Why We Return, Again and Again - The Ibiza & St. Tropez Syndrome
Every summer certain destinations dominate conversations and become summer’s Hot Spot.
Ibiza and St Tropez have become symbols of this phenomenon. The social feeds fill up with sun drenched images and it's all about the idea of belonging to a shimmering seasonal scene. For some it means dancing until sunrise at legendary clubs. For others it is sipping cocktails on sunbeds where everyone around you looks like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. The charm is undeniable. Music fills the nights. Markets overflow with colors and scents. Both locations offer breathtaking landscapes and a sense of freedom that comes with sea air and endless sun. Yet you may feel an unspoken pressure to match the style and energy of the crowd.
The experience can shift from relaxation to performance, if you care too much. Don't let it become exhausting. These places are beautiful if you just try to be yourself and stay relaxed and chill. Dressing up can be part of the fun. But do not overthink every detail about your body and your look. It is still a vacation. The best way to enjoy places like Ibiza and St Tropez is to stay comfortable and relaxed. Focus on living in the moment and you will have the best time and memories that will stay with you long after summer ends.
Ibiza is known as the magical island full of energy and spirit.
It is a place where many people feel a higher pull unlike anywhere else in Europe. The island carries a reputation for the best music culture that shaped generations of nightlife. Clubs like Pacha and Hï Ibiza have hosted some of the most legendary sets in music history. If you don't lose yourself in dancing through days and nights, you can spend your time at countless hippie markets with hand made treasures and colorful art. Ibiza’s energy radiates higher and once you are there you feel it instantly. The crowd is young,free and even though the scene has changed over the years, the island has never lost its power as the ultimate hotspot for summer. Hot girl summer is spent in Ibiza. This is the place where people go to celebrate life. But beyond the clubs and wild nights don't leave without seeing the breathtaking nature. The coastline is wild, the water shimmers in turquoise light and hidden beaches invite you to slow down. Ibiza allows you to refill your soul to realign with yourself and to connect with the culture of spirituality that still lives strongly on the island. It is a place where you can find yourself in new ways and experience freedom in its purest form. That is why many people who visit for the first time always return. Ibiza pulls them back again and again because it is simply something special.
Saint Tropez on the other hand offers a blend of Mediterranean elegance and glamour.
It is very different to Ibiza because here it is more about the old money glitz and glam. The whole French Riviera sparkles with beauty. The landscape is beautiful, the sea is crystal clear and if you are lucky to explore with a boat you will discover waters so clear they look like glass. The port in Saint Tropez is small yet famous for its luxurious atmosphere. It is very bougie and yes you can spend a fortune there in just one day. Celebrities walk around casually and it feels like a runway at times with stunning outfits and beautiful people everywhere. It is a place where you cannot deny that appearance matters. Yet there is also a charm to the little port with its colorful houses and narrow streets. On weekends the markets are lively and heartwarming with fresh food and local crafts that balance out the glamour with authenticity. Just like Ibiza, Saint Tropez is also known for iconic parties. It has legendary clubs and beach spots like Club 55 where people dance to unforgettable DJ lineups until the sun rises.
Fashion is a whole different scene when you look at Ibiza compared to Saint Tropez. In Ibiza the crowd is younger and the focus is way more on the night. During the day, a cute bikini and a little cover up is enough to lay on the beach, grab a drink or walk through a market. Big beach bags and boho accessories keep the hippie spirit alive. At night though that is where the dressing up starts. Girls can take hours to get ready because that is part of the whole thing. You want the shimmering skin, the hair all done, the sparkly makeup, the cute little dress. It is usually short because the vibe is hot. You see a lot of skin, glitter skirts and cowboy boots.
The whole look is fun, flirty, colorful and kind of fairy-like. All in the spirit of the magic island.
Saint Tropez has a totally different vibe. It is more old money chic and classy. You see long dresses and beautiful fabrics. Pucci prints everywhere and sparkle too but in a more classy way. You definitely see more logos and labels and the footwear is different here too. In Saint Tropez you wear high heels, 15cm wedges and sandals. You are not necessarily dancing until sunrise like in Ibiza so you can pull it off. Makeup is more natural, sun kissed and glowy. Hair is more about a pretty blow out than glitter and gems. The whole vibe is chic, effortless and expensive. You start classy and maybe end barefoot on a boat but it is about the balance of elegance and fun.
One thing to keep in mind with both places is the timing of your visit. The high season of July and August is when crowds are at their peak. Beaches are packed, clubs are overbooked and prices rise to the maximum. For locals this period can be exhausting and for visitors it can feel overwhelming. But if you plan your trip in early summer or towards the end of the season you will have a very different experience. The crowds are smaller, the atmosphere is more relaxed and you will be able to connect more with the local people. You can enjoy restaurants without long waits, you can get recommendations from locals and you can actually discover the authentic rhythm of the island and port-town. Off season travel lets you indulge in everything these destinations offer without the stress of overcrowding.
In the end Ibiza and St Tropez are destinations which symbolise a certain kind of summer, one filled with beauty, music and a shared sense of being exactly where the world feels most alive.
Both are It Places, yes but they are also deeply special and keep calling people back year after year. You can experience moments there that feel like a dream. Ibiza is wild, free, spiritual and magnetic. Saint Tropez is elegant, glamorous and sparkling. Both make you feel alive in different ways. Once you have been you always want to return.
That is the Ibiza and Saint Tropez syndrome. That is the hot summer escape everyone is chasing.
Whether your summer is about dancing under the stars or quiet moments by the sea, both places promise memories that will stay with you forever.
by Lareen Lareen Roth-Behrendt 
