Villa holidays in Menorca are a popular choice for those wishing to experience a traditional beach holiday. However visitors wishing to discover a bit more about the island can uncover many interesting pieces of maritime history, evidence of which can be seen around the waterfront area of Menorca’s capital, Mahon.
Sitting outside on one of the cafes that open onto Mahon waterfront with a jug of sangria and platters of delicious Spanish tapas is a great way to spend an afternoon whilst on your Menorca villa holiday. Many of the traditional fishing boats docked in the harbour are still carved in the traditional Arab design and it is possible to take a boat trip on one of these vessels and explore the Balearic Ocean. However, if you’d rather sit and observe whilst on your Menorca villa holiday then a quick glance around the waterfront will allow you to spot houses built into the rock, small caves and boutique art galleries where you can while away a few hours gazing at some upcoming contemporary Spanish art.
As you walk further up the waterfront you may want to leave your rental car keys in your Menorca villa, as the Xoriguer Gin Distillery is located nearby. The Menorcans love of gin is a hangover from the days of the British occupation, when visiting sailors and merchants introduced the local population to ‘Mother’s ruin’. However, despite this, the Menorcan version of gin is actually quite dissimilar to the English tipple and has been said to bear more resemblance to Dutch brands. All the gins and spirits produced at the Xouriger distillery can be sampled on site, but on your Menorca villa holiday try it the traditional Spanish way, with lashings of pink lemonade in a cocktail known as a pomada.
Walking back from the Xouriger distillery, you will pass two notable buildings, The Old Customs House and Golden Farm, where Admiral Nelson stayed during his time on the island.
Mahon waterfront is known for its world class restaurants which even have the Royal seal of approval. In fact, King Carlos of Spain is such a fan of the traditional spiny lobster sold at Es Pla that he regularly sails his yacht down from mainland Spain just to sample the delectable dish before heading back home. On your Menorca villa holiday you simply must sample this spiny lobster that can be cooked in a number of different ways, from baked with whisky to smothered in the Menorcan invention mayonnaise.
Delving into the past, as one of the largest natural harbours in the world Mahon has its fair share of history including the epic siege of 1756 in which a force of 5,000 soldiers and workmen attempted to take on 15,000 French troops with the stand off lasting a total of 71 days. With such an epic maritime past, the naval cemetery, located to the right of Mahon harbour, should be visited whilst on your Menorca villa holiday. Here you will see graves from the US Navy and British Royal Navy with epic descriptions reminding us of the ancient history of this maritime capital.
Author Resource:-
Lucie Evans is a Mediterranean specialist at Villa Select, a specialist operator with an exclusive selection of Menorca villa holidays (http://www.villaselect.com/destination.asp?destination=5), and other Mediterranean locations. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find your dream villa holiday.
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