Fantastic Menorca !!!

We booked this holiday with the sole desire to spend a week of relaxation and make the final choice of the trip had been my wife. I must admit that initially I was very dubious about this choice, but also better informed about the destination and reading the various journals published, I started with the security that would be a wonderful holiday and the end and 'what and' success.
Minorca e 'veramente stupenda!
Some beaches are really fantastic. I saw the sea of the Caribbean Dominican Republic, the beautiful sea of Seychelles, Formentera, Ibiza, Sardinia, Greece .... ... Etc.. ... Etc.. But now when I think of the sea, I imagine the sea of Minorca (.... And sometimes even the sea of Seychelles).
Before leaving I had peeled the pages of a travel magazine and I saw a picture of a beach (cala Macarella) with a water clear, so clear that it seemed that the boats were suspended in the air. I thought it was an edited picture, but also my camera has the same photos!
Awesome!

Our stay included a week of 15/06/2008 to 22/06/2008 at the hotel for Aguamarina Arenal d'en Castell.
L'hotel e 'un po' style eco monster, "but frankly I found myself well with food, and with the various entertainment services offered. Of course, do not expect to eat our wonderful spaghetti or other Italian dishes cooked in accordance with best .... But also if you look for this, it was better to stay in Italy. Definitely the best choice is the half-board, which is usually seen in mid-day usually and 'fun to visit the island.
Daily entertainment we have attended only one day, where my wife and 'try to pull a race with the carbine, miraculously managing to make a center after 50 attempts!
Brava Francy all six of us!
I read that someone complained that there were not the entertainers, but this does not correspond to reality, we found we cha ... .. In the evening there were various entertainment, all very pleasing, even if in English or Spanish
In short, it is not a 5-star hotel, but a onestissimo hotel / residence to 3 stars.

 

Arenal d´en Castell

After leaving in the morning with a temperature of from Bologna chills (my wife was frozen despite having his sweater and jacket) and 'was a real pleasure to land at Maho with the hot sun, which is tolerated only if you're on vacation !
The afternoon we spent at the beach below the hotel, renting a beach umbrella and 2 sunbeds at 8 €, passing the time sleeping and bathroom to do some catching up on lost sleep the night before. The beach of Arenal d'en Castell and 'a bay about 1 km long and is' ideal for families, because the water and gently sloping beach and' made ??entirely of sand. If it were not for all the hotels built around it would be really nice.

Arenal d´en Castell (di nuovo !!!)

After planning about how to spend the rest of the week, we rented a car for the next day, (a Polo 1.9 TD) for 5 days for the price of 120 € from Europcar which has an office about 200 meters from the hotel.
The rest of the day we spent in the swimming pool by taking part in some races organized by entertainers and lounging on the beach below the hotel, where we installed our umbrellas bought at 6 € in the shop below the hotel.
Well ... if you really want 2 precious advice on Minorca and 'rent a car and turn the whole island ... .. and buy you an umbrella, because many beaches will be useful (if not always be the lizards who want to toast all costs). Ahhh I forgot ... bring a bottle of water, because many beaches there 'no service available.

Maho , Monte El Toro

Finally on board of our car we start to visit the rest of the island. As the sky promised rain, we decided to bring us to Great Bay, the island's capital, to visit the city market (mandatory step, since the presence of my wife). The parking 'was a bit' difficult, but in the end we managed to find a place in the area of ??the stadium, about 500 meters from the market area.
The market and 'very nice, despite the presence of rain falling intermittently, and' was a pleasure to visit
This afternoon, as the continuing bad weather, we climbed Mount El Toro, is the iconic island's highest, where you can enjoy sweeping views, and if you want you can visit a small monastery.

Macarella and Macarelleta , Cala En Turqueta, Fornells

We got up pretty early, around 07.00 am, and we note that at last 'the sun returned, it will not abandon us for the rest of the holiday. After a hearty breakfast, and prepared a couple of sandwiches for lunch, we decided to leave immediately for the beaches to the south-west of the island.
Along the main road that cuts into 2 Menorca, Ciutadella connect with Maho (the old capital of the island) and from which branch off all roads leading to various beaches, we arrive at a series of roundabouts located at the beginning of Ciutadella. At the third roundabout you will see signs for the main beaches in the area. (Do not worry, the directions of the beaches are very accurate across the island and it is rarely unable to find the desired beach).
After leaving the main road, you need to travel several kilometers to a small road bordered by stone walls until you reach a junction near the hermitage of Sant Jordi. Here, most likely, you will find a person under an umbrella that has the task of closing the entrance road to the beach, when the latter reaches a certain number of accesses (and therefore 'should reach the intersection at approximately 09.30 - 10 , 00). Taking the left path you go 'to Macarella while. Taking the right one is reached Turqueta. We chose the left path in the direction of Macarella. From this junction you must take another 3 - 4 km, the road narrows and gradually the road gets worse, so go at a moderate speed, as 2 cars pass us with difficulty and risk of ruining the back of the car by taking one of numerous holes.
When you reach the beach, you arrive at a guarded parking lot where you pay a few euros for the whole day, but with the advantage of being a few hundred meters from the sea, or you can follow the road until you reach a parking space, but further away from the beach. We chose the first option (after all we are on vacation).
Once at the destination, you will be amazed by the natural spectacle that you will find. White beach and clear water. If you want to increase your wonder, take the path that you find on the right (from many sides, and I read that 'hard to follow, but in my opinion and not' at all), in 10 minutes you arrive at the smaller beach Macarelleta, where over to avoid stepping on some nude beach, do one of the nicest bathrooms of your life. At least for me, 'was right! Unfortunately, my bathroom and not 'been able to last for a long time, because my wife was waiting at the main beach, but the memory of this beautiful bathroom (along with the nude blackberry) will forever remain in my thoughts more' beautiful.
In the afternoon we moved in the other beautiful beach of Cala En Turqueta where to reach you, and 'forced to go back up to the hermitage of Sant Jordi (healthy again, the little man under the umbrella, in the hope that has not closed the road ) and take the next fork. Here, too, must continue for a few km in the middle of streets bordered by stone walls, up to occur at a free car park, where and 'can be purchased at the nearby chioschietto, ice cream and sandwiches.
Parked the car, you have to walk downhill for about 700 to 800 m. on a gravel path through the woods, until you reach the beach of Cala En Turqueta. This too 'beautiful ... .. composed of white sand, rocks, and needless to say beautiful sea.
Instead we spent the evening in Fornells to eat the famous Caldera de Lobster (lobster bisque).
Good ... ... but at what price! 2 Portions of Caldera, a half liter of house wine, 1 liter of water, 1 dessert and 2 coffees cost us € 160. Luckily the wedding anniversary only comes once a year, otherwise I would have just ruined! (True Francy !?!?!?)
It seems counterintuitive, but there is 'cost more' this dinner that the rental car for 5 days! However, if I had not eaten this famous dish lower down, I would forever regret, that probably will not have seen other opportunities to do so! (Blessed are the foreign tourists when they come in as a dish typical Romagna flatbread find a few euros!!)

Cala Mitjana , Mitjaneta , Trabaluger ,Cala Galdana , Cava des Xoroi

Given the enthusiasm of the previous day, even in this day we headed to the south coast of the island with the intention of seeing Cala Mitjana.
To reach this beautiful beach, just take the main road to Ciutadella and once crossed the country Ferreries turn to Santa Galdana. Shortly after the left you will find the signs to Cala Mitjana and after traveling a few kilometers on a dirt road but well traveled, you'll see it again another wonder of nature. Beautiful beach and water. Together Macarella Cala / Cala Macarelleta and its neighboring Mitjaneta, this and 'the most beautiful beach of the island.
With the intention of seeing Cala Mitjaneta (located along the short path to the right of Cala Mitjana) I have reached after 30 / 40 minute walk in the pine forest, Cala Trabaluger which is taking the path on the awake of cala Mitjana . Has been the effort of walking, but this beach and I 'seemed beautiful and much less crowded than the others.
By mid afternoon we made a quick stop to the nearby Cala Galdana, but this beach had a lot of commercial structures around, does not have the same charm of the beaches earlier.
After a quick shower at the hotel, we set off again towards the south - east of the island, with the aim to have a drink at the Disco Cave des Xoroi, at sunset. This nightclub and 'very notable for being' composed of a series of caves and walkways overlooking the sea.
The club does three hours, at 11.30 am with the function of the bars, 19 for cocktails with music in the background, and at 23 as a disco.
For more information, visit www.covadenxoroi.com

Ciutadella,Son Saura,Binimel_la e Cala Pregonda ,Maho

The beginning of this day and 'was scheduled to visit the market of Ciutadella, but unfortunately for my wife, the city market which is usually performed to Friday, on this day was referred to the forthcoming festival of the patron (Sant Joan) celebrated a few days later.
Anyway, since we had parked the car, we also visited Ciutadella, where my wife and 'also failed to satisfy his desire to make purchases. Despite having visited only a part of town, and our impression 'that is more beautiful Ciutadella to visit compared to Mao'.
After the city tour, we headed out at the beautiful beach of Son Saura. To reach it we must first take the same direction as the beaches of Macarella, Torqueta .... And then take the fork that leads to the west. The beach and 'composed of white sand and is' very large (at least compared to those seen previously). Water and 'very clear and seems to be inside a swimming pool.
After a short siesta in the shade of pine trees, we headed to the famous Cala Pregonda. Parked the car near the beach Binimel_la (this beach there, and 'liked at all), you must walk for about 20 minutes in the middle of a barren landscape, surreal, like being in the desert of Sinai. Arriving at Cala Pregonda will seem a mirage ... .. and instead it is a real landscape!
Very particular, this beach for many 'the most beautiful island (but not for me), and in every way' to visit if you have the opportunity.
We spent the evening dining in one of the many restaurants overlooking the port of Mao, and as the wedding anniversary we had already celebrated, this time we have spent much less.

Binibeca , Binissafúller , Sa_Mesquida, Platja des Grau

Our last day on holiday in Menorca we used to visit the famous village of Binibeca. Beautiful! The Francy already wanted to book one of these structures the holiday next year! Really charming little village composed of these white houses and a particular shape.
After this short visit, we visited the beach Binissafúller quickly, but being too crowded we chose to go to the beach of Sa Mesquida on the north east coast of the island, just above the city of Maho.Anche this beach '... nice. . but nothing to do with the various Macarella, Tarqueta, Mitjana ... .. for more on this beach, and my wife 'was stung by a jellyfish .... so, bring a salve against these contingencies.
Before returning the car we headed to the nearby beach of Es Grau, but this beach is not particularly fascinated us, and as it 'happened to the other.
Honestly, if I recommend a trip to some friends who will want to 'spend a relaxing week, certainly the first name that will be to Menorca.
Island fantastic at an affordable price!