The Spanish island of Menorca diverges from the popular desire to “hippie-ize” the luxurious style of the Côte d’Azur, and succeeds in embodying a low-profile vacation spot. Mao, Menorca’s capital, is just a one-hour flight from Barcelona or Madrid, with direct flights on low-cost airlines Vueling, Iberia, and on all major carriers from most capitals in Western Europe. The price of flights skyrockets starting in early June, so early booking for the summer months is a must.

The most comfortable option for accommodation in Menorca is renting a house. In terms of location, there are two options, depending on with whom you are traveling.

If with family, rent a house around Saint Luis, preferably around the cove of Binisafuller. The seafront villas are set away from the main road by purple bougainvilleas. Panoramic views of the open seas are available in almost all villas and some even have terraces that open directly to the ocean.

If, however, you are traveling with friends, Ciutadella is the place to be. Located on the opposite side of the island, Ciutadella is the largest city in Menorca. It was built in the style of a European small-town: narrow stone streets, medium-size buildings, balconies, and plazas. The streets of Ciutadella are home to open-air concerts as well as independent music and art exhibitions. Still, when renting a house it is important to choose a cala (cove) away from the city. For a group of friends, Cala Blanca is a good option. Although smaller in size compared to the villas of Binisafuller, the two- or three-bedroom houses in Cala Blanca are suspended on high rocks and have stunning views of an old lighthouse and the open ocean.

There is one highway that crosses through the middle of Menorca, connecting all the roads from Ciutadella on the West to Mao on the East. However, often it is only through unpaved trails that hidden beaches can be found. During the day, everything revolves around these beaches. White sand spreads throughout the South coast of the island while red sand and mud beaches are found in the North.

Try to choose a different beach everyday. Son Bou in the South is always a traveler's favorite. Although the official entrance leads to a highly populated area, it is possible to walk in the opposite direction for ten to fifteen minutes and have an area of beach all to yourself!
Macarelleta, another beach, should also not be missed. Macarelleta's paradisiacal, crystalline water is hidden away from the tumult of its bigger sister: Macarella. In the north, the best option is Cavalleria, where patches of mud on the extreme right of the beach allow for maroon body treatments and facials, always a fun experience.

Regarding nightlife and dining, Menorca is relatively conservative in comparison to the other Baleares (Ibiza, Mallorca, and Formentera). The nightclub worth going to is Cova d’en Soroll. Although it's a tourist trap, it is squeezed between two caves, borders an abyss, and has amazing views of the ocean. Because of the island’s orientation towards families and small groups of friends, the trend is to go out for dinner and drinks in city bars. Ciutadella is the nightlife hub, while more formal lunches and dinners take place at the port of Es Castell. Although Menorca is low-key for the most part, it is quite common to bump into Letizia and Felipe de Borbon, the prince and princess of Spain, while sipping a pomada (gin drink with lemon) and a caldereta de langosta (lobster soup) in Es Castell.