Destination, municipality of Santa Eulària des Riu, Ibiza

The shimmering turquoise Mediterranean Sea gently hugged the pebbly beach. So beautiful and beguiling, so calming and tranquil, it reminded me of being on an idyllic Caribbean island. However, I was actually in Ibiza. This was a far cry from what I imagined the Balearic Island to be.

Ibiza is renowned for its clubbing night-life and is a favourite destination for those on hen or stag weekends, but the hotel where I stayed, Me Ibiza, showcased a quieter and more sophisticated side of the island. 

Nestled in a secluded bay in S'Argamassa on the east coast between the resorts of Santa Eulália and Es Caná, the Me Ibiza dishes up relaxed luxury in a pretty setting. Stunning in its simplicity with white being the predominant shade, this hotel is the place to go to relax and de-stress. It is a heady mix of seductive sophistication and laid-back chic.

Me Ibiza, showcased a quieter and more sophisticated side of the island
Courtesy of Me Ibiza

There are several pools, a spa and gym. My favourite was the infinity pool on the rooftop. I spent hours in this gorgeous location lazing on a Bali bed drinking in the views. For those in need of some pampering you can indulge in a massage or beauty treatment. There are also free yoga sessions.

On the ground floor you can lounge by the pool or in the gardens and listen to music selected by the DJ of the day.

The standout feature of the hotel is the energetic staff. The team is on a mission to do everything it can to ensure your trip is everything you want it to be.

Hippy Market

Food is good too. There is a choice of places to eat including the new gourmet restaurant The Radio Rooftop managed by one of Spain’s most prestigious chefs, Ángel León. Sadly I did not get the chance to try as it opened after I left. You can breakfast in style with a glass of champagne to set you up for the day.

Venturing out of the hotel on the beach, I discovered lovely coast walks. Turn left out of the hotel and you find yourself in the resort of Es Caná. It has distinctly British flavour. I hardly heard any Spanish being spoken as I walked along its sandy beaches. Reminiscent of a 1980s beach resort, this place is ideal for those looking for cheap package holidays.

Ibiza Old Town

The Punta Arabi hippy market which takes place every Wednesday attracts people from all over the island. Jewellery, clothes and handicrafts are among the wares you will find on the many stalls lining the maze of the market’s winding paths. It is unlikely that you will pick up any bargains but it is fun to go and see. Be warned, it does get extremely crowded.

Forty minutes’ walk or a 15-minute cab ride from the ME Ibiza is the rather delightful town of Santa Eulália. Life, in this former fishing village, moves at a slow, leisurely pace. I enjoyed some me-time meandering along the well-kept beaches and the palm-tree-lined promenade as I soaked up the sun’s rays. There is a sense, in a good way, this town still belongs to a bygone era.

Santa Eulália

It also has a marina and a good gastronomic scene catering for all tastes and budgets. In addition there are plenty of boutiques and galleries to mooch around as well as arts and crafts stalls in the main street. 

Ibiza Town was my day trip on this holiday. Eivissa, (Ibiza Town) is the capital and largest city on the island. When you are yearning for a culture shot and a dose of retail therapy this will tick all the boxes. The old town, Dalt Vila, looming high over the sea, is the magnet for tourists. I, along with the crowds, entered this citadel by the Portal de Ses Taules. Narrow cobbled alleyways take you on a historic journey through the walled city passing buildings, some of which date back thousands of years. At the top is a Gothic cathedral.

The drowsy charms of Santa Eulália

Eivissa was first settled by the Phoenicans over 2,500 years ago. Other civilisations including the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors have left their mark. The walls were built in the middle of the 16^th century to keep out attackers. From one of the seven bastions, you can take in the captivating views of the harbour below.

The trendy Marina Botafoch, on the other side of the harbour, is a pleasant place to stroll around and indulge in some shopping or refuel at one of the many cafés and restaurants. 

All too soon it was time to leave the hustle and bustle of Eivissa behind and catch the ferry back to the drowsy charms of Santa Eulália.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

BA CityFlyer flies from Stansted to Ibiza. Fares from £56 (prices are per person and are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com

BA CityFlyer also flies from London City Airport to Ibiza. Fares from £78 (prices are per person and are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com

Customers have a quick and easy journey through the Docklands airport, with hand baggage it takes just 15 minutes to get from kerbside to airside. On arrival in London City I was out in approximately the same amount of time

(In addition BA has services from Heathrow and Gatwick with connections available from across the UK and Ireland.)

Club Europe fares include a generous baggage allowance, complimentary refreshments and drinks on board and no debit card charges 

Stay at the ME Ibiza by Meliá. For more information and best rates visit melia.com

Destination Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, crackles with dynamic energy. It is a leading player in technology, a major force in fashion and a foodie’s paradise. Here beauty trends are made and innovative lotions and potions created.

Today 10 million live in the city where drab uniformity melds with the spanking new. Old white buildings, reminiscent of those in the old communist countries and a stark reminder of a troubled past, sit beside cutting-edge skyscrapers that are testament to its place on the world stage and its quest for an even more powerful tomorrow.

Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

Over the centuries Korea has been invaded several times and occupied by its neighbours including China. From 1910 until 1945 it was under Japanese occupation. This was a double-edged sword, on one hand the regime was often brutal but on the other hand it gave birth to many aspects of South Korea’s modern society. Industry was developed and mass media such as radio and cinema were introduced.

After the Second World War Korea was, eventually in 1948, divided into two zones, the communist North and the capitalist South. Two years later North Korea invaded its neighbour. Three years of intense fighting took place which ended with the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953. Millions of Koreans lost their lives as did many Chinese and American soldiers.

The Korean Peninsula is still separated by the DMZ. Despite its name, the Demilitarised Zone  remains one of the world's most heavily militarised borders. (A day trip to the DMZ is a must on a visit to Korea as what happens here could affect all our lives thisdannsworld.blogspot.co.uk)

Seoul seen from Nansam Park

With sheer guts and determination, Seoul, in relatively few decades, went from rags to riches to emerge as one of the world’s star performers. It is not just high-tech, food and fashion that has grabbed it headlines but also its wealth of top-notch museums, first class architecture and a prominent art scene.

To get to grips with Seoul you have to understand where it came from as it is not what you would class as beautiful. So much of it was built out of need. Nobody cared about winning beauty contests, anything constructed had to be functional so they could cope with the large number people from the countryside who came to live and work in the capital. 

Seoul’s old palaces have been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the years. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the one high on tourists' sightseeing lists. Minutes from the President’s residence, the Blue House, it was originally built in 1395 and was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty that ruled from 1392 until 1910. Gwanghwamum Gate is the impressive main gate of the palace and a renowned symbol of Seoul. 

Gwanghwamum , the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace

But, to appreciate Seoul, you need to get up close and personal with this electrifying 24-hour city.

On my first day I took a walk in Nansam Park up to the N Seoul Tower perched on top of Mount Nansam. On this cold, crisp sunny day, I was treated to a spectacular view of the capital and surrounding hills.

Bukchon Hanok Village, another hilly neighbourhood, is where you can see traditional Korean homes, called hanoks. These date back to the Joseon Dynasty.

Insa-dong captivated me with its quaintness. Here you can mooch round stores selling Korean handicrafts or explore the alleys awash with art galleries and typical restaurants and teahouses.

If you like markets and want to see if you can get your hands on a bargain, put the bustling Namdaemun Market on your itinerary. It is said to be the largest traditional market in the country selling goods as diverse as fine arts to flowers and ginseng.

Gangnam

For fast fashion, Dongdaemun Market is a must. There are approximately 20 shopping malls here stocked with an array of items to tempt you. 

Shopaholics will also want to head to Myeong-dong, one of the main shopping districts of Seoul. You will find plenty of department stores such as Shinsegae and Lotte which carry top-noch labels as well of plenty of shops overflowing with beauty masks for everything as well as the latest products. There are plenty of restaurants where you can refuel during your shopping expedition. 

A must to try is bibimbap, one of the most renowned Korean dishes. It is a bowl of steamed rice assorted vegetables mixed with chilli paste. Meat can be added and it is often topped with a fried egg. Another classic is kimchi, spicy, fermented cabbage. 

Itaewon

Itaewon, an edgy and gritty neighbourhood, buzzing with bars, clubs and restaurants as well as shops stocking a wide-range of goods from Korean pottery to jewellery to clothes and cosmetics. This multicultural area is popular with expats and tourists alike, especially at night.  

Head south of the Han River to the bustling upmarket district of Gangnam. to get a sense of Seoul today. High-rises are interspersed with shops stacked high with designer labels, beauty clinics as well as plenty of cafés and restaurants full of stylish people taking selfies. From theatres to clubs where you can party all night long, this exclusive neighbourhood is fast gaining a reputation as Seoul’s cultural hub. Rapper Psy renowned for his quirky 2012 hit Gangnam Style, has described the area as the capital of Seoul and from what I have seen I am in agreement.

When you are sauntering around Seoul it is hard to image that only 35 miles or so lies another world, the DMZ. Technically, the two Koreas may still be at war but judging the atmosphere in Seoul, life could not be better.

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

I flew Business Class with British Airways. (For best rates, britishairways.com)

When you have flown Quatar Airlines you realise just how poor BA has become. It is like comparing a five-star hotel with a three-star

Stay at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. (For best rates visit seoul.grand.hyatt.com) It has a lovely, warm atmosphere even though it is a corporate hotel. Rooms are spacious and service good