It has been almost a week, and I already miss the incredible sunsets of Ibiza, time spent with friends, and the insanely wild parties that can only be accomplished on a post Tomorrowland trip to Ibiza. I have found through my extensive traveling that the best way to beat the post-festival blues (other than planning your next adventure) is to recount the magical steps along the way, look through your photos (if you didn’t take pictures were you really there?) and connect with the new and old friends that took the absolutely epic ride with you. (Thanks to all who did, you made all the difference).
A little background might be needed to tell this story. I’ve been absolutely blessed to have met truly amazing people through festivals. Personally, for me, the people are what make an event. Once you have seen every DJ or artist on your bucket list, it leaves the excitement of the experience together. Everyone experiences everything differently. We are all just people, coming together with the same love of music. I met Valerie at my first and only Dreamstate event in 2017. The trailblazer in festival fashion that she is, she was wearing a ship hat before they were “cool” and had designed it herself. We spent an entire set getting to know each other, and I left that conversation thinking… “I hope she thinks I’m as cool as I think she is.”
Tomorrowland has ALWAYS been my bucket list festival, so when I saw Valerie was looking to go solo as I was, I nervously reached out to see if perhaps we might like to join forces. Turns out that was the best decision I ever could have made. After the four and a half hours of the brutal Tomorrowland Global Journey sale, we both decided we wanted to make an epic trip out of our bucket list festival. No post Euro festival trip is complete without a stopover to the White Isle of Ibiza, a bucket list item itself for true electronic music enthusiasts. It was a must.
I felt lucky, I had already spent a short weekend in Ibiza in 2018, and this time I had a big group to share it with. I had also fatefully met Lama and Nayla at that same Dreamstate (it really is such a small world) and I was so excited that they both would be joining us, along with some wonderful gentlemen, Karna, Mitch, David, and Oliver, that came together for those famous Ibiza vibes. I knew from personal experience that
After convincing everyone that there really was an Elrow on Wednesday ;), we arrived via a short flight from Barcelona and walked into the most amazing hotel room I have ever had the pleasure of staying in overseas. Axel Beach Hotel in Ibiza really pulled out all the stops. We had three balconies, two rooms, and an incredible kitchen and den area that was perfect for pre-gaming.
We immediately headed out to the breathtakingly mountainous venue of Cova Santa for Elrow’s Gardenarium. The visual splendor of the venue itself, coupled with the most colorful and unique decorations made this an event to remember. Beautiful fountains, lights, characters, and even a beauty parlor transformed us for our absolutely magical evening. With Lama, Nayla, and Valerie in tow, we danced to the soothing sounds of House music, explored the intimate areas of the venue, and even drank from the “Fountain of Youth.” You know what they say, Vodka cures all…or something like that.
A much needed night of rest was imperative after Elrow. We chose to skip Armin (sorry Armin) and slept in so that we could have the best possible experience at Cafe’ Del Mar. We were absolutely thrilled to be told who was playing next door at Cafe’ Mambo that night… none other than Fatboy Slim. I had only seen Fatboy at Creamfields, and this set was a heavy-hitting classic house set, that I honestly STILL can’t believe we actually witnessed it in person. I keep pinching myself that it really happened. A week ago we were clapping as the sun set, watching Fatboy Slim on the decks seaside in Ibiza… and we truly lived for it.
It would be hard to top this moment, but we tried anyways and headed out to Hi Ibiza for the techno vibes of Afterlife. Tale of Us is one of my favorites, and I knew that this would be a special occasion for their residency at Hi. We brought my girlfriend Nora along for her first foray into a more underground style of music! Wouldn’t you know it, even she adored it!
In a magical turn of events, we were offered tickets to Paul Van Dyk at Shine. We jumped at the opportunity because you just can’t miss out on pure Trance in Ibiza. Everything seemed to come full circle, as his residency was the first party I attended straight off the plane last year. PVD played a phenomenal set and was the perfect way to close out our post-festival weekend. I’ve never been more tired, but it was worth it to finish strong before my early flight in the A.M.
Seems as if the second time really is the charm in Ibiza. The season is still going strong through August. If you get the chance to go, I highly suggest you take it.
*Featured image courtesy of Andrei Oprescu
