Ibiza

Late, late at night and the crooked streets of Ibiza Town teem with the flamboyant and the fantastic. A long time favourite with the clubbing world, this Balearic beauty is synonymous with good times and great nightlife. But Ibiza's capital is not just about nighttime shenanigans; beneath its modern mantle you'll find a thriving core of history, tradition and charm.

The town ('Eivissa' to the locals) is beautifully situated, with the medieval walled city of Dalt Vila overlooking the length of the east coast from its vantage point atop rocky cliffs. This is the town's historical hub (dating back to around 500BC) and the island's greatest treasure, a hugely atmospheric, intricate maze of cobblestone plazas, whitewashed houses and tortuously steep streets, crowned by the Catedral and adjoining Castell. Filled with restaurants, bars and galleries, and offering great views, it buzzes with streams of breathless explorers in summer.

Exit the old town through the main gateway, arched Portal de ses Taules, and you'll find yourself in the old fisherman's quarter of Sa Penya. This is as unforgettable a place as they come - by day, a pleasant district of shops, pubs and traditional balconied houses rolling down to the port, but by night pure party pandemonium, the limbering-up locale before excited punters in all species of outfits move on to their club of choice.

There are five beaches close by, and the island's older charms of traditional villages and rugged scenery are also a short journey away. Relaxed, rural Formentera also offers a welcome relief with its sandy beaches and grottoes galore.