FornellsPhoto by Britney B.
The Spanish Balearic islands of Ibiza and Majorca have an unpleasant reputation during the summer months because of the arrival of many holidaying European youths, unfortunately especially British, who create mayhem by their uncivilized behavior.
This has caused young families, couples and older people, who desire a good holiday in a beautiful location away from noise and disturbances, to change their holiday destination to the lesser known Balearic Island of Menorca.
Menorca is the smallest of the Balearics and is a protected UNESCO biosphere zone. Building construction is restricted and commercial properties and dwellings are now limited to no more than two stories. At the moment there’s a moratorium on building work and last year no plans for new buildings were passed, though this is being reviewed during 2003. Consequently Menorca has remained completely unspoiled. There is only one major two-lane highway connecting the capital, Mao (Mahon) in the east to the old capital, Ciutadella, in the west. The scenery and coastal areas are beautiful, and there are reputed to be 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. We haven’t found them all yet and some are only reachable by boat, but the ones we have visited are remarkably pretty and clean, the water is clear and the swimming and snorkeling are excellent.
CiutadellaPhoto by Britney B.
The island also has a unique history. Mao has a deep natural harbor and has been the center of many historical campaigns. Lord Horatio Nelson spent time there when he was admiral of the British fleet, and he and his mistress, Lady Hamilton, resided in a house overlooking the harbor that has now become a famous landmark. There is even a hotel in the old quarter of Mao named after the infamous lady. Menorca also has a number of prehistoric sites that are under excavation, but also open to visitors.
Mayonnaise was invented in Mao and the island is also famous for it’s gin production (a legacy from the British occupation). There are a number of gin factories you can visit to watch the process and taste the end result. I’m not a gin drinker myself but the Menorca gin does taste much better than any other I’ve tasted. Menorca is also well known for its cheese and leather sandal industries.
Although a lot quieter than the other islands, Menorca does have a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene. In the summer when the resorts are fully open, there are many restaurants, bars, hotel cabarets and entertainment. Be warned though that nightlife does tend to end around 12.30 p.m. In the winter, restaurants and bars are essentially only open in the main residential areas and town centers. There is a jazz club and café society in Mao and Ciutadella, and concerts are regularly held in the two main cities. The Menorcans are very fond of opera and there is a small opera house in Mao.
FornellsPhoto by Britney B.
One of my favorite places on the island is the pretty fishing port of Fornells. Located on the north of the island, Fornells has a beautiful natural harbor and many wonderful fish restaurants. The most famous, Es Plas, is a favorite of King Carlos of Spain. When he is cruising the Mediterranean it is not unknown for him to anchor off Fornells and order Caldereta (lobster stew) from Es Plas. His private launch will sail up to the restaurant and collect the order – the ultimate take-away!
I can heartily recommend Menorca for a very relaxing holiday. In fact, we fell in love with the place several years ago and bought a house there. It’s very easy to fly to from London and regional airports in the United Kingdom during the summer months when there are many charter flights. In the winter months a scheduled airline flies direct to Menorca from Luton Airport twice a week. Budget airlines fly to Palma in Majorca all year round and it is easy to connect to an Iberia or Spanair flight for the short twenty-minute hop to Menorca.
Golf CoursePhoto by Britney B.
We have just spent a week in our house there. We flew from Dhahran to London on a British Airways flight and caught a flight to Barcelona from London that was included free with our return Dhahran/London/Dhahran ticket. We then caught an Iberia flight to Menorca (booked through the internet).
by Britney B.