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Sharon Cain
Time for Life Correspondent
6:00 PM 29th May 2019
lifestyle

Seductive Serenity: Rural Retreat On World’s Party Island

 
Divine destination
Divine destination
I found paradise in a sleepy backdrop in rural Ibiza where the birdsong is attuned with discerning visitors seeking to escape the crowds and recharge and reconnect in an oasis of tranquillity.

Located in the heart of ‘Isla Blanca’ - the White Island, with its beautiful whitewashed houses - Can Can Lluc Boutique Country Hotel and retreat nestles in verdant surroundings.

A 20 minute taxi ride from the airport culminated at the end of a dusty, bumpy track where our divine destination was bathed in spring sunshine.

Off the beaten track
Off the beaten track
First impressions surpassed expectations, endorsing Can Lluc’s award-winning reputation which includes a recommendation by Condé Nast Traveller 2019.

Sensory feast

The hotel is surrounded by an abundance of olive, fig and carob trees enhanced by the scent of wild jasmine and purple bougainvilleas.

The soporific running water feature in the stunning swimming pool, the hotel’s centrepiece, and beckoning Balinese beds bedecked in white linen are conducive to total relaxation.

Time to reflect
Time to reflect
Within two hours of checking in, the outside world dimmed into insignificance as I was cocooned in a wonderful sense of wellbeing.

Sunrise and sunsets are sensational and can be experienced to the full via a short walk to a pretty pagoda in the hills with fantastic views of San Rafael valley and further afield.

Breathtaking sunsets
Breathtaking sunsets
Can Luc’s holistic ethos and facilities to boost wellness include a small gym, spa and sauna. Bespoke massages can be booked a day in advance and three-day Stay Healthy and Yoga Packages are available for guests and small groups.

On our first evening the garden in the pool area was buzzing with a film crew from the island’s official tourism board. The opportunity to join a yoga class was too good to miss and my concentration and smattering of Spanish were rigorously tested trying to follow the instructor!

Boosting wellbeing
Boosting wellbeing
Agritourism pioneer

Harmoniously fusing past and present, Can Lluc, a true labour of love, has been painstakingly transformed from a two centuries old rustic ranch owned by the grandfather of the present proprietor Lucas Prats, into a niche 20-room hotel.

Fuelled with a passion to ensure it is sustainable environmentally and kept in the family, Lucas and his wife Tina Soriano are creating a legacy to pass onto their children (the youngest is 12) and grandchildren.

At the forefront of ‘agroturismo’ - a growing trend designed to attract visitors to the countryside - Lucas and Tina were granted Ibiza’s 9th agroturismo licence in 2003 – three years after embarking on their major undertaking.

Visionary: proprietor Lucas Prats
Visionary: proprietor Lucas Prats
Lucas explains: “Can Lluc has been a long-standing dream which has entailed much sacrifice and investment to create a special rural retreat in an environment which gives guests a genuine sense of wellbeing and relaxation.
“Ibiza’s is a beautiful island with a conducive climate in the spring, autumn and winter and we want to encourage more visitors to sample its rich and diverse culture which includes cycling, sailing, beautiful beaches and fine wining and dining,”

In harmony with nature

Lucas’ eye for minimalist design - which has been lauded by prominent influencers - is apparent throughout and highly complements the rustic ambiance. Drawing on natural materials, original features include drystone walls, ceilings made from Sabina wood - and roofing from a local variety of juniper.

Window on rural Ibiza: room with a rustic view
Window on rural Ibiza: room with a rustic view
Aligned with Can Lluc’s sustainable ethos, many of the finca’s original features have been lovingly restored and integrated into the distinct décor of each room.

Accommodation comprises doubles, superior rooms and villas with every conceivable amenity we could wish for. Our villa included a kitchenette, terrace and spacious garden with a Balinese bed.

Magical sun kissed days brought the anticipation of sinking into slumber ensconced in luxurious cotton sheets.

Gastronomic delights

Renowned for gorgeous gastronomy, Can Lluc’s Olea Restaurant surpasses its quest to serve excellent Mediterranean cuisine with Ibizan passion thanks to Head Chef Alberto and Sous-chef Fatima.

Maximising healthy, natural products from the restaurant’s own vegetable and herb garden, every mouthful of the flavour-packed dishes stimulate the taste buds.

Olives and aioli will never be the same again after savouring Can Lluc’s version enhanced by star of anis, coriander, home-grown cinnamon and lemon with aromatic orange peel in marinade.


Home grown: vegetables and herbs from Can Lluc
Home grown: vegetables and herbs from Can Lluc
Mouth-watering dishes included colourful char roasted vegetables of fennel, pumpkin, Jerusalem artichokes, celery, beetroot, parsnip, celery and kale.
In plentiful supply, fish and shellfish are favourites in Ibiza’s culinary offerings and I was looking forward to sampling authentic seafood favourites such as bacalao, (cod), merluza (hake), emperador (swordfish) and lenguado (sole).

Mediterranean favourites: delicious cod
Mediterranean favourites: delicious cod
The bacalou with Malaga cream, almond and garlic vinegar accompanied with a tasty ratatouille was scrumptious - as was ‘grandpa’s cannelloni’ combining lamb, chicken, beef, pork, tomato shallot’s spiced with garlic and cinnamon.

The à la carte menu includes a selection of grilled meat - the chuletas (lamb chops) and rice is particularly good. Accommodating meals and celebrations for groups, Can Lluc’s private dining room, complete with fireplace for cooler months, seats 10.

Grandpa’s cannelloni goes down a treat
Grandpa’s cannelloni goes down a treat
A must before dinner is sipping cocktails in the restaurant’s picturesque outside seating area while watching the sun descend over the hills and the promise of another day in the slow lane dawning.

A copious collection of Spanish wines including Rioja, Penedes, Ribera del Duero and Bierzo coupled with local wines from Ibiza and Formentera as well as Spanish sparkling wines and champagnes.

No meal is complete without a shot of ‘Hierbas Ibicencas’ the taste of Iziba’. With roots in the middle ages, this mellow concoction integrates the island’s herbs and plants including fennel, wormwood, sage and thyme.

Wider cultural delights

While guests are more than welcome to ensconce themselves in Can Lluc for the duration of their stay, Lucas and Tina also encourage them to explore the island, offering tips on eating and activities.

The concierge and special services include day trips, kayaking, horse-riding, cycling, hiking and boat hire.

Just 45 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide, Ibiza is a proverbial treasure trove. Boat services transporting visitors to and from Dalt Vila - the old town declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 – are a 15 minute drive away. .

Sensational views across the island from Dalt Vila
Sensational views across the island from Dalt Vila
With its picture postcard setting, Dalt Vila’s sights include the gothic Cathedral de Eivissa and its fortified 16th century walls provide unparalleled panoramic island views.

A snorkeler’s paradise, Ibiza also boasts secluded and buzzing beaches and gems of traditional towns with narrow cobbled streets include San Carlos, Santa Gertrudis and San Jose.

A day’s exploration of the island is rewarded with a return to Can Lluc’s oasis where even the resident cat purrs with chilled contentment.

Feeling chilled: Can Lluc’s resident feline
Feeling chilled: Can Lluc’s resident feline
With temperatures at 23º Celsius in October and averaging 15º Celsius or higher from November to April Can Lluc - the ultimate panacea for winding down - is a purrfect haven for all seasons.

Key facts

Can Lluc Boutique Country Hotel & Villas - open all year round
Address: Ctr. San Rafael a Santa Inés, km 2, 07816 San Rafael, Balearic Islands, Spain
Telephone: +34 971 19 86 73
Email: info@canlluc.com
Website: www.canlluc.com
Instagram @canllucibiza

Olea Restaurant: mains from €20, email info@canlluc.com, Bookings Tel: +34 971 198 673 or + 34 609 300 938, Instagram @oleacanlluc

Can Lluc accommodates families, couples, weddings, honeymooners, yoga retreats, corporate events and is pet friendly. Guests can also rent the family’s private vacation home Can Jaume Curt.

Festivals and fairs: June - December 2019

June 24 commemorates the patron saint of San Juan when the town comes alive with firework displays, BBQs, bonfires and the more daring jump over small fires or walk across hot coals.

July 16 celebrates Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen, across coastal villages. With street artists and fairs, a water procession disembarks from Ibiza Port and boats blessed by local priests are bedecked with flowers. Additional processions take place in Ibiza Town, Sant Antoni, Es Cubells, Portinatx and Formentera.

July 30 - August 8 sees Festes de la Terra, a tribute to patron saints Santa María de las Nieves and Sant Ciriac. An extravaganza of floats, parades, mass at the old town’s cathedral and impressive midnight firework shows are highlights at Dalt Vila and Ibiza Port. On August 24 a firework display in San Antonio commemorates the patron saint of Sant Bartomeu.

September marks the Eivissa Jazz Festival, (dates to be announced) lighting up Dalt Vila with international musicians flocking to the island for the five-day event. Traditional fiestas with small funfairs, wine and live music also take place in the villages of Mare de Deu de Jesus on September 8 and Sant Miquel on September 29.

October highlights include a two-day Ibiza Light Festival with a spectacular exhibition of lights, music and performances in Dalt Vila. It traditionally takes place on the second week of October - dates to be released.
November heralds the gastronomic Ibiza Sabor Festival when many restaurants offer special menus and tapas deals and cooking demonstrations and tasting visits to wineries.

December signifies the Christmas Market Season with arts and handicrafts, decorative items and mulled wine. Ibiza Town’s Christmas market and the Las Dalias Christmas market are particularly popular.

Flights

Airlines serving Ibiza from UK airports include Jet 2, Ryan Air, Thomas Cook and Easyjet.

All photography by by Steve Hare.