The Top Five Places to Stay in Menorca Spain

Menorca sits like a beautiful teardrop in the Mediterranean, just south of France and east of the Spanish mainland. As you can imagine, the weather is balmy, the sea is clear and the air is clean, crisp and fresh. It’s almost as if Menorca was designed with resorts and relaxation in mind, and we believe that visitors to the island should experience this to the full. Indeed, Menorca has many villas, apartments, and resorts that lift your enjoyment to the highest possible level. We count down the top five resorts on the island for a perfect mix of relaxation and fun.

5. Binibeca

A great little resort on Menorca’s south eastern tip, Binibeca starts our count down in style. The resort leans towards the relaxed rather than active end of the scale, with the surrounding areas being peppered with well presented Menorcan villas. The sparkling white of the villas creates a pleasing tableau amongst the area’s sloping, wooded hills, while the warm Mediterranean wind completes the picture. It’s instantly relaxing and welcoming from your first moment there, and there’s a palpable feeling of a weight being lifted.

The choice of catering options is wide, but if you choose to go self catered your stay is even more secluded. Food packs can be set for when you arrive, and when you need supplies you will find most of your needs locally as well as some good bars and restaurants for eating out. Further facilities can be found in Sant Lluis just a short drive away. The row of shops has all the necessities you will need, as well as some bars and restaurants for eating out. All in all, Binibeca is just a great place to lose yourself, relax and unwind.

4. Torre Soli Nou

Torre Soli Nou is a step up from Binibeca in terms of seclusion and relaxation. Villas in this part of Menorca fit with the even more laid back attitude of the area. Situated in the bay of Son Bou, the resort gives you complete control over your choice of experience; you can walk to San Jamie, enjoy the wide variety of beautiful flora and fauna or just sunbathe on the beach. The area is entirely as you want it to be.

3. Santo Tomas

To the west of Torre Soli Nou is Santo Tomas, a resort with a greater feeling of community. Wide wooden walkways, bars and excellent local restaurants are populated but not as brimming as some parts of Menorca; Villas and apartments in the area create a neighbourly feeling, as does most of the local area. This small, community feel also extends to the nearby Es Mijorn Gran, a village with many different attractions, from churches to cafés, and the host of the colourful Festival of St Christopher in late July (the perfect time to see the area at its best). Santo Tomas creates a family feeling while keeping your own relaxation to a maximum.

2. San Jamie

San Jamie is an oasis of Menorcan villas and apartments set against a background of endless beach and azure blue waters. Instantly relaxing, the resort is within easy reach of a wildlife conservation area, an iron age fort, children’s play areas and the local complex, which offers a varied selection of entertainment, bars, restaurants and shops. The resort is more active than some others, which increases the amount of choices available to holiday makers in terms of relaxation versus activity. A perfect destination for those looking for a wide range of opportunity while in Menorca.

1. Cala Galdana

Universally acknowledged as one of the jewels in Menorca’s crown, Cala Galdana is the final resort of choice on our list. The perfect mix of unspoilt sands, enjoyable and relaxed nightlife, long walks, and secluded spots to read or sunbathe. The great profusion of options and experiences on offer mean that the resort is also family friendly, with different activities available to cater to all tastes. The area has everything, and epitomises the very best aspects of the island as a whole.

Brenda Jaaback is the Managing Director of Bartle Holidays. They can provide you a choice of hand picked Menorca villas, resorts and retreats in prime locations for all your family holiday needs.

By Brenda Jaaback

Touring Indonesia East Java and Mount Bromo

I want to tell my experience about my trip to East Java especially to Mount Bromo when I was still at the secondary school, 12 years ago. I went with my parents, uncle, my friend and a driver. Our family started the tour from Bogor to Tegal, Central Java. We stayed one night in the hotel.

The next day, we started our trip from Tegal to Surabaya, East Java. We stayed the night in Garden Hotel at Jl. Pemuda Surabaya. The next day we concluded the trip. We chose the route from Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Pasuruan, and stopped in Gending, a small town, about 12 km at the east of Probolinggo to meet an old friend.

In the afternoon we went to Mount Bromo through Probolinggo. When we arrived in Probolinggo, our car turned to the south. During our trip, we crossed jati forests and fresh air. At last we came at the hotel. At this moment we couldn’t see the beautiful scenery from the hotel because of the darkness. The weather became cold and we had to wear thick clothes. We had dinner in a small restaurant near the hotel. After dinner, we slept.

When I was still asleep, at two o’clock in the morning my parents wake up me. I didn’t know what happened. There was an earthquake. Something funny happened, my friend directly brushed his teeth when he was awakened. He thought that we wanted to start to see the scenery. In fact it was only an earthquake. After that we slept again.

At 4 o’clock in the morning, the hotel attendant wake us up to be prepared to go to Pananjakan by jeep, a strategic place to watch the beautiful scenery of Mount Bromo, Mount Batok and Mount Semeru.

Time passed by. It was a pity that we couldn’t see the rising sun because of the cloudy sky. We were still lucky because of the good weather we could see the beautiful scenery. The three mountains are located in a National Park. Mount Semeru is the highest mountain in Java island. My father took photos of the beautiful scenery at the National Park.

When it was clear, we went back to the hotel. From the hotel, we went by horse through the sea sand which is going towards the crater. We climb by stairs towards the top. At the top we could see the Mount Bromo’s crater clearly which is still smokey.

After that we came back to the hotel and our trip to the mountain is finished. After that we went to Malang, a cold town at the south of Surabaya. After we visited a recreation park near Malang, we rested in the hotel. The next day we went back to Bogor and our trip to East Java was ended.

I’m Marko Joeswadi from Bogor Indonesia. I provide several scenery photos from the mountains of Indonesia. You can see it at my website – Indonesia Mountains Photos

By Marko Joeswadi

A Holiday Visit to Hangzhou in China

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is by the Qiantang River at the Southern end of the Grand Canal on the east coast of China. As one of the seven ancient capitals in China, Hangzhou is famous for its natural beauty and historical and cultural heritages. In the Yuan Dynasty, the famous Italian traveler Marco Polo described Hangzhou as “the finest and most splendid city in the world.” The ancient Chinese saying has it “There is a paradise in the heaven, and down on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou”.

A trip to Hangzhou would be incomplete without a visit to West Lake. West Lake is symbol of Hangzhou as well as one of the most beautiful sights in China. The beauty of the West Lake lies in the lingering charm that survives the change of season in a year, of hours in a day, and of different weathers.

Besides the scenic West Lake, traveling in Hangzhou, you will unveil the stock of surprises at these places:

Lingyin Temple: Originally built in 326, Lingyin Temple is the largest and most splendid Buddhist temple in Hangzhou. It houses a large collection of Buddhism treasure and relics which is of great research value of Buddhism development. The Mahayana Hall of Lingyin Temple displays China largest wooden sculpture of the Sleeping Buddha, which is 9.1 meters high. Lingyin Temple was listed as a cardinal provincial historical and cultural site and is considered a leading centre for Chinese Buddhist culture research.

Six Harmonies Pagoda: Originally built in 970AD, the Six Harmonies Pagoda is considered a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. Situated on the top of the Yuerun Mountain, the Pagoda is 59.89 meters in height and has eight floors. The ceiling of each storey carved and painted with flowers, birds and animals which looks exquisite and delicate. Upon ascending the pagoda, visitors can get a panoramic view of the Qaintang River and the bridge on it.

Grand Canal: China’s legendary man-made waterway, the Grand Canal, links Beijing in north with Hangzhou in south. The Grand Canal, like The Great Wall, is a marvelous project in the history of Chinese civilization. Taking a boat trip along the canal offers tourists a panoramic view of the landscape of typical river towns, including arched stone bridges, riverside ancient buildings and breathtaking scenery.

A trip to Hangzhou also is easily combined with a visit to Dragon Well Tea Plantation. Hangzhou Dragon-Well tea is ranked amongst the top brand in China. The National Tea Museum is situated in the Dragon Well Tea plantation. The building complex in ‘Jiang Nan water-town’ is a perfect example of ancient Chinese civilian architecture. Here you can learn the history of Chinese tea, tea drinking customs, tea utensils used in past dynasties, and the knowledge surrounding tea culture, and even the complicated process of picking and roasting tea leaves.

10 Reasons to Vacation in Portugal

Beaches: From huge stretches of golden sand hugged by craggy honeycomb cliffs in the Algarve to small coves and rolling waves on the north and Silver coasts.

Nightlife: The Portuguese like to party so the clubs and bars are open until dawn. Spot celebs at Vilamoura’s marina bars, join in the party at Lisbon’s Alcantara docks or listen to haunting fado in a family-run restaurant.

Food: The Portuguese dine late and like to linger over their meals. Typical dishes include bacalhau (salted and sun dried codfish) served countless ways, caldo verde (green cabbage soup), cabrito (roast kid) and seafood cataplana (fish stew).

Wine: There are wine-growing regions all over the country, the best known being the Douro in the north, where rich reds and port wine are produced in the cellars of Oporto, the Alentejo and Minho, famous for the white, lightly sparkling venho verde.

Architecture: Outstanding examples of Baroque, Medieval, Manueline and Neoclassical architecture can be found all over Portugal. Visit Oporto’s Se Cathedral, Lisbon’s Jeronimos Monastery, Viana’s Old City Hall and Sintra’s Pena Palace.

Cities: Portugal has an abundance of UNESCO heritage cities with the historic centres of Oporto, Evora and Sintra leading the way. Lisbon buzzes with museums, historic monuments and fashionable bars and restaurants.

Nature: Tour the north and Douro Valley for spectacular scenery and steeply terraced vineyards and the Algarve for scented orange groves, spectacular Monchique mountains and Ria Formosa national park. There are 12 national parks in Portugal.

History: Did you know that the Algarve was a Moorish province for 500 years or that the Portuguese were among the great explorers during Europe’s Age of Discovery with Prince Henry the Navigator leading the way?

Shopping: Colourful markets selling leather goods, embroidery and brightly-coloured hand-painted tiles and ceramics are everywhere. You’ll find department stores in Lisbon and large cities.

Touring: Hire a car and tour the ‘Real Portugal’ in the north, staying in a pousada (a building of historic interest) along the way. Head inland to the Alentejo plains or north to the Serra da Estrela mountains.

So – a holiday in Portugal offers a land of fabulous sandy beaches backed by dramatic honey-coloured limestone cliffs and neatly-terraced vineyards producing vintage port and robust wines. Sleepy white-washed villages nestle in the hills not far from the Algarve’s holiday resorts while vibrant historic cities bustle with life and brim over with culture and history. With plenty of discount flights to Portugal to be had from all over Europe, now is the time to think of your Portugeuse idyll.