Menorca: between beaches and horses

...and our first guest-post comes from the pen of Yure. Enjoy!

Menorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands and the most charming and calm. It is the best island to spend some days disconnecting of the every day life and at the same time enjoying the food, the landscapes and the summer festivals of its cities. The capital is located in the eastern part of the island and it is called Maó.

One of the things that makes Menorca one of the most attractive places to visit is its beautiful and deserted beaches. The island has more of them than its sisters, Mallorca and Ibiza, together. The best way to go all over the island and get to every corner in a comfortable way is by car. The only inconvenience is that sometimes you cannot reach the best beaches by car but you may see yourself forced to walk for 30 minutes under the sun of the Mediterranean but, if at the end of your long walk, you find this, all will be forgotten :) Of course, the best would be to rent a boat and discover the small and secret Cales while enjoying the sea breeze.

Cala Macarella

Cala Morell

Between beach and beach a break for eating is more than deserved. Menorca has a wide gastronomic offer. From fish to Maó cheese, you can find a big variety of restaurants, bars and stands all over the island open until late in summer and until 23h in winter. You don't have to miss the ensaimada, typical sweet pastry filled with cabell d'àngel, the sobrassada, a cured sausage made with pork and paprika, the Caldereta de llagosta, a lobster soup and the Xoriger gin the destilery of which can be found in the capital of the island.

Maó cheese

Sobrassada

Xoriger Gin

Menorca is fascinated with horses and has its own race. It even has a path called "Camí de cavalls" that sorrounds the island. If you visit Menorca in summer ask the locals and make yourself sure that you can attend the Festa Major of one of the cities of the island. The most popular is Sant Joan, which takes place every year at the end of June in Ciutadella, the second biggest city of Menorca. The celebration consists of horses and theirs knights "dancing" between the visitors in the main square of the city. What's better than a video to explain that? :)

Festa Major of Ferreries, Menorca

Don't panic if you are in Menorca and see that everybody wears the same shoes! The Avarques are typical balearic sandals made of leather that can be found in nearly every shop.

Avarques

Get yourself some and discover Menorca!!!