MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 75

and grilled fish at a chiringuito among the pine
trees behind the beach. After a few days at Can
Marti, dipping in the clear-blue waters along
this less-visited side of the island, you'll have to
pinch yourself that this is the same island that
thousands of the world's clubbers descend upon
each summer. It's another world.

099 sTay on an
orGaniC farm in
ibiza

If you've ever dreamt of
escaping to the Med and
buying a farmhouse, a stay at
Can Marti will show you how
it can be done successfully.
Swiss owners Peter and
Isabelle have spent over a
decade transforming their
traditional Ibizan finca into an
idyllic country home and the
island's first genuinely eco-
friendly accommodation.
Couples can choose between
three self-catering studio
apartments (individually
themed: Mexican, Indian and
Spanish rustic) in the old stone
farmhouse, while up to four can
stay in a separate arabesque,
clay-plastered stone house that
overlooks the estate's sloping
terraces of almond, carob, olive,
pistachio and walnut trees.
For breakfast, there's home-
made wholemeal bread, local
jam and honey, and you can
stock up on groceries and wine
at the on-site organic shop.
There's no shortage of sun on
Ibiza, so Can Marti's electricity
is run off solar panels, but
since water is a precious resource there's no
swimming pool and rainwater is harvested. Waste
water is also reused in the estate's permaculture
gardens.
If you're able to stir yourself away from this
country idyll, there are plenty of swimming spots
at the coves and beaches along the northeast
coast. One of the best, close to Portinatx, is
Cala d'en Serra - an arching sandy bay (with
excellent snorkelling) where you can have drinks

Need to know A bus goes from Ibiza Town
to Sant Joan (2km from Can Marti), where the
owners will collect by arrangement. For directions,
accommodation details, prices and booking see
W www.canmarti.com; T [phone].
There are regular ferry services to Ibiza from
the other Balearic Islands, as well as Barcelona
(overnight), Valencia and Denia (both 4.5hr):
W www.balearia.com.

100 moniTor whales and
dolphins in The liGurian sea

Here's your chance to see what it's like to be a
marine biologist working in the warm waters
of the eastern Mediterranean. In collaboration
with Oceans Worldwide, The Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society (WDCS) lets volunteers
help scientists monitor several species, including
bottlenose dolphins and the enormous fin whale
- the world's second-largest animal. You'll spend
five days out in the Ligurian Sea between Italy
and Corsica on board a motorized sail boat
(which is also where you sleep), spending your
time learning identification techniques. Regular
“swim stops” at various islands are scheduled
during the trip so you can relax and cool off.
Chances are you'll come dangerously close to
changing your career.

Pollination in action; Can
Marti's stylish rooms are
individually themed; tending
the young plants in the
garden permaculture; the
Olivo cottage

Need to know Tours start and finish at Portosole
harbour near San Remo on Italy's Ligurian coast.
A percentage of proceeds from the trips goes
towards supporting the conservation work of
WDCS. For itinerary details and prices see W www.
oceansworldwide.co.uk/italy.htm; T +44 (0) 845
290 3218.