Formentera, Balearic Islands

On an island as small as Formentera, the best way to experience its beauty and culture is on a bicycle. The landscape is crisscrossed with bike paths, which make for easy riding so you can fully enjoy the scenery. Feel the gentle ocean breezes as you ride along the natural lake of Estany des Peix. When you stop for a stroll through the pedestrian-only town center of San Francisco and visit its picturesque church, the whitewashed buildings may remind you of a Greek island.

The dense prairies of oceanic posidonia seagrass that decorate the marine landscape around the Balearic Islands form a vital and beautiful ecosystem so important that portions have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a snorkeling adventure in the pristine waters cradling Formentera, an oceanographer will share information about this important and fragile sea grass.

Visiting the vineyards of Terramoll requires a spectacular drive to La Mola. Thick forests give way to unimpeded views across the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean as you make your way to the highest point on the island of Formentera. Walking across the clay-colored earth on a tour of the vineyard, you will learn about the role that dry weather and saline winds play in shaping the characteristics of Formentera’s wines.