Menorca holidays

If Mallorca and Ibiza are John Lennon and Paul McCartney then Menorca is George Harrison. Happy to live in the shadows of its boisterous Balearic band members, this easternmost isle is more birdsong than Pete Tong. Sleepy white-washed villages replace hedonistic beach clubs, enchanting medieval cities substitute party towns, while its rolling hills, forest valleys and spectacular coastline easily rival those of the Azores and Caribbean. Ancient history buffs should head straight for the colonial capital, Mahón, where Anglo-Spanish architecture and archaeological sites such as Trepucó abound, and the island’s second city, Ciutadella, where a labyrinthine old town pockmarked by palaces, churches and fortresses awaits. Sun-worshippers needn’t worry, Menorca has its fair share of boutique guest houses and haute hotels. From upscale rural retreats to beachfront boltholes where saltwater pools come with hydro massage jets and ‘floating’ Balinese sunbeds, Menorca holidays certainly don’t skimp on sun-drenched splendour. And if you’re looking for a beach of your own, Son Bou is the answer. The longest stretch of sand on the island, you’ll find it to be pretty peaceful year-round, especially as the Prat de Son Bou nature reserve, home to dunes, marshes and a diverse birdlife, sits just behind it. Who said you can’t have the best of both worlds? Read more