Its normally at this time of year when we all start to day dream of summer holidays, wishing that the warmth was just around the corner rather than a few months away!

Perhaps not so coincidentally its in the last few weeks of winter and the first few weeks of Spring that we also seem to be bombarded with holiday choices as to which of many lovely locations we can choose for that much needed and deserved week away from home. Perhaps you have already been seduced by the almost unbelievably blue sky and blue sea of any number of advertisments on television, magazines or billboards at train stations. Did they work? Do you feel any warmer? Can you smell the sea air already?

Jokes aside, its as much a serious business as it is a fun adventure plannning your summer holiday, and Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe to escape to from the north. Whilst I admit that my opinion is biased as I love Menorca, let me tell you why I’m convinced its one of the best places to holiday….

1. Its one of the few places where you can really get away from it all.
   Whether you are with friends, partner or family in Menorca its only ever a short walk or drive for a moment of tranquility by the sea.
2. Its just like it is on the postcards, only in 3D!
   No photoshop needed here to brighten up nature or erase unsightly buildings or other eye sores. Come and see for yourself!
3. Tradition & Tourism
   Menorca maintains its culture, history and lifestyle whilst providing facilities and services for visitors’ needs and for them to experience the lifestyle themselves. Beautifully kept towns as well as resorts and urbanizations that keep in theme with traditional whitewash of the Mediterranean.
4. Safe & Friendly
   For you, your family and your belongings. In Menorca you will find the same high standards you would expect in your own home. You  won’t see Menorca making headlines for…. well anything really! And we are very thankful for that (well except maybe for the beautiful beaches).
5. Time and Space to connect & disconnect
   Menorca offers a variety of activities for a variety of holidays. If you want adventure there are many types of activities to indulge, want to relax either on a beach or a spa? That too. Build sandcastles and sleep well with the kids in family friendly beaches, bars and hotels? Tick. Mix it up with your love or a group of friends for fine dining, drinks, boat trips or days doing nothing on a beach… si si si!

Still not convinced? Want a few more reasons?
Read some more from our Menorca Guide here Why Visit Menorca?

Okay, I said I was biased… after all I live here. But I’m not alone either, Menorca is extremely popular as a repeated holiday destination especially for families and nature lovers.

Are you a repeat visitor too? If so leave a comment below and jump on the bandwagon with me! Tell us why you love Menorca and why other’s should come and visit us this year!

What would you do to protect the home you love?
Can we do more than take a photo to perserve perfection in a lasting way?
What if the absence of development was the catalyst for prosperity?

This year marks the 20th Anniversary since Menorca was officially recognised as a biosphere reserve in 1993 by UNESCO. Two decades on we reflect on the significance for the island, as well as celebrate the different natural and cultural aspects that has earned Menorca this special title.

It is hard to imagine that some of Menorca’s most tranquil and picturesque natural landscapes were once considered for commercialization. Part of the charm of Menorca is the absence of overdevelopment and the separation of towns, tourist areas, untouched coast and countryside. But just a few short years before the title of ‘Biosphere Reserve’ was granted to the island, several development projects for popular natural areas were proposed. The Menorca we know and love was close to being lost forever.

The Proposed Urbanizations of Cala Macarella, Trebalúger and more…

25 years ago the national press in Spain reported on the proposed expansion for hotels and tourist urbanizations in Menorca. Most locals will remember the ‘Shangri-la’  project designated for the area of S’Albufera des Grau, or the estate of ‘El Perico’ that was projected to become the urbanization of Cala Macarella. Other areas considered for development were various farming estates on the island, in particular areas around the Barranc d’Aljandar behind Cala Galdana and Barranc de Trebalúger. Thankfully none of these projects went ahead and soon after Menorca became a Biosphere Reserve.  20 years later these areas remain in their natural state for everyone to enjoy year after year.

But the biosphere reserve status is not just a point of differation or a reason to visit the island, it also ensures the protection of natural ecosystems  and the preservation of culural hertiage which is exclusive to Menorca. The designation of marine and nature reserves has allowed native flora and fauna to prosper on the island, and restrictions on fishing and tourist seasons permits regeneration during the winter months of the year.

Pave paradise and put up a parking lot?

But sustainable growth in harmony with conservation is a ongoing issue affected by the evolution of Menorca’s industry and economy. The challenge in the future is to ensure that one does not exist at the cost of the other. To provide the best facilities and opportunitites within the towns and existing urbanizations, whilst continuing to preserve the traditions, architecture and unspoilt landscape that are unique to Menorca. Its important to remember that because of the biosphere status and the Menorcan people’s commitment enforcing it, this 20 year anniversary is a reason to celebrate and be proud of such an achievement! May there be many more decades to come!

Each month this year we are going to take a virtual tour to explore some of the special natural and cultural attributes of the Menorca’s Biosphere Reserve.
First stop next week will be the natural park of S’Albufera des Grau.

Here is a preview of a fantastic 30 minute program on ‘Menorca Reserve of Tranquility‘ from the series ‘Cities of the 21st Century‘ on TVE1 here in Spain.

Click on the link below to see the full program, no understanding of Spanish needed as the images speak for themselves. Highly recommended!
FULL SHOW HERE :  Menorca Reserva de La Tranquilidad

What do you think? Is it true that ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till its gone?’ Leave your comment below and share your thoughts.

Menorca is famous for its beautiful beaches, charming towns and speciality dishes, but one of its lesser known virtues is the selection of spas available all over the island.

If you are easily tempted by the idea of an afternoon escape from the sun, then a visit to one of the island’s spa is must. What could be better than a bit of well deserved pampering that is also good for you too? Apart from the obvious benefits of relaxation, hydrotherapy has been used for centuries to improve all over health both internally and externally. Eliminating toxins, clearing the skin, and the contrast of hot and cold water is excellent for stimulating fat loss whilst improving circulation. Taking care of yourself has never been such a pleasure!

Most of the spas in Menorca are features of 4 and 5 star hotels and most of them welcome external clients as well as catering for the needs of their own guests.

So there is no excuse not to add a spa visit into your itinerary. Its also important to know that all preferences and budgets are catered for so there is sure to be something to suit you.

Perhaps you are looking for a quick session in the spa with a mini treatment to fill in a break while the kids are on excursion? Or to escape to a spa sanctuary for a luxurious 3 hour head to toe pampering ritual? There are both of these options available with everything in between.

And don’t be fooled into thinking its just for the ladies either,  being on holiday is a great excuse for the men to make time for the spa too.  A popular choice for couples to relax together, specialized packages incorporating spa, saunas, steam rooms and treatmentsare available for both men and women. Its the perfect gift to your partner, or for loved ones as something special they will always remember.

Why not consider a spa holiday at one of the island’s hotels incorporating daily visits to the spa with outdoor activities and trips to the beach?

Menorca is an ideal destination for this type of wellness holiday. One hotel designed for this type of vacation is the Hotel Audax Spa & Wellness Centre at Cala Galdana. Conveniently located on the south coast of the island in the idyllic cove of Cala Galdana, the Hotel Audax provides sports and nature excursions including kayak, mountain bike and boat tours, as well as having easy access to coastal paths to neighbouring beaches for walkers.

Blue Spa Audax

The largest Spa on the island is the Blue Spa Audax located within the hotel.

The spa offers the only ‘Spa Circuit’ in Menorca which includes an impressive variety of installations across three areas including a water zone, persperation zone and relaxation zone. The other services of the spa include individual treatments and rituals. Guests of the hotel and external clients can choose either just the spa, just a treatment, or combine any of the two options for an individually tailored experience. Open from April to October annually.

Gessami Ciutadella

A completely different spa experience would be to book in a session at Gessamí, traditional Arabic Baths in Ciutadella. This centre provides private sessions for groups in their baths which include beautifully decorated heated pools, a steam room, showers and treatment rooms for a large range beauty treatments.

They are open all year round and are located in the town centre.

Hotel Capri - Le Petit Spa

Another option which is open all year round is the boutique Hotel Capri in the centre of Maó. The hotel features Le Petit Spa, a rooftop spa centre including a climatized pool on a covered terrace with a retractable ceiling, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and multi jet showers, offering a complete list of theraputic and beauty treatments as well.

Truthfully all the spas in Menorca are located in quality hotels each with their own features and  signature treatments. You won’t have to travel far from your base location to reach one, and you are guaranteed to be floating on a cloud by the time you leave. The best time to visit is mid morning or mid afternoon before lunch or dinner followed by a siesta. What could be better than that?

For a full list of Spas in Menorca visit the ‘Relax’ section of our island guide under
‘Spas in Menorca’ .

As the summer tourist season enters its last official month in October, fewer crowds and lovely weather create ideal conditions to discover both the landscape and lifestyle in Menorca. It’s at the end of the season when the focus moves away from the typical tourist urbanizations and back into the traditional town life that is the real beauty of the island.

Coastal Cycling in Menorca

There are many activities that lend themselves to this time of year where the heat and humidity of the summer has passed, yet the sun lingers long and the sea is still warm.

If you are after relaxation then this is the perfect time to hire a car and stop in the towns for a wander around, or a visit to the museums and churches, or a nice long lunch and a coffee followed by a siesta.

A visit to Menorca is not complete without a session in one of the many Spas around the island, an affordable yet luxurious way to unwind.

If you prefer a more active way to disconnect on holiday, activities such as nature walks, day trips to secluded beaches, golf, fishing or cycling excursions are an option. Or simply exploring the countryside on the back of a scooter is the ideal Mediterranean style adventure.

This month on Menorca Blue we are going to share some of the highlights of what to do in Menorca at this time of year.  If you are thinking about visiting the island for a quick weekend away or last minute escape, you won’t be disappointed with what Menorca has to offer.

The next visit on our virtual tour of Menorca’s lighthouses is Far de Farvàritx on the north eastern side of the island. An impressive lighthouse with striking surroundings of slate coloured rocky coastline that is easily accessible.

Favàritx Lighthouse Menorca

Location: Located inside the Parc Natural de S’Albufera des Grau encompassing the the beautiful beaches of Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga on the southern side and the protected nature park on the northern side.

Details: Cap de Favàritx stands 47 metres above sea level with a height of 21 metres. Its light has a range of 16 nautical miles and the light flashes every 15 seconds in a pattern of 2+1.

One of the best aspects of the Mediterranean Diet is the way the locals in this part of the world turn the simple into spectacular with the most common ingredients.

Aubergines & Courgettes from Menorca

Living on a small island with excellent conditions for farming provides some of the best local dishes of the vegetarian variety. 

Island grown fruit and vegetables are plentiful during the summer months and most recepies use them either on their own, mixed with locally produced cheese and milk or garnishing sweet and savory baked treats. Inseperable best friend of the tomato, is the green pepper (followed closely by onions and garlic), and other favourites in season right now are aubergines, courgettes, red peppers and potatoes.

Many Menorcans have a small farm called a hort or hortal just outside of town,  or vegetable patch in their gardens with just enough for a fresh salad side or sofrito for the daily meal.  You can also buy local fresh produce at most supermarkets or  markets around the island. There won’t be an ‘organic’ section, rather that each product is marked as either being from Menorca or the Balearic Islands, so you know you are buying local. Restaurants also support local farmers, so you can be assured you are getting the tastiest and freshest served on your plate.

Some popular vegetarian recipes in Menorca include

Fresh Farm Veggies

Aubergines o Carabassos rellenos
- Stuffed Aubergines or Courgettes

Tumbet
- Sliced or diced potatoes mixed with chopped vegetables

Aubergines es Forn
- Roasted aubergines with potatoes, onion and green peppers

Oliaigu
- Tomato, Pepper and Onion Soup with toasted bread

Cocas Saladas
-  Baked savoury slices similar to pizza or focaccia bread topped with peppers, tomato, onion and aubergines

Legumes are also a popular ingredient, but more so in winter for stews and soups.

You certainly don’t have to be a master chef or have natural talent to try your hand at mediterranean cuisine. Like the simple summer tomato salad (two tomatoes sliced, sprinkled in salt and drizzled in olive oil), another favourite at this time of year is a starter of Pimientos del Padron.

Pimientos del Padron

Padron Peppers are small, bright green and slightly sweet with the occasional spicy one. We have four pepper plants at home and they are producing an endless supply of peppers for our pleasure each day. Look out for Pimientos del Padron on the menu or on the shelves at the supermarket. Easy to prepare in a frypan or the grill with a dash of olive oil till the soften and brown slightly, sprinkled with sea salt and eaten one by one.

You’ll know if you get a spicy one, so have your drink standing by. Good luck!

Soon to come, more easy recipes from Menorca using aubergines, courgettes, potatoes, peppers and other veggies.

If you want to buy fresh locally grown vegetables from a Menorcan farm, why not try ‘The Lettuce Club’ at http://elclubdelalechuga.blogspot.com.es/ get in touch with them to find out more and have fresh veggies delivered to you in a flash!

Menorca is one of those special places which has over 130 coves and beaches to discover, most of which are places where you will find few people. Apart from the designated beaches with tourist urbanizations and car parks close by, almost all of the beaches are completely natural with no services within walking distance.

Trebalúger

In Menorca you can completely escape from it all at any one of the remote crystal clear coves, but you have to pack well for a day out in the heat of the summer.

Here is our step by step guide to preparing and packing for a day out at the beach in Menorca.

1.  Find out which way the wind is blowing
This is the most important first step, if the wind is blowing strong north, choose a southern beach, if south, choose a northern beach. Check the weather forecast before making a decision a few days in advance. For more information about wind in Menorca click here.

2. Research the beach you want to visit
Find out about the ease of access to the beach, the walking distance from the car park or bus stop, whether the parking is paid or free, if its a popular beach the car park will fill up mid morning. Does the parking close at a certain time?

Is there shade from trees or is it all open? Are their toilet and rubbish facilities, is there a beach bar or restaurant, is there a lifeguard on duty or not? Are there any water activities or beach hire available?

Where to find all these details in one place? Visit our beach guide to get all the available information on Menorca’s beaches.

3. Pack for the beach well

Cala Pilar

Once you know what is available at the beach and how far the parking/ bus stop is from the beach, you can prepare for your day out. The beaches with easier access will be the most crowded, but will also have more facilities so you will need to take less with you. It depends on the time of year as well, the more popular beaches are all busy during July and August, but even these beaches are calmer in May, September and October.

Ideally you want to pack most in a shoulder bag or backpack so its easier to walk to the beach with just a small esky/ fridge bag and umbrella in your hands.

What to include when packing for the beach

• Bikini or swimwear (only a few Menorcan beaches are nudist, swimwear is compulsory)
• Enough Water, Suncream, Towel, Hat and Beach Umbrella for shade
• Sandwiches, Snacks & Drinks
• Paper serviettes or baby wipes (please don’t leave behind at the beach)
• A plastic bag  or two to take all your rubbish with you (serviettes & cigarette butts included)
• Snorkelling goggles (to check for jellyfish)
• Anti sting treatment or vinegar (unlikely needed but just in case)
• Reliable shoes for walking if needed
   

Es Talaier

Remember some of the most spectacular beaches and coves in Menorca are those that are accessible by walking or boat. Its worth the effort to get there and walking distance generally ranges between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the nearest access point by car.

We would love to hear if you think we have left anything off the list of ‘must haves’ for a day at the beach. Of course if you have young children you will also need some extras to care for them, and a decent sand castle building kit too!

Today’s blog post is short and as sweet as the cherry tomatoes growing in our garden. Well its a pot actually, but its the latest addition to the terrace that has proven to be a roaring success.

Cherry Tomatoes Menorca

Who would have thought I would come to love the fruit and vegetable plants as much as the variety of flowers here. But the truth is that so many of these plants are just as attractive, colourful and fragrant, with the bonus of being edible too! Menorca has such rich soil and lovely sunny days, the conditions are perfect for growing all kinds of plants during the spring and summer.

We were looking for a climbing plant that would sit well in a big pot next to a wall with a drain pipe and bamboo lattice. The most likely choice is  the typical bougainvillea, but we wanted to try something different and first tried another climbing floral plant instead. Unfotunately it didn’t like the location and died within a couple of weeks.

I spotted the medium sized cherry tomato plant in the entrance of the garden centre at the beginning of June and it already had small flowers and cherries on it. It was such a pretty plant I convinced my other half to give it a go (after all he’s the green thumb, I’m just the would be colour coordinator for the garden who loves flowers and fruit!).

From Plant to Plate

The plant took to the pot immediately and has grown substantially every day. Its now four times the size it was when we bought it, and covered in bright red little balls as it climbs the wall.

Home grown cherry tomatoes to add to our salads every day that go from the plant to the plate via the sink within three metres!

Simple and sweet summertime pleasures in Menorca.

Our first stop on the virtual tour of Menorca’s lighthouses is Sa Farola, Ciutadella’s indispensable little lighthouse that guards the entrance to the port and lights the entire western coast of the island.

Sa Farola Ciutadella

Location: At the start of the northern coastal road leaving Ciutadella called Camí de Sa Farola, the lighthouse is a great spot for panoramic views of the bay and on a clear day the mountains of Mallorca too.

Details: Sa Farola stands 21 metres above sea level, is 13 metres tall and the light reaches a distance of 14 nautical miles flashing every six seconds.

As the eastern coast of Menorca is relatively flat and not visable from Mallorca, the light from Sa Farola at night is the only indication of  land from a distance out to sea. 

History: The lighthouse was opened on the 30th April 1861 originally working with a catadioptric lens and a single wick lamp emitting a fixed light. Years later on the 1st March 1918, the lighthouse was the fourth in the Balearic Islands to be converted to run on electricity. The seawall was built to protect the lighthouse from storms after constant damage to the building and flooding from the waves caused by the strong ponent winds.

Access and surroundings: Although the lighthouse is not open to the public it is easy to visit on foot with an easy walk from either the centre of Ciutadella or Cala Blanes beach along the recently reformed coastal road. Walking from either direction takes about 20 minutes.

There is also a bike lane making a visit to the lighthouse a pleasant short excursion with a swim in the neighbouring  Sa Farola cove highly recommended. The perfect stop for an afternoon siesta or a picnic lunch with a sea view.

Sa Farola Cove

By Car or Scooter: For vehicles, Camí de Sa Farola has been made one way from Ciutadella, and some parking is available on the road either just before or after the lighthouse.

 
View Sa Farola Lighthouse in a larger map

One of the highlights of living on a small island is that you are never to far from the sea. Some of the privileges of this easy coastal access in Menorca include being spoilt for seaside sunrises and sunsets, having dozens of different beautiful beaches to choose from and 7 lighthouses to visit, each with a distinct character.

Cap de Cavalleria Lighthouse

A visit to one or more of these 7 lighthouses is highly recommended, for the landscape around all of them is as unique as the towers themselves. Its hard to believe that there is such contrast from north to south on the coastline, and by taking in the views at the different lighthouses you can see why each of them play such an important role in marking their territory. Each one has its own history and has seen many sights and ships pass by.

 All the lighthouses are accessible by car, bike or on foot, except for the south eastern lighthouse on ‘Air Island’, L’Illa de l’Aire which is accessible only by sea.

We invite you to discover at least one or all of Menorca’s lighthouses, as they offer some of the most picturesque and panoramic views of the island. You won’t be disappointed!

Over the next few weeks we will visit each location of the lighthouses to give you an insight and directions for each of them.

Here is a complete list with their location on the coastline and the local name for direction they face based on the local ‘Wind Rose’:

Cap d'Artrutx Lighthouse

1. Ponent – West – Sa Farola Ciutadella
2. Mestral – North West – Far Nati
3. Tramuntana – North – Cap de Cavalleria
4. Gregal – North East – Cap de Favàritx
5. Port of Mahon – San Carles Port de Maó
6. Xaloc – South East – Illa de l’Aire
7. Llebeig – South West – Cap d’Artrutx