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Enjoying The Great Outdoors On Menorca

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Meaning minor island, Menorca has been inhabited since Prehistoric times, with the earliest cultures on the island influenced by other Mediterranean cultures, including the Minoans of ancient Crete. Menorca later fell under Roman rule, and in 534AD was part of the Byzantine Empire. The island later came under Moorish rule, with many of the island's towns and villages today bearing Arabic names. During the Spanish Civil War Menorca was loyal to the Spanish Republican government, and as punishment for that, development of the island was blocked by the nationalists, which is one of the reasons the island remains so unspoilt and idyllic today.

A UNESCO biosphere reserve

Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the island's environmental areas, such as the Parc Natural S'Albufera d'es Grau wetlands and the various archaeological sites, can be preserved and safeguarded for the future. Environmentally friendly Menorca holidays give thousands of visitors every year the chance to explore this unique landscape. The geography of Menorca is diverse, with green rolling hills and countryside and a rugged coast in the north of the island. The south of the island is a flatter, drier landscape with sandy beaches and a more tranquil coastline.

The coastline of the island stretches for over 150 miles, with plenty of beaches for all the visitors, picturesque coves and breathtaking ravines giving the visitor a unique and enjoyable sense of discovery, especially when exploring on foot or by canoe. Menorca is one of the few places in the entire Mediterranean where it is possible to go there in the summer and still be able to locate a beach that is very quiet, possibly even to have all to yourself.

The beach of Pregonda is a prime example of Menorca's enviable choice of beaches, with an idyllic tranquility made up of red gold sand and pink rocks, with dunes and green fields on one side leading down to the stunning blue waters of the calm sea. You may need to get your walking shoes on and prepare for a decent hike to get there from the road, but it's worth it. Once you get there snorkelling and swimming are one of the best options here, with tiny islands sheltering the sand and creating a mill pool effect. Like much of the island, this area of the Menorca coast is also a designated nature reserve. This type of beach genuinely typifies the distinctly uncrowded and otherworldly nature of Menorca, and embodied the concept of eco-tourism long before the concept started to become popular.

Leave only footprints in the sand…

Another great thing about Menorca is the range of sports activities to do that have very little impact on the environment. What you will experience is the lack noise pollution from activities such as canoeing and windsurfing, and the enjoyment they bring over the noisy, polluting distractions of jet skis and powerboats. Exploring the coast on foot or by canoe is made easier with plenty of guided tours to choose from, as well as a range of outlets to hire cycles, boats and windsurfers.

Perhaps one of the best ways to experience the true Menorca is to hire a villa. With environmentally sustainable facilities and amenities, and with local tourism businesses regularly taking an ecologically balanced approach, staying in Menorca can tick all the boxes for the committed eco tourist. The rustic yet colourful way of life, and the way the Menorcan people respect and interact with their local environment, all makes for the ideal holiday for all the family. Menorca villas echo this concern for the environment, providing guests with calm and peaceful haven away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Getting to Menorca is easy, with plenty of low cost flights to and from the UK.

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If reducing the environmental impact of your annual break is important then Menorca holidays are one possible choice. Mark has reported on eco-friendly travel for quite a while now and the choice of Menorca villas now represents a perfect option.

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