Menorca

Menorca is a common holiday destination for many European tourists which has led to the development of many hotels offering a wide range of services. It’s a good idea to shop around and try to find the right accommodation to suit you, however, there are a few that stand out from the pack. If you’re searching for luxury on the island then the first place you should look at is the Portblue La Quinta. With a strict adults-only policy and a range of top-class services and amenities, the Portblue La Quinta is closest you can get to a guarantee of a perfect vacation. Alternatively, there’s the Insotel Punta Prima Prestige Suites & Spa, which sits on the coast and boast spectacular views of the sea, as well as incredible service.

Catering to every type of holidaymaker, Menorca offers both high-street brands and local produce. While there are few town centres on the island, shops are more often grouped into retail parks and small strip malls, making car hire a must if you’re interested in a little retail therapy. If you’re looking for discounts on global brands, the Castillo Menorca Outlets are well-worth a visit as there are many deals to be found by keen-eyed shoppers. And when you fancy browsing some of the local stores, the Ciutadella Old Town makes for both a perfect day-trip and a great place to pick up souvenirs.

While it’s easy to get most cuisine on the island, especially around the hotel, there are a few speciality dishes that are unique to Menorca. A common breakfast treat that kids love; Churros con chocolate is a thin doughnut that you dip in melted chocolate and can be found at most hotels and restaurants. When it comes to lunches, tapas from a bar or deli is a good choice as it allows you to sample several smaller local dishes without missing out on any new flavours. If you fancy a tipple in the evening, it may also be worth paying a visit to the Xoriguer Gin Distillery or any of the island’s many vineyards.

Drawing on the deep Christian traditions of the island, many of Menorca’s festivals are tied into the patron saints of the towns and villages:

Sant Joan Festival in Ciutadella

A huge party through the streets of Ciutadella, the festival of Sant Joan takes place roughly six months after Christmas and is both a celebration of summer and of Christianity. The day is filled with street parties and music while the evening is marked by a gigantic firework display and dancing.

Sant Marti Festival in Es Mercadal

A fiesta held in the third week of July, the Festival of Sant Marti is a party where people and horses take to the streets of the small village with live music. It’s a wild two-day affair that starts late on the Saturday and continues through to a firework display on the Monday evening.

Sant Jaume Festival in Es Castell

Celebrating the town’s religious history and horsemanship, this festival sees riders both roam the town on watch and take place in heated competitions. The Festival of Sant Jaume takes place at the end of July and is well worth a visit for horse lovers.