First of all, I just want to say a huge thank you for all the lovely support and encouragement I received from you guys for my very first YouTube video! I’m so happy so many of you liked it (and actually watched it all the way through!) and I am now thinking I may do perhaps one a month or so – it was good fun and just a totally new challenge for me and as it’s been one of my goals for my blog for a while now to start doing video content that compliments my blog posts, so if you want to subscribe to my channel you can do so here:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

Anyway, for today’s post I wanted to share a little bit of our holiday! My first week’s hiatus from the blog was spent in a little piece of paradiseΒ in the Balearic IslandsΒ off the coast of eastern Spain in Menorca. I have often found travelling to be incredibly inspiring – not just to recharge the ol’ batteries but to get a taste of how other countries and cultures’ homes and architecture might inspire my own.

Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings

We absolutely fell IN LOVE with the island itself and with 30+ degree temperatures C every day (that’s around 86 degrees – 90 F!!) it was a welcome break from the rain and cold and windy weather we’ve been getting here in the North West of England this summer. Let me tell you, it was HOT!! Wow, we’re so not used to these kinds of temperatures (to give you an idea of how cold it’s been, today here it’s reaching the heady temperatures of 16-17C or around 60F – IN SUMMER. WTF ENGLAND.).

Binibeca Vell Menorca cove 2

We rented out a villa for our stay which yes, is a little more expensive than staying in a hotel but for the freedom it gives you of having your own ‘home’ while you are abroad, I highly recommend it!

Our pool in Binibeca Menorca villa

The villa wasn’t anything fancy but we really just wanted somewhere we could relax during the day, not having to worry about having any restrictions in terms of when we ate, when we enjoyed the pool or having to share the grounds with anyone else. We even had a sea view from the balcony where we had our breakfast.

sea view from our villa in Menorca

It was our first holiday abroad in nearly 2 years so it was worth the splurge! I adored the huge pinkΒ bougainvillea growing up the side of the house against the white building.

Bougainvillea and pool in Menorca villa

We stayed in Binibeca Vell – an amazing town which wasΒ designed by Spanish architect Antonio Sintes in 1972 but which had clearly been inspired by Greek architecture – white washed buildings everywhere gleaming in the sunshine and built into an amazing maze right into the hills.

Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings 7Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings 6Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings 5Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings 4Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings 3Binibeca Vell Menorca buildings 2

There’s a small fishing port there as well which was just gorgeous (especially at night which I failed to capture having only my phone to take pictures!) and lots of restaurants, bars and shops as it’s centre. The thing I loved most about it was that it felt authentically Spanish in the sense that it was quiet and clearly a favourite of the Spanish as thereΒ were so many people around us speaking the language.

Binibeca Vell Menorca fishing

Of course, given my Puerto Rican heritage, all the waiters assumed I spoke Spanish (I don’t, sadly) and so looked at and spoke to me first when we were in any restaurant (Wayne looks distinctly Caucasian but actually knows more Spanish than I do!*) which was kind of funny and a bit disappointing when I had to say sheepishly, ‘Lo siento, no hablo espaΓ±ol…’Β We’d both really like to learn Spanish – it’s on the bucket list anyway because this happens every time we go to a Spanish-speaking country!

Our Trip to Menorca

*I was mightily impressed (and a little turned on I admit) listening to Wayne direct a taxi driver in broken Spanish: “Ir a la izquierda aquΓ­! Derecho! AquΓ­! AquΓ­!”

The island has a huge number of little coves with footpaths to them as well as plenty of beaches – just stunning!

Binibeca Vell Menorca cove

On one of the days, we ventured into the main city of MahΓ³n (Mao) to the mainΒ port there.

Mahon in Menorca

It was just a gorgeous area of the island with loads of ridiculously expensive boats – we had the ‘if we won the lottery’ discussion a number of times while enjoying a gorgeous meal at a restaurant right on the harbour called Blue (highly recommended) looking out on to the water andΒ drinking cold AlbariΓ±o wine.

Mahon in Menorca 2

Mahon in Menorca boats

Blue Restaurant Mahon Menorca

We took a little boat tour as well of the southern coast of the island which was just stunning and really informative plus there’s a little bar on the boat so ya know, you get to have a few drinks as you are taught all about the history of the island which was actually quite fascinating.

Our boat trip in Menorca

Menorca cove 3

Our boat trip in Menorca 2

We also travelled up a windy road leading up to Monte Toro, the highest point on the island, to check out the amazing views…

Monte Toro Menorca view

There’s a little church there as well at the top of the hill and it’s just a really lovely quiet atmosphere there.

Monte Toro Menorca church

And then back down the hill to explore the village of Es Mercadal, a pretty little town with cute shops and fluttering banners on the main stretch.

Es Mercadal Menorca

Es Mercadal Menorca 2

Es Mercadal Menorca 3

There’s also a wonderfulΒ restaurantΒ thereΒ called Moli d’es Raco (The Windmill) which was recommended to me by the lovely Will of Bright Bazaar who’d gotten married in MenorcaΒ and knew the island well (thanks for your recommendations, friend!!) :) I adored it’s grape vine covered entrance!

Moli d'es Raco - The Windmill Restaurant Menorca

Moli d'es Raco - The Windmill Restaurant Menorca 2

If you do decide to ever venture to Menorca, you’ll also be treated to Pomada – they gave us little shot glasses of the stuff in nearly every bar and restaurant we went to which is basically a gin and lemon slush which is ridiculously yummy and made with the island’s own gin, Xoriguer.

Xoriguer Pomada Menorca

I also just had to share this amazing pina colada I also had in Binibeca – nothing like a great presentation right?

pina colada menorca

Anyway, so that’s a little run down of our amazing trip in Menorca! We went for 7 nights and absolutely adored it – we’re already planning on going back again and exploring more of the island. It’s quiet, family-friendly and just a lovely quiet island with plenty to see and do.

Have you ever been to Menorca? Fancy going now that I’ve shared a bit with you? I’d love to hear your favourite island paradise – where should we go next?!

 

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