If you’re planning on traveling to the Balearic Islands on holiday, you should consider renting a Spanish holiday villa. Holiday villas are perfect for travellers seeking privacy and convenience. Carry on reading to find out exactly how perfect your holiday can be.

Menorca is the second largest Balearic Island, and lies off the south east coast of mainland Spain. Menorca remains relatively quiet compared to its sisters, Ibiza and Majorca. There are many popular resorts along the south coast.

Menorca, located in the middle of the western Mediterranean, is especially popular amongst tourists wishing to experience one of the many traditional fiestas that are held throughout the summer.

There is stunning natural beauty on Menorca, from the Mediterranean coastline along the south to the rugged bays in the north, there’s something for everyone in the natural scenery. Mount Toro is really the only mountain on Menorca, and at 358 meters high it provides breathtaking views of the area. Many tourist enjoy taking a tour up to the 17th century Sanctuary of the Mare de Déu del Toro, which is located on the peak.

Many tourists enjoy the statue of the Verge del Toro (the Black Madonna) on the peak, which has been worshipped to for centuries. Many people still make pilgrimage to this church, the Spanish especially for the Festa de la Verge del Toro, in which the inhabitance descend the stairs on their knees.

If it’s cuisine you’re interested in, you’ll be stimulated in Menorca. Since it’s situated in the Mediterranean, the Menorcan cuisine is heavily dominated by the Mediterranean diet. You can enjoy the local tastes at any of the fantastic and highly service-oriented restaurants nearby, or visit a local shop or market to bring some fresh produce, cheese and/or meats home to your villa for a more comfortable and private dining experience.

If you’re looking for the local drink of choice, you might be surprised to find that gin is prevalent. Gin is considered to be a lingering influence of the British, who possessed Menorca in the 1700′s. During the local holidays called festes, local islanders drink Pomada. If you don’t like lemon, you shouldn’t try Pomada, as it’s the only other ingredient besides gin!
Whether you’re traveling with your family, friends or spouse, Menorca has something for everyone. Book your holiday villa soon, and enjoy!

For guaranteed spring sun and the opportunity to witness some of Europe’s finest bird and floral specialities, head for the spectacular headlands and wetlands of Menorca, the sun-drenched steppes and plains of Extremadura, the imposing granite peaks of Sierra de Gredos, and Catalonia’s Parc National d’Aiguestortes.

Naturetrek still has availability on spring natural history tours to mainland Spain and Menorca.

Menorca – 8-days, departing London 1st May 2009.
Spring in Menorca promises an intricate mosaic of wild flowers such as White and mauve Cistus bushes, yellow Crown Daisies and a great assortment of vetches and Alyssum among the dunes. Avian highlights include Europe’s only sedentary population of Egyptian Vultures (up to 40 breeding pairs), Booted Eagles and a few pairs of breeding Ospreys.

Base for the holiday is a superb 18th century Menorcan farmhouse, lovingly restored and complete with large outdoor pool, situated amongst ten hectares of unspoilt countryside. From here, enjoy gentle walks along the coasts, through woodland and around the edges of wetlands – host to a variety of birds and some of the island’s flowers.

The tour costs £1,095 p/p including flights from London, taxes, transfers, accommodation with all meals and expert guiding.

Spain – Extremadura & Gredos Mountains – 8-days, departing London 9th May 2009
This two-centre holiday combines the contrasting habitats of central Spain – the undulating, sun-drenched steppes and shimmering plains of Extremadura, the rugged oak-forested hills of Monfragüe National Park, and the imposing granite peaks of the Sierra de Gredos.

Explore these exciting and wild habitats taking in abundant and colourful wayside flora of the plains and mountains, as well as butterflies and mammals. Highlights include one of the most exciting bird spectacles in Europe – the breeding display of the Great Bustard.

The tour costs £1,095 p/p including flights from London, taxes, transfers, accommodation with all meals and expert guiding.

Catalonia – The Eastern Pyrenees – 8-days, departing London 9th May 2009.
Initially guests are based at the monastery of Santa Maria de Bellpuig, near les Avellanes. Nearby, avian species such as Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting and Bonelli’s Warbler occur, whilst surrounding areas host flora species including mulleins, thistles, mallows, asphodels and Judas Trees.

Later, head northeast where floral delights include a mix of Mediterranean, northern European and Alpine species. Here, birds of prey may include Golden Eagle, together with Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Red Kite and Short-toed Eagle. At Parc National d’Aiguestortes spectacular displays of alpine flowers are on offer, including Alpine Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla alpina ssp. sulphurea), along with bird specialities such as Crossbill and possibly Black Woodpecker.

The tour costs £1,095 p/p including flights from London, taxes, transfers, accommodation with all meals and expert guiding.

For more information, log on to Naturetrek.co.uk.

Menorca Airport is situated approximately 4.5 kilometres to the south-west of Mahon which is a large port and the the island’s capital.

It is primarily a tourist airport with a large number of charter flights, especially during the summer. Most of the traffic passing through the airport is international, with the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy accounting for the greatest number of passengers. Nationally, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Madrid are the busiest destinations.

For the size of the Island, Menorca is a busy airport and handled 2,605,938 passengers and 31,804 flights in 2008. 61% of all passengers arriving at the airport are International travellers with the remainder made up of Inter-Balearic Island passenger traffic.

Like many of Spain’s airports the airport at Menorca gets extremely busy over the summer months when it deals with around 90% of its annual passenger traffic. You can more or less get anywhere in Menorca within an hour so transfers from the airport should not be too long and tedious.