own pace, and take a camera to make sure you capture the wonder of the cobbled maze.

The Anaga Rural Park is an astonishing destination in Tenerife, and is situated right near the island’s capital. You can hire a car or take public transport straight into Anaga, and once you’re there the Park is your oyster! Meander through the forest, lay on a volcanic beach, hike a mountain, visit a restaurant, or just marvel at your surroundings. An early start, sturdy shoes, and a backpack of bottled water should definitely accompany you on this trip. It’s obviously a more active kind of day, but you’re almost guaranteed to find a sense of tranquility in Anaga, especially if visiting alone.

Now somewhere absolutely worth taking a visit to is Punta Mujeres on the east coast of Lanzarote. This traditional fishing village hosts some smaller supermarkets and authentic, local places to eat and drink. The real attraction though, is the four natural pools dotted along the coast. Once the tide has pulled in and these pools are full, they’re the perfect place to relax and take a dip while admiring how clear the water and how pretty the village is. After a dozy day on the coast, you can head further north to Jameos del Aguas and enjoy the true spectacles that await you in a 10,000-year-old cave.

Menorca is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, meaning it has 134 miles of coastline remaining virtually unscathed. On that note, it’d be rude not to have a look! The best way to do this is to take to the water, either on an organised boat tour or in a rented canoe or kayak. Some commercial boats even have glass bottoms, so you can enjoy the flourishing sealife without having to set a toe in the ocean, although you’ll almost definitely get the opportunity to. It takes 80 nautical miles to circumnavigate the entirety of Menorca - what a way to spend the day!

So if you don't fancy hanging out by the pool at an all-inclusive hotel, amongst neon swim shorts and screaming children slipping on ice cream, there’s always something else to do. The key is to talk to locals, hear what they recommend, and be ready to put in the effort to go further than Reception. Pretty much anywhere in the Spanish islands will afford you a good walk, good food, good views, and good people. Sometimes it’s just up to you to find them!