At the summit of Mount Toro is a statue of Christ, his arms outstretched as if embracing the island. Comparisons between him and his Brazilian counterpart are easy to draw, but this is a more modest affair — a fraction the size, with a fraction of the visitors.
After all, Menorca is hardly one to shout about its charms. The second-largest of the Balearic Islands is a relaxed affair, where agricultural traditions hold sway and life moves to a gentler beat than that of its party-loving sisters Majorca and Ibiza. Venture inland and you’ll see that quiet, rural beauty at its best: juniper and pine trees circled by red kites; pretty, whitewashed villages; and dry-stone walls crisscrossing a landscape that feels like it hasn’t changed for centuries.
Not that it’s always been a peaceful sanctuary in the sun. Menorca has seen its fair share of conflict and conquest, having been controlled by a host of Mediterranean powers, including the British, who occupied the island three times between 1708 and 1802. This succession of occupants has left rich relics to explore, from the mysterious towers of the prehistoric Talaiotic people to military fortresses looming over brilliantly blue seas.
This year, Menorca is one of two European Regions of Gastronomy: a seal of approval for a land that draws heavily on its natural bounty, from honey to seafood. The island has also been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993 and, as a result, resort development is limited, which makes it a refreshingly low-key escape. Sometimes, it seems, the partying is best left to the neighbours.
Denne historien er fra May 2022-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra May 2022-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
