Balearic islands

The Balearic Islands of Spain have been favourite destinations for the Germans, UK British and other North Europeans since the beginnings of mass tourism. The main reason for the popularity of the Balearics, of course, is the reliable sunshine of their Mediterranean weather. But remember, the first "tourists" to discover the Balearic islands were more impressed by the beauty of their landscapes and beaches. The Balearics situated are in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and the North African coast and is made up by the four islands of Menorca, Ibiza, Mallorca and Formentera and a number of other smaller islands.

Majorca, the largest and best-known of the Balearic islands, battles with its image, popularly reckoned as little more than sun, party and high-rise hotels. In reality you’ll find all the clichés, most of them crammed into the mega-resorts of the Bay of Palma and the east coast, but there’s lots more besides: mountains, lovely old towns, some beautiful coves and the Balearics’ one real city, Palma de Mallorca. Majorca is in fact the one island in the group you might come to other than for beaches and nightlife, with scope to walk, travel and explore the varied landscapes and small villages.

One of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza lies 100 kilometres East of mainland Spain. It became a favoured package holiday destination in the late 60s when an influx of flower power Bohemian types focused world attention on what later became known as Ecstasy Island.. Ibiza is the party spot (friendly for gay tourists), with a trendy resort reputation that seems to draw every club-going European to the outrageous summery street scene. Daytime hours are spent on the beaches at Las Salinas and Es Cabellet, while nights are danced away in any of the bars and discos which compete for tourist dollars. Ibiza is the land of clubbing and good times. However there is so much more to see than the incredible beaches. Explore the old towns and take in some of the Balearic culture and food.

Menorca The 2nd largest of the Balearic Islands, it is 47 km east of Majorca, is about 48 km long by 16 km wide, with a total land area of approx. 702 sq km. The population is approximately 69,000 and is home to a diverse range of culture, language and outstanding natural beauty. Some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Spain can be found in Menorca. Beaches that would look at home in the Caribbean. Mahon or Mao is the capital of Menorca and is located on the Eastern side of the Island. The city is a maze of narrow and atmospheric streets filled with bars, restaurant and shops, built around one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Mahon is also well-known for its gin distillery, which is located in the port.

Formentara, in contrast, is more reclusive, a haven for artists and solitude-seeking tourists who enjoy quiet clothes free bathing amongst the wild rosemary bushes and omnipresent bright green iguanas. Windswept Menorca is a bit more conservative and quiet, littered with stone reminders of its prehistoric past, and perfect for tourists looking for peace and beautiful, relatively isolated beaches. Access to Formentera is via Ibiza. There is a ferry service between the two islands six times a day, and this rises to ten during the summer months. This service is also linked to a bus service that runs between La Sabina, Sant Franesc Xavier and La Mola

Except for Formentera, all the Balearic Islands are accessible by plane. Low cost airlines fly to the Islands from any place in Europe, often at absurdly low prices out of season or if you book at the last minute. There are also charters from mainland Spain, though bizarrely these can often cost as much as or even more than those from other countries. Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca have their own airports. Each one of them is located near the capital of each island. Buses and taxis take passengers to the city center within half an hour for affordable rates. Monarch gives you convenient, low cost flights to Ibiza (Spain) that you can book direct.
You can fly from London Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Birmingham. Your flights to Majorca will allow you to escape the British weather, and enjoy sunshine and warm weather all year round.  With a lot less rain than the UK, and warm sea temperatures even in winter, it's the perfect destination for a weekend winter break or a family summer holiday.

Spain is laso a walkers’ paradise offering endless possibilities for the walking enthusiast and independent holidaymaker. Whether you’re a serious hiker or someone looking for a relaxing ramble, Spain offers stunning walks just a short distance inland from many tourist centres. It has an enormous variety of landscapes; ranging from the snow capped Pico’s de Europa to the oak and chestnut forests of the Serrania de Ronda. Walking Holidays in Spain saves you hours of research by listing over fifty companies offering walking holidays in every region of Spain. It lists each company’s walking opportunities, the accommodation on offer, pricing and other services on offer, such as airport pick-up. There are companies offering everything from a fully comprehensive holiday (including airport transfers, accommodation, all meals and a full programme of guided walks) to those that offer only accommodation and local knowledge (usually in the form of suggested walks in their area)