ADVERTORIAL • June 2017

How to get back to nature in Menorca

Beautiful views, unspoilt beaches and not a glow stick in sight... The Club discovers Ibiza’s quieter but wilder Balearic Island sister

The sound of silence

The first thing you’ll notice when you step foot on the white sand beaches of this idyllic island is the lack of crowds. Menorca is much quieter than its sister islands Mallorca and Ibiza, and has more unspoilt beaches along its coastline than all of the Balearic Islands combined. There are plenty of activities that will help you make the most of its natural beauty, from cycling to the island’s highest point, Monte Toro, to swimming along the glistening coastline.
Club tip: Hire a kayak for the day to discover the island’s hidden coves, such as the uninhabited Illa d’en Colom (pictured).

Going green

Unesco declared Menorca a Biosphere Reserve back in 1993, cementing its status as one of the most pristine islands in the western Mediterranean. Its deep ravines, unexplored caves and sprawling wetlands are home to over 200 species of flora and fauna, 26 of which are native to the island. Keep your eyes in the sky to see stunning birds such as the Cory’s shearwater, cormorant and red kites.
Club tip: The wetland natural park of S’Albufera des Grau (pictured) is the best place to bird watch, as it’s an important staging post for migrating birds

Food for thought

With an abundance of fresh seafood and artisan producers across the island, Menorca isn’t short of delicious, local foodie offerings. Must-try dishes include Mahón cheese, the chorizo-like sobrassada sausage, and caldereta de langosta – a hearty lobster stew that visitors are big fans of.
Club tip: Don’t leave without drinking pomade (gin and lemonade). The large presence of British sailors on the island in the 18^th century was responsible for the sudden appearance of gin distilleries across the island. Try Xoriguer in Mahón, which uses the original recipe.

Take the plunge

Part of Menorca’s marine reserve, the waters around Pregonda beach in the north are calm and impossibly clear – making it the ideal spot for snorkelling and diving (though you’ll have to bring your own gear). Expect to see John Dory, rainbow wrasse, star fish, octopuses, and possibly even barracuda.
Club tip: Don’t forget your camera. Pregonda beach (pictured) is just as stunning above the waterline, with a lunar-like landscape of gold sand and pink rocks – making it very Instagramable.

A year-round winner

You’re almost guaranteed pleasant temperatures on your travels no matter what time of the year you visit the island. Even in winter, temperatures are in the double digits, which means venturing outside to take a breath of fresh air and admiring the natural beauty of this tranquil island is always an option.
Club tip: Visit in late spring and early summer, when the temperatures are high, the chance of rainfall low, and the crowds are thin.

British Airways flies to Menorca from Heathrow four times a week, until 30 September. Visit menorca.es for more information

Words: Alex Jones

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