Okay so your first thought is probably that we’re talking about laid back as in lying on the beach. But we were actually thinking of something you would do standing up, albeit at a rather sedate pace. We’re talking about walking, and there is no better place to do it than in Menorca.

Some people find Menorca too quiet and they prefer somewhere (like Majorca) with a bit more liveliness to get them going. But Menorca is just right for many other people, and if you happen to enjoy walking you’ll love every inch of the terrain you can traverse here.

If lazy holidays spent on the beach don’t really appeal to you too much, you will appreciate the idea of getting some exercise on a daily basis. Walking is the perfect activity to show you what Menorca is all about too, as you can plan a route that takes you between some of the nice spots on the island. If you are staying for a week or more you will have plenty of time to see many of the major sights on the island. Cala n Porter and Punta Prima are just two of the destinations you could head for while you are there.

The great thing about walking around Menorca is that you don’t have to go on a route march. You can just go at your own pace and see what you find en route. Sometimes the best places of all are those that you trip over while you are on your way to somewhere else!

If you don’t know the island at all, do some research and print out a few possible walking routes to try before you go. Start with something short and sweet because you will want to ensure you can handle the hot weather. Make sure you have plenty of fluids with you and some comfortable proper walking shoes. Sandals aren’t ideal for longer treks around Menorca.

Once you get going you may find a nice long walk virtually every day you are there is just what the doctor ordered.

Well of course it all depends on who you talk to. Some people will say that there is nothing better than a Majorcan holiday to really let you unwind. Others meanwhile will head for Menorca every time, knowing there is something about it that cannot be beaten.

It is true that Menorca is the smaller counterpart of Majorca. But this alone should not have much of a bearing on the situation. These islands are not small enough to hinder any exploration during a week or two away there, so you should make the most of ensuring that you pick the right island for you.

However many people know that Menorca is arguably more laid back than Majorca. The latter is known for its nightclubs and vibrant nights out, but if you don’t want that from your holiday then Menorca could be the better choice for you. Certainly many families choose it because of this – you don’t really want to stay in amongst all the nightclubs if you are going to be putting the kids to bed every night.

Obviously the lack of noise and lively nights will put some people off and send them across to Majorca. But if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, Menorca is the place to get it. You will also be able to enjoy the many beaches you will find here, along with the resorts that are frequented by many happy travellers every year.

If you have been to Menorca before you will probably know where you want to stay. But don’t fall for the idea of frequenting the same places all the time. Take the opportunity to explore the island and see what it has in store for you. It might be small, this island, but it packs a lot into its mass without becoming overrun by tourists at the same time.

In a sense Menorca has managed to put all the best parts of a holiday in this region into one place, without being ruined at the same time. You will be glad you opted for Menorca – and we defy you not to go back.

You know, if you have to ask that question the chances are you have not yet visited this part of Menorca. If you had you would know why many people are drawn to it on an annual basis, and why they never want to leave once they get there.

Son Bou is located on the southern stretches of the island, about halfway along that stretch of coastline. It is known for being the longest beach that Menorca has to offer, and as such it is well worth seeing and heading to for your own piece of sand on which to relax and sunbathe all day.

Son Bou keeps right on going for a massive three kilometres and it has plenty of room to cater for everyone. The waters here are delightfully clear and blue and it is a beach that is loved by everyone who visits it. Lots of families come here as the waters are shallow quite a way out from the beach. This means that children can happily play and their parents don’t have to worry about the water being too rough either.

If you want to you can stay in one of the hotels that is situated on the beach here. You might also elect to stay somewhere else nearby, such as a private villa for example. There are pros and cons of each but the temptation of a private pool as well as this stunning beach could well be too much to resist for some people.

The area also has the lovely advantage of having a range of beach bars where you can grab a bite to eat and a refreshing drink as well. Many say that Son Bou has been created just for families, although of course other couples and individuals visit the location as well. There is no doubt that whatever kind of holiday you want in Menorca you will probably be able to have it right here. You won’t want for anything and with everything focused around that superbly long beach, you can see why.

Central Menorca – it isn’t the main area of the island you would head for is it? After all you would think that the best place to go would be to the coasts and the fabulous beaches you would find there. But the truth is that all parts of Menorca – even the central parts – hold secrets and surprises that are worth seeing.

There is a road that cuts right through the middle of the island and can take you from the most western point to the eastern reaches of Menorca. All you have to do is get on this road and you will eventually come across El Mercadal midway along it. Mount Toro isn’t far from Es Mercadal so you also have the opportunity to climb to the highest point on Menorca in the same day if you wish.

But let’s get back to the delights of Es Mercadal. Here you will find many things worth discovering, including the market that the area is famous for. It has been held here for many hundreds of years, as long ago as the 1300s in actual fact. Perhaps you will follow in the footsteps of many others who have been here in years gone by to buy their provisions. You will certainly be carrying on a tradition.

Elsewhere you will spot the famous sandals that give Es Mercadal another claim to fame. They used to have a very practical use but now it is the tourists who buy them in great numbers to wear on holiday and take back home with them. Have a look for the almond biscuits as well – these are another claim to fame that El Mercadal has.

In truth this is not an area that lots of tourists flock to. The mountain looming over it is another matter though, and although El Mercadal does not really cater for tourists in a big way, you should see it if you visit the mountain. It will be worth the trip and whether you buy their sandals or not, you will appreciate the life that goes on here on a daily basis.

It’s common enough to think only of beaches when you go to an island like Menorca. But there is enough greenery there to entertain the most enthusiastic of walkers as well. If you have packed your walking boots as well as your flip flops, make sure you visit S’Albufera des Grau while you are on the island.

This is a park on the north eastern coast of Menorca and it has plenty to offer to those who pay it a visit. Sometimes there are guided tours as well so you can take advantage of these to learn more about the area and what goes on there.

One good thing about the park is that it is right on the coast. This means you can enjoy some sensational views out across the water as well as enjoying all the sights and sounds in the park itself.

Fortunately the land here is now preserved so it will remain as it is for the foreseeable future. Lots of birds and animals make their home here and you should look out for them while you are there. You can also enjoy exploring Grau as well – the village nearby that the park takes its name from. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that there is a delightful beach here as well, so make the most of spending a day or two in the area to explore everything you can.

It’s worth knowing you can set off on a self guided walk here too. Make sure you have a map and plenty to drink with you though, as well as some snacks. Needless to say you’ll need sun lotion as well to avoid getting burnt.

Some of the walks have sections that are steep, so be prepared to burn off some energy as you negotiate your way around sections of S’Albufera des Grau. It is worth doing though as you will see what lots of other hikers and walkers have seen before you – plenty of amazing views and some amazing wetlands as well. It is worth the effort, and you can always relax on the beach nearby afterwards.

Menorca is a delight to visit no matter who you are travelling with. But if you are taking the kids with you it is important to know that your chosen destination is going to be suitable for them. Menorca certainly fits the bill in this case.

When you have kids you will probably want a good beach holiday and Menorca can give you this quite easily indeed. The Balearics are known for their clubs and bars too, but in the case of Menorca you won’t see this quite as much. It bridges the gap between quiet islands and islands that don’t know when to quit – and as a family it makes the perfect choice to go with.

As you might expect this makes Menorca very busy during the summer holidays. If you have younger children and it is possible to book a break just before the holidays get underway, you will be able to enjoy a quieter time. It won’t be quite as busy and this can be good if you hate crowded beaches.

Don’t miss out on visiting such delights as the Los Delfines Aqua Park either. Every child of every age will love everything on offer here, and you will enjoy the safe surroundings as well. As you can see there is plenty to look forward to when you visit Menorca on a family holiday.

Of course the island also benefits from having lots of beaches, but you need to choose carefully when you have young children to think about. One of the best ones has to be Son Parc, as it is ideal for swimming. The water is incredibly shallow for some distance as it slopes very gently into the sea. This means even the young ones can enjoy it and make the most of every minute they spend there.

There is no doubt that Menorca is a delightful place to go to if you like family friendly destinations. With ideal beaches, plenty to do and lots to explore as well, you will never be short of thing to do even if you do have children under 5 with you.

If you are planning a holiday in Menorca in the near future you may have been flicking through guide books in the hope of jotting down a few places to go to while you are there. Did you come across the Lithica quarries in those books? If you didn’t you should definitely add them to your list, because they are nothing short of stunning.

These are sandstone quarries and some of them date back as far as the Roman era. The various quarries are being turned into gardens and some of them are quite beautiful. This is a non-profit work in progress so you should expect to see work going on while you are there.

You can visit the Medieval Garden in the Quarry of the Prows. This is a very practical garden with herbs grown for medicinal purposes among other things. Even this corner of Lithica alone is worth seeing, but there is much else to see besides this.

Another part of Lithica consists of the Great Labyrinth Project. There are four labyrinths set aside for future development, and while nothing is happening with them at the moment the site is still well worth seeing. Just imagine what has happened here over the years – it is certainly a fertile site for the mind and imagination.

Above all it is the scale of the place that really takes your breath away. This is much larger and more sprawling than you might imagine. There is much to be seen and explored here, and even areas that have not yet received much attention are worth looking at. From some vantage points you can see mazes and structures below, giving you a day out you will remember for some time to come. Watch out for the maps as well – the botanic circuit is well worth doing while you are there.

As you can see the Lithica area is something of an undiscovered gem in Menorca. It may not be as well known as some other days out on the island, but it’s certainly a day out you won’t forget.