Holidays to Menorca

Overview Holidays to Menorca offer a unique European experience of history, culture as well as the classic beach holiday. Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, off the south east coast of Spain and directly north of Algeria, Menorca is flatter than its Canary island cousins however offers endless wild flowers and wetlands, with a large number of rare species. Menorca is hosts one of the largest collections of megalithic and ancient structures, old stone towns, quite secluded bays and beaches and is notorious for its vibrant summer festivals. Holidays to Menorca are perfect for unwinding and chilling, with plenty of hotels and resorts built to fit and cater for every budget.

Get up and...

For those looking for a more active holiday, take advantage of Menorca many great attractions, including:

• Water sports - Beach holidays in Menorca have a host of water sports available. Most of the beaches offer great snorkelling, jet skiing to the more relaxing pedalo's.
• Horse Riding - Horses are an important tradition in Menorca, so what better way to honour this by taking one of the home-bred black beauties out for a gallop over rolling hills and golden sandy beaches? Available for all levels
• Sightseeing - Torre d'en Guames, Menorca, is home to over 1000 megalithic sites, with Torre d'en Guames one of the largest. An old town built on a talyotic site over 3500 years ago, visiting this site will take you back through times to the earliest inhabitants of the island.

  Naveta d'es Tudons is perhaps the most famous megalithic site on the island. It's an ancient burial tomb, which tells the story of two love-struck men in their struggle to woo a maiden. With over 100 bodies found in there, along with ageless prices of bronze jewellery, Spain's oldest roofed building is an absolute must see.

  Mounte Toro is the highest point in low Menorca. On a clear day the top of Mounte Toro offers spectacular views of the whole island. With a famous church yielding an outstanding statue of The Virgin, this is a tourist hot-spot in Minorca.

• Nature Reserve - Albufera d'es Grans is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. These protected wetlands are home to over 100 species of birds, and many type of butterflies, lizards and other animals and flora. Don't forget your camera, as this natural park offers some truly breath-taking views.
• Festivals - Festes de San Joan The Balearic Islands are renowned for their colourful and frequent festivals, and there is non-more colourful, more traditional, or more wonderfully strange then Festes de Sant Joan. A tribute to Saint John the Baptist, the festival lasts for 3 days, with strict traditions being held on each, from magnificent local horses being purposely reared onto their hind legs, to the Homo de Bas, who, dressed in lambskins, carries a live lamb on his back through the city. An absolute treasure to behold, those who are witness to it will never forget it.

Relax...

With 100+ more beaches then its neighbours Ibiza and Mallorca, beach holidays to Menorca are ideal for the whole family. With some lightly slanting beaches, creating warm, shallow waters, to the "calas virgenes" (virgin beaches), in which some are so isolated they can only be accessed by foot. Holiday in Menorca are perfect for a truly soothing and relaxing experience. Spas are an ever growing phenomenon in Menorca, so why not treat yourself to a massive array of treatments, with very modest prices.

Culture...

Menorca is rich with history and tradition and the influences of many different cultures can be seen through-out the island. Early settlers where heavily influenced from other Mediterranean cultures, such as the Minoans of Crete, as shown by the use of Inverted timber columns. Menorca has come under many different empires rulings, such Carthage, roman, byzantine, Arab, Normans, and more recently, British, French, and now Spanish. Each of these empires left their cultural mark, which can be seen in their language, architecture and traditions.

Equestrianism is a long-held custom in Menorca, thought to date back to Arab rule, and then further re-enforced by the Norman occupation. Traditionally the descendent of Berber horses, the glossy black Menorcan horse is known for being spirited and quick-footed, used to help repel pirates hundreds of years ago. Horse shows favour the "bot", the standing on just the hind legs, and horses are heavily used in festivals. Referred to as the Island of the Pleasant breeze, the Menorcan people continue to uphold traditions of chivalry, hospitality and courtesy.

Shopping...

Shopping in Menorca, as in most of the Balearic Islands, offers excellent chances for retail therapy. With many shops selling local and international goods, and markets retailing excellent local goods, perfumes, leather and trinkets, nothing is left desired, as during high season many shops are open 7 days a week till late, this could be a shopaholics paradise.

Nightlife...

Menorca's nightlife is fairly low-key with only a few clubs but there are many jazz clubs, live music venues and tapas bars dotted around. Menorcans take pride in their culinary skills, so there are my varieties of restaurants and types of food to discover and enjoy. However for the clubbers among you, do check out the unusual Cava d'en Xoroi, in Cala en porter. It is an ultra-modern club, set into the rocks and caves of the cliffs, over-looking the sea!

Perfect Destination for...

The Balearic Islands and holidays in Menorca are ideal for families or couples looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday with some sun and sights.

Weather...

Menorca has a standard mediterranean climate, classified with hot summers reaching up and beyond the 30's, and mild winters, never really dropping past 10-15°C. There is virtually no rainfall during the summer, but the winter can experience some heavy showers. The locals will also tell you of the tramontana, the northerly wind that can batter the coastline, mainly around March.