Minorca Holiday
Minorca is an island that is as chilled out like its locals. The most peaceful of the Balearics, Minorca's lush green landscape and charming resorts stay unchanged by its standing. Enclosed by clear warm seas and lined with soft golden beaches, Minorca is an ideal Spanish getaway.
"Golden sands slope gently into blue lapping waves, sheltering in secluded coves. Untouched by the hustle and bustle of the Balearics, Minorca truly is an oasis of calm."
Minorca Holiday - Beaches
The banana shaped coastline of Minorca has about 120 beaches of gently sloping sand lapped by sunshine and warm water. Look for isolated sandy beaches and relax on exceptional beaches hidden away in the coves. Ciutadella has some gorgeous bays within easy access, as well as Cala en Turqueta, possibly Minorca's finest beach. Son Bou is the largest beach, also popular is the beach at Cala Galdana, with its perfect blond shoreline. Anywhere you decide to sun-bath, you're guaranteed of soft golden sands, and with watersports such as snorkeling and scuba diving on offer, there's a wide variety of different ways to get wet.
Shopping
Aside from boutiques and souvenir shops, Minorca's real prizes are its markets. Mahon has a fresh food market in a converted cloister and an early morning fish market, while Ciutadella's marketplace has an Art Nouveau design. Look out for leather, suede, sweets and biscuits. For cheeses, try Alaior's market and shops.
Nightlife
The laid back atmosphere of Minorca continues on as dusk turns to night. Meals are long and leisurely, wine and coffee are lingered over. The majority of the resorts keep the nightlife relaxed and low key, a refreshing change from other Spanish destinations. Having said that, Mahon's harbor hosts lively bars and a few nightclubs, and resorts such as Cala'n Porter have plenty of bars. For a unique night out, go to the Cova de'n Xuray, a natural cave that is transformed into an incredible club at night.
On the east side of Minorca is the capital Mahon, where you'll find one of the greatest harbours in the Mediterranean. Houses from the Georgian period nestle with Spanish apartments, due to the British rule of old. On the west side of the island Ciutadella (the old Capital) looks down on harbor, with the streets of its conserved old town concealing remarkable palaces. All the way through Minorca, characteristically appealing fishing villages, like Fornells, co-exist next to livelier towns such as Cala 'n Bosch and Cala'n Forcat, but thanks to Minorca's reserved approach to its accomplishment as a holiday retreat, it has continued to keep the ideal sense of balance between tourism and tourist trade, leaving everyone with smiles on there faces.
Holiday Tips
In most hotels and aparthotels gentlemen are required to wear long trousers to dinner. Most hotels or apartments ask customers to vacate their rooms between 10am and 12 midday. For late afternoon or evening flights, late check out rooms may be available.
Local Specialties
Minorca's food is a combination of Catalonian, Italian and Spanish tastes, nearly all the resorts have these available. Mayonnaise originally came from Mahon and has to be tried when eating there, whereas Fornells lures holiday makers on the reputation of the restaurants that sell exquisite seafood which line it's harbor - experience the delicious caldereta de llagosta. Harbors are lined with cafes and restaurants, and Ciutadella is mainly identified for its outstanding assortment. Try the enduring British persuade on the island, its famous gins, Nelson, Xoriguer and Baltran, or Palo, a spirit laced with almond husks. Although Minorca does not make wines, roses and light whites from Majorca are available here.