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 paradise in the Balearic Islands 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.
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.).
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!
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.
It was our first holiday abroad in nearly 2 years so it was worth the splurge! I adored the huge pink bougainvillea growing up the side of the house against the white building.
We stayed in Binibeca Vell – an amazing town which was 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.
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 there were so many people around us speaking the language.
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 español…’ 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!
*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 aquí! Derecho! Aquí! Aquí!”
The island has a huge number of little coves with footpaths to them as well as plenty of beaches – just stunning!
On one of the days, we ventured into the main city of Mahón (Mao) to the main port there.
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 and drinking cold Albariño wine.
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.
We also travelled up a windy road leading up to Monte Toro, the highest point on the island, to check out the amazing views…
There’s a little church there as well at the top of the hill and it’s just a really lovely quiet atmosphere there.
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.
There’s also a wonderful restaurant there called Moli d’es Raco (The Windmill) which was recommended to me by the lovely Will of Bright Bazaar who’d gotten married in Menorca and knew the island well (thanks for your recommendations, friend!!) :) I adored it’s grape vine covered entrance!
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.
I also just had to share this amazing pina colada I also had in Binibeca – nothing like a great presentation right?
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?!
That’s my kinda drink!! Looks lovely there, I also love the grape vine covered entrance and have loved bougainvillea since I first saw it in Spain years ago – sadly our climate can’t really support it, unless you grow it in a conservatory. x
Oh I ADORE bougainvillea – I really wish we had warm enough conditions for it here as well, it was growing in so many gardens and the contrast of that bright pink against the white buildings and blue sky? Gorgeous colour combination! Well, I might not be able to grow it but I can still be inspired by the colours, right? ;) xx
Hi Kimberly
Really enjoyed you sharing your Menorca pics! John & I went there too some years ago and loved it – also to Binibeca and Mahon ;). That fish dish looks delicious… I must go eat some lunch!! You might like to try northern Majorca on future forays to the med. It’s wonderfully mountainous (kinda like a hot Scotland) and pretty much the whole of the Northern coast (from Andratz in the west, East onwards) is a must see!! Secluded beach coves a-go-go. Hire car req’d!
Loved your video post too – watched it yesterday. You’re so brave! And, you looked fab too… Loved your off the shoulder top and Meisha’s meowing (is that how you spell it?) was funny ;). I shall enjoy more of those, so please keep doing them. Catherine xx
I so wish we could have explored more of the island – there was so much to see that we just didn’t get to and the northern coast was definitely part of that! I was really happy we had the rental car :) We really want to go back again!
And thank you so much about the video! So happy you enjoyed it! (The top is from ASOS by the way, it was only cheap but it’s become a summer staple! :)) Oh and Meisha is SO chatty, I was happy she decided to ‘talk’ on camera! lol xxx
Absolutely gorgeous photos! Thank you for sharing.
So glad you got to get away for a bit and recharge! Your pictures are amazing and renting a villa seems like the way to go!
Isn’t traveling amazing; it feeds the mind and soul! I’ve never been to Menorca or Spain for that matter but it’s on the bucket list now! We just got back from a long trip in the UK (Northern Ireland and Bath, England), Nepal and India–which was amazing, crazy and life changing! Suggestions on places to go…if you haven’t been to Turkey, put that on your list!
I do love travelling, it gives you such an amazing charge! Your trip sounds fabulous (Bath is SO pretty isn’t it?!) – wow, sounds amazing! I’ve not yet been to Turkey, will definitely have to check that out :) xxx
Oh my word! What an absolutely beautiful, beautiful place! Did you come home wanting to paint everything white? The photos of the white-washed exteriors with darker trim and doors and that blue sky had me breathless! It sounds like a wonderful trip and your photos are just lovely!
Oh definitely – that combination of stark white, the deep blue of the sky and the bougainvillea pink just totally got me right in the feels!! Yummy! xxx
Going out to buy a pineapple! Thx for the tour. Love all the white stucco.
Hahaha! The pineapple was fabulous! I didn’t want to drink it and ruin it ;) xxx
Hi Kimberly, great holiday pictures it looks a beautiful place, its somewhere i’ve never been we seem to always go to Tenerife, but I must say we always have a good holidays there. I love the white houses, they look like they have been cut from snow, lol. It was nice to see some blue sky i’m sick of seeing clouds, thanks for that xxx
Oh I’ve been to Tenerife as well but Menorca to me is prettier (well, what I saw of it!) :) The white houses really do look like they are snow – so pretty against the bright blue sky :) Sick of clouds here as well, what is up with this weather?! xxx
Hi again Kim.
Oh Menorca, it’s so beautiful. It’s been some years since I’ve been but it is so gorgeous. Your photos are fabulous, thanks for brightening up a another cold and dull Manchester day! I think someone has already said this, but you should definitely check out parts of Majorca too – Soller and the train ride through the mountains and the areas around Deia – absolutely stunning. Last year we checked out Ibiza, and that was a really pleasant surprise. Some tips though – go in May or September avoiding the ‘oi-oi-oi’ crowd on the plane and at the airport; stay in the north – it’s stunning, (we found lots of quiet beaches and coves); and get a car so you can check the rest of the island out. It’s TINY so easy to drive around and worth it. There’s not loads to do or see like in Majorca or Menorca, but it is worth it. Oh yeah Ibiza old town is also beautiful. Yay to travelling!
We didn’t get to see NEARLY enough of the island when we were there (too much lounging around the pool and laying in the sun reading – ha! well it WAS a holiday) but we definitely want to go back to do that :) I’ve only been to Ibiza once but no rental car at that time so I may need to go back as you’re not the first to say that, I obviously missed a lot! Your comment about the ‘oi-oi-oi’ crowd made me laugh!! Dear god I now what you mean ;) None of that in Menorca which was a welcome relief!! xxx
What a beautiful holiday, I highly recommend Ibiza,I’ve been 4 times each time to a different part the island is beautiful. I’m off to majoricia (sa coma) in a few weeks, adore the balerics x Santorini is on my wish list too.
Ahh everyone is recommending Ibiza! Definitely being added to the list! I’ve heard very good things about Majorca as well – enjoy!! And Santorini is totally on my wish list too ;) xxx
SO GORGEOUS! I love reading travel recaps and living vicariously through other people’s photos. And girl…you are smokin’ hot. ;)
Hahaha! Yeah smoking hot in the sense that I probably lost 2 lbs just in sweating!! LOL! xxx
Oh, it looks fabulous!!! Glad you had such a great time! I really feel like jetting off now!
xx
I want to go back!! Sod this British weather!! LOL! xxx
wow! that is the stuff of dreams right there. add it to the list…the travel list keeps getting longer…
I would have a hard time adjusting after a trip like that! xo
It’s like coming back to Earth with a bump!! lol Gah, wish I was independently wealthy (a lottery win would do) and I’d just spend all my time on holiday exploring all the places I’m desperate to visit ;) xxx
It looks like you had a blast luv! Everything looks gawgeousss. Those whites buildings are divine. Agree, must be hard to come back to the daily grind!
It was an amazing time thank you!! And oh yes, I really didn’t want to come back! ;) xxx
Girl, that’s my kind of holiday! I go banana’s for architecture like that, but that almost takes it to a new level. Seriously, those STREETS. All that white wash and individually considered design. It’s almost dream-like. Actual heaven. So beautiful, and so great to hear you had such a relaxing time. It is well deserved xxxxx
Ughh it was GORGEOUS. I want to go back!! Wahhhh xxx
Wow, those whitewashed organic looking buildings in those cobbled streets look magical. What a stunning place, it’s going on my places to visit! Glad you had a lovely holiday, darling xxx
It was sooooo ridiculously beautiful!! Definitely put it on your list, I would go back in a heartbeat ;) (actually I want to go back NOW DAMMIT) Mwah xxx