Unspoiled Ibiza

I'd arrived there with two willowy 14-year-olds, all bare midriffs and attitude, feeling that along with the luggage I had probably also packed a whole load of trouble.

After all I was in sole charge of my daughter and her friend on an island which around five years ago attracted headlines for Brits behaving badly, clubbers and wild partying. The opportunities for unsuitable close encounters or other mishaps seemed endless in my anxious imagination.

Friends and work colleagues hadn't helped. Prior to departure the merest mention of my holiday inspired them to mime wild disco/rave movements and pay ironic tribute to my bravery for venturing solo with two fledgling clubbers.

In reality this island is actually a perfect choice for any family with teenagers. Ibiza has worked hard in recent years to ensure that its incredible club scene is renowned for its music rather than its excesses, and the serious raving which attracts top DJ's is done in San Antonio and Ibiza Town.

But take a short drive away from those centres and you uncover an interesting but blissfully far-from-wild nightlife perfectly suited to under 18s available at the myriad of pavement side cafes and bars.

These are in the pretty little towns and villages that nestle in a landscape covered with almond trees, orange and lemon groves, cacti, pine forests and rare orchids.

In the daytime the attraction is the beaches for the bronzing and baking beloved by body-conscious teens. There are 56 beaches along the coastline of this island, which is only 45km long, and this is the closest you get to a Caribbean look in Europe.

There are secluded coves, rocky inlets and long stretches of white sand. Small wonder it's a favourite haunt of the famous, Jade Jagger, Stella McCartney, Elle MacPherson and Kylie Minogue all holiday here.

We were staying in the south east of the island -- less than half an hour's drive in our hired car from the airport and Ibiza Town.

Our spot was the quaint village of Es Cubells, perched high atop steep cliffs and offering spectacular views up and down the coast. Its claim to fame is that it was once the home of Jules Verne, author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Its location makes it ideal for the experienced snorkellers and divers who throng there.

Our villa, Casa El Olivo, was extremely well equipped with luxury bathrooms, its own generous sized pool and large garden. It was an ideal stone's throw from the totally unspoilt village square with a local restaurant -- with a stunning view out to sea -- and a small supermarket groaning with fresh produce.

That meant in the mornings the girls could wander down on their own to collect the bread, have a cool drink and enjoy their "own space" as they say. The rest of the day they devoted to gossiping, swimming, sunbathing and preparing to parade.

In the evening there were plenty of English families who would gather with their teenagers at the restaurant. Tables were soon pulled together and the socialising would begin -- lots of chatting from the girls and posing by the boys. They could wander home alone later in perfect safety.

Other nights were spent down on what felt like our private beach, a tiny sheltered cove only five minutes away.

There the bar/restaurant was frequented by locals, always a good sign, and its paella was superb. A starry night, a CD player and who needs a club -- especially as most of the youngsters were under 18 and would have been barred entry anyway.

In contrast to that simplicity, we also ventured to sophisticated Cala Jondal, around 8km from Ibiza town. A conservation area, with the green hills graced by exquisitely designed homes, and below a deep, wide beach, which enjoys shade from clumps of pine trees before sloping gently to the glittering, crystal waters.

We sat and enjoyed a meal in the Tropicana restaurant, with its patio decorated by flower beds and tubs. It was a great spot for people watching as the yachting crowd love to moor up and relax here.

The girls indulged in retail therapy in bustling but charming Ibiza town, with its eclectic mix of designer and local shops and interesting stalls. A couple of evenings we wandered the cobbled streets of the old town and in the vibrant, cosmopolitan port area, stopping for cocktails at some of the string of bars.

One of the most popular Ibenco words is "tranquillo" -- meaning finding inner peace and harmony with nature. Certainly I found peace despite living in close proximity to that demanding species -- the great British teenager.

The girls declared the holiday "chilled" as they'd socialised and could honestly boast to going out every night (even if not officially

'clubbing'), essential to qualify for street cred with school pals.

I fell in love with an island which legend describes as "blessed by the gods". And perhaps appropriately in these troubled times it even has the distinction of being predicted by 15th century French astrologer Nostradamus to be the earth's final refuge. He forecast that if a nuclear disaster wiped out life on earth, prevailing wind patterns over Ibiza would ensure it remained as the sole life-supporting environment.

I can vouch for the fact that it is already a wonderful refuge and a teenage-safe zone -- and one I am determined to return to as soon as possible.

TRAVEL FACTS

Gabrielle Fagan was a guest of Something Special (01455 852 229) which provides private pools with all its villas in Ibiza.

This summer, seven nights self-catering on Ibiza start at £388 per person, including flights, and car hire. Something Special offers early booking discounts until Feb 28, including two weeks for the price of one, low deposits and 5% discounts for full payment early. For further options contact your local ABTA travel agent.