Menorca: An island of contrasts
History sets Menorca apart from its neighbouring Balearic
Islands. Reminders of the island’s numerous occupants jump out at every
opportunity: pre-historic settlers left behind a rich archaeological
heritage; the French founded Sant Lluís; the ubiquitous gin is the legacy of
British naval occupation; while equestrian games played at Ciutadella’s St
John festival are part of the town’s medieval inheritance. This rich
cocktail of history is blended with the island’s spectacular geography, an
island where old and new contrast each other, giving Menorca its distinctive
charm.
Among the barren landscape of the north coast, pockets of sandy beaches,
like those at S’Arenal d’en Castell and Son Parc, are hidden in between
curving cliff faces, while footpaths lined by pine trees lead to the
isolated waters of El Pilar and Algaiarens. The smooth slopes of the south
coast flatten out into wide, sandy beaches; Son Bou is the island’s longest
beach. To the west, a handful of secluded bays can be found by exploring the
single track lanes that weave through the fields around Ciutadella.
The bottleneck bay of Fornells is a base for watersport activity, but the
jewel in Menorca’s coastline is the immense port at Maó – the second largest
natural harbour in the world after Pearl Harbour. The village of Es Grau
also remembers how dependent islanders are on the water that surrounds them.
Here whitewashed fishing boats are moored in the bay, but these days, its
shallow, warm waters and safe swimming mean it is more popular with
families.
In 1993, UNESCO declared Menorca a Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of
the diversity of the island’s flora and fauna, the importance of wetlands
such as S’Albufera des Grau and its numerous archaeological monuments. The
statistics on fauna alone are impressive – every single islet off the coast
of Menorca has its own, indigenous species of lizard. The most famous of
these reptiles are the black lizards that run riot on the Illa d’Aire.
Bonnin Sansó - the leading local estate agent on Menorca
Many a visitor falls for the temptation to make part of Menorca their
home, to take a slice of this blue, white and green oasis and make it their
own. For potential homeowners, the leading local estate agent, Bonnin Sansó
can help best meet your property needs. Knowing the island inside out,
they’ve been in operation for more than 17 years. Its 20-strong sales team
across four offices can advise you in your own language. Administrative
staff, legal experts and project management teams help smooth the way and Bonnin Sansó’s comprehensive after sales service ensures all loose ends are
tied.
With close to 1,500 properties on their books at any one time – from
investment apartments; villas overlooking the golf course; luxury chalets
with landscaped gardens and infinity swimming pools; to a unique town house
converted into a spa and hotel – there are opportunities at every corner of
the island.
Why not take the unexpected out of the property purchase equation and
draw upon the wealth of experience Bonnin Sansó can offer? Turn to Bonnin
Sansó for consistency. And let Menorca’s endless contrast be the only source
of surprises.
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