Minorca - for a relaxing time in the Balearics
First of all: wishing you a Happy New Year, and a 2008 filled with plenty of interesting travel around Europe!
Now that it is January, with winter holidays out of the way (almost), lots of people are now considering spring breaks and summer holidays. The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean have proved popular year upon year, and for a relaxing beach holiday, a good one to consider is the island of Minorca.
Minorca (also spelt Menorca), means “minor island”, it being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca. Its highest point is the mountain known as El Toro which is 358 m above sea level, and its main towns are Maó and Ciutadella. The part of the island which most attracts holidaymakers is the south coast, including the lovely resorts of Santo Tomas, Son Bou, Cala en Porter, Binibeca, Punta Prima and S’Algar.
Minorca actually has more beaches than the rest of the Balearic Islands put together, and offers a quieter and more sedate atmosphere than Majorca. The coastline is beautiful, with red sandstone, and dramatic cliffs sheltering secluded coves where the waves gently lap. Inland, Minorca also has beautiful countryside with pretty olive groves and orchards. There are little fishing villages and towns with narrow cobbled streets. The whole island offers an idyllic holiday.
A holiday on this lovely island can be found to suit all different tastes and budgets. Resorts to choose from include the beautiful curved sweep of sand that forms the bay of Arenal D’en Castell – here you have a great choice of water sports. Surrounded by scented pine trees is the bay of Cala Galdana, which is hailed as being one of the most beautiful bays in the western Mediterranean. Then, if you have young children, there is the very family-orientated resort of Cala’n Forcat, which has a superb aqua park which the young ones really enjoy.
Also of interest is the fact that island is known for its many megalithic stone monuments – so if you are interested in ancient history, these could be well worth a look.
Minorca offers a full range of accommodation, from all-inclusive hotels, to self-catering.
Most local people of Minorca are bilingual in Spanish and the dialect of Catalan which is special to Minorca known as Menorquí.
With great beaches, bays, resorts, and interesting things to see and do, Minorca could be one place to consider for a spring break, or summer holiday.
