Minorca

MINORCA

Minorca, an island still wild, little exploited by tourism except in the main resorts, with many beaches and coves still unspoiled and just waiting to be discovered. There are few roads, little traffic, and a scooter is enough to explore the island. Apart from the capital, Mahon, and the town of Ciutadella, there isn't much to visit on the island, aside from its beaches. The most touristy and developed are Son Bou, a 3 km-long beach, and Cala Galdana, splendidly positioned in a sheltered bay. Then there are beautiful coves of international fame, among the most renowned in the Mediterranean, such as Cala Macarella and Macarelleta, Cala En Tourqueta, Cala Pregonda, Cala Mitjaneta, etc., reachable by boat or with long walks.

Hotel Club Son Bou

One of the most organized complexes in Minorca, splendidly positioned on Son Bou beach, reachable via a path of about 150 meters. Accommodation is in apartments surrounding the huge pool, with a living room, kitchenette, bedroom and terrace. The meal plan is half board buffet, which can be enjoyed at the main air-conditioned restaurant (excellent variety and choice of appetizers, first courses, grilled fish, all of good quality), or at the more informal restaurant/pizzeria with an outdoor terrace and sea view. The beach is beautiful, the water transparent, and it's possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas daily at unfortunately very high prices. Access to the sea in some spots is slightly difficult due to small rocks on the bottom.

During the day the entertainment team organizes the classic activities, while in the evening, comfortably seated at the bar, you can watch very polished shows, including by outside artists. A paradise also for children thanks to the well-equipped mini club with a huge playground, and with 3 mascots who organize various shows for the children in the evening. Just outside the Club is the tourist resort of Son Bou, with various markets and shopping centers, little bars and restaurants. The only downside is the price, very high if we consider the half-board plan, drinks and beach excluded. Hotel website:

Excursions

The coast by boat

The excursion, organized by Alpitour and other Tour Operators, includes transfer to Ciutadella by bus, then boarding a comfortable motor vessel for a tour along the south coast, the most spectacular. Unfortunately, the day we got wasn't among the best, and black clouds threaten rain. Nonetheless the excursion will go ahead. At first glance Ciutadella seems very charming; you can glimpse the center and the little harbor is very picturesque. The first stop is scheduled at Son Saura beach, but as soon as we disembark an unpleasant surprise greets us: the beach is full of seaweed, reaching up to a meter high before you enter the sea (never seen anything like it), and to be able to swim you have to walk quite a way to reach a stretch of beach, very small, where there's much less seaweed. The water, on the other hand, is truly exceptional, crystal clear and blue.

Before departing, lunch of paella is scheduled (not good), then we continue sailing to Macarella bay, passing through areas where the sea is truly magnificent, offering colors ranging from deep blue to turquoise. Macarella and the nearby smaller Macarelleta are splendid, but incredibly the boat doesn't stop (the old "we saw Paradise but didn't touch it"), and we turn back to stop at another beach, Cala En Tourqueta, beautiful but with somewhat stagnant water. The day ends with a nice storm on the open sea on the way back. A tip for anyone wanting to visit these coves in peace: if you like walking, you can reach Cala Galdana by local transport; from there several trails depart: one heading east that quickly reaches Cala Mitjaneta, a longer one heading west that reaches in about two hours first Macarella and Macarelleta, then Cala En Turqueta, but it's best to stop at the first two.