Getaway Menorca
Rebecca Irving enjoys 'the island of pleasant breeze'
Getaway: Menorca
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The Balearic Islands often invoke visions of swarms of barmy Brits abroad and busy tourist traps. However, the second largest of the islands - Menorca - offers refreshing exoticism and ambience that is surprisingly within easy reach of a short haul flight on Jet2, easily accessible from Leeds/Bradford International.
Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean, Menorca has attracted occupants from various climes over the centuries (including the British in the 18th century) who have all contributed to its unique identity. As a result, the island feels very different in character to mainland Spain and the other Balearic Islands.
The island boasts an overwhelming number of archaeological remains due to the Menorcans’ admirable perseverance to protect the traditional elements of their island and to retain its authenticity. Naveta des Todons is a must to visit and is one of over a thousand prehistoric stone structures on the island. The megalithic village of Torre den Gaumes is also not to be missed and can only be described as an enormous open air museum. The island also exhibits an eclectic mix of both local and colonial architecture, including the beautiful Catherdral of Ciutadella and Fort Malborough, an old defensive post dating from the British occupation.
There are a number of unusual places to visit including the quarries of Lithcia where the carved out industrial wounds from stone extraction have been transformed into a maze of secret gardens, and more recently the deeper areas have been adopted as a dramatic stone concert and theatre auditorium.
For more adventurous and outdoorsy souls, kayaking and mountain biking is available across the island. There is also the less strenuous stroll around the main part of the beautiful Reserve of the Biosphere at S’Albufera des Grau, which is a great place to try and spot one of Menorca’s most endearing residents- the tortoise.
Standing at 354 metres above sea level, the only mountain on Menorca, Monte Toro, is an ideal place to see the surrounding landscape and panoramic views of the island and neighbouring Majorca.
Typical of a Mediterranean island, Menorca has plenty of great places to eat out and seafood fans will love the famous traditional Caldereta de Langosta (lobster stew) which can be enjoyed in one of the numerous restaurants on the island, from the more traditional rustic surroundings of Restaurante Alcaufar Vell to the more modern experience of Restaurant S’Engolider.
The bar and nightclub Cova den Xoroi is a favourite spot amongst locals and is said to have been an old pirate haunt. Housed in large natural caves overhanging the sea, the club is the ideal place to watch the sunset and cool down with a traditional pomada made from Menorcan Xoriguer gin and bitter lemon.
Menorca oozes serenity and calm making it the perfect backdrop for a laidback break. The hushed tones of the famous sea breeze will leave you forgetting that you are only a couple of hours away from the UK and will no doubt leave you wanting to return to the island again and again.
For flight information, visit http://www.jet2.com
At A Glance: Menorca
Currency: Euros
Main town: Mahon
Airport: International Aeropuerto de Menorca, Mahon
Language: Most locals are bilingual in Spanish and a variety of Catalan called MenorquÃ
Attractions: Torre d en Gaumes, Taula sanctuary
Interesting fact: Despite its smaller size among other Spanish islands, the number of beaches that Menorca has equals the number of beaches that can be found on Mallorca and Ibiza combined.
Posted on Wednesday 8th July 2009
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