Extreme and serene: Is Ibiza THE answer to the perfectly balanced getaway?

• The island shifts from a tranquil escape to a party place like no other
• Rita Ora, Mariah Carey and Kim Kardashian were all visitors this summer
• MailOnlineTravel visits some of Ibiza's famous hotspots and reveals all 

By Jon Hornbuckle For Mailonline

Published: 02:58 EST, 23 October 2015 | Updated: 04:44 EST, 23 October 2015

So you're in your mid-twenties and you’re thinking of your next holiday. 

You want somewhere that’s going to be packed with culture but you also want nightlife and fine dining for a reasonable price. That’s the impossible dream, right?

Turns out Ibiza is just that place and it must be doing something right; it’s got a strong celeb following with Rita Ora, Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Kim Kardashian and Kate Moss all being visitors this summer.

The hotel boasts three swimming pools, with one looking over the Mediterranean sea and another snaking its way through the hotel’s grand gardens

Blue Marlin Ibiza is one of the most luxurious dining experiences in the world and turns into an elegant dance venue as the sun goes down

Thomson are now getting you in on the action with their new Scene holidays - the perfect way to experience the best of the wild and the luxury in locations that range from far flung and closer to home such as Thailand, Mexico, Ibiza and Croatia.

Split into two categories - Scene Hub or Scene Style, these trips cater for a full range of party animals. From the calm and serene to the very extreme. Not sure which you fall under? There’s a nifty flow chart on their website to help you decide.

I went to Ibiza and not only did I survive - I loved it. Where else on the planet can you party all day and also find some of the most idyllic, picturesque beaches?

It's almost jarring how Ibiza shifts from a tranquil escape to a party place like no other. Top DJ's such as Calvin Harris, Paris Hilton & David Guetta have residencies - this is no tacky nightclub scene. This is glamour.

Jon said: 'Clubbing holidays had never appealed to me and I was worried that Ibiza would be non-stop mayhem and no relaxation'

The Estado Puro restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotel describes itself as 'tapas with a twist’ with a menu by double Michelin star chef Paco Roncero

We stayed at the Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, one of the White Isle’s best-known hotels. It’s an A-List hangout with a winning combination of style, luxury and a location that boasts a private beach and is just meters away from the nearest nightclubs.

The hotel boasts three swimming pools, with one looking over the Mediterranean Sea and another snaking its way through the hotel’s grand gardens. If that’s not enough, then the Playa d’en Bossa Beach passes trough the hotel with it’s golden sand, clear waters and phenomenal views.

Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel has over 400 sleek and stylish rooms with a thoroughly modern edge. Guests can cool down in their own jacuzzi or set the tone with the mood lighting and the hotel’s plush ‘Anything Can Happen’ suites come with the best views of the sea and stage as well as a fully loaded bar and games console.

'Ibiza is one of the most wild party destinations in the world but it’s also got some of the most beautiful, paradise-like coves and beaches'

Follow in Mariah Carey’s footsteps and catch a short ferry from Ibiza to Formentera Island for a blissful day of pure relaxation

The Ushuaïa also has its own world-class nightclub which all guests get free access to. The Ushuaïa club pulls in weekly residencies from world renowned A-List DJ's including David Guetta, Avicii and Martin Garrix. The outside venue was also where Kylie Minogue decided to open her latest world tour in August last year.

Thankfully, unlike other European party destinations, Ibiza isn’t crawling with drunken teenagers on their first holiday without their parents.

The Ibiza scene revolves around a trance electro sound and to be honest I’d struggle to even tell you what that means and I’d be lying if I told you it’s the genre of music that I listen to. That said, it's hard not to enjoy yourself regardless of the music when the sun is shining, the crowd is this trendy and the drinks keep flowing.

So that’s the part of Ibiza that we all know about. But the White Isle has so much more to offer than just heavy beats and lots of lasers.

The White Isle has so much more to offer than just heavy beats, electro dance music and lots of lasers

Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel has over 400 sleek and stylish rooms with a thoroughly modern edge. Guests can cool down in their own jacuzzi or set the tone with the mood lighting

Follow in Mariah Carey’s footsteps and catch a short ferry from Ibiza to Formentera Island for a blissful day of pure relaxation. Regular boats take you straight into the town centre of Formentera where you can find boutique shops, medieval churches and quaint cafes. Keep your eyes peeled (or shut) as the island is famous for its beautiful white beaches where nude sunbathing is allowed.

Back over on Ibiza and if you’re not too hungover, then a jeep safari is the best way to see the hidden parts of the island during the day. The excursion is run by the Ibiza Jeep Safari company who pride themselves on including spots that are mostly unknown to tourists, so you’ll get to take in the most incredible views away from all the crowds.

The safari tour covers the entire island and goes off road into some of the deepest parts, giving you a thrilling ride through the roughest terrain and taking in some of the highest parts of the island - a perfect picture opportunity. There really is no better way to see the famous White Island.

Dining in Ibiza is equally stunning; it’s a bold statement but Blue Marlin Ibiza is one of the most luxurious dining experiences in the world.

The stylish hub is located in one of the island's most exclusive neighbourhoods with it’s own beach where you can sail right up to before indulging yourself in some of the finest seafood that Ibiza has to offer. Naturally, Blue Marlin Ibiza turns into an elegant dance venue as the sun goes down.

Then there’s the Estado Puro restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotel that describes itself as 'tapas with a twist’ with a menu by double Michelin star chef Paco Roncero - Spain’s answer to Heston Blumenthal.

Dining in Ibiza is equally stunning; it’s a bold statement but Blue Marlin Ibiza is one of the most luxurious dining experiences in the world

The Ushuaïa Club is home to Minami, the island’s most elegant Japanese restaurant, where food can be cooked on your table and you’ve got a backstage view of the main stage as the party gets started. The chefs at Minami put on theatrical cooking shows and offer traditional sushi in a zen-like atmosphere.

Thomson Scene breaks are the perfect choice whether you're a party animal looking for the biggest, wildest and loudest weekend of your life, or if you're a cocktail-sipping type that wants to unwind in a chic retreat full of A-list guests, glamour and music. There are several great locations to choose from and Ibiza should be at the top of your list. A great balance of showbiz glamour, wild parties and exquisite scenery.

‘Clubbing holidays’ had never appealed to me and I was worried that Ibiza would be non-stop mayhem and no relaxation - how wrong I was. 

Yes, Ibiza is one of the most wild party destinations in the world but it’s also got some of the most beautiful, paradise-like coves and beaches.

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