‘Poc a poc’, slowly, slowly, say Menorquins, describing the way of life on this quietest of the Balearic islands. Menorca’s landscape is a patchwork of dry stone-wall enclosed fields, open heaths, stands of umbrella pines, deep limestone gorges and deserted sandy coves. The lack of development has led to UNESCO declaring the whole island a Biosphere Reserve.
The pace of the tour matches the island’s vibe. We stay for a week in a delightful, first-class hotel: a Manor house, dating back to the 14th century, set in a private 250 hectare estate, with a swimming pool and an outstanding restaurant.
We combine country walks and a jeep safari with cultural encounters and free time to appreciate the hotel’s facilities. We visit forts, cathedrals and museums in Mahon and Ciutadella and some of the many Bronze Age stone monuments of the Talayotic society, scattered around the island.
HIGHLIGHTS of our Menorca walking holiday include:
Guests’ comments on this trip:
‘One of the best holidays ever - lovely hotel, wonderful food, good weather, great company.’
‘An idyllic island sojourn, dream-like in its loveliness. Spiritually restoring.’
‘The best yet! (But what else would you expect with such a team?) The quality of the food completely surprised us, Victor's food was amazing.’
‘As usual with Kudu Travel everything has been thought out and arranged. Nothing is too much trouble. One can completely relax and enjoy the holiday.’
DAY 1
D included
After meeting at Mahon (Maó in Catalan) in the afternoon, we have a half hour transfer by road to our hotel near the southeast coast. A glass of pomada (Menorcan gin, ice and lemon juice)precedes our dinner in the vaulted stables of the Manor.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
We set off on foot from the hotel and follow paths through the pines and Mediterranean garrigue. We walk a section of the Cami de Cavalls, an old mule trail which encircles the island, passing an 18th century Martello watchtower. In late afternoon, we head for La Mola, officially the Fortress of Isabell II, the 19th century Spanish military fortress on the northern shore of Mahon harbour. One of the largest forts of the period in Europe, it covers the entire headland, overlooking the entrance to a strategically valuable deep port. It was built, like most structures on Menorca, from a locally sourced limestone known as marès.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
The beaches of Menorca’s south coast are famous for their white sand and turquoise water. Our walk this morning takes us to two such coves accessible only on foot, early enough in the season to avoid summer crowds. In the afternoon we investigate the Talayotic settlement of Torralba d’en Salort, complete with two talayots (megaliths), a taula (T-shaped stone monument), a hypostyle hall, a cyclopean wall, underground silos and hypogea (burial chambers).
DAY 4
B, L, D included
We drive to the furthest west of the island to visit the delightful town of Ciutadella, the island capital under the Romans, the Moors and the Catalans. We see the 17th century Castell de Sant Nicolau, which guards the harbour entrance, visit the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Mary, then walk through the fish and vegetable market on our way to lunch. We visit a fascinating series of gardens: mediaeval, botanical, indigenous plants and an old orchard within a former marès quarry.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
The Illa del Rei is a small island in the main channel of Mahon harbour and is accessed by a picturesque 15-minute ferry ride. It is known for the hospital constructed on the island by the British during their nearly hundred-year control of Menorca, 1708 - 1802. The former hospital now houses a well-laid out history museum and we lunch al fresco in a Mediterranean garden designed by the acclaimed landscape architect Piet Oudolf.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
Today we explore the geologically different north. The stone is darker and harder, sand orange-red and the northerly tramontana may be blowing. A 3-hour jeep safari takes us through this landscape to a traditional cheese making farm and to the lighthouse at Cap de Cavalleria at the northern-most tip of Menorca. After lunch at the whitewashed fishing village of Fornells, we discover the only active saltworks on the island, the Salinas de la Concepción, dating back to 1853 and beautifully restored over the last few years since 2021.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
We return to Mahon for the morning. We explore on foot the city centre, dramatically situated on a cliff over the harbour, and visit the Museum of Menorca for a final review of the island’s history. We drive a short distance to a fishing village by the sea for lunch and in the afternoon, we walk round the lake at S’Albufera es Grau, Menorca’s main nature reserve. Paths through cistus, spiny broom, lentisc and juniper lead us to viewpoints over water.
DAY 8
B included
Our visit to Menorca concludes with a transfer to the airport for flights home.
Please note that the double for single use room supplement is imposed by the hotel (which does not have any single rooms) and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable.
A jeep safari and ferry ride, as described
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
Normally, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Spain. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 guests.
