The thought of a tropical holiday on the Mediterranean fills all of us with a happy feeling. However, most of the time, if we have a family which comprises of kids and or elderly people, we wonder what kind of vacation will suit everyone. Balearic Islands offer adventure water-sports like kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and pedal-boating for the fitness freaks, but offer enough choices for the not so fit ones too.
Situated in the western Mediterranean Sea, the archipelago of the Balearic Islands consist of four large islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. There are several other minor islands like Cabrera, Dragonera and S’Espalmador. The official languages are Catalan and Spanish as this archipelago is a part of Spain, however, if you speak English, you should not have many issues while navigating through the islands.
These islands enjoy tropical sun throughout the year and hence you can even choose your winter vacation as the perfect time to visit these places. The beach holiday season starts in May and continues till October, however, these islands are full of activities throughout the year.
Mallorca/Majorca
If you are a nature lover, and love biking or walking, then explore the world heritage site of UNESCO-” Serra de Tramuntana.” Climbing the highest peak Puig Major will give you a feeling of success and elation. Being the biggest island in this region, this place has something or the other for everyone in the family.
For the kids in the family, the Palma aquarium is the perfect place to enjoy. Viewing the sharks being fed by the botanists may turn out to be the first of its kind of experience for many. The entire family can take the wooden vintage train from Palma to the sleepy town of Sóller. En route you can see acres of pine forests, olive groves and citrus orchards while the train passes through the Tramuntana mountains.
If you are a wine connoisseur, then visiting the village of Binnisalem might be a fruitful trip. José L. Ferrer, Macià Batle, Vins Nadal and Son Prim are some of the famous wineries in the area. You can witness the process of the transformation of the local varieties of Manto Negro and Callet grapes to red wines and Moll grapes to white wines.
The capital city of Palma will give you enough options to fill your shopping bags with souvenirs and tummies with exotic Mediterranean dishes. The little town of Arta too is a fantastic place to stroll around in the cafes and enjoy a lazy afternoon. If you enjoy a bit of history, then don’t miss the Talaiotic settlement of Ses Païsses just outside Arta. They are believed to be established more than 3,000 years ago.
For the bird-watchers, S’Albufera nature reserve is the perfect place to spend a day watching Eleonora’s falcons and purple herons. There are more than 200 species of birds which visit this natural reserve during different times of the year.
Menorca/Minorca
The lazy island of Menorca is perfect for history lovers to witness some of the unique monuments of the world. Taluas which were built for religious or astronomical purposes, Navetas” which are burial chambers and talaiots, or talayots which were built to be used as watch towers are known for their exceptional architectural value.
Dated back to 1000 BC and beyond, these monuments talk highly about the civilization of the natives of this region. Talua ‘Torralba d’en Salort” and ‘Naveta d’Es Tudons” are the most notable structures for the tourists, however, if you walk or hike in this area, you will explore many such structures.
Ibiza
Ibiza, is very popular destination among the youngsters and is known as an international party destination. World-famous DJs travel to this place to perform and this island is known for its exotic nightclubs.
Lively resorts of Playa d’en Bossa in San Antonio are the perfect places for any party animal who wants to groove to the latest tunes. There are club opening parties which start by mid-May and continue till October. If you are a hardcore rock music lover, then you would not miss the Ibiza Rocks music festival in San Antonio. The lavish partying ends with club closing festivals which start by end of September and continue till October.
To get the feel of the city, visit the Ibiza Dalt Vila which was built by the Phoenicians. The castle was built in the sixteenth century to keep the Turkish pirates out. The Cathedral is at the highest point and one will wonder how this small island’s inmates had made use of the strategic location to keep the city safe.
Diving is another favorite water sport and there are diving centers all over the island, including Active Dive in San Antonio and Subfari in Portinatx.
Aguamar waterpark is loved by the kids and adults alike with has seven slides to choose from. There as pools and playgrounds and separate picnic spots for the entire family to enjoy.
Formentera
Visiting this small island from Ibiza on boat is a perfect way to spend a summer holiday. Get down at the harbor in La Savina and rent a bike or scooter to navigate through the island. Enjoy the nude beaches and get a gorgeous sun tan. If you love watching birds, then the salt pans are the best places to hang around. These nature reserves might give you a glimpse of some exotic birds which you always wanted to watch.
So are you all ready to pack your bags for a fun-filled vacation to the Balearic Islands this summer?
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Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Paul_Smith/2503660
