Unhurried life in unspoiled nature

A beautiful Balearic Island, Minorca (or Menorca) has wonderful beaches, sandy coves and a more laid-back atmosphere than its neighbors, Ibiza and Majorca.

Featuring the world’s 2nd largest natural harbor, its capital, Mahon, is the center of the nightlife, with several clubs and bars.

However, as soon as you head to one of the Menorca resorts, things start to slow down.

Punta Prima along the coast has a lovely Blue Flag beach, while the longest beach at Son Bou on the south coast is lined by protected sand dunes.

Much of Menorca’s unspoiled beauty is ecologically important, so it’s worth heading inland from the beaches to explore the mountains.

The views from the highest peak, Monte Toro, are amazing.

Also worth checking out are the "taula," prehistoric megaliths of mysterious origin.

Another prehistoric monument is the Naveta tomb near Ciutadella, a city centered around its port, partly lined with walls.

Fantastic Cala Blanca and Cala’n Bosch to the south have a nice range of luxury Minorca hotels available on Booking.com, as does curving Cala Galdana where the sea appears almost green.

On the more rocky north side of the island, the main resorts are Fornells, a pretty fishing village, and Arenal d’en Castell, home to yet another wonderful horseshoe bay.