SPAIN: Menorca
It's true that Spain's famous for its laid-back way of life – but if you're seeking some serious tranquillity, then the serene shores of Minorca are right up your holiday street. Sitting pretty in the turquoise seas of the Med, this low-key isle isn't perhaps as well-known as the mainland Costas - but it should be. Peace and quiet go hand-in-hand here for a start. Then there are the bounty-like beaches, of which Minorca has more than its Balearic cousins put together. And let's not forget the fact that it's also an open-air museum with its megalithic monuments. Pretty impressive credentials for such a tiny island. But then they do say the best things come in small packages. You could easily while away all your time here on cashmere-soft sands – and who could blame you? But if you want to get out there and explore, there's plenty to keep you on your toes. Discover the sleepy culture and gorgeous Gothic architecture of Ciudadela. Wind your way through Mahon's narrow streets and snake your way down to the picture-postcard harbour. Or take to the hills and get up close and personal with Minorca's captivating countryside, peppered with hidden hamlets. They also say it's the quiet ones you have to watch, so come and clap eyes on this enchanting isle for yourself. It'll beguile and bewitch you from the moment you arrive.
Beaches
With over 220km of almost non-stop shores, it's hard to know where to start with Minorca's beaches. The boomerang-shaped coast here boasts around 120 of them. Each one as eye-poppingly gorgeous as the other. Will you flop down on endless sweeps stretching as far as the eye can see, like the gold-dust sands of Son Bou? Or will you seek out bone-white bays you can bag all for yourself like the pine-fringed Cala Macarella? Decisions, decisions. Head for Minorca's hushed northern shores for the glittering horseshoe-shaped cove of Arenal d'en Castell and the brown-sugar sands of Cala Tirant, which is a big hit with windsurfers. Or take your pick from the beach-flooded south, where gorgeous snow-white slices like family favourite Cala Galdana and the secluded Cala en Turqueta live.
Eating out
When it comes to eating out in Minorca, you're most definitely in for a treat. A moreish mix of Spanish and Catalonian cuisine, it's cooked to simple perfection and crammed full of flavour. In the more family-orientated resorts, you can seek out your favourite dishes from around the world, but you'll probably be hooked on the fabulous island food from your first bite. Of course, succulent seafood and fresh fish find their way onto almost every menu, but you'll also come across other local specialities such as 'tumbet', layers of peppers, potato and tomatoes baked in an earthenware pot, or the unusual 'huevos a al sollerica', fried eggs sitting on sliced sausage with a pea sauce. For a real taste of tradition, it's well worth gracing one of Fornells' waterfront eateries to try the famous 'caldereta de llagosta', a stew-like dish made from spiny lobster. Even the King of Spain pops across on his yacht now and then to savour this classic. Well if it's good enough for him…
Nightlife
When in Minorca, you can't help but step to the slow pace of island time - and the laid-back atmosphere winds down even more after dark. So do as the locals do and get set for some serious eating. Start your evening with a gentle stroll, perusing the menus of enticing eateries as you go. Once you've worked up an appetite, pull up a chair and tuck into a long leisurely meal al fresco-style, that'll last well into the evening. And don't forget to follow up with a glass of the island's famous tipple, Xoriguer gin, at a tranquil bar. If you fancy somewhere with a bit more buzz, the larger resorts have a selection of livelier places and the capital, Mahon, has a sprinkling of stylish bars and chic clubs. Or for something totally out of the ordinary, try Cala en Porter's Cova d'en Xoroi, which is housed in a natural cave.
Shopping
Wherever you head, you'll find charmingly traditional shops selling painted pottery and unusual crafts, and often the best bargains to be found are at the factory outlets along the outskirts of towns. Other good buys to stock up on here include leather goods, jewellery and, of course, the island's Xoriguer gin. Markets are a big hit here too, from the colourful stalls set up in Mahon's bustling square to Ciudadela's Art Noveau marketplace. Don't miss the chance to bag some real Menorcan treats either, such as almond biscuits, herbal liqueurs and olive oil at one of the buzzing farmer's markets. If you're more fashion-lead though, hunt out the one-off boutiques along Mahon's waterfront and in the atmospheric backstreets of Ciudadela
