Ibiza has long been the favorite hot spot for the young travelers, or for those interested in hip and happening night life and the parties that seem to never end. There are quiet spots on the island as well, perfect for long walks or families traveling with children. However for those wanting a truly all around serene and idyllic vacation, Menorca is the island one should visit. There are many coves protected by the rocky shores as well as inlets which provide children with the safe swimming holes and various opportunities for exploration and shell hunting. Mahon is the capital city of the island, and is the location of the harbor. This island differs from the others in the Balearic chain, as the interior is still relatively undeveloped. There are many places for nature hikes and mountain bike rides through virgin territory on Menorca.
Surrounding beaches include Cala Tirant, Santo Tomas and Playa de Fornells. One of the legends of the islands is that there is a wind that blows across the island, and that this wind changes people, much as is the legend behind the Santa Ana winds in Southern California city of Los Angeles. It is said that once a tourist experiences the winds of Menorca, they come back…to move there permanently. There are many hotels Menorca beaches support, and each one of them has the distinct style of the history and the quaintness of this island. Each of the islands has its own personality or style, and just because the island is calmer than the rest, the personality of Menorca is strong and distinct.
There are a variety of cultural event that happen throughout the year as well. There is the very first Opera House in the entire country of Spain, the Teatro Principal was opened almost two hundred years ago. And while it is most of time used for films these days, many acts due tour from time to time and play at the theater. There is the eighteenth century gin distillery, the Xoriguer, which produces the famous gin of Menorca to this day. Located throughout the city there are also numerous parks, churches and historical buildings and landmarks. This is truly the gem of the Balearic Islands.
