The best of Menorca, Spain
Minorca? Is that a typo? No no, we are really talking about 'that other Spanish island'. The foster child. Not our beloved Ibiza, Formentera or Mallorca but Menorca. Because Menorca is, to be honest, quite a new favorite. Precisely because 'people' think you have no business there. Wrong! Menorca is cool. And has the nicest, most beautiful, tastiest, undiscovered places Spain. Ha! A sneak peek... The best thing about Menorca, a little speak peek from the book Los Little Escapos
I actually decided not to include Menorca in Los Little Escapos – after all, a person has to make choices. And then we stumbled upon Casa Telmo. Well. And man, what a good choice! Because although many people believe that Menorca as an island does not (yet) quite have the must-go-here factor that Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera do, addresses such as Casa Telmo are quickly changing this. Okay, first the instigator of our new Menorca love: Casa Telmo. The boutique hotel is housed in a historic mansion in the old town of Mahón (or Maó, which is the same), just six kilometers from the airport in the southeast of the island. Handy indeed.
There are five bedrooms and they are all mouth-watering: throughout the house you will find references to the fictional 'Telmo', an avid world traveler who brings souvenirs from all over the world to Menorca: from classic British trinkets to African memorabilia , everything equally unique (and beautiful). Sounds like a big chunk of your budget, but it's not that bad. Casa Telmo has no reception (after your booking you will receive a door code with which you can let yourself in), there is no restaurant and there are no minibars; that saves costs. What is there, besides those beautiful rooms? A leafy garden, all kinds of greedy corners and a bust of Cervantes in the hall. Oh, and Netflix around the clock, and other conveniences like that if you don't want to leave the house, which is understandable. Please note: Casa Telmo is adults only. Brood with you? Hotel Jardí de ses Bruixes and Cas Alberti are very good alternatives in the area.
Casa Telmo, Carrer d'en Deià 27, Maó, Menorca casatelmo.com
Not far from Maó, the capital of Menorca, in a straight line south, inland, the Binifadet vineyard with patio restaurant is not to be missed - it seems South Africa! Yes, we came across a lot of great restaurants, bars and more in Menorca but this was the highlight. That starts before you even get 'inside' (because the best part of Binifadet is outside): from the side of the road you step straight into the vineyard where you can go wherever you want. Enjoy at your own pace. Do that by all means; From the moment the wines arrive on the table, you won't be able to get up for a while. The Binifadet family business is the island's largest wine supplier; In 1979, Carlos Anglés planted the first grapes in front of his house. The idea was a hobby, fun for family and friends. That went wrong.
The ball started rolling from the first harvest; in 2000, Carlos owned ten hectares and today the family produces 55.000 bottles per year. In 2014, the orchard opened to the public for the first time and the family dream was complete. And ours: the light tapas style food is fantastic, the wines from the same and the surroundings magical – the orchard is enclosed by those typical walls of white, chalky rock. Which not only looks picturesque, but also protects the vines from the infamous 'Tramuntana' wind that blows from the north. Attractive seating areas, classic Eames chairs and rattan lampshades were installed inside and outside. In short: perfect for the long holiday lunch, although there is nothing wrong with cooling down here after a hot summer day. As long as you go! And taste the rosé. Delicious.
Nonna Bazaar is a farm-to-table restaurant concept. This rust-colored gem screams multi-culti in which family traditions and authentic Mediterranean food steal the show. Nonna is a picture that we cannot get tired of, because of all the beautiful corners and… surrounded by 400 hectares of land, this is a beautiful place. This place is also so nice for the little ones! With a range of farm animals, outdoor playgrounds and indoor playroom, the kids nothing too short. Where during the day the slow life is central (read: chilling on a lounge sofa with fresh goodies from the wood-burning oven), Nonna shows her playful side in the evening. With the gold colored one sunset on your face (this is one of the very best sunset spots on the island) and a nice picture of the DJ in your ear, you sit down for dinner (and maybe a little dance?).
If you want to say too much and don't have more space, you have to be creative, right? So we lump together some of Menorca's finest fish restaurants and the most beautiful bays, whatever you want to know when on holiday in Spain. In Maó/Mahon it is restaurant Anatea a modern one fish restaurant with cocktail bar – it's almost becoming metropolitan here. The place just about fits in your pocket, so come early.
On the east side of Menorca is Cap Roig a crowd favorite. The restaurant right above Cala Mesquida serves fish dishes as fresh as can be, which ensures that it is always busy. The shrimp are so juicy that you can literally eat them whole. Yes, even the headline (seen, not done, ew). At Bib Gourmand level you are allowed Smoix restaurant in Ciutadella really don't miss it. That modest class again. You can also stay the night here.
All that fish has to come from somewhere, and in the case of Menorca that is not far away. A nice bridge to our favorite bays: Cala Mesquida, Calo Blanc (rocks), Cala del Pilar (Just spend half an hour 'suffering' before you get there. There are people who call that a hike). Cala Mitjana is the main beach but Cala Mitjaneta around the corner is smaller and more beautiful. And Escorxada cove and not to forget. Or Platges de Binigaus where you can also find the nice chiringuito Es Bruc finds. Cala Macarellata is like a postcard.
- Cala Santandria (photo left) – a picture and especially a nice base because the town of Ciutadella is less than four kilometers away. Here boats float and you eat a simple sandwich. The good life.
- Cala En Turqueta – typical case of 'hidden gem' in the southwest of Menorca. Hidden but popular with the ones in the know...And that's understandable. White sand, clear blue water and pine trees everywhere.
- Cala Macarellata (photo right) – although probably the most beautiful bay in Menorca Cala Macarellata. Small and beautiful. Don't do anything about it anymore. Yeah, okay, maybe don't tell anyone else. Cala Macarella is next to it, also a good tip!
Ooo, okay, one more here, but there's a lot more fun in Menorca! You should really buy the book Los Little Escapos for that ;-).
Only this one I couldn't resist: I mentioned this before Bodegas Binifadet still the highlight of Menorca Cova d'en Xoroi may also bear that title. What's more: this is literally a highlight and you won't find a more spectacular location. In a cave on top of a steep cliff on the south coast of the island, a bar was created in what was once a home. Anyway, here you have the most beautiful sunset in all of Menorca. What is called: probably from all of Spain. A cave but most of the bar is on the outside of the rock, built on wooden scaffolding right on the edge of the Mediterranean. Sounds scary, but it's great!
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