Island in the limelight

IF YOU MISSED THE BOAT THIS SUMMER, NOW'S THE PERFECT TIME TO HEAD TO MENORCA, SAYS SAMANTHA WOSTEAR

- 

MENORCA is having a moment thanks to its sustainable and authentic approach to tourism - not to mention sun-soaked beaches, culture and local culinary delights to stir the senses.

I was expecting a quieter experience than I've enjoyed on other Balearic islands, and although Menorca doesn’t shout about its attractions, its quiet confidence creates a unique buzz.

There's more to this destination than meets the eye. In fact, easyJet has recently launched year-round flights to the belle of the Balearics, reflecting demand.

There's a plethora of things to see and do right up until November, and some locals revealed that December can still offer “short sleeves weather”. Most hotels and restaurants are already in full swing by March.

I started my journey in the port of Mahon in the Barcelo Hamilton hotel.

Outside the hotel the first thing I noticed were scores of shutters on typical Menorcan villas, painted in racing green, often against a deep red wash on the walls - quite the contrast to the white buildings you expect.

Thankfully our fantastic tour guide Alvin explained that it was a nod to the British naval ships that arrived in Menorca. As paint was so expensive, officers used the surplus from the ships for their houses.

The British influence doesn’t end there - bow and bay windows are a common sight and it’s still the norm for farmers to call their cows “ox”.

From the port of Mahon, Spain's most eastern point, you can see a British-built fortress on Lazaretto Island, aka “quarantine island” because it used to be where 18th-century ships stopped to ensure crews didn’t bring infectious diseases ashore.

Just a short water taxi ride away from the picturesque harbour of Cales Fonts sits a hospital that treated injured sailors during the Second World War.