Ibiza

Ibiza is perhaps the most famous of the Balearic Islands of Spain. It's not a large island, and is often completely overrun with sun- and party-loving tourists from northern countries who are desperately trying to escape the winter cold at home. In fact, Ibiza - or Eivissa as it's known locally - is one of the party capitals of Europe, with nearly every club boasting world-class DJs from all over plying their trade.

For this party-hearty culture, Ibiza has gained a reputation as the place to avoid if you don't want to spend your holiday shoulder-to-shoulder with drunken Brits... But if you time your visit right (in other words, outside the peak June-October season), you'll get to experience the island's gorgeous beaches without fighting the worst of the crowds.